# The Confessions Of The Waldenses, Or Their Own Creeds.

12th century (source section) · Historical source

Source: Martyrs’ Mirror. Original heading: THE CONFESSIONS OF THE WALDENSES, OR THEIR OWN CREEDS.

Century of containing source section; exact event date not assigned

Since the Waldenses were very ancient, and were
spread over very many parts of the world, it came
that they, from time to time were compelled, by the
demand of those with and among whom they lived,
to give an account of their faith; hence it is, that
different creeds of the Waldenses were made and
are still extant. However, it is not our intention, to
relate them all, but simply to present to you one or
two, which have been celebrated from ancient times,
and are judged to be of the best.

Jean Paul Perrin Lionnoys, in his History of the
Waldenses, translated from the French into Dutch,
by J. M. V., first part, first book, page 43, makes
mention of a certain confession of the Waldenses,
in which they speak of various matters of faith,
particularly of the holy Scriptures. It reads thus:

Article I. We believe and hold fast all that is
contained in the twelve articles of the Apostolic
Creed; and regard as error all that differs therefrom,
and does not agree with said twelve articles.

Article II. We believe that there is one God,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

Article III. We confess and hold as holy canonical
Scriptures, the books of the Holy Bible, namely
these: The five books of Moses, called Genesis,
Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. The
books of Joshua, Judges, Ruth. The historical
books, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings,
1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther.
The didactic books, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes,
The Song of Solomon. The greater prophesies
of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel. The
lesser prophets, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah,
Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai,
Zechariah, Malachi.

Then follow the books of the Apocrypha, which
were not received by the Hebrews; hence we read
them, as Jerome says, in the preface to the Proverbs,
for the edification of the people, but not for the purpose
of confirming church doctrines. They are:
1 Esdras, 2 Esdras, Tobit, Judith, Wisdom; Ecclesiasticus,
or Jesus Sirach; Baruch, with the letter of
Jeremiah; the additions to the book of Esther, from
the tenth chapter to the end; the Song of the Three
Men in the Fiery Furnace; the History of Susanna;
of the Dragon at Babel; the three books of the
Maccabees.

Then follow the books of the New Testament.
The Gospels, by Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. The
Acts of the Apostles. The epistles of Paul, Romans,
1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians,
Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians,
1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon,
Hebrews, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John. (How
it comes that 3 John is not mentioned, we do not
know). The epistle of Jude, the Revelation of John.

Article IV. The aforementioned books teach
this: That there is one God, who is omnipotent, all-wise,
and alone good, who has created all things
according to his goodness; for he created Adam
after his image and likeness; but that, through the
envy of the devil and the disobedience of Adam,
sin came into the world, and that we are sinners in
and through Adam.

Article V. That Christ was promised to the
fathers, who received the law, that by it they might
know their sin, unrighteousness and unfitness, and
long for the coming of Christ; to which end he
atoned for sin and himself fulfilled the law.

274

Article VI. That Christ was born at the time
appointed by his Father; namely, when all manner
of wickedness abounded; and this not for the good
works’ sake, for they were all sinners; but to show
us grace and mercy, as being the true and faithful
one.

Article VII. That Christ is our Way, Truth,
Peace, Righteousness, Shepherd, Advocate, Sacrifice,
and High Priest; who died for the salvation of
them that believe, and was raised for our justification.

Article VIII. And, consequently, we maintain,
that there is no other mediator and advocate with
God the Father, than Jesus Christ. But as regards
the virgin Mary, we hold, that she was holy, humble,
and full of grace; likewise we believe of all the
other saints, that they . . . wait for the resurrection
of their bodies in the day of judgment.

Article IX. We believe that after this life there
are but two places; the one for the blessed, the
other for the damned; and utterly deny purgatory,
which is a dream and invention of antichrist against
truth.

Article X. We have likewise always believed,
that all human inventions are an unspeakable abomination
before God; such as feast days, vigils of the
saints, the so-called holy water, abstaining from
flesh on certain days, and like things, especially
masses.

Article XI. We abhor all human inventions, as
proceeding from antichrist, and which carry with
them destruction, and prevent the freedom of the
spirit.

Article XII. We believe that the sacraments are
signs of holy things, or visible representations of
invisible grace; and deem it well, that believers
should from time to time use these visible signs or
representations, when it is possible for them to do
so; nevertheless, we also believe and hold, that said
believers can be saved, though they do not receive
these signs; that is, when they have no place or
opportunity where to receive or use them.

Article XIII. We have never confessed that
there is any other sacrament than baptism and the
Supper.

Article XIV. We must honor the secular authorities
with subjection, obedience, willingness, and
taxes.

The above fourteen articles are extracted from
the book called by the Waldenses, “The Spiritual
Almanac,” and from the “Memoirs of George
Morel.” Also, “Hist. of the Waldens.,” 1st part,
1st book, cap. 12, pages 43–48.

As regards said articles, they are wholesome and
good, if observed in simplicity; hence we will leave
them and proceed to another confession, of said
Waldenses and Albigenses, drawn up by those of
Merindol and Cabriere, and sent to the King of
France. The same was publicly read, as A. Mellinus
informs us, in the King’s Parliament at Paris, and
its contents are, word for word, as follows.





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