 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The FIRE Within
by Anonymous
NOW in
---New Window
A plain account,
as written by a saint and slave of the LORD Jesus Christ,
the only begotten of the Father,
"Who is the Faithful Witness,
and the First Begotten of the dead,
and the Prince of the kings of the earth.
Unto Him that loved us,
and washed us from our sins
in His own blood."
Revelation 1:5
|
|
Chapter 1 The Journey
|
|
On a cold night in 1541,
just outside the town of Strensburg, a group of men rode up to a monastery. As they ride through the gate. A door opens just a little, and suddenly Kurt, a young monk, swings the door back on it's hinges, and runs out into the courtyard towards the well. He jumps in and takes a big breath of air, right before hitting the fast flowing underground river. Bruno, a Jesuit of high order, stares down into the abyss of blackness, as the abbot of the monastery comes over and stares down into the well. Kurt struggles to keep his head up as the current pulls him down under the water. He struggles to stay at the surface when suddenly moonlight fills the water. He soon finds himself in a fast flowing river, and is becoming very weak. |
|
Bruno, knowing where the well water leads, rides through the forest with his men in an attempt to trap the young monk. |
|
|
|
Kurt reaches the shore only to find Bruno waiting for him. He stares at a black robed man on a horse. |
The silhouette of a man comes up to the door and knocks.
Henich comes to the door and says...
"Who is it?"
|
|
"A message from the brethren," came the reply. "Slip it under the door." The man slips away into the cover of the night's darkness. |
Kurt is held in prison as his friend Henich packs his bag in readiness for the journey ahead as Kurt's replacement in the monastery.
The guards come for Kurt. The law of the land moves swiftly to carry out it's "justice".
|
Knowing that, somewhere, his friend, Kurt, |
|
|
|
...Henich let a tear escape from the corner of his
eye, and let it slide down his face. He missed his parents, who had both died some
years back. They were the only family he had, |
Henich turned to Brother Heath, a monk from the nearby
monastery, and an acquaintance of his family, who had been waiting for him at a nearby
tree.
Heath saw the look of grief for the lost parents in one, still so young, but who
had aged beyond his sixteen years of life. He knew this move, from a beloved, happy
home, to a future stark and lonely (for so the monastery was to him), would be a
hard thing for this youth.
He was really surprised, upon hearing, that the new admission to the brotherhood
of the monastery was young Henich. He didn't know the family well, but Henich hadn't
seemed fair material for a monk's life.
"Come, Henich, we must be going, for it is a way yet to the monastery."
Henich slowly hefted his bag onto his shoulder and the two set off on a journey,
that to Henich was the longest of his life.
Henich prayed in himself, "Give me now
wisdom and knowledge, LORD, that I may go out and come in before this people." And the LORD sent him the promise, "Wisdom
and knowledge is granted unto thee."
For many hours they hardly spoke a word,
for a storm had gathered in the east and was threatening. A few wayfarers passed
by, but that was all. Henich barely noticed the hours that passed, or the soreness
in his feet.
His mind was focused "on things above", and a need to fortify himself, in faith, for this dangerous endeavor.
"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart;
and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He
shall direct thy paths...This is my comfort in my affliction: for Thy Word hath quickened
me." Henich thanked the LORD for His fellowship and encouragement.
"Henich, did I tell you I was once a knight serving under Lord Balfored of Winchester
in England," asked Heath, rubbing his hands to keep them warm.
"You were a knight?" questioned Henich in surprise. "How did you get
to be a monk in an abbey?"
"I gambled and drank my life away until I had nothing left and owed every banker
for miles around. So I became a monk to escape debtors prison."
|
"Oh, my friend, Heath," moaned Henich silently, "I do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and Spiritual understanding." |
|
Flashes of lighting played in the distant sky.
"You can see the monastery from here," stated Heath, pointing off into
the distance.
In the diminished light, Henich saw a stone-like fortress, with four towers jutting
up at each corner. The two men continued on until the structure grew more distinct.
At last, Henich could make out the wooden shingled roofs, and white corner stones.
The walls were beaten and battered in spots and suggested the use of the place in
times past.
Henich watched pensively as the massive gate slowly opened, and the two travelers
passed through. The gate lumbered into it's huge frame.
"Well, you had better get a good night's sleep, for tomorrow the abbot will
put you to work," said Heath. He walked sleepily through the open doorway, shutting
the door behind him.
Henich set his bag down by the table, and wearily sank into the chair. He longingly
gazed out the window. The glass was very clean, and through it he could see the hills
and ravines that led up to a dark, thick dense forest. The ground beyond glistened,
suggesting water.
He blew out the candle.
Thoughts about the day's journey flooded Henich's
being. He felt the part of loneliness, with no one to fellowship with. Then the LORD's
Spirit spoke to his heart, "Truly our
fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ... that your joy may
be full."
"Thank you, dear LORD, for bringing all things to my remembrance."
Henich laid on the bed for many hours. The Spirit whispered, "Commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Offer
the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD."
Henich prayed, "My mouth shall praise
Thee with joyful lips: when I remember Thee upon my bed, and meditate on Thee in
the night watches."
And so the LORD gave His beloved sleep.
Chapter 2 The Search
As the door opened, the damp night air rushed into the room, for the rain had begun to pour.
