Chapter 4 : The Waldenses

Amid the gloom that settled upon the earth during the long

period of papal supremacy, the light of truth could not be wholly

extinguished. In every age there were witnesses for God,—men who

cherished faith in Christ as the only mediator between God and man,

who held the Bible as the only rule of life, and who hallowed the

true Sabbath. How much the world owes to these men, posterity will

never know. They were branded as heretics, their motives impugned,

their characters maligned, their writings suppressed, misrepresented,

or mutilated. Yet they stood firm, and from age to age maintained

their faith in its purity, as a sacred heritage for the generations to

come.

The history of God’s people during the ages of darkness that

followed upon Rome’s supremacy, is written in Heaven. But they

have little place in human records. Few traces of their existence

can be found, except in the accusations of their persecutors. It

was the policy of Rome to obliterate every trace of dissent from

her doctrines or decrees. Everything heretical, whether persons or

writings, was destroyed. A single expression of doubt, a question

as to the authority of papal dogmas, was enough to forfeit the life

of rich or poor, high or low. Rome endeavored also to destroy every

record of her cruelty toward dissenters. Papal councils decreed that

books and writings containing such records should be committed

to the flames. Before the invention of printing, books were few in

number, and in a form not favorable for preservation; therefore there

was little to prevent the Romanists from carrying out their purpose.

No church within the limits of Romish jurisdiction was long [62]

left undisturbed in the enjoyment of freedom of conscience. No

sooner had the papacy obtained power than she stretched out her

arms to crush all that refused to acknowledge her sway; and one

after another, the churches submitted to her dominion.

In Great Britain, primitive Christianity had very early taken root.

The gospel received by the Britons in the first centuries, was then

uncorrupted by Romish apostasy. Persecution from pagan emperors,

which extended even to these far-off shores, was the only gift that

the first churches of Britain received from Rome. Many of the

Christians, fleeing from persecution in England, found refuge in

Scotland; thence the truth was carried to Ireland, and in all these

countries it was received with gladness.

When the Saxons invaded Britain, heathenism gained control.

The conquerors disdained to be instructed by their slaves, and the

Christians were forced to retreat to the mountains and the wild

moors. Yet the light, hidden for a time, continued to burn. In

Scotland, a century later, it shone out with a brightness that extended

to far-distant lands. From Ireland came the pious Columba and his

colaborers, who, gathering about them the scattered believers on the

lonely island of Iona, made this the center of their missionary labors.

Among these evangelists was an observer of the Bible Sabbath, and

thus this truth was introduced among the people. A school was

established at Iona, from which missionaries went out, not only to

Scotland and England, but to Germany, Switzerland, and even Italy.

But Rome had fixed her eyes on Britain, and resolved to bring it

under her supremacy. In the sixth century her missionaries undertook

the conversion of the heathen Saxons. They were received with favor

by the proud barbarians, and they induced many thousands to profess

the Romish faith. As the work progressed, the papal leaders and their

[63] converts encountered the primitive Christians. A striking contrast

was presented. The latter were simple, humble, and scriptural in

character, doctrine, and manners, while the former manifested the

superstition, pomp, and arrogance of popery. The emissary of Rome

demanded that these Christian churches acknowledge the supremacy

of the sovereign pontiff. The Britons meekly replied that they desired

to love all men, but that the pope was not entitled to supremacy in

the church, and they could render to him only that submission which

was due to every follower of Christ. Repeated attempts were made

to secure their allegiance to Rome; but these humble Christians,

amazed at the pride displayed by her emissaries, steadfastly replied

that they knew no other master than Christ. Now the true spirit of

the papacy was revealed. Said the Romish leader, “If you will not

receive brethren who bring you peace, you shall receive enemies

who will bring you war. If you will not unite with us in showing the

Saxons the way of life, you shall receive from them the stroke of

death.” These were no idle threats. 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 enthroned in the world’s

great capital, was the true church of Christ, the guardian of the

treasures of truth which God has committed to his people to be given

to the world.

