Page 7 - 04 The Waldenses

Britons meekly replied that they desired to

love all men, but that the pope was not

entitled to supremacy in the church, and they

could render to him only that submission

which was due to every follower of Christ.

Repeated attempts were made to secure their

allegiance to Rome; but these humble

Christians, amazed at the pride displayed by

her emissaries, steadfastly replied that they

knew no other master than Christ. Now the

true spirit of the papacy was revealed. Said

the Romish leader: “If you will not receive

brethren who bring you peace, you shall

receive enemies who will bring you war. If

you will not unite with us in showing the

Saxons the way of life, you shall receive from

them the stroke of death.”—J. H. Merle

D'Aubigne, History of the Reformation of the

Sixteenth Century, b. 17, ch. 2. These were no

idle threats. War, intrigue, and deception