maintain the credit of infant baptism, which was greatly opposed; to
which end tended also the words of Aquinas, which are as follows: “The
proper administrator of baptism shall be a priest, whose province it
is by virtue of his office, to baptize; but in cases of necessity, not
only a chaplain, but also a layman, or a woman, yea, even a heathen or
a heretic may baptize, if he only observes the form of the church, and
purposes to do what the church does. But if a person, from necessity,
is baptized by such an one, he indeed receives the sacrament, so that
he need not be baptized again; but he does not receive the grace of
baptism, because he is considered as not having been baptized aright.”
_Thom. Aquin. de Art., Fid., chap. 14, in Bapt. Hist., p. 725_.
In the same direction tends what is adduced in _Cent. Magd., XIII.,
chap. 6, fol. 242_, from the above mentioned synodal book of the
bishops of Nemansa: “But,” say they, “if a child, in case of
necessity, has been baptized by a layman, according to the form
prescribed, we command, that said child, if it survives, be brought as
soon as possible to the priest, who shall diligently examine how it
was baptized; and if he find that the form prescribed was not observed
aright, he shall baptize the child (again), according to the form of
the church. But if he doubt whether it was rightly baptized, or not,
since perhaps the baptizer did not properly consider the words which he
spoke in baptism, or because the bystanders were not agreed in this,
or because there is no certainty whether it was baptized or not, the
priest shall baptize it with these words: ‘If thou art baptized, I
baptize thee not again; but if thou art not baptized, I baptize thee in
the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.’ In such
doubtful cases, however, one witness is sufficient when more can not be
had.” _Bapt. Hist., p. 728._
Who does not see that the Roman church, when infant baptism was
contradicted, endeavored by these and similar absurdities, to make it
appear to the common people as though infant baptism were absolutely
necessary to salvation, yea, so necessary that rather than neglect it
for want of a priest, even women, yea, heathen and heretics whom they
otherwise were accustomed to burn, might baptize the infants if they
only observed the form of baptism employed by the church. Oh strange
theology! Merely to maintain the error of infant baptism, many other
errors were maintained.
OF THE TRUE BAPTISM.
Nevertheless, in the midst of these storms and billows of antichrist,
God preserved the ark of his church, so that many persons still
remained, who, notwithstanding the manifold troubles and persecutions
that came upon them on this account, practiced and maintained the true
worship of God, particularly in opposition to infant baptism, the
office of criminal authority, the swearing of oaths, and almost all
other superstitions of the Roman church.
_A. D. 1206._--In the beginning, yea, before the beginning of this
century, and so through a number of years, the doctrine of the ancient
Anabaptists increased not a little, which appeared more particularly in
the year 1206, when they had so increased in many countries, that the
wiles and power of the Roman church were not sufficient to bring them
to apostatize, much less to exterminate them.
Concerning this, P. J. Twisck gives the following description: “The
adherents of the doctrine of Peter de Bruis and Henry of Toulouse,
Anabaptists, mentioned for the year 1135, which doctrine afterwards
was also followed by the Waldenses (see the year 1159), multiplied so
greatly about this time, namely, A. D. 1206, that few were found in
the provinces of Albi, Languedoc, Narbonne, Gascony, Rouergue, and
Toulouse, who did not adhere to said doctrine, notwithstanding Pope
Innocent III. very cruelly opposed it. See account for the year 1198.
The principal points of their doctrine, besides others, were these:
1. That the Roman church was the whore of Babylon. 2. That her polity
was impure and corrupted. 3. That the mass was a work replete with
wickedness, and instituted neither by Christ nor by his disciples.
_Chron. p. 523, col. 1 and 2_, from _Chron. Nicol. Gill., fol. 286_.
_Guil. Merul., fol. 798_, _Henr. Boxh., fol. 22_.
_A. D. 1218._--For this year mention is made by Sebastian Franck, of
the ancient Waldenses, whom he calls by three different names, _The
Poor_, _Insabbatati_ and _Waldenses_. However, that they together
were but one people, has already been proved. Said author writes thus
concerning them: “These originated A. D. 1218, under Emperor Louis IV.
They are also excommunicated in the bull of the Lord’s Supper, and hold:
1. “That men ought not to swear at all, not even to the truth.
2. “That no Judge, who would be a Christian, may put to death any one,
not even a malefactor.
3. “That the pious person who holds to the faith of the Roman church,
can not be saved.
