reign. Ouvo, growing more insupportable contrary reason, viz. his want of years; as than his predecessor, was brought to the being then only 36 years old, he deemed scaffold, in the year 1044; upon which Peter that too early a time of life for a man to unwas recalled, and placed on the throne a dertake the important care of a diocese. second time; but his deposition and retire- Lambert, however, made him his substitute ment had made no alteration in his temper, upon various occasions, and dying on No so that he was again deprived of the royal vember 25, 1071, all concerned in the choice dignity in less than two years. of a successor declared for Stanislaus: but An offer was then made of the crown to he declined the acceptance for the same reaAndrew, son of Ladislaus, cousin-german of son as before. At length the king, clergy, Stephen, upon condition that he would em- and nobility, unanimously joined in writing ploy his authority in extirpating the Christian to pope Alexander II. who, at their entreaty, religion out of Hungary. The ambitious sent an express order that Stanislaus should prince came into the proposal, and promised accept the bishopric. He then obeyed, and to do his utmost in re-establishing the idola- exerted himself to the utmost in improving trous worship of his ancestors. Gerard, being his flock. He was equally careful with reinformed of this impious bargain, undertook spect both to clergy and laity, kept a list of to go to Andrew, and persuade him to with- all the poor in his diocese, and by feeding draw his promise. He accordingly set out, the hungry, clothing the naked, and adminattended by three other prelates, full of zeal istering remedies to the sick, he proved himfor religion: but as they were about to cross self not only the godly pastor, but the phythe Danube, they were stopped by a party sician and benefactor of the people. of soldiers posted there by a nobleman, re- Bolislaus the Second, king of Poland, had markable for his aversion to the Christian many good qualities, but giving way too religion, and to Stephen's memory. They much to his passions, he committed many were attacked with a shower of stones, cru- enormities, till, from being deemed a good elly beaten, and at length dispatched with king, he at last acquired the appellation of lances. Their martyrdoms happened in the CRUEL. The nobility were shocked at his year 1045.

STANISLAUS.

conduct, and the clergy saw his proceedings with grief; but Stanislaus alone had the courage to tell him of his faults. The king Stanislaus, bishop of Cracow, was of an was greatly exasperated at this freedom; but illustrious family. The piety of his parents awed by the virtues of the bishop, he diswas equal to their opulence, and they ren- sembled his resentment, and appearing to be dered their wealth subservient to all the pur- convinced of his errors, promised to reform poses of benevolence. Stanislaus was their his conduct. He, soon after, attempted the only child: he possessed a penetrating genius, chastity of a married lady, who, rejecting his retentive memory, and solid understanding; offers with disdain, he violated her by force. hence study became his amusement. His This iniquitous act greatly incensed the disposition was not inferior to his abilities; nobility; they assembled, and, calling the and he voluntarily gave himself, in the dawn clergy to their assistance, entreated Peter, of youth, to such austerities as might have archbishop of Gresne, to remonstrate to the acquired reputation for a hermit. In process king on the impropriety of his conduct. The of time, he was sent to a seminary of learn- archbishop, however, declined the task; for ing in Poland, and afterwards to the univer- though virtuous, he was timid. Several other sity of Paris; here he remained several prelates imitated his example, and Stanislaus years, and then returned to his own country, was, as before, the only one who had courwhere, on the demise of his parents, he be- age and zeal sufficient to perform what he came possessed of a large fortune, of which looked upon as an indispensable duty. He, he devoted the greater part to charitable therefore, put himself at the head of a numuses. His views were now solely directed ber of ecclesiastics, noblemen, and gentleto the ministry; but he remained for some men, and solemnly addressed the king on the time undetermined whether he should em- heinousness of his crime. Bolislaus, viobrace a monastic life, or engage among the lently irritated, threatened the prelate with secular clergy. He was at length persuaded his severest vengeance; but Stanislaus, unto the latter by Lambert Zula, bishop of intimidated by his menaces, visited him twice Cracow, who gave him holy orders, and made more, and remonstrated with him in a simihim a canon of his cathedral. In this ca-lar manner, which increased his wrath. pacity he lived in a most exemplary manner, The nobility and clergy, finding that the and performed his duties with unremitting admonitions of the bishop had not the desired assiduity. Lambert was charmed with the effect upon the king, thought proper to ininany virtues which so particularly distin- terpose. The nobility entreated the bishop guished Stanislaus, and would fain have re- to refrain from any further exasperating à signed his bishopric to him, alleging as a monarch of so ferocious a temper; and the reason his great age; but Stanislaus abso- clergy endeavored to persuade the king not lutely refused to accept of the see, for the to be offended with Stanislaus for his chari

