The abovementioned author, or his printer, has made a chronological error, putting A. D. 1475 instead of A. D. 1457. Then follows: “A. D. ----, a great number of Christians professing the doctrine of the Waldenses, were discovered and apprehended in the bishopric or within the jurisdiction of Eichstædt, in Germany; very many of whom were put to death.”
This year, 1457, P. J. Twisck fixes as the date of this event, though he does not make mention of their death, but only of their severe persecution. _Chron., page 829, col. 2_, calling the scene of their persecution Richstadt, instead of Eichstædt.
NOTE.--_A. D. 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 lasciviousness of the monks, yea, declared publicly, that the Pope was the originator of all wars and dissensions; as also, that he had for sale not only worldly, but also spiritual goods, yea, even the (so-called) Holy Ghost. On account of this he was driven into banishment, and resided at Naples, where he died. _Chron. van den Ond., p. 841, col. 1_, from _John Munst., fol. 192, Georg. Pac., cap. 11_.
_A. D. 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 matrimony, and the dispensation of the Supper (called the Sacrament) under two forms, that is, with bread and wine. Human institutions, as fasts, letters of indulgence, feast-days, pilgrimages, extreme unction, confirmation, auricular confession and satisfaction,[200] he utterly rejected. In short, he was regarded as a heretic, and, in the year 1479, condemned and burnt at Mentz. Compare _Joh. Munst., fol. 196. Chron., Fra., fol. 91_, with the account in the _Chron. van den Ond., page 847, col. 2_. Others, however, make mention only of the burning of his books. See _A. M., fol. 597_; this the intelligent reader can easily distinguish, and, when necessary, reconcile.
[200] Or Penance imposed by the priest.--_Translator._
Again: Same year as above. George Morgenstern wrote and taught at this time against the errors of popery and the manifold attires 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 received this in good part, we may readily judge, though we have learned nothing in regard to his suffering. Compare _P. J. Twisck, Chron., page 847, col. 1, with Catal. Test. Verit., fol. 884_.
STEPHEN, AN ELDER OF THE WALDENSES, BURNT FOR THE FAITH, AT VIENNA, IN AUSTRIA, ABOUT A. D. 1471.
About the year 1471, an awful persecution arose in and around Bohemia, against the old, orthodox Waldenses, whose orthodox confession we do not deem necessary to relate again. This persecution was excited by Johanna, the widow of King George of Bohemia, who, notwithstanding the death of her husband, earnestly solicited the princes of the realm, everywhere to exterminate not only those who were called Bohemian Brethren, but also the old Waldenses.
For this reason many went and sojourned in Austria; but as it is peculiar to the rose of the church of God to bloom among the thorns, it happened that also there 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 over the believers in general.
But since this pious man, as becomes a good shepherd of the flock of Christ, did not wish to give offense to his sheep, and would not flee from the wolf which threatened to tear them, nor would, for any torments, forsake either his office or his faith, sentence of death was finally pronounced upon him, namely, that he should be executed with fire, that is, burnt alive. This severe punishment of death he steadfastly endured, having commended his soul into the hands of God. Of this hero of Christ, mention is also made in the second book of the _Hist. of the Persecutions, fol. 592, col. 4_, thus: “At this time there were not many Waldenses in Bohemia, on account of the violent persecution; but in Austria there still lived some, who were likewise for the most part dispersed, 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.