A new history of ecclesiastical writers containing an account of the authors of the several books of the Old and New Testament, of the lives and writings of the primitive fathers, an abridgement and catalogue of their works ... also a compendious history of the councils, with chronological tables of the whole / written in French by Lewis Ellies du Pin.

CHAP. VI. (Book 6)

An Account of the Heresies which prevailed in the Twelfth Century.

WE have already observed, that in the beginning of the foregoing Century, there appeared in seve∣ral parts of France, such Hereticks as were accus'd of impious Doctrines, who openly attack∣ed * 1.1 the Sacraments of the Church, and subverted its most sacred Rites and Ceremonies. The Severity with which those who were taken were condemn'd, did not prevent the Sect from spreading further, nor this Doctrine or some such like, from over-running the Kingdom, so that in this Century, a great many Hereticks appeared, whose chief Aim was to divert Men from the receiving of the Sacraments, and to overthrow the Hierarchy and Discipline of the Church.

The first who appeared were Peter of Bruis, and an Hermit nam'd Henry, his Disciple. They first began to broach their Doctrine in Provence, from whence the latter went to Lausune, and afterwards * 1.2 into the Country of Mans. We will give you the Description which the Historian of the Bishops of Mans made of him, in speaking of Hildebert.

About this time there arose in that Country a certain Hypocrite, who for his wicked Actions, for his corrupt Morals, and for his abominable Doctrines, deserv'd the severest Punishments. This Man conceal'd the Rage of a Ravenous Wolf, under the ap∣pearances of an innocent Sheep. His Countenance and Eyes look'd like a ruffled and tempestuous Sea: He was as yet very young: He wore short Hair, his Beard shav'd, was large in stature, but very sorrily cloath'd; walk'd apace, and bare-footed even in the hardest time of Winter; he was pretty Affable, had a strong terrifying Voice, and liv'd in a manner quite different from others. His ordinary Retreats were the Cottages of Peasants; he liv'd all day under Portico's; eat and slept on some Hill or other in the open Air, and had acquir'd a great Reputation of Sanctity. The Women applauded him, cry'd him up for a great Servant of God, and gave out that no person could have a greater Faculty than him of converting the most obdurate Hearts; and that he was endued with the Spirit of Prophecy, to discern the most inward recesses of the Conscience, and the most private Sins. This Fame having rendred him very desirable in the Diocess of Mans. He sent thither two of his Associates and Disciples, who liv'd in the same manner as he did. Those Men arrived at Mans on Ash-Wednesday, where they were received by the People as Angels. In imitation of their Master they carryed Staffs, on the top of which was an Iron Cross, and they wore the Dress of Penitents. Bishop Hildebert was surprized at the Sight, and received them kindly. He just upon his departure for Rome, ordered his Arch-Deacons to give Henry leave to come into his Diocess, and permit him to preach to the People. He was no sooner come, but they flocked from all parts to hear his Sermons, and the Clergy themselves excited the People thereto. He had a Natural Elo∣quence, and a Tone of Voice resembling Thunder. He soon spread his Errors in his Sermons, and stirred up the People against the Clergy, so that a great many Ecclesiasticks were abus'd by them. The Chapter of Mans perceiving this Disorder, wrote to him, and gave him notice by one of the Ca∣nons, that they prohibited him from preaching any more, either in publick or private within their Diocess. The People had like to have kill'd the Canon who brought him this Message, and Henry con∣tinued to preach in the Churches of St. Germain and St. Vincent.

He taught, that the Women who had not liv'd continently, ought to strip themselves, to burn their Hair, and to renounce their worldly Goods, to lead a Life of Poverty, by marrying likewise poor Men. 'Tis easie to guess how much disturbance such a Doctrine put in Practice would raise in the Diocess. Hildebert being returned from Rome, Henry retired into the Castle of Calais, and continued there to vent his Doctrines, and the Peo∣ple still follow'd him, and were so far infatuated, that they would scarce akncowledge their Bishop, or receive his Benediction. The Bishop to undeceive the People, went to Henry, and entring into a Con∣ference with him, ask'd him what profession he was of. He answered him that he was a Deacon. The Bishop asked him whether he had assisted that day at Divine Service? He said no; then reply'd the Bishop, let us say our Matins. Henry declared that he could not say his Office; the Bishop began to re∣cite the Psalms of the Office of the Virgin-Mary; but Henry was still as ignorant as ever, so that being in a Confusion, was forc'd to own that he knew nothing at all, but that he had made it his Study to make Discourses to the People. Hildebert having gain'd the Conquest over him, prohibited him from preaching or staying any longer in his Diocess. Two of his Disciples nam'd Cyprian and Peter, recanted and left him, after they understood that his Life was infamous, and his Doctrine Heretical, as Hilde∣bert informs us in his 78th. Letter. All this happened about the Year 1110.

