The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 243

wrath of the prior, who had built high hopes upon him as a valiant
defender of Rome. He was at once removed from his own monastery
to another and confined to his cell under strict supervision.
To the terror of his new guardians several of the monks soon declared
themselves converts to Protestantism. Through the bars of his cell
Tausen had communicated to his companions a knowledge of the truth.
Had those Danish fathers been skilled in the church’s plan of dealing
with heresy, Tausen’s voice would never again have been heard; but
instead of consigning him to a tomb in some underground dungeon,
they expelled him from the monastery. Now they were powerless. A
royal edict, just issued, offered protection to the teachers of the new
doctrine. Tausen began to preach. The churches were opened to him,
and the people thronged to listen. Others also were preaching the word
of God. The New Testament, translated into the Danish tongue, was
widely circulated. The efforts made by the papists to overthrow the work
resulted in extending it, and erelong Denmark declared its acceptance of
the reformed faith.
In Sweden, also, young men who had drunk from the well of
Wittenberg carried the water of life to their countrymen. Two of the
leaders in the Swedish Reformation, Olaf and Laurentius Petri, the sons
of a blacksmith of Orebro, studied under Luther and Melanchthon, and
the truths which they thus learned they were diligent to teach. Like
the great Reformer, Olaf aroused the people by his zeal and eloquence,
while Laurentius, like Melanchthon, was learned, thoughtful, and calm.
Both were men of ardent piety, of high theological attainments, and of
unflinching courage in advancing the truth. Papist opposition was not
lacking. The Catholic priest stirred up the ignorant and superstitious
people. Olaf Petri was often assailed by the mob, and upon several
occasions barely escaped with his life. These Reformers were, however,
favored and protected by the king.

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