The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 196

The words of Inspiration were verified: “The entrance of Thy words
giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” Psalm 119:130.
The study of the Scriptures was working a mighty change in the minds
and hearts of the people. The papal rule had placed upon its subjects an
iron yoke which held them in ignorance and degradation. A superstitious
observance of forms had been scrupulously maintained; but in all their
service the heart and intellect had had little part. The preaching of
Luther, setting forth the plain truths of God’s word, and then the word
itself, placed in the hands of the common people, had aroused their
dormant powers, not only purifying and ennobling the spiritual nature,
but imparting new strength and vigor to the intellect.
Persons of all ranks were to be seen with the Bible in their hands,
defending the doctrines of the Reformation. The papists who had
left the study of the Scriptures to the priests and monks now called
upon them to come forward and refute the new teachings. But,
ignorant alike of the Scriptures and of the power of God, priests and
friars were totally defeated by those whom they had denounced as
unlearned and heretical. “Unhappily,” said a Catholic writer, “Luther
had persuaded his followers to put no faith in any other oracle than the
Holy Scriptures.”—D’Aubigne, b. 9, ch. 11. Crowds would gather to
hear the truth advocated by men