Whilst Henry preach'd in France, Peter of Bruis continued likewise to publish his Errors in Provence. Peter the Venerable Abbot of Cluny, who has refuted them, makes mention of five. (1.) His denying * 1.3 that Baptism was of any advantage to Infants, and maintaining that only adult Persons ought to be Bap∣tized; a Doctrine which they put in practice by Re-baptizing all those who initiated themselves in∣to their Sect. (2.) His condemning the use of Churches, Temples and Altars, and beating them down. (3.) His rejecting the Worship of Crosses, and breaking them. (4.) His believing that the Mass was useless, and that none are oblig'd to celebrate it. (5.) His Teaching, that Alms and Prayers for the Dead are of no avail, and forbidding to sing the Praises of God. He likewise takes Notice that a

great many accus'd them of wholly rejecting all the Canonical Books of the Old and New Testament, and of not believing either in Jesus Christ, or the Prophets, or the Apostles; but he would not im∣pute the Error to them, which was only attributed to them by common Fame. 'Tis no hard matter to comprehend how much Trouble such a seditious Doctrine must needs raise both in Church and State. In Provence there was nothing else to be seen but Christians Re-baptized, Churches Prophan'd or Destroy'd, Altars pull'd down, and Crosses burnt. The Laws of the Church were publickly viola∣ted, the Priests beaten, abus'd and forc'd to marry, and all the most sacred Ceremonies of the Church abolish'd. These Disorders excited the Zeal of the Bishops of that Country, who with the assistance of the Princes drove out this Heretick, and put a stop to the fury of his Followers. But he went from thence into Languedoc, where he vented the same Errors at Tholouse, and in other Cities, till he was apprehended and burnt alive at St. Giles's in Languedoc.

His Disciple Henry who was likewise returned to Languedoc, after he had been driven out of Mons, * 1.4 preach'd there the same Doctrine, and added thereto several new Errors, so that within a short time, that Country was so infested with those detestable Maxims, that there were to be seen (as St. Bernard says) a great many Churches without People, a great many People without Priests, a great many Priests despised by their People, and a great many Christians without Jesus Christ. The Churches there were be∣come like so many Synagogues; the Sanctuary was divested of its Sanctity; the Sacraments looked upon as prophane things; the Festivals lost their Solemnity; Men dy'd in their Sins, without Absolution, and without receiving the Communion, Baptism was deny'd to Infants; they dirided the Prayer and Sacrifices for the Dead, and the invocation of Saints; the Excommunications of Bishops, the Pilgrimages made for the sake of Devotion, the Consecration of the Holy Chrism and of the Holy Oyls. And in a Word, a general Con∣tempt was cast on all the Ceremonies and Customs of the Church. St. Bernard brought into that Country by Alberic, Cardinal Bishop of Ostia, and Legat of the Holy See; put a stop to those Disorders, and undeceiv'd part of the People by his Preaching and his Miracles. Henry thought of making his escape, but was apprehended and carryed in Chains to Tholouse, and put into the Bishop's Hands. St. Bernard undertook the Journey in the Year 1147.

'Tis very probable that the Hereticks of Perigueux were the Disciples of Peter de Bruis and of Henry. We will give you an account which a Contemporary Monk nam'd Herbert has left us of them * 1.5 in a Letter address'd to all Christians, wherein he admonishes them to beware of of these false Pro∣phets.

