Post by nathanb on Oct 29, 2007 9:35:44 GMT -5
Who is this Mystery Babylon and Mother of Harlots?
(Revelation 17:5,6) Upon her forehead was a name written, "Mystery, Babylon The Great, The Mother of Harlots and AbomWho is this Mystery Babylon and Mother of Harlots?
(Revelation 17:5,6) Upon her forehead was a name written, "Mystery, Babylon The Great, The Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth." And I saw the Woman drunken with the Blood of the Saints, and with the Blood of the Martyrs of Jesus: And as I saw her, I wondered with Great Astonishment."
Keep in mind the information on this page is in No Way an indictment of individual Catholics. Many Catholics are dedicated people with an honest Love for God. This is why the Lord has attempted, over the centuries, to call them out of this Spiritual Babylon. (Rev. 18:4) "Come out of Her, My People, lest you share in Her Sins, and Her plagues." "Keep this in mind that they are still the Lord's People, but unless they depart from "Her" many of them will partake in her plagues. According to (Rev.18: 5) "For Her Sins have reached to Heaven."
It seems that over time, in an effort to gain Greater membership, the Church of Rome began to Compromise on Doctrine in order to make the Faith more Attractive to Pagans. Many Roman Catholic rituals have their seeds in Paganism. The Worship of Virgin Mary is No where to be found in the Teaching of Jesus Christ or the Apostles. This seems to have come from the Pagan Worship of the goddess Isis. There have been found Carved Images dating back to ancient Babylon showing Mother and Child god-type figures, which were objects of Worship.
We are instructed in the Bible that the Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are alone to be the Object of our Prayers. Yet, Roman Catholic's are instructed to not ONLY offer Prayers to Virgin Mary, but also to numerous others that the Popes have decreed to be "Saints." The halls of the Vatican and Catholics Churches all over the world are filled with these Idols. This is why the Antichrist is considered the antitypical Babylon.
"Babylon the Great" (Rev. 17:5) The Word Babylon stands for Confusion. What greater confusion is there than the various false doctrines and conflicting creeds of Papacy? The act of Confession participated in by members of the church is in direct conflict with the words of Paul in (I Timothy 2:6) "For there is One God and One Mediator between God and man, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all."
According to Church tradition the priest who hears Confession is acting as a go between to God on Your Behalf. This is an abomination before the throne of God. We are told directly by Jesus Christ to his disciples (Matthew 23: 9) "Call NO man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, who is in Heaven."
Who is the Antichrist? (II Thess 2: 1-15) "Let No Man Deceive you by any ways. For that Day (Second coming of Christ) will not come, except there come a Fallen away first, and that the Man Lawlessness is Revealed. He will oppose and exalted himself over everything that is called God. Or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, and proclaiming himself to be God...He may be revealed at Proper Time... For the Secret Power of Lawlessness is already at work... and then the Lawlessness One will be Revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will Overthrow with his mouth, and Destroy by the Splendor of His Coming.
The Coming of the Lawlessness One will be in Accordance with the Work of Satan displayed in all kinds of Counterfeit, Miracles, Signs, and Wonders and to every sort of Evil that Deceives those who are Perishing. They perish because they refuse to Love the Truth and so be Saved. For this Reason God, Sends them a Powerful Delusion so that they will Believe the Lie, and so that All will be condemned who have NOT believed in the Truth, but has Delighted in Wickedness. (NIV)
Yes, Antichrist is real, yes! Antichrist has caused great Harm upon the Lord's People. However, antichrist is Not an Individual Man, but an Organization System represented by its Head. The antichrist and its Evil Tyranny have been with us for almost 1800 years under the Direction of the Roman Catholic Pope. It is important to remember that No Individual Pope is the "Man of Sin" mentioned by the Apostle Paul.
It is the SYSTEM! Many Roman Catholic Popes over the Centuries have ordered the Slaughter of Hundreds of Thousands and Millions of Men, Women, and Children. They have Burned people at stakes, Boiled them in Oil, Roasted them over slow fires, Crushed Skulls, Beheaded, Hanged, Maimed, Bound people to torture racks, etc. This was all done in the name of Jesus Christ.
