For lack of space, an extensive history of these interesting people can not be given; but a few references to them by their most inveterate enemies, the Papists themselves, are of such importance that I can not pass them by unnoticed.  The testimony given by Evervinus, a zealous Catholic, in a letter he wrote to the celebrated Bernard, at the beginning of the twelfth century, relative to the doctrine and manners of these so-called heretics, is exceedingly valuable.  Says he:  “There have lately been some heretics discovered among us, near Colonge [sic:  Cologne], of whom some have, with satisfaction returned again to the church.  One that was a bishop among them, and his companions, openly opposed us, in the assembly of the clergy and laity, the lord-archbishop himself being present, with many of the nobility, maintaining their heresy from the words of Christ and his apostles.  But, finding that they made no impression, they desired that a day might be fixed, upon which they might bring along with them men skilful in their faith, promising to return to the church, provided their teachers were unable to answer their opponents; but that otherwise, they would rather die than depart from their judgment.

“Upon this declaration, having been admonished to repent, and three days allowed them for that purpose, they were seized by the people, in their excess of zeal, and committed to the flames! and, what is most astonishing, they came to the stake and endured the torment not only with patience, but even with joy.  In this case, O holy father, were I present with you, I should be glad to ask you, how these members of Satan could persist in their heresy with such constancy and courage as is rarely to be found among the most religious in the faith of Christ?”

He then proceeds:  “Their heresy is this:  They say that the church (of Christ) is only among themselves, because they alone follow the ways of Christ, and imitate the apostles, not seeking secular gains....  Whereas they say to us, ’Ye join house to house, and field to field, seeking the things of this world.’...  They represent themselves as the poor of Christ’s flock, who have no certain abode, fleeing from one city to another, like sheep in the midst of wolves, enduring persecution with the apostles and martyrs:  though strict in their manner of life—­abstemious, laborious, devoted, and holy ... living as men who are not of the world.  But you, say they, lovers of the world, have peace with the world, because ye are in it.  False apostles, who adulterate the word of God, seeking their own things, have misled you and your ancestors.  Whereas, we and our fathers, having been born and brought up in the apostolic doctrine, have continued in the grace of Christ, and shall continue so to the end....  They affirm that the apostolic dignity is corrupted by indulging itself in secular affairs, while it sits [professedly] in St Peter’s chair.  They do not hold with the baptism of infants,