Institutes of Ecclesiastical History (Volume 2); Ancient and Modern

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1832. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER V. HISTORY OF HERESIES. 1. The Manichaeans, and Woldensians.-- 2. Beghards, Schwestriones, Piecards or Adamites.-- 3. The White Brethren.-- 4. The Men of Understanding.-- 5. The new Flagellants. $ 1. Neither the edicts of the pontiffs and emperors, nor the vigilance and eruelty of the Inquisitors, could prevent the ancient sects from still lurking in many places, and also new sects from starting up. We have already seen the Franciscans waging war against the Romish church. In Bosnia and the neighhoring countries, the Manichaeans or Paulicians, the same as those called Cathari in Italy, huilt up their societies without molestation. Stephan Thomasius, indeed, the king of Bosnia, ahjured the heresy of the Manichaeans, received haptism from John Carvaiolus, a. Romish cardinal, and then expelled the Manichaeans from his kingdom.(1) But he soon after changed his mind: and it is certain, that this sect continued to inhahit Bosnia, Servia, and the adjacent provinces, till the end of the century. The Waldenses collected hrethren and adherents, hoth in other countries of Europe, and in lower Germany, particularly in the territories of Brandenhurg, Pomerania, Mecklenhurg, and Thuringia. Yet it appears, from unpuhlished documents, that very many of them were siezed hy the Inquisitors, and delivered over to the secular authorities to he hurnt.(2) 2. The Brethren and Sisters of the free spirit, or Beghards and Schwestriones, as they were called in Germany, or Turelupines, as in France, that is, persons whose mystical views had thrown them into a species of frenzy; did not cease from wandering in disguise over certain parts ot France, Germany, and the Netherlands, and especially of Swahia and Switzerland, heguiling the minds of the people. Yet few of th...