Part 69
This is confirmed by what Baronius says, namely, that war was waged by the Pope and his adherents, against the aforesaid princes, for the reason that the latter would not persecute the Albigenses, and expel them from their territory; but when this was done, after the said princes had been brought into subjection, the Albigenses, he writes, soon became extinct. _Bar., A. D. 1210, num. 3_, and _1228, num. 3_.
This could not have been the case if so numerous a people had opposed their persecutors with force of arms. _Introduction, page 51, col. 1._
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 Turenne, saying: That they went to Peter, the cardinal and legate of the Pope, in order that they should kill or slay the heretics (the Albigenses), if the latter should not be converted to the Roman church through the cardinals’ preaching. Having arrived at Toulouse, they made the citizens swear an oath that they would name all the Albigenses they knew. Many of them were now betrayed, and among these, also Peter Moranus, one of their principal men. When he was examined, he freely confessed his faith; and was instantly condemned as a heretic, and all his property confiscated. _Introduction, p. 51, col. 1, 2_, from _Baron., A. D. 1178, num. 2_.
NOTE.--From the aforementioned eight arguments, but especially from this last demonstration, it appears incontrovertibly, that a great distinction must be made, between the Albigenses and their magistrates, as well as the citizens among whom they lived in the cities; so that whenever resistance, war or conflict are spoken of, in which the inhabitants of this or that city or place engaged, it is to be understood throughout of the magistrates and their soldiers, who guarded said cities or places, as also, of the common citizens; but not of the true Albigenses, since these, in accordance with their faith, as has already been sufficiently stated, exercised no revenge or resistance against any one, but lived peaceably under their magistrates; to whom they also, as was proper, paid their taxes.
However, that we may not give offense to our fellow-believers, if any should entertain a different opinion in regard to this matter, although it has been sufficiently explained by us, we shall adduce the principal confessors who suffered in the besieged cities for the doctrine of the Albigensian religion, not as infallible witnesses, but as incidental matters; which the kind reader will please regard as having been done by us from no other motive than Christian prudence.
ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY PERSONS CALLED ALBIGENSES, BURNT WITHOUT THE CASTLE MINERVE.
In the year of our Lord 1210, a large sacrifice of believers, called Perfecti or Albigenses took place near the castle Minerve; so that at one time about one hundred and eighty persons, men as well as women, who, forsaking the Roman antichrist, desired to adhere steadfastly to Jesus Christ and his divine truth, were publicly burnt; these, having commended their souls to God, are now waiting for the crown and reward of the faithful.
As to the manner in which this occurred, different papistic writers give this account: That the Pope of Rome caused a second crusade or campaign to be preached, in order to annihilate with might and main the Albigenses wherever they might be concealed; promising forgiveness of sins, yea, eternal salvation to all who in this campaign should well acquit themselves in murdering and burning the Waldenses.
In the meantime there were in the castle of Minerve very many Albigenses called _Perfecti_ (_perfect ones_), who resided under the lord of the castle, and were protected by him.
This castle, situated on a high rock, was besieged by the legate of the Pope, and so hard pressed, that the lord of the same was finally, through lack of water, compelled to surrender. The legate commanded that all who would not unite with the Roman church, should be put to death.
Those within, however, (namely, the defenseless Albigenses) said: “We do not wish to forsake our faith; we reject your Roman faith; your labor is vain, for neither death nor life shall cause us to depart from our faith.” Such was the answer and resolution of the men, who were all assembled together in one house. The women, who were in another house, were found by the abbot so courageous and undaunted that with all his fine words he could make no impression upon them.
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 through weakness, escaped the fire. All the others that were in the castle (namely, the lord with his servants and soldiers, who had guarded the castle), complied with the will of the papal legate.
Peter Sarnensis, speaking of these people that were put to death, says, that these hundred and forty martyrs were of the Albigenses called Perfecti; and adds, that they would rather be burned alive, than unite with the Roman church. In _Hist. Albigens._ Also, _Joh. Chassan., Hist. Albig., lib. 3, cap. 7, ex Hist. Languedoc_.
From the account of Robert of Auxerre, a strong papist, who wrote at that time, and, it seems, was an eye-witness of the steadfast death of these people, it appears, that about forty more than the preceding writers have stated were burned; which might well be the case, namely, that the former first, and the latter afterwards, confessed themselves to be of the same faith, and thus were punished alike with death. He writes as follows: “In A. D. 1210 a great expedition was undertaken by our bishops, as well as by the lords and princes of the realm, and by the common people. This expedition was a very noted one, and was undertaken from pure devotion, or by vow; partly through the zeal of faith enkindled in the hearts of the believers (so he calls the papists), against the destroyers of the faith (thus he calls the true Albigenses), and partly, in order to merit the forgiveness of sins, promised by the apostolical see (the Pope of Rome); hence they marched with their assembled army before the castle of Minerve, which was a very strong place.”
