Truth Triumphant - Benjamin G. Wilkinson

papacy faced the growing triumph of pure Bible
truth in the hearts of evangelical bodies. A struggle
began which would never cease until the
Reformation had broken the power of darkness.
Though much research has been given to the
relation of the Paulicians and Albigenses to each
other, only this much is clear--their beliefs and
history are similar, if not identical. The Albigenses
were numerous in southern France where they
gained myriads of converts. Here they maintained
an independence of the papacy, and rejected
transubstantiation.[37]
The papacy became alarmed over the growth in
dissent, and acted. First, there were persecutions on
a minor scale. In 1198 Rome dispatched legates to
the south of France, and a large number of
Albigenses were committed to the flames. When
these measures failed to secure the desired results,
Raymond, the reigning count of Toulouse, was
ordered to engage in a war of extermination against
his unoffending subjects. Raymond hesitated. Later
events increased the bitterness, and the pope
proclaimed a crusade against southern France.
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