During months and years as might be, these devoted Christians were now and then permitted to live in peace their quiet, simple life, undisturbed by any outward foe. The jealousy of some haughty pope, however, or the wrath of an imperious potentate, ofttimes broke out in startling fury, and then, indeed, peace was a stranger to these poor hunted people, save that which existed in their own hearts, or was manifested in their lives. Ah! blessed thought for such in like circumstances now is the knowledge that they may enjoy, in spite of the rage of the enemy, “the peace of Christ which passeth understanding!” Outward turmoil there may be, but throughout all time the words of the prophet Isaiah, addressed to Jehovah, will be fulfilled: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee.”
The Vaudois believers, therefore, as far as they possessed this practical peace, could bear the fierce sun of persecution which so often rose upon them, and yet quietly go on their way in spite of every effort to turn them aside. As the fathers so were the children—a simple, God-fearing generation, seeking only to serve God in the way which they believed to be right. They were a hardy and industrious people, making their homes where the indolent inhabitant of a more fertile soil would possibly have starved. On the rocky mountain side, where the sure-footed goat and the nimble chamois were at home in its dangers, the Waldensian was as free as the air he breathed in nature’s simple freedom.
There, amid nature’s solitudes, he could lift up his voice and speak to God, where no human ear need hear his words. His hymn of praise might be sung alone on the mountain, or in his home in the valley, none daring to make afraid. For the believing Vaudois could speak of God not only as Creator, but as “a just God and a Saviour.”
The only human safeguard for these poor hunted Vaudois was the mountain fastness, hidden cave, or sheltered valley. At times when persecution was strong against them, individuals could only venture down to the plains or towns, at the risk of life, for when any were found by their enemies, they were immediately taken prisoner, and carried off (as slave-traders used to take the poor heathen) to bondage. In the case of the former, however, it was to torture and to death, in the vain hope that in time these Bible-loving Christians would be stamped out. Those thus captured by main force, were taken to one of the principal towns in the locality, and there ruthlessly committed to the flames by popish hands, in false religious zeal.
Fires kindled by the hatred of Rome could not touch the truth of God, however, though they did bring suffering to the persons who sought to follow its teaching. Not only were many individually made captive and burnt, but strong armies were sent upon the harmless people, when numbers were mercilessly put to the sword. No matter what the cost in time or money to get ready an army, or what unjust means had to be resorted to by the oppressor, the Vaudois who resisted popery must be destroyed one and all. So thought the pope, and so he gave command to his people, telling them that if these dwellers in the valleys and mountains refused to give up their faith, they were to be crushed like venomous snakes.
“My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.” And so it proved that with all the papal zeal and force of men and arms, the, persecuted Vaudois continued to praise God in their mountain homes, and bowed not to Rome or the pope. Doubtless there must have been some who only followed the religion of their forefathers, but who knew not the salvation of God. For there are empty professors everywhere, who willfully, or in ignorance, merely copy the reality. It is only an outside imitation, however, and will not bear the time of trial and temptation. Hence, when persecution arises, they can, with little conscience, change their religion to save their lives.
Thus it was that some of the Vaudois gave up the form so familiar to them from their childhood, preferring to accept popery rather than death. And who need wonder that it was so, if there was no divine life within to prompt to better things, and to sustain the sufferer till the end?
Others, through timidity, denied the faith while face to face with death and suffering. Where there was a real work of God, however, in such a soul, repentance usually followed, and a courageous confession of Christ, while humbly owning their sin in denying Him. Hundreds there were besides, who steadfastly bore all that met them, from the moment of capture to that of death. When any of the Vaudois fell into the hands of the troops sent against them, neither age, nor sex, nor position was of any avail to shield them from the deadly wrath of the enemy. A cruel inquisitor once took a hundred and fifty men, a great number of women, and even helpless little ones, led them to one of the French towns, and burnt them all.
