Waldenses
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an appearance of piety and sanctity that seduced “the sheep of the true
fold.” Therefore the pope ordered “that malicious and abominable sect
of malignants,” if they “refuse to abjure, to be crushed like venomous
snakes.”—Wylie, b. 16, ch. 1. Did this haughty potentate expect to
meet those words again? Did he know that they were registered in the
books of heaven, to confront him at the judgment? “Inasmuch as ye
have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren,” said Jesus,
“ye have done it unto Me.”
Matthew 25:40
.
This bull called upon all members of the church to join the crusade
against the heretics. As an incentive to engage in this cruel work,
it “absolved from all ecclesiastical pains and penalties, general and
particular; it released all who joined the crusade from any oaths they
might have taken; it legitimatized their title to any property they might
have illegally acquired; and promised remission of all their sins to such
as should kill any heretic. It annulled all contracts made in favor of
Vaudois, ordered their domestics to abandon them, forbade all persons
to give them any aid whatever, and empowered all persons to take
possession of their property.”—Wylie, b. 16, ch. 1. This document
clearly reveals the master spirit behind the scenes. It is the roar of the
dragon, and not the voice of Christ, that is heard therein.
The papal leaders would not conform their characters to the great
standard of God’s law, but erected a standard to suit themselves, and
determined to compel all to conform to this because Rome willed it.
The most horrible tragedies were enacted. Corrupt and blasphemous
priests and popes were doing the work which Satan appointed them.
Mercy had no place in their natures. The same spirit that crucified
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Christ and slew the apostles, the same that moved the blood-thirsty
Nero against the faithful in his day, was at work to rid the earth of
those who were beloved of God.
The persecutions visited for many centuries upon this God-fearing
people were endured by them with a patience and constancy that
honored their Redeemer. Notwithstanding the crusades against them,
and the inhuman butchery to which they were subjected, they continued
to send out their missionaries to scatter the precious truth. They were
hunted to death; yet their blood watered the seed sown, and it failed
not of yielding fruit. Thus the Waldenses witnessed for God centuries
before the birth of Luther. Scattered over many lands, they planted
the seeds of the Reformation that began in the time of Wycliffe, grew