It came down in a torrent on the cobblestone, and swirled around in the gusts of
wind.
"Wake up, quickly, Brother Henich! Bishop Bruno has come in much haste because
a monk from THIS monastery was arrested last night! He was found guilty of heresy,
and Bishop Bruno has ordered a search of the abbey."
"But why search the abbey? Do they expect to find other heretics?" asked
Henich, as he dressed.
"Nay, heretical papers. For although the fellow would not admit to it, they
found a scrap of paper on him.
It was a verse written in German, from the Scriptures! Bishop Bruno suspects that
more is hidden somewhere in the monastery!" replied Heath, in a tone of urgency.
"But what does this have to do with us?" probed Henich.
"We are to join the bishop's men in the search, and we had better be going,
lest our slackness be noticed."
Many hours passed in search of these fearful sheets that cost men's lives, and at
last, when they were found, they were in the least likely place - Abbot Grumen's
room! But despite the Abbot's denials, he was taken off to the holy house in Millner,
to face torture, trial, and execution, by those who had no more pity for him than
he had had for the righteous.
That evening,
after a long day's work in the monastery, Henich returned to his room and opened
the door. He quickly passed through and closed it. Lighting a candle, he pulled a
letter out of his cloak. He had known where to look, and sure enough, there was a
letter hidden by Kurt.
As candlelight danced across the walls, Henich carefully
broke the seal on the letter, and unfolded it on the table. Drops of water, like
a man's tears, smeared the ink in places, and Henich read it slowly.
"My dear friend,
'As He is, so are we in this world,' Even as I write these words, a Jesuit, by the name of, Bruno, lurks somewhere
outside my door, and I feel it will not be long before he discovers me. I cannot
flee, for he is watching all the time, and I dare not make contact with the others.
So, I use this bit of vaporous time as wisely as I can. I speak these things, as
from the grave where now lies my fleshly body. Nevertheless, my spirit lives through
Christ.
There burns a Fire in man that is of the Holy
Spirit. Some snuff It out with their first breath of moral action. But a few
nurture It like a child, till It fills ever part within their body. Fan It's flames,
Henich. Grow It within yourself, like a child waiting for manhood. Believe me, Henich,
when I tell you this, that you must trust It's leading, for this Fire is the Holy
Spirit, and your very life. 'My mouth shall
speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.' Therefore, I take comfort in knowing that my death will not be in vain,
for my 'labour is not in vain, in the LORD'.
With the LORD's help, we transported many bundles of supplies through this wicked
place, and used the wrath of man to praise His Name. I made a copy of some Scripture
to hide in the abbot's room, in a place where one might look for such an item. So
with the LORD's help in confusing the enemy, they will find them there, and search
no further. 'Great is our LORD, and of great
power: His understanding is infinite.'
You should already have instruction as to what to do. But always remember, it's not
just your life that's at stake here, it's the work of God, and of all those who came
before you. The LORD be with you, and fill you. For 'we
are not of them who draw back unto perdition.' Amen."
Henich felt a lump
in his throat that seemed as though it would choke him. "He
that endureth to the end shall be saved." This was a faithful
man that "fought a good fight" and finished his course.
He closed his eyes. Henich prayed, "LORD of heaven and earth, give me grace
that I might have the strength to finish my course as well as Kurt has."
With the lightning still flashing, and with a trembling hand, Henich clutched the
letter to his chest.
|
|
He turned to the window, and as he sat there, watching the rain beat down on it; and he heard Kurt's voice, as if it came from a far away place. He could almost see Kurt's face in the rain-stained window. |
|
"I take comfort in knowing that my death will
not be in vain, for my 'labour is NOT in vain,
in the LORD'." |
|
Chapter 3 The Decision
Henich was awaken suddenly
by a knock on the door. After blinking several times, he noticed a loud clatter on
the monastery courtyard.
"Brother Henich, it's me, Brother Heath. It's time to get up," called Heath
from behind the door.
Henich slowly yawned and stretched out his arms, when he suddenly realized he was
holding Kurt's letter! He leaned forward, and quickly stuffed the letter under his
mattress.
Henich put his hand on the door handle but stared down to the center of the door
for a moment. "Safety is of the LORD," muttered Henich to himself, and then took a deep breath as he opened the
door. He stepped out into the courtyard, and closed the door behind him.
After mealtime, Henich returned to his room, for the monks had a tradition of afternoon
meditation. Not much prayer from this place had ever been "a
sweet smelling savor" to the LORD. Henich contemplated
Isaiah's quote from JEHOVAH, "Bring no
more vain oblations... and when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide Mine eyes
from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of
blood." It sent a cold shiver down his spine to think
that he was actually IN this place of death and perversion. He was thankful for this
required time of PRIVATE prayer.
The Holy Spirit led his thoughts, and soon he felt a great burden for Heath. The
recent story of his past drunkenness and debt, and then his turning to this "congregation of the dead"
to elude prison, spoke to Henich of the power of darkness that gripped this man's
life.
"O, LORD, by Whom 'all things consist,' if You would 'per adventure... give
repentance to the acknowledging of the Truth,' that Heath 'may recover himself out of the snare of the devil.' You are 'not willing that ANY should
perish,' and that includes Heath. Save him, 'for Thou hast magnified Thy Word above all Thy Name.'"
