Seeing the failure of his efforts to crush out the truth by persecution , Satan had again resorted to the plan of compromise which led to the great apostasy and the formation of the Church of Rome . He had induced Christians to ally themselves , not now with pagans , but with those who , by their devotion to the things of this world , had proved themselves to be as truly idolaters as were the worshipers of graven images . And the results of this union were no less pernicious now than in former ages ; pride and extravagance were fostered under the guise of religion , and the churches became corrupted . Satan continued to pervert the doctrines of the Bible , and traditions that were to ruin millions were taking deep root . The church was upholding and defending these traditions , instead of contending for " the faith which was once delivered unto the saints ." Thus were degraded the principles for which the Reformers had done and suffered so much .
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