Stephen, an Elder of the Waldenses, in the Year 1471

About the year 1471 a dreadful persecution arose in and around Bohemia against the old, orthodox Waldenses, whose orthodox confession we do not think it necessary to relate again. This persecution was stirred up by Johanna, the widow of King George of Bohemia, who, in spite of her husband's death, earnestly urged the princes of the realm to exterminate everywhere not only those who were called Bohemian Brethren, but also the old Waldenses.

For this reason many went and lived in Austria; but since it belongs to the rose of the church of God to bloom among the thorns, it happened that there, too, no liberty could be found, so that the servants of antichrist, in the city of Vienna, in Austria, laid their hands first of all on Stephen, one of the elders of their church, besides raising a severe persecution against the believers in general.

But since this pious man, as becomes a good shepherd of Christ's flock, did not want to offend his sheep, would not flee from the wolf that threatened to tear them, and would not, for any torments, give up either his office or his faith, sentence of death was at last passed on him, namely, that he should be executed with fire, that is, burnt alive. He steadfastly endured this severe punishment of death, having commended his soul into the hands of God. Mention is also made of this hero of Christ in the second book of the History of the Persecutions, folio 592, column 4, as follows:

"At this time there were not many Waldenses in Bohemia, because of the violent persecution; but in Austria some still lived, who were likewise for the most part scattered, because of the cruelty of the torments and the terror of persecution, after Stephen, one of their elders, had been burnt alive at Vienna, in Austria."

NOTE. In the year 1471. Stephen Brulifer, a theologian or divine, now maintained that the doctrine was false, indeed a doctrine of Satan, which ascribes justification to the works and merits of men (who observe the religion of the priests); and also that the church has no power to institute new sacraments. On account of these and similar doctrines he had to leave Paris and come to Mentz, where he is said to have died in the year 1490. See the books cited above; also, John Munst., folio 199; also, the last mentioned chronicle, page 851, column 2.

In the year 1474. D. V. P. Groningensis exposed the darkness of popery so clearly at this time that his friends called him a light of the world. Although he, together with his fellow brothers, could expect nothing better than fire and the sword, yet he died in peace in the year 1490. P. J. Twisck, Chron., page 855, column 2, compared with Joh. Munst., Tract., folio 198.