might have taken ; it legitimatized their title to any property they might have illegally acquired ; and promised remission of all their sins to such as should kill any heretic . It annulled all contracts made in favor of Vaudois , ordered their domestics to abandon them , forbade all persons to give them any aid whatever , and empowered all persons to take possession of their property ." --Wylie, b . 16 , ch . 1 . This document clearly reveals the master spirit behind the scenes . It is the roar of the dragon , and not the voice of Christ , that is heard therein .
The papal leaders would not conform their characters to the great standard of God ' s law , but erected a standard to suit themselves , and determined to compel all to conform to this because Rome willed it . The most horrible tragedies were enacted . Corrupt and blasphemous priests and popes were doing the work which Satan appointed them . Mercy had no place in their natures . The same spirit that crucified Christ and slew the apostles , the same that moved the blood-thirsty Nero against the faithful in his day , was at work to rid the earth of those who were beloved of God .
The persecutions visited for many centuries upon this God-fearing people were endured by them with a patience and constancy that honored their Redeemer . Notwithstanding the crusades against them , and the inhuman butchery to which they were subjected , they continued to send out their missionaries to scatter the precious truth . They were hunted to death ; yet their blood watered the seed sown , and it failed not of yielding fruit . Thus the Waldenses witnessed for God centuries before the birth of Luther . Scattered over many lands , they planted the seeds of the Reformation that began in the time of Wycliffe , grew broad and deep in the days of Luther , and is to be carried forward to the close of time by those who also are willing to suffer all things for " the word of God , and for the testimony of Jesus Christ ." Revelation 1:9 .
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