a set of wild fanatics who chastised and disciplined themselves in public by means of the lash. The sect of the Flagellantes took its rise in Italy in the year 1260; its author was one Rainier, a hermit, and it was thence propagated throughout almost all the countries of Europe. The formation of this sect was in all probability merely the effect of an indiscreet zeal. A great number of persons of all ages and sexes made processions, walking two by two with their shoulders bare, which they whipped till the blood ran down, in order to obtain mercy from God, and appease his indignation against the wickedness of the age. They were then called the devout; and having established a superior, he was called the general of the devotion. Though the primitive Flagellantes were exemplary in point of morals, yet they were joined by a turbulent rabble infected with the most ridiculous and impious opinions, and both the emperors and pontiffs felt themselves called upon to put an end to this religious frenzy, by declaring all devout whipping contrary to the divine law, and prejudicial to the eternal rest of the soul.

This sect was revived in Germany towards the middle of the next century, and, rambling through many provinces, occasioned great disturbances. They held, amongst other absurdities, that flagellation was of equal virtue with bap-