There are (says he) in the Country of Perigueux a great many Hereticks, who boast that they lead an Apostolical Life, eat no Flesh, and drink no Wine, unless in a very little quantity, and that from one three days end to another, who fall upon their Knees an hundred times a day, and re∣ceive no Money. Their Sect is very Corrupt and Hyyocritical; they do not say the Gloria Patri, but instead of it say, because yours is the Kingdom, and you have a Power over all Creatures for ever and ever, Amen. They make no account of Alms-giving, because they believe that no Man ought to possess any thing as his own Property. They bear no regard to the Mass, and teach that one ought not to receive the Communion, but only a piece of Bread. If any one of 'em out of Hypocrisie says Mass, he never recites the Canon, nor receives the Communion, but throws the Host besides the Altar, or into the Missal. They do not adore Crosses or Crucifixes, and condemn those of Idola∣try who do them any Honour. This Sect is mightily increased, and not only a great many Persons of Quality leave their Estates to be of their Number, but likewise a great many Ecclesia∣sticks, and a great many Religious of both Sexes follow them. The most stupid and senless among them, within less than eight days time became very expert and fit to teach, and be examplars to the rest. 'Tis a hard matter to take them, for wherever they be apprehended, the Devil helps them out of Prison again. They do work some Miracles, such as filling a Vessel with Wine, by pouring some drops of Water into it. The chief of this Sect is called Pontius.

St. Bernard in his Journey confronted likewise these Hereticks.

About the same time Tancheline vented the same Errors in Flanders. He was a Laick who ventured to * 1.6 preach, and became so proud, that he caus'd extraordinary Respects to be paid him, and he carryed his extravagant Folly so far, that (if we may believe Abaelard in the Case) he caus'd himself to be styled by the People the Son of God; and a Temple to be built in Honour of him. That which is more certain, is that he taught

that the Churches were only places of Prostitution; that the Eucha∣rist which the Priests consecrated signifyed nothing. That the Sacraments were rather Abominati∣ons than sacred things; that the efficacy of the Sacraments depended on the Sanctity of the Mi∣nisters. The Bishop of Tournay established in the Church of St. Michael, a Congregation of twelve Ecclesiasticks to oppose these Errors. This Church was afterwards bestowed on St. Norbert. Tan∣chelino went as far as Rome with a Priest nam'd Evervachier, who was one of his principal Follow∣ers. 'Tis not known what became of him afterwards, but for the Priest he returned to Utrecht;where he made a great many Disciples.

The Bishop of Utrecht sent word thereof to Frederick Arch-Bi∣shop of Cologne, who oppos'd the Heresie in its very Birth, which began to spread it self in his Diocess, as is observ'd in the Letter of the Church of Utrecht to that Arch-Bishop.

In spight of all his endeavours it was established there, and there continued, as we are informed by a Letter of Enervin, Provost of Stemfeld near Cologne written to St. Bernard, wherein he gives him * 1.7 to understand, that within a short time they had discovered several Hereticks near that City, some whereof had abjur'd their Errors; and two others having maintain'd them obstinately, had been burnt by the People. These Hereticks taught, that they were the only Persons among whom the true Church had subsisted, because they alone had follow'd the Example of Jesus Christ, and had possess'd nothing of this Worlds Goods. They forbid the eating of Milk meats, and the Flesh of Beasts. They would not discover what their Sacraments were; however they had own'd that they believe that the Bread and Wine which they did eat every Day was consecrated by the Lord's Prayer, for the nourishment of those who were the Members and the Body of Jesus Christ, that

in this Sense it became the Body of Jesus Christ; that Others had not the true Sacraments but * 1.8 only the Appearance of them, and that they held a false Tradition of men. They admitted of a Baptism by Fire and the Holy Ghost as more Excellent than the Baptism of Water, for which they had no great Esteem. They believ'd that their Elect had a power of Baptizing and Consecrating. They distinguish'd three sorts of Persons among them, Hearers, Believers and the Elect. Lastly they condemn'd Marriage without giving any reason for it.

The same Author likewise takes notice that there were likewise in that Country several other Hereticks different from the former, (who had been even instrumental in discovering them) who deny'd that the Body of Jesus Christ was Consecrated on the Altar, because all the Priests of the Church are not Consecrated, and that the Ministry is corrupted by the secular and prophane lives of the Ecclesiasticks: That therefore they have no other power than to teach and Preach, and that all their Sacraments are Null except the Baptism of Adult persons; for they did not believe that Infants ought to be baptiz'd. They likewise taught that only Marriages contracted between a Man and Maiden were lawful, and that all others were no better than Fornication. They had no trust or Confidence on the Mediation of Saints. They Asserted that Fasts and other Mortifica∣tions were not at all necessary for the Just, no nor for sinners themselves. They styl'd all the Usages of the Church which were not Establish'd by Jesus Christ and the Apostles, Superstitions. They deny'd Purgatory, and maintain'd that the Souls departed immediately went into the Place allotted for them, and by consequence they render'd the Prayers and Sacrifiees of the Church for the Dead Null and Void.