4. “That an ungodly priest can not consecrate.
5. “That the church perished at the time of Sylvester.
6. “That they are not subject, neither intend to be, to the Pope or to
other prelates.”
Then follow several other articles of their doctrine, which, for the
sake of brevity, we will pass over; for instance, that they held:
“That outside of their church there was no sacrament nor baptism
(which completely overthrows the infant baptism of the Roman church);
that they denied purgatory; that they counted the mass, alms, and
prayers for the dead of no value, yea, that they regarded them as
the inventions of priestcraft; that honoring the saints had not the
slightest merit, and that they do not hear our prayers in heaven.”
These and similar articles are adduced there, from Aeneas, Sylvius
and other writers, as charges against the Waldenses; of which the
intelligent may judge. _Seb. Fr. Chron. der Rom. Kett., fol. 119, col.
4, letter P._
_A. D. 1230._--It is stated that the Waldenses, whose good confession
we have already shown, declared at this time in the proceedings which
it seems they had against the Pope, that their numbers were so great
in Germany, France and Italy, and especially in Lombardy--where their
teachers lived, to whom they annually sent sustenance from other
countries--that any one of them traveling from his country to Milan,
could lodge every night with one of his own persuasion, whom they
recognized by by certain marks on the door or upon the roof. _P. J.
Twisck, Chron., p. 546, col. 2_, from _Henr. Boxh., fol. 25_.
_A. D. 1238._--Or about 1239, the Waldenses had thus increased in
France and Flanders, that a certain Dominican monk, Robert Boulgre,
sent as inquisitor by Pope Gregory IX., put to death a countless
multitude of them; of which more will be said hereafter. _P. J. Twisck,
Chron., p. 554, col. 1._
_A. D. 1242._--At this time, said people had to suffer much from
popery, on account of their faith and religion, which in the bishopric
of Toulouse alone, appeared in the case of about two hundred persons,
who held said belief, and were called Waldenses; of whose imprisonment
and death we shall speak in the future. _P. J. Twisck, Chron., p. 557,
col. 1._
_A. D. 1259._--At this time, or thereabouts, Gerard Sagarellas, an
Italian, but a doctor of Paris, wrote a book against the Franciscans,
whereupon Bonaventura, General of the Franciscan order, replied;
however, of this Gerard and his belief, as also of that of the
Waldenses, we shall speak more fully hereafter. We would only stop to
say that from this time on, his disciples, the _Fratricelli_, or Little
Brothers, after the year 1285, called _Dulcinists_, began secretly
(from fear of persecution) to hold their meetings in the mountains
of Piedmont, and Novara, in Lombardy, professing the doctrine of
the Waldenses. However, from the different places where they lived,
they received different names; but the appellation _Fratricelli_ or
_Frerots_, was especially given them, because they called each other
_brethren in Christ_; nevertheless the mouths of the scorners thus
spoke only the truth, since Christ himself so called his disciples,
saying: “All ye are brethren,” Matt. 23:8; and “I will declare thy name
(O God) unto my brethren; in the midst of the church will I sing praise
unto thee,” Hebr. 2:12.
_A. D. 1262._--At this time the Waldenses are again mentioned, who
lived in Lombardy, and in the country of Genoa, and professed a sound
profession, though they were called heretics by the papists, and were
oppressed and persecuted by open decrees of the Roman see; which shall
be spoken of more fully elsewhere. Compare _Bzov., A. D. 1262. Art. 3,
ex Decret. Epist. Alexand. IV._, with _A. Mell., Hist., fol. 470, col.
2_.
_A. D. 1280._--In this year it is recorded that said people professing
the above profession (namely, the Waldenses, then called Waldois, after
Waldo and his adherents, were expelled from Lyons), so multiplied in
Lombardy that their doctrine, having spread in Italy, penetrated even
into Sicily; as is attested by the open letters emitted against them by
the Emperor Frederick II.
As regards their faith, the following articles, over and above what has
already been mentioned, respecting their views against infant baptism,
the office of criminal authority, the swearing of oaths, etc., were
laid to their charge, as can be gleaned from the writings of Reinerius,
the priest: That in the matter of salvation we must believe only the
holy Scriptures, and in no wise depend on men. That said Scriptures
contain everything that is necessary to salvation; and that nothing
is to be received but what is commanded of God. That there is but one
Mediator (Christ), and, consequently, that the saints ought not to be
invoked. That there is no purgatory, but that all who are justified
in Christ, enter into life everlasting, and those who do not believe,
shall be cast into eternal death; thus denying that there is still
besides a third or fourth place.
