THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES • "~ 1L I 1 I -.•■■!" C 'I I - ■ I I " THE HISTORY O F T H E INQUISITION- ■ TO THE QUEEN REGENT. Madam, ^r8\| Should never have entertained the I leafl: Thought of prefenting to Your Wm Majefty the History of the In- quisition, but that it afforded me an Opportunity of expreffing my fincere Joy, in that which is the common Happinefs of A thefe 3 - LIBRARY IV DEDICATION. thefe Nations ; Your M ajefty 's juft Abhorrence of all the Frauds and Cruelties authorised and pradtifcd by that infamous Tribunal, and Your generous Concern for the civil and religious Liberties of Mankind, In theearlieft Part of Your Majefty's Life, when worldly Honours and Dignities muffc have appeared with their greateft Charms, You be- came an illuftrious Example of Steadinefs in the Protefhnt Faith. Your Refolution and Piety triumphed over the ftrongeft Temptations. God referved Your Majefty as a Blefling to the Kingdoms now under Your Guardianfhip As a Reward of Your conftant Adherence to Truth and Virtue, he hath made You the beloved Queen of a free and powerful Nation, whofe Loyalty is the Fffed: of the molt voluntary Choice, and flows from the two ftrongeft Mo- tives in the World, the Senfe both of their In- tereft and Duty. Under the Infpe&ion of fuch a Queen and Mother, the Brtttjh Nation is in no Pain for the Royal Progeny, but looks on them with 2 Plea. DEDICATION. Pleafure, as the Sources of their future Happi- nefs. Your Majefty's Example will infpire them with Zeal for the Proteftant Religion, and Your difinterefted Purftut of Truth form them into a Love of Liberty, and teach them the true Notion and proper Ufe of it, Tis Your Majefty's happy Lot to live in an Age, and be the Guardian of a Nation, in which the Principles of all Religion undergo the moffc exa6l and critical Inquiry ; and 'tis the peculiar Glory of His Majefty's Government, that all Men are permitted to make fuch Inquiries with Safety. As Superftition and Error can never be effectually difcover'd and deftroy'd, nor Re- ligion maintain its native Purity and Dignity without thefreeft Ufe of this invaluable Privi- lege, 'tis importable that the Ends of Govern- ment can require, or that true Religion can ever prefcribe or juftify the lead Invafion or Abridg- ment of it. The Revelation of the Gofpel, fixed immo- vable upon its own Foundation of eternal Truth, needs no Methods of Fraud and Violence for A 2 its vi DEDICATION. its Support. The great Author of it appealed to the Reafon and Conferences of Men concern- ing the Proofs of his divine Million, and the Nature of the Doctrines he taught. His Apo, files after him claimed no Submiflion to their heavenly Dictates, without reafonable Convi- ctions, founded in the Demonftration of the Spirit and of Truth. Happy had it been for the Chriftian Church, had the Examples of the Son of God and his Apoftlesbeen, in this Re- fpe6t as well as others, counted worthy of Imi- tation ! Zeal for Religion, both in Princes and their Subjects, is unqueitionably a Duty. But Your Majefty underflands too well the great Obliga- tions to Chriftian Charity, and feels too great a Pleafure in the Exercife of this facred Virtue, ever to fufter Your own Zeal for Religion to lead You into a cruel perfecuting Warmth, or to encourage others in the ufe of any Methods for the Defence of Religion, which are not only contrary to the genuine Spirit and Delign of it, but in the Confequences deftru&ive of the Ho- nour, Succefs, and even Being of it. 2 The DEDICATION. The Succeffion of the illuftrious Houfe of Hanover to the Throne of thefe Kingdoms, was a Blefling of long Expectation. The Severities which were exercifed upon Proteftant DifTenters in former Reigns, upon the Account of Reli- gion, made them caft their Eyes upon that Au- guft Family. From thence, Madam, the Afflidt- ed hoped for Relief: From thence the Sufferers for Confcience-fake expected, under God, their Salvation from the Yoak of Civil and Ecclefia- ftical Oppreflion. The Happinefs they both pray'd and longed for, but were allowed to fee only afar off we, their Pofterity, now enjoy. The all-merciful God hath abundantly anfwer'd their Prayers, and blelTed us with the Fruits of their Expecta- tions, When our Liberties were unrighteoufly invaded, and farther Difficulties and Sufferings were intended us, for our Fidelity to the prefent Royal Family, by an almoft miraculous Provi- dence, His late Majefty came into our Relief, and will ever be remembered with Honour and Gra- vn viii DEDICATION. Gratitude by us, as our Reltorer and Deliverer, and as the common Preferver of thefe Nations from that Deftruclion which fo nearly threaten- ed them. His prefent Majefty, the Inheritor of His Royal Father's Virtues, as well as Kingdoms, will be reverenced for His impartial Protection of all His Subjects, for the Wifdom of His Counfels, the Steadinefs of His Meafures, and the glomus Succefs which hath crowned Them, in the Settlement of the different, and al- moft contrary Interefts of Europe, and the Prefervation of the invaluable Bleffings of Peace. Your Majefty will be admired for all thofe excellent Endowments, and amiable Virtues, which render You the greateft Ornament to publick and private Life. Your Regency of thefe Kingdoms, conducted with fuch Wifdom and Goodnefs, Ihews You fit for the Weight of Government, and the Dignities of a Crown. Your Condefcenfion and Freedom in converfing with DEDICATION. with Perfons of Learning and Virtue, difcovers Your Love of Truth, and Your Knowledge how to reconcile the Pleafures of Converfation and Friendfhip with the Reverence due to Majefty and Power. Your Love to true Religion, and Your Impartiality in fearching into the Nature of it, is the fulleft Evidence that Your Ma- jefty's Piety, as well as the Benevolence of Your natural Difpofition, mult neceffarily excite in Your Breaft a juffc Averfion to all Methods of Violence for the Conviction and Converfjon of others. Your Affeclion to the Proteftant Re- ligion and Liberties in general, and Your fteady Regard to the Welfare of thefe Kingdoms in particular, indear Your Majefty to the prefent Generation, and will befpoken of with Pleafure by thofe to come. That God may long continue Your Majefty a Blefling in every Relation in which his Provi- dence hath fixed You, and, after a full Enjoy- ment of the higheft Honour and Profperity, which this World can afford You, receive You to the more lubftantial and durable Blcflings of the IX x DEDICATION. the eternal World, is the fincere and fervent Prayer of, May it pJeafe Tour Majefly, Tour Ma]efty y s moft Obedient, Mofl Devoted, and Mofl Humble Servant, Samuel Chandler. p t^J^i |ff§|5|H E Introduction to Mr. LimborchV Hifiory of the Inquifition hath run out tojuch a Lengthy that I have but little Room for any Treface. That Hifiory needs nothing thai J can fay to recommend it. When it firfi came over to England, it was received with great Approbation by many of the principal Nobility and Clergy. Mr. Lock, that incomparable Judge of Men and Books, gtves it the highejl Character \ and commends it jor its Method and Terfpicuity, and the Authorities by which it is [o abundantly confirmed, and pronounces it a Work in its Kind ab~ Jolutely perfect. He was particularly pleafcd that Mr. Lim- borch ufed the very Words oj the Authors which he cites ; and, though this may make the reading of the Hifiory tedious to fome^ yet it was neceffary y that the Inquijitors might be coniiCicd by the B tefii- xu PREFACE. Tefiimony of their own Writers, of thofe villanom Frauds and Cruelties, with which they are charged. In a Letter to Mr. Limborch himfelf, he tells him, that he had fo fully expojed their fecret Arts of Wickednefs and Cruelty, that^ if they had any Remains of Humanity in them, they mufi be afhamed of that horrid Tribunal, in which every Thing that was juft and rivhteous was fo monflroufly perverted ; and that 'twas fit to be tranflatcd into the vulgar Language of every Nation, that the meanejl People might underfland the Ant'uchriftian Practices of that execrable Court. The Papifts were fo apprehenfive of the 'Prejudices that might arife to their Caufe by the 'Publication of this Booh, that the Cardinals, lnquifitors General at Rome, con- demn d it by an Edicl, and forbad the reading it, under the fe* vereft Penalties. Mr. Lock often mentions, in his Letters, feveral Additions which Mr. Limborch had prepared, and promifed to tranfmit to him, that he might infert them in their proper Places in the Margin. I know not whether he ever had the Pleafure of feeing them \ 'tis certain the Publick hath never hitherto been favoured with them. When I fir ft began my Tranjlation of the Hiftory, the late ingenious Anthony Collins, Efq; informed me, that he had fome M. S. Papers of Mr. Limborch relating to it, and generoufly fent them to me for my Perufal. After this, I was informed by a worthy Friend, that there was a Gentleman in Holland who had a large Number of Corrections and Additions ; and, upon my Application to him, he very kindly ordered them to be tranfcribed out of the Copy Mr. Limborch kept by hirn^ which he had corrected and enlarged with his own Hand, and tranfmitted them to me from the Hague. His Name is Francis a Limborch, a worthy Relation of the learned Author V, to whom I take this Opportunity of returning my facer e Thanks 2 fir PREFACE. xiii for fo valuable a Trefent. The Reader will find them included within thefe Hooks Q ]. I have added aljo a few marginal Notes, to explain fome of the Terms made vfe of and to confirm the Hiftory it felf As to the Introduction, 1 thought it neccffary to trace the Hiftory of Terfecution from its fir ft Beginnings, and thus to con- necl it with the Account of the Inquifition. Though it be long^ it might have been greatly enlarged, especially with Jeveral remark* able Injlances oj it among fl the Pagans. I cannot help infer tinq^ here one very extraordinary Tafage from Livy, the Roman Hiftorian, though it be a little out of its Tlace. He tells us *, a That fucb a foreign Religion fpread k felj over the Cit\ % that Lib. 2) -, 4t either Men or the Gods Jeemed entirely changed; that the c ' Ia * u Roman Rites were not only forfaken in private, and within the u Houfes, but that even pubiickly, in the Forum and Capitol, u great Numbers of Women flocked together, who neither facrificed a nor prayed to the Gods, according to the manner of their Acceptors. a This fir ft excited the private Indignation of good Men, till a at length it reached the Fathers, and became a publick Complaint. a The Senate greatly blamed the /Rdiles and capital 2 rwm- a vh'Sj that they did not pn'ohibit them, and when they endea* * Tanta religio, et ea magna ex parte externa, civitatem mceffit, ut aut homines, aut Dii repente alii viderentur fafti ; nee jam in fecreto modo atq; intra parietes abo- lebantur Romani ritus, fed in publico etiam ac foro Capitalioq^ mulierum turba erar, nee facrificantium nee precantium Deos patrio more Primo fecreta: bonorum in- dignationes exaudiebantur, deinde ad patres etiam, et ad publicam querimoniam ex- ceffit res. Incufati graviter ab Senatu -Ediles Triumviriq; capitales, quod nonprohi- berent : quum emovere earn multitudinem a foro, ac disjicere apparatus facrorurn conati eflent, haud procul afuit quin violarentur. Ubi potentius jam efle id malum apparuit quam ut minores per Magiltratus fedaretur, M. Atilio, prstori urbis nego- tium ab Senatu datum eft, ut his religionibus populum liberaret. Is et in concicne Senatus confulmm recitavit, et edixit, Ut quicumq; libros vaticinos precationefve, aut artem facrificandi confcriptam haberet, eos libros omnes literafqj ad fe ante Ca- lendas Aprilis deferret 5 neu quisin publico facrove loco, novo aut externo ritu facri- ficaret. B 2 a vourei xiv PREFACE. cc voured to drive away the Multitude from the Forum, and to lc throw down the Things they had provided for performing their ct f acred Rites, they were like to be torn in 'Pieces. And when lt the Evil grew too great to be cured by inferior Magifirates, u the Senate order d M. Atilius thePretor of the City, to pre* U vent the Peoples ufing thefe Religions." He accordingly pub* liftid this decree of the Senate^ that whoever had any For- tune-telling Books, or Prayers, or Ceremonies about Sacri* ikes written down, they ihould bring all fuch Books and Writings to him, before the Calends of April, and that no one fhould uie any new 7 or foreign Rite of facrificing in any publick or facred Place. Apud Mecenas, in his Advice to Augultus, Jays to him : Perform ciffium, divine Worfhip in all Things exaftly according to the 1 5Z - Cuftom of your Anceftors, and compel others to do (b alfo ; and as to thofe who make any Innovations in Reli- gion, hate and punifh them ; and that not only for the lake of the Gods, but becaufe thofe who introduce new Deities, excite others to make Changes in Civil Affairs. Hence Confpiracies, Seditions, and Riots, Things very vit.Aug. dangerous to Government. Accordingly Suetonius, in his Life of this Prince, gives him this Character : u That t ho he lL rcligioujly obferved the ancient prefcribed Ceremonies, yet he a contemned all other foreign ones, and commended Caius, for u that pajjing by Judaea, he would not pay his 'Devotions at Jeru- Ibid. « falem." He alfo, as the fame Author tells us *, made a Law, very much refembling our Tefi Ad, by which he commanded, that before any of the Senators (hould take their Places in * Quo autem religiofius Senatoria munera fungerentur, fanxit ut priufquam confideret quifque, thure ac raero fupplicaret apud aram ejus Dei, in cujus templo cci- retur. Council. c 35 PREFACE. xv Council, they fliould offer Frankincenfe and Wine upon the Altar of that God in whofe Temple they met. Tbefe and other Paifages that may be mention d, abundantly prove that the Heathens were as much in Principle, and as really in Praciice 7 Persecutors as the Chriflians ; and ^tis therefore very unfair and unreafonable to make it an Objection againjl Chru flianity that jo many of the Profejfors oj it have, in all Ages, given into tbefe ungodly and wicked Meajures. If it proves any 'Thing, it will prove as much againjl natural Reajon and Religion, as it doth againjl the Religion of Jefvs. And if the Vices of Ma:, who have had no other Guide but the former, prove nothing againjl the Sufficiency ayid Goodnefs of them, Chrijlians alfo may be very wicked Men, and yet the Religion they profefs be a very excellent and divine one. If any Jhould ask, why I trouble the World with the Accounts of the Perfections that Chrijlians have raifed againjl each other 5 at this Time, now that the Clergy of all Denominations Jeem to be entering into more moderate Meafures ; / anfwer, to give the little Affijlance I am able towards promoting a truly catbo* lick and charitable Difpofition ; there being, as I apprehend, no- way fo proper to expofe the Doclrine and Practice of Perfecution, as by a fair Reprefentation of the unfpeakable Mif chiefs that have been occafioned by it \ nor any other Method fo likely to render it the univerfal Abhorrence of Mankind, as to let them fee by pafi Examples, what Miferies they mujl expect, if God /bould ever, for our Sins, fubjecl us again to the Toak of Ecclefiajli* cal Power ; which, wherever ''tis not kept under JlricH Re Jlraint, will ufurp upon the Authority and Dignity of Princes, and trample under Foot all the civil and religious Liberties oj Mankind. 