[166] The following words are obscure in the author; hence we experienced difficulty in translating them.—Van. Braght.
[167] Gen. 15:1.
[168] In those times there was a sect sometimes, though improperly, called Albigenses. Their proper name, however, was Ruptuarii or Routiers; that is, desolators or rioters, because they made resistance. See 2d book of the Persecutions, fol. 460, col. 4. But of such we have purposely avoided to speak, as they do not belong here.
[169] Albigenses, says the writer; however they were of the profession of the Waldenses; but because of their origin from the province of Albi, they were called Albigenses.
[170] What the Waldenses held with regard to infant baptism, the mass, and transubstantiation, has been previously shown.
[171] From this it is quite evident that said people had an aversion to the swearing of oaths. But some one may say: This has reference to adjuring their belief. To this it may be replied, that the oath demanded here did not aim at anything further than the telling of the truth, as the preceding words declare.
[172] It seems that these inquisitors thought that these people also observed auricular confession; which is a grave misapprehension, seeing their confession avowed the contrary.
[173] That the very odious name Vaudois, was given the Poor Men of Lyons, need offend no one; since Christ himself and his holy apostles were often called evil and opprobrious names, by their adversaries.
[174] For further information respecting the method of the inquisitors, see our account of the martyrs for the year 1301, etc.
[175] It is necessary here to understand that by the word heresy those people did not mean their orthodox faith; but all that could truly be called heresy; and this they then disavowed; whereby this inquisitor, (to all appearance) though he was very crafty, was greatly misled.