These are the Errors which Enervin attributes to those two Sorts of Hereticks to oppose which he excites the Zeal of Saint Bernard, who at that time in discoursing upon these Words in the Cantieles, Take us the little Foxes, took an occasion from this Text to write against those Modern Hereticks, whom he compares to Foxes. At the First he represents their Morals in the 65th Sermon, wherein he accuses them of Being Proud, Lovers of Novelties; of making no scruple to swear and forswear themselves; of concealing their Mysteries; of ••eading dissolute Lives; of being too familiar with marry'd Women and Maids; of being Cheats and Hypocrites. Afterwards in the 66th Sermon he refutes in particular their Errors about Marriage, Abstaining from Meats, Infant-Baptism, Purga∣tory, Prayers for the Dead, the Efficacy of Sacraments and the like. Lastly he speaks of their false Constancy which made them suffer Death and the greatest Torments: and he reproves several Prin∣ces, and even several Bishops who tolerated those Hereticks by receiving presents from them. Those Sermons of Saint Bernard were written about the year 1140. which serves to fix the Epocha of the time wherein those Hereticks of Cologne first appear'd.

These are the same Hereticks whom sometime after Ekbert Abbot of St. Florin in the Diocess of Treves oppos'd in his Tracts dedicated to Reginald Arch-Bishop of Cologne. He had often had Confe∣rences with them whilst he was Canon in the Church of Bonne, and whereas they were frequently discovered to be in the Diocess of Cologne, he thought himself oblig'd to expose their Errors and refute them. This is what he has done in his six Discourses which are to be met with in the Bibliotheca Pa∣trum. He therein takes notice that those Hereticks in Germany were call'd Cathari, in Flanders Piphri, in France Fisserani, and makes them to be the off-spring of the Manichees. We will now give you an Account of the Errors which he attributes to them and refutes in those Discourses.

They condemn (says he) Marriage, and threaten Damnation to those who dy'd in a marry'd state. Some among them only condemn such Marriages as are contracted between any beside such as have never been marry'd. They eat no flesh because they believe it to be unclean; which is the Reason which they give of it publickly; but in private they say that Flesh is the Devils Creature. They have divers Opinions about Baptism: some of them say that 'tis of no use to Infants: in secret they add that the Baptism with Water is of no avail, for which reason they re-baptize those who enter into their Sect in a particular Way, and assert that 'tis the Baptism of the Holy Ghost and of Fire. They Believe that the Souls of the Departed enter the very day of their Death into a State of Everlasting Happiness or of Everlasting Misery; and do not believe Purgatory: By consequence they reject the Prayers, the Alms, and the Masses for the Dead. If they come to Church, hear Mass, and communicate there, 'tis only for show; for they suppose that the Sacerdotal Order is utterly extinct in the Church and only subsists in their Sect. They do not believe that the Body of Jesus Christ is Consecrated on the Altar, but call their own Flesh the Body of Jesus Christ, and in taking of Food say, that they make the Body of Jesus Christ. I have heard (adds He) from a man who had left their Sect, after he had discover'd the Turpitude and the Errors thereof, that they asserted that Jesus Christ was not born of the Virgin; that he had not real Flesh; that he did not rise again really, but in a Fi∣gure: he believ'd that 'tis for this Reason that they keep not Easter, but have another Festival which they call Bema. Lastly he accuses them also of teaching that the Souls of Men are those Apostate Angels who were turn'd out of Heaven.

This Sect had likewise some Followers in the Diocess of Toul, as we are inform'd by the Letter of * 1.9 Hugh Metellus, a Regular Canon of that Diocess, written to his Bishop Henry, wherein he gives him to understand that in his Diocess there were dangerous men who began to start up, whom one might rather stile Beasts than Men, because they led a Life wholly Brutal: who detest Marriage; abo∣minate Baptism; deride the Sacraments, and Abhor the Name of Christian.