'Tis therefore highly incumbent upon all Perfons in their feveral Stations ; *tk what the Gentlemen of England, who XVI PREFACE. who are horn to E/lates and Honours, and 'know the true Value of Liberty and Troperty, are more espe- cially concern d in, to do all they can to prevent the 'Encroachments and gradual Increafes of Jpiritual Ty- ranny ; it being much more eafy to do this, than to free themfelves from it, when once they have tamely fubmitted to the Ufurpaiions of it. If the per [ecuting Spirit declines, 'tis far from being wholly extinguifbed. The Claims of the Church, that now lie dormant, want nothing but a fair Op- portunity to revive. And for the Truth of this, I appeal to the late famous Controverfy about Church Tower and Authority. May God Almighty, of his infinite Mercy, infpire all Ranks and Degrees of Men with fuch a Love to Liberty, and with fuch a Senfe of the Greatnefs of their Trivilege, in being free as to their Confciences, Religion, Terfons, and E/lates y as f jail fecure us from all Attempts to deprive us of it, or, at leaf I, as f ball render all fuch Attempts from warm defigning Bigots wholly ineffectual. ^Tis, indeed, impojfible to prevent all Abufes of Li- berty : But theje are infinitely more tolerable than the Evils that mufl necefjarily flow from Ecclefia- jlical Tyranny, which is deflruUive to Knowledge, Learning, Tiety and Virtue, and every Thing that is dear and valuable to Men and Chriflians. Even thefe Abufes oj Liberty have render d ynany of the Clergy of the Church of England immortal, by their excel- lent 'Defences of the Chri/lian Religion j and I per- fuade my [elf that their Lordfhips of London, Dur- ham, Litchfield and Coventry, had rather be reme?n- PREFACE, xvii remember d and known to Toflerity by Paftoral Let- ters, Defences of Chriflianity, and Vindications of Chriflfs Miracles, than by that Rigidnefs and cruel Zeal for Uniformity in Opinions, and lifelefs Cere- monies, by which many of their TredeceJJors have left an indelible Stain on their Karnes and Memories. May they go on thus to adorn their Epifcopal Cha- racter j and, by being Examples of Chriflian Tiety, Moderation, and Forbearance, influence the inferior Clergy to imitate them. I have nothing more to add, but to defire the Re a- der to over-look any leffer Faults that ?nay have efcaped me in the Introduction orTranflatio?i, and to ask my Subfcribers Tardon for the long Delay of this Work. The ill State of my Health for many Months pafll, and my conftant Engagements in Life, will be allowed as jome Excufe by all equitable Terjons, As to thofe who can make me no Allo%vance> all I can fay to them is, that as this is the flrfl Book that I have publifjed by Subfcription, fo, according to my pre fen t Judgment, 'twill be the lafll. Such as it is, if it will do any Good, I f jail be thankful to God, and not repent my own Labour, L tT; 3 ?: rt ' Samuel Chandler, A A L su A. H E Reverend William Ayerft, D. D. Benjamin Avery, L.L.D. The Rev. Mr. John An- tleby 'the Rev. Mr. John Archer The Rev- Mr. Thomas Amory Jofeph Andrews Efq; Robert Atwood Eft;; Mr. Jofeph Adams Mr- Thomas Afliurft Mr. Allen Mr. Abraham Atkyns Mr. Edward Andrews Mr. Daniel Adams Mr. Thomas Aftley Mr. Samuel Avery B. The Right Honourable the Lord Vifcount Barrington The Rev. Mr. Robert Billio The Rev. Mr. Jofeph Billio, 2 Sets The Rev. Mr. John Bond The Rev. Mr. John Barker The Rev. 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Mr. Nathanael Whitlock Wight Woolley Efq; Arthur Woolley Efq; Ifaac Welman Efq; John Wowen Efq; William Walter Efq; James White, Gent. Mr. James Weft Mr. Watkinfon Wildman Mr. Edward Walburge Mr. Antony Walburge Mr. George Willv, jim. Mr. William Willy Mr. Daniel Wilmott Mrs- Mary Winnock Mr. William Wildman Mr. Thomas Walker Mr. John Wefton of Greenwich Mr. John Wainwright Mr- Thomas Warren Mr. Joel Watfon, Merchant Mr. Winter Mr. John Wells Mr- Samuel Welten Mr. Obadiah Weeks Mr. Aaron Ward, Eookfelkr THE THE INTRODUCTION: BEING THE HISTORY O F PERSECUTION. m/^r ^•W\^£2^S Religion is a Matter of the higheft Importance to every Man, ^?*®V ySS there can be nothing which deferves a more impartial Inquiry, or which mould be examined into with a more difinterefted Freedom ; becaufe as far as our Acceptance with the Deity de- pends on the Knowledge and Practice of it, fo far Religion is, and muft be, to us a purely perfonal Thing, in which therefore we ought to be determined by nothing but the Evidence of Truth, and the ra- tional Convictions of our own Mind and Confcience. "Without fuch an Exami- nation and Conviction wefhall be in danger of being impofed on by crafty and defigning Men, who will not fail to make their Gain of the Ignorance and Cre- dulity of thofe they can deceive, nor fcruple to recorameiid co them the worfl: b Prin- The Introduction. Principles and Superftitions, if they find them conducive or neceflfary to Tup- port l heir Pride, Ambition and Avarice. The Hiftory of almoft all Ages and Nations is an abundant Proof of this Afiertion. God himfelf, who is the Object of all religious Worfhip, to whom we owe the moft abiblute Subjection, and who& Actions are all guided by the decern- ed Reafon and funefs of Things, cannot, as I apprehend, confident with his own mod perfect Wifdom, require of his reafonable Creatures the explicite Belief of, or actual AlTent to any Propofition which they do not, or cannot either wholly or partly understand ; becaufe 'tis requiring of them a real Im- poffibiiity, no Man being able to ftrotch his Faith beyond his Understanding, :. e, to fee an Object that was never prefent to his Eyes, or to difcern the Agreement or Difagreement of the different Parts of a Propofition, the Terms of which he hath never heard of, or cannot poflibly underftand. Neither can i: be fuppofed that God can demand from us a Method of Worfhip of which we cannot difcern fome reafon and fitnefs, becaufe it would be to demand from us Worfhip without Understanding and Judgment, and without the Concur- rence of the Heart and Confcience, i. e. a Kind of Worfhip different from, and exdufive of chat, which in the Nature of Things is the moft excellent and bcfl, viz. the Exercife of thofe pure and rational Affections, and that Imita- tion of God by Purity of Heart, and the Practice of the Virtues of a good Life, in which the Power, Subftance, and Efficacy of true Religion doth confift. If therefore nothing can or ought to be believed, but under the Di- rection of the Understanding, nor any Scheme of Religion and Worfhip to be received but what appears reafonable in it felf, and worthy of God j the necef- fary Confluence is, that every Man is bound in Interefl and Duty to make the beft Ufe he can of his reafonable Powers, to examine without fear, a]l Principles before he receives them, and all Rites and Means of Religion and Worfhip before he fubmits to and complies with them. This is the common Privilege of human Nature, which no Man ought ever to part with himfelf, and of which he can't be deprived by others, without the greateft Injustice and Wickednefs. 'Twill, T doubt not, appear evident beyond Contradiction, to all who im- partially confider the Hiftory of paft Ages and Nations, that where and when- ever Men have been abridged, or wholly deprived of this Liberty, or have neglected to make the due and proper Ufe of it, or facriflced their own pri- vate Judgments to the publick Confcience, or complimented the licenfed fpi- ritual Guides with the Direction of them, Ignorance and Superftition have proportronably prevailed ; and that to thefe Caufes have been owing thofe great Corruptions of Religion which hare done fo much Difhonour to God, and where-ever they have prevailed, been destructive to the Interefts of true Piety and Virtue. So that inftead of ferving God with their Reafon and Underftand- ing, they have ferved their fprritual Leaders without either, and have been fo rrom rendring themfelves acceptable to their Maker, that they have the more deeply, 'tis to be feared, incurred his Difpleafure ; becaufe God can't but difhke the $a:r-t:i uf fe ; . f , and therefore of fuch who either neglect to 2 im- The Introduction. improve the reafonable Powers he hath given them, or part with them in complaifance to the proud, ambitious, and ungodly Claims of others, which is one of the higheft Inftances of Folly that can poiTibly be mentioned. I will not indeed deny, but that the appointing Perfons, whofe peculiar Of- fice it mould be to minifter in the external Services of publick and focial Wor- ship, is, when under proper Regulations, of Advantage to the Decency and Order of Divine Service. But then I think it of the mod pernicious Ccnfe- quence to the Liberties of Mankind, and abfolutely inconfiftent with the true Profperity of a Nation, as well as with the Intereft and Succefs of rational Reli- gion, to fuffer fuch Minifters to become the Directors general of the Confcien- ces and Faith of others, or publickly to affume, and exercife fuch a Power, as fhall oblige others to fubmit to their Determinations without being convinced of their being wife and reafonable, and never to difpute their fpiritual Decrees. The very Claim of fuch a Power is the higheft Infolence, and an Affront to the common Senfe and Reafon of Mankind •, and where-ever 'tis ufurped and al= lowed, the moft abject Slavery both of Soul and Body is aimofl the unavoid- able Confequence. For by fuch a Submiffion to fpiritual Power the Mind and Confcience is actually enflaved, and by being thus render'd paffive to the Prieft, Men are naturally prepared for a fervileSubje&icn to the Prince, and for becoming Slaves to the molt arbitrary and tyrannical Government. And I believe it hath been generally found true by Experience, that the fame Perfons who have afferted their own Power over others in Matters of Religion and Confcience, have alfo afferted the abfolute Power of the Civil Magiftrate, and been the avowed Fatronsof thofe admirable Doctrines of Paffive- Obedience -and Non-Refiftance for the Subject. Our own Nation is fufficiently witnefs to the Truth of this. 'Tis therefore but too natural to fufpect, that the fecret Intention of ail ghoftiy and fpiritual Directors and Guides in decrying Reafon, the nobleft Gift of God, and without which even the Being of a God, and the Method of our Redemption by JefusChrifl, would be of no more fignificancy to us than to the Brutes that perim, is in reality the Advancement of their own Power and Au- thority over the Faith and Confciences of others, to which found Reafon is, and ever will be an Enemy. For though I readily allow the great Expediency and Need of Divine Revelation to aflift us in our Inquiries into the Nature of Reli- gion, and to give us a full View of the Principles and Practices of it ; yet a very fmali I Share of Reafon, without any fupernatural Help, will fuffice, if attend- ed to, to let me know that my Soul is my own, and that I ought not to put my Confcience out to keeping to any Perfon whatlbever, becaufe no Man can be anfwerable for it to the great God but my felf ; and that therefore the Claim of Dominion, whoever makes it, either over mine or any others Confcience, is meer Impofture and Cheat, that hath nothing but Impudence or Folly to fupporc it, and as truely vifionary and romantick as the imaginary Power of Perfons dif- order'd in their Senfes, and which would be of no more Signirlcancy and Influ- ence amongft Mankind than theirs, did not either the Views of ambitious Prin- ces, or the Superftition and Folly of Bigots encourage and fupport it. b 2 0;i > The Introduction. On thefe Accounts it is highly incumbent on all Nations, who enjoy the Blef* lings of a limited Government, who would preferve their Conftitution, and tranfmit it fafe to Pofterity, to be jealous of every Claim of fpiritual Power, and not to enlarge the Authority and Jurifdiction of fpiritual Men, beyond the Bounds of Reafon and Revelation. Let them have the freeft Indulgence to do good, and fpread the Knowledge and Practice of true Religion, and pro- mote Peace and Good- will amongft Mankind. Let them be applauded and encouraged, and even rewarded, when they are Patterns of Virtue, and Ex- amples of real Piety to their Flocks. Such Powers as thefe God and Man would readily allow them, and as to any other I apprehend they have little right to them, and am fure they have feldom made a wife or rational Ufe of«them« On the contrary, numberlefs have been the Confufions and Mifchiefs introdu- ced into the World, and occafioned by the LTfurpers of fpiritual Authority. In the Chrifban Church they have ever u fed it with Infolence, and generally abufed it to Oppreflion and the worft of Cruelties. And though the Hiftory of fuch Tiv.niactions can never be a very pleafing and grateful Talk, yet I think, on many Accounts it may be ufeful and inftructive ; efpecially as it may tend to give Men an Abhorrence of all the Methods of Persecution, and put them upon their Guard againft all thofe ungodly Pretenfions, by which Perfe- ction hath been introduced and fupported. But how much foever the perfecuting Spirit hath prevailed amongft thofe who have called themfelvesChriftians, yet certainly 'tis a great miftake to confine it wholly to them. We have Inftances of Perfons, who were left to the Light of Nature and Reafon, and never fufpected of being perverted by Revelation, murthcring and deftroy ing each other on- the Account of Religion ; and of fome judicially condemned to Death for differing from the Orthodox, i. e. the eftar blifhed Idolatry of their Country. And I doubt not, but that if we had as full dnd particular an Aecount of the Tranfactiors of the different religious Sects and Parties amongft the Heathens, as we have of thofe amongft Chriftians, we mould find a great many more Inftances of this kind, than 'tis eafy or pofiible now to produce. However, there are fome very remarkable ones which I fhall not wholly omit. SECT. I. Of Perfections amongft the Heathens upon Account, of Religion. Cap. *,. HT^HERE is a PafTage in the Book of- Judith which intimates to. us, that t, 6, G"rt JL the Anceftors cf the Jews themfelves were perfecuted upon. Account of their Religion. Achior^ Captain of the Sons of Amnion, gives Hob femes this Account of the Origin of that Nation. This People, are defended of the Chaldeans $ and tbey fojourned heretofore in Mesopotamia* becaufe