24. The only cause why the Reformation took place was that the Word, which lay buried, might be restored to the world. For many centuries it had been in the world, but at length it was entombed by the Roman Catholics, and not a single truth of the Church could be brought forth from it. The Lord could not be known, but the Pope was worshipped as God, in place of the Lord. When, however, the Word had been drawn forth out of its tomb, the Lord could become known, truth could be derived from it, and there could be conjunction with heaven. For this purpose the Lord raised up simultaneously so many men to the attack. He stirred up Sweden, Denmark, Holland, England, to bring it [the Word] back; and, lest it [the movement] should be extinguished in Germany through the Pope, He raised up Gustavus Adolphus, who stood for the Reformation and rose against him.