Many Pious Christians Throughout France And England, Cast Alive Into The Fire, And Burnt, For Maintaining Their Orthodox Belief, A. D. 1182.

William of Armorica and Roger of Hovedon state that at this time, namely, about the year 1182, in various places throughout the entire kingdom of France, very many Waldenses or Albigenses were burnt under the name of Publicans.

Concerning this, the aforesaid William writes in his history of Philip, King of France as follows: “All the opposers of our faith, commonly called Publicans, having been compelled to come forth from their hiding-places, were brought before the court, and, upon the law being applied to them, convicted of heresy, and, hence, were cast into the fire and burnt alive.” Philippidos, lib. 1.

Roger of Hovedon adds, for the end of the year 1182, that the King of England, Henry II., notwithstanding there were very many of these Publicans, that is, Waldenses or orthodox Christians, in his land, he would in no wise tolerate them, but commanded that they should likewise everywhere be burnt, as in France.163 Annal. part 2, at the close of the year 1182.

As to the belief of the Waldenses and Albigenses, who were also called Publicans by their enemies, it has already, in their own confession, been shown not to militate against the confession of the Anabaptists; as we have said once for all, and to which we here again call attention.