table remonstrances. But the haughty sove-ble aspect of the prelate struck them with reign determined at any rate to get rid of a such awe, that they could not perform what prelate, who, in his opinion, was too censori- they had promised. On their return, the ous; and hearing that the bishop was alone, king, finding they had not obeyed his orders, in the chapel of St. Michael, at a small dis- snatched a dagger from one of them, and ran tance from the town, he dispatched some furiously to the chapel, where, finding Stan soldiers to murder him. The men readily islaus at the altar, he plunged the weapon undertook the task; but when they came into his heart. This took place on the 8th of into the presence of Stanislaus, the venera- May, A. D. 1079.

SECTION II.

Persecutions of the Waldenses in France.

POPERY.

BEFORE this time, the church of Christ ACCUSATIONS OF PETER WALDO AGAINST was tainted with many of the errors of popery, and superstition began to predomi- His principal accusations against the Ronate; but a few, who perceived the perni-man Catholics were, that they affirm the cious tendency of such errors, determined to church of Rome to be the only infallible show the light of the gospel in its real pu- church of Christ upon earth; and that the rity, and to disperse those clouds which art- pope is its head, and the vicar of Christ; ful priests had raised about it, in order to that they hold the absurd doctrine of trandelude the people. The principal of these substantiation, insisting that the bread and worthies was Berengarius, who, about the wine given in the sacrament is the very year 1000, boldly preached gospel truths ac- identical body and blood of Christ which was cording to their primitive purity. Many, nailed to the cross; that they believe there from conviction, went over to his doctrine, is a place called purgatory, where the souls and were, on that account, called Berenga- of persons, after this life, are purged from rians. Berengarius was succeeded by Peter the sins of mortality, and that the pains and Bruis, who preached at Toulouse, under the penaltics here inflicted may be abated acprotection of an earl, named Hildephonsus; cording to the masses said by and the money and the whole tenets of the reformers, with paid to the priests; that they teach the comthe reasons of their separation from the munion of one kind, or the receiving the church of Rome, were published in a book wafer only, is sufficient for the lay people, written by Bruis, under the title of ANTI- though the clergy must be indulged with CHRIST. both bread and wine; that they pray to the

In the year 1140, the number of the re- Virgin Mary and saints, though their prayformed was very great, and the probability ers ought to be immediately to God; that of their increasing alarmed the pope, who they pray for souls departed, though God dewrote to several princes to banish them from cides their fate immediately on the decease their dominions, and employed many learned of the person; that they will not perform the men to write against them. service of the church in a language underIn 1147, Henry of Toulouse being deem- stood by the people in general; that they ed their most eminent preacher, they were place their devotion in the number of praycalled Henricians; and as they would not ers, and not in the intent of the heart; that admit of any proofs relative to religion, but they forbid marriage to the clergy, though what could be deduced from the scriptures God allowed it; and that they use many themselves, the popish party gave them the things in baptism, though Christ used only name of Apostolics.-Peter Waldo, or Valdo, water. When pope Alexander the Third a native of Lyons, at this time became a was informed of these transactions, he exstrenuous opposer of popery: and from him communicated Waldo and his adherents, and the reformed received the appellation of Wal- commanded the bishop of Lyons to extermidoys, or Waldenses. Waldo was a man emi-nate them: thus began the papal persecu nent for his learning and benevolence; and tions against the Waldenses. his doctrines were adopted by multitudes. The bishop of Lyons taking umbrage at the freedom with which he treated the pope and the Romish clergy, sent to admonish him to refrain in future from such discourses; but Waldo answered, "That he could not be silent in a cause of such importance as the salvation of men's souls; wherein he must obey God rather than man."

TENETS OF THE WALDENSES.

1. That holy oil is not to be mingled in baptism.

2. That prayers used over things inanimate are superstitious.

3. Flesh may be eaten in Lent; the clergy may marry; and auricular confession is unnecessary.

4. Confirmation is no sacrament: we are the host was an idol, and that purgatory was not bound to pay obedience to the pope; a fable. ministers should live upon tithes; no dignity sets one clergyman above another, for their superiority can only be drawn from real worth.