they would not follow the Gods ef their Fathers which were in the Land of Qialdea \ for tbey left the Way of their Anceftors y J be Introduction 5 jjfteeffors, and wor/hippid the God of Heaven, the God whom iheyknew., So they eajl them out from the Face of their Gods, and tbey fled info Mesopotamia, and fo- journed there many Days. St. Auflin and Marfham both take Notice of this Tra- De _ civic. dition •, which is farther confirmed by all the oriental Hiflorians, who, as the Dc, > *■ i6 ' learned Dr. Hyde tells us,, unanimoufly affirm, that Abraham fuffered many^ *' Perfections upon the Account of his Oppofition to the Idolatry of his Country i c £ n * . and that he was particularly imprifoned for it by Nimrod in Ur. Some of thepc Reiig. eaftern Writers alfo tell us, that he was thrown into the Fire, but that he wasPerf. c. z> miraculoufly prcferved from being confumed in it by God. This Tradition al- fo the Jews believed, and is particularly mentioned by Jonathan in hisTargum upon Gen. xi. 28. So early doth Perfection leem to have begun againft the Worfhippers of the true God. Socrates, who in the Judgment of an Oracle was the wifeft Man living, wa&Plat. m perfecuted by the Athenians on the Account of his Religion, and when paft fe- Apolog. venty Years of Age brought to a publick Trial and condemned. His Accufa-j^ ce ° tion was principally this, That he did unrighteoufly and curioufly fearch intO£>i g. the great Myfteries of Heaven and Earth •, a that he corrupted the Youth, andLaerc. in did not efleem the Gods worfhipped by the City to be really Gods, and that he vir - Soc - introduceed new Deities. This lad part of his Accufation was undoubtedly owing to his inculcating upon them more rational and excellent Conceptions of the Deity, than were allowed by the eftablifhed Creeds of his Country, and to his arguing againft the Corruptions and Superftitions which he faw univerfally practifed by the Greeks. This was called corrupting the Youth who were his Scholars, and what, together 'with his fuperior Wifdom, raifed him many Enemies amongft all forts. of People, who loaded him with Reproaches, and fpread Reports concerning him greatly to his Difad vantage, endeavouring thereby to prejudice the Minds of his very Judges againft him. When he was brought to his Trial feveral of his Acculers were never fo much as named or difcovered to him, fo that as he himfelf complained, he was as it were fighting; with a Shadow, when he was defending himfelf againft his Adyerfaries, be- caufe he knew not whom he oppofed, and had no one to anfwer him. However» he maintained his own Innocence with, the nobleft Refolution and Courage ; fhewed he was far from corrupting the Youth, and openly declared that he be- lieved the Being of a God. And as the Proof of this his Belief he bravely faid to his Judges, that though he was very fcnfible of his Danger from the Hatred and Malice of the People, yet that as he apprehended God himfelf had ap- pointed him to teach his Phiiofophy, fo he fhould grievoufly offend him mould he forfake his Station through fear of Death, or any other Evil ; and that for fuch a Difobedience to the Deity they might more juftly accufe him as not be- lieving there were any Gods : Adding, as though he had fomewhat of the fame* bleffed Spirit that afterwards refted on the Apoftles of Chrift, that if they would difmifs him upon the Condition of not teaching his Phiiofophy any more. IT I 6 Jfc Introduction. 1 1 will obey God rather than you, and teach my Philofophy as long as I live. How- ever, notwifhftanding the Goodnefs of his Caufe and Defence, he was con- demned for Impiety and Atheifm, and ended his Life with a Draught of Poi- ibn, dying a real Martyr for God, and the Parity of his Worfhip. Thus we fee that in the Ages of natural Reafon and Light, not to be orthodox, or to differ from the eltablifhed Religion, v/as the fame Thing as to be impious and atheiftical, and that one of the wifeft Men that ever lived was put to Death merely on account of his Religion. I muff add, in JuiTice to the Laity, that the Judge* and Accufers of Socrates were not Priefts. Melitus was a Poet, Anytus an Artificer, and Lycon an Ora- tor ; Co that the Profecution was truly Laick, and the Priefts don't appear to have had any Share in his Accufation, Condemnation, and Death. Nor, indeed, was their any Need of the Afliftance of Prieflcrafc in this Affair, the Profecution of this excellent Man being perfectly agreeable to the Confticution and Maxims of the Athenian Government ; which had, to uie the Words of Dr Rogers & late Reverend Author, incorporated or made Religion a Part of the Laws of S*7 tf* C ^ e civi1 Community. One of the Attick Laws was to this Effect: : c Let it be hnjb men t' a Perpetual Law, and binding at all Times, to worfhip our national Gods and Heroes &c ' pubHckly, according to the Laws of our Anceftors. So that no new Gods, nor new- Doctrines about old Gods, nor any new Rites of Worfhip, could be introduced by any Perfon whatfoever, without incurring the Penalty of this Law, which rone, a- was Death. Thus Jofephus tells us, that 'twas prohibited by Law to teach pion. 1. 2 >ncw g 0C ] Sj anc j t h at tne Punifhment ordained againft thofe who fhould intro- libcrat. duce an Y ^ ucn ' was Death. Agreeably to this, the Orator Iterates, pleading Arcop.' in the Grand Council of Athens, puts them in mind of the Cuftom and Practice of their Anceftors : <* This was their principal Care to abolijh nothing they had re- ceived from their Fathers in Matters of Religion, nor to make any Audition to what thex had c(lablifhed. And therefore, in his Advice to Nicocles, he exhorts him to c be of the fame Religion with his Anceftors. So that the Civil Eftabliftiment of Religion in Athens was entirely exclufive, and no Toleration whatfoever al- Diog. lowed to thofe who differed from it. On this Account the Philofophers in ge- Lacir. !.<,. nera | we re, by a publick Decree, banimed from Athens, as teaching heterodox t^Z-t. Opinions, and corrupting the Youth in Matters of Religion, and by a Law, very much relembling the famous modern Schifm Bill, i prohibited from being Mailers and Teachers of Schools, without Leave of the Senate and People, even under Pain of Death. This Law, indeed, like the other, was but very fhort ■lived, and Sophocles the Author of itpunifhed in a Fine of five Talents. Lyftma- chus alfo banifhed them from his Kingdom. 'Tis evident from thefe Things, that according to the Athenian Conilitution, Socrates was legally condemned for not b Utrif o[j.cu 17»; d-ico (/.a xxov 11 vfx.iv. Plat. Ibid. Aft. S. 19. * Ekhvo [s.ovov STijay oTraf ywS^zv \x\m tcov T&Tetav kataKvcuj/j y,^ s£ U( 01 T^pyoVOI KATiSei^AV. f MneTii'ot tov piKotrofM a '/ohni a$ t)yei£au 3 av fj.\] Tfl /3sA»i £ tu £ny.u Po^yi' et & c ' Religious Spite and pious Spleen bred fir jl *|^Pk cpfa Quarrel, which fo long the Bigots nurft. l L \ ' 6t Each calls the others God afenfelefs Stock, His own, Divine, tho' from the f elf fame Block. At firjl both Parties in Reproaches jar, And make their Tongues the Trumpets of the War. Words ferve but to enflame the warlike Lifts, Who wanting Weapons clutch their homy Fifts. Yet thus makejhift t 'exchange fuch furious Blows, Scarce one efcapes with more than half a Nofe. Some ft and their Ground with half their Vifage gone, But with the Remnant of a Face f.ght on. Such transform' d Spetlacles of Horror grow, That not a Mother her own Son would know. One Eye remaining, for the other Spies, Which now on Earth a trampled Gelly lies. All this religious Zeal hitherto is but mere Sport and childifli Play, and therefore they pioufly proceed to farther Violences, to hurling of Stones, and throwing of Arrows, till one Party routs the other, and the Conquerors ieaft themfelves on the mangled Bodies of their divided Captives. Yet hitherto both Parties think the Fray, But Mockery of War, mere Children! Play. This whets their Rage, to fearch for Stones An Ombite Wretch (by Headlong firait betray' d, And falling down i'th'Rout) is Prifoner made. Whofe Flefh torn off by Lumps the ravenous Foe In Morfels cut, to make it farther go. His Bones clean pick'd, his very Bones they gnaw % No Stomach's baulk' d, becaufe the Corps is raw. T* had been loft Time to drefs him : Keen Defire Supplies the Want of Kettle, Spit, and Fire. De Ihch & Plutarch alfo relates, that in his Time fome of the Egyptians who worfhipp'd Ofir. p. a Dog, eat one of the Fifties, which others of the ^Egyptians adored as their |8o. Ed. £) e j t y . anc j c hat upon this the Fifh Eaters laid hold on the other's Dogs, and facrificed and eat them, and that this gave Occafion to a bloody Battle, in whicha great Number were deftroy'd on both Sides. Antiochus The Introduction. 9 'Jntiochus Epiphanes, tho' a very wicked Prince, yet was a great Zealot forAntiq w< hh Religion, and endeavoured to propagate it by all the Methods of the mofti. ". 'c $•' bloody Perfecuticn. Jofepbus tells us, that after he had taken Jerufaiem, and plunder'd the Temple, he caufed an Altar to be built in ir, upon "which he facrificed Swine, which were an Abomination to the Jews, and forbidden by their Laws. Not content with this, he compelled them to forfake the Wor- fhipof the true God, and to worfhip fuch as he accounted Deities ; buildino- Altars and Temples to them in all the Towns and Streets, and offerino- Swine upon them every Day. He commanded them to forbear circumcifing their Children, grievoufly threatningfuch as mould difobey his Orders. He alfo appointed Enow», Overfeers, to compel the Jews to come in, and do as he had ordered them. Such as rejected it : were continually persecuted, and put to Death, with the molt grievous Tortures. He ordered them to be cruelly icourged, and their Bodies to be core, and before they expired under their Tortures, to be crucified The Women, and the Children which they circumcifed, were, by his Command, hanged, the Children hangino- from the Necks of their crucified Parents. Where-ever he found any of°the facred Books, or of the Law, he deftroy'd them, undoubtedly to prevent the Pro- pagation of heretical Opinions, and punifhed with Death fuch as kept them. The fame Author tells us alfo, in his Hiftory of the Maccabees, that Antiocbus put forth an EdiCl, whereby he made it Death for any to obferve the Jewifh Religion, and compelled them, by Tortures, to abjure it. The inhuman Barbarities he exercifed upon Eleazar and the Maccabees, becaufe they would not renounce their Religion, and facrifice to his Grecian Gods, are not in fome Circumflances, to be parallel'd by any Hiftories of Perfecution extant and will ever render the Name and Memory of that illujlricus Tyrant exe- crable and infamous. It was on the fame religious Account that he banifhed Athen - the Philofophers from all Parts of his Kingdom, the Charge a<*ainft them 1,11,0 ' 1 ** being, their corrupting the Youth, i.e. teaching them Notions of the Gods, dif- ferent from the common orthodox Opinions which were eflablifhed by Law commanding Phanias, that fuch Youths as converfed with them mould be hanged. The ten Perfecutions, as they are reckoned, of the Chriftians by the Roman Emperors, purely for their Religion, are {landing Monuments of their religious Zeal, or rather of their outragious Fury againft all who would not comply with the eftablifhed Religion. Indeed, the very civil Conftiiurion of Rome was founded upon perfecuting Principles. Tertullian tells us, i That Apoi. c ii °twas an ancient Decree that no Emperor jhould confecrate a new God, unlets he was approved by the Senate ; and one of the (landing Laws of the Republick was to this Effeft, as Cicero gives it, k That no one Jhould have feparately new Gods. Deles, -no nor worjhip privately foreign Gods, unlefs admitted by the Commonwealth. This Li. J_ Vetus erat decretum ne qui Deus ab imperatore confecraretur, nifi a Senatu probatus column"" 111 nem ° habeiCt de ° S nCVe n ° V0Sj fed nC advenaSa nifi Police adfeitos/privatim c Law io The Introduction. Law he endeavours to vindicate by Reafon and the Light of Nature, by add- De Le*. ing> Tnat f or Perfons to worfhip their own, or new, or foreign Gods, would be id 1. 2. c. 10. introduce Confufion and firange Ceremonies in Religion. So true a Friend was this eminent Roman, and great Mafter of Reafon, to Uniformity of Worftiip ; and fo little did he fee the Equity, and indeed Neceffity of an univerfal Tolera- tion in Matters of Religion. Upon this Principle, after he had reafoned well a<*ainft the falfe Notions of God that had obtained amongft his Countrymen* and the publickSuperftitions of Religion, he concludes with what was enough DeDivIn. t0 deftroy the Force of all his Arguments, l 'Tis the Part of a wife Man to de- \. -.. fin. f eu d the Cuftoms of bis Ancefiors, by retaining their facred Rites and Ceremonies, Thus narrow was the Foundation of the Roman Religion, and thus inconfiftent the Sentiments of the wifeft Heathens with all the Principles of Toleration and univerfal Liberty. It was no wonder therefore that Chriftianity, which wasfo perfectly contrary to the whole Syftem of Pagan Theology, fhould be looked upon with an evil Eye, or that when the Number of Chriftians encreafed, they fhould incur the Difpleafure of the Civil Magistrate, and the Cenfure of the penal Laws that were in force againft them. The firft publick Perfecution of them by the Romans was begun by that Monfter of Mankind, Nero ; who, to clear himfelf of the Charge of burning Rome, endeavoured to fix the Crime on the Chriftians •, and having thus falfly and tyrannically made them guilty, he put them to Death by various Methods of exquifite Cruelty. But though this was the Pretence for this Barbarity to- wards them, yet it evidently appears from undoubted Teftimonies, that they were before hated upon Account of their Religion, and were therefore fitter Objects to fall a Sacrifice to the Refentment and Fury of the Tyrant. For Ta- lAnnal." citus tells us, That they were m hated for their Crimes. And what thefe were, he 1.15,0.44. afterwards fufficiently informs us, by calling their Religion * an execrable Su- c 6 perjlition. In like manner Suetonius, in his Life of Nero, fpeaking of the Chri- ftians, fays, ° 'They were a Set of Men who had embraced a new and accurfed Super- Annal. fition. And therefore Tacitus farther informs us, That thofe who confefled 3.i^c.44-themfelves Chriftians, v were condemned not fo much for the Crime of burning the City, as for their being hated by all Mankind. So that 'tis evident from thefe Accounts, that 'twas through popular Hatred of them for their Religion, that they were thus facrificed to the Malice and Fury of Nero. Many of them he dreffed up in the Skins of wild Beafts, that they might be devoured by Dogs. Others he crucified. Some he cloathed in Garments of Pitch and burnt them, that by their Flames he might fupply the Abfence of the Day-light. E. H. 1. 