Page:About Mexico - Past and Present.djvu/371

Rh Lutheran maxim set in capital letters? It is a very grave offence, and deserves burning."

"This doctrine was not devised in Luther's brain," replied Enzinas; "its source is the mysterious throne of the eternal Father, and it was revealed to the Church by the ministry of St. Paul for the salvation of every one that believeth."

While in confinement and in the face of death at the stake Enzinas translated the Psalms and preached the gospel to all who would hear him.

It is pleasant to record the escape of this bold confessor after a long imprisonment. He had become very sad one night, depressed in mind and body, and, going to the grating of his cell for air, he discovered the door to be unfastened. He passed through this, and found the second unlocked also, and then the third, which opened into the street, as though an angel had unbarred them as did Peter's heavenly visitor.

These facts show that Spain was in possession of the word of God when she extended her sceptre over the pagans of America. The ambition of her military adventurers there was not only to enrich her coffers with golden spoil, but to conquer a new world for the pope.

Never did the Church of Rome have a grander opportunity than in Mexico to give to perishing souls the gospel as it is set forth in God's word. Almost every tribe had bowed to the yoke of Spain and accepted the religion imposed by their conquerors; but during the three centuries of Spanish rule the Bible seems never to have been brought to this dark shore, or, if it was, the book was hidden away in some mouldy library, to be read by priests alone. If the voice of the Reformation ever