What were these "Heretics" Crimes you might ask? They were True Christians who refused to embrace the numerous Unscriptural doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church. They refused to bow down and Worship the Pope as the Vicar of Christ. These Martyred Saints were willing to Die rather turn away from the precious doctrines given to the Lord's People through the Scriptures. Many more were executed for Simply possessing a Bible. For much of the "Dark Ages," by decree of the Pope, it was a Crime punishable by Death to Own One!
Drunken with the Blood of the Saints! (Revelation 17:6) The Great Harlot Woman spoken as the Great Persecutor of the Saints is clearly the Catholic Church. Among the claim of Papacy is that the Church is the "Mother Church," in effect She says, "I Sit as a Queen and Am no widow, and will see no sorrow." She is the First of Many Systems of false religion that have flourished in the 3rd century until now.
Roman Catholic's history often refers to the centuries of Papal Persecution as "Crusades" or "Holy Wars." In truth these were nothing more than religious Genocides. Consider the deeds of Fredrick, the Emperor of Germany, in A.D. 1224. At the Pope's command, he sentenced Heretics of every description alive to the flames and their property, Confiscated unless they became persecutors of Non-Catholics. Among the victims of Papal Genocide were the Waldenses, Albigenses, Wycliffites, and Huguenots.
The things that all of these groups had in common was their rejection of the Papal doctrines of Purgatory, Image Worship, Invocation of Saints, Virgin Mary Worship, Holy Communion, Celibacy of the Clergy, Indulgences, etc.
These groups stood for reformation long before the days of Martin Luther and Calvin. The People, without discrimination, were put to death. Four Hundred (400) People were burned Alive! The nation of Languedoc was Divested, its cities were burned and its people swept away by Fire and Sword. It is estimated 100,000 Albigenses fell One day.
The Duke of Alva boasted of the Execution of 18,000 Protestants in 6 weeks. Historian Paolo reckons the number killed in the Netherlands at 50,000; Groitus gives the list of Belgic martyrs at 100,000.
The Massacre at Organe in AD 1562, done by an Italian Army sent by Pope Pius IV, who commanded them to Kill Men, Women, and Children was accomplished with horrid Cruelty. The Defenseless Heretics were slain with the Sword, thrown from Cliffs, thrown in points of hooks and dagger, hanged, roasted over the slow fires, and expose to shame and torture of every description.
The Papal siege of Paris on August 24th 1572, was just heinous. The city flow with blood, as the king and queen gazed with extreme satisfaction. During this week these soldiers had ordered to Kill every Huguenots. The number slain were estimated to be from 25,000 to 70,000. The Pope issued Commemorative Medals of these Genocides.
You can find more information on: www.The great Papal 666 "Every Cleric must Obey the Pope, even if He commands what is Evil; for no one may judge the Pope."Pope Innocent III (1198-1216).
"The First See (Rome/Papacy) is judged by no one. It is the right of the Roman Pontiff himself alone to Judge...those who hold the highest civil office in a state. There is neither Appeal nor Recourse against a decision or decree of the Roman Pontiff." From Today's Code of Canon Law.
"It is not enough for the People only to know that the Pope is the Head of the Church. They must also understand that their own Faith and religious life flow from him; that in him is the bond which unites Catholics to one another, and the Power which strengthens and the light which guides them; that he is the dispenser of spiritual graces, the giver of the benefits of religion, the Upholder of Justice, and the Protector of the oppressed."
Many of the Information below are found in: Foxe's book of Martyrs edited by William B. Forbush. (Chapter IV).
Persecution of the Waldenses in France.
Popery having bought various innovations into the church, and overspread the Christian world with Darkness and Superstition, some few, who plainly perceived the pernicious tendency of such errors, determined to show the Light of the Gospel in its real Purity, and to dispel those clouds which artful priests had raised about it, in order to blind the people, and obscured its real brightness.
The Principle among these was Berengarius, who about the year 1000 A.D. boldly preached Gospel Truths, according to their Primitive Purity. Many, from Conviction, assented to his doctrine, and were, on that account called Berengarians.
To Berengarius Succeeded Peer Bruis, who preached at Toulouse, under the protection of an earl, named Hildephonsus and the whole tenets of the reformers, with the reasons of their separation from the Church of Rome, were published in a book written by Bruis, under the title of "Antichrist."
By the year of Christ 1140, the number of the reformed was very great, and the probability of its increasing alarmed the Pope, who wrote to several princes to banished them from their dominion, and employed many learned men to write against their doctrines.
