PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Bloody Theatre, or Martyrs Mirror of the Defenseless Christians
Braght, Thieleman J. van (Thieleman Janszoon) · 1,152,781 words · 1675 reading sections
Of The True Baptism.
Nevertheless, in the midst of these storms and billows of antichrist, God preserved the ark of his church, so that many persons still remained, who, notwithstanding the manifold troubles and persecutions that came upon them on this account, practiced and maintained the true worship of God, particularly in opposition to…
680 wordsSECTION 422Of The True Baptism.
_A. D. 1238._--Or about 1239, the Waldenses had thus increased in France and Flanders, that a certain Dominican monk, Robert Boulgre, sent as inquisitor by Pope Gregory IX., put to death a countless multitude of them; of which more will be said hereafter. _P. J. Twisck, Chron., p. 554, col. 1._ _A. D. 1242._--At this …
852 wordsSECTION 423Of The True Baptism.
_A. D. 1284._--At this time the Waldenses, according to Twisck, multiplied more and more in France and other countries of Christendom, though they were sought with craftiness and cruelly persecuted, and even previously every means and all diligence had been employed to utterly extirpate them; which greatly astonished c…
508 wordsSECTION 424Account Proper Of The Holy Martyrs.
[The way and entrance to the martyrs of this century is through the valleys of Albi and throughout France, England, and other countries, where the pious witnesses of Jesus laid down their lives for the evangelical truth. From the year 1209 throughout this century, crusades are preached in the name of the Pope; which w…
681 wordsSECTION 425Account Proper Of The Holy Martyrs.
In the years 1209–12, 1225, 1234, yea, throughout the entire thirteenth century, crusades, or so-called holy, voluntary preparations of war were preached, by order of the Pope, for the extermination of the Waldenses and Albigenses, all over the world, but more particularly in the kingdom of France. These crusades cons…
726 wordsSECTION 426Account Proper Of The Holy Martyrs.
_First Argument._--Abraham Mellinus, from _Innocent III., epist. 84_, states: That the Pope, through letters, as well as legates, gave orders, throughout France, to the ecclesiastics as well as the seculars, to exterminate the Albigenses; however, Raymond, count of Toulouse had already taken upon him to defend the Albi…
659 wordsSECTION 427Account Proper Of The Holy Martyrs.
Here it is also evident beyond contradiction, that the Albigenses who lived under those magistrates, did not only carry no arms, but also held a belief entirely different from that of their authorities; for, otherwise they would have called both by the same name, that is, _ungodly_, but as it is, only the Albigenses ar…
663 wordsSECTION 428Account Proper Of The Holy Martyrs.
DEMONSTRATION OF A PLAIN DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE ALBIGENSES AND THEIR MAGISTRATES AND FELLOW-CITIZENS. The last-mentioned writer, proceeding to the violence and vexation suffered by the Albigenses from the papists--ecclesiastics as well as seculars, makes mention of Raymond, count of Toulouse, and of the count of Ture…
682 wordsSECTION 429Account Proper Of The Holy Martyrs.
The count of Montfort then caused them all (namely, these confessors) to come out of the castle, the men as well as the women, and having ordered a large fire to be kindled, he had them all cast into it, to the number of one hundred and forty; all of whom were burnt alive, except three women, who, having apostatized th…
457 wordsSECTION 430Sixty Persons Called Albigenses, Burnt For The Faith, At Casser.
In the year 1211, or a little before, when the count of Montfort, by order of the Pope, was exercising great tyranny for the purpose of exterminating the Albigenses, he learned, through an informer, or in some other way, that in a place called Casser, there resided many of these people, under the protection of the lord…
676 wordsSECTION 431Sixty Persons Called Albigenses, Burnt For The Faith, At Casser.
Nicholas Bertrand quotes the following from the papistic chronicle of William de Podio Laurentii: “Simon, count of Montfort, hastened with the Lord’s (the Roman Pope’s) army, to lay siege to the fortress or city, of Vaurum, which Amerius, lord of Montreal and Laurack, brother of the lady Geralda, had undertaken to defe…
287 wordsSECTION 432Great Persecutions Of The Believers, In The Year 1206.
