THE "HERETICS" OF THE THIRTEENTH CENTURY.

REINER, who was originally one of the Cathari, but afterwards apostatized to the Romish Church, thus describes the "heretics" of his time, (A. D. 1260.)

men.

"Heretics are distinguished by their manners, and their words, for they are sedate, and modest, in their manners. They have no pride in clothes, for they wear such as are neither costly, nor mean. They do not carry on business, in order to avoid falsehoods, oaths, and frauds; but only live by labour, as workTheir teachers also are shoemakers, and weavers. They do not multiply riches, but are content with what is necessary; and they are chaste, especially the Leonists. They are also temperate in meat and drink. They do not go to taverns, dances, or other vanities. They restrain themselves from anger, they are always at work, learning, or teaching, and so they pray but little. Also, they go hypocritically to Church, offer, and make confession, and communicate, and they go to sermons, but it is that they may catch the preacher in his discourse.

They may also be known by the precision, and moderation of their language. They also abstain from scurrility, and detraction, and levity in discourse, and lying, and swearing. Neither do they say, 'verily,' or 'truly,' and the like; because, they consider these as oaths."

"The heretics craftily devise, how they may introduce themselves to the acquaintance of the noble and the great and they do it in the following manner— they exhibit to gentlemen and ladies, some kind of tempting wares, such as rings, and kerchiefs, for sale. Having sold them, if he is asked, 'Have you anything more to sell?' he answers, 'I have more precious gems than these-I will give them to you, if you will satisfy me, that you will not betray me to the clergy.' Having

received security, he says, 'I have a brilliant gem from God, whereby, man may have the knowledge of God. I have another, which shines so, that it kindles the love of God in the heart of him who possesses it ;' and so of the others. He speaks of gems, metaphorically. After that, he recites some devout chapter, as that of Luke, The angel Gabriel was sent,' &c.-or, from our Lord's discourse, John xiii,-'Now before the Feast,' &c. When he has begun to interest his hearer, he adds, Matt. xxiii. in Moses' seat,' &c. "Woe unto you who have taken away the key of knowledge, ye enter not in yourselves, and ye forbid others to enter;' and that of Mark xii.-' Woe unto you who devour widows' houses;' and what follows. When asked by his hearer, of whom these imprecations are to be understood? he answers, 'The clergy and the monks.'

"After this, the heretic draws a comparison between the circumstances of the Romish Church and those of his sect; saying thus, 'The Doctors of the Romish Church are proud in their dress and carriage. Matt. xxiii. They love the chief seats, and seek to be called of men Rabbi,-but such Rabbies we do not desire to have. Also, they are incontinent; but each one of us has his wife, and lives chastely with her. Also, they are the rich and covetous, to whom it is said, Woe

unto you rich, for ye have received your consolation ; but we, having food, and clothes to cover us, are content therewith. Also, they are the voluptuous, to whom it is said, 'Woe unto you who devour widows' houses; we, however, live as we can. Also, they fight, and make wars, and command the poor to be killed and burned, to whom it is said, 'He that taketh the sword, shall perish by the sword;' we, however, suffer from them persecution for righteousness. Also, they eat the bread of idleness, doing nothing; but we work with our hands. Also, they wish to be the only teachers to whom it is said, Matt. xxiii,—'Woe unto you that have taken away the key of knowledge;' but among us women teach as well as men; and a disciple of seven days instructs another. Also, there is hardly a teacher among them who knows by heart three connected chapters of the New Testament; but, among us, there is scarcely a man or woman, who cannot repeat the text in the vulgar tongue. And, because we have the true faith of Christ, and all teach a holy life and doctrine, the Scribes and Pharisees, without cause, persecute us to death, as they did Christ. Moreover, they only say, and do not, and bind heavy burdens on men's shoulders, but do not move them with their finger; but we practise all that we teach. Also, they are more urgent, in compelling the observance of the traditions of men, than the commandments of Godas fasts, festivals, going to church, and many other things, which are of human institution-but we only persuade men to keep the doctrine of Christ, and the Apostles. Also, they load penitents with most grievous penances, which they do not move with one of their fingers; but we, by the example of Christ, say to the sinner, 'Go, now, and sin no more,' and remit all his

sins by the imposition of hands, and transmit souls at death to heaven; but they send almost all souls to hell.' "Having stated these and other points, the heretic says, 'Consider which state and which faith is the more perfect-ours, or that of the Church of Romeand make choice of it;' and thus he is turned away from the Catholic faith, being seduced by their errors ; and thus, as a believer of them, a receiver, a favourer, and defender, and hiding him for several months, he learns respecting the sect in his house."

'They kneel down upon the ground, before a bench or such like, and continue thus in all their prayers in silence, as long as one might repeat a Pater Noster thirty or forty times, and conclude their prayers by repeating the word Amen several times. And this they do every day very reverently, amongst those of their own persuasion, without the company of any strangers, before noon, after noon, and at night when they go to bed; and in the mornings when they rise out of bed besides some other times as well in the day, morning and at night. They say, teach, nor have any other prayer besides Our Father.' They do not look upon the salutation of the angel to be a prayer, nor the Apostles' Creed; and say, that these were introduced by the Church of Rome, not by Christ. However, they have drawn up a short draught of the seven articles concerning the Godhead, and as many concerning the human nature, the Ten Commandments, and the seven works of mercy, which they say and teach, and boast much of them, and readily offer themselves to answer any one that demands of them a reason of their faith. Before they set themselves down to table, they bless it, saying, 'Bless the Lord. Lord have mercy upon us, Christ have

mercy upon us, Lord have mercy upon us. Our Father,' &c. After which, the eldest of the company saith in the vulgar tongue, 'God, who blessed the five barley loaves and two fishes in the desert before his disciples, bless this table, and that which is upon it, and which shall be set upon it' (and then make the sign of the cross) ' in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.' And when they rise from table after dinner or supper, they give thanks in this manner; the eldest amongst them in the vulgar tongue repeating the doxology set down in the Revelation; 'Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, honour, power, and might, be ascribed to God alone, for ever and ever. Amen.' And then adds, 'God render a good reward and a plentiful return to all those who are our benefactors; and the God who hath given us corporal food, vouchsafe us also the life of the Spirit; and God be with us, and we with him always:' and the company answer, 'Amen.' Also when they bless the table, and when they return thanks, they fold their hands together, and lift them up towards heaven. And after dinner, when they have returned thanks, and prayed as beforesaid, they preach, teach, and exhort according to their way and doctrine."