5. Images in churches are absurd; imageworship is idolatry; the pope's indulgences ridiculous; and the miracles pretended to be done by the church of Rome are false.

ORIGIN OF THE INQUISITION.

These proceedings of Waldo, and his reformed companions, occasioned the origin of inquisitors; for pope Innocent III. authorized certain monks inquisitors, to find and deliver over the reformed to the secular power. The monks, upon the least surmise or informa6. Fornication and public stews ought not tion, gave up the reformed to the magistrate, to be allowed; purgatory is a fiction; and who delivered them to the executioner; for deceased persons, called saints, ought not to the process was short, as accusation supbe prayed to. plied the place of evidence, and a fair trial was never granted to the accused.

7. Extreme unction is not a sacrament; and masses, indulgences, and prayers, are of no service to the dead.

8. The Lord's prayer ought to be the rule of all other prayers.

CRUELTIES OF THE POPE, AND ARTIFICES
OF DOMINIC.

When the pope found that these cruel Waldo remained three years undiscovered means had not the desired effect, he deterin Lyons, though the utmost diligence was mined to try others of a milder nature; he used to apprehend him; but at length he therefore sent several learned monks to found an opportunity of escaping from the preach among the Waldenses, and induce place of his concealment to the mountains of them to change their opinions. Among these Dauphiny. He soon after found means to monks was one Dominic, who appeared expropagate his doctrines in Dauphiny and tremely zealous in the cause of popery. He Picardy, which so exasperated Philip, king instituted an order, which, from him, was of France, that he put the latter province, called the order of Dominican friars; and which contained most of the sectaries, un- the members of this order have ever since der military execution; destroying above been the principal inquisitors in every coun300 gentlemen's seats, erasing some walled try into which that horrible tribunal has towns, burning many of the reformed, and been introduced. Their power was unlimited; driving others into Flanders and Germany. they proceeded against whom they pleased, Notwithstanding these persecutions, the without any consideration of age, sex, or reformed religion seemed to flourish; and rank. However infamous the accusers, the the Waldenses, in various parts, became accusation was deemed valid; and even more numerous than ever. At length the anonymous informations were thought suffipope accused them of heresy, and the monks cient evidence. The dearest friends or kinof immorality. These slanders they, however, dred could not, without danger, serve any refuted; but the pope, incensed at their in- one who was imprisoned on account of relicrease, used all means for their extirpation; gion; to convey to those who were confined such as excommunications, anathemas, can- a little straw, or give them a cup of water, ons, constitutions, decrees, &c. by which was called favoring the heretics; no lawyer they were rendered incapable of holding dared to plead even for his own brother, or piaces of trust, honor, or profit; their lands notary register any thing in favor of the rewere seized, their goods confiscated, and formed. The malice of the Papists, indeed, they were not permitted to be buried in con- went beyond the grave, and the bones of secrated ground. Some of the Waldenses many Waldenses, who had been long dead, having taken refuge in Spain, Aldephonsus, were dug up and burnt. If a man on his king of Arragon, at the instigation of the death-bed were accused of being a follower pope, published an edict, strictly ordering of Waldo, his estates were confiscated, and all Roman Catholics to persecute them the heir defrauded of his inheritance; and wherever they could be found; and decree- some were even obliged to make pilgrimages ing that all who gave them the least assist- to the Holy Land, while the Dominicans ance should be deemed traitors. took possession of their houses and property, The year after this edict Aldephonsus was which they refused to surrender to the severely punished by the hand of Providence, owners upon their return. for his son was defeated in a great battle, PRISONS FILLED WITH CHRISTIANS. and 50,000 of his men slain, by which a considerable portion of his kingdom fell into the A knight named Enraudus, being accused hands of the Moors. of embracing the opinions of Waldo, was The reformed ministers continued to burnt at Paris A. D. 1201. About 1228 such preach boldly against the Romish church; numbers of the reformed were apprehended, and Peter Waldo, in particular, wherever that the archbishops of Aix, Arles, and Narhe went, asserted, that the pope was anti- bonne, took compassion on them, and thus exchrist, that mass was an abomination, that pressed themselves to the inquisitors: "We

hear that you have apprehended such a num- Cremona, to France; who, on arriving in ber of Waldenses, that it is not only impossi- Dauphiny, craved the assistance of the king's ble to defray the charge of their food and lieutenant to exterminate the Waldenses confinement, but to provide lime and stone to build prisons for them."