3. The Perfecution begun by Nero was revived, and carried on by Domitian, c i7 : 18. who put fome to Death, and banhVd others upon Account of their Religion. Eufebius mentions Flavia Domitilla, Neice to Plavius Clemens, then Conful, as 1 Majorum Inftituta tueri facris Ceremoniifcjue retinendis, fapientis eft. *° Per fiagitia invifos. n Exitiabilis fuperfljtio. • Genus Hominum, fuperftitionis novae & maleficae. *■ HaiKl pcrindc in criroiae iacendi», «ju.am odio humani generis £oavi&i. banifhed The Introduction. it baniflied for this Reafon to the Ifland Pontia. Dion the Hiftorian's Account of 1. 67. in this Affair is fomewhat different. q " He tells us, That Fabius Clemens the Domit « " Conful, Domitian's Coufin, who had married Flavia Domitilla, a near Re- «« lation of Domitian, was put to Death by him, and Domitilla banifhed " to Pandataria, being both accufed of Atheifm •, and that on the fame Ac- " count many who had embraced the Jewijh Rites were likevvile condemned, -*«- fome of whom were put to Death, and others had their Eftates confifca- " ted.'* I think this Account can belong to no other but the Chriftians, whom Dion feems to have confounded with the Jews ; a Miitake into which he and others might naturally fall, becaufe the firft Chriftians were Jews, and came from the Land of Judea. The Crime with which thefe Perfons were charged was Atheifm ; the Crime commonly imputed to Chriftians, becaufe they refufed to wormip the Roman Deities. And as there are no Proofs, that Domilian ever perfecuted the Jews upon account of their Religion, nor any Intimation of this Nature in Jofephus, who finifhed his Antiquities towards the latter end of Domitian's Reign -, I think the Account of Eufebius, which he de- clares he took from Writers, who were far from being Friends to Chriftianity, is preferable to that of Dion's ; and that therefore thefe Perfecutions by Domi- lian were upon account of Chriftianity. However, they did not laft long, forE.H. L.3. as Eufebius tells us, he "put a Stop to them by an Edict in their favour. Tertul- C z °- lian alio affirms the fame, and adds, that he recalled thofe whom he had ba • A P o1, c * *• nifhed. So that though this is reckon'd by Ecclefiaftical Writers as the fecond Perfecution, it doth not appear to have been general, or very fevere. Domi- 5[ ?tt. in tian alfo expelled all the Pnilofophers from Rome and Italy. vic.Donut. Under Trajan, otherwife a moft excellent Prince, began the third Perfecu- tion, in the 14th Year of his Reign. In anfwer to a Letter of Pliny he ordered, r That the Chriftians /hould not be fought after, but that if they were accufed and convitled of being Chriftians they fhould be punifhed, fuch only excepted as fhould deny themfelves to be Chriftians, and give an evident Proof of it by worfhipping his Gods. Thefe were to receive Pardon upon this their Repentance, how much foever they might have been fufpected before. From this imperial Refcript it is abundantly evident, that this Perfecution of the Chriftians by Trajan was purely on the Score of their Religion, becaufe he orders, that whofoever was accufed and convicted of being a Chriftian fhould be punifhed with Death, unlefs he renounced his Profeffion, and facrificed to the Gods. All that was re- quired, f fays Tertullian, was meerly to confefs the Name, without any Cognizance Apolc. i. being taken of any Crime. Pliny himfelf, in his Letter to the Emperor, acquits them of every Thing of this Nature, and tells him, c That all they acknowledged q E^srtu/e^« q cL(jL<*oiv zyy„K*p.cL etBtoJiflQ-. r Conquirendi non font. Si deferantur & arguantur puniendi funt ; ita tamen lit qui negaverit (e Chrifhanum effe, idq; reipfa raanifeftum fecerit, id eft fupplicando Diis nofiris, quamvis fufpetfus in priEteritum fuir, veniam ex pjenitentia impetrer. f Illiid folum expe&arur confeflio nominis, non examinacio criminig. * Adfirmabanc autem hanc fuifle fummam vel culpx fine, veJ erroris, quod eflent fbliti fiato die ante lucem convenire, carmenq; Chrifto, quafi Deo, dicere, fecum invicem ; feq; facraraenco, non in fcelus aliquod aftringere, fed ne furta, ne larrocinia, ne adulter** conunitterent, c 2 was. 1 2 J be Introduction. was, that their whole Crime or Error confijled in this, that atfiated 'times they were uft d to meet before Day -light, and to fhig an Hymn to Chrift as God, and that they bound tbemfelves by an Oath not to commit any Wickedness, fuch as Thefts, Robberies, Adul- teries, and the like. And to be afTured of the Truth of this, he put two Maids to the Torture, and after examining them, found them guilty of nothing buc a wicked mdunreafonable Superftition. This is the nobleft Vindication of the Pu- rity and Innocency of the Chriftan Aflemblies, and abundantly juftifies the Ao E.H. L.J. count of Eufebius from Hegcfippus, » That the Church continued until thefe Times as c - **■ a Virgin pure and uncorrupted', and proves beyond all Contradiction, that the Perfection railed againft them was purely on a religious Account, and not for any Immoralities and Crimes againft the Laws, that could be proved againft the Chriftians, though their Enemies flandered them with the vileft, and hereby AdScapul endeavoured to render them hateful to the whole World. 1Vhy, fays Tertullian, doth a Chrijlian fuffer, but for being of their Number ? Hath any one proved Inceft, or Cruelty upon us, during this longfpace of Time ? No -, His for our Innocence, Pro- bity, Juftice, Chajlity, Faith, Veracity^ and for the living God that we are burnt alive. Pliny was forced to acquit them from every Thing but an unreafonable Superjlition, i. e. their refolute Adherence to the Faith of Chrift. And yet though Innocent in all other refpects, when they were brought before his Tri- bunal he treated them in this unrighteous Manner : He only afked them, Whe- ther they were Chriftians? If they confeffed it, he afked them the fame Que- stion again and again, adding Threatnings to his Qiieftions. If the^y perfe- vered in their Confeflion he condemned them to Death, becaufe whatever their Confeflion might be, he was very fure, that their Stubbornnefs and inflexible Obftinacy deferved Punifhment. So that without being convicted of any Crime, but that of Conftancy in their Religion, this equitable Heathen, this rational Philofopher, this righteous Judge, condemns them to a cruel Death. And for this Conduct the Emperor, his Mafter, commends him. For in anfwer to> Pliny's Queftion, Whether he mould go on to punifh the Name it felf, though chargeable with no Crimes, or the Crimes only which attended the Name ? Trajan in his Refcript, after commending Pliny, orders, That if they were accufed and convicted of being Chriftians they mould be put to Death, unlefs they renounced that Name, and facrificed to his Gods. Tertullian and Athena~ goras, in their Apologies, very juftly inveigh with great Warmth againft this imperial Refcript ; and indeed, a more fbameful Piece of Iniquity was never practifed in the darkeft Times of Popery. I hope alfo my Reader will ob- serve, that this was Lay-Perfecution, and owed its Rife to the religious Zeal of one of the beft of the Roman Emperors, and not only to the Contrivances of cruel and defigning Priefts ; that it was juftified and carried on by a very fa- mous and learned Philofopher, whofe Reafon taught him, that what he ac- counted Superftition, if incurable, was to be punifhed with Death ; and that it was managed with great Fury and Barbarity, Multitudes of Perfons in the feveral Provinces being deftroyed merely on account of the Chriftian Name, by various andexquifite Methods of Cruelty. 2 The The Introduction. 13 The Refcript of Adrian his Succefibr to Minuiius Fundanus^ Pro-Conful cf Afia, feems to have fomewhat abated the Fury of this Perfection, though nbc wholly to have put an End to it. Terlullian tells us, that Arrius Antoninus, af- Ad Sea terwards Emperor, then Pro-Conful of Afia, when the Chriftians came in a Body before his Tribunal, order'd fome of them to be put to Death •, and faid to others, x You Wretches 1 . If you 'will die ye have Precificies and Halters. He alio fays, That feveral- other Governors of Provinces punifhed fome few Chri- ftians, and difmiffed the reft ; fo that the Perfecution was not fo general, nor fevere as under Trajan. Under Antoninus Pius the Chriftians were very cruelly treated in fome of the Provinces of Afia, which occ afion ed Jujlin Martyr to write his firft Apology. It doth not however appear to have been done, either by the Order or Content of this Emperor. Gn the contrary, he wrote Letters to the Cities of Afia, and particularly to thofe of Lariffa, Thejfalonica, Athens, and ail the Greeks, That they mould create no new Troubles to them. 'Tis probable, that the Afiatick Cities perfecuted them by virtue of fome former imperial Edicts which don't appear ever to have been recalled ; and, perhaps, with the Connivance ot Antoninus Philofophus, the Collegue and Succefibr of Pius in the Empire. Under him began, as 'tis generally accounted, the fourth Perfecution, upon which Jujlm Martyr wrote his fecond Apology, Meliton his, and Athenagoras E. H , 1. &; his Legation or Embaffy for the Chriftians. Meliton, as Eufebius relates it, c - i( 5- complains of it as an almofi unheard cf Thing, that pious Men were now perfecuted, and greatly diftreffed by new Decrees 'throughout Afia ; that moft impudent Informers, who were greedy of other Perfons Subflance, took Occafion from the imperial Editls, to plunder others who were intirely innocent. After this he humbly befeeches the Em- peror, that he would not fuffer the Chriftians to be any longer ufed in fo cruel and unrighteous a Manner. Jujlin Martyr, in the Account he gives of theA po !. 2 da .- Martyrdom of Ptolem .md re- proaching or.: ; 9 ;, as it were, civil Wars between themselves, Bifkots quarrelling with Bi/hops, and the People div'u Parties : That H and Dec grown to the highejl pitch of Wukednefs ; that they were become Jo infen- fble, as not . of atpeafng the Divine Anger, but that, like Atheifls, the\ the Word i ntial Government and Care, and thus added one Crime to another -, I '.hemfelves had thrown off all Care of Religion, were perpetually co; sne another, and aid nothing but quarrel 'irealen, and envy, and hate one another ; were full of Ambition, and tyro* " Power. This was the deplorable State of the Chriftian Church, which God, as Eufbius well obferves, firft punifhed with a gentle Hand •, but when they grew harcen'd and incurable in their Vices, he was pleafed to let in the moft grievous Perfecutions upon them, under Dioclefian, which exceeded in Severity and Length all that had been before. From thefe Accounts it evidently appears, that the Chriftian World alone is not chargeable with the Guilt of Perfecution on the Score of Relig on. 'Twas practifed Jong before Chriftianhy was in being, and firft taught the Chriftians by the perfecuting Heathens. The moft eminent Philofophers efpoufed and vindicated perfecuting Principles ; and Emperors, otherwife excellent and good, made no fcruple of deftroying Multitudes on a religious Account, fuch as Trajan, and Aurelius Ve*us. And I think I may farther add, thau the Method of propagating Rel:g : on by Cruelty and Death, owes its Inven- tion to Lay Policy and Craft ; and that how fervilely fcever the Prkfthcod hath thought fit to imitate them, yet that they have never exceeded them in Rigour and Severi'y. I can trace out the Footfteps but of very few Priefts in the foregoing Accounts ; nor have I ever heard of more exceffive Cruelties than thofe pracuied by Antlochus, the Egyptian Heretick Eaters, and the Ro- man Emperors. I may farther add on this important Article, that 'tis the Laity who have put i: into the Power of the Priefts to perfecute, and rendered it worth their while to do it •, they have done it by the Authority of the civil Laws, as well as employed Lay Hands to execute the Drudgery of it. The Emoluments cf Honours and Riches that have been annexed to the favourite Religion and Prierthood is the Eftablifhment of civil Society, whereby Re- ligion hath been made extremely profitable, and the Gains of Godlincfs worth contending for. Had the Laity been more fparing in their Grants, and their civil Conititutions formed upon the generous and equitable Principle of an univerfal Toleration, Persecution had never been heard of amongft Men The Priefts would have wanted not only the Power but the Inclination to per- fecute ; iince few Perfons have fuch an Attachment either to what they account Religion 1 6 The Introduction. Religion or Truth, as to torment and deftroy others for the fake of it, unlefs tempted with the Views of worldly Ambition, Power and Grandure. Thefe Views will have the fame Influence upon all bad Minds, whether of the Prieft- hood or Laity, who, when they /ire determined at all Hazards to purfue them, will ufe all Methods, right or wrong, to accomplifh and fecure them. As therefore the Truth of Hiftory obliges me to compliment the Laity with the Honour of this excellent Invention, for the Supporc and Propagation of Religion •, and as its Continuance in the World to this Day is owing to the Pro- tection and Authority of their Laws, and to certain political Ends and Purpo- fes they have to ferve thereby, the loading the Priefthood only, or principal- ly, with the Infamy and Guilt of it, is a mean and groundlefs Scandal ; and to be perpetually objecting the Cruelties that have been practifed by fome who have called themielves Chriftians, on others for Confcience fake, as an Argu- ment againlt the Excellency of the Chriftian Religion, or with a View to pre- judice others againit it, is an Artifice unworthy a Perfon of common Un- derftanding and Honefty. Let all equally fhare the Guilt, who are equally chargeable with it ; and let Principles be judged of by what they are in them- felves, and not by the Abufes which bad Men may make of them : If any Ar- gument can be drawn from thefe, we may as well argue againft the Truth and Excellency of Philofophy, becaufe Cicero efpoufed the Principles of Perfe- ction, and Antoninus the Philofopher authorized all the Cruelties attending it. But the Queftion in thefe Cafes is not, what one who calls himfeif a Philofopher or a Chriftian doth, but what true Philofophy and genuine Chriftianity lead to and teach -, and if Perfecution be the natural Effect of either of them, 'tis nei- ther in my Inclination or Intention to defend them. But I pafs from thefe Re- fections to the Hiftory of Chriftian Perfecutions. SECT. II. Of the Perfecutions among ft Chrijiia?ts upon Account of Religion, IF any Perfon was to judge of the Nature and Spirit of the Chriftian Reli- gion, by the Spirit and Conduct only of too many who have profelTed to believe it in all Nations, and almoft throughout all Ages of the Chriftian Church, he could fcarce fail to cenfure it as an Inftitution unworthy the God of Order and Peace, fubverfive of the Welfare and Happinefs of Societies, and defigned to enrich and aggrandize a Few only, at the Expence of the Liberty, Reafon, Confciences, Subftance, and Lives of others. For what Confufions and Calamities, what Ruins and Defolations, what Rapines and Murthers, have been introduced into the World, under the pretended Authority of Jefus Chrift, and fupporting and propagating Chriftianity ? What is the beft part of our Ecclefiaftical Hiftory better than an Hiftory of the Pride and Ambition, the Avarice and Tyranny, the Treachery and Cruelty of fome, and of the Per- 7 be Introduction, Perfecutions and dreadful Miferies of others ? And what could an unprejudiced Perfon, acquainted with this melancholy Truth, and who had never feen the facred Records, nor informed himfelf from thence of the genuine Nature of Chriftianity, think, but that it was one of the worft Religions in the World, ■7 ly hxeo upc gion of Chrift, it w ; ould be unworthy the Regard of every wife and good Man, and render it both the Intereft and Duty of every Nation in the^World to reject it. It mull be allowed by all who know any Thing of the Progrefs of theChriftian Religion, chat the fir ft Preachers and Propagators of it ufed none of thefe vile Me- thods to fupport and lpread it. Both their Doctrines and Lives deftrov every Sufpi- cion of this Nature; and yet in their Times the beginnings of this Spirit appeared: Diotrephes loved the Preeminence, and therefore would not own and receive the infpired Apoftle.