In A.D. 1147, because of Henry of Toulouse, deemed their most eminent Preacher, they were called Henericans; and as they Would Not admit of any proofs relative to religion, but what could be deduced from the Scriptures themselves, the Popish party gave them the name of Apostolic.
At length, Peter Waldo, Valdo, a native of Lyons, France eminent for his Piety and Learning, became a strenuous opposer of Popery; and from him the reformed, at that time, received the appellation of Waldenses or Waldoys.
Pope Alexander III being informed by the Bishop of Lyons of these transactions, excommunicated Waldo and his adherents, and commanded the bishop to exterminate them; if possible, From The Face of The Earth, hence began the Papal Persecutions against the Waldenses.
The proceedings of Waldo and the reformed, occasioned the first rise of the inquisitors; for Pope Innocent III authorized certain monks as inquisitors, to inquire for, and deliver over, the reformed to the secular power. The process was short, as an accusation was deemed adequate to guilt, and a candid trial was never granted to the accused.
The Pope finding that these cruel means had not the intended effect sent several learned monks to preach among the Waldenses, and to endeavor to argue them out of their opinions. Among these monks was one Dominic, who appeared extremely Zealous in the cause of Popery. This Dominic instituted an order, which, from him, was called the order of Dominican Friars; the members of this Order have ever since been the principle inquisitors in the various inquisitions in the World.
The Power of the Inquisitors was Unlimited; they proceeded against whom they pleased, without any consideration of Age, Sex or Rank. To be rich was a crime equal to heresy, therefore many who had money were accused of heresy, or of being favorers of heretics, that they might be obliged to pay for their opinions. No lawyer dared to plead for his own brother, and their malice even extended beyond the grave, hence the bones of many were dug up and burnt, as examples to the living.
If a man on his death bed was accused of being a follower of Waldo, his estates were confiscated, and the heir to them defrauded of his inheritance; and some were sent to the Holy Land, while the Dominicans took possession of their houses and properties, and, when the owners returned, would often pretend not to know them. These persecutions were continued for several centuries under different Popes and other great dignitaries of the Catholic Church.
Persecution of the Albigenses.
The Albigenses were a people of the reformed religion, who inhabited the country of Albi. They were condemned by the order of Pope Alexander III. Nevertheless, they increased so prodigiously, that persons only of their persuasion inhabited many cities, and several eminent noblemen embraced their doctrines. Among the latter was Raymond, earl of Toulouse, Raymond, Earl of Foix, Tearl of Beziers, etc.
This was followed by a sever persecution against the Albigense, and express orders that the Laity should Not permitted to read the Sacred Scripture. In the year 1620 also, the persecution against them the Albigenses was very severe. In 1684 a heavy persecution raged throughout Lithuania and Poland.
The reformation of Papistical error very early was projected in France; for in the third century a learned man, named Almericus, and six of his disciples, were ordered to be burnt at Paris for asserting that God was no otherwise present in the sacramental bread, than in any other Bread; that it was idolatry to Build Altars or Shrines to saints and that it was ridiculous to offer incense to them.
The martyrdom of Americus and his Pupils did not, however, prevent many from acknowledging the justness of his notions, and seeing the purity of the reformed religion, so that the Faith of Christ continually increased, and in time not only Spread itself over many parts of France, but diffused the Light of the Gospel over various other countries as well.
In the year 1524, at a town in France, called Melden, one, John Clark, set up a bill on the Church door, wherein he called the "Pope antichrist." For this offence he was repeatedly whipped, and then branded on the forehead. Going afterward to Mentz, in Lorraine, he demolished some images, for which he had his right hand and nose cut off, and his arms and breast torn with pincers. He sustained these cruelties with amazing fortitude, and was even sufficiently cool to sing the 115 Psalm, which expressly forbids idolatry; after which he was thrown into the fire, and burnt to ashes. Many persons of the reformed persuasion were, about this time, beaten, racked, scourged, and burnt to death, in several parts of France, but more particularly at Paris, Malda, and Limosin. A native of Malda was burnt by a slow fire, for saying that "Mass was a plain denial of the death and passion for Christ."
Francis Bribard, secretary to Cardinal De Pellay, for speaking in favor of the reformed, had his tongue cut out, and was then burnt. A.D. 1554.
James Cobard, a schoolmaster in the city of St. Michael, was burnt, A.D. 1554, for saying "That Mass was Useless and Absurd" about the same time, 14 men were burnt at Malda, their wives being compelled to watch the execution.
