THe Waldenſian Churches in Dauphine, haue been for theſe many hundred yeeres ſpread abroad throughout diuers parts of the Prouince. For they haue had Churches in Valentia, Valentinois. where at this preſent there are places, wherin times out of mind, the faith of the Waldēſes hath been receiued from the father to the ſonne, as the place des Faulques, and Beauregard in Valentia, and La Baulme neere Crest; out of which places there are come to our hands certaine proces againſt ſome particular perſons of the ſame places, for being accuſed by the Inquiſitors as adhearing to the faith of the Waldenſes aboue three hundred yeeres ſince. But the more famous Churches of the ſaide Prouince, are thoſe of the Valley of Fraiſsiniere, neere Ambrun, of Argenterie, of the Valley Loyſe, which for the VValdenſes ſakes was called Val lute, as if there had been nothing in the ſaid Valley but a Brothel-houſe, and receptacle of all manner of diſſolute liuing and villany. This was vtterly rooted out. On the other ſide of the Alpes, there is a valley called the Valley of Pragela, where they haue inhabited time out of minde. A Valley that is in the iuriſdiction of the Arch-biſhop of Turin, peopled euen at this preſent with thoſe that are deſcended from the firſt Waldenſes, of whom mention hath been made heretofore. They were the inhabitants of this Valley that peopled the Waldenſian Valleies of Piedmont, La Perouſe, Saint Martin, Angrongue and others; as alſo thoſe of the Waldenſes inhabited in Prouence, and Calabria, are come out of thoſe places of Dauphine, and Piedmont. In ſaid Valley of Pragela, there are at this day, ſix goodly Churches, euery one hauing their Paſtor, and euerie Paſtor hauing diuers villages, which belong to euery one of theſe Churches, all filled with thoſe that haue deſcended from the ancient VValdenſes. They are Churches truely reformed time out of minde. For although in the ſaid Valley, there are at this preſent old people, and not a ſmall number that draw neere, yea and ſome that are aboue a hundred yeere old, yet theſe good old men, haue neuer heard of their fathers, or grand-fathers, that maſſe was euer ſung in their times in that Country. And though perhaps the Arch-biſhops of Turin, haue cauſed it to be ſong in the ſaid Valley, whereof the inhabitants haue had no knowledge, yet there is not any amongſt them, that makes profeſſion of any other faith or beleefe, then that the confeſſion whereof we haue heard in the former booke.

For all thoſe bookes before mentioned, haue bin receiued by the Inhabitants of the ſaid valley, which hath been in times paſt, one of the ſafeſt retiring places that the Waldenſes had in all Europe, enuironed on all ſides with mountaines almoſt vnaccreſſable, within the caues whereof they retired themſelues in times of perſecution.

Le Sieur de Vignaux who was one of the firſt Paſtors that preached to his people, long before the exerciſe of the reformed Religion was free in France, could not ſatisfie himſelfe with the liberall ſpeech, integrity, and piety of theſe people, whom he found altogether diſpoſed to receiue the diſpenſation of the word of God, which their fore-fathers had cheriſhed, and in which they had inſtructed their poſterity. And it was worthy the obſeruation, that notwithſtanding they were weakned on all ſides, and enuironed with the enemies of their Religion, in danger to be apprehended when they went out of their dores, yet was there neuer any worldly reſpect that had power to alter their holy reſolution, from the father to the ſonne to ſerue God, taking his word for the rule of their faith, and his law for the rule of their obedience. And in this deſigne it was, that they haue been bleſſed of God, aboue all Chriſtian people throughout Europe, inſomuch that their infants were hardly weaned from their mothers breaſt, but their parents tooke a ſingular delight to inſtruct them in the Chriſtian faith and doctrine, vntill they were able to confound many perſons dwelling elſwhere well ſtrooken in yeeres, and ouerwhelmed with ignorance.

To this paſſe their Paſtors brought them, who not being content to giue them exhortations vpon the Sabboth daies, went alſo in the weeke-daies to inſtruct them, in the villages and hamlets thereabouts, not ſparing themſelues for the roughnes of the rockes, the coldneſſe of the ayre, the inciuility of the country, where they were faine to clime vp high mountains to viſit their flocke, and to carry vnto them the foode of their ſoules; euen at thoſe times when the people in the heat of ſummer were keeping their cattell vpon the high rockes, and there they many times teach and inſtruct them in the open fields. There you may ſee thoſe that heare the word of God with attention and reuerence: There is diſcipline exerciſed with fruit; There the people pray with feruency of zeale, at their retaine from their labors, at night when they go toe their reſt, & in the morning before they vndertake any worke; Firſt in their priuate houſes, then in the Temple they begge the aſſiſtance of the Lord in all their actions, thoughts, words, and deeds, and ſo betake themſelues to their labours, vnder the protection of the liuing God, whom they loue, and honour and adore. There you may deſcry more zeale, and more ſimplicity, then in many other places, that abound in the delights and pleaſures of this world; neither are they ſo rude and blockiſh, but that they haue diuers amongſt them that can reade, and deliuer their mindes in good tearmes, eſpecially they that trauell ſometimes into the lower Countries for their commodities; they haue Schooles wherein their children are taught and nurtured, neither doe they want any thing they thinke neceſſary to aduance the glory of God amongſt them.

The firſt perſecution that is come to our knowledge, was that, which was moued by a certain Monke Inquiſitor of the Order of the Frier-Minors, named Francis Borelli, hauing a Commiſſion in the yeere 1380,Anno 1380. to make inquiry and to informe touching the Sect of the Waldenſes, in the Dioces of Aix, Arles, Ambrun, Vienna, Geneua, Aubonne, Sauoy, the Venetian County, Dyois, Foreſts, the Principality of Orenge, the Citty of Anignon and Selon, This Bull was taken out of the Chamber Country of Grenoble. as his Bull gaue him authority, which he receiued from Clement the ſeuenth, who then was Reſident and ruled in Anignon. By reaſon of the neerenes of his Court to the habitation of the Waldenſes; hee thought good to purge Dauphine, of thoſe that held him to bee Antichriſt; and for this cauſe he commanded the Biſhops of Dauphine, Pronence, and other places, to which his power did extend (for there was then a ſchiſme, and all Europe was diuided, partly for Vrbani the ſixt, and partly for this ſaid Clement) to watch in ſuch ſort ouer their flockes, that there might not any liue amongſt them that was of the Sect of the Waldenſes.

This Monke cited to appeare before hin at Ambrun, all the inhabitants of Eraſsiniere, Argentiere, and the valley Pute, vpon paine of excommunication. They appeared not, nor any for them, & were therefore condemned for their contumacy, and in the end ſhut out of the Church, by the laſt and moſt direfull excommunication of offenders: and in the ſpace of thirteene yeeres, during which time he alwaies caught one or other, he deliuered by ſentence to the ſecular power to be burnt at Grenoble, that is to ſay, of the valley Pute, William Marie of Vilar, Peter Long, alias Chaſtan; Iohn Long, alias Truchi, Albert Vincens, loane the wife of Steuen Vincens, and diuers others; that is to ſay, to the number of one hundred and fifty men, diuers women, with many of their ſonnes and daughters well ſtrooken in yeeres, whoſe names we haue not heere inſerted becauſe we would not grieue and weary the Reader.

Of the Valley of Argentiere and Fraſsinieres, Aſtine Berarde, Barthelemie the wife of Iohn Porti, and others of both ſexes, to the number of eighty, who were all condemned to be deliuered to the ſecular power; in ſuch ſort, that whenſoeuer any one of them was apprehended, he was preſently brought to Grenoble, and there without any other ſhew of proces, burnt aliue.

This laſt ſentence was pronounced at Ambrun in the Cathedrall Church, in the yeere one thouſand three hundred ninty three, to the great gaine and commodity of the Monkes the Inquiſitors, who adiudged to themſelues two parts of the goods of the ſaid condemned, and the reſt to the temporall commanders, with inhibition to their bordering neighbours, to aſſiſt them in any manner howſoeuer, to receiue them, viſit, defend them, or to miniſter reliefe or ſuſtenance to any of them, or to conue • ſe with them in any ſort, or to doe them any fauour, or giue them any aide or counſell, vpon paine to be attainded and conuinced for a fauourer of Heretickes, they being declared vnworthy of all offices, and publicke charges and counſels; forbidding euery man to vſe the feruice of any of them in matter of teſtimony, they themſelues being iudged vnſufficient to make a will, or to ſucceed in any inheritance. And if any of them ſhould bee iudges, that their ſentences ſhould be of no force, and no cauſes ſhould be called before them. And if any of them be Aduocates, that their defences and pleas bee not receiued; if Notaries, that their inſtruments be of no effect, but cancelled and defaced; If Prieſts, that they be depriued of all offices and benefices, with inhibition to all Eccleſiaſticall perſons, to miniſter the Sacrament vnto them, to giue them ſepulture, or to receiue from them any almes or oblations, vpon paine of depoſition from charges, and depriuation of their Benefices.

This Monke reſerued to himſelfe, by the ſaid ſentence, the reuiew and examination of the proces of ſome doſen that he named therein; and they were thoſe which he would willingly haue to paſſe by the golden gate. For in the proces that are come to our hands, there are many that complaine, that they had neuer been entangled in the ſnares of the Inquiſitots, but for their goods; beeing well knowne that they neuer had any knowledge of the Beleefe of Waldenſes.

As touching the Waldenſes of the valley of Pragela, they were aſſayled by their enemies vpon the ſide of Suſa a towne in Piedmont, 1400. about the yeere a thouſand foure hundred: and foraſmuch as they had many times aſſaulted them in vaine, at ſuch times as they could retire themſelues into the high mountaines,Vineaux in his Meuoi. fol. 6. and caues or hollow places thereof, from whence they might much indamage, and hinder thoſe that came to aſſaile them, the ſaid enemies ſet vpon them, about the Feaſt of the Natiuity of Chriſt, a time when theſe poore people neuer thought, that any would haue durſt to haue paſt the mountaines being couered with ſnow, who ſeeing their caues and cauerns taken by their enemies, they betooke themſelues to one of the higheſt mountaines of the Alpes, named afterward the Albergam, that is to ſay, the mountaine of retrait, and running together in troopes with their wiues and children, the mothers carrying their cradles, and leading their infants by the hand, that were able to goe, the enemy followed them vntill night, and ſlew many before they could recouer the mountaine. They that were then ſlaine had the better bargaine. For night comming vpon theſe poore people which were in the ſnow, without any meanes to make any fire to warme their little infants, the greateſt part of them were benūmed with cold, & there were found in the morning foureſcore ſmall infants dead in their cradles, and moſt of their mothers mothers died after them, and diuers others were giuing vp the laſt gaſpe.

