Sketches of Protestantism in Italy ...

Front matter

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Introduction

In presenting this volume to the public, the author begs leave to make a few remarks by way of preface.

At an early period of his sojourn in Europe, he was kindly solicited by gentlemen in England, as well as in his native land, to prepare a work on the state of religion on the Continent. And since the publication of his Religion in America^ he has often been asked whether he does not intend to prepare a work, correlative and correspondent, on Europe. But however much he may desire to comply with such suggestions and such requests, his official and other duties are too numerous and too pressing to permit him to hope to be able to accomplish such a task within a short time. All that he can do is to prepare, at intervals, a volume relating to a part of the great field in question. In the present work he has made a beginning. And should this effort to delineate the religious state of the country to which it relates be favorably received by the Christian public, and God grant life and health, it will be followed at no very distant day by similar volumes, relating to France, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany, Eussia, etc.

In this volume, the author has endeavored to give the reader such information respecting the history, present convi INTRODUCTION.

dition, and future prospects of pure Christianity in Italy, as it is in his power to communicate. The work consists of three nearly equal parts. The first relates to the rise, progress, and suppression of the Reformation in Italy. In this portion of the hook, he has availed himself extensively of the invaluable w^ork of the late excellent Dr. McCrie on the same subject. He has, however, added many things, derived from various sources, which the reader will find duly indicated as he advances.

The second part describes the state of things in Italy since the Reformation, and though quite miscellaneous in its subjects and details, it will probably be read with interest by those who desire to know the state of things in that beautiful, but spiritually benighted country.

The third part contains as full a notice of the Waldenses, their origin, their country, their history, and their present condition and prospects, as the nature of this work would permit. It does not profess to be a full history of that wonderful people — a great desideratum, for we have nothing in English which is worthy of the name. Some notice of the Waldenses was necessary in a w^ork w^hich undertakes to speak of Protestantism in Italy, past and present.

A map accompanies the volume, on which the valleys inhabited by the Waldenses are delineated w^ith sufiicient accuracy to give the attentive reader some idea of their mountain-home. On a corner of that map, will be seen the beautiful and appropriate insignia of that heaven-preserved people, consisting of seven stars surrounding a blazing lamp, encircling which runs the appropriate motto: Lux lucet

INTRODUCTION. Vll

IN Tenebris.* May it ever shine in those valleys, until all the surrounding region shall be full of the light of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ !

The reader will learn that, deplorable as is the religious state of Italy, there are some things which encourage. Some rays of truth are reaching the minds of a portion, however small, of the inhabitants. The Bible is demanded ; and to some extent it is obtained, read, and highly prized. And whilst thick darkness, like that which rested upon Egypt of old, covers that interesting country, there is still a * land of Goshen ' in the valleys of Piedmont, in which there is light.

The reader will learn that there are nearly forty Protestant ministers of the gospel in Italy at present, about one half of whom are laboring as pastors and professors in the valleys of the Waldenses. And if this volume should be the means, under God's blessing, of leading those who read it to pray definitely and earnestly for the influences of his Spirit, to render the Truth which may be preached by these ministers, or which may be read on the pages of the Holy Scriptures, and religious books and tracts, effectual to the salvation of many souls, and the extension of Christ's kingdom in that land, it will not have been written in vain.

One word more. The author feels that if this work should contribute in any measure, however small, to engage those who read it to take a deeper interest in the conversion of Roman Catholic nations to true Christianity, his highest

* Light shining in Darkness.

