Waldenses
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War, intrigue, and deception were employed against these witnesses
for a Bible faith, until the churches of Britain were destroyed, or forced
to submit to the authority of the pope.
In lands beyond the jurisdiction of Rome, there existed for many
centuries bodies of Christians who remained almost wholly free from
papal corruption. They were surrounded by heathenism, and in the
lapse of ages were affected by its errors; but they continued to regard
the Bible as the only rule of faith, and adhered to many of its truths.
These Christians believed in the perpetuity of the law of God, and
observed the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. Churches that held
to this faith and practice, existed in Central Africa and among the
Armenians of Asia.
But of those who resisted the encroachments of the papal power,
the Waldenses stood foremost. In the very land where popery had
fixed its seat, there its falsehood and corruption were most steadfastly
resisted. For centuries the churches of Piedmont maintained their
[64]
independence; but the time came at last when Rome insisted upon
their submission. After ineffectual struggles against her tyranny, the
leaders of these churches reluctantly acknowledged the supremacy of
the power to which the whole world seemed to pay homage. There
were some, however, who refused to yield to the authority of pope or
prelate. They were determined to maintain their allegiance to God,
and to preserve the purity and simplicity of their faith. A separation
took place. Those who adhered to the ancient faith now withdrew;
some, forsaking their native Alps, raised the banner of truth in foreign
lands; others retreated to the secluded glens and rocky fastnesses of
the mountains, and there preserved their freedom to worship God.
The faith which for many centuries was held and taught by the
Waldensian Christians was in marked contrast to the false doctrines
put forth from Rome. Their religious belief was founded upon the
written word of God, the true system of Christianity. But those humble
peasants, in their obscure retreats, shut away from the world, and bound
to daily toil among their flocks and their vineyards, had not themselves
arrived at the truth in opposition to the dogmas and heresies of the
apostate church. Theirs was not a faith newly received. Their religious
belief was their inheritance from their fathers. They contended for the
faith of the apostolic church,—“the faith which was once delivered to
the saints.” “The church in the wilderness,” and not the proud hierarchy