LIBRARY BOOKS: HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
(Ecclesiastical History)
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The Hail & Fire Books Library is a FREE online Christian resource for Christian books, Puritan, Reformed and Protestant exhortative works, Catholic and Protestant polemical and apologetical works, bibles, histories, martyrologies, and works on |
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ABOUT HISTORIES: These works have been placed online so that all who seek the truth of the Gospel might have these rare and historical resources readily available. It is our intention to place here only those histories and historians of a moderate tone or of a genuinely Gospel faith. As the past is a record of the very trial of men's creeds, let us not say of the past, as some, "What is that to us today?" For, the past is the record itself afforded to all that we might examine and judge the fruits of the religions and doctrines that men live by in this world. We also know, as living in the end times, that history, as it unfolds, is the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy. Roman Catholic historians such as Du Pin, De Thou, and Varillas can be found under Catholic Apologetica.
American Sunday School Union (publisher)
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History of the HuguenotsAn 1844 Edition history. Written for the American Sunday School Union (ASSU) and revised by the committee of publication.
TABLE OF CONTENTS: CHAPTER I: Dawn of the Reformation in France. Le Fevre and William Farel. Francis Angoulême and his sister. Count Briçonnet, Bishop of Meaux. Francis ascends the throne. Portions of the Scripture translated and distributed. Apostasy of Briçonnet. Persecution of his flock. Intolerant spirit of the court and ecclesiastics. Martyrdom of the Hermit of Livry. CHAPTER II: John Calvin. Marriages of Margaret to Henry D'Albret. Her writings. Expiatory procession instituted. Version of the Psalms. Calvin publishes his Institutes. Persecution of the Christians in Provence. Death of Francis I. Accession of Henry II. Influence of the Lorrain princes. Conversion of Admiral Coligny. Edict of Chateaubriand. Attack upon an assembly of Protestant worshippers. The Pré-aux-clercs. Five members of the Parliament committed to the Bastile. First National Synod of the Reformed. Death of Henry and accession of Francis II. Martyrdom of Dubourg. Catharine de Medicis. Protestants first called Huguenots. Death of Francis II. Accession of Charles IX. Outrages at Vassay. Beza. Persecutions increase. Death of the King of Navarre. Treatise of Amboise. Longjumeau, and St. Germains. Plot against Condé and Coligny. Bloody warfare. Catharine's new policy. Coligny and Jane of Navarre at the French court. Forebodings of the Huguenots. ...
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Sermons for Children and Young Adults
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The History of The Rise of the Hugenots of France
by Henry Martyn Baird
An 1879 Edition in 2 volumes.
"The history of the Huguenots during a great part of the period covered by this work is, in fact, the history of France as well. The outlines of the action and some of the characters that come upon the stage are, consequently, familiar to the reader of general history. The period has been treated cursorily in writings extending over wider limits, while several of the most striking incidents, including, especially, the Massacre of St. Bartholomew's Day, have been made the subject of special disquisitions. Yet, although much study and ingenuity have been expended in elucidating the more difficult and obscure points, there is, especially in the English language, a lack of works upon the general theme, combining painstaking investigation into the older (but not, necessarily, better known) sources of information, and an acquaintance with the results of modern research."
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The Waldenses or Protestant Valleys of Piedmont, Dauphiny, and the Ban De La Roche
by William Beattie
An 1838 Edition, London.
"Of all nations or provinces, where the noblest virtues have been called into action, and where love of country and zeal for religion have alternately endured the most grievous calamities, or led to the most glorious results, these Valleys of Piedmont - a spot scarcely noticed in the maps of Europe - stand forth in brilliant distinction. From the magnanimous traits, heroic sacrifices, and startling incidents which their history presents, it has all the character of an ancient epic, all the materials and variety of a tragic drama, but of a drama stamped with the seal of truth. As a distinct people, the Waldenses became first known in history at the commencement of the ninth century, during the life of Claudius, bishop of Turin - the Wickliffe of his day, and the strenuous advocate of primitive Christianity. By tradition, however, carefully handed down through a long line of ancestors, they trace their origin to the first dawn of revelation, and, in the present day, profess the same doctrines which they imbibed from the apostles. ... During the general tide of corruption ... the Waldenses stood aloof. ... They regarded image worship, or the offerings presented to the relics of saints, as not only diverting the mind from the sacred channel of devotion, but as an insult offered to their reason, degrading to the dignity of christian worship, and in direct opposition to its first principles. Their rules of life and doctrine were drawn from the authority of Scripture; and by this infallible standard their religious opinions were framed and exemplified in practice." (pages 1-2)
Bede, also known as Baeda, was an Priest of the Monastery of Jarrow on the Tyne who lived from 673-735 ad.