The armies let loose from time to time upon them, were usually composed of men fired with popish zeal, and with no scruples of conscience or tenderness of heart. In addition to these fanatic soldiers there were, however, generally a large proportion of worthless men who were thus occupied only for the sake of gain. Some thought to obtain a position of note in a corrupted church, by the pope’s acknowledgment of their services; others expected a better position in the army, or to attain to a post of honor in their country. Many also sought to enrich themselves only as robbers by plundering all they met. The law would neither shelter nor protect the maltreated Vaudois, who were thus at the mercy of every ruffian and thief who might approach them.
Let us notice, for a few moments, one memorable scene, which shows the sorrowful hardships of those Christians, and the hatred of their enemies. In the end of the fifteenth century, Pope Innocent III. gave forth a harsh and cruel edict against these harmless and defenseless inhabitants of the Alpine valleys. He held out the promise of rich rewards to those who would enlist in the war, and made it quite a religious mission, such as would atone for sins of wicked men. In blind ignorance and fanatical zeal, he urged all to take up the cross, and go forth to fight in a religious cause. Ah! little knew that infatuated dignitary of Rome that it was not thus that the cross could be taken up! None but the disciple of the meek and lowly Jesus can take up his cross daily, as he follows his Lord and Master. Only divine power, by the indwelling of the Holy Ghost and the love of Christ constraining, can give to poor frail man the courage thus to suffer. The cross tells of suffering, but these poor, deluded soldiers were giving suffering to others, instead of accepting it for themselves.
Alas! the response which this papal proclamation met was a terrible force brought to bear against the Vaudois, wherever they were found, it was so overwhelming, that little short of a general massacre could be expected as the result. A French army assailed the Albigenses on the western side, and on the east the Italian soldiers streamed in upon the Waldenses. In addition to that combined army, all, in every land, were called upon to put to death the hated people, if any were found far from their native valleys.
The Val de Loyse was entered by one of these forces, and the inhabitants put either to the sword or to flight. It was a deep gorge, where the mountains towered high overhead, and to mount their rough and rugged sides formed the only way of escape. Many betook themselves at once to this when the enemy first came in sight. The youngest children with the aged men and women were hurriedly put into any vehicle which could be quickly obtained. Any provisions which were at hand were as hastily snatched, while their flocks were sent up the height before them towards a place of shelter.
Courageously they began their upward march—that band of hunted men, women, and children! As they toiled up the rocky sides of the well-known mountain, it was with sounds of praise which must have sounded very strange in the enemy’s ear. There was a company impelled onwards, at the point of the sword, leaving behind them, house and home and earthly possessions. Did shouts and screams of terror rend the air as they fled for their lives? No; they cheered their hearts and employed their voices with the strains of many a familiar hymn. And so those sufferers mounted to a place of safety, many of them happier far in their flight than the infuriated soldiers who followed them.
Not a few, however, met death on the way, for those who were overtaken by the enemy received no quarter. The object of their ascent was to reach a large cave where all would find shelter, and to which the foe might see it to be almost impossible to come. This spot could not be reached save at the risk of life, and it was only those who knew well each rock and crag and precipice who could ascend in safety. But at last all had entered, and many a heart was filled with thankfulness that the enemy was out of view. Not for long, however, for the soldiers were quickly ordered to climb the mountain overhead and were then let down one by one to the rock from which the cave was accessible.
The poor Vaudois were completely taken by surprise, and before they could decide how to act, soldier after soldier descended, and rapidly began the work of death. They piled a quantity of wood where they stood, and then setting fire to it, left its fumes to fill the cave and suffocate all who were within, while those who attempted to escape from the smoke were met by the sword. It is said that about three thousand Vaudois thus speedily found a grave in that mountain cavern. The mother, the infant, the old man and the child, the youth and the maiden, all alike had to encounter death, as well as strong men who had kept watch in the face of the foe.
Such was one example of very many persecutions which took place among the Vaudois on both sides of the Alps. Their valleys were often depopulated, and yet they never died out, for even in the present day, the Waldensian pursues his secluded life in quiet simplicity and peace.