from the valley of Loyse: the lieutenant readily granted his assistance, and marched a body of troops to the place; but when they AVARICE AND INJUSTICE OF BORALLI. arrived at the valley, they found that it had In 1380, a monk inquisitor, named Fran- been deserted by the inhabitants, who had cis Boralli, had a commission granted him retired to the mountains, and hid themselves by pope Clement VII. to search for, and in caverns, &c. The archdeacon and lieupunish the Waldenses in Aix, Ambrune, tenant immediately followed them with the Geneva, Savoy, Orange, Arles, Vienne, troops, and apprehending many, they cast Avignon, &c. He went to Ambrune, and them headlong from the precipices, by which summoned all the inhabitants to appear be- they were dashed to pieces. Several, howfore him; when those who were found to be ever, retired to the innermost parts of the of the reformed religion, were delivered caverns, and knowing the intricacies, were over to the secular power, and burnt; and able to conceal themselves. The archdeacon those who did not appear, were excommuni- and lieutenant, not being able to come at cated for contumacy, and had their effects them, ordered the mouths of the caves to confiscated. In the distribution of the effects, be filled with fagots, which being lighted, the clergy had two-thirds of the property of those within were suffocated. On searching all who were condemned, and the secular the caves, 400 infants were found smothered, power one third. All the reformed inhabit- either in their cradles or in their mothers' ants of the other places, named in the com- arms; and, upon the whole, about 3000 men, mission of this ecclesiastic, were equal suf- women, and children, were destroyed in this ferers., persecution.

PERSECUTIONS IN DAUPHINY.

THE KING OF FRANCE FAVORS THE

WALDENSES.

After this tragical work, the lieutenant and archdeacon proceeded with the troops to In 1400, the Waldenses who resided in Pragela and Frassanier, in order to persecute the valley of Pragela, were, at the instiga- the Waldenses in those parts. But these tion of some priests, suddenly attacked by a having heard of the fate of their brethren in body of troops, who plundered their houses, the valley of Loyse, thought proper to arm murdered many, and drove others into the themselves; and by fortifying the different Alps, where great numbers were frozen to passes, and bravely disputing the passages death, it being in the depth of winter. In through them, they so harassed the troops, 1460, a persecution was carried on in Dau- that the lieutenant was compelled to retire phiny against the Waldenses, by the arch- without effecting his purpose. bishop of Ambrune, who employed a monk, named John Vayleti, who proceeded with such violence, that not only the Waldenses, but even many Papists, were sufferers: for In 1494, Anthony Fabri, and Christopher if any of them expressed compassion or pity de Salience, having a commission to persefor the inoffensive people, who were so cruelly cute the Waldenses of Dauphiny, put some treated, they were accused of favoring the to death, sequestered the estates of others, Waldenses, and punished. At length Vay- and confiscated the goods of many; but leti's proceedings became so intolerable, that Louis XII. coming to the crown in 1498, a great number of the Papists themselves the Waldenses petitioned him for a restituaddressed a petition against him to Louis XI. tion of their property. The king determined king of France, who granted the request of to have the affair impartially canvassed, and the petitioners, and sent an order to the sent a commissioner of his own, together governor of Dauphiny to stop the persecu- with a commissary from the pope, to make tion. Vayleti, however, by order of the the proper inquiries. The witnesses against archbishop, still continued it; for, taking ad- the Waldenses having been examined, the vantage of the last clause of the edict, he innocence of those poor people evidently pretended that he did nothing contrary to appeared, and the king's commissioner dethe king's precept, who had ordered punish-clared, "That he only desired to be as good ment to such as affirmed any thing against a Christian as the worst of them." When the holy Catholic faith. This persecution at this favorable report was made to the king, length concluded with the death of the arch- he immediately gave orders that the Walbishop, which happened in 1487.