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Church Fathers - The Ecclesiastical History of the English Nation
Eugène Bersier was a French Protestant Pastor (Pasteur Français).
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Martyrologies - Quelques Pages de L'Histoire des Huguenots
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The History of Popery in Great Britian, An historial account of the Usurpations, Cruelties, &c. of the Bishops of Rome and the Creatures, in matters of Fact, from the Primitive Age to the Council of Trent, which is the principal Standard of Popery to this very Day, To show the Times and Manner of their introducing their several idolatrous and erroneous Innovations into the Church, and to state the Pretences and Arguments, on which they ground their ridiculous Doctrines, and return satisfactory Answers thereunto.Originally published 1678-1683. Reprinted by Several Gentlemen in the 1735-1736 Edition in 2 Volumes.
"If Paul were not inferior to the very chief of the Apostles, then Peter had no such superiority: but the first is asserted, 2 Cor 11:5. Ergo ... There is no instance of any appeal, that was ever made to Peter, to decide controversies; but, when a debate arose between Paul and Barnabas, and others, about circumcision, they referred the point, not to Peter, but to the Church, and the Apostles and elders at Jerusalem, who debated upon it, and formed their determination about it, exactly according to James' sentence, which was an improvement of, and addition to what Peter had said upon it; and this they wrote to the gentiles, not as the decree of Peter, (and 'twas indeed rather the decree of James) but as what seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to the Apostles, and elders, and brethren, who met at Jerusalem on that occasion. Acts 15:2-29. Therefore Peter had no such authority"
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Les Vaudois Et L'Inquisition
par Th. des Cauzons
A 1908 Édition en Français (French Edition) 
. The Vaudois and The Inquistion by Cauzons.
"Sentiment Profond du Besoin d'une Réforme. On ne saurait nier l'existence de singuliers abus dans la société ecclésiastique du moyen âge. Sans entrer dans des détails infinis, il nous sera permis d'indiquer parmi les sources de ces abus: d'abord, la situation politique de l'Eglise dans la société féodale; les évêques et les abbés devenus seigneurs temporels; les papes tendant à se rendre princes indépendants, protecteurs, puis dominateurs de l'Italie. En second lieu, nous devons signaler l'excès des richesses, qui constituaient un danger sérieux. D'une part, elles favorisaient la luxure et la paresse dans les églises riches, la jalousie et la cupidité dans les églises pauvres; d'autre part, elles déterminaient un malaise dans la société civile. Alors les princes s'opposaient à l'accumulation des biens ecclésiastiques, par des coups de force, de véritables vols, ou des violences stupides, à moins qu'ils ne prissent des mesures légales approuvées en leurs conseils et dictées par la raison.En dépit ou, plus justement, à cause de ces misères, il exista toujours, dans le sein de l'Eglise elle-même, un parti, plus fort à certaines époques, moins influent dans d'autres, qui, conscient de la décadence actuelle et soucieux de l'idéal proposé par le Christ à ses fidèles, chercha à réagir, en obtenant la réforme plus ou moins complète des abus."
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The English Reformation and its Consequences
by William Edward Collins
"We declare, in the fulness of the apostolic power, the aforesaid Elizabeth a heretic, and an encourager of heretics, together with those who abet her, under the sentence of excommunication, cut off from the unity of the Body of Christ. Moreover, We declare that she has forfeited her pretended title to the aforesaid kingdom, to all and every right, dignity, and privilege; We also declare that the nobles, the subjects, and the people, who have taken any oath to her, are for ever released from that oath, and from every obligation of allegiance, fealty, and obedience, as We now by these letters release them, and deprive the said Elizabeth of her pretended right to the throne, and every other right whatsoever aforesaid; We command all and singular the nobles, the people subject to her, and others aforesaid, never to venture to obey her monitions, mandates, and laws. If any shall contravene this Our decree, We bind them with the same bond of anathema." (From the "Bull of Deposition against Queen Elizabeth I of England")
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Emilio Comba, Waldensian Theological College, Florence, Italy.
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History of the Waldenses of Italy, from their Origin to the Reformation
by Emilio Comba
An 1889 Edition. Translated from the author's revised edition by Teofilo E. Comba.
"The course of the history of the Waldenses may well be typified by that of one of their own Alpine rivers. Like a river, the history interests us from the very mystery of its origin. ... From such a place ... issue those rivers that bless Europe, and make it fertile. ... Its course is marked by many, and ofttimes surprising irregularities; but a vigorous people, like an Alpine river, will make for itself an outlet, in spite of all obstacles. ... People who judge only by appearances may be deceived by this; for, just as in the case of the Rhone, it may happen that defeat is proclaimed when victory is nearest at hand. Is not the very spot known as "la perte du Rhône" the scene of its most marvellous victory?"