Among the leading causes that had led to the separation of the

true church from Rome, was the hatred of the latter toward the Bible

Sabbath. As foretold by prophecy, the papal power cast down the

truth to the ground. The law of God was trampled in the dust, while

[65] the traditions and customs of men were exalted. The churches that

were under the rule of the papacy were early compelled to honor the

Sunday as a holy day. Amid the prevailing error and superstition,

many, even of the true people of God, became so bewildered that

while they observed the Sabbath they refrained from labor also on the

Sunday. But this did not satisfy the papal leaders. They demanded

not only that Sunday be hallowed, but that the Sabbath be profaned;

and they denounced in the strongest language those who dared to

show it honor. It was only by fleeing from the power of Rome that

any could obey God’s law in peace.

The Waldenses were the first of all the peoples of Europe to

obtain a translation of the Holy Scriptures. Hundreds of years before

the Reformation, they possessed the Bible in manuscript in their

native tongue. They had the truth unadulterated, and this rendered

them the special objects of hatred and persecution. They declared

the Church of Rome to be the apostate Babylon of the Apocalypse,

and at the peril of their lives they stood up to resist her corruptions.

While, under the pressure of long-continued persecution, some compromised

their faith, little by little yielding its distinctive principles,

others held fast the truth. Through ages of darkness and apostasy,

there were Waldenses who denied the supremacy of Rome, who

rejected image worship as idolatry, and who kept the true Sabbath.

Under the fiercest tempests of opposition they maintained their faith.

Though gashed by the Savoyard spear, and scorched by the Romish

fagot, they stood unflinchingly for God’s Word and his honor.

Behind the lofty bulwarks of the mountains,—in all ages the

refuge of the persecuted and oppressed,—the Waldenses found a

hiding-place. Here the light of truth was kept burning amid the

darkness of the Middle Ages. Here, for a thousand years, witnesses

for the truth maintained the ancient faith.

God had provided for his people a sanctuary of awful grandeur, [66]

befitting the mighty truths committed to their trust. To those faithful

exiles the mountains were an emblem of the immutable righteousness

of Jehovah. They pointed their children to the heights towering

above them in unchanging majesty, and spoke to them of Him with

whom there is no variableness nor shadow of turning, whose word

is as enduring as the everlasting hills. God had set fast the mountains,

and girded them with strength; no arm but that of infinite

power could move them out of their place. In like manner he had

established his law, the foundation of his government in Heaven and

upon earth. The arm of man might reach his fellow-men and destroy

their lives; but that arm could as readily uproot the mountains from

their foundations, and hurl them into the sea, as it could change one

precept of the law of Jehovah, or blot out one of his promises to

those who do his will. In their fidelity to his law, God’s servants

should be as firm as the unchanging hills.

The mountains that girded their lowly valleys were a constant

witness to God’s creative power, and a never-failing assurance of his

protecting care. Those pilgrims learned to love the silent symbols

of Jehovah’s presence. They indulged no repining because of the

hardships of their lot; they were never lonely amid the mountain solitudes.

They thanked God that he had provided for them an asylum

from the wrath and cruelty of men. They rejoiced in their freedom

to worship before him. Often when pursued by their enemies, the

strength of the hills proved a sure defense. From many a lofty cliff

they chanted the praise of God, and the armies of Rome could not

silence their songs of thanksgiving.

Pure, simple, and fervent was the piety of these followers of

Christ. The principles of truth they valued above houses and lands,

friends, kindred, even life itself. These principles they earnestly

sought to impress upon the hearts of the young. From earliest

childhood the youth were instructed in the Scriptures, and taught to [67]

sacredly regard the claims of the law of God. Copies of the Bible

were rare; therefore its precious words were committed to memory.

Many were able to repeat large portions of both the Old and the New

56 The Great Controversy 1888

Testament. Thoughts of God were associated alike with the sublime

scenery of nature and with the humble blessings of daily life. Little

children learned to look with gratitude to God as the giver of every

favor and every comfort.

Parents, tender and affectionate as they were, loved their children

too wisely to accustom them to self-indulgence. Before them was

a life of trial and hardship, perhaps a martyr’s death. They were

educated from childhood to endure hardness, to submit to control,

and yet to think and act for themselves. Very early they were taught

to bear responsibilities, to be guarded in speech, and to understand

the wisdom of silence. One indiscreet word let fall in the hearing of

their enemies, might imperil not only the life of the speaker, but the

lives of hundreds of his brethren; for as wolves hunting their prey

did the enemies of truth pursue those who dared to claim freedom

of religious faith.

