# The Views Of The Ancient Waldenses Against The Swearing Of Oaths.

12th century (source section) · Historical source

Source: Martyrs’ Mirror. Original heading: THE VIEWS OF THE ANCIENT WALDENSES AGAINST THE SWEARING OF OATHS.

Century of containing source section; exact event date not assigned

In regard to this point the Waldenses were of the
same opinion with us, teaching that the fathers of the
Old Testament were permitted, when necessity required
it, to swear an oath, in or by the name of the
Lord; but that for Christians it is quite unlawful,
according to the teaching of our Savior, who says:
“Ye have heard that it hath been said by them of
old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt
perform unto the Lord thine oaths: but I say unto
you, Swear not at all.” Matt. 5:33,34.

In the first book of the first part of the History of
the Waldenses, written by Jean Paul Perrin Lionnoys,
and translated by J. M. V., chap. 3, page 6,
col. 1, the following point, among others, is adduced
as an accusation against the Waldenses: “The sixth
(tenet) which they (the Waldenses) maintained, was,
that men should not swear on any account.” From
Albert de Capit. and Reiner. Also, P. J. Twisck,
Chron., page 534, col. 2, page 535, col. 1.

How the compiler of these things seeks to explain
said matter, we here pass over, as this is not the
proper place to speak of it. But when necessary, we
shall consider it our duty to give an account of it.

Far more pertinent and important, however, is
that which is recorded in Bapt. Hist., page 624,
where it is stated that in regard to the swearing of
oaths they believed thus: “Art. 9. That every oath
is a mortal sin; saying: Swear not at all; but let
your communication be, Yea, that is yea; Nay, that
is nay.” Extracted from an old book of parchment,
ascribed to Reinerius. Also, A. Mell., 2d book, fol.
432, col. 4.

In the articles ascribed by G. Prateolus and G. Reginaldus
to the Waldenses, as having constituted
their faith, mention is made of their views in regard
to the swearing of oaths, concerning which, the
eighteenth article contains the following: “They
(the Waldenses) say that all manner of swearing is
unlawful for Christians, so that it is nowhere lawful
to swear, not even before the judge, when he constrains
one thereto, to testify to the truth.” A. Mell.,
2d book, fol. 434, col. 1. Elench. Haeres. Calv.
Turcism., lib. 2, cap. 5.

It is true, Mellinus, after the manner of the Calvinists,
of whom he was a leader, endeavors to explain,
as it were, this article of the Waldenses, as
though thereby they did not prohibit all swearing
of oaths, but only frivolous swearing. His words are
these: “The eighteenth article has reference only to
unjust and perjurious swearing, as said author owns,
(he means the author who charges them with those
articles) saying: ‘The occasion which led them into
this belief, was the fact that they so often and continually
heard the people swear for trifling reasons,
and because thereby one easily falls into perjury.’ ”

But hear what he further says, as he adds a jeering
comparison, saying, “That the heretics, who never
swear, are like the devil, of whom we do not read
that he ever swore.” Page 434, col. 3.

I pray thee, beloved reader, see now, by what
author Mellinus seeks to establish his case. It is
true, he first quotes this author when presenting the
articles of the Waldenses, and this for the reason
that the latter has presented them in such a manner
that they in every part militate against the Roman
church; but now, seeing that said author has presented
the article respecting the swearing of oaths
(in which the Waldenses deny all swearing) in such
a way that it militates against the Calvinistic church,
he begins, in order to make the matter doubtful,
and to deprive the Waldenses of the article relative
to non-swearing, to quote from said author again,
and this, in mocking and impious language.

But, becoming more discreet, he commences to
extol that which is expressed in the eighteenth article,
272
relative to the swearing of the Waldenses,
above the manner of the papists, saying: “But they
(the Waldenses) who have learned from Christ, ‘Let
your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay; for
whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil’
(Matt. 5:37), will judge, that the papists, among
whom the practice of daily swearing so frivolously
is in vogue, are more like that Evil One, that is, the
devil, than the Waldenses, who guarding against
lying and swearing, and in their daily conversation,
are wont to say only, Yea, yea; Nay, nay; as this
same writer acknowledges in regard to them. They
guard against back-biting, foul words, lying, and
swearing, and, as another inquisitor has said: They
are prudent in their words, avoid all lying and
swearing; also, they teach to avoid all lying, back-biting,
and swearing.” A. Mell., 2d book, fol. 434,
col. 3, from Frehed. Hist. Bohem., page 232.

With these and like passages from the preceding
authors, Mellinus has sought to embellish the Waldenses,
to indicate, that they were pious, upright
and moral people; but in the mean time he forgot
himself, not once thinking that thereby he abundantly
establishes that which in other places he endeavors
to refute, namely, that the Waldenses rejected
all swearing of oaths.

Here we see how excellent truth is, that it cannot
remain hid, but is brought to light even by its opponents,
either unintentionally or otherwise. I should
here leave this subject, but as Mellinus has helped
me on the way to show him his perverted zeal, I
find it necessary to enter more deeply into the matter.
This good, but perversely zealous man, having
put all his arguments aside, plainly relates, from an
old papistic work of three hundred years ago, that
the Waldenses believed all oaths to be mortal sins;
yea, that they considered him who would compel
another to swear, worse than a murderer.
A. Mell. 2d book, fol. 432, col. 4, from Illyrie. Catal.,
lib. 15, Tit. Waldens. See also, Conferedit. Freher.
in Hist. Bohem. and Gretser. Sweluc. Tudens.

Of such and similar passages the writers who present
the views of the Waldenses, are full to overflowing,
so that it is as clear as the sun, that these
people rejected the swearing of oaths and everything
that resembles it, even to the saying of the
word, Verily, or Certainly, etc.; of which the aforesaid
writer also makes mention, saying: “They (the
Waldenses) do not say to one another, Verily, Certainly,
or the like.”156 Fol. 432, col. 4.

All this was done from fear of swearing in any
wise, because the Lord had so expressly said, “Swear
not at all.” Matt. 5:34; hence, they avoided all
manners which bore any resemblance to the swearing
of oaths.

But, lest any should think that the Albigenses,
who were one people with the Waldenses (though
others distinguish between them), differed from
them in their views, belief, and practice as regards
this point, let him read what is noted in the Martyrs
Mirror, edition of 1631, page 51, col. 2; where it is
stated, from Baronius, for A. D. 1178, num. 3, 4:
“That many of the Albigenses, from fear of severe
punishment, feigned return to the Roman church;
but when an oath was demanded of them, they refused
to swear; hence they were pronounced heretics
and solemnly, with burning tapers, excommunicated,
with an injunction to all Catholics, to shun
them; and to all (Romanistic) princes, to expel them
from their dominions.





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