Facts and Documents Illustrative of the History, Doctrine and Rites of the Ancient Vallenses and Albigenses

Inquisitor is to show how the heresy in question originally got into these valleys. If there was an “ancient church” professing these doctrines, and containing 50,000 members, before these poor fugitives came there, why should he mention the fugitives at all? If such an event did occur in the history of the ancient church, what had it to do with the “Origin of the Waldensians?” It is, however, a mere waste of words to argue the matter; for there can be no pretense for maintaining that the “plures ex ipsis” [many of them] were people whom the fugitives themselves found in the valleys; and such an interpretation would, I believe, never have been thought of except to support a system, and make the Inquisitor say just the contrary of his real meaning. When properly examined, his testimony (whatever may be its value) certainly amounts simply to this—that the Waldensian heresy was brought into the valleys of Piedmont and France by the dispersed disciples of Waldo, and was not there until they brought it.

I do not know why Morland should translate “cursed and beastly sect.” Supposing Magniscius to mean Master (for I confess I do not...