In Italy there were likewise Hereticks of the same Nature, who went under the Name of * 1.10 Cathari. Bona-cursus, who had been formerly one of their Teachers at Milan; has given us a Tract of them after his Conversion, publish'd by Father Luke Dachery in the Thirteenth Tome of his Spicilegium. He therein lays that some of them maintain'd that God created all the Elements: that others say, It was the Devil who created them; but that they all believ'd that it was the Devil who separated and rang'd them in their Order: That they likewise believ'd that it was he who fram'd the Body of Adam out of the Clay of the Earth, and that he therein infus'd an Angel of Light: that he likewise made Eve, and lying with her, begat Cain of her Body: That they assert that the Fruit which Adam was forbidden to Eat, was the Carnal Knowledge of Eve: That they maintain that all the Bodies which are in the Air, on the Earth, and in the Water were made by the Devil: That it was the Devil who appear'd to the Patriarchs, and who is the God of the Old Testament whom they reject: That they likewise condemn St. John Baptist: That they Teach that Jesus Christ had not a Body animated with a Soul, and that he neither drank, or Eat, or did any other humane Action really, but only in appearance: That they did not believe either his descent into Hell, or his Resur∣rection, or his Ascension: That they do not believe him to be Equal to the Father: That they affirm that the Cross is the Character of the Beast: That Saint Silvester is Antichrist: that ever since the Pontificate of that Pope the Church had been extinct; and that no person could be say'd in a Marry'd State: That they condemn the Holy Fathers: That they forbid the Ea∣ting of Flesh, Eggs, Milk and every thing else that proceeds from Animals: That they do not believe that the holy Spirit is conferr'd by the Baptism of Water; nor that the Visible Sub∣stance of the Bread and Wine is ••hang'd into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ; and that they ass••rt that all those who swear shall be damn'd: That they say that no man can be sav'd but by Imposition of Hands, which they Stile Baptism: That they assert that the Sun is the Devil that the Moon is Eve, who ••y together as Man and Wife once a Month: That all the Stars are Daemons; and Lastly that no man can be sav'd, unless ••e be of their Sect.

The same Author speaks of other He••••e••icks whom he calls Passagians, who Taught that one * 1.11 ought to observe the Law of M••ses even in the Literal Sense; and that the Sabbath, Circumci∣sion, and the other Ceremonial practices of the Law ought to be still in force: That Jesus Christ was not equal to his Father: That the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost were distinct Substances.

Lastly he speaks of the Arnoldists, the Disciples of Arnold Native of Bresse, who went * 1.12 from Italy into France, where he was the Scholar of Peter Abaelard. Upon his Return to his own Country he took upon him the Habit of a Monk, and his head was full of this thought, that neither the Pope nor the Clergy ought to hold any Demeans. Upon this Footing he set him∣self to preach, that the Clerks who held any Demeans, as their own Property, the Bishops who w••re possess'd of Royalties, and the Monks who enjoy'd any Lands could not be sav'd; that all those things appertain'd to Princes. Beside this, he taught the same Errors as other Hereticks, about Infant Baptism and the Sacrament of the Altar. He was forc'd out of Italy by Pope Inno∣cent II. and ob••ig'd to retire into Switzerland. After that Pope's Death he return'd into Italy and went directly to Rome, where he stirr'd up a Sedition against Pope Eugenius III. and after∣wards against Adrian IV. who interdicted the People of Rome till such time as they had drove out that Heretick and his Followers. This Menace had its Effect; the Romans siez'd upon the strong Houses which those Hereticks kept in, and forc'd them to retire to Otricoli in Tusca••y, where they were kindly receiv'd by the People, who look'd upon Arnold as a Prophet. However he was apprehended sometime after by Cardinal Gerard, and in spight of the En∣deavours of the Vicounts of Campania, was brought to Rome, and condemn'd by the Gover∣nor of that City to be ty'd to a stake and burnt to Ashes, for fear the People should pay any Ho∣nour to his Relicks.

Thirty of those Hereticks cross'd over from France into England about the year 1160. where they would likewise willingly have sown the same Doctrine. But they were apprehend∣ed and exterminated, and communicated that Error only to one Woman, who recanted. The Author which makes mention of this takes notice that they were call'd Poblicans or Publicans. William of Malmsbury the Historian, who did not live much after this time, says that those Hereticks being examin'd; an••wer'd pretty well about the Nature of the Hea∣venly Physician, namely Jesus Christ; but that when they were told of the Remedies which he has left us, namely the Sacraments, they then reply'd very ill, and declar'd that they condemned Baptism, the Eucharist, and Marriage; and that they despis'd the Catholick Unity.