Vlll INTRODUCTION.

wishes will have been accomplished. This is a subject which he deems of paramount importance. We are sending the gospel to the heathen, and often to nations whose influence is nothing in the world; and in doing so, we are passing by powerful Roman Catholic countries, which are almost as destitute of the true gospel as the heathen themselves. And yet a little reflection would teach us, that the world cannot be converted without the regeneration of Roman Catholic countries. Every year shows more and more clearly that Rome is putting forth all her energies, to recover what she has lost, and to conquer Protestant nations. She plants her missions, too, in heathen countries, wherever the Protestants plant theirs, and does all that she can to counteract all their efforts in that direction. What, then, is our duty in reference to the Roman Catholic world? Evidently, first, to carry the Truth into every country which is under the dominion of Romanism as quickly and as extensively as possible, wherever the way is open ; and, secondly, to pray without ceasing that, where the way is not open for doing this, it may be, speedily, in the good providence of God. The Protestant world cannot afford to sleep much longer over this subject. And the very success which is attending the efforts that are making to introduce the Word of God, and in other ways to promote the Truth in Catholic countries, should encourage us in the hope that the time has come for the Reformation to recommence its glorious career.

New York, April 1, 1845.

Chapter I

Struggles for the Truth, 14. Paganism in the Church, 15. Ambrose and Claude, 16. The Paulicians, 17. Light in dark places, 18. Arnaldo da Brescia, 19. Adrian IV., and Arnaldo, 21. Savonarola, 23. Savonarola and Alexander VI., 26. Influence of the Revival of Learning, 28. Dante, 30. Petrarch and others, 31. Need of Reformation felt by some in the Church, 34. Reformation a difficult work, 35.

CHAPTER 11.

ENTRANCE OF THE REFORMATION INTO ITALY. 37-51.

Preparation for the Reformation — Revival of Letters, 37. John Reuchlin, 38, Erasmus, 39. Reuchlin's Quarrel with the Dominicans, 40. Letters of some obscure Men, 41. Writings of the Refonners penetrate into Italy, 42. Study of the Scriptures, 44. Translation of the Scriptures into Italian, 46. Circumstances which favored the Entrance of the Reformation into Italy, 47. Need of a Reformation felt by some, even in the Vatican, 50.

Chapter III. Progress Of The Reformation In Italy. 52-84

Progress of the Reformation in Venice, 52. It spreads in Milan, 56. It gains ground in Mantua, 57. The Truth enters Locarno, 58. The Reformation spreads at Capo dTstria, 59. Progress of the Reformation at Ferrara, 60. At Modena, 63. In the States of the Church, 65. In Lucca, Pisa, and Sienna, 69. In the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, 70. Unhappy Controversies between the Protestants- in Italy, 74. Doctrines of the RefoiTnation embraced by some distinguished Ladies in Italy, 78. Favored by distinguished Men, 79.

10 CONTENTS.

Chapter IV

Ochino and Martyr fly, 86. Celio Secundo Curio escapes, 88. Eeorganization of the Inquisition in Italy, 89. Persecution in Modena, 91. The Reformed Doctrine extirpated at Ferrara, 92. Persecution rages in Venice and its Territories, 97. Protestants driven from Locarno, 100. Persecution in Milan, Mantua, and Cremona, 104. Dispersion of the Reformed Church at Lucca, 105. Persecution at Florence and other places in Tuscany, 107. Persecution at Naples, 108. Destruction of the Waldenses in Calabria, 110. Persecution in the Pope's Dominions, 117. Distinguished Italian Martyrs, 120. Suppression and Destruction of Books, 133.

Chapter V

DISPERSION OF THE ITALIAN PROTESTANTS ; THE CHURCHES OF THE SAME WHICH WERE FORMED IN FOREIGN LANDS. 137-166.

Italian Protestant Churches in the Grisons and their Dependencies, 137. Italian Protestant Churches in Switzerland, 149. At Geneva, 153. In France, 158. In Germany, 159, In the Netherlands, 161. At London, 163» Concluding Remarks, 164.

Chapter I. General State Of Italy Since The Reformation

169-202.

Political Changes through which Italy has passed since the RefoiTnation, 170. Progress of Civilization in Italy since the Reformation, 176. Procuress of the Fine Arts, 180. State of Education in Italy since the Reformation, 183. State of Literature in Italy since the Reformation, 190. Political and Social Condition of Italy at present, 193.