At last the besieged offered to surrender; but when it was proclaimed to all, that those who would turn from their heresy, should be left free and unmolested, about one hundred and eighty were found (namely, Albigenses) who rather suffered themselves to be burnt alive, than desist from their heretical wickedness (thus he calls their true faith).
Those who witnessed this, he writes, were astonished at the inexorable obstinacy of these miserable people, who would not listen to any salutary admonitions (thus he calls the fables of the papists), because their reason was smitten, and thus they voluntarily hastened to the punishment of death. _Rob. Aux. Chronol. Altiss., A. D. 1210_, compared with _A. Mell., 2d book, fol. 454, col. 2_.
SIXTY 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 of said place. He therefore went to lay siege to it; but those within (namely, the garrison), seeing that they would not be able to hold out long, notwithstanding the place was tolerably strong otherwise, capitulated, with this agreement, that they would deliver into the hands of the enemy, those called heretics (or Albigenses); these the bishops sought to persuade to renounce their faith, but they could not prevail upon them in the least; in consequence of which sixty persons were burnt for the sake of that religion. _Chass. Hist., Albig., lib. 3_, compared with _A. M. Hist., fol. 456, col. 4_.
ABOUT ONE HUNDRED PERSONS CALLED ALBIGENSES, OR HERETICS, BURNT FOR THE FAITH, IN A TOWER AT CASSAS.
About the close of the year 1211, it is recorded, the legate of the Pope, having gone forth utterly to extirpate all those that professed the confession of the abovementioned Albigenses, was apprised, that over eighty, but according to others, about a hundred of that sect or heresy, as it was called, were concealed on, or in, a tower at Cassas. They had been sent thither by those of Rogueville (who, it seems, were not willing that any of these defenseless people should remain among them), that they might save their lives, until this blood-thirsty man should have passed by. Having learned this, the legate very easily surprised, captured and demolished this tower, and caused all those that were in it--like sheep for the slaughter in the fold, who would not abandon their faith, to be burned alive as heretics. _Chass., lib. 3, cap. 15._ Also, _A. Mell., 2d book, fol. 457, col. 1_.
FIFTY PERSONS CALLED ALBIGENSES, BURNT FOR THE FAITH, AT CHASTELNAU D’ARI, AT THE CLOSE OF THE YEAR 1211.
This fire of the papal legate continued, like a thunder-bolt, to burn and scorch among the defenseless flock of Christ, called Albigenses, or heretics, who had concealed themselves here and there, wherever they thought they might be secure.
In the mean time, there were fifty of these people at Chastelnau d’Ari, shut up and closely besieged, together with all that were in that place, by the count of Montfort, the commander-in-chief of the papal legate. Finally, the place having been taken, all these persons, as they would not depart from their faith, were burnt alive, and thus, having commended their souls unto God, they gave their bodies for a burnt sacrifice.
Chassanion writes, that when the Count of Montfort had taken the city of Chastelnau d’Ari, fifty persons were found in it, who would rather be burnt alive than return to the papistic religion. Compare _Chassau., lib. 3, cap. 16_, with _A. Mell., 2d book, fol. 457, col. 1_.
OVER FOUR HUNDRED PERSONS CALLED INDUTI, OR ALBIGENSES, BURNT FOR THEIR FAITH, AT LAVAUR, OR VAURUM, A. D. 1211.
Previously we stated, that the Albigenses, whose confession we showed to be good and Scriptural, were called by various names. Besides those names already explained, they were also called _Induti_, or _Vestiti_, that is, the _clothed_, or _covered_, either because they had to cover or conceal themselves on account of persecution, or for some other reason.
This, at least, is certain, that they are compared by _Mellinus, 2d book, page 443, col. 3_, to the Albigenses, called Perfecti; who were also styled, as he shows, _Boni homines_, that is, _good men_, because they, as it seems, were good and upright in their walk. Very many of these good, upright, and not less believing people, were burnt for the faith, as heretics, suffering it innocently and patiently, in the city of Lavaur, also called Vaurum, about the year 1211. Their number, according to ancient chronicles, amounted to over four hundred.
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 defend for her sake. Within there was no small number of those heretics called Induti, who did not always reside there, but had congregated at that time from distant countries.”
“The army of God, therefore,” he writes, (namely, the army of the Pope) “encompassed the fortress, or city, and gave the besieged no rest night and day. Those within perceiving,... surrendered unconditionally to the beleaguers.”