The enemies being retired in the night, into the houſes of theſe poore people, they ranſacked and pillaged whatſoeuer they could carry to Suſa, and for the full accompliſhment of their cruelty, they hanged vpon a tree a poore Waldenſian woman, whom they met vpon the mountaine de Meane, named Margaret Athode.

The Inhabitants of the ſaid Valley, hold this perſecution to be the moſt violent, that their fathers haue related vnto them, that in their times or the times of their grand-fathers they haue euer ſuffred; and they talke of it at this preſent, as if it were a thing lately done, and freſh in memory; ſo often from the father to the ſonne, hath mention been made of this vnexpected ſurpriſe, the cauſe of ſo many miſeries amongſt them.

Now in the meane while, the Waldenſes of the valley Fraſsiniere, that remained and had eſcaped this aforeſaid perſecution, were againe violently handled by the Archbiſhop of Ambrun their neighbour in the yeere 1460, that is,1460. in the time of Pope Pius the ſecond of that name, and of Lewis the eleuenth King of France.

This Arch-biſhop named Iohn, made a Commiſſioner againſt the ſaid Waldenſes, a certaine Monke of the order of the Frier-Minors, called Iohn Vayleti, who proceeded with ſuch diligence and violence, that there was hardly any perſon in the vallies of Fraſsiniere, Argentiere, and Loyſe, that could eſcape the hands of the ſaid Inquiſitor, but that they were apprehended either as Heretickes, or fauourers of them.

THE Waldenſes haue had famous Churches in the Valleis of Piedmont, Angrongne, la Perouſe, the Valley Saint Martin Lucerna, and other bordering places for time out of minde. It is held for certaine amongſt them, that they are a part of the Waldenſes of Dauphine, Pragela, Fraſsinieres, and other places their neere neighbours; and that in time being multiplied in ſo great abundance, that the Country could not feed them, they were conſtrained to diſperſe themſelues at length and at large, where they might beſt ſettle themſelues. So deare like brothers, haue they been one to another, and notwithſtanding they haue been alwaies oppreſſed with troubles, yet with a moſt hearty loue and charity, they haue euer ſuccoured one another, not ſparing their liues and goods for their mutuall conſeruation.

The firſt troubles that the Waldenſes of Piedmont endured, came from the report of certaine Prieſts, ſent thither by the Arch-biſhop of Turin, who informed that the people that were committed to their charge, liued not according to the manners and beliefe of the Church of Rome, neither offering for the dead, nor caring for Maſſes, or abſolutions, nor to get any of theirs out of the paines of Purgatory by any of their vſuall meanes. The Arch-biſhops of Turin haue perſecuted them, as much as lay in their power, making them odious to their Princes, who vnderſtanding of the good report that their neighbours gaue of their milde & honeſt conuerſation, Vignaux in his memorials fol. 7. and that they were a ſimple people, fearing God, of a good carriage, without deceit or malice, louing integrity and plaine dealing, alwaies ready to ſerue their Princes, and that very willingly they yeelded vnto them all dutifull obedience, and that with alacrity: Being in ſuch grace and fauour with the people their neighbours, that they endeauoured to bring into Piedmont to their ſeruice, their yong people, and to prouide their nurſes amongſt them to bring vp their yong infants; the ſaid Princes continued a long time in a purpoſe not to moleſt them: but the Prieſts and Monkes that were frequent amongſt them, gaining nothing by this their beliefe, charged them with an infinite number of Calumnies, and whenſoeuer they went into Piedmont vpon occaſion of buſineſſe, they alwaies caught one or other, and deliuered him to the Inquiſitors, and the Inquiſitors to the executioner; In ſuch manner, that there was hardly any Towne or Citty in Piedmont in which one or other of them was not put to death. For Iordan Tertian was burnt at Suſe; Hypolite Rouſsier was burnt at Turin; Villermin Ambroiſe was hanged at Meane; as alſo Anthony Hiun, Hugh Chiampe de Feneſtrelles being taken at Suſe, was conueied to Turin, where his bowels were torne out of his belly, and put into a baſon, and hee afterwards cruelly martyred: among which the ſeruants of God, there were ſome who haue maintained that truth, which they haue knowne for aboue two hundred and fifty yeeres, and others aboue a hundred and fifty. But amongſt all the reſt, the conſtancy of one Catelin Girard is worthy the remembrance, who being vpon the blocke whereon hee ſhould bee burnt at Reuel in the Marquiſate of Saluces, he requeſted his executioners, to giue him a coupple of ſtones into his hands, which they refuſed to doe, fearing he had a purpoſe to fling them at ſome one or other, but hee proteſting the contrary, at the laſt they deliuered them vnto him, who hauing them in his hands, ſaid vnto them; Vignaux in his memorials, fol. 7. when I ſhall haue eaten theſe ſtones, then ſhall ye ſee an end of that religion for which you put me to death, and ſo caſt the ſtones vpon the ground.

The fires were kindled vntill the yeere one thouſand foure hundred eighty eight,1488. at what time they reſolued to aſſault them by open force, becauſe, beſides that they perceiued that the conſtancy of thoſe whom they did publikely put to death, drew a great number of others to the knowledge of God, they likewiſe found that by this meanes they ſhould neuer come to their purpoſed deſigne. And therefore they leuied men to ioyne with Albert de Capitaneis, one put in Commiſſion by Pope Sixtus the fourth, and Innocent the eight. There were eighteene thouſand ſouldiers muſtered, beſides a great number of the Inhabitants of Piedmont, who ran to the pillage from all parts. They marched all at once to Angrongne, Lucerne, la Perouſe, Saint Martin Prauiglerm, and Biolet, which is in the Marquiſate of Saluces, as alſo they raiſed troopes in Vaucluſon in Dauphine, ouerrunning the Valley of Pragela; to the end that being bound to their owne defence, they might not be able to fauour their neighbours, the Waldenſian Churches in Piedmont. All this was guided by the ſingular prouidence of God, in that they diuided their troopes by bands, rather out of their pride then for their better expedition. For notwithſtanding they were all imployed in their owne defence, and could not ſuccor one another, yet the enemy by this diuiſion did ſo diminiſh their forces, that they were euery where beaten, but eſpecially in the Valley of Angrongne, where they made their moſt violent aſſault. For as this leuy of men could not be raiſed, without ſome aduertiſement that it was againſt themſelues, ſo accordingly they prepared themſelues to receiue them, keeping themſelues to the ſtraight paſſages, where few men were able to make any aſſault, being armed with certaine long targets of wood, that did wholly couer them, and wherein the arrowes of their enemies ſtrooke, without any hurt to themſelues: The formoſt being thus armed and couered, the reſt did good ſeruice, and with good aduantage, with their bowes and croſſebowes vnder the couert of the ſaid targets, and as the enemy thought to draw neere to the paſſages, the women and children being ſpectators, vpon their knees cried out in their owne language, O Dio aiutaci, &c. O God helpe vs. Whereat the enemies making themſelues merry, amongſt other one Captaine Saquet, counterfeiting the ſaid women, was ſlaine, and caſt headlong from the mountaine into a deepe bottome, which to this day is called the Gulfe of Saquet. At the ſame time, a certaine Captaine named le Noir de Montdeni, cried out to the women that prayed vnto God, imiei, i miei faranno la paſſada, as much to ſay, as the ſouldiers cried out to them to put them to death, was killed with the ſhot of an arrow in the throat; which the ſouldiers perceiuing, and that the rockes, the ſtones and the arrowes couered them, they betooke themſelues all to their heeles, and the greateſt part of them, caſt themſelues downe from the rockes. This people obſerued another effect of the prouidence of God, and that is, that the enemies approaching to the ſtrongeſt place by nature, which is the Valley of Angrongne, called le Pre de la Tour, where they might haue fortified themſelues, and made themſelues maſters of the ſaid Valley; God ſent ſo thicke a cloud, ſo darke a fogge, that the enemies could hardly ſee one another, inſomuch that they had no leaſure or meanes to know the goodnes of the place, or to ſtay there; whereupon the VValdenſes gathering courage, followed the chaſe in ſuch manner, that being all diſperſed, and not ſeeing which way they went, the greateſt part fell headlong downe the mountaines, and put themſelues vnto flight, quitting themſelues of their armes and their booties, which they had gotten at their entrance in the Valley, where they had powred out their wine, their corne, and loaded their ſeruants with their moſt precious moueables.

It pleaſed God to touch the heart of their Prince with ſome compaſſion of this poore people. It was Philip the ſeuenth of that name, Duke of Sauoy, and Prince of Piedmont; who ſaid, that he would not haue that people, that had been alwaies true and moſt faithfull and obedient vnto him, to be rigorouſly handled by way of Armes; being contented that a doſen of the principall amongſt them, ſhould come to Pignerol, where hee was, to aske pardon for all the reſt, for that they had taken armes in their defence, which he gaue them to vnderſtand by a certaine Biſhop whom he ſent to Praiſut; they deputed the ſaid doſen, to do whatſoeuer his Highneſſe required of them; Hee receiued them louingly, and forgaue them all that was paſt during the warre, paying a certaine ſumme of money for the charges thereof. And foraſmuch as he had been informed, that their young infants were borne with blacke throats, and that they had foure rowes of teeth, and hairy, hee commanded that ſome of them ſhould be brought to him to Pignerol, which was preſently executed, and ſeeing them all faire and perfect creatures, hee was much diſpleaſed with himſelfe, for that he was ſo eafily perſwaded to beleeue, that which was reported vnto him touching this people, declaring withall, that his pleaſure was, that from thence forward they ſhould liue with the ſelfſame liberties and prerogatiues, as in former times, and as all his other ſubiects of Piedmont did.