The Waldenses had sacrificed their worldly prosperity for the

truth’s sake, and with persevering patience they toiled for their bread.

Every spot of tillable land among the mountains was carefully improved;

the valleys and the less fertile hillsides were made to yield

their increase. Economy and severe self-denial formed a part of the

education which the children received as their only legacy. They

were taught that God designs life to be a discipline, and that their

wants could be supplied only by personal labor, by forethought,

care, and faith. The process was laborious and wearisome, but it

was wholesome, just what man needs in his fallen state, the school

which God has provided for his training and development.

While the youth were inured to toil and hardship, the culture of

the intellect was not neglected. They were taught that all their powers

belonged to God, and that all were to be improved and developed

for his service.

[68] The Vaudois churches, in their purity and simplicity, resembled

the church of apostolic times. Rejecting the supremacy of pope

and prelate, they held the Bible as the only supreme, infallible

authority. Their pastors, unlike the lordly priests of Rome, followed

the example of their Master, who “came not to be ministered unto,

but to minister.” They fed the flock of God, leading them to the

green pastures and living fountains of his holy Word. Far from the

monuments of human pomp and pride, the people assembled, not in

magnificent churches or grand cathedrals, but beneath the shadow of

the mountains, in the Alpine valleys, or, in time of danger, in some

rocky stronghold, to listen to the words of truth from the servants of

Christ. The pastors not only preached the gospel, but they visited the

sick, catechized the children, admonished the erring, and labored to

settle disputes and promote harmony and brotherly love. In times of

peace they were sustained by the free-will offerings of the people;

but, like Paul the tent-maker, each learned some trade or profession

by which, if necessary, to provide for his own support.

From their pastors the youth received instruction. While attention

was given to branches of general learning, the Bible was made

the chief study. The Gospels of Matthew and John they committed

to memory, with many of the Epistles. They were employed also

in copying the Scriptures. Some manuscripts contained the whole

Bible, others only brief selections, to which some simple explanations

of the text were added by those who were able to expound the

Scriptures. Thus were brought forth the treasures of truth so long

concealed by those who sought to exalt themselves above God.

By patient, untiring labor, sometimes in the deep, dark caverns of

the earth, by the light of torches, the sacred Scriptures were written

out, verse by verse, chapter by chapter. Thus the work went on, the

revealed will of God shining out like pure gold; how much brighter,

clearer, and more powerful because of the trials undergone for its [69]

sake, only those could realize who were engaged in the work. Angels

from Heaven surrounded these faithful workers.

Satan had urged on the papal priests and prelates to bury theWord

of truth beneath the rubbish of error, heresy, and superstition, but in

a most wonderful manner it was preserved uncorrupted through all

the ages of darkness. It bore not the stamp of man, but the impress of

God. Men have been unwearied in their efforts to obscure the plain,

simple meaning of the Scriptures, and to make them contradict their

own testimony; but, like the ark upon the billowy deep, the Word

of God outrides the storms that threaten it with destruction. As the

mine has rich veins of gold and silver hidden beneath the surface,

so that all must dig who would discover its precious stores, so the

Holy Scriptures have treasures of truth that are revealed only to the

earnest, humble, prayerful seeker. God designed the Bible to be

a lesson-book to all mankind, in childhood, youth, and manhood,

and to be studied through all time. He gave his Word to men as a

revelation of himself. Every new truth discerned is a fresh disclosure

of the character of its Author. The study of the Scriptures is the

means divinely ordained to bring men into closer connection with

their Creator, and to give them a clearer knowledge of his will. It is

the medium of communication between God and man.

