o 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
priests 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.

Under the rule of the Roman Church, the people were sunken in poverty, and
ground down by oppression. They were destitute of the Scriptures; and
having a religion of mere signs and ceremonies, which conveyed no light to
the mind, they were returning to the superstitious beliefs and pagan
practices of their heathen ancestors. The nation was divided into
contending factions, whose perpetual strife increased the misery of all.
The king determined upon a reformation in the state and the church, and he
welcomed these able assistants in the battle against Rome.

In the presence of the monarch and the leading men of Sweden, Olaf Petri
with great ability defended the doctrines of the reformed faith against
the Romish champions. He declared that the teachings of the Fathers are to
be received only when in accordance with the Scriptures; that the
essential doctrines of the faith are presented in the Bible in a clear and
simple manner, so that all men may understand them. Christ said, "My
doctrine is not Mine, but His that sent Me;"(357) and Paul declared that
should he preach any other gospel than that which he had received, he
would be accursed.(358) "How, then," said the Reformer, "shall others
presume to enact dogmas at their pleasure, and impose them as things
necessary to salvation?"(359) He showed that the decrees of the church are
of no authority when in opposition to the commands of God, and maintained
the great Protestant principle, that "the Bible and the Bible only," is
the rule of faith and practice.

This contest, though conducted upon a stage comparatively obscure, serves
to show us "the sort of men that formed the rank and file of the army of
the Reformers. They were not illiterate, sectarian, noisy
controversialists--far from it; they were men who had studied the word of
God, and knew well how to wield the weapons with which the armory of the
Bible supplied them. In respect of er