Page 30 - 04 The Waldenses

light illuminated their understanding and

made glad their hearts, they longed to shed

its beams upon those who were in the

darkness of papal error.

They saw that under the guidance of pope

and priest, multitudes were vainly

endeavoring to obtain pardon by afflicting

their bodies for the sin of their souls. Taught

to trust to their good works to save them,

they were ever looking to themselves, their

minds dwelling upon their sinful condition,

seeing themselves exposed to the wrath of

God, afflicting soul and body, yet finding no

relief. Thus conscientious souls were bound

by the doctrines of Rome. Thousands

abandoned friends and kindred, and spent

their lives in convent cells. By oft-repeated

fasts and cruel scourgings, by midnight vigils,

by prostration for weary hours upon the cold,