Notwithſtanding all this, the Moneks the Inquiſitors, ſent out proces euery day, for as many of them as they could apprehend, eſpecially they kept themſelues in ambuſh in a certaine Conuent neer vnto Pignerol, from whence they deliuered them to the ſecular power. This perſecution endured to the yeere,1532. one thouſand fiue hundred thirty two, at what time they reſolued to order their Churches in ſuch ſort, that that exerciſe which was before performed in couert, might be knowne of euery one, and that their Paſtors ſhould preach the Goſpell openly, that is to ſay, without any apprehenſion of perſecutions that might happen vnto them.

His Highneſſe was ſpeedily aduertiſed of this change, and much moued therewith, in ſuch ſort, that hee commanded one Pantaleon Berſor, to ſpeed himſelfe into the ſaid Valleys with his troopes of men, which hee ſo readily performed, that before the people were aware of it, hee was entred their Valleys with fiue hundred men, part on foot, and part on horſebacke, ranſaking, pillaging, and waſting whatſoeuer was before them. The people leauing their plough and tillage, put themſelues into their paſſages, and with their ſlings, charged their enemies with ſuch violence, that they were conſtrained to flie, and to abandon their prey, many of them remaining dead vpon the ground. This newes came preſently to his Highneſſe, being likewiſe told him that experience had taught them before, that it was not the way to reclaime and ſubdue theſe people by armes, the places of their habitation being ſo fauourable vnto them, they knowing better the ſtraites and paſſages of the Country, then the aſſai •• nts; and therefore there was nothing to bee gotten, when the skin of one of the Waldenſes muſt bee bought with the loſſe of the liues of a doſen of his other Subiects. Hee thought it therefore not good to moleſt them any more by armes; but onely that they ſhould be taken by retaile, one by one, as they came into Piedmont, and examplary iuſtice executed vpon them, if they changed not their beliefe, that ſo by little and little they might be deſtroyed, to the aſtoniſhment of all others that dwell in the ſaid Valleys, and ſo their ruine might be procured inſenſibly, and without the danger of any other the Princes Subiects.

All this hindred not, but that they ſtill perſiſted in their reſolution. And to end that all things might bee done in order amongſt them, they aſſembled themſelues together, out of all their Valleys, to Angrongne in the yeere one thouſand fiue hundred thirty fiue,1535. and the twelfth of September; that is to ſay, all the heads of euery families with their Paſtors; where by of them it was certified, that their brethren the Waldenſes of Prouence and Dauphine, had ſent into Germany their Paſtors, George Morell, and Peter Maſſon to confer with Oecolampadius, Bucer, and other the ſeruants of God, who there preached the Goſpell, touching the beliefe which they haue had from the father to the ſonne, time out of minde: that they had found that God had been very mercifull and gratious vnto vs, in that he hath preſerued vs vndefiled in the middeſt of ſo many Idolatries and ſuperſtitions, which haue infected all Chriſtendome in the ages paſt, vnder the tyranny of Antichriſt of Rome. They haue encouraged vs by holy aduertiſements and reaſons giuen,This admonition or remonſtrance giuen by Oecolamp. and Bucer to George Morrel and Pet. Maſſon is in the Memor. of the ſaid Morel fol. 5. and exhorted vs not to bury thoſe talents which God hath imparted vnto vs: finding it an euill thing, that we haue ſo long delayed the time to make publike profeſſion of adhearing to the Goſpell, and cauſing it to be preached in the eares, and to the knowledge of euery one, leauing the euents vnto God, of whatſoeuer it ſhall pleaſe him ſhall fall vpon vs by procuring his glory, and the aduancement of the Kingdome of his Sonne. And afterwards hauing read the letters of the ſaid Oecolampadius and Bucer, which were ſent vnto them, as to their Brethren the Waldenſes of Prouence and Dauphine, the Propoſitions or Articles following, were ordered, reade, and approued, ſigned and ſworne to by all the aſſiſtants, with one minde and conſent, to conſerue, obſerue, beleeue, and retaine amongſt them inuiolably, without any contradiction, as being conformable to the doctrine, which hath been taught them from the father to the ſonne for theſe many hundred yeeres, and taken out of the word of God.

ARTICLE I. That Diuine Seruice cannot bee done, but in ſpirit and in truth; For God is a ſpirit, and whoſoeuer will pray vnto him, muſt pray in ſpirit.

II. All that haue been, or ſhall be ſaued, haue been choſen of God before all worlds.

III. They that are ſaued, cannot but be ſaued.

IV. Whoſoeuer holdeth free-Will, denieth wholly the Predeſtination and the grace of God.

V. No worke is called good, but that which is commanded by God; and no worke is euill, but that which is forbidden by God.

VI. A Chriſtian may ſweare by the name of God, not any way contradicting that which is written in the fift Chapter by Saint Matthew, prouided, that hee that ſweareth, take not the name of the Lord in vaine. Now that man ſweareth not in vaine, whoſe oath redoundeth to the glory of God, and the good of his neighbour. Alſo, a man may ſweare in iudgement, becauſe he that beares the office of a Magiſtrate, be he Chriſtian or infidell, hath the power of God.

VII. Auricular Confeſſion is not commanded of God, and it is concluded according to the holy Scriptures, that the true confeſſion of a Chriſtian conſiſteth in confeſſing himſelfe to one onely God, to whom belongs honour and glory. There is another kinde of confeſſion, which is, when as a man reconcileth himſelfe vnto his neighbour, whereof mention is made in the fift of Saint Matthew. The third manner of Confeſſion is, when as man hath ſinned publikly, an all men take notice of it, ſo he confeſſe and acknowledge the fault publikely.

VIII. We muſt ceaſe vpon the Lords day, from all our labours, as being zealous of the honor and glory of God: for the better exerciſe of our charity towards our neighbours, and our better attendance to the hearing of the word of God.

IX. It is not lawfull for a Chriſtian to reuenge himſelfe vpon his enemy, in any manner whatſoeuer.

X. A Chriſtian may exerciſe the office of a Magiſtrate ouer Chriſtians.

XI. There is no certaine time determined for the faſt of a Chriſtian, and it doth appeare in the word of God, that the Lord hath commanded, or appointed certaine daies.

XII. Marriage is not forbidden any man, of what quality or condition ſoeuer he be.

XIII. Whoſoeuer forbiddeth marriage, teacheth a diabolicall doctrine.

XIIII. He that hath not the gift of continency, is bound to marry.

XV. The miniſters of the word of God, ought not to be changed from place to place, except it be for the great benefit of the Church.

XVI. It is not a thing repugnant to the Apoſtolicall communion, that the miniſters ſhould poſſeſſe any thing in particular, to prouide for the maintenance of their families.

XVII. Touching the matter of the Sacraments, it hath been concluded by the holy Scriptures, that we haue but two Sacramental ſignes, the which Chriſt Ieſus hath left vnto vs; the one is Baptiſme, the other the Euchariſt, which wee receiue to ſhew what our perſeuerance in the faith is, as wee haue promiſed when we were baptized, being little infants: As alſo in remembrance of that great benefit, which Ieſus Chriſt hath done vnto vs, when hee died for our redemption, waſhing vs with his moſt pretious bloud.

Theſe Articles being reſolued vpon by them, aſtoniſhed the Prieſts that were amongſt them to gather vp the reuenewes of their Cures, being out of all hope to ſee thoſe people reclaimed, and brought vnto the obedience of the Church of Rome by any force, much leſſe of their owne acord; and perceiuing the dore to be ſhut againſt their gaine, they retired themſelues without ſpeaking a word. Vpon this their retrait, the Maſſe vaniſhed of it ſelfe in the Valleys of the ſaid Waldenſes; And becauſe they had onely the new Teſtament, and ſome bookes of the old, tranſlated into the Waldenſian tongue, they reſolued ſpeedily to ſend to the preſſe the whole Bible, their bookes being onely manuſcripts, and thoſe but a few. They ſent therfore to Newcaſtle in Suitzerland, Suiſſe. See the Eccleſiaſticall Hiſtory of the Churches of France, pag. 37 where they gaue fifteene hundred crownes of gold to a Printer, who brought to light the firſt impreſſion of the French Bible which was ſeen in France: and incontinently in the yeere one thouſand fiue hundred thirty ſix, they ſent to Geneua, one Martin Gonin, 1536. to prouide a large ſupply of ſuch bookes which he ſhould ſee to bee fit for the inſtruction of the people: but they were fruſtrated of their intent, becauſe this good man was apprehended for a Spy, paſſing ouer the hill de Gap by a certaine Gentleman named George Martin, Lord de Champolion, and ſo ſoone as hee was knowne to be a Waldenſian, he was ſent to Grenoble, and there kept in priſon,In the booke of Martyrs of our time, lib. 3 fol. III. and afterwards in the night-time caſt into the Riuer Lyzere, for feare leſt hee ſhould ſpeake of his beliefe before the people: for the Monke Inquiſitor, that deliuered him to the ſecular power, told them, that it was not good that the world ſhould hare him, becauſe (ſaith hee) it is to bee feared, that they that heare him, may become worſe then himſelfe.

There happened warres in Piedmont, betweene King Francis the firſt of that name, and the Prince of Piedmont, which fell out happily for theſe poore people, for ſo long as thoſe confuſions continued, they were at quiet, vntill Pope Paul the third of that name, ſollicited the Parliament of Turin to take ſome violent courſe againſt them, in doing iuſtice vpon them, as vpon pernicious Heretickes, whenſoeuer they ſhould bee deliuered into their hands by the Inquiſitors. This Parliament cauſed a great number to be burnt at Turin, in immitation of other Parliaments in France, who burnt in thoſe times, thoſe they called Lutherans.

They had recourſe vnto the King, preſenting vnto him their petition, that they might not be perſecuted by the ſaid Parliament for the profeſſion of that Religion, in the which they and their anceſtors had liued for many hundred yeeres, and that by the permiſſion of their Princes. But they made it worſe with them then it was before; for the King enioyned them to liue, according to the laws of the Church of Rome, vpon paine to bee chaſtiſed as Heretickes. He likewiſe commanded the Court of Parliament at Turin, to cauſe all his Subiects within their iuriſdiction, to profeſſe his religion; Adding withall, that he did not burne the Lutherans throughout his whole Kingdome of France, to make a reſeruation of them among the Alpes.