^ Wealfo read, that there were great Divifions and Schifms in the Church of Corinth, and that many grievous Diforders were caufed there- in, by their ranking themfelves under different Leaders and Heads of Parties, one being for Paid, another for Apollos, and others for Cephas. Thefe Ani- mofities were dirficultly healed by the Apoftolick Authority •, but do not how- ever appear to have broken out into mutual Hatreds, to the open Difgrace of the Chriftian Name and Profeflion. The Primitive Chriftians feem for many Years generally to have maintained the warmeft Affeclion for each other, and to have diftinguifhed themfelves by their mutual Love, the great Characteri- ftick of the Difciples of Chrift. The Gofpels, and the Epiftles of the Apoftles all breath with this amiable Spirit, and abound with Exhortat'ions to cultivate this God-like Difpofuion. 'Tis reported of St. John, that in his extreme oldHieron. in Age at Epbefus, being carried into the Church by the Difciples, upon account Gal - c « 6 - of his great Weaknefs, he ufed to fay nothing elfe every Time he was brought there, but this remarkable Sentence, Filioli diligite alterutrum, Little Children love one another. And when fome of the Brethren were tired with hearing fo of- ten the fame Thing, and afked him, Sir, Why do you always repeat this Sen- tence ; he anfwered with a Spirit worthy an Apoitle, Quia preceptum Domini ejf. Etfifolumfiat,(ufficit. 'Tis the Command of the Lord, and the fulfilling of the Law. Precepts of this kind fo frequently inculcated, could not but have a very good Influence in keeping alive the Spirit of Charity and mutual Love. And indeed the Primitive Chriftians were fo very remarkable for this Temper, that they were taken notice of on this very Account, and recommended even by their Enemies as Patterns of Beneficence and Kindnefs. But at length, in the fecond Century, the Spirit of Pride and Domination appeared publickly, and created great Diforders and Schifms amongft Chrifti- ans. There had been a Controverfy of fome ftanding, on what Day Eafter fhould be celebrated. The Afiatick Churches thought that it ought to be kept on the fame Day on which the Jews held the Paflbver, the fourteenth Day of Ni- Jan their firft Month, on whatfoever Day of the Week it fhould fall out. The d Cuftom 1 8 The Introduction. Cuftom of other Churches was different, who kept the Feftival of Eafter only on that Lord's Day which was next after the fourteenth of the Moon. This Controverfy appears at firft View to be of no manner of Importance, as there is no Command in the facred Writings to keep this Feftival at all, much Ids Eufeb.l.5.fpecifying the particular Day on which it mould be celebrated. Eufebius tells c ' 2 4* us from Irencsus, that Poiycarp Bifhop of Smyrna came to Anicetus Bimop of Rome on account of this very Controverfy ; and that though they differed from one another in this and fome other letter Things, yet they embraced one ano- ther with a Kifs of Peace ; Poiycarp neither perfuading Anicetus to conform to his Cuftom, nor Anicetus breaking off Communion with Polycarp, for not com- plying with his. This was a Spirit and Conduct worthy thefe Chriftian Bi- fhops : But Viclor the Roman Prelate acted a more haughty and violent part ; for after he had received the Letters of the Afiatick Bifhops, giving their Rea- fons for their own Practice, he immediately excommunicated all the Churches of Afia, and thofe of the neighbouring Provinces, for Heterodoxy -, and by his Letters declared all the Brethren unworthy of Communion. This Conduct was greatly difpleafing to fome other of the B;fhops, who exhorted him to mind the Things that made for Peace, Unity, and Chriftian Love. Irenczus efpecially, in the Name of all his Brethren, the Bifhops of France, blamed him for thus cenfuring whole Churches of Chrift, and puts him in mind of the peaceable Spirit of feveral of his PredecefTors, who did not break off Commu- ntofc i : h their Brethren upon account of fuch lefler Differences as thefe. In- deed this Action of Pope Viclor was a very infolent Abufe of Excommunica- h ; and is an abundant Proof that the Simplicity of the Chriftian Faith was greatly departed from, in that Heterodoxy and Orthodoxy were made to de- pend on Conformity or Non-Conformity to the Modes and Circumftances of terrain Things, when there was no Shadow of any Order for the Things them- selves in the facred Writings ; and that the Luft of Power, and the Spirit of Pride, had too much pofiefied fome of the Bifhops of the Chriftian Church, i. The fame Viclor alio excommunicated one T'heodofius for being unfound in the Doctrine of the Trinity. 'Tis no wonder that after this we mould find Matters growing worfe and worie. As the Primitive Chriftians had any intervals from Perfecution they be- ne more profligate in their Morals, and more quarrelfome in their Tem- pers. As the Revenues of the feveral Bifhops increafed they grew more Ambi- us, lefs capable of Contradiction, more haughty and arrogant in their Be- haviour, more envious and revengeful in eyery part of their Conduct, and more ., regardlefs of the Simplicity and Gravity of their ProfefTion and Character. The Accounts I have before given of them from Cyprian and Eufebius before •*!• the Vioclefum Perfecution, to which I might add the later one of St. Jerom? ..re very melancholy and affecting, and fhew howvaftiy they were degenera- ted from the Piety and peaceable Spirit of many of their PredecefTors, and how icady they were to enter into the worft Meaiures of Perfecution, could they but have got the Opportunity and Power. Under The Introduction. j 9 Under Conftantine the Emperor, when they were reftored to full Liberty, their Churches rebuilt, and the imperial Edicts every where publifhed in their Favour, they immediately began to difcover what Spirit they were of; as foon as ever they had the Temptations of Honour and large Revenues before them. Conjlantine's Letters are full Proof of the Jealoufies and Animofuies that reigned amongft them. In his Letters to Miltiades Bifhop of Rome he E.H.I, \o. tells him, that he had been informed that Cccciliamis Bifhop of Carthage had c -5- been accufed of many Crimes by fome of his Collegues, Bifhops of Africa, and that it was very grievous to him to fee fo great a Number of People divided in- to Parties, and the Bifhops difagreeing amongft themfelves. And though ther»H. Emperor was willing to reconcile them by a friendly Reference of theContro- verfy to Miltiades and others, yet in fpite of all his Endeavours they maintained their Quarrels, and factious Oppofuion to each other, and through fecret Grudges and Hatred would not acquiefce in the Sentence of thofe he had ap- pointed to determine the Affair. So that as he complained to Chreflus Bifhop of Syracufe, thole who ought to have maintained a brotherly Affection and peace- aole Difpofition towards each other, did in a fcandalous and deteftible Manner ieparate irom one another, and gave Occafion to the common Enemies of Chriftianity to deride and feoff at them. For this Reafon he fummoned a Council to meet at Aries in France, that after an impartial hearing of the feveral Parties, this Controverfy which had been carried on for a long while in a very intemperate Manner, might be brought to a Friendly and Chriflian Compro- mife. Eufebius farther adds, that he not only called together Councils in the fe-De Via. veral Provinces upon account of the Quarrels that arofe amongft the Bifhops, c °n. 1« i. but that he himfelf was prefent in them, and did all he cotild to promote Peace 0, 44* amongft them. However, all he could do had but little effect: ; and it muft be owned that he himfelf greatly contributed to prevent it, by his large En- dowment of Churches, by the Riches and Honours which he conferred on the Bifhops, and efpecially by his authorizing them to fit as Judges upon the Con- fciences and Faith of others, by which he confirmed them in a worldly Spirit, the Spirit of Domination, Ambition, Pride and Avarice, which hath in all Ages proved fatal to the Peace and true Intereft of the Chriftian Church. In the firft Edict, given us at large by Eufebius, publifhed in favour of rheH H l.ro; Chriftians, he acted the part of a wife, good, and impartial Governor, in c, 5- which, without mentioning any particular Se£ts, he gave full liberty to all Chriftians, y and to all other Perfons wha foever, of following that Religion which they thought beft. But this Liberty was of no long Duration, and loon abridged in reference both to the Chriftians and Heathens. For although in th ; s firft mentioned iidict he orders the Churches and Effects of the Chrifti- ans in general to be reftored to them, yet in one immediately follow ng he confines this Grant to the Catholick Church. After this, in a Letter to Miltiades Bifhop of Rome, complaining of the Differences fomented by the d 2 African so The Introduction. African Bifhops, he lets him know, that he had fo great a Reverence for the- Catholick Church, that he would not have him fuffer in any Place any Schifm E.H.l.io.or Difference whatfoever. In another to Cacilianus Bifhop of Carthage, after «.6. giving him to understand, that he had ordered Urfus to pay his Reverence three Thoufand Pieces; and Heraclides to difburfe to him whatever other Sums his Reverence mould have occafion for, he orders him to complain of all Perfons who fhould go on to corrupt the People of the mod holy Catholick Church by any evil, and falfe Doctrine, to Anulinus the Pro-Conful, and Patricius, to whom he had given Instructions on this Affair, that if they perfevered in fuch Madnefs they might be punifhed according to his Orders. 'Tis eafy to guefs what the Catholick Faith and Church meant, viz. that which was approved by the Bifhops, who had the greateft Intereft in his Favour. De vir. As to the Heathens, foon after the Settlement of the whole Empire under Conft.U.his Government, he fent into all the Provinces Chriftian Prefidents, forbidding c '4.4« them, and all other Officers of fuperior Dignity to facrifice, and confining tc- fuch of them as were Chriftians the Honours due to their Characters and Sta- tions •■> hereby endeavouring to fupport the Kingdom of Chrift, which is not of this World, by Motives purely worldly, viz. the Profpects of temporal Pre- ferments and Honours ; and notwithftanding the excellent Law he had before publifhed, That every one fhould have free Exercife of his own Religion, and worfhip fuch Gods as they thought proper, he foon after prohibited the old Reli- Ibid. c.45 gion, viz. the Worfhip of Idols in Cities and Country ; commanding that no Sta- tues of the Gods mould be erected, nor any Sacrifices offered upon their Altars» And yet- notwithftanding this Abridgment of the Liberty of Religion, he de- clares in his Letters afterwards, written to all the feveral Governors of his Pro- Ibid. C.56. vinces, that though he wifhed the Ceremonies of the Temples, and the Power of Darknefs were wholly removed, he would force none, but that every one fhould have the Liberty of acting in Religion as he pleafed. 'Tis not to be wonder'd at, that the Perfons who advifed thefe Edicts to fupprefsthe ancient Religion of the Heathens, mould be againft tolerating any other amongft themfelves, who fhould prefume to differ from them in any Ar- ticles of the Chriftian Religion they had efpoufed ; becaufe if erroneous and falfe Opinions in Religion, as fuch, are to be prohibited or punifhed by the Civil Power, there is equal Reafon for perfecuting a Chriftian, whofe Belief is wrong, and whofe Practice is erroneous, as for perfecuting Perfons of any other falfe Religion whatfoever •, and the fame Temper and Principles that lead to the latter, will alfo lead to and juftify the former. And as the Civil Magi- ftrate, under the Direction of his Priefts, muft always judge for himfelf what is Truth and Error in Religion, his Laws for fupporting the one, and punifh- mg the other, muft always be in Confequence of this Judgment. And there- fore \fConJl amine and his Bifhops were right in prohibiting Heathenifm by Civil Laws, becaufe they believed it erroneous and falfe, Diode/tan and Licinius, and their Priefts, were equally right in prohibiting Chriftianity by Civil Laws, becaufe they believed 11 not only erroneous and falfe, but the higheft Impiety and Blafphemy againft their Gods, and even a Proof of Atheifm it felf. And 3 " by The Introduction, a i by the fame Rule every Chriftian, that hath Power, is in the right to perle- cute his Chriftian Brother, whenever he believes him to be in the wrong. And in truth, they feem generally to have acted upon this Principle •, for which Party foever of them could get uppermoft was againft all Toleration and Li- berty for thofe whb differed from them, and endeavoured by all Methods to opprefs and deftroy them. The Sentiments of the Primitive Chriftians, at leaft for near three Centuries, in reference to the Deity of our Lord Jefus Chrift, were, generally ipeaking, pretty uniform •, nor do there appear to have been any publick Quarrels about this Article of the Chriftian Faith. Some few Peribns indeed, differed Eufeb. from the commonly received Opinion. One Tbeodotus a Tanner, under the^ 1 " 1 - 1 * >> Reign of Commodus, afTerted Chrift was a meer Man, and on this Account was c * excommunicated, with other of his Followers, by Pope Victor, who appears to have been very liberal in his Cenfures againft others. Artemon propaga'ed the fame erroneous Opinion under Severus. Beryllus alfo, an Arabian Bifhoplbid. 