The sunlight shone through the window, and fell on Henich as his intercession for
Heath ended. A quick knock at his door brought his head up and opened his eyes.
|
|
"Come in," said Henich, as he raised himself to his feet. "I must talk to you," said Heath seriously, as he walked into the room. His face looked troubled, and Henich knew something was wrong. Heath pulled the door halfway closed as he passed, and left it to close on it's own. "Have a seat, Brother Heath and, tell me if there is anything I can do for you?" said Henich, offering Heath the bed which was more comfortable than the stool he had already seated himself on. |
"Henich, even though we have never been close friends, you are still the only
one here I feel I can freely talk to about this burden." Heath was setting on
the bed facing Henich. He paused with clasped hands, and looked up, as if to search
the ceiling, before he continued.
"I need to talk to you about...those translated sheets that were found last
night?"
Suddenly, Henich was rigid. He couldn't move. A thought raced through his
mind. He should try to escape now! A moment longer would be too late! It was then,
that he remembered the verse, "Fear not;
I will help thee."
Just as suddenly, the fear left him, and he was as he had been before.
"It really bothers me, Brother Henich, that those heretics sing as they die
in the holy houses. It bothers me that they are willing to die in such a way, rather
than admit heresy and die without torture. What makes them different? What IS it
that these people hold so dear, that they would gladly give their lives for? I just
don't understand it?!"
"Heath," said Henich assuredly, "the
Spirit has now shown me that you are the LORD's elect, and if trusting in God, rather
than a Pope, be called heresy, then I too, am a heretic."
Heath sat motionless for a moment, not prepared to accept the only meaning such a
statement could have.
Henich spoke on, "There are many types of men in this world, some of which choose
to elude authority; most, for treacherous reasons, and some for noble causes. But
of these groups, the most daring and cunning gathering of men, are those that fight
together WITH God, for the hearts and souls of their fellow men. These men, who are
tried by fire and tempered in the furnace of the All Mighty God, have no fear of
death - nor of man, but of God only.
Such a man cannot be controlled, and that strikes fear into the hearts of the wicked.
For if the wicked cannot control him, then he must be killed. And if the wicked cannot
kill him, they will keep trying until hell hath won their own souls. 'With all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that
perish: because they received not the love of the Truth, that they might be saved.
And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe
a lie.'
And so continues the struggle of the righteous against the wicked for the souls of
men. And that is the reason these people die willingly, and gladly, because Scripture
says, 'Not I but Christ that is in me... For
I can of mine own self do nothing.' These true saints BELIEVE
Christ Jesus is the Word of God, and that these so-called 'heretical sheets' are
accurate translations of the Word of God. They BELIEVE these sheets to represent
God's wisdom and understanding, and they have the 'mind
of Christ' and 'the peace
that passeth understanding... The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and
the knowledge of the holy is understanding.'"
Heath looked confused. "But I thought the Pope and bishops knew the most about
God. 'Where shall wisdom be found? Where is
the place of understanding?'"
Henich responded, "The Psalmist believed that it was The Word that gave him
wisdom. He told the LORD, 'The entrance of
Thy Words giveth light: It giveth understanding unto the simple.'"
Heath's face was set solidly in study, with knit eyebrows, as he pondered the balance
of the Catholic Church versus the Word of God.
"No, it can't be! The Catholic Church is the only interpreter of truth for us.
'Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? Who
hath given understanding to the heart'? Only the Church can
do that!"
"Heath, it's not the harlot Church, or the Pope! That's 'because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath He imparted
to her understanding. Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding:
whose mouth must be held in with' the 'bit and bridle' of the Catholic Church. 'For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with
understanding... The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and a good understanding
have all they that do HIS Commandments.'
You see, Heath, 'through His precepts I get
understanding: therefore I hate every false way... Forsake the foolish, and live,'
Heath; forsake this whore and her lies. 'Go in the way of understanding... for he that followeth vain persons
is void of understanding... Then, and only then, shalt thou understand the fear of
the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.'
'For the LORD giveth wisdom: and out of HIS
mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. When wisdom entereth into thine heart,' Heath, 'then knowledge is pleasant
unto thy soul.'"
"Heath
bowed his head, "'What defense is there
against Truth? I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy.' I heard 'the instruction that causeth
to err from the words of knowledge. There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but
the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel. Every man is brutish by his knowledge.' I should know. I've been brutish all my life. 'The
LORD hath a controversy with me, and the inhabitants of the land, because there is
no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God.
Now the LORD hath given me knowledge of it, and I know it: Thou shewedst me their
doings... By the good hand of our God upon me, God has brought me a man of understanding.'
Thank you, Henich! 'Behold, the fear of the
LORD, now that is wisdom: and to depart from evil is understanding.'"
"LORD, I am now, truly, Thy servant. 'Give
me understanding, that I may know Thy testimonies... Give me understanding, and I
shall keep Thy law: yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart, all my life.'"
A tearful Heath raised his head.
"Well, my newly-born Brother, 'understanding
IS a wellspring of life unto him that hath it' and 'happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that
getteth understanding.'"
So, Heath too believed.
"What I don't understand now, is why, in God's dear holy name, are you in this
place of death?" exclaimed Heath, confused with the mystery that arose in his
mind.
"I was sent here to continue Brother Kurt's work," Henich replied.