In the year 1206, it is recorded, that Pope Innocent III. exercised great cruelty against the followers of the doctrine of Peter Bruis and Henry of Toulouse, who, among other things, rejected infant baptism, the mass, and transubstantiation, as has already been stated. The manner, however, in which this cruelty was man…
687 wordsSECTION 433Great Persecutions Of The Believers, In The Year 1206.
The writer, after the manner of the papists, calls these people heretics, and their steadfast faith obstinacy; but how can anything good proceed from the mouth of the wicked? However, this must not offend us, since not only these, but even the ancient holy prophets, apostles, and servants of God, were stigmatized with …
698 wordsSECTION 434The Preceding Inquisition Continued.
This was the most cruel and dreadful time which one could live to see; for this entire infernal inquisition, which was carried on with red-hot iron and other intolerable means, had penetrated even into the Netherlands, so that there, not less than in Germany, this tyranny was carried on in the same manner, and even wor…
654 wordsSECTION 435The Preceding Inquisition Continued.
O, cruel inquisition! by which not only men, but even God was tried and tempted to the utmost. “Thou shalt not,” says Christ, “tempt the Lord thy God.” Matt. 4:7. _Another examination, by hot water._--Sometimes also a kettle with hot, boiling water was used, into which the accused had to thrust his hand up to the elbo…
745 wordsSECTION 436The Preceding Inquisition Continued.
[171] From this it is quite evident that said people had an aversion to the swearing of oaths. But some one may say: This has reference to adjuring their belief. To this it may be replied, that the oath demanded here did not aim at anything further than the telling of the truth, as the preceding words declare. “Se…
670 wordsSECTION 437The Preceding Inquisition Continued.
“Have you ever journeyed to Rome, to obtain forgiveness of your sins? Have you sprinkled yourself with holy water? Have you tasted the consecrated salt? Have you consecrated twigs and tapers in your house? Have you done this with a pure and upright heart, as do other Christians, who by your people are called _Strangers…
654 wordsSECTION 438The Preceding Inquisition Continued.
Certainly, here one or the other, either the body or the soul, had to be sacrificed by the martyrs; for if they would save the body, by forsaking the faith, which they, in their conscience, recognized as the genuine, yea, the only and eternal truth, they were in danger, yea, fully assured of losing their souls; on the …
644 wordsSECTION 439Several Christians Burnt For The Faith, At Toulouse, A. D. 1215.
About that time, Pope Innocent III. had advised Dominic, that by means of constant preaching and disputation he should wondrously execute the office of inquisition, which he had entrusted to him, namely, against the so-called heretics; and that he should reconcile to the Roman church those who should ostensibly become …
663 wordsSECTION 440Several Christians Burnt For The Faith, At Toulouse, A. D. 1215.
8. “They have an idol or patron for every city, village, or hamlet. 9. “They divide the power and honor of God among the departed saints; thus, seamen invoke St. Nicholas, St. Christopher, and St. Anna; women in travail, St. Mary; for gum-boils, St. Appollonia; against pestilence, St. Rochus and St. Anthony. 10. “The…
799 wordsSECTION 441Several Christians Burnt For The Faith, At Toulouse, A. D. 1215.
22. “Such masses they read in honor of dead saints, of the sacrament, of the cross, the spear, and the nails. 23. “They sell the same as a remedy against all sickness, against storm, thunder, lightning, hail, tempests at sea, and every calamity. Every man is served according to his money; they who give little, have a …
679 wordsSECTION 442Several Christians Burnt For The Faith, At Toulouse, A. D. 1215.
Among other things adduced by the aforementioned Franciscus Pegna, in said tract, from the second council of the prelates of France, there is also found the ecclesiastical ordinance concerning the general abjuration of heresy, which reads as follows: _Of the abjuration of heresy._--“In order that, through the help of …
656 wordsSECTION 443Several Christians Burnt For The Faith, At Toulouse, A. D. 1215.
OF THE FIRST DECREE OF EMPEROR FREDERIC II., AGAINST THE DEFENSELESS ALBIGENSES AND WALDENSES, ABOUT A. D., 1230. Mellinus relates, from Abraham Bzovius, who completed the _Annals of Baronius_, that Emperor Frederic II., at the request of Pope Gregory IX., issued his decrees against the Albigenses; however, under diff…
358 wordsSECTION 444Of The Second Decree.