1. 6, under Gordian, taught, That our Saviour had no proper perfonal Subfiftence c - 33« before his becoming Man, nor any proper Godhead of his own, but only the Father's Godhead refiding in him ; but afterwards alter'd his Opinion, being convinced of his Error by the Arguments of Origen. Sahellius alfo propagated!. 7. c. 17s . much the fame Doctrine, denying alfo the real Perfonality of the Holy Ghoft. After him Paulus Same fat enus, Bifhop of Antiocb, and many of his Clergy, 28, :$>. publickly avowed the fame Principles concerning Chrift, and were excommu- nicated by a large Council of Bifhops, But though thefe Excommunications upon account of Differences in Opinion, prove that the Bifhops had fet up for Judges of the Faith, and affumed a Power and Dominion over the Confciences of others, yet as they had no civil Effects, and were not enforced by any penal Laws, they were not attended with any publick Confufions, to the open Re- proach of the Chriftian Church. But when once Chriftianity was fettled by the Laws of the Empire, and the Bifhops free to act as they pleafed, without any fear of publick Enemies to difturb and opprefs them, they fell into more fhameful and violent Quarrels, upon account of their Differences concerning the Nature and Dignity of Chrift. The Controverfy firft began between Alexander Bifhop of Alexandria, and AriusDevk. one of his Prefbyters, and foon fpread it felf into ocher Churches, enflamingConft.l.s, Bifhops againft Bifhops, who out of a Pretence to fupport Divine Truth exci-^ 61 ' „ ted Tumults, and entertained irreconcilable Hatreds towards one another.^ c " 6# " Thefe Divifions of the Prelates fet the Chriftian People together by the Ears, as they happened to favour their different Leaders and Heads of Parties; and the Difpute was managed with fuch Violence, that it foon reached the whole Chriftian World, and gave Occafion to the Heathens in feveral Places to ridi- cule the Chriftian Religion upon their publick Theatres. How different were Eufeb. 1.6, the Tempers of the Bifhops and Clergy of thefe Times from the excellent Spirit ft 4fc of Diony/ius Bifhop of Alexandria, in the Reign of Decius, who writing ro No- vates upon account of the Difturbance he had raifed in the Church of Rome, . by the Severity of his Doctrine, in not admitting thofe who lapfed into Idolatry zi The Introduction. in Times of Perfecution ever more to Communion, though they gave all the Marks of a true Repentance and Converfion, tells him, z One ought to fuffer Thing in the Woi Id rather than divide the Church of God. So,. E. H. The Occafion of the Arian Controverfy was this. Alexander Bifhop of I,,,c ' 5- Alexandria fpeaking in a very warm Manner concerning the Trinity before the Prefbyters and Clergy of his Church, affirmed there was an Unity in the Trinity and particularly that the Son was Co-eternal andConfubflantial, and of the fame Dignity -with the Father. Arius, one of his Prefbyters, thought that the Bifhop, by this Doclrine, was introducing the SabeUian Herefy, and there- fore oppofed him, arguing in this manner : a If the Father begot the Son, he who was begotten muft have a beginning of his Exiflence ; and from hence, fay he, 'tis manifejt, that there was a Time when he was not \ the neceffary Conference of which E. u. !. i. he affirmed was this, That he had his Subfifience oat of Things not exijling. Sozo- c - J 5- men adds farther, that he afferted, b That by virtue of his Free-will the Son zv as capable of Vice as well as Virtue j and that he was the mere Creature and Work of God. The Bifhop being greatly difturbed by thefe Expreflions of Arius, upon account of the Novelty of them, and not able to bear fuch an Oppofition from one of his Prefbyters to his own Principles, commanded Arius to forbear the Ufe of them, and to embrace the Doctrine of the Confubftantiality and Co-eter- nity of the Father and the Son. But Arius was not thus to be convinced, efpe- cially as a great Number of the Bifhops and Clergy were of his Opinion, and fupported him ; and for this Reafon himfelf and the Clergy of his Party were excommunicated, and expelled the Church, in a Council of near-an Hundred of the Egyptian and Lybian Bifhops met together for thatpurpofe, by the Bifhop, who in this cafe was both Party and Judge, the Enemy and Condemner of Ari- us. Upon this Treatment Arius and his Friends fent circular Letters to the fe- veral Bifhops of the Church, giving them an Account of their Faith, and defiring that if they found their Sentiments orthodox, they would write to Alexander in their Favour ; if they judged them wrong, they would give them Inftructions how to believe. Thus was the Difpute carried into the Chriftian Church, and the Bifhops being divided in their Opinions, fome of them wrote to Alexander not to admit Arius and his Party into Communion without renouncing their Principles, whilft others of them perfwaded him to ac~t a different part. The Bifhop not only followed the Advice of the former, but wrote Letters to the feveral Bifhops not to communicate with any of them, nor to receive them if Soc. E. H-they fhould come to them, nor to credit Eufebius, nor any other Perfon that 1. i. c. 6. fhould write to them in their behalf, but to avoid them as the Enemies of God, and the Corrupters of the Souls of Men •, and not fo much as to falute them, or Soz. 1. i. to have any Communion with them in their Crimes. Eufebius, who was Bifhop c ' **• of Nicomedia, fent feveral Letters to Alexander, exhorting him to let the Con- troverfy peaceably drop, and to receive Arius into Communion ; but finding z F1W, on »v o]i tot M tj€)" eLX,o\*Qtri t» «£ ctvctyMi s£ vKnv\av tyjiv avjov THV WZSOTcLiriV. b Kcu a.vTi^y &${]m JiKJiKW vnxa^yetv, >y yjiffua. jy Towy.x,, % aAA& now*. him The INTRODUCTION. 2j him inflexible to all his repeated Entreaties, he got a Synod to meet in Bitkynia, from whence they wrote Letters to the other Bifhopl, to engage them to receive the Arians to their Communion, and to perfuade Alexander to do the fame. But all their Endeavours proved ineffectual, and by thefe un- friendly Dealings the Parties grew more enraged againit each other, and the Quarrel became incurable. 'Tis, I confefs, not a little furprizing, that the whole Chriftian World fhould be put into fuch a Flame upon account of a Difpute of fo very abftrufe and metap.yfical a Nature, as this really was in the Courfe and Management of it. Alexander's Doctrine, as Arius repreients it in his Letter to Eufebius of Nicomedia, was this, c God is always, and the Son always. The fame Time the Fa-^ t0 ^- iher, the fame Time the Sen. The Son co-exip with God unbegottenly, being ever ' r " begotten, being unbegottenly begotten. That God was not before the Son, no not in Con- ception, cr the leafl Point of Time, he being ever God, ever a Son. For the Son is out of ' Godhimfelf. Nothing could be more inexcufable, than the tearing the Churches in pieces upon account of fuch high and fubtle Points as thefe, ex- cept the Conduct of Arms, who on the other hand alTerted, -^Alexander, his Bifhop, in his Letter to the Biihop of Conflantinople, tells us, d That there was a Id. 1. r, Time when there was no Son of God, and that he who before was not, afterwards c - 4« exifted, being made, when Joever be was made, juft as any Man whatfoever, and that therefore he was of a mutable Nature, and equally receptive of Vice and Virtue, and other Things of the like kind. If thefe were the Things taught, and publickly avowed by Alexander and Arius, as each reprefenrs the other's Principles, I perfwade my felf, that every fober Man will think they both deferved Cenfure, for thus leaving the plain Account of Scripture, introducing Terms of their own Invention into a Doctrine of pure Revelation, and at Jaft cenfuring and writing one againft another, and dividing the whole Church of Chrill upon ac- count of them. But 'tis no uncommon Thing for warm Difputants to miftake and mifrepre- fent each other; and that this was the Cafe in the prefent Controverfy, is, I think, evident beyond Difpute? A ■■■ and Arius defcribing each other's Opinions, not as they held them themfelves, but according to the Confequen- ces each imagined to follow from them. Thus Alexander affirms in the afore- ntioned Letter, that the Father ever was, and thence infers what he thinks r.ecefTarily follows, that the Son, upon whofe account he is called a Father, vueevfir h&en, and yet exprefly afTerts the Son to be begotten, and that rhe Father alone is unbegotten. When Arius reprefents thefe Things to his Friend Eufebius, 'tis according to what he accounted the necefTary Confequences of them, and not as they were really maintained by Alexander ; and becaufe H a : S-* aua Taj»? , auitu,©-, ffvvw&*yH ay-.m^j-u; o ii& :. ;-. . , :.-.- Wj <*: r.V «7s ivmtA *}* xtoum tivi Tfoetyao Oz'Q- 7* q<*. a* Q-Q-, etet u§- d *J» - tit 05*, «J y^ovii vre&f *&!?&* ym v tra^ym, toi*} 1 ®- y;:-s<.:^&- *rt Kjirolz ytyov.9, 01& jyT^evtwjnpvKit z^-^aQ-- «1 . paw ttvloi Tgivjni - 24. i^ Introduction. he apprehended that the abfolute Co-eternity of the Son with the Father was in- confiftent with the Son's being begotten of him, he fays that Alexander held he was J 'ten, or begotten and not begotten, thus making his own Confequences pals for the Bifliop's Sentiments. On the other hand, Arius af- ferted, The Son bath a beginning, and is from none of the "Things that do exifl j not meaning that he was not from Everlaftir.g, before ever the Creation had a Be- ing, or that he was created like other Beings abfolute] y out of nothing, or that like the reft of the Creation he was mutable in his Nature. Arias exprefly de- clares the contrary in his Letter to Eufebius, his intimate Friend, from whom Thcod. he had no reafon to conceal his moft fecret Sentiments, and fays, e This is what E. H ' t'we have and do profefs, That the Son is not unbegotten^ nor in any manner a part of c >• the unbegotten God, nor from any part of the material World, but that by the Will and Council of the Father he exifted before all Times and Ages, perfeel God, the only begot- ten and unchangeable, and that therefore before he was begotten or formed he was not, i.e. as he explains himfelf, ' There never was a Time when he was unbegotten. His affirming therefore that the Son had a Beginning, was only faying, that he was in the whole of his Exiftence from the Father, as the Origin and Fountain of his Being and Deity, and not any Denial of his being from before all Times and Ages-, and his faying that he was no part of God, nor derived from Things that do exift, was not denying his Generation from God before all Ages, or his being compleatly God himfelf, or his being produced after a more excellent Manner than the Creatures, but that as he was always from God, fo he was different both from him, and all other Beings, and a Sort of middle Nature between God and his Creatures ; whofe beginning, as Eufebius ofNi- Id. Ibid, comedia writes to Paulinus Bifhop of Tyre, was g «o/ only inexplicable by Words, c 6 ' but unconceivable by the Und erf} an ding of Men, and by all other Beings fuperior to Men, and who was formed after the moft perfeel Likenefs to the Nature and Power of God. This is the ftrongeft Evidence that neither Arius nor his firft Friends put the Son upon a Level with the Creatures, but that they were in many refpects of the fame Sentiments with thofe who condemned them. Thus Alexander de- clares the Son to be h before all Ages. Arius exprefly fays the fame, that he was 1 before all Times and Ages. Alexander fays, the Father only is unbegotten. Arius, 7 hat there never was a Time when the Son was not begotten. Alexander, that the Subfiflence of the Son is inexplicable even by Angels. Eufebius, that his beginning is inconceivable and inexplicable by Men and Angels. Alexander, that the Father was always a Father becaufe of the Son. Arius, that the Son was not before he was begotten, i. e. That he was from before all Ages the begotten Son of God. e Or/ q© - hk ttt etywifiQ-, «/s /^5f©- ttyzvvvli K&T xfsva t&wov, scfs «£ vts^ym/jSp's ti- V®-. *AA' o]i -S-jAh^co]/ *} £**« warsrn vej '/X? vuv ^ ^S? cuavav, TAiif»? ©;©-, {j.oyoyzvns, a.va.hha.tuj'Q- k, tciv yzvvvQn^— xx. hc f AyzwrilQ- jS «/. w. 8 rif^f 7zK(*av ojj.nfj])(]dL J'lctSzfius Tg K) £uv&[A&as 7a TivmHKol®' yiyojjfjov' k thv A?y*v a toyu juoroy A^nrytfiov, aKKa k, ivvua, vk m^utsuv /xois^ aM* x} 7wv c/arif Avfyvzts tolvJuv tr.VAt AKaJa^.H^P* Ti'VlTiVKAySu. h YlfjAiwiQ-. 1 He? X& vmv *& *& euwttv. Arius The Introduction. 2 5 Arias again, k Ibat the Son was no part of God, nor from an) Things that did exifl. Thcod. Alexander, That the only begotten Nature was ' a middle Nature, between the unbe- E - H - '• * gotten Father, and the Things created by him out of nothing. And yet notwithftand- c * 4 ' ing all thefe Things, when Alexander gives an Account of the Principles of Arms to the Bifhops, he reprefents them in all the Confequences he thought fit to draw from them, and charges him with holding, that the Son was made like every other Creature abfolutely out of nothing, and that therefore his Na- ture was mutable, and fufceptive equally of Virtue and Vice ; with many other invidious and unfcriptural Dodtrines, which Arias plainly appears not to have maintained or taught. But as 'tis the common Fate of religious Difputes to be managed with an intemperate Heat, 'tis no wonder the Difputants mould miftake each other, or in their Warmth charge one another with Confequences which either they do not fee, or exprefly deny. Whilft this is the Cafe the Controverfy can never be fairly managed, nor brought to a friendly and peaceable Iffue. Many Me- thods were tried, but all in vain, to bring Alexander and Arias to a Reconcili- ation, the Emperor himfelf condefcending to become a Mediator between them. Thefirft Stephe took to heal this Breach was right and prudent : He fentEuftb.Vir. his Letters to Alexandria, exhorting Alexander and Arias to lay afide their Dif-Conftj. i! ferences, and become reconciled to each other. He tells them, That after he c - 6 3>&v. had diligently examined the Rife and Progrefs of this Affair, he found theOccafwn of the Difference to be very trifling, and not worthy facb furious Contentions ; and that therefore he promifed himfelf that his Mediation between them for Peace would have the de fired Effect. He tells Alexander, That he required from his Prefhyters a De- claration of their Sentiments concerning a filly, empty Qiieflion. And Arius, That he had imprudently uttered what he fhould not have even thought of, or what at leaft he ought to have kept fecret in his own Breaft ; and that therefore Queflions about fuch Things fhould not have been afked -, or if they had, Jhould not have been anfwered ; that they proceeded from an idle Itch of Difputation, and were