All that we have hitherto related concerning the Hereticks of the Twelfth Century is taken out of Cotemporary Authors, and shews that two sorts of Errors were predominant at that Time; One sort common to all those Hereticks, and others were Peculiar. Their Common Errors regarded the Sacraments, the Practices of the Church, and the Hierarchical Order, against which they had all conspir'd. The particular Errors were such as had some relation to Manichaeism, to Arianism, and other Impieties into which many had been led by a strange sort of Blindness. * 1.13

These Hereticks were condemn'd in several Councils. The first which pass'd a Law against them was that of Tolouse in the Year 1119. held in the presence of Calixtus II. the third Canon whereof runs thus. We Cond••mn and turn out of the Church of God as Hereticks those who under pretence of Religion reject the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, Infant Baptism, Priesthood, Holy-Orders, and Lawful M•…•…ages. We enjoyn that they be suppress'd by

the Secular Powers. We subject their Defenders under the same Commendation, if they do not repent. This Canon was repeated in the same Words and confirm'd in the second general Lateran Council held under Innocent II. in the year 1139. in the 23d Canon.

Those who went into England were convicted and Condemn'd in an Assembly of Bishops held at Oxford in the Reign of Henry II. King of England in the year 1160. This Prince or∣der'd * 1.14 them to be branded with a Red hot Iron in their Cheek, to be whip'd publickly, to be driven out of the City half-naked, and left them to be starv'd to Death.

The Council of Tours held in the year 1163. enjoyns that for the suppressing of that Heresy which spread it self in Gascogne and in other Provinces, all those should be Anathematiz'd who held any Correspondence with those Hereticks: That the Princes should confiscate their Goods, and prevent their Meeting.

