history.[1] Thus the Bohemian Waldensian episcopate became extinct after but a short duration. May we not assume that God had permitted it to be instituted as a necessary factor in the organization of the Church of the Brethren, and that this having been completed its mission was done?
THE CONSECRATION OF THE FIRST MORAVIAN BISHOPS.
We now continue our narrative. The three deputies of the Synod of Lhota arrived among the Waldenses, met with a cordial reception, and were consecrated Bishops by Stephen and his colleague. It was not, as Perceval asserts,[2] “an imposition of hands” “in token of fellowship and agreement, and for the confirming of their minds,” there being of any idea of consecration not a whisper”—but it was a consecration of bishops in the fullest sense of this title and in the strictest meaning of this office. We establish this position by the evidence here following:
1. Blahoslav’s Summa &c., (Lissa Folio viii) says:
“Our countrymen were informed that somewhere near Austria lived certain ones of the number of the Waldenses, of whom it was reported that they had the pure doctrine of Christ, neither had given place to simony that they had also brought together among themselves both grades of the ministry, namely, the episcopal and the priestly. Two of our people were sent to their Bishops, or Seniors, of whom two were found. Our deputies lay before them their purpose, and narrate to them all that had been transacted (at the Synod of Lhota), and what God had done for the Brethren, and they ask their opinion concerning this thing. The Waldenses say that the thing is of divine authority and good (rem sanctam et piam), strongly (vehementer) commend it, and with the greatest joy confirm them in their design. And immediately, having acknowledged them to be truly ministers of Christ chosen and sent by the Lord, they consecrate them with the imposition of hands, and declare them to be their associates in the Lord and fellow-bishops (imposita capiti manu illos benedicunt atque socios in Domino et Co-piscopos appellant); and having been farther exhorted to go into the vineyard of the Lord, the deputies returned to their own.”
2. Lasitius distinctly affirms (Lasitius II, 45, quoted by Plitt), that the priests sent by the Brethren to the Waldenses were consecrated Bishops by the Waldensian Bishop Stephen.