in themfelves of fo high and difficult a Nature, as that they could not be exactly comprehended, or fuitably ex- plained -, and that to infifton fuch Points too much before the People, could produce no other Effedt, than to make fomeof them talk Blafphemy, and others turn Schifmaticks ; and that therefore as they did not contend about any effential Doclrine of the Gcfpel, nor introduce any new Herefy concerning the Worfhip of God, they fhould again communicate with each other ; and finally, that not- withstanding their Sentiments in thefe unneceflary and trifling Matters were different from each other, they fhould acknowledge one another as Brethren, and, laying afide their Hatreds, return to a firmer Friend/hip and Affe&ion than before. But religious Hatreds are not fo eafily removed, and the Ecclefiaftical Combatants were too warmly engaged to follow this kind and whoJefome Ad- * Ot/ a uifQ- 0«« isiv, «cTs e£ uwoxw^k tiuQ-. e vice. a6 The Introduction. Eufeb. vice. The Bifhops of each fide had already interefted the People in their Vir.Conft.Qy arre ] i anc j heated them into fuch a Rage that they attacked and fought '■3' c * 4 ^' with, wounded and deftroyed each other, and acted with fuch Madnefs as to commit the grcateft Impieties for the fake of Orthodoxy ; and arrived to that pitch of Infolence, as to offer great Indignities to the imperial Images. The old Controverfy about the Time of celebrating Eafter being now revived, added Fuel to the Flames, and render'd their Animofities too furious to be appeafed. Tlefrft Conjlantine being greatly difturbed upon this Account, fent Letters to the general Bjfhops f the feveral Provinces of the Empire to afiemble together at Nice'm JJJ? UeBytbima, and accordingly great Numbers of them came, A. C. 325. fome id Ibid through hopes of Profit, and others out of Curiofity to fee fuch a Miracle of c 6. ' an Emperor, and many of them, as Sozomen informs us, to negotiate their own Soz. E.H. private Affairs, and to redrefs their Grievances, by accufing thofe who had I. i.e. 17. injured them. The Number of them was three Flundred and eighteen, befides vaft Numbers of Prefbyters, Deacons, Acolythifts, and others. The Eccle- fiaftical Hiftorians tell us, that in this vaft Collection of Bifhops fome were re- markable for their Gravity, Patience under Sufferings, Modefty, Integrity, Eloquence, and the like Virtues ; but yet they all agree that there were others of very different Characters. Eufebius tells us, fome came to the Council with Theod. worldly Views of Gain j zndTheodorit, that others were fubtle and crafty, and E.H. 1. i. f a quarrelling, malicious Temper, and actuated with a Spirit of Revenge. c ' 7 ' 11. And indeed, this appeared immediately upon opening the Council-, for after the Emperor, who honoured this AfTembly with his Prefence, had exhorted them to lay afide all their Differences, and to enter into Meafures of Union and Peace, inftead of applying themfelves to the Work for which they were convened, they began fhamefully to accufe each other before him, and raifed great Difturbances in the Council by their mutual Charges and Reproaches, Soc. E. H. Sabinus, alfo, faith they were generally a Set of very ignorant Men, and deft i- i. 1. c. 9. tute f Knowledge and Learning. But as Sabinus was an Heretick of the Ma- cedonian Sect, probably his Teftimony may be thought exceptionable ; and even fuppofing his Charge to be true, yet Socrates brings them off by telling us, that they were enlighten'd by God, and the Grace of his Holy Spirit, and fo could not poffibly err from the Truth. But as fome Men may poflibly que- stion the Truth of their Infpiration, fo I think it appears but too plain, that an Affembly of Men, who met together with fuch different Views, were fo greatly prejudiced and inflamed againfl each other, and are allowed, many of them, to be ignorant, till they received miraculous Illuminations from God, did not feem very likely to heal the Differences of the Church T or to examine with that Wifdom, Care and Impartiality, or to enter into thofe Meafures of Condefcenfion and Forbearance that were neceffary to lay a folid Foundation for Peace and Unity. However, the Emperor brought them at laft to fome Temper, fo that they fell in good earnefl to Creed-making, and drew up, and fubferibed that, which from the Place where they were affembled was called the Nicene. By the Ac- 2 counts The Introduction. ij counts of the Tranfaftions in this AfTembly, given by Athanaftus himfelf, in hisTheod. Letter to the African Bifhops, it appears, that they were determined to infert E,H - into the Creed fuch Words as were moft obnoxious to the Arians, and thus to 1, '* c * 8 * force them to a publick Separation from the Church. For when they refolved to condemn forne Expreffions which the Arians were charged with makino- ufe of, fuch as, The Son was a Creature \ there was a Time when he was not, and the like \ and to eftablifh the Ufe of others in their room, fuch as, The Son was the only begotten of God by Nature, the Word, the Power, the only Wifdom of the Fa- ther, and true God \ the Arians immediately agreed to it: Upon this the Fa- thers made an Alteration, and explained the Words, From God, by the Son's being of the Subftance of God. And when the Arians confented alfo to this, the BHhops farther added, to render the Creed more exceptionable, that ke was Qonfubftantial, or of the fame Subjlance with the Father. And when the Arians objected, that this Exprefiion was wholly unfcriptural, the Orthodox urged, that though it was fo, yet the Bifhops that lived an Hundred and thirty Years before them, made ufe of it. At Jail however all the Council fubfcribed the Creed thus altered and amended, except five Bifhops, who were difpleafed with the Word Confubftantial, and made many Objections aorainft it. Eufebius, Biihop of Cefarea, was alfo in doubt for a confiderable Time,Thecd. whether he mould fet his Hand to it, and refufed to do it, till the exception- lj - c - li- able Words had been fully debated amongft them, and he had obtained an Ex- plication of them fuitable to his own Sentiments. Thus when 'twas afferted by the Creed, that the Son was of the Father's Subjlance, the negative Explication agreed to by the Bifhops was exactly the fame Thing that was afferted by Ari- as, viz. that m He was not a part of the Father's Subjlance. Again, as the Words, begotten, not made, were applied to the Son, they determined the Meaning to be, that the Son was produced after a different Manner than the Crea- tures which he made, and was therefore of a more excellent Nature than any of the Creatures, and that the Manner of his Generation could not be underftood. This was the very Doctrine of Arias, and Eufebius of Nicomedia, who declar'd, that as the Son was no part of God, fo neither was he from any Thing created, and that the Manner of his Generation was not to be defcribed. And as to the Word Confiih* ftantial to the Father, it was agreed by the Council to mean no more, than that the Son had no Likcmfs with any created Reings, but was in all Things like to him that begot him, and that he was not from any other Hypcftafts or Subftance but the Father's. Of this Sentiment alfo were Arius, and Eufebius his Friend, who maintained noi only his being of a more excellent Original than the Creatures, but that he was formed of an immutable and ineffable Subftance and Nature, and after the moft per eel Likenefs of the Nature and Power of him that formed him. Thefe were the Expli- cations of thefe Terms agreed to by the Council, upon which Eufebius of O a- rea fubfcribed them In the Creed ; and though fome few of the Arian Bifhops refufed to do it, yet it doth not appear to me, that it proceeded from their not agreeing in theSenfe of thefe Explications, but becaufe they apprehended that e 2 the q8 The Introduction. the Words were very improper, and implied a great deal more than was pre- tended to be meant by them ; and efpecially becaufe an Anathema was added upon all who fhould prcfume not to believe in them and ufe them. Eufebius of Cafarea gives a very extraordinary Reafon for his fubferibing this Anathe- ma, viz. becaufe it forbids the Ufe of unfcriptural Words ', the introducing which he affigns rtf the Occafion of all the Differences and Diflurbances which had troubled the Church. But had lie been confident with himfelf, he ought never to havefuh- fcribed this Creed, for the very Reafon he alledges why he did it •, becaufe the Anathema forbids only the unfcriptural Words of Anus, fuch as, He was made out of nolbing \ there was a Time when he was not, and the like ; but allowed and made ficreel the unfcriprural Exprefllons of the Orthodox, viz. Of the Father's Subflance, and Confubftantial, and cut off from Chriftian Communion thofe who would not agree to them, though they were highly exceptionable to the Arian Party, and. afterwards proved the Occafions of many cruel Perfecutions and Evils. In this publick Manner did the Bifhops affert a Dominion over the Faith and Confciences of others, and affume a Power, not only to dictate to rhem what they fhould believe, but even to anathematize, and expel from the Chri- ilian Church, all who refufed to fubmit to their Decifions, and own their Au- Spc. I.i. thority. Per after they had carried their Creed, they proceeded to excom- municate Ariiti and his Followers, and banifhed Anns from Alexandria. They alio condemned his Explication of his own Doctrine, and a certain Book, cal- led 7/. alia, which he had written concerning it. After this they fent Letters to Alexandria, and to the Brethren in Egypt, Lybia, and Pentapolis, to acquaint them wirh their Decrees, and to inform them, that the Holy Synod had con- '.Vn:r.ed the Opinions of Arius, and were fo zealous in .this Affair, that they had not patience fo much as to hear his ungodly Doctrine and blafphemous Words, and that they had fully determined the Time for the Celebration of /-. ifier. Finally, they exhort them to rejoice for the good Deeds they had done, and tor that they had cut off all manner of Herefy, and to pray that their right Trnnfactions might be eftablifhed by Almighty God and our Lord Eufcb. de Jefus Chr ft. When thefe Things were over, Conftantine fplendidly treated the Vn.Conft. Rifhops, filled their Pockets, and fent them honourably home ; advifing them . 3. c. 20 at p art j n g t0 maintain Peace amongft themfelves, and that none of them fhould envy another who might excel the reft in Wifdom and Eloquence, and that fuch mould not carry themfelves haughtily towards their Inferiors, but conde- fcend to, and bear with their Weaknefs. A plain Demonflration that he faw into their Tempers, and was no Stranger to the Pride and Haughtinefs that in- fluenced fome, and the Envy and Hatred that actuated others. After he had thus difmified them he fent feveral Letters, recommending and enjoyning an univerfal Conformity to the Councils Decrees both in Ceremony and Doctrine, Soc. E. H. ufing, among other Things, this Argument for it, 'That what they had decreed 1 1. c. 9. was the Will of God, and that the Agreement of fo great a Number of fuch Bifoops U'#! by Inspiration of toe Holy Chofl, The Introduction so 'Tis natural here ro obferve, that the Anathema's and Depoficions agreed on by this Council, and confirmed, by the imperial Authority, were the be- ginning of all the Perfections that afterwards raged againft each Party in their Turns. As the Civil Power had now taken part in the Controversies about Religion, by authorifing the Dominion oifthe Bifhops over the Confciences of others, enforcing their Ecclefiaftical Constitutions, and commanding the uni- verfal Reception of that Faith they had decreed to be Orthodox, it was eafy to forefee that thofe who oppofed them would employ the fame Arts and Autho- rity to eflablifh their own Faith and Power, and to opprefs their Enemies, the firfl favourable Opportunity that prelented : And this the Event abundantly made good. And indeed how fhould it be otherwife ? For Doctrines that are determined merely by dint of Numbers, and the Awes of worldly Power, car- ry no manner of.Conviction in them, and are not likely therefore to be be- lieved on thefe Accounts by thofe who have once oppofed them. And as fuch Methods ofdeciding Controverlies equally fuit all Principles, the introducing them by any Party gives bu: too plaufible a Pretence to every Party, when uppermoft, to ufe them in its turn •, and though they may agree well enough with the Views of fpiritual Ambition, yet they can be of no Service in the World to the Intereft of true Religion, becaufe they are directly contrary to the Nature and Spirit of it ; and becaufe Arguments, which equally prove the Truth and Excellency of all Principles, cannot in the leaft prove the Truth of any. . If one may form a Judgment of the Perfons who compofed this Council, from the fmall Accounts we have left of them, they do not, I think, appear lo have met fo much with a Defign. impartially to debate on the Subjects in Controverfy, as ro efhblifh their own Authority and Opinions, and opprefc theirEnemies. For befides what hath been already obferved concerning their Temper and Qualifications, Thecdorit informs us, that when thofe of the Arian E. H. Party propofed in writ : ng to the Synod the Form of Faith they had drawn up, '• ■• c ' 7 - the Bifhops of the Orthodox fide no fooner read it but they gravely tore it in pieces, and called it a fpurious and falfe Confeffion ; and after they had filled the Place with NoHe and Confufion, univerfaliy accufed them of betraying the Doctrine according to Godlinefs. Doth fuch a Method of Proceeding fuit ve- ry well with the Character of a Synod infpired, as the good Emperor declared, by the Holy Ghoft ? Is Truth and Error to be decided by Nolle and. Tumult ? Was this the Way to convince Gainfayers, and reconcile them to the- Unity of the Faith? Or could it be imagined, that thediffatisfied Part of this venerable Af- fembly would acquiefce in the tyrannical Determination of fuch a Majority, and patiently fubmittoExcommunication, Depofuion, and theCondemnaiionot their Opinions, almoft unheard, and altogether unexamin'd? Howjuitly doth the Cen- fure palled by Gregory Nazianzeh upon the Councils that were held in his Time Vol. I. agree to this famous one tfNice? If, fays he, 1 mujtjpeak tbeTrutb, this is msRe/Au- { 'P'^ ']'- Hon, to avoid all Councils of the Bifhops , for 1 have not feen any good End anfwered by Cof ' any Synod wbatfoever ; for their love of Contention, and their luji of Power, are great even for Words to exprefs. The Emperor's Conduct to 'the Bifhops met at Eufeb. dc Nice, is. full Proof of the former; for when they were met in Council thefy Vn.conft. imme- '• : ,c ' ■• 30 The Introduction. immediately fell to wrangling and quarrelling, and were not to be appeafed and brought to Temper, till Conjlantine interpofed, artfully perfuading fome, ihaming