In the year 1176. A Solemn Sentence was pass'd in a synod held at Lombez against several of those Hereticks; going then under the Name of Bons hommes, who had been apprehended by the Inhabitants of that City. The Judges pitch'd upon by both Parties were Girald Bishop of Albi, Gaucelin of Lodeba, the Abbot of Castro, and three other Abbots, and Judgment was passed in the presence of Pontius Arch-Bishop of Narbonne, Arnulphus Bishop of Nismes, the Arch-Bishop of Tolouse, the Bishop of Agda, several Abbots and Superiors of Monasteries who assisted at the Synod. The Bishop of Lodeba by the Order of the Bishop of Albi, interrogated those Bons hommes, and in the first place ask'd them, whether they receiv'd the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Books of the Old and New Testament. They reply'd that they did not receive the Law of Moses, nor the Prophets nor the Psalms, nor any part of the Old Te∣stament; but only the Gospels, the Epistles of Saint Paul, the Seven Canonical Epistles, the Acts of the Apostles and the Apocalypse. In the Second place he demanded of them an Ex∣planation of their Faith: They return'd him Answer that they would not explain it unless they were constrain'd to do it. The third Question was about Infant-Baptism: They reply'd that they had nothing to say on that head. The Fourth Question was about the Eucharist, where and by whom it was Consecrated, who were the persons who receiv'd it, and whether it were better Consecrated by a Good than by a Wicked Priest. They return'd him Answer that those who receiv'd it unworthily should be damned, but withall averr'd that it might be Consecrated by any good man, whether Priest or Laick. The Fifth was about Marriage. They declar'd that they had nothing else to reply to that than what Saint Paul has said, viz. That a Man and Wo∣man are joyn'd together to avoid Incontinence and Fornication. The Sixth Question was whether Repentance at the hour of Death could save any man; and whether one was oblig'd to confess ones Sins to the Priests, or whether one might confess them to Laicks. They reply'd that the Sick might confess them to whom they pleas'd: As to others they were not willing to deter∣mine any thing, because the Apostle Saint James speaks only of the Sick. Then they were ask'd whether Contrition and Confession alone were sufficient to obtain Remission of Sins, without thinking it necessary to make Satisfaction, to observe Penances, Fasts, Almsgiving, and other Austerities. They reply'd that the Apostle Saint James had order'd nothing else beside Confession as necessary to Salvation. They declar'd likewise without being ask'd, that they believ'd that one ought not to take an Oath: That all those who were ordain'd without having the Qualifications prescrib'd by Saint Paul for Bishops, were Wolves and Devourers, to whom no Obedience ought to be paid. Those Errors were refuted by Pontius Arch-Bishop of Narbonne, by Arnulphus Bishop of Nismes, and by two Abbots, which serv'd only as Testimonies of the New Testa∣ment. Afterwards the Judges declar'd these Bons hommes Heretical, condemn'd Oliver, and his Followers, and all who were of the same Opinion with the Hereticks of Lombez, and authoriz'd their Judgment by several Passages out of the Holy Scripture, oppos'd to the Errors which we have been relating. This Sentence was pronounc'd by the Bishop of Lodeba. Those Hereticks protested against it, by saying that the Bishop who had pronounc'd it was an Heretick, an Hy∣pocrite, their Enemy, their Persecutor, and that they were ready to demonstrate by the Testimony of the Gospel and the Apostles, that neither he nor any of the Bishops were Pastors, but Mer∣cenaries and Hirelings. The Bishop reply'd upon them that his Sentence was Juridical, and that he was ready to demonstrate in the Court of Pope Alexandor, in the Court of Lewis King of France, and in that of the Count of Tolouse or of the Countess his present Wise, and of the Lord Trencavelle who was likewise there present, That those whom they had condemn'd were Here∣ticks. Upon this they being thus convinc'd turn'd about to the People, and declar'd that they would make a Profession of their Faith out of Charity, and for the Honour of the Assistants. The Bishop bid them observe that they did not say for the Honor of God, but for the Honor of the Assi∣stants. They made profession of all the Articles of the Creed, and added that they acknow∣ledg'd that they ought to confess with their Mouth the Faith which they conceiv'd in their Hearts: That they believ'd that no person was sav'd, unless he receiv'd the Body of Jesus Christ, which is not preserv'd but in the true Church; that none else beside Priests had Power of Conse∣crating it; and that the Bad consecrated it as well as the Good; that no Body could be sav'd without Baptism, and that Infants are sav'd by this Sacrament; That Men and Women may be sav'd thô in a Married State: That every one ought to receive with Heart and Mouth Re∣pentance from the Priest, and to be baptiz'd into the Church; and that Lastly they were ready to acknowlege all that could be demonstrated to them by the Authority of the Evangelists and the Epistles of the Apostles: The Bishop urg'd them to swear that they would keep to the Doc∣trine, and to declare whether they ever had any other Opinions. They reply'd that they could not swear, because the Gospel had prohibited all Oaths. The Bishop determin'd that they ought

to swear, if they would be credited, and prov'd by several Instances taken out of the New Testa∣ment, that Oaths were not absolutely forbidden. They reply'd that the Bishop of Albi had pro∣mis'd them that they should not be oblig'd to swear at all. The Bishop of Albi deny'd that he had made them any such promise, and confirm'd the Sentence pronounc'd by the Bishop of Lodeba, which was sign'd by all the Assistants.

Some time after this there appear'd a great many of those Hereticks in Tolouse: The Pope's Legate went thither in the year 1178. attended by several Bishops. They constrain'd them to * 1.15 submit to publick Penance, raz'd the Forts wherein they met, Excommunicated and Banish'd those Hereticks who retir'd into Albigensis, where they were secure. For Roger Count of Albi Countenanc'd and made use of them in detaining the Bishop of his City Prisoner. From this time forward they went under the Common Title of Albigenses. There were a great Number of them not only in that Country, but likewise in all Languedoc and Gascogne. There were likewise Ban∣diti in those Provinces without Law or Gospel, who ran about the Countrey, ravag'd, pillag'd and Massacred all without Distinction of Estate, Age or Sex; and in an especial manner Assaulted Churches and Monasteries; some of them were call'd Barbancons, others Arragonists, Navarrists and Bascani; others Cotteraux and Triverdini. The General Council of the Lateran held in the * 1.16 year 1179. Excommunicated all of them, prohibited the Interring them in holy Ground exhorted the Catholick Princes to wage War against them, to confiscate their Goods, and to make them slaves; granted to those who took up Arms against them proportionable to their Services and ac∣cording to the Discretion of the Bishops, Excommunicated those who gave them any protection, suffered them in their Territories or had any Commerce with them.