After a moment of intense personal debate, Heath had a whimsical look on his face.
"Let me get this straight. You want me to believe that you are an infiltrator
from a secret organization of zealots?"
"Well, basically, yes," replied Henich, who hadn't quite thought of it
like that.
Heath smiled so warmly, that Henich couldn't help
but feel a great joy in seeing the change in this man. A change that made Heath zealous
of God's work.
Heath, shook his head, in near disbelief, at what the LORD had brought about in such
a short time. The bell from the tower sounded, and by it Heath could tell that he
was late for some previous engagement.
Henich walked to door with Heath. "Meet me here tomorrow afternoon," said
Henich, as he opened the door to let Heath out.
|
The sun shown on Heath's smiling face, as if for the very first time, for a great burden had been rolled off his back through the Salvation of our LORD Jesus Christ. |
 |
Unknown to Bruno
himself-- he has a dream. He stands on a road with block walls on both sides, and
vineyards beyond them. He looks around, but sees nothing. He begins to study a map
that he has been holding. The paper shows a circle of 6 dots, with a bigger dot over
the monastery in the center. Nothing more. Bruno then turns his attention to the
sound he hears coming up the road.
The sun shown high over Balaam, straddled across his ass, and riding towards Bruno.
The birds sing merrily, and the grapevines on both roadsides, have a very inviting
smell. But neither of the two men seem to notice the beauty all around them.
Balaam did not look at Bruno. He only looked to the left, to the right, or straight
ahead.
Bruno sees this man, seated on an ass, coming up the road.
From the other direction, down the road, an "angel
of the LORD stood in a path...and when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust
herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot... and he smote her."
For a moment, the ass continues to hesitate and then begins forward again. But seeing
the angel again raise his sword, the ass again runs into the wall. Balaam yells,
and his anger overcomes his restraint. He leaps off the ass, in a rage, raises his
staff, again, and hits the poor beast on the head.
Bruno continues to watch, as the man curses and rails at the ass.
"And the LORD opened the mouth of the
ass, and she said unto Balaam,
'What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these times? Am not I thine
ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever
wont to do so unto thee?'"
Balaam turns from the ass with a groan, and walks towards Bruno.
Bruno sees Balaam walking towards him, but somehow, Bruno's attention is drawn to
his left. A mighty angel of the LORD, Prince Michael, by name, stands with sword
drawn, not far down the road!
Bruno turns back in time to see the face of the man, as he passes by.
Bruno is stunned! His mouth opens to speak, but he can't utter a sound. His body is motionless, as he watches HIMSELF, dressed as Balaam had been, walk down the road toward the angel!
|
|
With slow and sure movements Prince Michael lifts his sword to strike. A small sphere of light appears at the tip of the raised sword. The sphere grows brighter and larger, and seems to shoot towards the advancing Bruno!
|
"...because thy way is perverse
before Me:
unless the ass had turned from Me,
surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive."
Bruno closes the book and holds it in his hands for a moment. Then without warning,
he angrily throws it into the fire.
Getting up, he looks around, nervously, for something to do to take his mind off
the awful thing he has just seen. He stands for a moment looking around, then walks
off, to the left, to a nearby table.
He sees the map he had earlier placed there, and picks it up to examine it.
Red marks signified recent heretical activity. He notices a circular pattern, made
up of the villages surrounding the forest area, in which the monastery was situated
in the midst of. Bruno whimsically notices the pattern of a wagon wheel with 6 spokes,
but then suddenly sees the connection. To transport supplies from village to village,
the safest route would be to travel through the forest, and use the monastery as
a waypoint!
And then to his horror, Bruno knows the map is the same one he had in his dream!
He drops the map and backs away for a moment. His face looks scared and confused.
Fear grips his shaken body, and for just a moment,
he is face-to-face with GOD's Truth!
A closeup of his countenance shows his heart turning from scared to angry. His enlightened
moment passes, and his heart hardens. He will not acknowledge that his actions are
evil, and that GOD really IS against him.
|
Bruno grabs the map, crushes it into a ball, and throws it forcibly into the fireplace. He storms out the door and into a torch-lit hallway. |
|
Chapter 5 Shadow of Death
As the heavy thud of horse's hooves trampled by, they kicked
up the soft mud made by the recent rain. Bruno and his men rode at an even pace.
"Sir," piped Verner, Bruno's second in command. Bruno's head turned and
Verner continued.
"Sir, we must give our horses rest now, or they will be of
no value to us later." The fear escaping in Verner's voice, was obvious. He
did not want to be left in this wilderness without a horse to reach his destination
before nightfall.
"We will get fresh mounts at the monastery," retorted Bruno.
"But," replied his second, "What if...?"
"...what if what?" shouted Bruno, in a manner that left his subordinate
with no desire to question further.
With that, Verner slowed his horse by the reins, and dropped back to where the rest
of the men rode. He glanced at the man next to him, and they had no trouble reading
each other's thoughts. Earlier that night, it was as though Bruno had mentally snapped;
and to themselves, they had already started to question his judgment.
As they traveled on,
the sun created a heavenly vision in the predawn mist, that made a glorious vista
from the hillside road. But, Bruno didn't even know they were on a hill. All he saw,
was the dirt road in front of him, ...and scarcely that.