They accepted and admitted but two sacraments, namely, holy baptism
and the holy Supper. They said that all masses, particularly those
for the dead, should be rejected; likewise all human institutions, and
that they ought not to be considered necessary to salvation. They also
taught that the chanting, the hours, the fasting connected with certain
days, superfluous feast-days, distinction of food, the many degrees and
orders of priests, monks, and nuns, the benedictions and consecrations
of creatures, vows, pilgrimages, in short, the vast medley of
ceremonies which in the times past had been brought into vogue, ought
to be abolished. They denied the supremacy of the Pope, especially as
exercised by him over secular government, and admitted no other degrees
in church offices than bishops, teachers (then called priests), and
deacons. They said that the Roman see is the true Babylon, and the
Pope the fountain of all misery; that the marriage of the priests (or
teachers) is good, and necessary in the church; that those who hear
and rightly understand the word of God, are the true church, to which
Christ has given the keys, to let the sheep in, and to drive away the
wolves. “Behold here,” says the writer, “the sum of the doctrine of the
Waldoes (or Waldenses), which was oppugned by the enemies of truth,
and on account of which they, according to the testimony of their
opponents, were persecuted.” _P. J. Twisck, Chron., p. 605, col. 2, and
p. 606, col. 1_, from the _Staet der Kerchen, Jan. Cresp., fol. 314,
315, 316. Merul., fol. 843. Henr. Boxh., fol. 19, 25._
_A. D. 1284._--At this time the Waldenses, according to Twisck,
multiplied more and more in France and other countries of Christendom,
though they were sought with craftiness and cruelly persecuted, and
even previously every means and all diligence had been employed to
utterly extirpate them; which greatly astonished certain bishops
of that time, and also certain lawyers of Avignon, in certain
consultations held against them, and still extant. _P. J. Twisck,
Chron., p. 611, col. 2._
Concerning the form or mode of baptism, Alexander[165] (_p. 4, q.
11, m. 1_), in this century, says: “Baptism shall be administered in
confession of faith in the Holy Trinity.” _Jac. Mehr., Bapt. Hist., p.
726._
[165] We will say nothing of this Alexander, but merely speak of his
doctrine.
_Centuria 13_, of the _Madgeburg Centuriators, cap. 5, fol. 216, 217_,
from Cesarius, states “That the Waldenses and Albigenses rejected
baptism at this time, saying that it was inefficacious and useless;
which they, as Jacob Mehrning writes, understood of infant baptism,
which is administered without instruction and faith; for the Waldenses
had a very high regard for the baptism of Christ, as administered
according to his ordinance.” _Bapt. Hist., pp. 733, 734._
NOTE.--_A. D. 1287._--Probus, Bishop of Tullo, was at this time so
enlightened of God that he not only opposed Pope Honorius IV., but
also delivered an excellent oration, in which he freely exposed the
errors of the papists. Compare _Catal. Test. fol. 654_, with the 13th
book _van den Ondergang, p. 614, col. 1_. _A. D., 1299._--In the
year 1299 certain Albigenses and Waldenses, called _Fratricelli_, or
_Little Brothers_ (of whose faith and life we have spoken elsewhere),
became so odious to Boniface VIII., Pope of Rome, on account of their
uprightness, which the papists called falseness, that he declared them
heretics; but as we intend elsewhere to speak more fully of their
belief and walk among men, we will content ourselves here with merely
mentioning them; it being sufficient for us that these people and their
doctrine existed until the very close of this century. See in the large
_Christen Martelaersboeck_, edition 1619, _fol. 471_, from _Trithem.
Chron. Hirsaug._
Proceeding to the close of the century, we will close with the
conclusion of Jacob Mehrning, which is a reply to A. Mellinus, who
did his best to show that the Waldenses did not well accord with the
Anabaptists in the article of baptism. Mehrning replies to him as
follows: “Abraham Mellinus (in his large _Nederlandtsch Martelaers_
book) dared to say: ‘The Waldenses would not agree with the so-called
Anabaptists in the article of infant baptism.’ But the good man
forgets that he himself has adduced testimonies from Bernard, Peter
Cluniacensis, and from the Madgeburg Centuries,[166] which refute and
condemn this supposed error of the ancient Waldenses, namely, that they
should have believed in infant baptism.” _Bapt. Hist, p. 736._
[166] The following words are obscure in the author; hence we
experienced difficulty in translating them.--_Van. Braght._
AN ACCOUNT OF THOSE WHO SUFFERED IN THE THIRTEENTH CENTURY.
