Peter Abelard, on Account of the Abovementioned Belief, is Confined, in the Year 1145

H. Montanus states, from Caesar Baronius, that this Peter Abelard was the one from whom the aforementioned Arnald had received the doctrine against infant baptism, which was drawn, however, chiefly from the holy Scriptures. Mellinus does not contradict this, but confirms it well enough, when he says: "That the said Arnald was a disciple of Peter Abelard, from France, where he had pursued his studies." Second book, page 425, column 3.

He then adds this account: "That Pope Innocent, after the great synod which he had held at Rome against the supporters of this doctrine, wrote letters to Samson, Archbishop of Rheims, Henry, Archbishop of Sens, and Bernhard, abbot of Clairvaux, against Arnald of Brescia and his teacher Peter Abelard, charging the former, that wherever they found these two, they should confine them each separately, in a monastery, as originators of a perverted doctrine and opponents of the Catholic faith, and burn their books or writings wherever they found them."

"As to what Peter Abelard's belief was," says Mellinus, "and on what points he attacked popery, can be seen and read in all his works, which have just been published in print in France; and there it will also be found, in his letters, how much he had to suffer for his belief."

On his belief and death. Concerning Peter Abelard and his belief, especially how he opposed infant baptism and instructed his disciple Arnald in this point, see Jacob Mehrn., Bapt. Hist., page 598. Baron., in the year 1139, number 3, and in the year 1145. H. Montan. Nietigh., page 84. [n400-1] Also, Introduction, folio 49.

Mellinus finally states, from ancient writers, that Peter Abelard, after much suffering, died in the monastery in which he had been confined by order of the pope, because of his faith. This happened, according to our reckoning, about the year 1146, after the death of his disciple Arnald.