practice had prevailed formerly; but whether it had been handed down from the times of the primitive Christians, or had arisen in later days, need not here be examined. Neither can it be determined what were the precise forms of worship and discipline of the ancient Waldensian church, and it should ever be remembered that the true church of Christ, to which the promises of Scripture appertain, is invisible, and consists of those faithful believers who in every age and place simply follow those words of their Lord, "One is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren," looking forward to the time when all his saints shall be with him in glory. This church is not confined to any one body of Christians, however exemplary, nor must the means of grace ever be exalted to take the place which belongs only to the God of all grace, the Lord and Giver of life.

The manner in which the ancient barbs were admitted to their office is thus described in an

ancient manuscript: "All who are to be received as pastors among us, while they are still with their parents, request us that we would receive them into the ministry, and that we would pray to God, that he would render them worthy of so great an office, the only object of presenting such request being to afford us a proof of their humility." "We prescribe certain lessons to them, and make them learn by heart the whole of the Gospels of St. Matthew and St. John, all the canonical epistles, and a goodly portion of Solomon and David, and the

prophets. And having produced good testimonials, they are admitted by imposition of hands to the office of preaching. He who is last received is not permitted to do anything without the permission of him who preceded him, nor in like manner is the latter to do anything without the consent of his companion, that all things be done among us in proper order.* Food and raiment are provided us, as a free gift, and as matter of alms, but in sufficiency, by the people we teach."

"Among the powers which God hath given to his servants, as belonging to their station, is the election of rulers of the people, and priests in their offices, according to the diversity of operation in the unity of Christ, which is proved by what the apostle says, Titus i., ́ I left thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city.' When any of the aforesaid pastors falls into any gross sin, he is cast out from our society, and prohibited from preaching."

The training of the youth in general, as well as of those who were to be their assistants in the pastoral office; the practice of medicine, in which they used the simple herbs in which their country abounds; and the copying out the books of Scripture; were the usual tions of the barbs who resided in the valleys. But others travelled, on foot, into the distant

occupa

• Note.-They were usually sent out two and two.

lands of Bohemia, Germany, Languedoc, or Calabria, being supplied with the necessary means by their friends in the valleys. Often, too, like the apostles, they laboured with their own hands to procure necessary support.

Bresse, who lived about the year 1790, at which time infidelity generally prevailed on the continent of Europe, feelingly laments the neglect of Divine truth and the substitution of human knowledge, in the universities where the pastors of his day were trained. He says,

"All this preparation is of no use for our valleys, and therefore it is fruitless, as to our young men who are preparing for preachers; for to whom shall these impart all their knowledge?-to the Vaudois? They understand the gospel, when it is preached to them, and they need no more." "Supposing that they had less erudition than an academical professor, would that greatly injure them? Does not an apostle declare that Scripture is sufficient, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished to all good works?" He admits, nevertheless, the advantages which a literary education confers in France, England, and elsewhere.

CHAPTER VIII.

THE GREAT PERSECUTION, NARRATED BY LEGER AND MORLAND.

Increasing troubles-Early life of Leger-Horrid cruelties inflicted-Individual instances-Abjuration and repentance of two pastors-Morland sent by Oliver Cromwell-His statements-Protestants in Poland-Manuscripts at Cambridge

THE short reign of Victor Amadeus 1., from 1630 to 1637, was followed by the long minority of his son, during which Savoy was governed by the duchess Christina, sister to the king of France. The regency was not marked by any persecutions of the Waldenses till the year 1650, but there were several circumstances which seemed to forebode a coming storm,—the disturbed state of Savoy, and the frequent presence of armed forces, while the pestilence of 1630, and several bad harvests, rendered the people of the valleys less able to provide for their own wants, and induced them to make applications to their rulers, which were sometimes admitted, sometimes slighted. But even this state was tranquil in comparison with the transactions which followed. In 1650, sacred councils were established in Turin and other cities, similar to those which existed

at Rome, having for their object the propagation of the Romish faith, and the extirpation of heretics.

Many females of rank, especially the marchioness of Pianessa, took an active part in these councils. They employed spies to sow discord in families, and to visit the poor and indigent, even in prisons, promising them all sorts of temporal relief if they would "go to the mass." In order to fulfil these promises, they were constantly employed in collecting money from their neighbours, and were even allowed to apply for assistance to the civil government. All who joined this association, called "La Congregation," were promised, as a reward, the pardon of all their sins, "which many of them much needed," as Bresse shrewdly remarks.

The accounts of the early times of the Vaudois, as we have seen, are few and scanty. In those times, sincere Christians were more occupied in doing well than in recording it; yet the relation handed down is sufficient to prepare the mind for those fuller details which later days have made known to the world. The historian Leger has given an ample account of the events of the seventeenth century, including also a sketch of his own life. "I was born,' he says, "at Ville Séche, in the valley of St. Martin, February the 2nd, 1615, during one of the most tremendous hurricanes ever remembered, which unroofed the houses, and uprooted the trees. To me, that storm was a presage of the furious shocks and tempests which the