Among other points relating to their trials, recorded in this inquisitional book, were these: “That they were sober and frugal people, discreet in their speech, careful to avoid lying, swearing, etc.” A. Mell., 2d book, fol. 505, col. 3, 4. Also, P. J. Twisck, Chron., p. 743, col. 2, from Henr. Boxhorn, fol. 27. In the margin of the same page, Twisck says: “The Wandenses (or Waldenses) will not swear.”
Note.—A. D. 1390, the Lord raised up Richard Withe, who wrote many glorious things against the Pope, or the blasphemy of the so-called antichrist. Bal. Cent., lib. 7, cap. 10, compared with Chron. van den Ondergang, page 734, col. 1, 2.
A. D. 1392.—On the 13th of January of this year, Walter Brute, a layman, but nevertheless a learned man, from the bishopric of Hereford, appearing personally before Lord John, Bishop of Hereford, maintained, among several other articles militating against the Roman church, this point: “That Christians are not permitted, for any reason, in any case, to swear, either by the Creator or by his creatures.” A. Mell., 2d book, fol. 506, col. 3.
NOTICE.—THE BELIEF OF WILLIAM SWINDERBY COMPARED WITH THAT OF WALTER BRUTE.
Since Walter Brute is called (Fol. 505, col. 4,) a defender of the articles of William Swinderby, who was afterwards burnt for the faith, in Smithfield, London, it is quite evident, that William Swinderby must have held the same belief, which, as well as many other articles, they both had in common with the Waldenses. Besides, this article of non-swearing, together with the other two related in this connection, is unmistakably called William Swinderby’s article (Fol. 506, col. 3), so that both of them, speaking as with one tongue, are also together charged here, with having prohibited all manner of oaths.
THAT, BESIDES THE ARTICLE RESPECTING THE OATH, HE ALSO MADE A GOOD CONFESSION IN REGARD TO HOLY BAPTISM.
It appears, moreover, from the confession of faith of Walter Brute, that also infant baptism was not recognized by him; for he speaks in the following manner concerning the burial of Christ: “He (Christ) was buried, that we all by baptism, might be buried together with him into his death; in order that having died unto sin (notice, this is no work for infants), we should live unto righteousness.[183] A. M., from Fox Angl., p. 440.
OF A CERTAIN ANCIENT CONFESSION OF FAITH OF THE WALDESIAN BRETHREN.
Jacob Mehnring, writing on the fourteenth century, touching baptism, says: “I have had in my hands a very old confession of some Waldesian brethren in Bohemia, printed in the German language, in which they expressly confess that in the beginning of Christianity no infants were baptized; and that also their forefathers did not do it,” as John Bohemius writes. Lib. 2, Gentium Moribus: “In former times baptism was wont to be administered only to those who were previously instructed in the faith, and examined seven times in the week before Easter and Whitsuntide; these were then baptized upon the confession of their faith; but when baptism was afterwards deemed necessary to salvation, it was also ordained, by the papists, that newborn infants should be baptized, and that sponsors should be assigned them, who confessed the faith, and renounced the devil, in their stead.” Bapt. Hist., p. 738.
About A. D. 1400.—D. J. Vicecomes cites from this century (from Nicephorus Callistus), lib. 1, cap. 23, that in Thessalia, baptism was administered only on Whitsuntide;[184] on which account many died without baptism.