Cap. 2, Ingolstadt edition, page 54. “Among all the sects that ever were and still are, there is none more pernicious for the church than the sect of the Lyonists (thus he calls the Waldenses), and this for three reasons.
“Firstly, because it is the most ancient; for, some say that it has existed from the time of Sylvester; others say, from the time of the apostles.
“Secondly, because it is more general (that is, more widely diffused) than other sects; for there is no country where this sect is not found.
“Thirdly, because, whereas all other sects, by their abominable blasphemies against God, cause those who hear them, to loathe their belief, this sect, on the other hand, has a great semblance of godliness, because they lead a godly life before men, have a true belief in all things concerning God, and hold correct views in regard to all the twelve articles of the faith; only they condemn the Roman church and the clergy, in which the unlearned too readily credit them.”
In the fifth chapter he says that their doctrine can be brought under these three heads: 1. Invectives against the Roman church and her institutions. 2. Errors against the sacraments and the saints. 3. Rejection of all church usages.
He then specifies their doctrine in the following manner:
1. That the Roman church is not the church of Christ, but the church of malediction; and that she decayed in the time of Sylvester, when the poison of temporal riches insinuated itself.
2. That all sins and defects are in the Roman church, and that they (the Waldenses) alone live holily.
3. That almost no one observes the doctrine of the holy Gospel, except they (the Waldenses).
4. That they, in truth, are poor in spirit, and suffer persecution for righteousness and faith’s sake.