Barbara stared.
I had chapter and verse for it. A learned controversialist had denounced the Three Nail view as unworthy of Catholics and Christians.
"And for that they killed and racked and tortured——"
In truth it was for that among other errors of doctrine. It is difficult to find out what the Albigenses really believed, for they were so calumniated. Baring-Gould contends that they had revived the ancient paganism of the country.
They believed in two forces, a good and an evil: the nine-lived Manichæan heresy.
But that belief is represented in our good old friend the Devil, who, indeed, is probably a remnant of Pagan ideas. They rejected the Trinity, refused to worship saints, and discouraged marriage. They seemed very much like any other enthusiastic sect that breaks off from the main body of believers, and is ready to die for Three Nails instead of the orthodox Four. Will the history of religious persecution never cure people of their Three-Nail controversies?
CHAPTER XVII
MAGUELONNE
"Aigues Mortes is a dead town!
Maguelonne is the ghost of one."