# Very Many Christians Called Waldenses, Put To Death At EichstæDt, In Germany, A. D. 1457.

1457 · Historical source

Source: Martyrs’ Mirror. Original heading: VERY MANY CHRISTIANS CALLED WALDENSES, PUT TO DEATH AT EICHSTÆDT, IN GERMANY, A. D. 1457.

Source heading; not independently verified

After the church of God in Germany had enjoyed
peace for a season, so that she, as it appears, began
to grow, flourish, and increase, the thorns of persecution
immediately arose over her; inasmuch as
in the year 1457, particularly in the bishopric of
Eichstædt, through the envy of the Romanists,
her meetings were broken up, the believers apprehended,
and all who remained steadfast, sentenced
to death; who, in great numbers, from love to their
Savior, and especially for the salvation of their own
souls, gave their bodily life unto death, thus sealing
with their blood, the truth which they had confessed
at baptism before many witnesses; for which the
Lord, hereafter, shall give to them, as triumphant
conquerors, palms into their hands, place crowns
upon their heads, and put a new song of praise into
their mouths, so that for all their suffering they shall
rejoice, shout, and be glad forever.

Touching the offering up of these friends of God,
we have not been able correctly to ascertain it,
namely, whether they perished by water, fire, or the
sword; except that they were put to death for the
doctrine of the Waldenses. Of their suffering and
death, mention is also made in the second book of
the Hist. of the Persecutions, fol. 590, col. 4, from
Vignier Hist. Eccles., A. D. 1457.

The abovementioned author, or his printer, has
made a chronological error, putting A. D. 1475 instead
of A. D. 1457. Then follows: “A. D. ——, a
great number of Christians professing the doctrine
336
of the Waldenses, were discovered and apprehended
in the bishopric or within the jurisdiction of Eichstædt,
in Germany; very many of whom were put to
death.”

This year, 1457, P. J. Twisck fixes as the date
of this event, though he does not make mention of
their death, but only of their severe persecution.
Chron., page 829, col. 2, calling the scene of their
persecution Richstadt, instead of Eichstædt.

Note.—A. D. 1465. At this time, Laurence Valla,
a man of great learning, vigorously attacked the
power and supremacy of the Pope, placing his salvation
in the eternal merits of Christ. He reproved
the vows and the lasciviousness of the monks, yea,
declared publicly, that the Pope was the originator
of all wars and dissensions; as also, that he had for
sale not only worldly, but also spiritual goods, yea,
even the (so-called) Holy Ghost. On account of this
he was driven into banishment, and resided at Naples,
where he died. Chron. van den Ond., p. 841,
col. 1, from John Munst., fol. 192, Georg. Pac.,
cap. 11.

A. D. 1470.—John de Wesalia (that is, John of
Wesel) now taught at Worms, that all believers are
saved by pure grace, through faith in Jesus Christ;
and that the supremacy of the Pope is not to be
regarded. He defended matrimony, and the dispensation
of the Supper (called the Sacrament) under
two forms, that is, with bread and wine. Human
institutions, as fasts, letters of indulgence, feast-days,
pilgrimages, extreme unction, confirmation, auricular
confession and satisfaction,200 he utterly rejected.
In short, he was regarded as a heretic, and, in the
year 1479, condemned and burnt at Mentz. Compare
Joh. Munst., fol. 196. Chron., Fra., fol. 91, with
the account in the Chron. van den Ond., page 847,
col. 2. Others, however, make mention only of the
burning of his books. See A. M., fol. 597; this
the intelligent reader can easily distinguish, and,
when necessary, reconcile.

Again: Same year as above. George Morgenstern
wrote and taught at this time against the
errors of popery and the manifold attires of the
monks. He said that the world was full of monks,
but that scarcely in one out of a hundred could a
little virtue be found. Whether the monks and other
priests received this in good part, we may readily
judge, though we have learned nothing in regard to
his suffering. Compare P. J. Twisck, Chron., page
847, col. 1, with Catal. Test. Verit., fol. 884.





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