The Parliament endeuoured ſpeedily to put the commandement of the King in execution, and for that cauſe enioyned them vpon paine of their liues, to quit themſelues preſently of their Miniſters, and to receiue Prieſts to ſing Maſſe, liuing after the manner of other the Kings ſubiects. They anſwered, that they could not obey any ſuch commands againſt the commandement of God, whom in what belonges vnto his ſeruice, they would rather obey then men. But had not the King at that time had other imployments elſewhere, without all doubt this Parliament would haue made them doe that by force, which they would not be brought vnto by ſimple commands. They therefore contented themſelues to proſecute them by the Inquiſition, and to receiue from the Monkes, thoſe they condemned to the fire. But afterwards in the yeere 1555, they increaſed the perſecution.1555. For hauing condemned to the fire, one Barthelmew Hector a Stationer, who was executed at Turin, becauſe hee died with admirable conſtancy, inſomuch that hee edified the aſſiſtants and ſtanders by, in ſuch manner, that he drew teares from their eyes, and words of compaſſion from their mouthes, iuſtifying him with a mutuall applauſe, which they gaue of his good ſpeeches and prayers vnto God. The Parliament tooke occaſion herupon, to do their beſt endeauor to ouerthrow this profeſſion in the very ſource, and to vſe the authority of the King, to enforce this people to liue vnder the lawes of the Church of Rome, In the Booke of the martyrs of our time. lib. 8. fol 122. or miſerably to periſh. To this end and purpoſe, the Parliament of Turin deputed a certaine Preſident of Saint Iulian, and a Collaterall named de Eccleſia, to tranſport themſelues vnto thoſe places, and there to put in practice whatſoeuer they thought good, either to reduce or to exterminate the ſaid people, with promiſe to aſſiſt them, with whatſoeuer ſhall be needfull to this purpoſe, according to the aduiſe and counſell they ſhould receiue from them.

This Preſident with his Collaterall, ttooke their iourney to Perouſe, and cauſed Proclamations publikly to be made in the name of the King, that euery one of the Inhabitants was to goe to Maſſe, vpon paine of his life. Afterwards, they came to Pignerol, where they cited many to appeare before them. Amongſt others, there appeared a poore ſimple labouring man, whom the Preſident commanded to cauſe his child to be re-baptized, which had lately been baptized by the miniſter of Saint Iohn neere Angrongne. This poore man requeſted ſo much reſpite, as that he might pray vnto God before hee anſwered him. Which being granted with ſome laughter, he fell downe vpon his knees in the preſence of all that were there, and his prayer being ended, he ſaid to the Preſident, that hee would cauſe his childe to be re-baptiſed, vpon condition, that the ſaid Preſident would diſcharge him by a bill ſigned with his owne hand, of the ſinne which he ſhould commit in cauſing it to be re-baptized, and beare one day before God the puniſhment and condemnation which ſhould befall him, taking this iniquity vpon him and his. Which the Preſident vnderſtanding, hee commanded him out of his preſence, not preſſing him any farther.

Now hauing framed diuers indictments againſt ſome particular perſons of the ſaid Valleys, and made ſome collections of whatſoeuer the Preſident could imagine might hurt the people, hee aſſayed alſo to winne them by the preachings of the Monkes, whom he brought with him into the Valley of Angrongne. Being therefore come vnto the place where their Temple was, he cauſed one of his Monkes to preach in the preſenee of the people, who made vnto them a long exhortation to returne vnto the Church of Rome, of which hee reported many things which the people beleeued not. After that the Monke had ſaid as much as he would, and that he held his peace, the greateſt number of the people required, that the Paſtors that were there preſent, or ſome one of them for all, might be permitted, louingly and mildly to anſwer to the diſcourſe that had been made by the Preacher; but the Preſident by no meanes would giue way thereunto, whereupon there followed a certaine rumour or muttering among the people, which ſtrooke the Preſident and his Monkes with an aſtoniſhment, in ſuch ſort, that they could haue been content to haue been elſewhere: but diſſembling their feare, the Preſident retired himſelfe, without a word ſpeaking, to Turin, whether being come, hee related to the Parliament what hee had done, and withall ſignified vnto them the difficulties that were, to winne this people by extremities, becauſe if any attempt ſhould bee made to take them by violence, they were reſolued to defend themſelues, and the places of their abode being fauourable vnto them, it was to bee feared, it would coſt a great deale of labour, and much blood would bee ſhed, before they could either bee brought into the Church of Rome, or out of the world. That is was the worke of a King to roote them out, and a King of Franc; and therefore it was neceſſary to ſend the reports, and to commit vnto his owne will and pleaſure, the iſſue of ſo troubleſome an enterpriſe. This aduice was followed, the indictments and reports were ſent to the King, but as the affaires of the Court cannot be finiſhed but with long time, there paſſed a whole yeere, before there was any other courſe ſpoken of, or taken againſt them, then that of the Inquiſitors, who alwaies deliuered ſome one or other to the ſecular power; but the yeere being expired, there came from the Court expreſſe commands of the King to make them to doe that by force, which they would not be brought vnto by words, or friendly vſage. The Parliament re-ſent the ſaid Preſident of Saint Iulien, who ſo ſoone as hee was arriued at Angrongne, he commanded them in the name of the King to goe to the Maſſe, vpon paine of Confiſcation of bodies and goods. They demanded a Copy both of his commiſſion and his ſpeech, promiſing to anſwere him in ſuch a manner, that he ſhould haue reaſon to reſt contented: but nothing could giue the Preſident ſatisfaction, who ſtill preſſed vpon them to change their religion, but in vaine. For they anſwered him, that they were not bound to ſuch commands, againſt the commandement of God. Hee commanded that twelue of the pricipalln amongſt them, with all the Miniſters and Schoole-maſters ſhould preſently yeeld their bodies to the priſons of Turin, there to receiue ſuch ſentence as reaſon ſhall require, and hee enioyned the Sindics of the ſaid Valleys to diſmiſſe and ſuffer to depart preſently all ſtrangers, and from thence forward not to receiue any Preachers or Schoole-maſters, but ſuch as ſhall be ſent them by the Dioceſan. They anſwered, that they could not nor would not obey any ſuch commands as were againſt God, and that they would not make their appearance at Turin, becauſe they could not doe it without danger of their liues, and to be moleſted for their beleefe.

This Parliament of Turin was in ſuch ſort incenſed againſt them, that as many as they could cauſe to be apprehended in Piedmont, and the frontiers of the Valleies, ſo many they burnt at Turin; among others M. Ieffrey Varnigle Miniſter at Angrongne was burnt in the yeere one thouſand fiue hundred fifty ſeuen,1557. by whoſe death at Turin in the place of the Caſtle, the people were much ſtrengthned and edified, there being preſent a great number, that ſaw him to perſiſt in the inuoucaton of the name of God vnto his laſt gaſpe.

During theſe grieuous perſecutions, the Proteſtant Princes of Germany did intercede for them, beſeeching King Henry the ſecond, to ſuffer them to liue in peace, in the profeſſion of that Religion wherein they had liued from the father to the ſonne for ſome ages paſt. The King promiſed to haue regard to this their requeſt, and indeed they continued quiet, vntill the peace was made betweene the King of France and of Spaine, and that the Duke of Sauoy was reſtored to his eſtates, that is to ſay, in the yeere one thouſand fiue hundred fifty nine.

The yeere after the ſaid reſtitution of the Country,1560. the Popes Nuntio reproued the Duke of Sauoy, for that he followed not the ſteps of the Kings of France in his zeale, who affecting the Catholike Romiſh religion, had with all his power perſecuted the Waldenſes and Lutherans of the Valleys of Angrongne, and other their bordering neighbours; and that if he did not ioyne his forces in what poſſibly hee could to bring them into the boſome of the Church, or to take them out of world, that his Holineſſe ſhould haue great reaſon to ſuſpect him to bee a fauourer of them. The Prince of Piedmont promiſed to vſe all the meanes he could, for their reduction or vtter ſubuerſion; in purſuit whereof, hee commanded them to goe to the Maſſe, vpon paine of their liues, and to ſee their Valleys laid open to fire and ſword. To which command they not yeelding obedience, he ſet vpon them by open force, and gaue the charge of this warre, to a gentleman named le ſieur de la Trinite; And in the meane while at the ſelfeſame time he cauſed them to be purſued by the Monkes the Inquiſitors, Iacomel, and de Corbis.