A.D. 1546, Peter Chapot brought a number of Bible in the French Language to France, and publicly sold them there; for which he bought to trial, sentenced, and executed a few day afterwards.
In short, they practiced every wickedness and horror they could devise to force others by saying, "Die, or be Catholics!" They hanged both men and women by their hair or their feet, and smoked them with hay until they were nearly dead; and if they still refused to sign a recantation, they hung them up again and repeated their barbarities, until wearied out with torments without death.
Others they plucked off all the hair of their heads and beards with Pinchers. Others they threw on great fires, and pull them out again, repeating it until they exhorted a promise of recant.
Some stripped naked, and after offering them the most insults, they stuck them with pins head to foot, and lanced them with penknives; and sometimes with red-hot pincers they dragged them by the nose until they promised to turn. Sometimes they tied fathers and husbands, while they ravished their wives and daughters before their eyes. Multitudes they imprisoned in the most noise some dungeons, where they practiced all sorts of torments in secret.
According to time Magazine, March 20, 2000. Act of contribution: In the year Jubilee and the season of Lent, Pope John Paul II confronts the Crusades, Inquisition, the Holocaust, and other horrors in seeking to Express to regret for sins Committed by Catholics in the past 2000 years. Pope John Paul II began his Holy Land pilgrimage of reconciliation for the three monotheistic faiths of Abraham: Judaism, Christianity and Islam.The Jews hope for specific apology for the Roman Catholic church's virtual silence during World War II genocide by Nazi Germany that left 6 million European Jews dead---as well as for centuries of anti-Jewish church doctrine.
Muslims look back and remember that Pope Urban II initiated the brutalities of the Crusades against them in 1095.
The Roman Catholic Church has declared the year 2000 a Jubilee, or "Holy year," of penance and prayers of its 1 Billion followers that requires "purification of memory" for the church to progress. The Vatican apologized for those Nazi-era misdeeds in a major document in 1988. That Apology was strengthening last week, when the pope said he was "deeply saddened by Catholics who "in the course of history" caused Jews to suffer.
www.homestead.com/prosites-hobarker/mysteryofbabylon.html
(Revelation 17:5,6) Upon her forehead was a name written, "Mystery, Babylon The Great, The Mother of Harlots and AbomWho is this Mystery Babylon and Mother of Harlots?
(Revelation 17:5,6) Upon her forehead was a name written, "Mystery, Babylon The Great, The Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth." And I saw the Woman drunken with the Blood of the Saints, and with the Blood of the Martyrs of Jesus: And as I saw her, I wondered with Great Astonishment."
Keep in mind the information on this page is in No Way an indictment of individual Catholics. Many Catholics are dedicated people with an honest Love for God. This is why the Lord has attempted, over the centuries, to call them out of this Spiritual Babylon. (Rev. 18:4) "Come out of Her, My People, lest you share in Her Sins, and Her plagues." "Keep this in mind that they are still the Lord's People, but unless they depart from "Her" many of them will partake in her plagues. According to (Rev.18: 5) "For Her Sins have reached to Heaven."
It seems that over time, in an effort to gain Greater membership, the Church of Rome began to Compromise on Doctrine in order to make the Faith more Attractive to Pagans. Many Roman Catholic rituals have their seeds in Paganism. The Worship of Virgin Mary is No where to be found in the Teaching of Jesus Christ or the Apostles. This seems to have come from the Pagan Worship of the goddess Isis. There have been found Carved Images dating back to ancient Babylon showing Mother and Child god-type figures, which were objects of Worship.
We are instructed in the Bible that the Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are alone to be the Object of our Prayers. Yet, Roman Catholic's are instructed to not ONLY offer Prayers to Virgin Mary, but also to numerous others that the Popes have decreed to be "Saints." The halls of the Vatican and Catholics Churches all over the world are filled with these Idols. This is why the Antichrist is considered the antitypical Babylon.
"Babylon the Great" (Rev. 17:5) The Word Babylon stands for Confusion. What greater confusion is there than the various false doctrines and conflicting creeds of Papacy? The act of Confession participated in by members of the church is in direct conflict with the words of Paul in (I Timothy 2:6) "For there is One God and One Mediator between God and man, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all."
