Very Many Christians Called Waldenses, in the Year 1457

After the church of God in Germany had enjoyed peace for a season, so that she, as it appears, began to grow, flourish, and increase, the thorns of persecution at once rose up over her; for in the year 1475, particularly in the bishopric of Eichstaedt, through the envy of the Romanists, her meetings were broken up, the believers arrested, and all who remained steadfast sentenced to death. In great numbers, out of love for their Savior, and especially for the salvation of their own souls, they gave their bodily life up to death, thus sealing with their blood the truth which they had confessed at baptism before many witnesses. For this the Lord will hereafter give them, as triumphant conquerors, palms in their hands, place crowns upon their heads, and put a new song of praise into their mouths, so that for all their suffering they shall rejoice, shout, and be glad forever.

As to the offering up of these friends of God, we have not been able to determine it correctly, namely, whether they perished by water, fire, or the sword; except that they were put to death for the doctrine of the Waldenses. Mention is also made of their suffering and death in the second book of the Hist. of the Persecutions, folio 590, column 4, from Vignier, Hist. Eccles., in the year 1457.

The above mentioned author, or his printer, has made a chronological error, putting the year 1475 instead of the year 1457. Then follows: "In the year 1475, a great number of Christians professing the doctrine of the Waldenses were discovered and arrested in the bishopric, or within the jurisdiction, of Eichstaedt, in Germany; very many of whom were put to death." [n512-1]

P. J. Twisck fixes this year, 1457, as the date of this event, though he makes no mention of their death, but only of their severe persecution. Chron., page 829, column 2, calling the place of their persecution Richstadt, instead of Eichstaedt.

NOTE. In the year 1465. At this time Laurence Valla, a man of great learning, vigorously attacked the power and supremacy of the pope, placing his salvation in the eternal merits of Christ. He reproved the vows and the lewdness of the monks, and indeed declared publicly that the pope was the originator of all wars and dissensions; and also that he had for sale not only worldly but also spiritual goods, indeed, even the (so called) Holy Ghost. On account of this he was driven into banishment, and lived at Naples, where he died. Chron. van den Ond., page 841, column 1, from John Munst., folio 192, Georg. Pac., chapter 11.

In the year 1470. John de Wesalia (that is, John of Wesel) now taught at Worms that all believers are saved by pure grace, through faith in Jesus Christ; and that the supremacy of the pope is not to be regarded. He defended marriage, and the administering of the Supper (called the Sacrament) under two forms, that is, with bread and wine. Human institutions, such as fasts, letters of indulgence, feast days, pilgrimages, extreme unction, confirmation, auricular confession and satisfaction,* he utterly rejected. [n512-2] In short, he was regarded as a heretic, and in the year 1479 condemned and burned at Mentz. Compare Joh. Munst., folio 196. Chron. Fra., folio 91, with the account in the Chron. van den Ond., page 847, column 2. Others, however, mention only the burning of his books. See A. M., folio 597. This the intelligent reader can easily distinguish and, when necessary, reconcile.

Again: the same year as above. George Morgenstern wrote and taught at this time against the errors of popery and the many different garbs of the monks. He said that the world was full of monks, but that scarcely in one out of a hundred could a little virtue be found. Whether the monks and other priests took this in good part we may readily judge, though we have learned nothing about his suffering. Compare P. J. Twisck, Chron., page 847, column 1, with Catal. Test. Verit., folio 884.