Of the Belief of These People

It may be observed here that if these Turilupins were true Waldenses, as has been declared, they rejected infant baptism, the swearing of oaths, revenge toward enemies, the mass, and all other Roman inventions, as appears from their own confession shown above.

NOTE. Henry de Haffra, at Vienna, in the year 1376, wrote on Genesis, and greatly rebuked the lies of the Romish legends, and about the merits of the saints. In a letter he also censured the clergy and their head, the pope, for many errors. Joh. Munst., folio 174, compared with the Chronicle of the Destruction of the Tyrants, page 724, column 1.

Also: In the year 1380, Michael Cesenas, formerly a Minorite friar, or monk, wrote against the pope, calling him (from Second Thessalonians, chapter 2) antichrist, and the Roman church, Babylon, and the congregation of those drunk with the blood of the saints. The pope deposed him from his rank; but he held steadfastly to his opinion. Joh. Munst., folio 171. Catal. Test., folio 691, compared with P. J. Twisck, Chron., page 731.

Also: In the same year Nicholas Clemongis opposed the superstitious feast days, excessive eating and drinking, (evil) speaking, and other improper things. See the chronicle last mentioned, page 732, from Joh. Munst., folio 170.

Also: About the year 1382, M. Matthaeus Parisiensis, a Bohemian, appeared, and wrote a large book about antichrist (the pope), saying that he had already come, and could be found in Rome. So did Lupoldus de Bedenborgh. Compare P. J. Twisck, Chron., page 734, column 1, with Catal. Test., folios 794 and 796. Merula, folio 890.

Also: In the year 1384, John Muntziger, rector of the school at Ulm, read in his oration that the supposed body of Christ should not be made God, and therefore should not be worshiped as God. See the author last mentioned, folio 736, column 1, compared with Hist. Joh. Munst., folio 171.

In the year 1390. Or about that time, mention is made of the Waldenses in the countries lying on the Baltic Sea; concerning whom Matthias Flaccius Illyricus states that he has an entire inquisitorial book, full of the proceedings held against the godly Waldenses who lived in those countries.

This same Illyricus also had among his writings another brief inquisition, or investigation, against the Waldenses, such as was formerly carried on against them in the bishopric of Mayence. He says further that he has still another large book, full of proceedings held by the inquisitors against the Waldenses, in which 443 Waldenses are mentioned by name, who about the year 1391, in Pomerania, the Mark, and nearby places, were put on the rack and examined on the articles once confessed by the Waldenses. Many of these martyrs, or confessors, freely testified and confessed that they had been, one twenty, another thirty years, among this sect. Also, that their forefathers held the same doctrine. Matth. Flacc. Ill. Catal. Test. Verit., book 18. Book 15, Title, De Waldensibus. [n464-1]

NOTE. From this it appears, writes a certain author, that the Saxon countries were full of Waldenses, that is, orthodox Christians, already two hundred years and more before the time of Huss. For it can easily be figured that when the 443 Waldenses were examined at one time, there must have been an incomparably greater number who were not examined about their faith, but hid themselves, or took to flight, in order to escape the danger. And truly, those who are noted in the book as having been examined frequently mentioned very many others of their belief who were not present.

Among other points relating to their trials, recorded in this inquisitional book, were these: "That they were sober and frugal people, discreet in their speech, careful to avoid lying, swearing, and so on." A. Mell., second book, folio 505, columns 3 and 4. Also, P. J. Twisck, Chron., page 743, column 2, from Henr. Boxhorn, folio 27. In the margin of the same page, Twisck says: "The Wandenses (or Waldenses) will not swear."

NOTE. In the year 1390, the Lord raised up Richard Withe, who wrote many glorious things against the pope, or the blasphemy of the so-called antichrist. Bal. Cent., book 7, chapter 10, compared with Chron. van den Ondergang, page 734, columns 1 and 2.

In the year 1392. On the 13th of January of this year, Walter Brute, a layman, but nevertheless a learned man, from the bishopric of Hereford, appeared in person before Lord John, Bishop of Hereford, and maintained, among several other articles contending against the Roman church, this point:

"That Christians are not permitted, for any reason, in any case, to swear, either by the Creator or by His creatures." A. Mell., second book, folio 506, column 3.