According to Church tradition the priest who hears Confession is acting as a go between to God on Your Behalf. This is an abomination before the throne of God. We are told directly by Jesus Christ to his disciples (Matthew 23: 9) "Call NO man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, who is in Heaven."
Who is the Antichrist? (II Thess 2: 1-15) "Let No Man Deceive you by any ways. For that Day (Second coming of Christ) will not come, except there come a Fallen away first, and that the Man Lawlessness is Revealed. He will oppose and exalted himself over everything that is called God. Or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, and proclaiming himself to be God...He may be revealed at Proper Time... For the Secret Power of Lawlessness is already at work... and then the Lawlessness One will be Revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will Overthrow with his mouth, and Destroy by the Splendor of His Coming.
The Coming of the Lawlessness One will be in Accordance with the Work of Satan displayed in all kinds of Counterfeit, Miracles, Signs, and Wonders and to every sort of Evil that Deceives those who are Perishing. They perish because they refuse to Love the Truth and so be Saved. For this Reason God, Sends them a Powerful Delusion so that they will Believe the Lie, and so that All will be condemned who have NOT believed in the Truth, but has Delighted in Wickedness. (NIV)
Yes, Antichrist is real, yes! Antichrist has caused great Harm upon the Lord's People. However, antichrist is Not an Individual Man, but an Organization System represented by its Head. The antichrist and its Evil Tyranny have been with us for almost 1800 years under the Direction of the Roman Catholic Pope. It is important to remember that No Individual Pope is the "Man of Sin" mentioned by the Apostle Paul.
It is the SYSTEM! Many Roman Catholic Popes over the Centuries have ordered the Slaughter of Hundreds of Thousands and Millions of Men, Women, and Children. They have Burned people at stakes, Boiled them in Oil, Roasted them over slow fires, Crushed Skulls, Beheaded, Hanged, Maimed, Bound people to torture racks, etc. This was all done in the name of Jesus Christ.
What were these "Heretics" Crimes you might ask? They were True Christians who refused to embrace the numerous Unscriptural doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church. They refused to bow down and Worship the Pope as the Vicar of Christ. These Martyred Saints were willing to Die rather turn away from the precious doctrines given to the Lord's People through the Scriptures. Many more were executed for Simply possessing a Bible. For much of the "Dark Ages," by decree of the Pope, it was a Crime punishable by Death to Own One!
Drunken with the Blood of the Saints! (Revelation 17:6) The Great Harlot Woman spoken as the Great Persecutor of the Saints is clearly the Catholic Church. Among the claim of Papacy is that the Church is the "Mother Church," in effect She says, "I Sit as a Queen and Am no widow, and will see no sorrow." She is the First of Many Systems of false religion that have flourished in the 3rd century until now.
Roman Catholic's history often refers to the centuries of Papal Persecution as "Crusades" or "Holy Wars." In truth these were nothing more than religious Genocides. Consider the deeds of Fredrick, the Emperor of Germany, in A.D. 1224. At the Pope's command, he sentenced Heretics of every description alive to the flames and their property, Confiscated unless they became persecutors of Non-Catholics. Among the victims of Papal Genocide were the Waldenses, Albigenses, Wycliffites, and Huguenots.
The things that all of these groups had in common was their rejection of the Papal doctrines of Purgatory, Image Worship, Invocation of Saints, Virgin Mary Worship, Holy Communion, Celibacy of the Clergy, Indulgences, etc.
These groups stood for reformation long before the days of Martin Luther and Calvin. The People, without discrimination, were put to death. Four Hundred (400) People were burned Alive! The nation of Languedoc was Divested, its cities were burned and its people swept away by Fire and Sword. It is estimated 100,000 Albigenses fell One day.
The Duke of Alva boasted of the Execution of 18,000 Protestants in 6 weeks. Historian Paolo reckons the number killed in the Netherlands at 50,000; Groitus gives the list of Belgic martyrs at 100,000.
The Massacre at Organe in AD 1562, done by an Italian Army sent by Pope Pius IV, who commanded them to Kill Men, Women, and Children was accomplished with horrid Cruelty. The Defenseless Heretics were slain with the Sword, thrown from Cliffs, thrown in points of hooks and dagger, hanged, roasted over the slow fires, and expose to shame and torture of every description.