This war is printed in a treatiſe by it ſelfe. And it is likewiſe ſet downe in the 8. booke of the hiſtory the Martyrs of our times. fol. 532.But foraſmuch as the Hiſtory of this warre, is brought to light elſwhere, we will not enter into any large diſcourſe thereof, onely we may here obſerue, that after la Trinite had been well beaten with his troopes, ſeeing that the Lions pawe could ſtand him in no ſteed, he couered himſelfe with the Foxes skin, telling them that what had paſſed, had befallen them for want of parley and communication, rather then for any ill will that his Highneſſe bare vnto them; and that if his ſouldiers had exceeded their bounds, it was becauſe of that reſiſtance which they found, and that hereafter hee would bee an inſtrument for their conſeruation, and as deſirous to procure their peace, as at the beginning he ſhewed himſelfe earneſt to procure their trouble. And therefore he counſelled them to ſend certaine of the principall amongſt them to his Highneſſe, by whom he would ſend his commendatory letters, both to the Prince, and Madam Margarit Ducheſſe of Sauoy, and only ſiſter to Henry King of France, and that he did aſſure himſelfe that his Highneſſe would blot out the remembrance of all that was paſt: But yet he thought it neceſſary, that aboue all things they ſhould giue ſome teſtimony of obedience to their Prince; who in other places was enforced by the Pope to eſtabliſh the Maſſe in all his territories, and therefore they ſhould permit that the Maſſe might be ſong in Angrongne, which was but a thing indifferent vnto them, ſince he did not require their preſence at it, but onely that hee might write vnto his Highneſſe, that they were his good and obedient Subiects. And moreouer, to the end, that his Highneſſe might not ſtill perſiſt in his opinion, that any ſtrange miniſter did make his abode within his Prouinces, that it was in their power to intreat them, to retire themſelues vnto Pragela for ſome few daies, and that afterwards when his Highneſſe ſhould be pacified towards them, they might call them home againe. It coſt him a great deale of labour to gaine thus much of them; for if we intreat our Paſtors to retire themſelues (ſay they) it will be a counſell of the fleſh, and God will not bleſſe it; for our enemies when they ſhall haue gotten this aduantage of vs, and that we haue no man left to comfort vs, to counſell vs, to reproue, to exhort vs, they will endeauour no doubt to the vtmoſt of their power, euer to ſhut the gates againſt the returne of our good Paſtors, by woſe miniſtry, we haue been ſo worthily inſtructed, and fortified againſt a world of temptations. And therefore to the end we may not be accuſed as Rebels for recalling them home againe, it ſhall bee better for vs not to depriue our ſelues at all of the fruit of their miniſtry, and from hence forward to be reputed for ſuch in ſeruing of God, as preſerue thoſe whom he hath ſent to preach his word vnto vs. He is as powerfull to preſerue vs, as he hath been heretofore in times paſt, and vngratefull wretches wee are to doubt of his aſſiſtance, and not to thinke that we ſo miſerable a flocke, the dogges being chaſed away, ſhall not bee deuoured by the wolues. Thoſe and diuers the like were the ſpeeches and motions of thoſe that were moſt cleere ſighted, and more zealous then the reſt, but yet this could not hinder others from intreating their Paſtors to retire themſelues for ſome few daies to Pragela, a Valley neer vnto theirs, & peopled with their brethren the Waldenſes of Dauphine. Here a man might perceiue the heauy iuſtice of God pon them, and the beginning of miſery, euery one to melt into teares, the rockes reſounding and calamities, with cryes and lamentations, when euen women and infants, conducted their Paſtors to the high mountaines, to paſſe ouer to the other part of them. And from other parts, when they ſaw the principall amongſt them, to take their iourney to Turin, to the middeſt of their enemies, many preſaged the euill that would ouertake them, and it ſeemed vnto them that God had foraken them, at that time when they had forſaken him in the perſon of his ſeruants. It came to paſſe euen as it had been foretold, by thoſe that could not allow of thoſe counſels of the fleſh. For being arriued at Turin, they were preſently lockt vp in ſtrong priſons, their indictments framed as againſt Heretickes, the paſſages garded to hinder any that might giue aduertiſement of the vſage and intertainment they receiued, that were deputed to this ſeruice. And in the meane time, la Trinite told them, that he knew that his Highneſſe had agreed to all that they demanded, and that he had written vnto him, that he detained them for no other cauſe, but to aſſure him of their promiſes for time to come, to which purpoſe he likewiſe raiſed a Fort which he built neere to Angrongne. Which made them to thinke hardly of their affaires, in that they could heare no newes of their poore priſoners, and much leſſe would la Trinite ſuffer them to ſend any thither. In the end, hauing a long time conſulted with themſelues what they ſhould doe, ſeeing a Fort built which might curb and bridle them for euer, if they ſhould ſuffer it to be brought to perfection; and on the other ſide, fearing if they ſhould enterpriſe any thing againſt thoſe that laboured therein, that it ſhould coſt them their liues that they ſent to Turin, they were in great and extreme perplexities, not knowing what courſe to take; for they found, that they had been mocked by that Prater de la Trinite, and therefore it ſtood them vpon to commit the euent to the prouidence of God, and to reconcile themſelues to him by prayer and faſting, which when they had done, they called home their Paſtors, implored the aſſiſtance of their neighbours of Pragela, who came vnto them with their armes, entred into the Temples, wherein la Trinite had cauſed them to build Altars, and to place images, and ouerthrew the Altars, and laid them leuell with the ground, raſed vp the foundations themſelues, brake downe the images, beſieged the Fort and tooke it, killed as many as made reſiſtance, beate the ſuccours that were ſent to the ſaid Fort, put them to flight and ſlew a great number of them. The Prince Emanuel Philibert being much offended herewith, would haue reuenged himſelfe vpon thoſe that hee kept in priſon; but Madame Margarite interceeding for them, pacified the Prince, ſhewing that is was neceſſary for them to conſult with themſelues touching that vſage and intertainment, his Highneſſe had giuen to thoſe that were deputed, and that ſeeing themſelues in the way to a totall deſtruction, they had taken this oblique meanes to relieue and to helpe themſelues. His Highneſſe therefore by the aduiſe and inſtigation of the Popes Nuntio, had enforced the ſaid deputies to goe to the Maſſe, and there to aske pardon of God, the Pope, and their holy mother the Church of Rome, with promiſe to liue according to the Lawes thereof; and afterwards ſent them to priſon, attending the perfection of his Fort. But ſeeing himſelfe fruſtrated of his expectation, he followed the courſe propoſed by Madame Margarit, vnder which they haue liued vnto this preſent, which agreement we doe not here inſert, becauſe it is elſwhere ſet downe in their Hiſtory. True it is, that afterwards they ſuffered at ſundry times, ſundry perſecutions, which they bare patiently, and with much zeale. Among the reſt, that in the yeere 1570,1570. was very extreame. For their Prince being entred into an offenſiue league againſt the Proteſtants, with many other Princes of Europe, he began to trouble and to vexe his ſaid Subiects of the Valleys of the Waldenſes: Firſt by forbidding them to haue any commerce with the VValdenſes of Dauphine, vpon paine of their liues; and ſecondly to aſſemble themſelues in any Synod or Conſultation, but in the preſence of the Gouernour of Caſtrocaro; for the fulfilling whereof, he failed not to be preſent at the firſt Synode, which they called at Bobi. The Paſtors and Ancients that were there, ſignified to the ſaid Gouernour, that his aſſiſtance in their Synods was no way diſpleaſing vnto them, becauſe the matters that were to be handled, were ſuch, as if the whole world were a witnes vnto them, the more ſhould their piety towards their God appeare, and fidelity to wards their Prince, being to deliberate of nothing, but what might tend to the glory of God, and their obedience to their ſuperiours: And that foraſmuch as his Highneſſe tooke occaſion to diſtruſt them, it muſt needs be the falſe information of ſome of their enemies, and therefore aſſuring themſelues in their owne conſciences, that they had neuer deſerued it, they could not but take this nouelty for a manifeſt breach of the treatie and agreement he had made with them, and and a perſecution ſhaking the free exerciſe of their religion. They intreated therefore the Gouernour of Caſtrocaro, to retire himſelfe, and not to moleſt them by any ſuch innouation, and ſwarming from the former treaties, at leaſtwiſe vntill that they hauing iuſtified themſelues before his Highneſſe, it might be otherwiſe ordered and prouided by him. The Gouernour ſtands ſtill reſolued to ſtay there. The Paſtors and Ancients declare againſt the ſaid the nouelty; The Gouernour alſo for his part proteſteth, not to enterpriſe any thing herein, but by the expreſſe commandement of his Highneſſe, and that they ſhould be better content, that he had that charge then any other, becauſe he was willing to doe them any good might lye in his hower, made a good interpretation of all their actions, and would not faile to make a true report vnto his Highneſſe of the fidelity he perceiued to be in their cariage.

He was therefore admitted into their Synode, at the end whereof, he vſed this ſubtilty, that is, he attempted to ſow enuy and iealouſie amongſt the Paſtors, giuing good words in generall, that hee had found their order faire and good, and that he neuer had belieued, that they had proceeded with ſuch zeale, order, and charity; but yet there was no reaſon hee ſhould wonder that his Highneſſe had been iealous and diſtruſtfull of ſtrange Miniſters, becauſe he knew very well, that they were more violent in their opinions, then the home-bred of the Country, at leaſtwiſe the greateſt part; for he made exception of Mr. Steuen Noell, whom he knew (ſaith he) to be a peaceable man, and more affectionated to the contentment of his Highneſſe; and therefore that ſince his Highneſſe had reſolued not to permit any ſtranger to inhabite within his Lands, hee could not belieue, that Miniſters were more exempted then other men, and therefore to the end he might not be conſtrained to vſe his power and authority, to enforce them to withdraw themſelues out of thoſe Countries, that they ſhould doe well, if of their owne accordes, they departed ſomewhether elſe, which would be far better and more honourable for them, then that they ſhould ſtay, till the Prince ſhould enforce their departure out of his Countries by baniſhmnet. They anſwered, that they could not belieue, that his Highneſſe had any ſuch meaning, as the Gouernour would ſeeme to perſwade them. But that they might bee the better informed of the truth thereof, they would depute ſome amongſt them to go to his Highneſſe.

The Gouernour being much moued, that they would giue no credit to his words, nor doe any thing by his perſwaſions, ſuffered the ſouldiers of Caſtrocare, to compaſſe the temple, at what time the Preacher was in the Pulpit, and to doe diuers inſolencies, ſhooting off their gunnes, and aſtoniſhing thoſe who were diſarmed, and thought themſelues ſurpriſed. Maſter Steuen Noel was intreated to write to Madame Margarite, which he did: but the Letters by which Madame aſſured them, that the Gouernour had commandement from his Highneſſe to keepe himſelfe within the limits of the treaty paſſed betwixt his Highneſſe and the people, remained ſtill in the hands of the ſaid Gouernour, and in the meane time, whileſt theſe things were afoote, the Maſſacre executed in France in the yeere 1572 happened,1572. which in ſuch a manner puffed vp the pride, and increaſed the courage of the ſaid Gouernour, that there was no meanes to ſtay his violences; For the bone-fires of ioy being made throughout all Piedmont, becauſe of this effuſion of bloud, this Gouernour perſwaded himſelfe, that he ſhould ſhortly ſee the like perſecution in the ſaid Valleys, and therefore the people hearing the Cannons that were ſhot off, and the great contentment that his Highneſſe tooke, they perſwaded themſelues that they ſhould not long continue in peace, and therefore they thought their ſureſt courſe was, to conuey thoſe goods that were moſt precious vnto them, vnto the toppe of the Alpes, into the hollow caues whereof, they had been accuſtomed to retire themſelues in troubleſome times. His Highneſſe being aduertiſed, that his people were reſolued, and ready to defend themſelues, thought it not wiſdome to hazard the liues of his other ſubiects, to bring them into obedience, and ſo contented himſelfe, that hee had made them to feare; giuing command in the meane time, that whenſoeuer vpon any occaſion they came into Piedmont, they ſhould bee apprehended and executed as Heretickes; whereof the people being aduertiſed, they ſought ſuch commodities as were fit to maintaine life in Dauphine, in the Valleys of their brethren of Pragela and Valcluſon. Afterwards his Highneſſe and Madame Margarite being departed this life, Charles Emanuel their ſonne and Prince of Piedmont hath maintained them in peace, vnder the treaty made with their ſaid Highneſſe, his father and mother. Notwithſtanding the which, the Inquiſitors haue been alwaies watchfull to apprehend one or other, eſpecially to hinder them from ſpeaking of their beliefe, when they came downe into Piedmont. For in ſuch a caſe, (prouided that it appeare, that they haue held any diſcourſe) they haue alwaies condemned them for teaching ſtrange doctrines, and ſwaruing from the agreement, whereby it is enioyned, that they broach no new opinions.