D'Aubigné, Jean-Henri Merle (1794-1872)
Jean-Henri Merle D'Aubigné was a Swiss Protestant Christian Minister and a Reformation Historian.
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Historia de la Reformacion del Siglo Decimosesto (Tomo Segundo)
por Jean-Henri Merle D'Aubigné
19th Siglo American Tract Society Edición en Español 
. Traducida de la Cuarta Edicion Francesa por Ramon Monsalvatge. 1900's American Tract Society Edition in Spanish of D'Aubigne's History of the Reformation of the Tenth Century.
"Llamo accesorio, el estado de las cosas de esta vida caduca y transitoria. Llamo principal, el gobierno espiritual, en que resalta soberanamente la providencia de Dios." ~ Teodoro de Beze (Theodore Beza)
Célestin Douais (C. Douais or Marie-Jean-Célestin Douais) was a French Historian, a Roman Catholic Monseigneur and the Bishop of Beauvais, France. Douais was born Mar. 22, 1848 in Boujan-sur-Libron in the Diocese of Montpellier, France; he was ordained a Deacon (Dec. 21, 1873); ordained a Priest of Montpellier, France (May 30, 1874); and selected (Dec. 7, 1899), confirmed (Dec. 14, 1899), ordained (Feb. 24, 1900) and installed (Mar. 29, 1900) as the Bishop of Beauvais, France (Diocese of Beauvais-Noyon-Senlis, France) until his death there on Feb. 28, 1915.
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Documents Pour Servir a L'Histoire de L'Inquisition Dans Le Languedoc Publiés Pour La Société de L'Histoire de France (Premiére Partie: Introduction)
par Mgr. Douais, Évêque de Beauvais.
A 1900 Édition en Français (French Edition) .
Documents for the History of the Inquisition in Languedoc published for the Society of French History (Volume 1, First Part: Introduction) by Monseigneur Douais, Bishop of Beauvais, France.
"Introduction. L'Inquisition, qui a commencé à Toulouse en 1229, se rencontre encore dans le Languedoc au XV, au XVI et même au XVII siècle. Mais, à ces dates, elle était déjà fort affaiblie. La période de sa plus grande activité – et alors cette activité fut vraiment intense – répond au XIII et au XIV siècle, et même, pour préciser, aux années qui vont du pontificat de Grégoire IX à celui de Jean XXII, du règne de saint Louis aux règnes de Philippe le Bel et de Philippe VI. Du moins, c'est l'idée que suggèrent les documents spéciaux qui nous sont parvenus; et, vraisemblablement, cette idée n'est pas fausse.
Cette période, en tout cas, a, aux yeux de l'historien et du légiste, une importance considérable et offre un intérêt qui ne se représente plus au même degré par la suite. L'on ne sera pas surpris que nous l'ayons prise comme un riche champ d'étude. Les faits n'appartiennent qu'à une ancienne province de la France; mais si on les considère, abstraction faite des personnes et des lieux, on ne manque pas de s'apercevoir qu'ils permettent de décrire en détail toute la procédure du trop fameux tribunal, ou même d'en reconstituer à grands traits l'histoire. Ces faits, en un mot, ont une portée générale, bien capable, ce semble, de captiver l'attention de l'historien des institutions anciennes."
Elizabeth I was a famous Protestant Queen of England and Ireland (1558-1603), the last ruler in the Tudor monarchy, known as the "Virgin Queen" and "Gloriana." Elizabeth was the daughter of King Henry VIII, sister to Protestant King Edward VI and Catholic Queen Mary I, known as "Bloody Mary."
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The Virgin Queen: Marriage Speech of Queen Elizabeth I given to the House of Commons, February 1559, in answer to the House of Commons' Petition for the New Queen of England to Marry.Originally Given in 1559, England.
"In a matter most unpleasing, most pleasing to me, is the apparent goodwill of you and my people, as proceeding from a very good mind towards me and the Commonwealth. Concerning Marriage, which ye so earnestly move me to, I have been long since persuaded, that I was sent into this world by God to think and do those things chiefly, which may tend to His glory. Hereupon have I chosen that kind of life which is most free from the troublesome cares of this world, that I might attend the service of God alone."
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Audio Books - Elizabeth I: Marriage Speech (Visual Audio Book)
Clay, William - Private Prayers of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth
Collins, William - The Bull of Deposition against Queen Elizabeth I
Froude, James - History of England from the Fall of Wosley to the Death of Elizabeth
Griffiths, John - Certain Sermons Appointed to be Read in the Time of Queen Elizabeth
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History of England from the Fall of Wosley to the Death of Elizabeth
by James Anthony Froude
An 1871 Edition in 8 volumes.
"The country knew ... that a successful rebellion is at best a calamity; and the bravest and wisest men would not injure an illustrious cause by conduct less than worthy of it, so long as endurance was possible. They had saved Elizabeth's life and Elizabeth's rights, and Elizabeth, when her time came, would deliver her subjects."