SUMMARY OF THE MARTYRS IN THE THIRTEENTH CENTURY.
[The way and entrance to the martyrs of this century is through the
valleys of Albi and throughout France, England, and other countries,
where the pious witnesses of Jesus laid down their lives for the
evangelical truth.
From the year 1209 throughout this century, crusades are preached
in the name of the Pope; which were the cause of the destruction of
thousands of Albigenses, who lived quietly and peaceably under certain
papistic authorities; for certain reasons, however, we have not
finished this account.
Remarks with eight reasons unanimously indicating the non-resistant
principles of the true Albigenses; nevertheless, for important reasons,
we have placed the account of their martyrdom for the most part in a
marginal note, for the years 1210 and 1211.
One hundred and eighty persons called Albigenses, burnt without the
castle Minerve, A. D. 1210.
Sixty of those people end their lives by fire, for their faith, at
Casser, about A. D. 1211.
About one hundred persons, who confessed the same doctrine, burnt alive
in a tower at Cassas, about the close of A. D. 1211. Fifty of their
fellow-believers likewise lose their lives by fire, at Chastelnau
d’Ari, about the close of A. D. 1211.
Over four hundred persons, who professed the same profession, though
called Induti, at Lavaur, or Vaurum, rather suffer themselves to be
burnt to death by the terrible flames than accept the Roman faith.
ACCOUNT PROPER OF THE HOLY MARTYRS.
Great persecutions of the believers, A. D. 1206.
A man, at London, in England, burnt alive for the faith of the
Waldenses, A. D. 1210; and twenty-four persons at Paris, in France,
likewise put to death by fire, for the same religion.
In the year 1212, about one hundred persons called Waldenses, are put
to death by fire at Strasburg; thirty-nine at Bingen, and eighteen at
Mentz.
Account of a cruel inquisition, A. D. 1214, over the doctrine of the
Waldenses; Conrad of Marpurg, the chief inquisitor, and his mode of
examination with red-hot iron, as well as with hot and cold water;
also, the oath which the inquisitors in the bishopric of Utrecht were
wont to put to those who were then called heretics, about A. D. 1215.
About eighty persons called Waldenses, burnt for the faith, at
Strasburg; also some Christians at Toulouse, about A. D. 1215.
Gerard de la Motte, a deacon of the Christians called Albi-Waldenses,
with some of his fellow-believers, sacrificed by fire, at Borriens, A.
D. 1227.
Several papal statutes and ordinances against the Waldenses, related
for the year 1229.
Severe persecution, through the Inquisition, in Germany, where very
many Waldenses are burnt for the faith, A. D. 1230.
Three decrees of Emperor Frederick II. are successively described,
for the year 1230; another severe persecution of the Anabaptistic
Waldenses, in Germany, A. D. 1231.
Nineteen persons of the same profession, burnt in the bishopric of
Toulouse, A. D. 1232; also, two hundred and twenty-four in a place
near Toulouse, A. D. 1243; a rigorous inquisition in the aforesaid
bishopric, A. D. 1251, which was carried also into the following year.
Decree of Pope Urban III. against the Waldenses and Albigenses in
Lombardy and about Genoa, A. D. 1262; great persecutions, about A. D.
1280, 1283, 1284.
Gerard Sagarellus burnt at Parma, A. D. 1285; Herman, Andrew, and
Guillemette [Wilhelmina], exhumed, A. D. 1299. Conclusion.]
* * * * *
The valleys of Albi, the region around Toulouse, yea, all France,
England, and other kingdoms, furnish us, during this century, many
martyrs, who, though, they, with reference to the severity of their
tortures, according to the flesh, were pitiable and most miserable,
suffered nevertheless with good cheer, yea, with joy, in consideration
of their sure hope and unshaken confidence in the Lord, as being their
shield and exceeding great reward.[167]
[167] Gen. 15:1.
As regards the persecutions that occurred in this century, against the
Waldenses and Albigenses, they by far surpass all other persecutions
of which we read in the preceding centuries; for it seemed now as if
the very furies of hell, so to speak, had broken loose, to destroy all
believers, yea, almost the whole earth.
