Matchlesse crueltie declared at large in the ensuing history of the Waldenses apparently manifesting unto the world the horrible persecutions which they have suffered by the papists, for the space of four hundred and fifty years : wherein is related their original and beginning, their piety and purity in religion, both for doctrine and discipline : likewise hereunto is added an exact narrative of the late bloody and barbarous massacres, murders and other unheard of cruelties committed on many thousands of the Protestants dwelling in the valleys of Piedmont, &c. by the Duke of Savoy's forces, joyned with the French army and several bloody Irish regiments / published by command of His Highness the Lord Protector.

CHAP. XIII.

Another Confession of the faith of the Waldenses.

WE beleeue that there is one onely God, [Art. 1] who is a Spirit, the Creator of all things, the Father of all, who is aboue all, and in vs all, who is to be adored in spirit and truth, vpon whom onely we waite, and to whom we giue all glorie for our life, our nourishment, clothing, health, sicknesse, prosperitie, aduersitie: we loue him as the author of all goodnesse, we feare him as knowing our hearts.

[Art. 2] We beleeue that Iesus Christ is the Sonne and image of his father; that in him dwels the fulnesse of the diui∣nitie; by whom we know the Father, who is our media∣tour and aduocate, and there is no other name vnder heauen giuen vnto men by which we can be saued; in whose name onely we call vpon the Father, and vse no o∣ther prayers but those that are contained in the holy Scriptures, or agreeing vnto them in substance.

We beleeue that the holy Ghost is our Comforter, [Art. 3] proceeding from the Father and the Sonne, by whose in∣spiration we make our prayers, being renewed by him, who doth all good works in vs, and by him we haue knowledge of all truth.

We beleeue that there is one holy Church, [Art. 4] which is the congregation of all the elect and faithfull, which haue bene from the beginning of the world, and shall be vnto the end, whereof our Lord Iesus Christ is the head: the which Church is gouerned by his word, and guided by the holy Ghost, in which all good Christians ought to remaine: for it prayeth without ceassing for all, and the

word thereof is agreeable vnto God, without which no man can be saued.

[Art. 5] We hold that the Ministers of the Church ought to be irreprehensible both in life and doctrine, otherwise they are to be deposed from their office, and other to be substituted in their place. And that no man ought to pre∣sume to vndertake this honourable calling, but onely he which is called of God as Aaron, nourishing the flocke of Christ, not for dishonest gaine, or as hauing any supe∣rioritie ouer the Clergie, but as being an example to the slocke, in word, in conuersation, in charitie, in faith, and in chastitie.

We confesse that Kings, [Art. 6] Princes, and Gouernours are ordained and established Ministers of God, to whom we are to obey. For they carrie the sword for the defence of innocents and the punishment of malefactors; and for this cause are we bound to do them honour, and to pay tribute. From which power and authoritie no man can exempt himselfe, as may appeare be the example of our Lord Iesus Christ, who refused not to pay tribute, not challenging any iutisdiction of temporall power.

We beleeue, [Art. 7] that in the Sacrament of Baptisme the water is the visible and externall signe, which representeth vnto vs that which by the power and vertue of God in∣uisible, so working, is within vs, that is to say, renoua∣tion of the spirit, and mortification of our members in Ie∣sus Christ, by which we are also receiued into the holy congregation of the people of God, protesting and de∣claring before it our faith and change of life.

[Art. 8] We hold the holy Sacrament of the table or Supper of our Lord Iesus Christ, to be a holy remembrance and thanksgiuing for the benefits which we haue recei∣ued by his death and passion, which is to be receiued in

faith and charitie, examining our selues, that so we may eate of that bread and drinke of that cup, as it is written in the holy Scripture.

We confesse, that mariage is good and honourable, [Art. 9] holy and instituted of God, which ought to be forbidden to none, if there be no impediment by the word of God.

We confesse that they that feare God, [Art. 10] seeke the things that please him, doing good workes, the which he hath prepared to the end we should walke in them, which are charitie, ioy, peace, patience, benignitie, goodnesse, mild∣nesse, sobrictie, and other workes contained in the holy Scriptures.

On the contrary, [Art. 11] we confesse that we are to take heed of false teachers, whose end is to call the people from the true worship of God, and to rest themselues vpon crea∣tures, putting their confidence in them, as also to per∣swade the people to leaue those good duties that are con∣tained in the holy Scriptures, and to do those that are in∣uented by men.

[Art. 12] We hold the old and new Testament for the rule of our faith, & we agree to the generall Confession of faith, with those articles contained in the Symbole of the Apo∣stles, which doth thus begin, I beleeue in God the Father Almightie, &c.

And for as much as the Pastors of the Waldenses taught their people the Athanasian Creed in the Waldensian language, we haue taken it out of their bookes, word by word as they pronounced it in old time.

Notes

• Taken out of the booke of Charles du Mou∣lin de la Mon. des François. p. 65.