The Papal siege of Paris on August 24th 1572, was just heinous. The city flow with blood, as the king and queen gazed with extreme satisfaction. During this week these soldiers had ordered to Kill every Huguenots. The number slain were estimated to be from 25,000 to 70,000. The Pope issued Commemorative Medals of these Genocides.
You can find more information on: www.The great Papal 666 "Every Cleric must Obey the Pope, even if He commands what is Evil; for no one may judge the Pope."Pope Innocent III (1198-1216).
"The First See (Rome/Papacy) is judged by no one. It is the right of the Roman Pontiff himself alone to Judge...those who hold the highest civil office in a state. There is neither Appeal nor Recourse against a decision or decree of the Roman Pontiff." From Today's Code of Canon Law.
"It is not enough for the People only to know that the Pope is the Head of the Church. They must also understand that their own Faith and religious life flow from him; that in him is the bond which unites Catholics to one another, and the Power which strengthens and the light which guides them; that he is the dispenser of spiritual graces, the giver of the benefits of religion, the Upholder of Justice, and the Protector of the oppressed."
Many of the Information below are found in: Foxe's book of Martyrs edited by William B. Forbush. (Chapter IV).
Persecution of the Waldenses in France.
Popery having bought various innovations into the church, and overspread the Christian world with Darkness and Superstition, some few, who plainly perceived the pernicious tendency of such errors, determined to show the Light of the Gospel in its real Purity, and to dispel those clouds which artful priests had raised about it, in order to blind the people, and obscured its real brightness.
The Principle among these was Berengarius, who about the year 1000 A.D. boldly preached Gospel Truths, according to their Primitive Purity. Many, from Conviction, assented to his doctrine, and were, on that account called Berengarians.
To Berengarius Succeeded Peer Bruis, who preached at Toulouse, under the protection of an earl, named Hildephonsus and the whole tenets of the reformers, with the reasons of their separation from the Church of Rome, were published in a book written by Bruis, under the title of "Antichrist."
By the year of Christ 1140, the number of the reformed was very great, and the probability of its increasing alarmed the Pope, who wrote to several princes to banished them from their dominion, and employed many learned men to write against their doctrines.
In A.D. 1147, because of Henry of Toulouse, deemed their most eminent Preacher, they were called Henericans; and as they Would Not admit of any proofs relative to religion, but what could be deduced from the Scriptures themselves, the Popish party gave them the name of Apostolic.
At length, Peter Waldo, Valdo, a native of Lyons, France eminent for his Piety and Learning, became a strenuous opposer of Popery; and from him the reformed, at that time, received the appellation of Waldenses or Waldoys.
Pope Alexander III being informed by the Bishop of Lyons of these transactions, excommunicated Waldo and his adherents, and commanded the bishop to exterminate them; if possible, From The Face of The Earth, hence began the Papal Persecutions against the Waldenses.
The proceedings of Waldo and the reformed, occasioned the first rise of the inquisitors; for Pope Innocent III authorized certain monks as inquisitors, to inquire for, and deliver over, the reformed to the secular power. The process was short, as an accusation was deemed adequate to guilt, and a candid trial was never granted to the accused.
The Pope finding that these cruel means had not the intended effect sent several learned monks to preach among the Waldenses, and to endeavor to argue them out of their opinions. Among these monks was one Dominic, who appeared extremely Zealous in the cause of Popery. This Dominic instituted an order, which, from him, was called the order of Dominican Friars; the members of this Order have ever since been the principle inquisitors in the various inquisitions in the World.
The Power of the Inquisitors was Unlimited; they proceeded against whom they pleased, without any consideration of Age, Sex or Rank. To be rich was a crime equal to heresy, therefore many who had money were accused of heresy, or of being favorers of heretics, that they might be obliged to pay for their opinions. No lawyer dared to plead for his own brother, and their malice even extended beyond the grave, hence the bones of many were dug up and burnt, as examples to the living.
If a man on his death bed was accused of being a follower of Waldo, his estates were confiscated, and the heir to them defrauded of his inheritance; and some were sent to the Holy Land, while the Dominicans took possession of their houses and properties, and, when the owners returned, would often pretend not to know them. These persecutions were continued for several centuries under different Popes and other great dignitaries of the Catholic Church.
Persecution of the Albigenses.
The Albigenses were a people of the reformed religion, who inhabited the country of Albi. They were condemned by the order of Pope Alexander III. Nevertheless, they increased so prodigiously, that persons only of their persuasion inhabited many cities, and several eminent noblemen embraced their doctrines. Among the latter was Raymond, earl of Toulouse, Raymond, Earl of Foix, Tearl of Beziers, etc.
