CHAPTER - THE PAULICIANS OF ARMENIA The Paulicians of Armenia were the theological ancestors of the Albigenses of France. Hence we must begin with inquiring into the rise and doctrinal system of the Paulicians.

I. An account of Constantine or Sylvanus their founder. 1. The character and conduct and principles of himself and his followers. 2. The persecution of the Paulicians, and the martyrdom of Constantine-Sylvanus.

II. An account of Simeon or Titus.

III. An account of Sergius or Tychicus.

IV. An account of the Scriptures as they were possessed by the Paulicians.

V. A summary of evidence. 1. The doctrinal faith of the Paulicians. 2. The moral principles of the Paulicians.

CHAPTER - THE ALBIGENSES OF SOUTHERN FRANCE From Armenia, the Paulicians migrated into Europe. Here they became the theological fathers of the Cathari or Albigenses, who were similarly charged with Manicheism, though the allegation against them is full of difficulties and inconsistencies.

I. The first difficulty: namely, that which arises from the discordance of the testimonies respecting the morals and habits of the Albigenses. 1. The singular effect produced by their joint exhibition. (1.) Alan the Great the Universal Doctor. (2) Bernard of Clairvaux. (3.) Reinedus the Inquisitor. (4.) The graphical account of the Cathari, given by Reinerius. (5.) The account of the mode in which they made converts, as given by Reinerius. (6.) The character of the Albigenses, as given by Bernard. 2. The absolute denial of the charges brought against them, on the part of the Albigenses themselves.

II. The second difficulty: that, which arises from the acknowledged readiness of the Albigenses to submit to martyrdom rather than renounce their faith .

III. The third difficulty: that which arises from the impossibility of crediting the witnesses, who brought against the Albigenses an allegation of doctrinal Manicheism. 1. Specimens of the charge, as preferred by various authors. (1.) Lucas Tudensis. (2.) Radulphus Ardens. (3.) The author of the Ancient History of Aquitaine. (4.) Robert of Auxerre. (5.) Reinerius the Inquisitor. 2. On the ordinary principles of evidence, the accusation is undeserving of credit. (1.) Partly, from the inconsistency of the testimony. (2.) Partly, from the circumstance of an invariable denial on the part of the Albigenses themselves.

CHAPTER - THE GROUNDS OF THE ALLEGATION OF MANICHEISM AGAINST THE PAULICIANS AND THE ALBIGENSES A statement of the grounds, on which the allegation of Manicheism, against the Paulicians and the Albigenses, seems to have been made.

I. The first ground.

II. The second ground.

III. The third ground.

IV. The fourth ground.

V. The fifth ground.

VI. The sixth ground.

VII. The seventh ground.

VIII. The eighth ground.

IX. Summary of the several grounds.

X. Utility of the remarks.

CHAPTER - THE FALSEHOOD OF THE ALLEGATION OF MANICHEISM AGAINST THE ALBIGENSES, DEMONSTRATED FROM THE CASE OF THE CANONS OF ORLEANS The Canons of Holyrood at Orleans.

I. Their case, as given by various authors. 1. The narrative of Rodulphus Glaber. 2. The statement of the Actuary of the Synod of Orleans. 3. The statement contained in the Ancient History of Aquitaine. 4. The narrative of John of Fleury.

II. An examination of the evidence. 1. The witnesses grossly disagree. 2. The evidence is in itself insufficient.

CHAPTER - THE FALSEHOOD OF THE ALLEGATION, DEMONSTRATED FROM THE HISTORY OF BERENGER Berenger of Tours.

I. Berenger and his missionaries must have come in contact with the Cathari.

II. Transubstantiation was not the only point, on which Berenger differed from Rome.

III. The testimony of Berenger himself, as given by his opponent Lanfranc.

IV. Conclusion against the pretended Manicheism of the Albigenses.

CHAPTER - THE FALSEHOOD OF THE ALLEGATION DEMONSTRATED FROM THE CASE OF PETER DE BRUIS AND HENRY The case of Peter de Bruis and Henry, as given by Peter the Venerable and Bernard of Clairvaux.

I. The confession of Peter the Venerable, that he wrote from mere hearsay.

II. The five points of doctrine, maintained, according to Peter the Venerable, by Peter de Bruis.

III. Positive evidence, that the Petrobrusians were not Manicheans.

IV. The allegation of Bossuet, that they rejected the Eucharist.

V. The construction put by Peter the Venerable upon the doctrinal points ascribed to the Petrobrusians.

VI. The allegations of Bernard respecting Henry.

CHAPTER - THE FALSEHOOD OF THE ALLEGATION, DEMONSTRATED FROM THE STATEMENT OF BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX The case of those who afterward bore the name of Albigenses, as given by Bernard of Clairvaux.

I. The grounds, on which a charge of Manicheism was brought against them. 1. Bernard’s misquotation of Scripture. 2. Bernard’s misapprehension of the profession made by them.

II. The remarkable statement of Bernard: that The Albigenses of his day were not distinguished by the name of any heresiarch.

CHAPTER - THE FALSEHOOD OF THE ALLEGATION, DEMONSTRATED FROM THE STATEMENT OF WILLIAM OF NEWBURY The case of the Publicans in England.

I. The narrative of William of Newbury.

II. Remarks on the narrative. 1. According to Bossuet, the Publicans exhibited three visible characters of Manicheism, displayed in their alleged horror of Baptism and Marriage and the Eucharist. 2. Proof positive, from the unequivocal language of William of Newbury, that the Publicans could not have been Manichbans.

CHAPTER - THE FALSEHOOD OF THE ALLEGATION, DEMONSTRATED FROM THE CASE OF THE ALBIGENSES AT LOMBERS The case of the Albigenses at Lombers.

I. Bossuet’s mode of quoting and commenting upon Roger Hoveden.

II. The real ungarbled statement of Roger Hoveden. 1. Charges brought against the Albigenses. (1.) Examination of the charge that they rejected the Old Testament. (2.) Examination of a collection of other charges. 2. Sequel of the trial of the Albigenses.

III. Remarks on the statement of Hoveden and the conduct of Bossuet.

CHAPTER - THE FALSEHOOD OF THE ALLEGATION, DEMONSTRATED FROM THE CONFESSIONS OF THE ALBIGENSES.

Recorded Confessions of Faith, drawn up by the Albigenses.

I. Confessions recorded by Popliniere.

II. Confession recorded by Vignier.

III. Confession recorded by Roger Hoveden.

CHAPTER - THE FALSEHOOD OF THE ALLEGATION DEMONSTRATED FROM THE DIRECT TESTIMONY OF HISTORY.

The true ground of the hostility of the Romish Priesthood to the Albigenses.

I. Attestation of the historian William Paradin.

II. Attestation of the historian Bernard Girard.

CHAPTER - THE ALBIGENSES DID NOT APPEAR IN FRANCE UNTIL AFTER THE CLOSE OF THE TENTH CENTURY.

Reasons for not using the Work of Dr. Allix on the Albigenses.

I. Remarks on the genealogy and settlements of the Albigenses. 1. The theological tendency of the South of France at the commencement of the eleventh century. 2. The numerical amount of the proper Paulicians in Europe. 3. The theological tendency of Toulouse and its surrounding district. 4. The coincidence of this tendency with the views of the Paulician Strangers.