Many Pious Christians Throughout France and England, in the Year 1182

William of Armorica and Roger of Hovedon state that at this time, namely, about the year 1182, in various places throughout the entire kingdom of France, very many Waldenses or Albigenses were burned under the name of Publicans.

Concerning this, the William just named writes in his history of Philip, King of France, as follows: "All the opposers of our faith, commonly called Publicans, were forced to come out from their hiding places, and were brought before the court; and when the law was applied to them, they were convicted of heresy, and therefore were cast into the fire and burned alive." Philippidos, book 1.

Roger of Hovedon adds, for the end of the year 1182, that the King of England, Henry the Second, although there were very many of these Publicans, that is, Waldenses or orthodox Christians, in his land, would in no way tolerate them, but commanded that they, too, should be burned everywhere, as in France.* Annal. part 2, at the close of the year 1182. [n413-1]

As to the belief of the Waldenses and Albigenses, who were also called publicans by their enemies, it has already been shown, from their own confession, not to conflict with the confession of the Anabaptists; as we have said once for all, and to which we here again call attention.