The laſt that hath been perſecuted for this cauſe, was a certaine merchant of Lucerna, whoſe Hiſtory we will here inſert, becauſe by his conſtancy he did much edifie the people; & that it may appeare vnto the world, that the Popes ceaſe not to ſhew how odious vnto them, the doctrine of the Goſpellis, and that if it were in their power to rule the hearts of the Kings and Princes of Europe at their pleaſure, the fires at this preſent ſhould ſtill be burning in all thoſe places where they haue any power or authority.

It was in the yeere 1601, that Barthelmew Copin a Waldenſian of the Valley of Lucerna, 1601. was at Aſt in Piedmont with his merchandize, at a Faire that ſhould be the next morrow, and being at table in the euening at ſupper, with diuers other Merchants, there was one that began a diſcourſe of the diuerſities of Religions, and ſpake many things tending to the diſhonor of the Waldenſes of the Valleys of Angrongne, and their bordering neighbours. Copin hearing him to ſpeake of his brethren leſſe modeſty then became thoſe that profeſſed themſelues to bee Merchants, and of their Religion, to the diſhonour of God, hee thought it would be a fault in himſelfe, if he ſhould make no reply to thoſe blaſpemies that he heard: He therefore anſwered the party that held this diſcourſe, in fauour of his Religion; And what (ſaith he that had been reprehended by Copin) are you a Waldenſian? He anſwered, Yea. And doe you not belieue, that God is in the Hoſte? No, ſaith Copin. Fie vpon you, replies the other, what a falſe Religion is yours? My Religion (ſaith Copin) is as true, as it is true that God is God, and as I am ſure I ſhall die. The next morrow Copin was called before the Biſhop of Ast, who told him that he had been aduertiſed of certaine ſcandalous diſcourſes and opinions, which but the day before hee held in the euening at his lodging, and that hee muſt acknowledge the offence, if he would obtaine pardon, otherwiſe he would take order for his puniſhment. Copin anſwered, that he had been prouoked thereunto, and howſoeuer, he had ſaid nothing, that he would not maintaine with the danger of his owne life; that hee had ſome goods in the world, and a wife and children; but he had loſt the affection he bare vnto thoſe things, neither were they deare vnto him, to the preiudice of his conſcience: And as touching his behauiour (ſaith he) if it would pleaſe the Biſhop to enquire of the Merchants of Aſt, who all knew him, whether he were an honeſt man, they would all witneſſe for him, that he had neuer wronged any man, In that whole time he had traded and conuerſed with them; and that being a Merchant, he was to be diſmiſſed for that cauſe, for which he was then in that place, that is, for trafficke, and therefore not to bee moleſted. That if Iewes and Turkes were permitted to come to Faires, and to trafficke throughout all Piedmont, much more ſhould he be permitted who was a Chriſtian, eſpecially, ſince that in that diſcourſe of Religion he did but anſwere to a queſtion moued vnto him, and that it was lawfull for any man to anſwere, and to giue a reaſon of his faith, to whom and in what place ſoeuer, euen by vertue of that treaty and agreement betweene the Waldenſes of the Valleys and his Highneſſe, which forbids them to broach new opinions, but takes not from them the liberty to anſwere, to whomſoeuer ſhall aske any queſtions of them.

The Biſhop harkened not at all to theſe allegations, but gaue commandement, that he ſhould bee ſent to priſon. The morrow after, the Biſhops Secretary came to viſit Copin, and making great profeſſion of loue towards him, he ſaid vnto him, that hee would haue him know as from his friend, that if he did not acknowledge his fault, he would be in great danger of his life.

Copin anſwered him, that his life was in the hands of God, and he would neuer deſire to preſerue it to the preiudice of his glory, and foraſmuch as he had but two or three paces to walke in his iourney to heauen, his hearty prayer vnto God was, that he would be pleaſed to giue him the grace, not to turne back. Some few daies after, he was examined by a Monke Inquiſitor, in the preſence of the Biſhop, who tormented him a long time with ſweet and gentle perſwaſions, endeauouring to winne him by faire words, to the abiuration of his beliefe: but Copin alwaies conuinced him by the word of God, alleadging vnto him, that if he ſhould be aſhamed of Chriſt Ieſus, or deny him before men, Chriſt would be aſhamed of him, and deny him before his Father in heauen. The Monke ended his diſputation with theſe and the like threatning ſpeeches; Goe thou waies thou curſed Lutheran, to all the diuels in hell; and when thou ſhalt be tormented by thoſe vncleane ſpirits, thou wilt remember thoſe good and holy counſels, which we haue giuen thee, to bring thee to ſaluation; but thou haddeſt rather go to hell, then to reconcile thy ſelf to our holy mother the Church. It is long agoe (ſaith Copin) that I was reconciled to our mother the Church.

After many violent incounters, they cauſed his wife and a ſonne of his to come vnto him, promiſing him liberty, and to depart with them if hee would amend his fault by confeſſing it. They ſuffered his ſaid wife and ſonne to ſup with him in priſon, which time he ſpent in exhorting them to patience, the wife for that ſhee ſhould want a husband, the childe a father, but yet ſhould aſſure themſelues, that God would be their father, and more then a husband; and for his owne part he was not bound to loue either wife or children more then Chriſt, & that they ſhould hold it to be no ſmall happineſſe, that it hath pleaſed God to do him that honour, as to be a witneſſe vnto his truth, with the loſſe of his life, and that he hoped that God would be ſo fauourable vnto him, as to giue him ſtrength to endure all manner of torments for his glory. He committed to the care and charge of his wife, his ſonne and his daughter which they had in marriage, enioyning her to bring them vp in the feare of God. He commanded his ſonne to obey his mother, for ſo he ſhould drawe downe vpon him the bleſſing of God, he prayed them to pray for him, that God would be pleaſed to ſtrengthen him againſt all temptations, and ſo hauing bleſſed his ſonne, and taken leaue of his wife, they were diſmiſſed out of priſon, and he locked vp where he was before. His wife and child ſhedding fountaines of teares, and crying out in ſuch a lamentable manner, as would haue moued the hardeſt hearts to compaſſion. This good man not being content with what he had ſaid vnto them by word of mouth, writ vnto her this Lettre following, the originall Copy whereof ſhee deliuered vnto vs, written▪ and ſigned with the hand of the ſaid Copin, the ſuperſcription whereof was this:

ABout the yeere of our Lord 1370, the Waldenſes of the Valleys of Pragela and Dauphine, 1370. grew to ſo great a number in ſo ſmall a Country, that they were enforced to ſend away a certaine number of their yonger people to ſeeke ſome other Country to inhabite in. In their trauaile they found in Calabria certaine waſte and vntilled land, and ill peopled, but yet very fertile, as they might well iudge, by thoſe parts neere adioyning. They therefore finding the Country fit to bring forth corne, wine, oyle of Oliues and cheſtnuts, and that there were hilles fit for the breeding and nouriſhing of cattle, and to furniſh them with fuell and timber fit for building; they came vnto the Lords of thoſe places to treate with them touching their abode in thoſe Countries. The ſaid Lords receiued them louingly, agreed to their lawes and orders, to the great aduantage of theſe new Inhabitants, came to an agreement with them, touching their Rentes, Tenthes, Toles, penalties, in caſe there fall out any differences or offences amongſt them; and ſo hauing aſſigned vnto them certaine quarters or parts of the Country, they returned for the moſt part of them, to aduertiſe their parents of the good aduenture, that had happened vnto them, in a rich country, likely to abound in all temporall benedictions. They brought backe with them from their parents and friends, whatſoeuer it pleaſed them to beſtow vpon them, to begin their houſe-keeping; many of them married, and brought their wiues into Calabria, where they built certaine ſmall Townes and Citties, to which their owne houſes were as walles, as namely Saint Xiſt, la Garde, la Vicaricio, les Rouſſes, Argentine, Saint Vincens, and Montolieu. The Lords of the ſaid Countries thought themſelues happy, in that they had met with ſo good Subiects, as had peopled their Lands, and made them to abound with all manner of fruits; but principally becauſe they found them to be honeſt men, and of a good conſcience, yeelding vnto them all thoſe duties and honours, that they could expect from the beſt Subiects in the world. Onely their Parſons and Prieſts complained, that they liued not touching matter of religion, as other people did, they made none of their children Prieſts, nor Nunnes, they loued no chaunting, tapers, lampes, belles, no nor Maſſes for their dead. They had built certaine Temples, not adorning them with images, they went not on pilgrimage: they cauſed their children to be inſtructed by certaine ſtrange and vnknown School-maſters, to whō they yeeld a great deale more honour then to them, paying nothing vnto them but their tithes, according to the agreement with their Lords: They doubted, that the ſaid people made profeſſion of ſome particular beliefe, which hindred them from mingling themſelues, & ioyning in alliance with the naturall home-borne people of the Land, and that they had no good opinion of the Church of Rome. The Lords of thoſe places began to feare, that if the Pope ſhould take notice, that ſo neere his Seate, there were a kinde of people that contemned the lawes of Romiſh Church, they might chance to loſe them, detained their Prieſts from complaining of theſe people, who in euery thing elſe ſhewed themſelues to be honeſt men, ſuch as had enriched the whole Country, yea and the Prieſts themſelues, for the onely tithes which they receiued of that great abundance of fruites, which ariſe from thoſe lands, out of which in former times they receiued no profit at all, were ſuch as might very well giue them reaſon to beare with other matters; That they were come to inhabit in thoſe places from far Countries, where perhaps the people were not ſo much giuen to the ceremonies of the Church of Rome; but yet ſince in the principall they were faithfull and honeſt, charitable towards the poore, and ſuch as feared God, they were very willing they might not be moleſted, by any more particular enquiry into their conſciences. Theſe reaſons wrought much with thoſe that bare them ill will. For the Lords of thoſe places, ſtopped the mouthes of their murmuring neighbours, who could by no meanes draw them into any alliance with them, and who ſaw their goods, their cattell, and all that they poſſeſſed bleſt after a more particular manner then other mens, that they were a temperate people, wiſe, not lewd or diſſolute, not giuen to dancing, or haunters of Tauernes, and out of whoſe mouthes, there did neuer proceed any blaſphemy; and to be briefe, liuing in a Country where the Inhabitants were giuen to all manner of wickedneſſe; they were as precious ſtones in a common ſinke, and therefore both enuied and admired, but yet alwaies maintained by their Lords, who comparing theſe ſubiects and vaſſals with others that they had, could not ſatiate themſelues with their praiſes. Thus were they maintained by their Lords againſt all enuy, and that maugre the Prieſts, vntill the yeere 1560,1560. at what time they could no longer defend them againſt the Popes thunderbolts.

