In the beginning of this dispensation these two witnesses were the vicars of Christ in his church upon earth. The word of God and the Spirit of God were the Governors of his people. At that time they had perfect freedom of action among the children of God; but when the apostasy arose, the governing power of the Word and Spirit of God in the church was gradually usurped by the rising hierarchy, until, finally, men had entire authority in what was called the visible church. This was brought about when, to quote Mosheim's words, the bishops grasped the power and authority "to prescribe authoritative rules of faith and manners." D'Aubigne explains it thus: "Salvation no longer flowing from the _Word_, which was henceforward put out of sight, the priests affirmed that it was conveyed by means of the forms they had themselves invented, and that no one could attain it except by these channels.... Christ communicated to the apostles, and these to the bishops, the unction of the _Holy Spirit_; and this Spirit is to be procured only in that order of succession.... Faith in the heart no longer connected the members of the church, and they were united by means of bishops, archbishops, popes, mitres, canons and ceremonies." History of the Reformation, Book I, Chap. 1. Thus, the Word and Spirit of God as the true vicars of Christ in his church were finally expelled from what was looked upon as the one visible church, and with them the true worshipers also were driven out; and nothing remained in the public view except the great company of profane idolaters already referred to. The same is referred to in a subsequent chapter as the flight of the true church into the wilderness, where, hidden from sight, she had a place prepared of God for twelve hundred and sixty days. So after all, God had a true church during the Dark Ages--a people that stood in opposition to the abounding corruption and iniquity of the church of Rome; a people that rejected the established hierarchy and gave heed to the Word and Spirit of God. But their numbers were so few, comparatively, that the operations of the two witnesses were greatly limited; hence they are represented as being clothed in sackcloth, a symbol of melancholy and mourning.