His thoughts kept throwing him back into that same horrible dream, from which he
awakened last night. But it was as though he were still in some sort of a nightmare,
and that he might awaken any moment, and find the nightmare to be true.
A memory stirred in his mind of the night he searched the monastery. He remembered
the tardiness of a young man and a monk to assemble in the courtyard, because they
had arrived that night from a long journey. He reasoned that, this young man, Henich,
must be to blame for his recent problems, because he had arrived just after Kurt's
arrest. And Kurt's arrest had seemed to start an endless feeling in him, that something
foreboding was imminent.
His hatred of Henich sharpened as he got closer to his destination. Bruno took pleasure
in the thoughts of torture he would inflict on Henich, for causing him so much trouble.
Inwardly, he hoped that the more Henich suffered, the more he himself would feel
justified.
Heath gazed out of the tower
window, as the sun peeked over the horizon and lit up the
morning sky. The day had not yet begun at the monastery, but Heath had been up for
hours. Normally, he didn't get up this early, but, because of the overflowing of
joy the Holy Spirit had blessed him with, he just hadn't slept much during the night.
And as a result, sun up had found him lying in bed, wide awake, rejoicing in the
wonderful miracle of his salvation.
This glorious sunrise seemed, to Heath, to represent the new beginning he now had
in his life. A second chance, as it were, for him to do right in the sight of God.
He mentally hugged himself at the thought of it, and wondered what the future would
bring.
As the reality of day began to warm his face, Heath took note of a faint sound, that
at first, he dismissed as his imagination. But a second later, it was clear that
the sound was not imagined, but instead grew. The faint sounds became the tramp of
horses on the road, nearing the monastery.
"Who would think it worth the hard night's journey to get up here so early?"
The thick forest blocked Heath's view of the road, and as the sounds got louder,
his curiosity grew too; till at last, he heard two hard raps on the monastery gate,
followed by two more.
The gatekeeper came from the room nearest the gate, and called in words that Heath
could not make out. The reply must have be adequate, for the keeper proceeded to
unlock the gate and push it open.
Bruno, and more than a dozen Jesuits, rode into the courtyard, their horses soaked
with sweat.
Heath's blood chilled at what met his eyes.
Bruno, and the Jesuits, mounted and in formation, stood in the courtyard. Bruno shouted out an
order, and all but two men dismounted. To Heath's horror, they began pulling all
the monks out of their rooms, and lining them up in front of Bruno!
Heath nearly died inside, when he saw two Jesuits bring Henich out of his room
and advance to Bruno! He tried to think of what he could do,
when he suddenly heard quick footsteps climbing
the tower stairs.
What should he do? The tower room was empty.
There was nowhere to hide!
The two Jesuits
hurriedly came up the steps. They had drawn swords, and one carried a torch. At the
top of the tower, the monk held his light high, and the shadows of the room disappeared.
"I might have known this room would be empty," he complained, as he turned
in exasperation to descend the stairs.
"You would think there would at least be, something to search through, after
the long climb just to get up here!" replied the other, in an equally dismal
tone. And he followed the other man's lead down the stairs.
Heath was relieved when they had gone, because hanging
from rafters outside a tower window was not a very healthy thing to do, for any length
of time! Going hand-over-hand, he reached the window and climbed in again.
Heath glanced around, and then quickly moved to the stairs. He waited for the sound
of the door to close at the bottom.
Only then, did he return to the window.
"Put him on the extra horse, and tie him to the saddle," commanded Bruno, to the Jesuits that
held Henich.
And Bruno, while sitting on his own horse, as though he were on a throne, demanded
his will be done on these fellow monks.
"You, there!" inquired Verner, to one of the unfortunates present in the
line. "Where do you keep your horses?"
"We have no horses. We are not Jesuits. It is against our vows to ride a horse,"
was the timid reply.
Verner, on the far left, turned to Bruno. "Sir, it looks like we must
rest our horses here, and continue on tomorrow morning." He felt fully justified
for his prior "suggestion" to Bruno, and now "rubbed it into the wound"
with an air of satisfaction.
"You don't give the orders around here !" snapped Bruno. "I'm the
one in command, and the next time you forget that, is the day I'll bury you!"
"Yes, sir!" retorted Verner, in a sharp tone.
Bruno eyed him for a moment before he spoke further. "Verner, assemble your
men for executions."
Verner slowly realized what Bruno meant!
He shouted out the order, "Assemble for executions!" And before many moments
passed, the Jesuit troops had formed a line in front of Bruno, with the monks opposite
them.
|
|
"My
God!" Heath just couldn't believe his eyes. |
One of the older monks cried out in disbelief, "My lord, what are you going
to do? Surely, you don't mean you're going to kill us all? We haven't done anything
to deserve death!"
Leaning into his saddle, Bruno replied, "Now, there's where I disagree!"
raising his voice so all could hear. "This is the second time I have caught
a heretic in this monastery, no thanks to any of you! And in addition to that,
this place is a heretic waypoint for every village around here! It seems to me, that
at the very least, you weren't doing your God-given jobs to seek out such
matters. And at the worst, you ARE part of this devil's work."
"But," stammered another monk, "we couldn't..."
"Verner !" commanded Bruno, "Proceed with the execution!"
The Jesuits drew there swords and started to move forward. The monks stood frozen,
stunned, not knowing what to do. The Jesuits quickly began their slaughter of the
monks.