While the Waldenses regarded the fear of the Lord as the beginning

of wisdom, they were not blind to the importance of a contact

with the world, a knowledge of men and of active life, in expanding

the mind and quickening the perceptions. From their schools in the

mountains some of the youth were sent to institutions of learning

in the cities of France or Italy, where was a more extended field

for study, thought, and observation that in their native Alps. The

youth thus sent forth were exposed to temptation, they witnessed

[70] vice, they encountered Satan’s wily agents, who urged upon them

the most subtle heresies and the most dangerous deceptions. But

their education from childhood had been of a character to prepare

them for all this.

In the schools whither they went, they were not to make confidants

of any. Their garments were so prepared as to conceal

their greatest treasure,—the precious manuscripts of the Scriptures.

These, the fruit of months and years of toil, they carried with them,

and, whenever they could do so without exciting suspicion, they

cautiously placed some portion in the way of those whose hearts

seemed open to receive the truth. From their mother’s knee the

Waldensian youth had been trained with this purpose in view; they

understood their work, and faithfully performed it. Converts to the

true faith were won in these institutions of learning, and frequently

its principles were found to be permeating the entire school; yet the

papist leaders could not, by the closest inquiry, trace the so-called

corrupting heresy to its source.

The spirit of Christ is a missionary spirit. The very first impulse

of the renewed heart is to bring others also to the Saviour. Such

was the spirit of the Vaudois Christians. They felt that God required

more of them than merely to preserve the truth in its purity in their

own churches; that a solemn responsibility rested upon them to let

their light shine forth to those who were in darkness; by the mighty

power of God’s Word they sought to break the bondage which Rome

had imposed. The Vaudois ministers were trained as missionaries,

every one who expected to enter the ministry being required first to

gain an experience as an evangelist. Each was to serve three years in

some mission field before taking charge of a church at home. This

service, requiring at the outset self-denial and sacrifice, was a fitting

introduction to the pastor’s life in those times that tried men’s souls.

The youth who received ordination to the sacred office saw before

them, not the prospect of earthly wealth and glory, but a life of toil

and danger, and possibly a martyr’s fate. The missionaries went out [71]

two and two, as Jesus sent forth his disciples. With every young man

was usually associated a man of age and experience, the youth being

under the guidance of his companion, who was held responsible for

his training, and whose instruction he was required to heed. These

co-laborers were not always together, but often met for prayer and

counsel, thus strengthening each other in the faith.

To have made known the object of their mission would have

insured its defeat; therefore they carefully concealed their real character.

Every minister possessed a knowledge of some trade or profession,

and the missionaries prosecuted their work under cover of

a secular calling. Usually they chose that of merchant or peddler.

They dealt in choice and costly articles, such as silks, laces, and

jewels, which in those times could not be readily procured, and

thus they found entrance where they would otherwise have been

repulsed. All the while their hearts were uplifted to God for wisdom

to present a treasure more precious than gold or gems. They secretly

carried about with them copies of the Bible, in whole or in part, and

whenever an opportunity was presented, they called the attention

of their customers to these manuscripts. Often an interest to read

God’s Word was thus awakened, and some portion was gladly left

with those who desired to receive it.

The work of these missionaries began in the plains and valleys

at the foot of their own mountains, but it extended far beyond these

limits. With naked feet and in garments coarse and travel-stained

as were those of their Master, they passed through great cities, and

penetrated to distant lands. Everywhere they scattered the precious

seed. Churches sprung up in their path, and the blood of martyrs

witnessed for the truth. The day of God will reveal a rich harvest

of souls garnered by the labors of these faithful men. Veiled and

silent, the Word of God was making its way through Christendom,

and meeting a glad reception in the homes and hearts of men.

[72] To the Waldenses the Scriptures were not merely a record of

God’s dealings with men in the past, and a revelation of the responsibilities

and duties of the present, but an unfolding of the perils and

glories of the future. They believed that the end of all things was

not far distant; and as they studied the Bible with prayer and tears,

they were the more deeply impressed with its precious utterances,

and with their duty to make known to others its saving truths. They

saw the plan of salvation clearly revealed in the sacred pages, and

they found comfort, hope, and peace in believing in Jesus. As the

light illuminated their understanding and made glad their hearts, they

longed to shed its beams upon those who were in the darkness of

papal error.

