The Waldensian Faith

The Waldenses took the Bible as their only rule of faith, abhorred the idolatry of the papacy, and the main body rejected its traditions and holidays, but kept the seventh-day Sabbath, and used the apostolic mode of baptism. (See “Ancient Churches of Piedmont,” by P. Allix, pp. 152-260) Their old catechism shows that they believed in justification by faith in the grace of Christ alone, and that obedience to the Ten Commandments was the sure fruit of living faith:FAFA 121.4

“Q.— By what means do we hope for grace? A.— By the Mediator Jesus Christ....FAFA 121.5

“Q.— What is a living faith? A.— That which worketh by charity. Q.— What is a dead faith? A.— According to St. James, that faith which is without works, is dead...FAFA 121.6

“Q.— By what means canst thou know that thou believest in God? A.— By this: because I know that I have given myself to the observation of the commandments of God. Q.— How many commandments of God are there? A.— Ten, as it appeareth in Exodus and Deuteronomy.... Q.— Upon what do all these commandments depend? A.— Upon the two great commandments, that is to say: Thou shalt love God above all things, and thy neighbor as thyself.” — “Waldenses,” Perrin, Part III, Book I, pp. 1-10. (1624 A. D.) “The Glorious Recovery by the Vaudois,” Henri Arnaud, pp. xcvi, xcvii, cv. London: 1827.FAFA 121.7

Dr. Peter Allix quotes the following from a Roman Catholic author: “They say that blessed Pope Sylvester was the Antichrist, of whom mention is made in the Epistles of St. Paul, as being the son of perdition, who extols himself above everything that is called God; for, from that time, they say, the Church perished” ...FAFA 122.1

“He lays it down also as one of their opinions; ‘That the Law of Moses is to be kept according to the letter, and that the keeping of the Sabbath, circumcision, and other legal observances, ought to take place.’ ” — “Ancient Churches of Piedmont.” p. 169 (page 154, edition of 1690). Oxford: 1821.FAFA 122.2

In regard to the accusation that the Waldenses practiced circumcision, Mr. Benedict truthfully says:FAFA 122.3

“The account of their practicing circumcision is undoubtedly a slanderous story, forged by their enemies, and probably arose in this way: because they observed the seventh day they were called, by way of derision, Jews, as the Sabbatarians are frequently at this day, and if they were Jews, it followed, of course, that they either did, or ought to, circumcise their followers.” — “General History of the Baptist Denomination,” Vol. II, p. 414, edition of 1813.

That this was exactly the way this slander was fastened on Sabbath keepers, we can see from the “Epistle” written against them by Pope Gregory 1 (A. D. 590-604), in which he says:FAFA 122.4

“It has come to my ears that certain men of perverse spirit have sown among you some things that are wrong and opposed to the holy faith, so as to forbid any work being done on the Sabbath day....FAFA 122.5

“For, if any one says that this about the Sabbath is to be kept, he must needs say that carnal sacrifices are to be offered: he must say, too, that the commandment about the circumcision of the body is still to be retained.” — “Nicene and Post Nicene Fathers” (Second Series), Vol. XIII, Book 13, epist. 1, p. 92. New York: 1898.FAFA 123.1

Going back to Judaism was considered by the Roman Catholic Church as one of the most serious heresies, punishable with death. And any one at all familiar with the tactics of Romanists knows that it has been a practice, only too common among them, to blacken the character of those whom they would destroy, so as to justify their destruction. Dr. Peter Allix says:FAFA 123.2

“It is no great sin with the Church of Rome to spread lies concerning those that are enemies of the faith.... There is nothing more common with the Romish party, than to make use of the most horrid calumnies to blacken and expose those who have renounced her communion.... Calumny is a trade the Romish party is perfectly well versed in.” — “Ancient Church of Piedmont,” pp.224, 225. (Pages 205,206 in edition of.1690.)FAFA 123.3

William Jones says:FAFA 123.4

“Louis XII, King of France, being informed by the enemies of the Waldenses, inhabiting a part of the province of Province, that several heinous crimes were laid to their account, sent the Master of Requests, and a certain doctor of the Sorbonne, who was confessor to his majesty, to make inquiry into this matter. On their return, they reported that they had visited all the parishes where they dwelt, had inspected their places of worship, but that they had found there no images, nor signs of the ornaments belonging to the mass, nor any of the ceremonies of the Romish church; much less could they discover any traces of those crimes with which they were charged. On the contrary, they kept the Sabbath day, observed the ordinance of baptism, according to the primitive church, instructed their children in the articles of the Christian faith, and the commandments of God. The King having heard the report of his commissioners, said with an oath that they were better men than himself or his people.” — “History of the Christian Church,” Vol. 2, pp. 71, 72, third edition. London: 1818.