Heath watched in disbelief and helplessness, as the monks cried to man, or God, for
mercy. But their pleas fell on deaf ears. On each one, the Jesuits came without mercy,
for God never heard them.
Bruno smiled, nervously, with hatred in his eyes, as he watched the monks being killed.
Henich, mounted on a horse just behind Bruno, groaned, and turned his head to the
side. His hands still bound to the saddle, there was nothing that he, or anyone,
could do.
Bruno turned to Henich with a sneer.
"Remember this well, Henich, because, compared with what I have in store for
you, these men have just been pardoned."
|
|
"Ye could have no power over me, |
The hate within Bruno grew, for though he had Henich
in his power, he did NOT have control over him.
"Verner! Fire the monastery!" shouted Bruno, with vindication hot in his
inner man.
Verner stared at him in defiance.
"Fire the monastery, Verner! That's an order!" shouted Bruno a second time.
The courtyard became active as men were ordered to go to all corners with torches.
Smoke and flames soon began their damage to the buildings.
Henich, still tied to his horse, and being led behind one of the Jesuits, as they road out, was the last glimpse Heath saw of his new best friend.
Chapter 6 Power from on High
Heath ran down the stairs, out the tower door, and across the courtyard, to where all the monks had
been murdered. His stomach sickened at what he saw, for although these were unrighteous
men, he had been friends with most of them.
And it all added to his thoughts, of what Bruno
would do to Henich, when he finally had him in the Holy House, and shackled to the
wall. His horror turned to hatred of this wicked injustice!
Without another moment's delay, Heath ran to the doorway of his room. Inside, the
bed was already on fire and spreading to the ceiling. Heath rushed in and fell on
his knees in front his table.
Under the table, was a group of strange looking stones. With the palm of his hand,
he gave a powerful blow, and hit the small stone in the center. The stone fell into
a hole under the floor, leaving an indentation in the top. From this, Heath could
get a firm grasp, and pull all the bigger stones out of his way.
The fire increased, moment by moment, and filled the room with smoke. It was harder
to breathe, and his throat felt tight. His eyes were beginning to feel hot, like
the scene around him.
After Heath had cleared away the remaining stones, a large wooden box was revealed
in the hole. Lifting it out by one of its handles, he held it firmly as he ran out
the door, with only moments to spare, before being completely engulfed by the eruption
of flames that, even now, spewed from the doorway.
Heath still running, with all the buildings around him aflame, left this place of
spiritual hypocrisy through the big powerful gate.
He stared grimly at the monastery, before turning to look
down the road that lay before him.
The heavy box he carried fell to the ground, and he dropped to his knees beside it.
His arms hung limp at his side as he looked up to heaven with pleading eyes.
"O, LORD, if you will but deliver Henich, I will not stop to save even my own
life, till the task be done and the goal met. This I swear on my life, LORD; and
if You, GOD, be with us, who can be against us?"
As Heath finished his plea, his eyes closed, and he sought the LORD with all his
heart.
With this renewed strength, he removed the bar from the front of the box, that held
the latches shut, and then slowly opened the lid. Inside, he found his bundle of
clothes and some weaponry. Everything that his former life amounted to, lay in that
box, equaling much more than the actual wasted life it had represented.
One article at a time,
Heath dressed himself in his former attire. But even as he did this, these things
took on a new meaning; for now they meant life, rather than death.
Girded in prayer, and the LORD's strong arm, Heath began his rescue mission. The
enemy had the advantage of horsepower, but God's promises were with him, and he faltered
not.
He had to encourage himself with the faith that comes from promises, because by sight,
the ground seemed to pass under Heath at a pace that was painfully slow.
"I guess you forgot what I told you I would do, if you did it again?"
Verner, quickly catching the undertone meaning, reached for his
sword! But it was too late.
Bruno had already drawn his sword, and without the slightest hesitation, thrust it
into Verner's side!
At Verner's painful groan, the rest of the men watched in silence, as the horses
whinnied and fearfully tore at the ground with their hooves.
Verner fell back in his saddle to the ground. His frightened his horse, snorted and
pawed the ground, and then reaching it's limits of endurance, ran off into the forest.
The faithful steed had no notion that his master was left to trust in a nonexistent
sense of "horse" mercy, for Verner's foot was stuck fast in the stirrup.
The galloping only added to the screams, which made the horse run harder.
Those screams continued until the horse jumped over a rotting log. Verner's body
hit the log hard and broke free from the stirrup, leaving the frightened creature
to run off deeper into the forest.
"Is there anyone ELSE who questions my authority?" demanded Bruno, from
the rest of the Jesuits.
Their silence was his reply.
"And what about you?" questioned Bruno, as he eyed Henich.
"I shudder to think of what God's going to have to put you through, in order
to reach you. I just wish I was standing farther from you," was Henich's sturdy
answer.
|
|
With a sudden thrust, Bruno struck Henich across
the face. |
Heath lay on the ground, unconscious. His face darkening, as the clouds drifted overhead. A length
of time, unknown to him, slipped away, before he felt the cool touch of water on
his face.
The sound of thunder jerked him from his lethargic state.
He made an effort to look around, but the hopelessness of it all seemed to drag him
down like a lead weight. His head nodded as if about to drop.
