Quotable

These are sad times, in which we live; nay, truly, there is more danger now than in the time of our fathers, who suffered death for the testimony of the Lord…for then Satan came openly…as a roaring lion…[and] his chief design then was to destroy the body: but now he comes as in the night…to destroy the soul…[to] annihilate entirely, if this were possible, the only saving Christian faith…[and] to destroy the true separated Christian life which is the outgrowth of faith (Ps:91:5-6 [5] Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; [6] Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
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He reveals himself on the one hand as an angel of light (2 Cor:11:14-15 [14] And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. [15] Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
See All...), as a kind, pleasant, yea, even divine messenger, with a humble countenance…[as] the martyrs of God formerly did. His words are modest…seemingly coming from deep meditation…lest he might speak amiss or untruthfully. Meanwhile…he seizes hold and tears like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, robbing the innocent lambs of Christ of their precious faith, which he pretends to be of small importance, but without which faith it is impossible to please God (Heb:11:6But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
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It grieves us to the heart that we must live to see these times, and therefore speak in this wise. O Lord, strengthen our faith! Help Thy weak, trusting lambs, that they may not be led into error, nor moved from the foundations of the most holy faith.

On the other hand, through his [Satan’s] instigation, the world now reveals itself very beautiful and glorious, more than at any preceding time….Almost all men run after her, to worship her as a queen supreme; but all are deceived thereby….Who shall escape these snares? He that would at no time be taken unawares by it, must indeed be cautious and watchful. But our very flesh seems prone to it. Here must be fasting, watching, praying, and calling upon God for help, otherwise there is no escape.

Thieleman J. van Braght, The Author’s Preface, Martyrs Mirror, The story of the Anabaptist, Mennonite, Albigensian, Waldensian, et al., martyrs from the first century to 1660, July 27, 1659