ATTEMPTS OF THE POPE TO EXTERMINATE

THE WALDENSES.

denses should have their property restored to them. The archbishop of Ambrune, having the greatest quantity of these poor people's goods, it was generally imagined that Pope Innocent VIII. in 1488, determined he would set a laudable example to others, to persecute the Waldenses. To this end by being the first to restore them. The he sent Albert de Capitaneis, archdeacon of archbishop, however, declared, that he would

not restore any of the property, for it was that the heads of the families of that town incorporated with, and become part of, his should appear before the ecclesiastical court. archbishopric. He, however, with an affec- When they appeared, and confessed themtation of candor, offered to relinquish several selves Waldenses, they were ordered to be vineyards, of which he had dispossessed the burnt, their families outlawed, their habitaWaldenses, provided the lords of Dauphiny tions laid waste, and the woods that surwould restore all they had taken from those rounded the town to be cut down two hunpoor people; but this the lords absolutely dred paces square, so that the whole should refused, being as desirous of keeping their be rendered desolate. The king, however, plunder as the archbishop himself. being informed of this barbarous decree, sent

The Waldenses, finding that they were to countermand the execution of it; but his not likely to recover any of their property, orders were suppressed by cardinal Tournon, again appealed to the king; and the monarch and the greatest cruelties were consequently having attended to their complaints, wrote exercised.

to the archbishop; but that artful and ava- The president of Opede sent several comricious prelate replied, "That at the companies of soldiers to burn some villages ocmencement of the persecution the Waldenses cupied by Protestants, which they performhad been excommunicated by the pope, in ed, murdering the men, ravishing the woconsequence of which their goods were dis- men, cutting off the breasts of mothers, and trained; therefore, till the sentence of ex- suffering the infants to famish, &c. &c. The communication was taken off, which had oc- president likewise proclaimed, that none casioned them to be seized, they could not should give any manner of assistance or susbe restored with propriety." This plea was tenance, to the Waldenses. On reaching allowed to be reasonable; and application another small town, the president found was ineffectually made to the pope to remove there only a boy, the other inhabitants havthe sentence of excommunication: for the ing deserted the place. The boy he ordered archbishop, supposing this would be the case, to be shot by the soldier to whom he had had used all his interest at Rome to prevent surrendered, and then destroyed every house the application from succeeding.

PROGRESS OF THE WALDENSES.

in the place. He next marched against Cabrieres, and began to cannonade it. At this time there were not above sixty poor peasAt length this sect having spread from ants, with their families, in the town; and Dauphiny into several other provinces, be- they sent him word, that he need not excame very numerous in Provence. At their pend powder and shot upon the place, as first arrival, Provence was almost a desert, they were willing to open the gates and surbut by their great industry it soon abounded render, provided they might be permitted to with corn, wine, oil, fruit, &c. The pope, retire, with their families, to Geneva or Gerby being often near them at his seat at Avig-many. This was promised them; but the non, heard occasionally many things con- gates were no sooner opened, than the presicerning their differing from the church of dent ordered all the men to be cut to pieces, Rome, which greatly exasperated him, and which cruel command was immediately exhe determined to persecute them. Proceed-ecuted. Several women and children were ing to some extremities, under the sanction confined in a large barn, which was set fire of his ecclesiastical authority only, without to, and every one perished in the flames. consulting the king of France, the latter be- Other women and children having taken came alarmed, and sent his master of requests, refuge in a church, the president ordered and his confessor, to examine into the affair. one of his officers to go in and kill them all: On their return they reported that the Wal- the captain, at first, refused, saying, "Such denses were not such dangerous or bad peo- unnecessary cruelty is unbecoming a miliple as they had been represented; that they tary man.' ." The president, being displeased lived with perfect honesty, were friendly to at this reply, said, "I charge you, on pain all, caused their children to be baptized, had of being accused of mutiny, immediately to them taught the Lord's prayer, creed, and obey my orders." The captain, afraid of the ten commandments; expounded the scrip- consequences, thought proper to comply. tures with purity, kept the Lord's day sacred, The president then sent a detachment of his feared God, honored the king, and wished troops to ravage the town of Costa, which well to the state. "Then," said the king, was accomplished with the greatest bar. "they are much better Christians than my-barity. self or my Catholic subjects, and therefore At length the judgment of God overtook they shall not be persecuted. He was as good as his word, and sent orders to stop the persecution.

PUNISHMENT OF THE MERINDOLIANS AND

OTHERS.

It happened that some time after, the inhabitants of Merindol received a summons,

this monster of cruelty; for he was afflicted with a dreadful flux, and a painful strangury. In this extremity he sent for a surgeon from Arles, who, on examining his disorders, told him they were of a singular nature, and much worse than he had ever seen them in any other person. He then took occasion