The European Union in Prophecy The EU in Prophecy I | Page 193

The European Union in Prophecy
man's traditions and his laws, down with God's traditions and His most holy word. . . .
O that our prelates would be as diligent to sow the corn of good doctrine, as Satan is
to sow cockle and darnel!"-- Ibid., "Sermon of the Plough."
The grand principle maintained by these Reformers--the same that had been
held by the Waldenses, by Wycliffe, by John Huss, by Luther, Zwingli, and those who
united with them--was the infallible authority of the Holy Scriptures as a rule of faith
and practice. They denied the right of popes, councils, Fathers, and kings, to control
the conscience in matters of religion. The Bible was their authority, and by its
teaching they tested all doctrines and all claims. Faith in God and His word sustained
these holy men as they yielded up their lives at the stake. "Be of good comfort,"
exclaimed Latimer to his fellow martyr as the flames were about to silence their voices,
"we shall this day light such a candle, by God's grace, in England, as I trust shall
never be put out." -- Works of Hugh Latimer, vol. 1, p. xiii.
In Scotland the seeds of truth scattered by Columba and his colaborers had
never been wholly destroyed. For hundreds of years after the churches of England
submitted to Rome, those of Scotland maintained their freedom. In the twelfth
century, however, popery became established here, and in no country did it exercise a
more absolute sway. Nowhere was the darkness deeper. Still there came rays of light
to pierce the gloom and give promise of the coming day. The Lollards, coming from
England with the Bible and the teachings of Wycliffe, did much to preserve the
knowledge of the gospel, and every century had its witnesses and martyrs.
With the opening of the Great Reformation came the writings of Luther, and
then Tyndale's English New Testament. Unnoticed by the hierarchy, these
messengers silently traversed the mountains and valleys, kindling into new life the
torch of truth so nearly extinguished in Scotland, and undoing the work which Rome
for four centuries of oppression had done. Then the blood of martyrs gave fresh
impetus to the movement. The papist leaders, suddenly awakening to the danger that
threatened their cause, brought to the stake some of the noblest and most honoured
of the sons of Scotland. They did but erect a pulpit, from which the words of these
dying witnesses were heard throughout the land, thrilling the souls of the people with
an undying purpose to cast off the shackles of Rome.
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