That Council says that the Hereticks of Albi were call'd Cathari, Patarini, Publicans, and went under a great many other Names: which shews that they were descended from the Here∣ticks who appear'd in the Beginning of this Century, and were so call'd. The Publicans or Poblicans held a great many Castles in Gascogne. In the year 1181. Henry Abbot of Clairvaux Bishop of Albi being in the Quality of Legate, rais'd a great many Troops, and went to give them a Visit. To divert this storm they pretended to Abjure their Errors; but the danger once past they follow'd their old Course of Life again.

This Infection spread it it self in several Provinces on each side the Loire. One of those false * 1.17 Apostles nam'd Terrick, who lay a long time conceal'd in a Grott at Corbigny in the Diocess of Nevers, was taken and burnt. Several others suffer'd the same Punishment in other parts, parti∣cularly two old Women in the City of Troyes, to one of whom 'tis said that this Terrick gave the name of Church, and to the other the name of Saint Mary, that so when his followers were exa∣min'd; they might swear by Saint Mary that they held no other Faith than that of the Holy Church.

These Publicans were likewise condemn'd in the Council held at Sens in the year 1198. which * 1.18 depos'd the Abbot of Saint Martin's of Nevers, and suspended the Dean of the Church of that City, accus'd of that Heresy, and referr'd them to the Holy See.

There was in the same Century a Visionary who was presented to Pope Eugenius III. at the * 1.19 opening of the Council of Rheims. He was a Gentleman of Bretagne nam'd Eon de l' Etoile, who was so Ignorant, that having heard it sung in the Church: Per Eum qui venturus est judicare vivos & Mortuos, he imagin'd and asserted that it was he who was to Judge the Quick and the Dead. He was follow'd as a great Prophet: sometimes walk'd with a great train of People at his heels, sometimes liv'd in Solitude, and afterwards appear'd in greater splendor than before. Tis said that he was a Magician and that to draw the Mob after him he made great Entertain∣ments, but that they were meer Illusions, and that the Victuals which were cat at his Table, and the Presents which he made bewitch'd mens minds. The Arch-Bishop of Rheims having appre∣hended him, presented him to his Holiness, and the Council. His Answers were so full of Frensy and Enthusiasm, that they look'd upon him as a Fool, and shut him up in a close Prison, where he dy'd soon after. A great many of his Disciples a great deal more sensless than himself, chose rather to be burnt than to renounce him.

These were the Heretical Sects which appear'd in the Twelfth Century, and were so full of Extravagant Errors. If we enquire into the Causes of the Amazing Progress which they made in so short a time, we shall find that the Relaxation of Church Discipline, the Avarice and Co∣vetousness of Ecclesiasticks, the Common Abuse which was made of the Sacraments, the Credu∣lity and Ignorance of the People, the pretended Virtues of those new Preachers, and the Desire of Reformation contributed very much to the spreading of those Upstart Opinions.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Here∣ticks of the Twelfth Century.
• * 1.2

  An account of the He∣retick Henry.
• * 1.3

  The Errors of Peter of Bruis.
• * 1.4

  The Pub∣lication of the Errors of Henry and of Peter of Bruis.
• * 1.5

  The Here∣ticks of Pe∣rigueux.
• * 1.6

  The Here∣sie of Tan∣cheline.
• * 1.7

  The Here∣ticks of Co∣logne.
• * 1.8

  The Here∣ticks of the 12th Century.
• * 1.9

  The Here∣ticks of Toul.
• * 1.10

  The Here∣ticks of Italy call'd Cathuri.
• * 1.11

  The Passa∣gians.
• * 1.12

  The Heresy of Arnold of Bresse.
• * 1.13

  The Con∣demnation of the He∣reticks in the Council of Toulouse in the year 1119.
• * 1.14

  The Con∣demnation of the same in the synod of Oxford. Their Con∣demnation in the Council of Tours. The Council of Lambez to the He∣reticks.
• * 1.15

  The Here∣ticks con∣dem'd at Toulouse.
• * 1.16

  The Con∣demnation of the Al∣bigenses in the Late∣ran Council A. D. 1179.
• * 1.17

  The Heresy of Terrick.
• * 1.18

  The Publi∣cans.
• * 1.19

  The Errors Eon de l' Etoile.