The occaſion was, becauſe they then vnderſtood, that in their Valleys of Pragela and Piedmont, there were Paſtors, that with a loud voyce did preach the Goſpell: For they had ſent to Geneua to be furniſhed with teachers, and they ſent them two, that is to ſay, Steuen Negrin, and Lewis Paſchal, who at their arriuall, did their beſt endeauours to eſtabliſh the exerciſe of their Religion. Pope Pius the fourth of that name, being aduertiſed hereof, the Colledge of Cardinals was aſſembled, and preſently concluded and reſolued vpon the vtter ruine and extirpation of this people, who ſo neere the Popes Seate, durſt to plant the Religion of the Lutherans.

The charge of this perſecution was giuen to Cardinall Alexandrin, a violent man, if there were euer any amongſt the Cardinals. Hee choſe two Monkes of his owne humour, to be his Informers, that is to ſay, one Valerio Maluicino, and a Dominican Monke, named Alphonſus Vrbin, who began with the Inhabitants of Saint Xiſt. Being in the place, they aſſembled the people, giuing them good ſpeeches, and proteſting that their comming thither, was not any way to moleſt them, but onely louingly to aduertiſe them, that they were not to heare any other Doctours and teachers, then thoſe which ſhould be giuen vnto them by the Prelats of their Dioceſſe. That they knew well, that they had receiued teachers from Geneua, but by quitting themſelues of them, and liuing hereafter according to the lawes of the Church of Rome, they ſhould haue no cauſe to feare any thing: but if they preſumed to keepe their ſaid teachers amongſt them, they did put themſelues in danger to loſe their liues, their goods and honours, becauſe they were to be condemned for Heretickes. And that they might the better know who they were, that had wholly forſaken the lawes of the Church of Rome, they cauſed a bell to be rung to Maſſe, inuiting the people to goe thither; but in ſteed of going to the Maſſe, they quit themſelues of their houſes, and with their wiues and children that could follow them, they did flie into the woods, leauing onely within the Citty ſome few decrepit men and women, and little children. The Monkes diſſembled this flight, that they might the better intrap them all at once. They went to la Garde, not threatning any one of thoſe that ſtayed in Saint Xiſt. Being there, they cauſed the gates of the Towne to be locked, and the people to be aſſembled. They told them, that they of Saint Xiſt had abiured their Religion, and being gone to the Maſſe, had asked pardon at Gods hands, promiſing them, if they would doe the like, that no man ſhould offer the leaſt hurt that might be. Theſe poore people thinking the Monkes had ſpoken a truth vnto them, they were content to yeeld to whatſoeuer they would haue them doe: But when they had vnderſtood, that their brethren of Saint Xiſt had refuſed to goe to Maſſe, and that they were fled into the woods, they were aſhamed of their weakneſſe, and much diſpleaſed with their reuolt, and therefore inſtantly reſolued with themſelues, to goe with their wiues and children, to their bretheren of Saint Xiſt: but the Lord of the place Saluator Spinello would not ſuffer them to retire themſelues in ſo miſerable a manner, promiſing to defend them againſt whomſoeuer; prouided (ſaith he) that they caried themſelues like good Romiſh Catholikes. In the meane time the Monkes ſent after thoſe of Saint Xiſt two Companies of foote-men, who ran after theſe poore people, as after wild beaſts, crying out, Amaſſa, amaſſa, that is, kill, kill. They ſlew diuers of them. But they that could get to the top of the mountaine, being on the hight of the rockes, intreated they might be heard; which being granted, they beſeeched them to haue pitty vpon them, and vpon their wiues and children; that they would call to minde, that they had inhabited in thoſe Countries, from the father to the ſonne for ſome ages, and that in all that time, there was not any that could complaine of their conuerſation; and yet neuertheleſſe, if they could not continue in their houſes, in that beliefe wherein they had liued to this preſent, if they might be permitted to betake themſelues, either by ſea or by land, to the protection of God, with their onely perſons, and ſome few commodities; and ſo retire themſelues whether it ſhould pleaſe the Lord to conduct them, they would very willingly forſake all their goods, rather then to fall into any idolatry, promiſing both for themſelues and all theirs, neuer to returne to their houſes againe. They beſeeched them euen for Gods cauſe, not to driue them to ſuch neceſſities, as that they muſt be enforced to defend themſelues, for if they ſhould be once out of all hope of mercy, it would be dangerous for themſelues, who had driuen them to theſe extremities. The ſouldiers were the more ſtirred vp againſt them, and preſently made a violent aſſault vpon them, which bound theſe poore people to a iuſt defence, and ſo being aſſiſted by God, they ſlew the greateſt part of the Souldiers that purſued them, and put the reſt to flight. The Monkes the Inquiſitors, writ to the Vice-roy of Naples, that he ſhould ſpeedily ſendſome companies of Souldiers, to apprehend certaine Heretickes of Saint Xiſt, and la Garde, who were fled into the woods, and that in ſo doing, he ſhould doe that which was pleaſing to the Pope, and meritorious to himſelfe, if he ſhall deliuer the Church from ſuch contagion. The Vice-roy came himſelfe with his troupes. Being arriued at Saint Xiſt, he cauſed to be proclaimed by the ſound of a trumpet, that the place was condemned to be expoſed to fire and ſword. But in the meane time before his arriuall, the women had leaſure to returne to Saint Xiſt, whether they ran together, to ſeeke for victuall to feede their husbands and children, which were in the wood. The Viceroy cauſed it to be proclaimed throughout the Realme of Naples, that all baniſhed people that would come to the warres againſt the Heretickes of Saint Xiſt, ſhould be pardoned all their offences formerly committed; whereupon great numbers gathered themſelues together, and were conducted to the woods, where the fugitiues of Saint Xiſt were, and they gaue them the chaſe in ſo rigorous a manner, that in the end, after the ſlaughter of diuers of theſe poore people, the reſt of them being ſore wounded, retired themſelues into the caues vpon the high rockes, where the greateſt part of them died with famine. The Monkes Inquiſitors made ſhew of much diſcontent, and that they were much diſpleaſed with that which had happened, and being retired to Coſſence, where the Sindic of Saint Xiſt appeared before them, they wiſhed him ſpeedily to withdraw himſelfe, for feare leſt the Viceroy ſhould know of his being there, and ſo apprehend him. This brought thoſe of la Garde a ſleepe, who being cited by a publike proclamation to appeare before the ſaid Inquiſitors at Coſſence, or before the Viceroy at Folcade, they were eaſily perſwaded to beleeue the promiſes and faire ſpeeches of the ſaid Inquiſitors. For being arriued at Folcade, there were ſeuenty of them apprehended, and being bound, were brought to Montaud before the Inquiſitor Panza, who put them all to the racke. Amongſt others, he tormented one Steuen Charlin with ſuch violence, that his bowels brake out of his belly, and all to extort from him, this confeſſion and impoſture, that is, that they ſometimes aſſembled themſelues by night to commit whoredomes, and damnable inceſtes, the candles being put out. But notwithſtanding his extreame torture, they could neuer get from him the confeſſion of ſo great a wickedneſſe.

There was another called Verminel, who with the extreame paine he endured vpon the racke, promiſed to goe to Maſſe; The Inquiſitor thinking, that ſince the torment of the racke, had enforced him to forſake his Religion, that redoubling the violence thereof, he might draw from this feeble and tired perſon, the confeſſion of the former impoſture. And ſo cauſed him to be tormented in ſuch a manner, that many times he left him eight houres together vpon the racke, but yet could neuer get from his mouth ſo horrible a calumnie.

THe Waldenſes inhabiting in Prouence, in the parts of Cabrieres Meriudol, la Coſte, and other places neere adioyning, haue been held for the originall of-ſpring of the Waldenſes inhabiting in Dauphine and Piedmont, as it may very well appeare by the families of the ſame name; as alſo there are amongſt them, that can proue their progeny or of-ſpring. And vpon this occaſion it was, that they of Calabria ſoiourned in in Prouence, that is, to disburden their Valleys of the great multitudes of people that were there. And though in the beginning of their arriuall in Prouence, the Country where they made their abode was a deſart, yet they made it in few yeeres fertile and fit (by the bleſſing of God) to yeeld Corne, Wine, oyle, of Oliues, Cheſtnuts, and other fruits, and that in great aboundance.