He then goes on to relate how they dealt with those who had guarded the city, or fortress, and coming then to the abovementioned people who, to live according to their faith, had resided quietly and peaceably among the other inhabitants, he says: “The heretics called Induti, that is, _clothed_, about three hundred, others write, over four hundred, he caused to be burned alive. _Nich. Bertrand de Gest. Tholosan., fol. 27._ The lives of the common people, however, were spared upon certain conditions.
A large fire was made of wood, says Robert Altissiodorensis, and the choice was given to all, either to turn from their errors (so he speaks, after the manner of the papists), or to be burnt alive; whereupon a great number, over four hundred, as stated, were found who were so obstinate in their error (as he calls their true faith) that they would rather be burnt than confess the Roman Catholic faith. _Chronol., page 106._ Also _A. Mell., 2d book, fol. 456, col. 2, 3_.
COMMENCEMENT PROPER OF THE HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS OF THIS CENTURY.
GREAT 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 manifested toward them, is not expressed. _P. J. Twisck, Chron., page 523, col. 1._
Undoubtedly, the Pope then caused to be carried out what he had threatened, A. D. 1198, in his three letters, against the Waldenses and others that were called heretics, namely: That they should be spoiled of their goods, expelled from the country, and the material sword of the princes used against them. In regard to said three letters and threats, see _A. Mell., 2d book, fol. 444, col. 2, 3_, and _fol. 445, col. 1_.
A MAN BURNT ALIVE, AT LONDON, IN ENGLAND, FOR THE FAITH OF THE WALDENSES, A. D. 1210.
In various ancient histories we read, that not only in France and Germany, but also in England, the doctrine of the Albi-Waldenses[169] obtained a foothold, so that in said Island, especially at London, numbers were found, who made this profession, to the great detriment of the Roman religion. On this account, the popish clergy, unable to brook this, became filled with great bitterness against them, so that they, it seems, determined to punish one of them in such an exemplary manner, that it would deter the rest, and cause them to leave the country, or at least, to desist from confessing and speaking otherwise than those of the Roman Catholic church.
[169] Albigenses, says the writer; however they were of the profession of the Waldenses; but because of their origin from the province of Albi, they were called Albigenses.
Thereupon they apprehended one of their number, whose name we have not been able to learn because they, afterwards perhaps, were ashamed of the deed, and in order to give their design some semblance [of justice], they charged him with having reviled the clergy, and that he, consequently, was not fit to live, but deserved to die an ignominious and miserable death. He was accordingly burnt alive, A. D. 1210.
Concerning this, Balaeus writes, from the Chronicle of London: That the Albigenses in England (according to the Papists) reviled the clergy, and that in consequence thereof a man was burnt alive by them, at London, A. D. 1210. _Cent. 3, Script. Britt., in Append. ad Gualterum Horganium, page 258_, compared with _A. Mell. Hist., fol. 455, col. 4_.
P. J. Twisck, having given some account of many Waldensian martyrs at Strasburg, for the year 1210, proceeds thus: “The Chronicle of London states, that also in England a great number, namely, of Waldenses, or, as has been stated, Albigenses, who were of the same faith, were found, and that one of them was burnt at London. _Chron., page 526, col. 1._
NOTE.--P. J. Twisck, after relating said matter concerning the Albigensian martyr, at London, adds: “A. D. 1210. In the city of Narbonne one hundred and thirty persons were put to death by the priests, because they reproved the great abuses and idolatry of the popes. In the same year there were also killed at Paris, in France, twenty-four martyrs and witnesses of the truth, because they would not consent to the false doctrine of antichrist.” _Chron., p. 526_, from _Guil. Merul. Tijdtthresoor, fol. 800. Hist. der Mart. Adri., fol. 39. Chron. Zeg., fol. 299. Henr., Box. fol. 23._
TWENTY-FOUR PERSONS BURNT ALIVE FOR THE BELIEF OF THE WALDENSES, AT PARIS, A. D. 1210.
Christian Massaeus, having noticed the case of a great company of martyrs who, having been found in the castle Minerve, were all burnt alive as heretics, adds this account: “At that time, namely, A. D. 1210, also at Paris, twenty-four who were of the same obstinacy (thus he, after the manner of the papists, calls the steadfastness of these people), were burnt alive.” _Christ. Mass. Chron., lib. 17, A. D. 1210_, compared with the large _Christen Martelarersboeck, edit. 1619, fol. 455, col. 4_.
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 many opprobrious names, yea, titles of the devil, by evil worldly men.
