The Catholic Confession

EPISTOLA

...that the Waldensians’ cause was the stronger one, especially since they emerged superior despite their small numbers against such a powerful army. Finally, it is clear that the Waldensians were not some sudden or newly arisen faction, as Rainerius likely Rainier Sacconi (c. 1200–1262), a Dominican inquisitor who wrote about the Waldensians testifies that some trace their origin from the time of Sylvester Pope Sylvester I (reigned 314–335); the "poison" refers to the legendary "Donation of Constantine" which many Reformers believed corrupted the Church with worldly power (when the poison of earthly dominion was infused into the Church), and others from the times of the Apostles. Thuanus Jacques Auguste de Thou (1553–1617), a famous French historian and statesman in Book 6 of his History also testifies that they received their faith from their ancestors and taught it through several centuries; thus it happened that so many people in diverse and distant places throughout all of Europe joined themselves to Luther when he proposed the reformed doctrine. Compare Bale in the Catalogue of British Writers John Bale (1495–1563), an English historian and controversialist, Century 2; the Catalogue of Witnesses to the Truth, Book 15, page 1498; Sleidan’s Historical Account of the Waldensians, Book 16 Johannes Sleidanus (1506–1556), the historian of the Reformation; Peter Wesenbecius’s oration on the Waldensians delivered and printed here at this Academy of Jena; Mornay’s History of the Papacy Philippe de Mornay (1549–1623), a French Protestant writer, etc.

But besides the Waldensians, many other Confessors of heavenly truth can be brought forward, who manfully spoke against the Papal errors that were overflowing like a deluge original: "cataclyfmi instar," literally "like a cataclysm", taking no account of dangers or threats. Many of them did not hesitate in the least to seal their testimony—delivered by voice or writing—even with their own blood. It was my intention to bring forward their testimonies in this Catholic Confession original: "Confessione Catholica"; in this context, the author uses "Catholic" to mean the "universal" or "true" ancient church, rather than the Roman Church, so that it might become crystal clear that in those previous centuries which preceded the reformation of doctrine, the Church never lacked God, nor did the Church lack the truth, nor did the truth ever lack Confessors.

To Your Highness, most Illustrious Prince, most merciful Lord, I both wished and felt obliged to humbly dedicate this small work of mine, so that I might most submissively declare my grateful heart for the singular mercy and distinguished favors you have bestowed upon me, and that I might record for the memory of eternal posterity the glory of your most Illustrious name, which Your Highness original: "Cels. V." (Celsitudo Vestra) has acquired for yourself through noble deeds in times of both war and peace. The Evan- original: "Religione Evange-"; catchword for the next page, likely "Evangelicam" or "Evangelical Religion"