The firſt perſecutions which they ſuffered, are not come to our knowledge, notwithſtanding we finde euen at this day, the Commiſſions that haue been giuen by the Popes and Anti-popes reſiding in Auignon, very neere to the place of their abiding, againſt the Waldenſes inhabiting in Prouence; as that of the Arch-deacon of Cremona, See before in the 3. Chap. Albert de Capitaneis, and of the Monke frier Minor Francis Borelli, 1380. hauing Commiſſion againſt them, in the yeer 1380, to make inquiry of the Waldenſes in the Dioceſſe of Aix in Prouence, Arles, and Selon. As alſo when they were retired into the ſaid Prouince in the yeere 1228,1228. when the Arch-biſhop of Aix, Arles, and of Narbonne were aſſembled at Auignon to giue aduice to the Inquiſitors touching the Waldenſes, who then ſaid (as you haue heard before) that the Inquiſitors had apprehended ſo great a number,See Chap. 2. that there was not onely a want of victuall to feed them, but of lyme and ſtone to build their priſons. It is moſt certaine, that then the Waldenſes of Prouence, dwelling as it were, in the very gates of the Popes Palace, and about their Earledome of Auignon were not forgotten: But foraſmuch as we haue no Copies of inſtruments, that may make good the ſaid perſecutions, we will inſert into this diſcourſe nothing but what we ſhall be able ſufficiently to proue.

The firſt perſecution is that, whereof we haue the Hiſtory in the time of King Lewis the twelfth, about the yeere 1506, That is, that this good King being informed,1560. that there were in Prouence a certaine kind of people, that liued not according to the lawes of the Church of Rome, but were an accurſed people, committing all manner of wickedneſſe and villanies, euen ſuch, as the very memory of them ſtrooke a horrour into mens hearts, and the Chriſtians in the primitiue Church had been vpbraided with; he gaue Commiſſion to his Court of Parliament in Prouence to take knowledge thereof, and to chaſtiſe them according to their merit. Whereunto the ſaid Court hauing diligently attended, ſo ſoone as the King vnderſtood, that diuers innocent perſons were put to death, he limited the authority of the ſaid Court, and would not ſuffer them to continue their executions, vntill he were truely informed, Ʋeſembecius in Oratione de Waldenſibus. what kind of people they were, that to him had been reported to be ſo wicked. To this purpoſe he ſent Maſter Adam Fumee, his Maſter of requeſts, who told him at his returne, that what had been giuen him to vnderſtand, touching the Waldenſes of Prouence, was very vntrue; for they were not any way tainted, either with ſorcery, or whoredome, but that they liued like honeſt men, doing hurt to no man: they cauſed their children to be baptized, taught them the Articles of their beliefe, and the Commandements of God, they carefully kept the Lords day, and the word of God was purely expounded vnto them.Veſembecius in Orotione de Waldenſibus. His aud • tis Rex iureiurando addito me, inquit, & caetero populo meo Catholico meliores illi viri ſunt. A certaine Iacobin Monke, named Parui, confeſſor to the King, witneſſed as much, who by the King was ioyned in Commiſſion with the ſaid Maſter of Requeſts. Which the King hauing vnderſtood, he ſaid, and bound it with an oath, that they were honeſter men then himſelfe, or the reſt of his Catholike people. This perſecution being ſtaied by King Lewis the twelfth, they continued in peace vnto the raigne of King Francis the firſt of that name, and at what time there was ſome ſpeech in France of a reformation of Religion, they ſent two of their Paſtors, that is to ſay, George Morel of Fraſsinieres in Dauphine, and Peter Maſſon of Burgundy, to Oecolampadius Miniſter at Baſse; to Capito, and Martin Bucer at Strasbourg, and to Berthand Haller at Berne, to conferre with them about matters touching their Religion, and to haue their aduice and counſell about many points wherein they deſired to be better ſatiſfied. The Letters which Oecolampadius and Bucer ſent vnto them, are ſet downe at length in the firſt Booke of this Hiſtory, the Sixt Chapter, where I endeauoured to make it appeare vnto the world, that many great perſonages amongſt them, that made profeſſion of reformation, haue giuen teſtimony of their piety and probity; which is the reaſon why we inſert them not againe in this diſcourſe, onely we will produce thoſe of the Waldenſes in their own language, and afterwards in Engliſh.

THe number of the Waldenſes that inhabited in Auſtria was very great, who were there grieuouſly perſecuted, as may appeare if we had no other proofe then the Chronicle Hirſauge; where it is obſerued that about the yeere one thouſand foure hundred,See the Chronicle of Hirſauge. there were burnt a great number in the Citty of Creme, which is in the ſaid Dukedome of Auſtria. But more then that, that which troubled the heads of the perſecuters a great deale more, was the ſpeech of one of them, who being executed at Vienna, the principall Citty in Austria, ſaid at his execution, that there were in that Country, of the ſame beliefe that he profeſſed, aboue foureſcore thouſand.

About the yeere of our Lord, one thouſand foure hundred ſixty ſeuen,1467. the Huſsites reforming their Churches, and ſeparating them from the Church of Rome, they vnderſtood, that there were in Auſtria Churches of the ancient Waldenſes, vpon the frontiers of Bohemia, in the which there were great and learned men appointed for Paſtors, & that the doctrine of the Goſpell flouriſhed amongſt them. That they might know the truth thereof, they deputed two of their Brethren, amongſt their Paſtors, and two Ancients, with charge to enquire and know, what thoſe flockes or cōgregations were, for what cauſe they had forſaken the Church of Rome, their principles and progreſſion, that they ſhould make knowne vnto them the beginnings of their carriage, or demeanor in Bohemia, and giue a reaſon why they were ſeperated from the Romiſh Church.

Theſe men being come thither,Ioachimus Cam: in hiſt. de Eccleſiis Fratrum in Bohemia & Moraut • . p. 104. and hauing carefully inquired into the ſtate of thoſe Churches of the Waldenſes, and hauing found them, they told them, that they did nothing but what was ordeined by our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, and taught by his Apoſtles, holding themſelues wholly to the inſtitution of the Sonne of God in the matter of Sacraments.

It contented the Waldenſes very much, to vnderſtand that there were in Bohemia a number of people, that had giuen vnto God the glory, and remoued from them the abuſe and idolatries of the Church of Rome, exhorting them in the name of God, to continue in that which they had ſo wel begun, for the knowledge and maintenance of the truth, and for the eſtabiſhment of a good diſcipline; and in witneſſe of the great ioy they receiued, and that holy Society and Communion, that they deſired to haue with them, they bleſſed them in praying for them, and laying their hands vpon them.

Afterwards the ſaid Waldenſes related vnto them, how God had miraculouſly preſerued them, for theſe many hundred yeers, notwithſtanding the diuers great and continuall perſecutions which they had endured; And ſo they louingly and gently tooke their leaue of their ſaid brethren, and at their returne related whatſoeuer they had ſeen or done in that their voyage, from whence they receiued vnſpeakable contentment, and from that time forward, there continued a holy affection and deſire to communicate together as oft as they could, for their common edification. In proſecution whereof, the brethren of Bohemia viſited by Letters the Waldenſes of Auſtria, giuing them to vnderſtand, that they had receiued great comfort by their laſt communication they had with them; but yet as they deſired not to be flattered in any defect or fault whatſoeuer, ſo they could not diſſemble without ſome defect of charity, what they had found in them, worthy reprehenſion; And that was, that they yeelded to much to their infirmities, ſince that hauing once knowne the truth, they neuertheleſſe frequented Papiſticall Churches, being preſent at thoſe idolatries, which they condemned, baſely prophaning and polluting themſelues; that wee are not onely certainly to beleeue with the heart, but wee muſt likewiſe make confeſſion with our mouth to ſaluation. Moreouer they told them of another fault, which they had taken notice of, and that was, that they were too carefull in heaping vp gold and ſiluer, for though the end were good, that is, to helpe and comfort them in time of perſecution; yet foraſmuch as euery day brought with it affliction enough, and that ſuch cares are not befitting thoſe that are to looke only before them, and to lay vp a treaſure in heauen, they condemned that which was ſuperabundant in them, and which in the end they would principally rely vpon.

Joachim • Cam. in Hiſt. de Eccleſijs fratrum in Bohemia & Morauia p. 105 The Waldenſes of Auſtria did heartly thanke them, intreating them to continue this holy affection towards them, and for their part to doe their beſt endeauour to further their communion, and to appoint a day and place of meeting and conference: for they hauing a long time knowne thoſe their defects, which they had taken notice of, as yet they had not power to prouide conuenient remedies for the ſame, but their hope was, that being altogether, they ſhould be able better to reſolue with themſelues, as alſo touching many other points of greateſt moment. Now when it was euen vpon the point to ſend to the place where they had agreed to meete and to aſſemble themſelues, they began to doubt that the buſineſſe might be diſcouered, and it might be dangerous to all of them. And beſides that, they conſidered with themſelues that they had been ſupported, notwithſtanding their aſſemblies and beliefe were ſufficiently knowne, and therefore they ſhould put themſelues into extreame danger, if they ſhould ioyne themſelues with other people. Theſe conſiderations made their former deſignes and purpoſes of their mutuall communications to vaniſh away; as alſo in the yeere following, that is, in the yeere one thouſand foure hundred ſiixty eight,1468. the perſecution increaſed againſt the ſaid Waldenſes of Auſtria, for there were burnt a great number at Vienna. Among others, the Hiſtory makes mention of one Steuen an ancient man, who being there burnt, confirmed many with his conſtancy. They that would eſcape this perſecution, retired themſelues into the coaſt of Brandebourg, where they ſtayed not long, being alſo there expoſed to fire and ſword: Amongſt thoſe, there was one named Tertor, that retired himſelfe into Bohemia where hee ioined himſelfe to the Churches of the Huſsites, Ioach. Cam. in hiſt. de Eccleſijs. Fratrum in Bohemia & Morauia. p. 117. and finding that a man might there remaine in peace both of body and ſoule, he returned into his Country, and perſwaded many to goe to Bohemia, and to inhabit there, who were louingly entertained; and after that time there haue been no aſſemblies of the Waldenſes in particular, but they haue ioyned themſelues vnto the Churches of the Huſsites.