religious sect which sprung up towards the close of the thirteenth century, and gained many adherents in Italy, France, and Germany. They derived their name from the words of St Paul, Rom. viii. 2, 14, and maintained that the true children of God were invested with the privilege of perfect freedom. from the law. Some of their professed principles resembled those of the Pantheists; they held that all things emanated from God; that rational souls were portions of the Deity; that the universe was God; that, by the power of contemplation, they were united to the Deity, and thereby acquired a glorious and sublime liberty, both from the sinful lusts and the common instincts of nature; and that the person who was thus absorbed in the abyss of the Deity, became a part of the Godhead, and was the son of God in the same sense and manner as Christ was, being freed from the obligation of all laws human and divine. Many edicts were published against this sect; but notwithstanding the hardships which they suffered, they continued till about the middle of the fifteenth century. They were called by several other names, such as Schwestriones (i.e., sisters), Adamites, Beghards, Turlopins, &c. (Mosheim, Cent. xiii. ch. 5, &c.)

Brethren of the Holy Trinity, an order of monks founded in France near the close of the twelfth century. They were also called Mathurins and Brethren of the Redemption of Captives—the redemption of Christian captives from Mohammedan slavery being one of the principal objects of their institution. (Mosheim, Ch. Hist.)

Brethren of the Observation, or Observantines, the more strict of the two parties into which the Franciscan order was divided at the close of the fourteenth century. The others are called the Conventual Brethren.

Brethren, Moravian. See Bohemian Brethren.

Brethren, White (Fratres Albati seu Candidi), were the followers of a leader about the beginning of the fifteenth century, who arrayed himself in a white garment; and as they also clothed themselves in white linen, they were distinguished by this title. Their leader was a priest from the Alps, who carried about a cross, like a standard, and whose apparent sanctity and devotion drew together a number of followers. This deluded enthusiast practised many acts of mortification and penance; endeavouring to persuade the European nations to renew the holy war, and pretending that he was favoured with divine visions. Boniface IX. ordered him to be apprehended and burnt at the stake, upon which his followers dispersed.