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ellation。 Dominicus Loricatus； a monk of St。 Croce d'Avellano； is mentioned as the master and model of this species of mortification of the flesh； which； according to the primitive notions of the Asiatic Anchorites； was deemed eminently Christian。 The author of the solemn processions of the Flagellants is said to have been St。 Anthony； for even in his time （1231） this kind of penance was so much in vogue； that it is recorded as an eventful circumstance in the history of the world。 In 1260； the Flagellants appeared in Italy as Devoti。 〃When the land was polluted by vices and crimes； an unexampled spirit of remorse suddenly seized the minds of the Italians。 The fear of Christ fell upon all： noble and ignoble； old and young； and even children of five years of age； marched through the streets with no covering but a scarf round the waist。 They each carried a scourge of leathern thongs； which they applied to their limbs； amid sighs and tears； with such violence that the blood flowed from the wounds。 Not only during the day； but even by night； and in the severest winter； they traversed the cities with burning torches and banners； in thousands and tens of thousands； headed by their priests； and prostrated themselves before the altars。 They proceeded in the same manner in the villages： and the woods and mountains resounded with the voices of those whose cries were raised to God。 The melancholy chaunt of the penitent alone was heard。 Enemies were reconciled； men and women vied with each other in splendid works of charity； as if they dreaded that Divine Omnipotence would pronounce on them the doom of annihilation。〃
The pilgrimages of the Flagellants extended throughout all the province of Southern Germany； as far as Saxony； Bohemia； and Poland； and even further； but at length the priests resisted this dangerous fanaticism； without being able to extirpate the illusion； which was advantageous to the hierarchy as long as it submitted to its sway。 Regnier； a hermit of Perugia； is recorded as a fanatic preacher of penitence； with whom the extravagance originated。 In the year 1296 there was a great procession of the Flagellants in Strasburg； and in 1334； fourteen years before the Great Mortality； the sermon of Venturinus； a Dominican friar of Bergamo； induced above 10；000 persons to undertake a new pilgrimage。 They scourged themselves in the churches； and were entertained in the market…places at the public expense。 At Rome； Venturinus was derided； and banished by the Pope to the mountains of Ricondona。 He patiently endured allwent to the Holy Land； and died at Smyrna； 1346。 Hence we see that this fanaticism was a mania of the middle ages； which； in the year 1349； on so fearful an occasion； and while still so fresh in remembrance； needed no new founder； of whom； indeed； all the records are silent。 It probably arose in many places at the same time； for the terror of death； which pervaded all nations and suddenly set such powerful impulses in motion； might easily conjure up the fanaticism of exaggerated and overpowering repentance。
The manner and proceedings of the Flagellants of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries exactly resemble each other。 But； if during the Black Plague； simple credulity came to their aid； which seized； as a consolation； the grossest delusion of religious enthusiasm； yet it is evident that the leaders must have been intimately united； and have exercised the power of a secret association。 Besides； the rude band was generally under the control of men of learning； some of whom at least certainly had other objects in view independent of those which ostensibly appeared。 Whoever was desirous of joining the brotherhood； was bound to remain in it thirty…four days； and to have fourpence per day at his own disposal； so that he might not be burthensome to any one； if married； he was obliged to have the sanction of his wife； and give the assurance that he was reconciled to all men。 The Brothers of the Cross were not permitted to seek for free quarters； or even to enter a house without having been invited； they were forbidden to converse with females； and if they transgressed these rules； or acted without discretion； they were obliged to confess to the Superior； who sentenced them to several lashes of the scourge； by way of penance。 Ecclesiastics had not； as such； any pre…eminence among them； according to their original law； which； however； was often transgressed； they could not become Masters； or take part in the Secret Councils。 Penance was performed twice every day： in the morning and evening they went abroad in pairs； singing psalms amid the ringing of the bells； and when they arrived at the place of flagellation； they stripped the upper part of their bodies and put off their shoes； keeping on only a linen dress； reaching from the waist to the ankles。 They then lay down in a large circle； in different positions； according to the nature of the crime： the adulterer with his face to the ground； the perjurer on one side； holding up three of his fingers； &c。； and were then castigated； some more and some less； by the Master； who ordered them to rise in the words of a prescribed form。 Upon this they scourged themselves； amid the singing of psalms and loud supplications for the averting of the plague； with genuflexions and other ceremonies； of which contemporary writers give various accounts； and at the same time constantly boasted of their penance； that the blood of their wounds was mingled with that of the Saviour。 One of them； in conclusion； stoop up to read a letter； which it was pretended an angel had brought from heaven to St。 Peter's Church； at Jerusalem； stating that Christ； who was sore displeased at the sins of man； had granted； at the intercession of the Holy Virgin and of the angels； that all who should wander about for thirty…four days and scourge themselves； should be partakers of the Divine grace。 This scene caused as great a commotion among the believers as the finding of the holy spear once did at Antioch； and if any among the clergy inquired who had sealed the letter； he was boldly answered； the same who had sealed the Gospel！
All this had so powerful an effect； that the Church was in considerable danger； for the Flagellants gained more credit than the priests； from whom they so entirely withdrew themselves； that they even absolved each other。 Besides； they everywhere took possession of the churches； and their new songs； which went from mouth to mouth； operated strongly on the minds of the people。 Great enthusiasm and originally pious feelings are clearly distinguishable in these hymns； and especially in the chief psalm of the Cross…bearers； which is still extant； and which was sung all over Germany in different dialects； and is probably of a more ancient date。 Degeneracy； however； soon crept in； crimes were everywhere committed； and there was no energetic man capable of directing the individual excitement to purer objects； even had an effectual resistance to the tottering Church been at that early period seasonable； and had it been possible to restrain the fanaticism。 The Flagellants sometimes undertook to make trial of their power of working miracles； as in Strasburg； where they at