The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 118

from all the papal countries of Europe. Great were the inducements
held out to those who should engage in this perilous enterprise. Full
forgiveness of the most heinous crimes was ensured to every crusader.
All who died in the war were promised a rich reward in heaven, and
those who survived were to reap honor and riches on the field of battle.
Again a vast army was collected, and, crossing the frontier they entered
Bohemia. The Hussite forces fell back before them, thus drawing the
invaders farther and farther into the country, and leading them to count
the victory already won. At last the army of Procopius made a stand,
and turning upon the foe, advanced to give them battle. The crusaders,
now discovering their mistake, lay in their encampment awaiting the
onset. As the sound of the approaching force was heard, even before the
Hussites were in sight, a panic again fell upon the crusaders. Princes,
generals, and common soldiers, casting away their armor, fled in all
directions. In vain the papal legate, who was the leader of the invasion,
endeavored to rally his terrified and disorganized forces. Despite his
utmost endeavors, he himself was swept along in the tide of fugitives.
The rout was complete, and again an immense booty fell into the hands
of the victors.
Thus the second time a vast army, sent forth by the most powerful
nations of Europe, a host of brave, warlike men, trained and equipped for
battle, fled without a blow before the defenders of a small and hitherto
feeble nation. Here was a manifestation of divine power. The invaders
were smitten with a supernatural terror. He who overthrew the hosts of
Pharaoh in the Red Sea, who put to flight the armies of Midian before
Gideon and his three hundred, who in one night laid low the forces of
the proud Assyrian, had again stretched out His hand to wither the power
of the oppressor. “There were they in great fear, where no fear was: for
God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth against thee: thou
hast put them to shame, because God hath despised them.” Psalm 53:5.

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