This was followed by a sever persecution against the Albigense, and express orders that the Laity should Not permitted to read the Sacred Scripture. In the year 1620 also, the persecution against them the Albigenses was very severe. In 1684 a heavy persecution raged throughout Lithuania and Poland.
The reformation of Papistical error very early was projected in France; for in the third century a learned man, named Almericus, and six of his disciples, were ordered to be burnt at Paris for asserting that God was no otherwise present in the sacramental bread, than in any other Bread; that it was idolatry to Build Altars or Shrines to saints and that it was ridiculous to offer incense to them.
The martyrdom of Americus and his Pupils did not, however, prevent many from acknowledging the justness of his notions, and seeing the purity of the reformed religion, so that the Faith of Christ continually increased, and in time not only Spread itself over many parts of France, but diffused the Light of the Gospel over various other countries as well.
In the year 1524, at a town in France, called Melden, one, John Clark, set up a bill on the Church door, wherein he called the "Pope antichrist." For this offence he was repeatedly whipped, and then branded on the forehead. Going afterward to Mentz, in Lorraine, he demolished some images, for which he had his right hand and nose cut off, and his arms and breast torn with pincers. He sustained these cruelties with amazing fortitude, and was even sufficiently cool to sing the 115 Psalm, which expressly forbids idolatry; after which he was thrown into the fire, and burnt to ashes. Many persons of the reformed persuasion were, about this time, beaten, racked, scourged, and burnt to death, in several parts of France, but more particularly at Paris, Malda, and Limosin. A native of Malda was burnt by a slow fire, for saying that "Mass was a plain denial of the death and passion for Christ."
Francis Bribard, secretary to Cardinal De Pellay, for speaking in favor of the reformed, had his tongue cut out, and was then burnt. A.D. 1554.
James Cobard, a schoolmaster in the city of St. Michael, was burnt, A.D. 1554, for saying "That Mass was Useless and Absurd" about the same time, 14 men were burnt at Malda, their wives being compelled to watch the execution.
A.D. 1546, Peter Chapot brought a number of Bible in the French Language to France, and publicly sold them there; for which he bought to trial, sentenced, and executed a few day afterwards.
In short, they practiced every wickedness and horror they could devise to force others by saying, "Die, or be Catholics!" They hanged both men and women by their hair or their feet, and smoked them with hay until they were nearly dead; and if they still refused to sign a recantation, they hung them up again and repeated their barbarities, until wearied out with torments without death.
Others they plucked off all the hair of their heads and beards with Pinchers. Others they threw on great fires, and pull them out again, repeating it until they exhorted a promise of recant.
Some stripped naked, and after offering them the most insults, they stuck them with pins head to foot, and lanced them with penknives; and sometimes with red-hot pincers they dragged them by the nose until they promised to turn. Sometimes they tied fathers and husbands, while they ravished their wives and daughters before their eyes. Multitudes they imprisoned in the most noise some dungeons, where they practiced all sorts of torments in secret.
According to time Magazine, March 20, 2000. Act of contribution: In the year Jubilee and the season of Lent, Pope John Paul II confronts the Crusades, Inquisition, the Holocaust, and other horrors in seeking to Express to regret for sins Committed by Catholics in the past 2000 years. Pope John Paul II began his Holy Land pilgrimage of reconciliation for the three monotheistic faiths of Abraham: Judaism, Christianity and Islam.The Jews hope for specific apology for the Roman Catholic church's virtual silence during World War II genocide by Nazi Germany that left 6 million European Jews dead---as well as for centuries of anti-Jewish church doctrine.
Muslims look back and remember that Pope Urban II initiated the brutalities of the Crusades against them in 1095.
The Roman Catholic Church has declared the year 2000 a Jubilee, or "Holy year," of penance and prayers of its 1 Billion followers that requires "purification of memory" for the church to progress. The Vatican apologized for those Nazi-era misdeeds in a major document in 1988. That Apology was strengthening last week, when the pope said he was "deeply saddened by Catholics who "in the course of history" caused Jews to suffer.
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It's more practical way to live as unmarried Itinerant ministers like Jesus and the apostles of the Gospel than as married Itinerant preachers with or without children.