mind, not to reach or disturb the individual conscience. For centuries
the dragon has been unable to rouse any one horn of the beast to deeds
of blood.

It is usual for the victors to give outward expression to their joy.
"The voice of them that shout for mastery," has been heard since the
days of Moses. (Exod. xxxii. 18.) Accordingly, these conquerors
congratulate one another on their recent victory, but their joy
terminates on the proper object. The "kingdom of their God and the power
of his Christ" constitute their theme. His right hand and his holy arm
have gotten him the victory. The devil accused Job before God. His
accusations in that instance were prosecuted through Job's friends and
his wife. (Job ii. 4, 5, 9, 11.)--So it was in the experience of the
reformers. They were loaded with infamy by their persecutors; and while
they were depressed, God himself seemed to give sentence against them.
This was the wormwood and the gall in the cup of their affliction, as it
was in holy Job's experience: but in due time God "brought forth their
righteousness as the light, and their judgment as the noonday." Their
"good conversation put to silence the ignorance of foolish men." The
power of the Lord's Christ was made manifest through the instrumentality
of his servants, by producing conviction in many hearts that the cause
for which they suffered was from God, and thus prevailing with such to
join in their fellowship. The hearts of kings and princes of the earth
were touched from on high; so that they braved the combinations of
imperial and papal power, while extending the shield of their protection
to the followers of the Lamb. Frederick the Wise, and especially John
his brother, electors of Saxony in Luther's time, were notable bulwarks
of defence to the sufferers, against the bloody edicts of Charles fifth,
emperor of Germany. The "good regent" in Scotland and others extended
effectual protection to Knox, his coadjutors and followers in the cause