Concerning the Time of the Waldenses

Of this, H. Montanus gives this account: "The belief of the Waldenses, or Lyonites, prevailed in France as well as in some cities of Italy, secretly as well as openly, according to the condition of the times, for more than three hundred years, from the year 1170 or 1180 to 1545, as may be seen in Sleidanus, book 16, Comment." H. Mont. Nietigh., page 86.

We have set their beginning, according to the common reckoning of ancient writers, in the year 1170; but it appears that they existed long before, for even as early as the year 1120 people of the same profession declared, in open writings, their views against the pope, whom they called antichrist, censuring him in many things, as stated above.

Moreover, P. J. Twisck gives the following account for the year 1168: "The Waldenses, of whom mention is made for the year 1159, had at this time so many followers and such great success with their doctrine, in France, Spain, Italy, and Germany, that those of their profession, as Guil. Nebriss. writes, numbered as many as the sand of the sea. When they were summoned by the pope of Rome to give an account of their doctrine, they would not appear, saying that they were not obliged to obey the pope, who was the antichrist and had declared them schismatics." [n393-1] Chron. page 479, column 1.

In the year 1199. It is stated that at this time the Albigenses, who were one church with the Waldenses, had so increased in the earldom of Toulouse that, as the papists complained, "almost a thousand cities were polluted with them." Introduction M. M., page 52, column 1, from Baron., in the year 1199, number 13. [n393-2]

With this the lord of Saint Aldegonde agrees, when he says (in 't Tafereel der Geschil., chapter 12, folio 142): "That, although Peter de Bruis was burned as a heretic at Saint Giles, near Nismes, their doctrine was nevertheless spread throughout the province of Gascony, into the earldom of Fois, Querci, Agenois, Bourdeloicx, and almost throughout all Languedoc, and the earldom of Jugrane, now called Venice. In Province also this doctrine was almost universally accepted, and the cities Cahors, Narbonne, Carcassonne, Rhodes, Aix la Chapelle, Mesieres, Toulouse, Avignon, Mantauban, Saint Antonin, Puflanrens, Castres, Minerve, Begiers, Beaucaire, Lombes, Pannes, and the country of Bigorre were filled with it, together with many other cities which were favorable to them, such as Tarascon, Marseilles, Perces, Agenois, Marmande, and Bordeaux; so that this doctrine spread still further, from the one side into Spain and England, from the other into Germany, Bohemia, Hungary, Moravia, Dalmatia, and even into Italy. [n393-3]

"Indeed, this doctrine spread in such a manner that, however diligently the popes and all their minions exerted themselves, aided by the princes and the secular magistrates, to exterminate them, first by disputations, then by banishment and papal excommunication and anathemas, by the proclaiming of crusades, indulgences and pardons to all who would commit violence upon them, and finally by all manner of tortures, fire, gallows, and cruel bloodshed; indeed, in such a manner that the whole world was in commotion because of it; yet they (the papists) could not prevent the ashes from flying abroad, and becoming scattered far and wide, almost even to all the ends of the earth." Introduction M. M., page 52, columns 1 and 2.

The above seems marvelous, but it is not marvelous with regard to the Lord God, with whom nothing is wonderful or impossible. In the meantime, we see how God permitted this grain of mustard seed of the Waldenses, or Poor Men of Lyons, to grow into a large tree, and this in the midst of their persecutions. Oh, the great power, wisdom and love of God, who never forsakes His people!