[142] About this time, Bertram taught, in his book of the _Body and Blood of Christ_, concerning the words: “This is my body,” that this is to be understood figuratively, and that in the Supper, the faith is presented somewhat differently than the eyes externally see, and the taste perceives; also, that the bread and wine are figuratively the body and blood of Christ, and represent to, or keep before us, the remembrance of the suffering and death of Christ. _Sam. Velt., Geslacht-register; pages 126, 127._
In the Scythian church, (A. D. 840), writes Valfrid Abbas, they used the common mother tongue, and taught that images should not be worshiped or honored; that the paschal lamb should not be consecrated; yea, that it was better to aid the poor, than to decorate the churches. _P. J. Twisck, Chron., 9th book, page 286, col. 2_, from _Casp. Grev., fol. 277_.
_A. D. 841._--It is recorded that at this time, in the reign of the Emperors Louis and Lothaire, a council was held at Paris, concerning which it is written (_chap. 6_): “In the beginning of the holy church of God, no one was admitted to receive baptism, who had not previously been instructed in the faith, and in the mystery of baptism, as is testified by the words of Paul, Rom. 6:3: ‘Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?’ which passage of the apostle has reference to the sacrament of baptism.”
In the council of Laodicea (Tit. 46), it is also written, that “those who desire to come to baptism, shall learn the faith, and recite the same to the bishop or teacher, on the fifth day of the great week.”
Again (_Tit. 47_): “That those who were baptized in sickness, shall, after recovery, diligently study their faith and know what great grace they have received; which words plainly indicate, that those who attain to the Christian faith, are also previously instructed concerning said faith and the mysteries of baptism. But now, sad to relate, also the infants of Christian parents are baptized, who, on account of their tender age, cannot comprehend this matter, which to learn even persons of understanding must exert themselves diligently, and which, owing to the negligence of some, has gone out of use in the Christian church. O what great neglect! O what great mischief.” _Jacob Mehrning, Bapt. Hist., page 538._ _About A. D. 842._--It is stated that at this time a number of slaves who had become converted were baptized, yet not in the Roman manner, nor in the Roman language, as was customary with the Roman church, as well as with all other churches which adhered to the Roman see; but in a different manner and in another language; so that it appears from this occurrence that this church must have been separated from the superstitions of the Roman church not only in forms, but also, as may be inferred, in faith and practice. To this, the following annotation (_Bapt. Hist., page 552, num. 9_), among others, has reference: “They (those of the Roman church) used the Roman language not only in Italy, but also in other regions that were subject to the papal power; but that baptism was administered also in other languages, is proved by the history of the conversion of the slaves.”[143] _Ex. Historia Sclav._
[143] _A. D. 843._--Christus Lupim, at Ferrara, refuted the new Roman doctrines concerning purgatory, matrimony of priests, and other points. _P. J. Twisck, Chron., 9th book, page 288, col. 1_, from _Catal. Test., fol. 103_.
_About A. D. 848._--That the instruction of novices, before baptism, obtained also at this time, _Jacob Mehrning, Bapt. Hist., page 550_, informs us with these words: “The adults had (then) to be instructed in the faith, and were catechized before baptism, as has been proven above, from Rabanus, Haimo, and others; thereupon they had to confess the faith, as Rabanus (_lib. 1, de Cleric. Institutione, cap. 27_) relates. They were asked, whether they believed in God the Father, the Almighty, and on his only Son, our Lord, and on the Holy Ghost, a general (christian) church, forgiveness of sins, resurrection of the flesh,” etc.[144] _Bapt. Hist., p. 550, num. 4._