By the chancellor of this Emperor, A. D., 1230. (Same place, _Epist. 25, Petri. de Veneis_). In another letter of Peter de Veneis, we find another decree of Frederic II., which reads as follows: “We therefore decree and ordain that heretics, of whatever name, shall receive condign punishment, throughout the empire, w…
654 wordsSECTION 445Of The Second Decree.
“And what is hardest of all to say, those who survive are not only not deterred by the example of others whom they see die before their eyes, but they even strive to be burnt alive in the sight of men,” as he afterwards speaks of it in this same decree. “Therefore we cannot refrain,” says the Emperor, “from drawing th…
695 wordsSECTION 446Of The Second Decree.
“The Waldenses,” writes P. J. Twisck, “suffered severe persecution at this time, from the papists, and though they sought to conceal themselves in wildernesses, mountains and deep valleys, yet, their schools were discovered, their assemblies broken up, and all cruelly killed, especially in the bishopric of Treves, whic…
716 wordsSECTION 447Continuation Of The Preceding Inquisition In The Year 1252.
SEVERE INQUISITION OF BELIEVERS IN THE COUNTRY AROUND TOULOUSE, A. D. 1251. At this time there was as yet no abatement of the constraint of conscience exercised over the faith of the orthodox Christians, who had fled from Babylon, and, for the sake of the welfare of their souls, could no longer trust themselves in Rom…
777 wordsSECTION 448Continuation Of The Preceding Inquisition In The Year 1252.
Thereupon, as it appears, no small persecution arose; but as to the manner in which the same occurred, and the persons who then suffered for the faith, we have not been able to find any account, notwithstanding we have made diligent search. No doubt, it fell chiefly upon the heads of the Waldenses and Albigenses, since…
567 wordsSECTION 449Continuation Of The Preceding Persecution, A. D. 1283.
Mellinus writes that “A. D. 1283, the Waldenses had again greatly increased in France, as also in other countries throughout Christendom, notwithstanding they had been very cruelly sought out and persecuted up to this time.” In the second book of the _History of the Persecutions, fol. 470, col. 3_, from _Vignier, Hist.…
425 wordsSECTION 450Herman, Andrew And Guillemette[181] Exhumed And Burnt, A. D. 1299.
[181] Wilhelmina. A. D. 1299, the _Fratricelli_, that is, the Albi-Waldenses, who were called _Little Brothers_, were declared heretics, by Pope Boniface VIII., because their belief was contrary to the Roman church, as we have already shown. Said Pope caused these Fratricelli (or Albigenses) to be persecuted with so m…
345 wordsSECTION 451Summary Of Baptism In The Fourteenth Century.
[The beginning is of the congregations or churches of the Waldenses; concerning whom it is shown that they existed not only in this century, but long before and after, teaching that the baptism of infants is of no avail. The seventh article of the confession of the faith of the Waldenses, touching baptism, is presente…
726 wordsSECTION 452Their Views On Holy Baptism.
Who does not see that in this place the Waldenses expressly say that in baptism they testify and declare before God, their faith and change of life? which was well observed afterwards by Jacob du Bois, preacher of the Calvinists at Leyden, though he endeavored to obscure it by his expositions, _Contra Montanum_, printe…
330 wordsSECTION 453Their Views In Regard To The Oath.
As regards the oath, the papists charged them with holding that perjury is no sin. “But,” says A. Mellinus, “let us examine these false articles a little more closely.” Coming to the article of the oath, he speaks as follows, in order to demonstrate the falsity of this accusation: “How should they have considered perju…
660 wordsSECTION 454Their Views In Regard To The Oath.
_A. D. 1319._--At this time, Pope John XXII., through his inquisitors, raged mightily against the Waldenses, who made the above-cited confession, which corresponds with that of the Anabaptists. Of their sufferings and end we shall speak afterwards, in the proper place. Concerning this, see _Bzov. Annal., A. D. 1319, ar…
665 wordsSECTION 455Their Views In Regard To The Oath.
This article relative to the swearing of oaths, from the confession of John Wickliffe, is stated by some as follows: “An oath sworn for the purpose of confirming human contracts and proper transactions, is not appropriate.” _Seb. Franck, Chron., der Rom. Kett., fol. 105, col. 1, letter J., John._ Also _P. J. Twisck, Ch…
665 wordsSECTION 456Of The Belief Of These People.