They saw that under the guidance of pope and priests, multitudes

were vainly endeavoring to obtain pardon by afflicting their bodies

for the sin of their souls. Taught to trust to their good works to save

them, they were ever looking to themselves, their minds dwelling

upon their sinful condition, seeing themselves exposed to the wrath

of God, afflicting soul and body, yet finding no relief. Thus conscientious

souls were bound by the doctrines of Rome. Thousands

abandoned friends and kindred, and spent their lives in convent cells.

By oft-repeated fasts and cruel scourgings, by midnight vigils, by

prostration for weary hours upon the cold, damp stones of their

dreary abode, by long pilgrimages, by humiliating penance and fearful

torture, thousands vainly sought to obtain peace of conscience.

Oppressed with a sense of sin, and haunted with the fear of God’s

avenging wrath, many suffered on, until exhausted nature gave way,

and without one ray of light or hope, they sank into the tomb.

The Waldenses longed to break to these starving souls the bread

of life, to open to them the messages of peace in the promises of

God, and to point them to Christ as their only hope of salvation.

The doctrine that good works can atone for the transgression of

[73] God’s law, they held to be based upon falsehood. Reliance upon

human merit intercepts the view of Christ’s infinite love. Jesus died

as a sacrifice for man because the fallen race can do nothing to

recommend themselves to God. The merits of a crucified and risen

Saviour are the foundation of the Christian’s faith. The dependence

of the soul upon Christ is as real, and its connection with him must

be as close, as that of a limb to the body, or of a branch to the vine.

The teachings of popes and priests had led men to look upon the

character of God, and even of Christ, as stern, gloomy, and forbidding.

The Saviour was represented as so far devoid of all sympathy

with man in his fallen state that the mediation of priests and saints

must be invoked. Those whose minds had been enlightened by the

Word of God longed to point these souls to Jesus as their compassionate,

loving Saviour, standing with outstretched arms inviting all

to come to him with their burden of sin, their care and weariness.

They longed to clear away the obstructions which Satan had piled

up that men might not see the promises, and come directly to God,

confessing their sins, and obtaining pardon and peace.

Eagerly did the Vaudois missionary unfold to the inquiring mind

the precious truths of the gospel. Cautiously he produced the carefully

written portions of the Holy Scriptures. It was his greatest joy

to give hope to the conscientious, sin-stricken soul, who could see

only a God of vengeance, waiting to execute justice. With quivering

lip and tearful eye did he, often on bended knees, open to his

brethren the precious promises that reveal the sinner’s only hope.

Thus the light of truth penetrated many a darkened mind, rolling

back the cloud of gloom, until the Sun of Righteousness shone into

the heart with healing in his beams. It was often the case that some

portion of Scripture was read again and again, the hearer desiring it

to be repeated, as if he would assure himself that he had heard aright.

Especially was the repetition of these words eagerly desired: “The [74]

blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” [1 John 1:7.]

“As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the

Son of man be lifted up, that whosoever believeth in him should not

perish, but have eternal life.” [John 3:14, 15.]

Many were undeceived in regard to the claims of Rome. They

saw how vain is the mediation of men or angels in behalf of the

sinner. As the true light dawned upon their minds, they exclaimed

with rejoicing, “Christ is my priest; his blood is my sacrifice; his

altar is my confessional.” They cast themselves wholly upon the

merits of Jesus, repeating the words, “Without faith it is impossible

to please him.” [Hebrews 11:6.] “There is none other name under

heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” [Acts 4:12.]

The assurance of a Saviour’s love seemed too much for some of

these poor tempest-tossed souls to realize. So great was the relief

which it brought, such a flood of light was shed upon them, that they

seemed transported to Heaven. Their hand was laid confidingly in

the hand of Christ; their feet were planted upon the Rock of Ages.

All fear of death was banished. They could now covet the prison and

the fagot if they might thereby honor the name of their Redeemer.

In secret places the Word of God was thus brought forth and

read, sometimes to a single soul, sometimes to a little company who

were longing for light and truth. Often the entire night was spent in

this manner. So great would be the wonder and admiration of the

listeners that the messenger of mercy was not infrequently compelled

to cease his reading until the understanding could grasp the tidings

of salvation. Often would words like these be uttered: “Will God

indeed accept my offering? Will he smile upon me? Will he pardon

me?” The answer was read, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and

are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” [Matthew 11:28.]

