Of the Waldenses who in All Respects were of One Belief with the Baptists…

Although Peter Waldo, from whom the Waldenses took their name, was kindled with a true zeal for the divine and evangelical truth — indeed, so much so that in the beginning very many, through his doctrine and his life, burned as with a heavenly fire, and were zealous with him for God and the pure truth — yet not all remained steadfast in the truth. This appears to have been caused by their being scattered into different countries and separated from one another because of the persecutions.

Some were also called Waldenses although they had no fellowship with them, and were never true brothers with these people.

Others, though they had once been members of that church, had joined themselves to others, and so abandoned, either from fear of death or for some other reason, their former confession, especially in the article of the meekness and patience of Jesus.

Others, notwithstanding that they filled worldly offices, indeed, even engaged in war, were sometimes, though perversely, as shall be shown in the proper place, called Waldenses or Albigenses; only (as can be inferred) for the reason that some Waldenses or Albigenses lived under their protection, who were tolerated by connivance, or otherwise favored by them.

We shall therefore pass by all those about whom there is evidence that they only bore the name of Waldenses, but were not such in deed; and turn to those of whom ancient history testifies that they confirmed the name by the deed, in faith as well as in doctrine.

Sebastian Franck, in Chron. van de Ord. en Sect. der Rom., folio 153, column 3, writes that the Waldenses were divided into two, or, as some maintain, three divisions, one of which in all points held the same tenets as the Anabaptists (Baptists), having all things in common. [n381-1] They baptize no infants, and do not believe at all in the presence of the Lord's body in the sacrament. A little before this, he says: "They call upon no saints or creatures, but only God. They do not swear at all; indeed, they regard this as improper for a Christian. They also have no images, and do not bow before them or worship them. They claim that the sacrament ought not to be worshiped, but Christ, at the right hand of His Father, and God, in Spirit and in truth. They allow no beggars among them, but help and assist one another as brothers." See concerning them, Seb. Franck, Chron. Rom. Ketter, folio 121, column 2. Introduction, page 50, column 2. H. Mont. Nietigh., page 86, Jac. du Bois contra Montanum, page 158. [n381-2]

These are the true Waldenses, whom we have chosen, and who shall be the aim of our whole account.