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The Lineage of the English Bible (article)
by H. W. Hoare
An article originally published in 1902.
"It may be doubted whether among those who take up an English Bible there are more than a few who realize what a long history lies behind the version at which they are looking, and how rich in interest that history is. Yet the subject is one which appeals to a wide circle, and for such of our readers as may be unfamiliar with it a few pages may not be thrown away in the endeavor to sketch in outline the literary pedigree of what is perhaps the most notable work in the world. In severe strictness we can harldy carry our present printed Bible back beyond the Reformation. Its parent source, as we shall presently see, is Tyndale, and Tyndale's first New Testament dates from 1525, or the sixteenth year of the reign of King Henry VIII."
Antoine Monastier was a Waldensian or Vaudois Christian Pastor in the Cantone De Vaud, Native of the Vaudois Valleys of Piedmont.
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Martyrologies - A History of the Vaudois Church from its Origin, and of the Vaudois of Piedmont to the Present Day
Peyran, Jean Rodolphe (1752-1823)
Jean Rodolphe Peyran was a Protestant Christian Pastor of Pomaret and Moderator of the Waldensian Church.
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Apologetica Protestant - An Historical Defence of the Waldenses or Vaudois, Inhabitants of the Valleys of Piedmont
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Annals of the Reformation and Establishment of Religion, and Other Various Occurences in the Church of England, during Queen Elizabeth's Happy Reign: Together with an Appendix of Original Papers of State, Records, and Letters
An 1824 Edition in 8 volumes.
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Mémoires du Duc de Sully
par le Duc de Sully
1822 Édition en Française, Paris (French Edition) in 6 volumes. Originally published in 1638.
"Mémoires depuis l'année 1570 jusqu'à l'année 1580. Etat des affaires du conseil de France, et de celles des calvinistes, à la paix de 1570. Idée du gouvernement sous Henri II, François II, et pendant les premières annees de Charles IX. Artifices de la reine Catherine de Médicis et de son conseil pour perdre les huguenots. Blessure de I'amiral de Coligny, et autres sujets de défiance que la cour donne aux protestans. Dissimulation profonde de Charles IX. Massacre de la saint Barthélemi. Détail, remarques et réflexions sur cet événement, sur la conduite de Charles IX et sur l'amiral de Coligny. Comment le roi de Navarre et Rosny échappent au massacre. Éducation de Rosny. Les calvinistes reprennent courage, et rétablissent leurs affaires."
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Library of Original Sources: Enactments from the Codex Theodosianus
A 1907 Edition.
Library of Original Sources: Wycliffe and Pope Gregory XI
A 1907 Edition.
R. W. Thompson, ex-secretary of the Navy.
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Footprints of the Jesuits
by R. W. Thompson
An 1894 Edition.
"Every American mind should be duly impressed by this portion of English history, showing, as it does, how fierce and protracted was the struggle which led, in the end, to popular government, and the civil and religious freedom which it alone has guaranteed. Elizabeth was undoubtedly a great queen - great in the qualities of her intellect, in the steadfastness of her purposes, in that manly courage which "mounteth with occasion." When she became queen, the people of England, both Protestants and Roman Catholics, were tired of religious persecution, and anxious to put an end to it. She favored and recommended to Parliament measures of pacification, in the spirit of liberality and toleration. If, obeying the dictates of her own conscience, she preferred Protestantism to Roman Catholicism, she had such respect for the conscientious convictions of others as to desire that all her subjects should be secured in the right to accept either the one or the other at their own discretion."
John Udall was a Puritan Christian Extremist.
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State of the Church of England laid open in a Conference between Diotrephes a Bishop, Tertullus a Papist, Demetrius a Usurer, Pandochus an Innkeeper, and Paul a Preacher of the Word of God
An 1895 Edition. Originally published in 1588.
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The Vaudois Of Piedmont, A Visit to their Valleys, with a sketch of their Remarkable History as a Church and People to the Present Date, with Map of the Valleys
by J. N. Worsfold
An 1873 Edition.
"How long have the Waldenses lived in the locality from which they derive their name? Da ogni tempo, da tempo immemoriale - from all time, from time immemorial - is the claim set up by them in their earliest documents, and repeated over and over again in their petitions to the House of Savoy for liberty of conscience. Nor is there any attempt to refute this claim of antiquity on the part of their princes or their persecutors. To this statement of the Waldenses themselves we will add corroborative testimony from others. Their enemies. We begin with Reinerius the Inquisitor, a.d. 1250. He refers to the Waldenses under the term of Leonists, and says that this sect has been of longer continuance (than the others to which he refers), having lasted, some say, from the time of Pope Sylvester (314 ad), and others from the time of the apostles."