[75] Faith grasped the promise, and the glad response was heard, “No

more long pilgrimages to make; no more painful journeys to holy

shrines. I may come to Jesus just as I am, sinful and unholy, and

he will not spurn the penitential prayer. ‘Thy sins be forgiven thee.’

Mine, even mine, may be forgiven!”

A tide of sacred joy would fill the heart, and the name of Jesus

would be magnified by praise and thanksgiving. Those happy souls

returned to their homes to diffuse light, to repeat to others, as well

as they could, their new experience; that they had found the true and

living Way. There was a strange and solemn power in the words of

Scripture that spoke directly to the hearts of those who were longing

for the truth. It was the voice of God, and it carried conviction to

those who heard.

The messenger of truth went on his way; but his appearance

of humility, his sincerity, his earnestness and deep fervor, were

subjects of frequent remark. In many instances his hearers had not

asked him whence he came, or whither he went. They had been so

overwhelmed, at first with surprise, and afterward with gratitude and

joy, that they had not thought to question him. When they had urged

him to accompany them to their homes, he had replied that he must

visit the lost sheep of the flock. Could he have been an angel from

Heaven? they queried.

In many cases the messenger of truth was seen no more. He had

made his way to other lands, he was wearing out his life in some

unknown dungeon, or perhaps his bones were whitening on the spot

where he had witnessed for the truth. But the words he had left

behind could not be destroyed. They were doing their work in the

hearts of men; the blessed results will be fully known only in the

Judgment.

The Waldensian missionaries were invading the kingdom of

Satan, and the powers of darkness aroused to greater vigilance.

Every effort to advance the truth was watched by the prince of evil,

and he excited the fears of his agents. The papal leaders saw a [76]

portent of danger to their cause from the labors of these humble

itinerants. If the light of truth were allowed to shine unobstructed,

it would sweep away the heavy clouds of error that enveloped the

people; it would direct the minds of men to God alone, and would

eventually destroy the supremacy of Rome.

The very existence of this people, holding the faith of the ancient

church, was a constant testimony to Rome’s apostasy, and therefore

excited the most bitter hatred and persecution. Their refusal to

surrender the Scriptures was also an offense that Rome could not

tolerate. She determined to blot them from the earth. Now began the

most terrible crusades against God’s people in their mountain homes.

Inquisitors were put upon their track, and the scene of innocent Abel

falling before the murderous Cain was often repeated.

Again and again were their fertile lands laid waste, their

dwellings and chapels swept away, so that where once were flourishing

fields and the homes of an innocent, industrious people, there

remained only a desert. As the ravenous beast is rendered more

furious by the taste of blood, so the rage of the papists was kindled

to greater intensity by the sufferings of their victims. Many of

these witnesses for a pure faith were pursued across the mountains,

and hunted down in the valleys where they were hidden, shut in by

mighty forests, and pinnacles of rock.

No charge could be brought against the moral character of this

proscribed class. Even their enemies declared them to be a peaceable,

quiet, pious people. Their grand offense was that they would not

64 The Great Controversy 1888

worship God according to the will of the pope. For this crime, every

humiliation, insult, and torture that men or devils could invent was

heaped upon them.

When Rome at one time determined to exterminate the hated

sect, a bull was issued by the pope [Innocent VIII., A. D. 1487.]

condemning them as heretics, and delivering them to slaughter.

[77] They were not accused as idlers, or dishonest, or disorderly; but it

was declared that they had an appearance of piety and sanctity that

seduced “the sheep of the true fold.” Therefore the pope ordered

“that the malicious and abominable sect of malignants,” if they refuse

to abjure, “be crushed like venomous snakes.” 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

which 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 the 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.”

This document clearly reveals the masterspirit 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

Christ, and that slew the apostles, the same that moved the bloodthirsty

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-fear- [78]

ing 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 the 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 broad and deep in the days of Luther,

and is to be carried forward to the close of time by those who also

are willing to suffer all things for “the Word of God, and for the

testimony of Jesus Christ.” [Revelation 1:9.]