ABOUT ONE HUNDRED PERSONS CALLED WALDENSES, BURNT FOR THE FAITH, AT STRASBURG; THIRTY-NINE AT BINGEN; AND EIGHTEEN AT MENTZ, A. D. 1212.
A. D. 1212, the true doctrine of the Gospel began to manifest itself to a great extent in Alsace, among the Waldenses, who were one people and of the same faith with the Albigenses. But the prince of darkness, unable to endure this great light, exerted every means to extinguish it, so that in said year, in Strasburg alone, about a hundred persons, men as well as women, were burnt alive on the same day, for this confession, by the servants of antichrist, particularly through the bishop of that city.
Concerning this, the papistic writer H. Mutius writes: “A. D. 1212 a heresy arose in Alsace, by which noble and ignoble were led astray. They maintained that it was lawful to eat flesh every day throughout the whole year, and that there is as much excess in the immoderate eating of fish, as of any kind of flesh.” Again: “That they do very wrong who forbid marriage; since God has created all things, and everything may be used in a holy manner, with thanksgiving.”[170]
[170] What the Waldenses held with regard to infant baptism, the mass, and transubstantiation, has been previously shown.
“This, their opinion,” he writes, “they maintained very firmly, and many believed them. Moreover, they did not hesitate (hear how the papists speak), to revile the most holy lord, the Pope, because he prohibited ecclesiastical persons from marrying, and bade them abstain on certain forbidden days from some kinds of food. The Pope of Rome therefore commanded that these people should be made away with and put to death. Hence, about a hundred were burnt together on the same day, by the bishop of Strasburg. _H. Mut., Chron. lib. 19._
Bruschius, in his history of the Monasteries of Germany, relates, that at the same time, thirty-five, or, as others read, thirty-nine persons, inhabitants of Mentz, were brought to Bingen, and there burnt alive for the doctrine of the Waldenses; and at another time, by the same bishop of Mentz, eighteen others for the same confession. Also _A. Mell., 2d book, fol. 457, col. 3_; also _P. J. Twisck, Chron., p. 526, col. 1_, from _Guil. Merulae Tijdt-thresoor, fol. 800_.
CRUEL MODE OF INQUISITION OVER THE DOCTRINE OF THE WALDENSES, OR OF THOSE CALLED HERETICS, A. D. 1214.
In the year 1214, Conrad of Marpurg, a Dominican friar, was appointed by Pope Innocent III., grand inquisitor of the faith over all Germany, and sent by him closely to search out and examine such as were said to have strayed from the faith of the Roman church. This commission he carried out with such cruelty for full nineteen years, that an incredible number of persons, declared heretics by him, were put to death, partly by fire and partly with the sword. Trithemius speaks of the manner of this inquisition, saying: “That this inquisitor, Conrad of Marpurg, used to try the heretics (the true Christians), by giving them a red-hot iron into their hands, and to deliver all those that were burnt by it as heretics unto the secular judge, to be sentenced to the fire.” Hence it came that only very few escaped, but that all who were once accused and brought to him for examination were, without mercy, condemned by him as heretics to be burned.
“There were some,” he writes, “who held that he condemned very many innocent persons, because the red-hot iron, finding none without sin, although they otherwise had never been tainted with any heresy, burned almost every one that took it.” _Trithem. Chron. Hirsaug., A. D. 1214_ and _1215._ Also _A. Mell., 2d book, fol. 459, col. 3_; also _fol. 466, col. 4_.
THE 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 worse.
I cannot forbear here to inform you, though with a terrified and shuddering heart, of what I have found with respect to this matter, in a certain account which has just fallen into my hands, as it were, for this occasion. Marcus Zueris van Boxhorn, author of the _Nederlandtsch Historien_, in his first book, p. 23, printed A. D. 1649, at Leyden, and dedicated to the H. M. Lords States, gives the following account with reference to it:
_The trial by red-hot iron._--If a person charged with holding sentiments contrary to the doctrine of the Roman church, from fear of a cruel death, denied it, the accused was delivered into the hands and custody of a priest, who was to find out the truth. Before making the trial, then commonly called _the ordeal_, they together spent three days ostensibly in fasting and prayer. This done, they went together to the church, where the priest, in his sacerdotal attire, placed himself in front of the altar, upon which he laid a piece of iron, first chanting the song of the three children in the fiery furnace: “Praise the Lord, all his works,” etc., and then pronouncing a blessing over the altar, and the fire in which the iron was to be laid. The iron, while heating on the coals, was repeatedly sprinkled with holy water, and in the mean time mass was read. When the priest took the wafer into his hand, he adjured the accused, praying meanwhile (ostensibly) to God that by his righteousness he would discover the truth of the matter, using among others these words: