“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. They hold also that Christ
the Son of God is not equal with the Father, and that the
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, these three persons, are not one
God and one substance; and as a surplus to these their errors,
they judge and condemn all the doctors of the church, and
universally the whole Roman church. Now since they endeavor
to defend this their error by testimonies drawn from the New
Testament and prophets, I shall with [the] assistance of the
grace of Christ stop their mouths, as David did Goliah’s, with
their own sword.’”[908]
Dr. Allix quotes another Romish author to the same effect:—
“Alanus attributes to the Cathari almost the very same opinions
[as those just enumerated] in his first book against heretics,
which he wrote about the year 1192.”[909]
Mr. Elliott mentions an incident concerning the Cathari, which is in
harmony with what these historians assert respecting their observance of
the seventh day. He says:—
“In this year [A. D. 1163] certain heretics of the sect of the
Cathari, coming from the parts of Flanders to Cologne, took
up their abode secretly in a barn near the city. But, as _on
the Lord’s day_ they did not go to church, they were seized
by the neighbors, and detected. On their being brought before
the Catholic church, when, after long examination respecting
their sect, they would be convinced by no evidence however
convincing, but most pertinaciously persisted in their doctrine
and resolution, they were cast out from the church, and
delivered into the hands of laics. These, leading them without
the city committed them to the flames: being four men and one
little girl.”[910]
These statements are made respecting three classes of Christian people
who lived during the Dark Ages: The Cathari, or Puritans, the Arnoldistæ,
and the Passaginians. Their views are presented in the uncandid language
of their enemies. But the testimony of ancient Catholic historians is
decisive that they were observers of the seventh day. The charge that
they observed circumcision also, will be noticed presently. Mr. Robinson
understands that the Passaginians were that portion of the Waldenses who
lived in the passes of the mountains. He says:—
“It is very credible that the name Passageros or Passagini ...
was given to such of them as lived in or near the passes or
passages of the mountains, and who subsisted in part by guiding
travelers or by traveling themselves for trade.”[911]
Mr. Elliott says of the _name_ Passagini:—
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account