At that moment, A Mighty Wind swept through the forest, stirring Heath from his depression.
The strong gusting drew his attention to the trees. The swaying motion mesmerized
him. He noticed something unusual. He carefully studied the swirling leaves, dancing
on the trees.
The Wind seemed to pull him, and so he followed It into the forest. All at once,
he heard a faint sound, a wonderful sound! Could it be? His heart was gripped by
a sudden sense of hope, for in the distant opening formed in the trees...
...there it was again! Could that possibly be the whinny of a horse?
He headed for the clearing, and the closer he drew, the more the Wind quieted.
If only it was a horse! "LORD, please, make it be a horse!"
And so it sounded-- even more so, as he softly walked closer, using a tall hedge
to disguise himself, should there be someone of the "unwelcomed" sort.
Whether it was one of the Jesuits, or not, Heath meant to get that horse, for it
represented the hope of Henich's deliverance.
|
|
He slowly drew his sword. He heard no human sounds, only those of a horse. But he was not ignorant of man's devices, and so he crept closer, and closer, along the bushes, ready at any moment to attack or defend. He stared past the bushes, into the small clearing, and there he saw a sight, that at first, puzzled him, and then terrified him. |
He saw a horse standing in the clearing - alone, with NO rider in sight! The horse carried no markings, save one--
a cross inlaid on the saddle. It belonged to a monk, or a priest, or even worse--
a Jesuit!
But where was the rider? Could he have already heard him coming, and was ready, right
now, somewhere in the bushes, to kill this intruder should he menace his life or
his horse?
He did not know exactly what to do. If he went for the horse, he would expose himself
to whoever might be waiting for him. And yet, if he didn't,... well,... he couldn't
do anything, but sit there and watch for who-knows-how-long.
The Holy Spirit, The Great Wind that had led him over to this very animal,
now stressed to Heath that this situation was Providence. And that decided him!
He raced out from the bushes and leaped onto the horse. He plunged his heels deep
into the horse's belly. The creature responded instantly, and with a sudden thrust,
galloped off.
Heath listened for any sound of alarm, but heard nothing. And with each tree that
he passed, his assurance that he was safely on his way, grew. The ground flew by
under him, as the horse raced down the road, splattering mud everywhere.
...knocked him off his horse!
His boot twisted and caught in the stirrup!
He tried to grab it, but the galloping gait of the horse made it so difficult.
Finally, he grabbed the stirrup,
and with his free hand, he reached for his knife.
With ONE blind hack, he cut the stirrup!
The horse, freed of his burden, raced on ahead, and was seen no more.
|
Heath lay breathless in the mud, waiting to regain his spirit. Mud covered him completely; but it had Providentially cushioned him against the hard ground and rock. |
|
|
|
 |
To his left, he saw that the forest ended at the edge of a ravine. He ran to the
edge.
|
|
Heath saw a garrisoned bridge far up the river, that spanned a torrent of water at the bottom of the ravine. The bridge linked his side of the ravine with the road on the other bank, that ran parallel with the ravine. |
|
The trees, at the opposite bank from where Heath was, flourished, and spread out wide canopies that reached halfway across the ravine. |
 |
Heath's mind sank, for in a short time. He realized Henich would be passing him on
the parallel road, which lay within throwing distance. This grim passage would break
from the ravine, and plunge Henich deep into the forest. From there, only God would
know where.
He was helpless to do anything but watch, for Henich would be taken beyond his reach.
But no! GOD had promised him that Henich would be delivered from Bruno. It
was then, that Heath was reminded of the promise he made to GOD, that no matter if
it cost him his own life, he would not stop until the goal had been taken, and Henich
was safe.He turned and walked away from the edge.
And then, without a moment's hesitation, he ran straight for the cliff's edge, and
leaped from it with all his might!
The tree tops rushed up at him.
Heath came smashing through dozens of branches, before hitting the hard ground.
He lay on his back, motionless. Hardly breathing.
There was a stream of blood on his arm and many cuts and bruises.
|
But Heath was grateful. |
 |
He lifted his head weakly, when he heard the sound of horses on the road. With all
his strength, he staggered to his feet, and began to stumble toward the road.
The horse skidded to a stop, and whinnied loudly
as he reared up on his back legs. The rider fell to the ground in a motionless heap.
The horse's scream awoke the men from their complacent state, to one of alarm. They
looked around in confusion, not knowing exactly what had happened.
Bruno's confusion lasted for only a moment, once he saw the dead Jesuit, and Heath
standing beyond him, with sword drawn.
"There's the enemy," shouted Bruno. "Take him alive!"
The men, finally realizing what was said, and why, began to draw their swords and
weaponry for attack.
Henich watched in helpless confusion. He cried in a pain-filled voice, "Oh,
LORD, no!"
It looked hopeless for Heath. But the LORD heard Henich's outcry, and suddenly, the
horses became restless with fear, that only served to reflect their riders' terror
and wonder.
For a small sphere of light, hazy around the edges, gradually came into their view.
Then--- a sudden flash lit up the sky and blinded them all!
When the brightness faded, what they next saw, froze the blood of the most fearless
man there!
For between Bruno and
Heath, there stood
a mighty angel of the LORD, Prince Michael,
the Archangel,
with a sword in his hand!
