Some Moral Precepts Left by the Waldenses to the Churches

We turn again to jean Paul Perrin, whose testimony regarding matters of the faith of the Waldenses has, from of old, been very highly esteemed. Among other things, he gives an account of the precepts which they left for the building up of a virtuous life; in regard to which, the following is designed to promote a virtuous and God fearing deportment towards those that are without. In the History of the Waldenses and Albigenses, 3d part, 1st book, 10th chapter, page 153, we read literally, in the Waldensian and in the English (Dutch, the original says) tongue, as follows:

En qual modo le noble se de aver a aquilli guar son de f ora?

"How shall our intercourse be with those that are without?"

1. Non amar to mond.

We must not love the world.

2. Fugir la mala consortia.

We must shun evil company.

3. Si es possible aver paz cum fruit.

We must, if possible, live in peace with all men.

4. Non contendre en judici.

We must not go to law.

5. Non veniar si meseine.

We must not avenge ourselves.

6. Amarr li ennemic.

We must love our enemies.

7. holer sustenir trabails, calomnias, menasas, reprovance, vergognas, eriurias, & totas generations de tormens per la verita,

We must willingly bear labor, calumny, threats, rejection, shame, injuries, and all kinds of torment, for the truth's sake.

8. Possessir las arnuas in patientia.

We must possess our souls in patience.

9. Non amenar joug cum li non fidel.

We must not be yoked together with unbelievers.

10. Non communicar a las rnalas obras, & totalment a las, sabent idolatria, & del service sentent so meseine, & enaimi de las autes.

We must have no fellowship with evil works, especially with such as savor of idolatry, and all services which tend in that direction; and thus we are to judge of like matters.

In said tenth chapter some further rules of these people are found, which have reference to the believers themselves, how they must well govern their own lives and bodies. They read as follows

Encar en qual maniera li fidel debian regir li for

corps.

"Also, how believers are to govern their own

bodies, or themselves."

1. Non servir a li desirier mortal de la can.

They shall not serve the deadly lusts of the flesh.

2. Gardar li for membres quilli non sign armas d'iniquritas.

They shall keep their members that they do not become instruments of wickedness.

3. Regir li for sentiment.

They shall govern well their thoughts.

4. Sot mettre la corps a l'spirit.

They shall keep the body in subjection to the spirit.

5. Morti Hear li membres.

They shall mortify their members.

6. Fugir la ocioseta.

They shall shun idleness.

7. Gardar sobrieta & mesura en maniar & beavre, & en parolas & en las curas del mond.

They shall observe temperance and sobriety in eating and drinking, as well as in their words, and in the cares of this world.

8. Far obras de miseridia.

They shall practice works of mercy.

9. More per fe, & per vita moral.

They shall live in faith and morality.

10. Combatre contra li desirier.

They shall fight against lusts.

11. Mortificar las obras de la can.

They shall mortify the works of the flesh.

12. Istar en temp debit a la Religion.

They shall, at the proper time, attend divine worship.

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13. Ensemp recordar la diving volunta.

They shall speak to one another of the will of God.

14. Examinar diligentament la conscientia.

They shall diligently examine their consciences.

15. Mundar & esmendar, & pacifecar l' spirit.

They shall purify, improve, and compose the spirit or mind.

These and like precepts the Waldenses presented to their fellow believers, that they might know how to lead a virtuous and pious life, with regard to God, as well as to their neighbor, and to themselves.