The author of the second book of the _Persecutions_, relating how these people, called Turilupins, were accused by some papistic writers, of not living honestly, replies in their stead, saying: “But these poor people are lamentably slandered; for they were upright Waldenses, to whom the papists imputed whatever they wo…
682 wordsSECTION 457Of The Belief Of These People.
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, etc.” _A. Mell., 2d book, fol. 505, col. 3, 4._ Also, _P. J. Twisck, Chron., p. 743, col. 2_, from _Henr. Boxhorn, fol. 27_. …
436 wordsSECTION 458Of Charles, Bishop Of Milan.
Jacob Mehnring, writing on the fourteenth century, touching baptism, says: “I have had in my hands a very old confession of some Waldesian brethren in Bohemia, printed in the German language, in which they expressly confess that in the beginning of Christianity no infants were baptized; and that also their forefathers …
723 wordsSECTION 459Same Year As Above, A. D. 1400.
[186] To an English reader this explanation will seem not only superfluous, but, perhaps, even obscure and contradictory. Let him be reminded that the work originally was written in the Dutch language, in which such explanation of the word in question (_verdoemen_) is entirely in place. _Transl._ The universities …
446 wordsSECTION 460Summary Of The Martyrs Of The Fourteenth Century.
[The exordium to the entrance of this century is taken from the places where most of the martyrs suffered at this time, as also from the circumstances of their suffering and death. The manner of inquisition over the believers in these times, shown in divers articles, for the year 1301, according to the account of Jean…
822 wordsSECTION 461Summary Of The Martyrs Of The Fourteenth Century.
[187] “Glory to God in the highest.” Luke 2:14. [188] And (he) heard unspeakable (unrevealed) words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 2 Cor. 12:4. All this is there perceived in the soul, though the bodies suffer great distress; but this is soon over. Have we no reason, then, to long for this journey? Cert…
417 wordsSECTION 462Rules Of The Inquisitors.
1. It is not permitted or advisable to dispute concerning the faith in the presence of the laity. 2. No one is to be regarded as converted, if he will not accuse all those whom he knows to be such as he is. 3. He who does not accuse those who are such as he is, must be severed from the church as a diseased member; th…
695 wordsSECTION 463Rules Of The Inquisitors.
“Behold,” says the writer of this inquisition, “these are the cunning artifices formerly employed by the inquisitors throughout Europe, against the Waldenses,” etc. In the second book of the first part of the _History of the Waldenses_, by _J. P. P. L., pages 62, 63, 64_. NOTE.--About this time (A. D. 1303) Peter Joha…
622 wordsSECTION 464Very Many Persons Burnt For The Faith, At Crema, In Austria, A. D. 1315.
“This year,” he writes, “many pious people were cruelly destroyed for their religion, by order of Pope Clement V. Over four hundred persons were killed by hunger, cold, and the sword (of these, however, we do not speak here), and one hundred and forty were burned (these are the ones of whom we speak), the principal tea…
283 wordsSECTION 465What P. J. Twisck Has Written Concerning This.
The papist Trithemius says: “There were further, in Austria, in different places, very many burnt alive at this time (namely, A. D. 1315), all of whom unanimously, yet obstinately (we say steadfastly), continued with great joy, unto death. _Trith. in Chron. Hirsaug._, and _Chron. Sponh., same year_. In Austria, near P…
431 wordsSECTION 466Of The Account Of Albert Krantz, Concerning The Death Of These Martyrs.
Albert Krantz also writes, in his _History of the Vandals_, of very many such (so-called) heretics, namely, Waldenses, in Poland, in the city of Zuidenitz, concerning whom, he says, according to the manner of the papists, that they disturbed the church there, in consequence of which, having been convicted of heresy aga…
656 wordsSECTION 467Of The Account Of Albert Krantz, Concerning The Death Of These Martyrs.
Touching the names of these people, as also the manner of their martyrdom, suffering and death, I have not been able to ascertain anything, except that, professing the belief of the Waldenses (as we have already stated), they were therefore subjected to persecution and suffering. NOTE.--A. D. 1328. At this time Marsil…
383 wordsSECTION 468Further Observation.
