the great controversy-第15章
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maintained their faith in its purity； as a sacred heritage for the
generations to come。
The history of God's people during the ages of darkness that followed upon
Rome's supremacy is written in heaven； but they have little place in human
records。 Few traces of their existence can be found； except in the
accusations of their persecutors。 It was the policy of Rome to obliterate
every trace of dissent from her doctrines or decrees。 Everything heretical；
whether persons or writings； she sought to destroy。 Expressions of doubt； or
questions as to the authority of papal dogmas； were enough to forfeit the
life of rich or poor； high or low。 Rome endeavored also to destroy every
record of her cruelty toward dissenters。 Papal councils decreed that books
and writings containing such records should
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be committed to the flames。 Before the invention of printing； books were few
in number； and in a form not favorable for preservation； therefore there was
little to prevent the Romanists from carrying out their purpose。
No church within the limits of Romish jurisdiction was long left undisturbed
in the enjoyment of freedom of conscience。 No sooner had the papacy obtained
power than she stretched out her arms to crush all that refused to
acknowledge her sway； and one after another the churches submitted to her
dominion。
In Great Britain primitive Christianity had very early taken root。 The
gospel received by the Britons in the first centuries was then uncorrupted
by Romish apostasy。 Persecution from pagan emperors； which extended even to
these far…off shores； was the only gift that the first churches of Britain
received from Rome。 Many of the Christians； fleeing from persecution in
England； found refuge in Scotland； thence the truth was carried to Ireland；
and in all these countries it was received with gladness。
When the Saxons invaded Britain； heathenism gained control。 The conquerors
disdained to be instructed by their slaves； and the Christians were forced
to retreat to the mountains and the wild moors。 Yet the light； hidden for a
time； continued to burn。 In Scotland； a century later； it shone out with a
brightness that extended to far…distant lands。 From Ireland came the pious
Columba and his colaborers； who； gathering about them the scattered
believers on the lonely island of Iona； made this the center of their
missionary labors。 Among these evangelists was an observer of the Bible
Sabbath； and thus this truth was introduced among the people。 A school was
established at Iona； from which missionaries went out； not only to Scotland
and England； but to Germany； Switzerland； and even Italy。
But Rome had fixed her eyes on Britain； and resolved to bring it under her
supremacy。 In the sixth century her missionaries undertook the conversion of
the heathen Saxons。
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They were received with favor by the proud barbarians； and they induced many
thousands to profess the Romish faith。 As the work progressed； the papal
leaders and their converts encountered the primitive Christians。 A striking
contrast was presented。 The latter were simple； humble； and Scriptural in
character； doctrine； and manners； while the former manifested the
superstition； pomp； and arrogance of popery。 The emissary of Rome demanded
that these Christian churches acknowledge the supremacy of the sovereign
pontiff。 The Britons meekly replied that they desired to love all men； but
that the pope was not entitled to supremacy in the church； and they could
render to him only that submission which was due to every follower of
Christ。 Repeated attempts were made to secure their allegiance to Rome； but
these humble Christians； amazed at the pride displayed by her emissaries；
steadfastly replied that they knew no other master than Christ。 Now the true
spirit of the papacy was revealed。 Said the Romish leader： 〃If you will not
receive brethren who bring you peace； you shall receive enemies who will
bring you war。 If you will not unite with us in showing the Saxons the way
of life； you shall receive from them the stroke of death。〃J。 H。 Merle
D'Aubigne； History of the Reformation of the Sixteenth Century； b。 17； ch。
2。 These were no idle threats。 War； intrigue； and deception were employed
against these witnesses for a Bible faith； until the churches of Britain
were destroyed； or forced to submit to the authority of the pope。
In lands beyond the jurisdiction of Rome there existed for many centuries
bodies of Christians who remained almost wholly free from papal corruption。
They were surrounded by heathenism and in the lapse of ages were affected by
its errors； but they continued to regard the Bible as the only rule of faith
and adhered to many of its truths。 These Christians believed in the
perpetuity of the law of God and observed the Sabbath of the fourth
commandment。 Churches that held to this faith and practice existed in
Central Africa and among the Armenians of Asia。
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But of those who resisted the encroachments of the papal power； the
Waldenses stood foremost。 In the very land where popery had fixed its seat；
there its falsehood and corruption were most steadfastly resisted。 For
centuries the churches of Piedmont maintained their independence； but the
time came at last when Rome insisted upon their submission。 After
ineffectual struggles against her tyranny； the leaders of these churches
reluctantly acknowledged the supremacy of the power to which the whole world
seemed to pay homage。 There were some； however； who refused to yield to the
authority of pope or prelate。 They were determined to maintain their
allegiance to God and to preserve the purity and simplicity of their faith。
A separation took place。 Those who adhered to the ancient faith now
withdrew； some； forsaking their native Alps； raised the banner of truth in
foreign lands； others retreated to the secluded glens and rocky fastnesses
of the mountains； and there preserved their freedom to worship God。
The faith which for centuries was held and taught by the Waldensian
Christians was in marked contrast to the false doctrines put forth from
Rome。 Their religious belief was founded upon the written word of God； the
true system of Christianity。 But those humble peasants； in their obscure
retreats； shut away from the world； and bound to daily toil among their
flocks and their vineyards； had not by themselves arrived at the truth in
opposition to the dogmas and heresies of the apostate church。 Theirs was not
a faith newly received。 Their religious belief was their inheritance from
their fathers。 They contended for the faith of the apostolic church；〃the
faith which was once delivered unto the saints。〃 Jude 3。 〃The church in the
wilderness；〃 and not the proud hierarchy enthroned in the world's great
capital； was the true church of Christ； the guardian of the treasures of
truth which God has committed to His people to be given to the world。
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Among the leading causes that had led to the separation of the true church
from Rome was the hatred of the latter toward the Bible Sabbath。 As foretold
by prophecy； the papal power cast down the truth to the ground。 The law of
God was trampled in the dust； while the traditions and customs of men were
exalted。 The churches that were under the rule of the papacy were early
compelled to honor the Sunday as a holy day。 Amid the prevailing error and
superstition； many； even of the true people of God； became so bewildered
that while they observed the Sabbath； they refrained from labor also on the
Sunday。 But this did not satisfy the papal leaders。 They demanded not only
that Sunday be hallowed； but that the Sabbath be profaned； and they
denounced in the strongest language those who dared to show it honor。 It was
only by fleeing from the power of Rome that any could obey God's law in
peace。 （See Appendix。）
The Waldenses were among the first of the peoples of Europe to obtain a
translation of the Holy Scriptures。 （See Appendix。） Hundreds of years before
the Reformation they possessed the Bible in manuscript in their native
t
