dom free from the restraints of the law of God. Because
sentence against an evil work was not speedily executed, therefore the
heart of the sons of men was "fully set in them to do evil."(419) But the
transgression of a just and righteous law must inevitably result in misery
and ruin. Though not visited at once with judgments, the wickedness of men
was nevertheless surely working out their doom. Centuries of apostasy and
crime had been treasuring up wrath against the day of retribution; and
when their iniquity was full, the despisers of God learned too late that
it is a fearful thing to have worn out the divine patience. The
restraining Spirit of God, which imposes a check upon the cruel power of
Satan, was in a great measure removed, and he whose only delight is the
wretchedness of men, was permitted to work his will. Those who had chosen
the service of rebellion, were left to reap its fruits, until the land was
filled with crimes too horrible for pen to trace. From devastated
provinces and ruined cities a terrible cry was heard,--a cry of bitterest
anguish. France was shaken as if by an earthquake. Religion, law, social
order, the family, the state, and the church,--all were smitten down by the
impious hand that had been lifted against the law of God. Truly spake the
wise man: "The wicked shall fall by his own wickedness." "Though a sinner
do evil a hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that
it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before Him: but it
shall not be well with the wicked."(420) "They hated knowledge, and did
not choose the fear of the Lord;" "therefore shall they eat of the fruit
of their own way, and be filled with their own devices."(421)

God's faithful witnesses, slain by the blasphemous power that "ascendeth
out of the bottomless pit," were not long to remain silent. "After three
days and a half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they
stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them."(422)
It was in 1793 that the decrees which abolished the Christian religion and
set aside the Bible, passed the French Assembly. Three years and a half
later a resolution rescinding these decrees, thus granting toleration to
the Scriptures, was adopted by the same body. The world stood aghast at
the enormity of guilt which had resulted from a rejection of the Sacred
Oracles, and men recognized the necessity of faith in God and His word as
the foundation