15th Century Sabbath Observance
BOHEMIA "Erasmus testifies that even
as late as about 1500 these Bohemians not only kept the seventh day scrupulously, but also were
called Sabbatarians." Cox, "The Literature of the Sabbath Question," Vol.2, pp.201, 202 "Truth
Triumphant," p.264
NORWAY
(Church Council held at Bergin, August 22,1435) "The first matter concerned a keeping holy
of Saturday. It had come to the earth of the archbishop that people in different places of
the kingdom had ventured the keeping holy of Saturday. It is strictly forbidden-it is stated-in
the Church Law, for any one to keep or to adopt holy-days, outside of those which the pope,
archbishop, or bishops appoint." The History of the Norwegian Church under Catholicism, R.
Keyser, Vol.II, p. 488.Oslo: 1858
NORWAY, 1435 (Catholic Provincial Council at Bergin) "We are informed that some people
in different districts of the kingdom, have adopted and observed Saturday-keeping. It is severely
forbidden-in holy church canon-one and all to observe days excepting those which the holy Pope
archbishop, or the bishops command. Saturday-keeping must under no circumstances be permitted
hereafter further than the church canon commands. ,Therefore we ccounsel all the friends of
God throughout all Norway who want to be obedient towards the holy church to let this evil
of Saturday- keeping alone; and the rest we forbid under penalty of sever church punishment
to keep Saturday holy." Dip. Norveg., 7, 397
NORWAY, 1436
(Church Conference at Oslo) "It is forbidden under the same penalty to keep Saturday holy by
refraining from labour." History of the Norwegian Church, p.401
RUSSIA (Council, Moscow, 1490)
"The accused [Sabbath-keepers] were summoned; they openly acknowledged the new faith, and defended
the same. The most eminent of them, the secretary of state, Kuritzyn, Ivan Maximow, Kassian,
archimandrite of the Fury Monastery of Novgorod, were condemned to death, and burned publicly
in cages, at Moscow; Dec. 17,1503." H.Sternberfi, "Geschichte der Juden" (Leipsig, 1873), pp.117-122
FRANCE - Waldenses
"Louis XII, King of France (1498-1515), being informed by the enemies of the Waldense inhabiting
a part of the province of Province, that several heinous crimes were laid to their account,
sent the Master of Requests, and a certain doctor of the Sorbonne, to make inquiry into this
matter. On their return they reported that they had visited all the parishes, but could not
discover any traces of those crimes with which they were charged. On the contrary, they kept
the Sabbath day, observed the ordinance of baptism, according to the primitive church, instructed
their children in the articles of the Christian faith, and the commandments of God. The King
having heard the report of his commissioners, said with an oath that they were better men than
himself or his people." History of the Christian Church, Vol.II, pp. 71, 72, third edition.
London: 1818
INDIA
"Separated from the Western world for a thousand years, they were naturally ignorant of many
novelties introduced by the councils and decrees of the Lateran. 'We are Christians, and not
idolaters,' was their expressive reply when required to do homage to the image of the Virgin
Mary.'"
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