In the years 1209–12, 1225, 1234, yea, throughout the entire thirteenth
century, crusades, or so-called holy, voluntary preparations of war
were preached, by order of the Pope, for the extermination of the
Waldenses and Albigenses, all over the world, but more particularly in
the kingdom of France.
These crusades consisted in great armies of Roman Catholics, who
voluntarily enlisted in this so-called holy warfare; each distinguished
by a white cross on his breast, or one of white cloth sewed on
his garment; on account of which crosses these armies were called
_Crusades_.
But that they might acquit themselves the more courageously and
intrepidly, in exterminating the Albigenses and Waldenses, yea, that
they might suffer none of them to remain alive, but kill them by fire,
sword, gallows, and other means, the Pope most solemnly promised to
all who by so doing should meet death, or fall by the weapons of the
princes seeking to protect the Albigenses and Waldenses, full remission
of all their past sins, yea, that they should straightway go to heaven.
This had the effect, that countless multitudes flocked together, as it
were, to the honor of God, and for the extirpation of the so-called
heresies, in order to obtain forgiveness of sins, and thus dying find
salvation; and having, under certain chieftains, been formed into
armies they marched forth and engaged alone in murdering, burning,
desolating and tyrannizing among the Waldenses and Albigenses, sparing
not even the infant in the cradle. It is impossible to relate how great
a multitude of these innocent people perished, and under what severe
torments, simply on account of their true faith.
REMARKS IN REGARD TO THE DISTINCTION OF THE PEOPLE CALLED ALBIGENSES OR
WALDENSES.
I deem it necessary here, to insert a caution, which I desire that
it be borne in mind wherever the Albigenses and Waldenses (who are
introduced as witnesses of our faith) are spoken of, namely, that we
here speak only of such people as, besides the confession of their and
our most holy faith respecting the points necessary to salvation, were
opposed to war, and willingly and patiently, as defenseless sheep of
Christ appointed for the slaughter, entered the path of death through
manifold torments inflicted upon them by the enemies of the faith, to
the glory of God, the edification of their neighbor, and the salvation
of their own souls.
It is true, that in ancient histories mention is made of people who,
though improperly, were called Waldenses or Albigenses, who resisted,
yea slew their enemies; but of such we do not speak here, indeed, all
of whom there is reason so to think, we would positively pass by.[168]
[168] In those times there was a sect sometimes, though improperly,
called Albigenses. Their proper name, however, was _Ruptuarii_
or _Routiers_; that is, desolators or rioters, because they made
resistance. See _2d book_ of the _Persecutions, fol. 460, col. 4_.
But of such we have purposely avoided to speak, as they do not belong
here.
It must also be observed here, that the princes who had taken the
defenseless Albigenses and Waldenses under their protection, and
even their soldiers, were sometimes (through sheer ignorance) called
Albigenses or Waldenses, simply because they protected them. However,
of these we do not here speak, but only of those who, according to
their confession, lived peaceably and meekly under their protection.
That many of them dwelt, as defenseless sheep, under the government
of such princes, and that on this account war was sometimes waged by
their enemies against these princes, so that one had to suffer with the
other, is evident from the accounts of the ancients; however, we have,
to the utmost of our ability, distinguished them; so that as far as we
know, not one of those whom we have mentioned as martyrs, had any part
or lot with revenge, much less with war.
In addition to this, I will briefly adduce from ancient writers, for
the benefit of the truth-seeking reader, several arguments, showing
that the Waldenses and Albigenses dwelt defenselessly and in all quiet
under the protection of their magistracies; and that in consequence of
this, said magistrates were also called Waldenses and Albigenses, and
war waged against them; who, when they resisted, were the cause that it
was said that the Albigenses or Waldenses had resisted, yea, actually
fought.
_First Argument._--Abraham Mellinus, from _Innocent III., epist.
84_, states: That the Pope, through letters, as well as legates,
gave orders, throughout France, to the ecclesiastics as well as the
seculars, to exterminate the Albigenses; however, Raymond, count of
Toulouse had already taken upon him to defend the Albigenses. For this
reason Pope Innocent wrote to the Archbishop of Narbonne, and to other
bishops, abbots, and prelates, and among these especially to Radulph,
canon of Narbonne, and also to the abbots of the great valley, and
of Cisteaux, that they should speak to the count and persuade him to
persecute the heretics (that is, the Albigenses); but, if he should
reject their counsel, that they should excommunicate him; both of which
took place. _Second book, fol. 449, col. 1._