Chapter LV: Conclusion: Of the Matters Here Related (29)

NOTE.--The Bohemian brethren must here not be understood to mean the Hussites, to whom the name of Bohemian brethren was also given; unless it be said that the Waldenses had separated from them.

But that notwithstanding this opinion of Mellinus, many Waldenses still remained scattered and persecuted in Germany and France, as well as elsewhere, who, unchanged in faith and worship, endeavored steadfastly to serve their Savior according to the rule of Christ and his holy apostles, appears from various other authors. Yea, Mellinus, as though he had forgotten himself, writes that A. D. 1475, in the bishopric of Eichstaedt, in Germany, a great number of Christians were discovered and apprehended, who professed the doctrine of the Waldenses. _Second book, fol. 590, col. 4._ Yea, that even sixty-nine years afterwards, namely A. D. 1544, the Waldenses of Merindol and Cabriere delivered a confession of faith, at Paris in the parliament, to the King of France, in defense of their innocence. Same book, _fol. 446, col. 1, 2_, etc.

Moreover, that said confession does not militate against, but well agrees with, that of the Anabaptists, may be found in the same place.

NOTE.--_A. D. 1472._--J. Guitode,... now greatly reproved the Papal haughtiness and idolatry; the running of pilgrims after images, and miracles invented by avarice. He undisguisedly said that they were viceregents, not of Christ, but of antichrist; yea, that they were possessed with the presumptuousness and pride of lucifer. _Chron. van den Ondergang, page 852_, from _Catal. Test. Verit., 883._

_A. D. 1481._--It is stated that in this year King Matthias, on the solicitation of some evil-disposed persons, issued a decree against the Moravians or Moravian brethren. Large Book of _Christian Martyrs, fol. 597, col. 2, from Joach Camer. Narr. Hist. Boh., page 118_.

These Moravian brethren are called Old Waldenses by Jacob Mehrning, who also shows that various excellent and learned men reckoned among the Anabaptists proceeded from them. His words are: “From among these Bohemian and Moravian Old Waldenses afterwards several excellent men proceeded; as, among others, Hans Koch and Leonhard Meister, who were both put to death at Augsburg, A. D. 1527. Also, the very learned Michael Sattler, who ministered to his church, A. D. 1527, at Horb, in Germany. Also, Leonhard Keyser, who, in the year 1529, was martyred in Bavaria; to whom, while in prison, Dr. Luther addressed letters of consolation, although he (Keyser) did not agree with Luther in regard to infant baptism.” _Bapt. Hist., 2d part, page 748._