ALBIGENSES

ALBIGENSES is also a name sometimes given to the followers of Peter Vaud, or Waldo; and hence synonymous with what we more properly call Waldenses, or Poor Men of Lyons. In this sense the word is applied by Camerarius, Thuanus, and several other writers. The reason seems to be, that the two parties

parties agreed in their opposition to the papal innovations and incroachments, though in divers other respects said to be different enough. The bishop of Meaux labours hard to support a distinction between the two sects, alleging that the Albigenses were heretics and Manichees; whereas the Waldenses were only schismatics, not heretics; being found as to articles of faith, and only separating from the church of Rome on account of ceremonies and discipline. Dr Allix endeavours to set aside the distinction; and shews, that both of them held the same opinions; and were equally condemned and held for heretics; and this not for points of faith, but for declaiming against the papal tyranny and idolatry, and holding the pope to be the Antichrist; which last, according to M. de Meaux, constitutes nothing less than Manicheism. In this sense the Lollards and Wickliffites in England were not only Albigenses, but Manichees.