the depths of which the eye cannot penetrate, are rendered still more interesting by their being consecrated to the memory of heroes and martyrs, whose histories are in the mouth of every peasant.-Before we left the scenery of Angrogna, and took a last view of its match less beauties, we looked down upon a vale, the sweetest I ever saw, and which to this moment, after having seen the most lovely spots in Switzerland and Italy, I remember rather as a delightful vision, than a real prospect. It lay in the midst of a circular chain of mountains, so sheltered and protected, that it looked as if no rough winds could ever visit it. The declivities which sloped down to it were clothed with trees of every description, among which were abundance of walnuts, mulberries, chesnuts, cherry, and other fruit

trees.

Though none of the other valleys are equally delightful, yet they are generally far from being unfruitful. But while the traveller may admire the beauty or the fertility of many of the valleys of Piedmont, the Christian will contemplate their far higher glory, in their having had early planted among them, what may justly be denominated the vineyard of the Lord of Hosts," and the "trees of righteousness of his own hand planting." For here "thousands of the disciples of Christ, as will hereafter be shown, were found, even in the

very worst of times, preserving the faith in its purity, adhering to the simplicity of Christian worship, patiently bearing the cross after Christ; men distinguished by their fear of God, and obedience to his will, and persecuted only for righteousness' sake."

Although we have stated in the former chapter, that Claudius of Turin has been styled the founder of the Waldensian Churches, their origin is to be traced to a period still more remote. Leger begins his history of the Churches of the Vaudois, by a declaration that they never required any reformation." For the first four or five centuries, the whole of what is termed the diocess of the north of Italy, of which the Waldenses formed a part, remained comparatively pure. Though not altogether free from error and superstition in succeeding ages, yet being a pastoral, simple, and unambitious people, whose situation kept them at a distance from the controversies and customs of these degenerate ages, they remained comparatively little infected by the abounding evils in the Church. The most ancient Roman Catholic historian of the persecutions to which they were subjected, affirms, that "Toulouse had been scarcely ever exempt, even from its first foundation, from that pest of heresy which the fathers transmitted to their children;" and that "their opinions had been transmitted, in Gaul, from

generation to generation, almost from the origin of Christianity." A noble testimony to the antiquity of these evangelical Churches, which, from the first planting of religion in Gaul, had, as far as their opportunities would allow, resisted the usurpations and corruptions of the Church of Rome. Pope Alexander III. in a synod held at Tours, in 1167, declared, That the doctrine of the Vaudois was a damnable heresy of long continuance." And their adversary Reinier, an Italian inquisitor of the middle of the thirteenth century, whose business it was to report the opinions of the heretics of Lyons, gives the following singular testimony:-"The heresy of the Vaudois, or poor people of Lyons, is of great antiquity. Among all the sects that either are or have been, there is none more dangerous to the Church, and that for three reasons. I. Because it is the sect of the longest standing of any; for some say that it hath been continued down ever since the time of Pope Sylvester, (in the fourth century;) and others, ever since that of the Apostles. 2. Because it is the most general of all sects; for scarcely is there a country to be found where this sect hath not spread itself. And, 3. Because it has the greatest appearance of piety; for, in the sight of all, these men are just and honest in their transactions, believe of God what ought to be believed,-receive

all the articles of the Apostles' creed, and only profess to hate the Church of Rome."

The attention of the neighbouring Roman Catholic states was at length excited; and, finding that those Alpine valleys were filled with a people whose faith and practice were directly opposed to those of Rome, they left ro means untried to overcome and compel them to submit to the yoke of spiritual despotism. Perceiving, however, that neither force nor fraud was sufficient to effect their purpose, they had recourse to the civil power, and demanded its aid in crushing heretics so contumacious. For some time the princes and nobility of the adjacent countries refused to interfere; but priestly authority and tyranny at length prevailed, and the inhabitants of Piedmont were subjected to all the horrors of persecution. Turin especially was the scene of numerous cruelties, and many eminent servants of the Redeemer there sealed their testimony with their blood. To avoid the storm of persecution, multitudes of the Piedmontese fled from their native valleys, and, crossing the Alps, sought refuge among the inhabitants of the surrounding countries. In Italy, Germany, France, and England, to which they retreated in the hope of finding an asylum, they not only succeeded in preserving the pure doctrines of their own secluded

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valleys, but, for a time, were the means of producing extraordinary effects upon the manners and character of the different people among whom they took up their abode.

Though these eminent witnesses for the truth are now termed generally WALDENSES and ALBIGENSES, yet they were formerly known by a variety of names,-some derived from their teachers, some from their manner of life, some from the places where they resided, some from the fate they suffered, and some from the malice of their enemies. The valleys of Piedmont, first gave them the name of Vallenses, Waldenses, or Vaudois, a name which has since been employed to distinguish them as a primitive church. Those in the south of France were termed Albigenses, or poor men of Lyons, from their residence in or about Albi and Lyons. In like manner, they were called Picards, Lombards, Bohemians, Bulgarians, &c. from the countries in which they dwelt. The epithets Cathari and Paterines, were applied to them as terms of reproach; and that of Lollards, either from the same cause, or from a Waldensian pastor, Walter Lollard, who flourished about the middle of the thirteenth century. They also received the names of Josephites, Arnoldists, Berengarians, &c. from some of their principal teachers: and, in order to render them