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The
Centuriators of Magdeburgh, in their History of the Christian Church, under the
twelfth century, recite from an old manuscript the following epitome of the
opinions of the Waldenses of that age. In
articles of faith the authority of the Holy Scriptures is the highest; and for
that reason it is the standard of judging; so that whatsoever doth not agree
with the Word of God, is deservedly to be rejected and avoided. The
decrees of Fathers and Councils are [only] so far to be approved as they agree
with the Word of God. The
reading and knowledge of the Holy Scriptures is open to, and is necessary for
all men, the laity as well as the clergy; and moreover the writings of the
prophets and apostles are to be read rather than the comments of men. The
sacraments of the church of Christ are two, baptism and the Lord's Supper; and
in the latter, Christ has instituted the receiving in both kinds, both for priests
and people. Masses
are impious; and it is madness to say masses for the dead. Purgatory is the
invention of men; for they who believe go into eternal life; they who believe
not, into eternal damnation. The
invoking and worshipping of dead saints is idolatry. The
church of Rome is the whore of Babylon. We must
not obey the pope and bishops, because they are the wolves of the church of
Christ. The
pope hath not the primacy over all the churches of Christ; neither hath he the
power of both swords. That is
the church of Christ, which hears the pure doctrine of Christ, and observes the
ordinances instituted by Him, in whatsoever place it exists. Vows of
celibacy are the inventions of men, and productive of uncleanness. So many
orders [of the clergy], so many marks of the beast. Monkery
is a filthy carcass. So many
superstitious dedications of churches, commemorations of the dead, benedictions
of creatures, pilgrimages, so many forced fastings, so many superfluous
festivals, those perpetual bellowings, [alluding to the practice of chanting]
and the observations of various other ceremonies, manifestly obstructing the
teaching and learning of the Word, are diabolical inventions. The
marriage of priests is both lawful and necessary. |