would in their turn tell the good news to others.

The words of inspiration were verified: "The entrance of Thy words giveth
light; it giveth understanding unto the simple."(279) 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."(280) Crowds
would gather to hear the truth advocated by men of little education, and
even discussed by them with learned and eloquent theologians. The shameful
ignorance of these great men was made apparent as their arguments were met
by the simple teachings of God's word. Laborers, soldiers, women, and even
children, were better acquainted with the Bible teachings than were the
priests and learned doctors.

The contrast between the disciples of the gospel and the upholders of
popish superstition was no less manifest in the ranks of scholars than
among the common people. "Opposed to the old champions of the hierarchy,
who had neglected the study of languages and the cultivation of
literature, ... were generous-minded youths, devoted to study,
investigating Scripture, and familiarizing themselves with the
masterpieces of antiquity. Possessing an active mind, an elevated soul,
and intrepid heart, these young men soon acquired such knowledge that for
a long period none could compete with them.... Accordingly, when these
youthful defenders of the Reformation met the Romish doctors in any