The Petrobruslans

The Petrobrusians were a sect of French Christians who, in the twelfth century, witnessed for God in opposition to the papacy. They were also observers of the Sabbath. This is stated by Dr. Francis White, lord bishop of Ely, who was appointed by the king of England to write against the Sabbath, in opposition to Mr. Brabourne, a Sabbatarian. He says:ChSa 144.1

“In St. Bernard’s days it was condemned in the Petrobruysans.”-Treatise of the Sabbath Day, p. 8.ChSa 144.2

The Sabbath-keepers of the eleventh century were of sufficient importance to attract the attention of the pope. Gregory VII., one of the most lordly, domineering popes that ever occupied the papal chair, was at that time ruling the church with an iron hand. Dr. Heylyn says that-ChSa 144.3

“Gregory, of that name the seventh [about AD. 1074], condemned those who taught that it was not lawful to do work on the day of the Sabbath.”-History of the Sabbath, part 2, chapter 5, section 1.ChSa 144.4

This is clear evidence that there was still a respectable number of Sabbath-keepers, even in those countries where that church had authority; for surely the pope would not pronounce a curse upon them unless such persons existed. Thus we see the Sabbath still existing among those opposed to the Catholic Church, even in Italy itself, where the pope’s power was greatest. We now look abroad to countries where the pope never had jurisdiction, in search of those who still revere the Sabbath of the Lord.ChSa 144.5