“I am of the opinion,” writes A. Mellinus, “that this Eckhard is the same German (apostatized) Dominican, of whom Trithemius makes mention in his Register of Ecclesiastical Writers, stating that he was a very learned man, and wonderfully experienced in the word of God. _A. Mell._, from _Trithem. De Script. Eccles., fol…
722 wordsSECTION 469Further Observation.
NOTE.--Respecting the offering of this woman, as also, the accusations, cast by the papists against the Waldenses, called Turilupins, and how A. Mellinus, preacher of the Calvinists, replies in their stead, saying that these poor people were lamentably slandered, and that they were upright Waldenses; also, that the pap…
650 wordsSECTION 470Further Observation.
About the year 1390 there began, in the countries on the Baltic Sea, the very severe persecution of the Waldenses, of which we made mention of our account of the true faith in the fourteenth century; which, continuing until into the year 1391, was the cause that, among very many others, four hundred and forty-three of …
621 wordsSECTION 471Summary Of Baptism In The Fifteenth Century.
[In the beginning of this century, the decree _Statutum ex Officio_, of King Henry IV., of England, published against the Wickliffites, is mentioned. Thereupon follows a recital of fifteen articles of said Wickliffites, which by the inquisition were laid before them, for recantation; the twelfth article of which decla…
710 wordsSECTION 472Summary Of Baptism In The Fifteenth Century.
7. “That any layman, though he have not studied at College, has a right to preach the Gospel everywhere, and that he may teach (provided he has been properly elected thereto by his church, as has been stated elsewhere) upon his own authority, without permission from his ordinary bishop. 8. “That it is sin to give anyt…
667 wordsSECTION 473Summary Of Baptism In The Fifteenth Century.
_A. D. 1407._--Or about this time, William Thorpe, formerly an English priest, was apprehended for the faith, who, as it is stated, had been persecuted greatly already in the year 1397. He was charged with holding as his faith these five articles: 1. “That in the sacrament of the altar, also after the consecration, th…
666 wordsSECTION 474Summary Of Baptism In The Fifteenth Century.
NOTE.--John of Ferrara,... in Italy, said about this time, among many other articles, that the Pope, by sheer violence, and without right, had seized countries and cities; that the clergy carried their conscience in their caps, and that they were more avaricious and worse than the laity; that the churches and monasteri…
652 wordsSECTION 475Summary Of Baptism In The Fifteenth Century.
Here we certainly clearly see that the doctrine of not swearing in any wise, was an article of his faith; and if it was the case that he was requested to abjure his faith or religion, he refused to abjure it, not only because he would not forsake his faith or religion, but also because he held that one ought not to swe…
673 wordsSECTION 476That They Nevertheless Professed A Good Confession.
See here, beloved reader, how pure, upright and unfeigned was the conduct of these old Waldenses in this respect; how steadfastly and blamelessly they practiced their confession, desiring to bear not even the appearance of having fellowship with those who waged war and fought against their enemies. Nevertheless, these…
706 wordsSECTION 477That They Nevertheless Professed A Good Confession.
_A. D. 1455._--About this time there were many Waldenses (erroneously called Wandois) in Germany, in the bishopric of Reichstadt, of whose orthodox confession an account was given for the year 1170. They had among them twelve preachers, or teachers, of their religion, who, each in his district, went out secretly, on ac…
719 wordsSECTION 478That They Nevertheless Professed A Good Confession.
Moreover, that said confession does not militate against, but well agrees with, that of the Anabaptists, may be found in the same place. NOTE.--_A. D. 1472._--J. Guitode,... now greatly reproved the Papal haughtiness and idolatry; the running of pilgrims after images, and miracles invented by avarice. He undisguisedly…
252 wordsSECTION 479Conclusion To The Fifteenth Century. A. D. 1500.
Thus it appears clearly, that the old true Waldenses existed, and practiced their worship not only throughout the fifteenth century, but also long afterwards, as will be seen from the sequel of our account. But that the number of the witnesses which we have produced from the Waldenses, has not been very great in this c…
480 wordsSECTION 480Summary Of The Martyrs In The Fifteenth Century.
[The beginning treats of the great distress in these times; some definite information given, about some countries where the misery was the greatest, as concerning England, France, Germany, Flanders, etc. The first year of this century begins with a bloody decree published in England against the confessors of the holy …
680 wordsSource & rights
Public domain in the USA; original historical text digitized by Project Gutenberg.
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Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.