CONTENTS. 11

Chapter II. State Of Religion In Italy Since The Reformation

203-261.

Rome at length awakes to a sense of the Danger which menaces her, 203. The old Religious Orders purified and enlarged, and new ones created, 208. The Council of Trent, 224. Reaction in favor of Romanism, 227. Reaction against Romanism, 232. Life and Vigor now return to both Protestantism and Romanism, 233. Sacred Literature in Italy since the Reformation, 235. Character of the Roman Catholic Clergy in Italy, 238. State of the Monastic Establishments in Italy, 242. Character of the Religion of the Italians, 250. State of Morality in Italy, 253. Encouraging Signs in Relation to Italy, 258.

Chapter III. Protestant Chapels In Italy. 262-282

Protestant Chapels at Rome, 265. At Naples, 268. At Messina, 270. At Palermo, 271. At Leghorn, 271. At Florence, 272. At Venice, 273. At Genoa, 2^4. At Bergamo, 275. At Milan, 275. At Turin, 276. At Nice, 278. Occasional Protestant Services, 279. Protestant Chaplains in the Army of Naples, 279. Summary, 280.

Chapter I. Origin And Antiquity Of The Waldenses. 285-300

Their Name, whence derived, 286. Their Origin, 287. Opinions of the Waldenses themselves respecting their Origin, 288. Testimony of their Enemies on this subject, 291. Why the Waldenses are called Leonists, 293. Testimony of Rorenco, Cassini, and others, to the Antiquity of the Waldenses, 295. Opinion of Voltaire respecting the Origin of the Waldenses, 297. Opinions of distinguished Protestants in Relation to this subject, 298. The Antiquity of the Waldenses further attested by the Antiquity of the Dialect which they speak, 299.

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Chapter II

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTRY INHABITED BY THE WALDENSES. 301-330.

A general Notice of their Territory, 301. Valley of Luseme, 306. Valley of Rora, 313. Valley of Perouse, 315. Valley of St. Martin, 318. Valley of Angrogna, 326. Concluding Remarks, 328.

Chapter III. History Of The Waldenses. 331-368

The Waldenses belonged at first to the General Church, 331. Peter Waldo and his followers, 335. Number of the Waldenses about this Period, 337. Their ancient Missionary Spirit, 338. Beginning of Persecution in the Valleys, 341. Crusades against the Waldenses commenced, 343. Second Crusade against the Waldenses, 344. The Valleys come under the Government of France, 345. Persecution renewed by Emanuel Philibert, 346. State of things grows worse, 348. The horrible Massacre in sixteen hundred and sixty -five, 349. Effect upon Protestant Europe, 350. The State of the Waldenses continues deplorable, 353. Last and most dreadful War, 354. Their glorious Return to their Valleys, 357. Striking Analogies in their History, 359. Unworthy Conduct of Victor Amadeus at the last, 360. Subsequent History of the Waldenses, 362. Renewed Interest felt in their Behalf, 365,

Chapter IV

PRESENT STATE OF THE WALDENSES ; THEIR ECCLESIAS- TICAL ORGANIZATION ; THEIR DOCTRINES ; THEIR MODE OF WORSHIP, ETC. 369-413.

Visit of the Author to the Valleys, 369. His first Impressions upon arriving in the land of the Waldenses, 371. History of the Waldenses appalling, 375. Second Visit to the Valleys, 376. Names of the present Pastors and Ministers in the Valleys, — their Character, 376. Labors of the Waldensian Pastors, — their Style of Preaching, 378. Mode of conducting Public Worship in the Churches of the Valleys, 381. Liturgy of the Waldensian Churches, 383. Polity of the Evangelical Church of the Valleys, 386. Doctrines of the Waldensian Churches, 394. Roman Catholic Influence in the Valleys, 398. State of Religion among the Waldenses, 399. State of Morals among the Waldenses, 401. State of Education in the Valleys, 404. Our Last Days in the Valleys, 408.