Prince Michael turned to Heath, and with a voice that thundered, said,
"Stand still and see the Salvation of the LORD, which He will show to you this day."
He then lifted his sword up and pointed it toward heaven. A bolt of lighting surged
down to the sword.
All the Jesuits were in a trance, not able to comprehend what they saw.
|
|
Prince Michael pointed his sword at the them, |
Bruno looked, in pure terror, at what had happened to the others, but yet left him
untouched.
The screams of the men on horseback, now only their spirit bodies, echoed in air,
as they looked down on the ground at their own dead bodies.
Henich did not feel sad, but instead, felt glad that these murderers were judged
by GOD's mighty hand.
Then the Archangel raised his blade above head level, and plunged it downward, into
the ground, sending a crack out toward the Jesuits, that opened into a pit.
|
From the pit came shadow-like demons, that swirled
around the Jesuit's spirits. |
 |
Kicking and screaming,
they were dragged down into the pit,
their shrieking cries slowly fading away.
Prince Michael then pulled the sword from the ground, and the pit closed up, without
a trace.
Bruno sat crouched in the mud and rain, quivering, as he watched the Archangel walk
over to Heath.
"Take this sword, not for it's own sake,
but as a reminder of the power the LORD demonstrated
on the behalf of His faithful servants."
And with that, he thrust it into the ground before Heath, and vanished.
Heath stood motionless, staring at the sword. Then wrenching it from the ground,
held it with both hands.
|
It was then, that Heath saw Bruno, |
|
|
|
|
"I forgive you," said Heath, "and
may God have mercy on you; |
|
For, from Bruno's dead body, came his spirit-- dressed
in white! |
|
Henich, in absolute awe, stared, blank-faced, at the scene that unfolded. Heath,
too, was completely speechless, and beside himself with surreal apprehension.
The air felt charged with energy and power. Overhead seemed
strangely luminescent. Although they couldn't be seen, the human watchers on the
ground felt that a cloud of witnesses watched from above-- saints, who were rejoicing
over the one lost sheep that was now found. And there seemed to be present, thousands
of angels, unseen and unheard, but yet the watchers could feel their songs of praises
to The Savior and God, The Great I Am, The LORD of Lords and KING of Kings, The Only
True God, JESUS Christ the Righteous.
Slowly, and so gradually, as Bruno ascended, Heath and Henich began to audibly hear
the heavenly choir. All the heavenly host, the angels and the saints, all joined
together in adoration. They sang a new song, saying:
|
"Thou art worthy... for Thou
wast slain, |
|
To Him give all the prophets witness, |
Then the Voice, as a loud trumpet, said,
"When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt
surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right; none
of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him."
As Bruno passed into the glorious light, the hole closed behind him.
That left the two men in astonishment,
that the LORD was able to reach such a man as Bruno!
And that the LORD had made known to them that He was able to
reach even Bruno!
When the excitement
wore off a little, Heath found that he was barely able to stand, and was close to
complete exhaustion. But with all the strength left in him, he limped over to Henich,
who was still tied to the horse, and cut the ropes that bound his friend to the saddle.
As soon as he knew his friend was free, Heath fell to the ground, dazed, tired, and
hurt.
|
"Heath !" cried Henich, in concern, as he jumped down from his horse. "Don't you die on me, now, Heath! Do you hear me? The LORD has brought you too far to let you die now!" said Henich, shaking him roughly. |
|
|
|
Heath spoke weakly, "Henich, thank GOD you're free. I
just wish I..." Heath broke off in a weak cough. "Don't try to speak, just lay still," said Henich, as he got up to search for branches to make a bed the horse could drag. |
| "The LORD has much more work for you to do. So don't think you
can get off so easy, just by dying." Heath gave a stifled laugh at Henich's comments, but restrained himself, for it hurt too much. "I know some brethren nearby, that will be only-to-glad to fix up your wounds, and give you a place to sleep. You'll see, Heath, what the LORD's people will do for you, when I tell them what you did for me! And with the LORD's, help you'll be ready to do this all over again -- in no time!" joked Henich, trying to cheer his friend with a contrived smile. |
|
The Wind had begun to blow softly, and the sun to go down
in the west, before Henich had completed the bed and tied it to the horse.
As the clouds drifted slowly by overhead, Henich led the horse down the road and
babbled on and on, about whatever he could think of.
|
|
They followed a path that would soon take them to
a place of refuge, where they would be both physically and spiritually fed, refreshed,
and strengthened. |
For truly, "what hath GOD wrought"!
THE END
NOW in
---New Window
Related Topics:
An Earnest
Appeal to Roman Catholics
Or, Roman Catholicism Examined in Light
of the Scriptures
by Tom Stewart
"We would have healed Babylon, but she is not
healed: forsake her"
(Jeremiah 51:9).
and
The History of
Protestantism
by J. A. Wylie
also
---New Window
and
---New Window
Section Index for Stories
Readers are permitted and encouraged to copy and freely share this article with others.
.
Homepage 
Holy Bible
.Jehovah Jesus
Timeline .Prophets Prophecy Philadelphia Fellowship Promises Stories Poetry Links
Purpose ||.What's New
|| Highlights || Tribulation Topics || About Us || WStS Focus Index || Download Page || Today's Entry
Topical Links:
Salvation || Catholicism || Sound Doctrine || Prayer
.
