Mosheim gives the following account of them:—
“In Lombardy, which was the principal residence of the Italian heretics, there sprung up a singular sect, known, for what reason I cannot tell, by the denomination of Passaginians, and also by that of the circumcised. Like the other sects already mentioned, they had the utmost aversion to the dominion and discipline of the church of Rome; but they were at the same time distinguished by two religious tenets which were peculiar to themselves. The first was a notion that the observance of the law of Moses, in everything except the offering of sacrifices, was obligatory upon Christians; in consequence of which they circumcised their followers, abstained from those meats the use of which was prohibited under the Mosaic economy, and celebrated the Jewish Sabbath. The second tenet that distinguished this sect was advanced in opposition to the doctrine of three persons in the divine nature.”[913]
Mr. Benedict speaks of them as follows:—
“The account of their practicing circumcision is undoubtedly a slanderous story forged by their enemies, and probably arose in this way: because they observed the seventh day they were called by way of derision, Jews, as the Sabbatarians are frequently at this day; and if they were Jews, it followed of course that they either did, or ought to, circumcise their followers. This was probably the reasoning of their enemies; but that they actually practiced the bloody rite is altogether improbable.”[914]
An eminent church historian, Michael Geddes, thus testifies:—
“This [act] of fixing something that is justly abominable to all mankind upon her adversaries, has been the constant practice of the church of Rome.”[915]
Dr. Allix states the same fact, which needs to be kept in mind whenever we read of the people of God in the records of the Dark Ages:—
“I must desire the reader to consider that it is no great sin with the church of Rome to spread lies concerning those that are enemies of that faith.”[916]
“There is nothing more common with the Romish party than to make use of the most horrid calumnies to blacken and expose those who have renounced her communion.”[917]
Of the origin of the Petrobrusians, we have the following account by Mr. Jones:—