[137] A. D. 821 (writes P. J. Twisk), that is, in the time of the Roman Emperor Louis, there lived Christus Taurinensus, who wrote and taught against the invocation of the images, of the cross, of the relics, of the saints, and against the power of the Pope, and pilgrimages. Chron., 9th book, page 280, col. 2, from Joh. Munst., fol. 132.
[138] The following passages by Haimo, from Ps. 38, to Cant. 1, are apparently quoted by Idiota. Bapt. Hist., pages 547, 548.
[139] In the Dutch translation of the Bible, in the Book of Canticles, the word corresponding to “love,” whenever this is applied as a term of endearment to the church, by Christ, is vriendinne, i. e., friend; hence the allusion is not so apparent in the passage as translated here into English.—Translator.
[140] The proper time for baptizing was still Easter and Whitsuntide. Bapt. Hist., page 550, num. 2. White garments were put on those baptized, which signified the innocence, salvation and purity of the Christian; that they should henceforth, all through life, keep themselves unspotted from iniquity. Page 553, num. 14.
[141] Twisck might have used a less ambiguous phrase here, though we doubt not, that the intelligent reader will readily see what he means; but, for fear that some one might misunderstand him, we will add a few words of explanation. The word “other,” of course, implies that some errors have already been adduced; strictly speaking, however, he has not adduced the errors, but rather the articles of faith in regard to which errors were held, by the Roman church. Translator.
[142] About this time, Bertram taught, in his book of the Body and Blood of Christ, concerning the words: “This is my body,” that this is to be understood figuratively, and that in the Supper, the faith is presented somewhat differently than the eyes externally see, and the taste perceives; also, that the bread and wine are figuratively the body and blood of Christ, and represent to, or keep before us, the remembrance of the suffering and death of Christ. Sam. Velt., Geslacht-register; pages 126, 127.
In the Scythian church, (A. D. 840), writes Valfrid Abbas, they used the common mother tongue, and taught that images should not be worshiped or honored; that the paschal lamb should not be consecrated; yea, that it was better to aid the poor, than to decorate the churches. P. J. Twisck, Chron., 9th book, page 286, col. 2, from Casp. Grev., fol. 277.
[143] A. D. 843.—Christus Lupim, at Ferrara, refuted the new Roman doctrines concerning purgatory, matrimony of priests, and other points. P. J. Twisck, Chron., 9th book, page 288, col. 1, from Catal. Test., fol. 103.
[144] A. D. 858.—At this time, Gunther, Bishop of Cologne, wrote to Pope Nicholas: “Thou art playing the tyrant: under the guise of a shepherd we find thee to be a wolf. The title, indeed, is father, but virtually thou showest thyself a Jupiter.” Sam. Veltius, Geslacht-register, page 127.
[145] To go without delay to heaven, to Christ, may fitly be understood as having reference to the commending of their souls into the hands of Christ; as is stated of the holy martyr Stephen, namely, that he saw the heavens opened, and Christ standing on the right hand of God; to whom, in his extremity, he commended his soul, saying: “Lord Jesus, receive my Spirit. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” Acts 7:59,60.