others into filence, and heaping Commendations on thofe Fathers that ipoke agreeable to his Sentiments. The Decifions they made concerning the Faith , and their Excommunications and Depofitions of thofe who differed from them, demonftrate alio their affectation of Power and Dominion. But as they had great Reafon to believe, that their own Decrees would be wholly in- fignificant without the Interpofition of the imperial Authority to enforce them, they foon obtained their Defires, the Emperor readily confirming all they had determined, and injoining all Chriftians to fubmit themfelves to them. Eufeb. dc His firft Letters to this purpofe were mild and gentle : But he was foon per- Vit.Conft.f uac ] e( j into more violent Meafures ; for out of his great Zeal to extinguifh Herefy, he put forth publick Edicts againft the Authors and Maintainers of it i and particularly againft the Novatians, Valentinians, Marcionijls, and others, whom after reproaching with being Enemies of Truths deflruftive Coun- sellors^ and with holding Opinions fuitable to their Crimes, he deprives of the Li- berty of meeting together for Worfhip, either in publick or private Places, Soz. Li, and gives all their Oratories to the Orthodox Church. And with refpect to c ii. the Arians, he banifhed Arius himlelf, ordered all his Followers, as abfolute Soc. 1. i. Enemies of Chrift, to be called Porphyrians, from Porphyrias an Heathen who Cl 9< wrote againft Chriftianity ; ordained that the Books written by them fhould be burnt, that there might be no Remains of their Doctrine left to Pofterity, and mod cruelly commanded, that if ever any one mould dare to keep in his PofTeffion any Book written by Arius, and fhould not immediately burn it, he fhould be no fooner convicted of the Crime but he fbould fufFer Death. Thus the Orthodox firft brought in the Punifhment of Herefy with Death, and perfuaded the Emperor to deftroy thofe whom they could not eafily convert. The Scriptures were now no longer the Rule and Standard of the Chriftian Faith. Orthodoxy and Herefy were from hence forward to be determined by the Decifions of Councils and Fathers, and Religion to be propagated no longer by the apoftolick Methods of Perfuafion, Forbearance, and the Virtues of an holy Life, but by imperial Edicts and Decrees ; and heretical Gainfayers not to be convinced, that they might be brought to the Acknowledgment of the Truth and be faved, but to be perfecuted and deftroyed. 'Tis no wonder, that after this there fhould be a continual Fluctuation of the publick Faith, juft as the prevailing Parties had the imperial Authority to fupport them, or that we fhould meet with little elfe in Ecclefiaftical Hiftory but Violence and Cruelties committed by Men who had left the Simplicity of the Chriftian Faich and Profefiion, enflaved themfelves to Ambition and Avarice, and had before them the enfnaring Views of temporal Grandure, high Preferments, and large Epift. xiii. Revenues. n Since the Tiine that Avarice hath encreafed in the Churches, fays St. 1 Nunc autcm ex quo in Ecclcfiis crcvit Avaritia, peri'it Lex de Saccrdotc, & Vifio dc Prophcca. Singtili quiq; pro Potentia Epifcopalis nominis, quam iibi ipfi illicite abfq; Ecclefia vendicavcrunr, totum quod Lcvitarimi tit in Ufus fuo; rcuigunt— — Moiiimtur Fame qui alios* fepelire mandantur, Pofcunc The Introduction. 31 St. Jerom, the Law of ihe Prief, andtbi Vifion of the Prophet bath failed, ff&ilfi all contend for the Etif.pal P«8W*, which tbey unlawfully ferze on without the CbureVs leave ; tbey apply to their own Ufes all tb.it belongs to the Levites. The mi- ferable Pnefl begs in the Streets They die with Hunger mjm are commanded to bury others, They afufor Pity who are commanded to pity others - ' The Prieft: w care is to get Money Hence Hatreds a-rife through the Avarice of the Priejls'; hence the Bijhops are aecufed by their Clergy ; bettce the Quarrels of the Prelates ; hence the Caufes of Deflations ; hence the Rife of their IVichednefs. Religion and Chriftianity fsen) indeed to be the leaft Thing chat either the contending Parties had at heart, by the infamous Methods they took to eftabiiih themi'elves and ruin their Adveriaries. If one reads the Complaints of the Orthodox Writers againft the Arians, one would think the Arians the moft execrable Set of Men that ever lived, they being loaded w'th all the Crimes that can poftibiy be committed, and reprefented as bad, or even worfe, than the Devil himfelf. But no wife Man will eafily credit thele Accounts, which the Orthodox give of their Enemies, becauie, as Socrates tells us, This was the PraSice of the Bifhops towards all they E. H. 1. x. depofed, to accufe and pronounce them impious, but not to tell others the Reafons c - M» ■iL-hy they aecufed them as fuch. 'Twas enough for their Purpofe to expofe them to the pubiick Odium, and make them appear impious to the Multitude, chat fo they might get them expelled from their rich Sees, and be translated to them in their room. And this they did as frequently as they could, to the in- troducing infinite Calamities and Confufions into the Chriftian Church. And if the Writings of the Arians had not been prudently deftroyed, I doubt noc but we mould have found as many Charges laid by them, with equal Juitice, againft the Orthodox, as the Orthodox have produced againft them ; their very Suppreffton of the Arian Writings being a very ftrong Prefumption againft them, and the many imperial Edicts of Confiantine, Theodoftus, Valen- tinian, Martian, and others, againft Hereticks, being an abundant Demon- ftration that they had a deep Share in the Guilt of Perfecution. Alexander, Bifiiop of Alexandria, in his Letter to the Bifhop of Conjianti-Thzoi. noplc, complains that Arius and others, defirous of Power and Riches, did Day 1,I,c, 4>5« and Night invent Calumnies, and were continually exciting Seditions and Per- fecutions againft him •, and Arius in his turn, in his Letter to Eufebius of Nieo- media, with too much Juftice charges Pope Alexander with violently perfecutincr and oppreffing him upon account of what he called the Truth, and ufing every Method to ruin him, driving him out of the City as an atheiftical Perfon, for not agreeing with him in his Sentiments about the Trinity. Athanafius alfo bitter- Pofcunt rr.iferecordiam, qui rcifereri alii3 funt precept! Solus incubat Divkiis— — Hinc prop:?: Sacerdotum Avariciam Odia coofcrguar, hinc Epifco-i accufarnw a Cbricis, hinc PrindpuA Lites, hhc Defolacionum Caufc, hine Origo Criminis, $3 The Introduction. [pile againft, whom they have not fo cruelly treated, as either to murther or 'to maun him ? IVhat Place is there where they have not left the Monuments of their Barbarity ? What Church is there which doth not lament their Treachery againjl their Bifhops ? After this painonate Exclamation he mentions feveral Bifhops they had banifh,- ed or put to Death, and the Cruelties they made ufe of to force the Orthodox to renounce the Fakh, and to fubfcribe to the Truth of the Arian Doctrines. But might it noc have been afked, Who was it that firft brought in Excom- munications, Depofitions, Banifhments, and Death, as the Punifhments or* Herefy ? Could not the Arians recriminate with Juftice? Were they not re- proached as Atheifts, anathematized, expelled their Churches, exiled, and made liable to the Punifhment of Death by the Orthodox? Did not even they who complained of the Cruelty of the Arians in the mod moving Term?, create numberleis Confufions and Slaughters by their violent Intrufions into the Soz. i. i. Sees of their Adverfaries ? Was not Athanafius himfelf alfo accufed to the Era- r ' lz - peror, by many Bifhops and Clergymen, who declared themielves Orthodox, of being the Author of all the Seditions and Diflurbances in the Church, by excluding great Multitudes from the publick Services of it *, of muithering iome, putting others in Chains, punifhing others with Stripes and Whippings, Philoftorg. and of burning Churches? And if the Enemies of Athanafius endeavoured to Compcn. ru j n him by luborned Witneiles and falfe Accufations, Athanafius himfelf ufed • 8 " the fame Practices to deftroy his Adverfaries, and particularly Eufebius of A7- comedia, by fpiriting up a Woman to charge Eufebius with getting her with Child, the Falfhood of which was detected at the Council of Tyre. His very Ordination alfo to the B i (hop of Akxandri a> was ceniured as clandeftine and Soz. 1. z. illegal. Tl.efe Things being reported to Conjlantine, he ordered a Synod to ' meet at Cafarea in Paleftine, of which Place Eufebius Pamphilus was Bifhop, before whom Athanafius refufed to appear. But after the Council was remo- ved to Tyre he was obliged by force to come thither, and commanded to an- fwer to the feveral Crimes objected againft him. Some of them he cleared him- felf of, and as to others he defired more Time for his Vindication. At length, after many Seffions, both his Accufers, and the Multitude who were prefent in the Council, demanded his Depofition as an Impoftor, a violent Man, and un- worthy the Priefthood. Upon this Athanafius fled from the Synod, after which they condemned him, and deprived him of his Bifhoprick, and ordered he mould never more enter Alexandria, to prevent his exciting Tumults and Seditions. They alfo wrote to all the Bifhops to have no Communion with him, as one convicted of many Crimes, and as having convicted himfelf by his flight of many others, to which he had not anfwered. And for this their Pro- cedure they afTigned thefe Realbns, that he defpifed the Emperor's Orders, by not coming to Cafarea ; that he came with a great Number of Perfons to Tyre, and excited Tumults and Diflurbances in the Council, fometimes refuflng to anfwer to the Crimes objected againft him, at other Times reviling all the Bi- ihops ; fometimes not obeying their Summons, and at others refufing to fub- mit to their Judgment ; that he was fully and evidently convicted of break- ing in pieces the facred Cup, by fix Bifhops who had been fent into Egypt to i inquire The Introduction. 95 inquire out the Truth. Athanafus, however, appealed to Conftant'me, and gave him fuch a Reprefentation of the Council's Tranfacl ions as greatly offend- ed him. But when Eufebius and others laid the whole Matter before him, the Emperor entirely altered his Sentiments, confirmed his Depofition, and ba- nifhed him into France. Indeed Athanafius, notwithstanding his fad Complaints under Perfecution, and his exprefly calling it a diabolical Invention, yet feems to be againft it only Ad imp. when he and his own Party were perfecuted, but not againft persecuting the Con ft« Enemies of Orthodoxy. In his Letter to Epitletus, Bifhop of Corinth, he faith, / A P o1 - wonder that your Piety hath born thefe Things (viz. the Herefies he had before-^ ' mentioned) and that you did not immediately put thofe Hereticks under Rejiraint, and ° ' * propofe the true Faith to them •, that if they would not forbear to ccntradicl they might be declared Hereiich \ for 'tis not to be endured that thefe Things flooidd be cither J aid or heard amongsl Chrifians. And in another Place he fays, that they ought toOrat. t. be had in univerfa! Hatred for oppoftng the Truth ; and comforts himfeif, that the conr - Ar » Emperor, upon due Information, would put a Stop to their Wickednefs, and p ' *° 4 * that they would not be long liv'd. And to mention no more, / therefore exhortVo\. I. you, fays he, let no one be deceived, but as though the Jewifh Impiety was prevailing^' 25r " over the Faith of Cbrift, be ye all zealous in the Lord. And let every one hold fa (I the Faith he hath received from the Fathers, which alfo the Fathers met together a'. Nice declared in Writing, and endure none of thofe who may attempt to make any b: nova- tions therein. 'Tis needlefs to produce more Inflances of this kind ; whofoeverP. 291. gives himfeif the Trouble of looking over any of the Writings of this Father, will find in them the moft furious Invectives againft the Avians, and that he ftudioufly endeavours to reprefent them in fuch Colours, as might render them the Abhorrence of Mankind, and excite the World to their utter Extirpa- tion. I write not thefe Things out of any Averfion to the Memory, or peculiar Principles of Athanafius \ whether I agree with him, or differ from him in Opi- nion, I think my felf equally obliged to give impartially the true Account of him. And as this which I have given of him is drawn partly from Hiftory, and partly from his own Writings, I think I cannot be juftly charged with, mifreprefenting him. To fpeak plainly, I think that Athanafius was a Man of an haughty and inflexible Temper, and more concerned for Victory and Power than for Truth, Religion or Peace. The Word Confubflantial that was irferted into the Nicene Creed, and the Anathema denounced againft all who would orSoz. 1.2. could not believe in it, furnimed Matter for endlefs Debates. Thofe who were 0, z8 * againft it cenfured as Blafphemers thofe who ufed it ; and as denying the pro- per Subfiftence of the Son, and as falling into the Sabellian Herefy. The Confubftantialifts on the other fide reproached their Adverfaries as Heathens, and with bringing in the Poly theifm of the GentJes. And though they equal- ly denied the Confequences which their refpective Principles were charged with, yet as the Orthodox would not part with the Word Conjubjlantial, and the Ari- ans could not agree to the Ufe of it, they continued their unchriftian Re- proaches and Accufations of each other. Athanafius would yield to no Terms f of 34 The Introduction. of Peace, nor receive any into Communion, who would not abfolutely fubmit Vol.I. to the Decifions of the Fathers of Nice. In his Letter to Johannes and Anti- P« 9$i. ocbus he exhorts them to hold fait the Confefllon of thofe Fathers, and to rejetl all who jhould [peak more or lefs than was contained in it. And in his firft Ora- P. 191. tion againit the Arians he declares in plain Terms, "That the exprefllng " a Perlbn's Sentiments in the Words of Scripture was no fufficient Proof of " Orthodoxy, becaufe the Devil himfelfufed Scripture Words to cover his ' Nor did Conjlantine himfelf long furvive him ; he was fucceeded by his three Sons, Conjlantine, Conjlantius, and Conjtans. Conjlantine the eldefl recalled 1, Alhanajius from Bantfhment, and reftored him to his Bifhoprick, upon which Account there arofe molt grievous Quarrels and Seditions, many being kil- Sc2. 1.5. j e( ^ anc | manv publickly whipped by Athanajius's Order, according to the Ac- cufations of his Enemies. Conjlantius, after his eider Brother's Death, con- vened a Synod at Antioch in Syria, where Alhanajius y/as again depefed for thefe S02. 1 3. Crimes, and Gregory put into the See of Alexandria. In this Council a new Creed was drawn up, in which the Word Ccnjiibjlantial was wholly omitted^ • and the Exprefllons made ufe of fo general, a? that they might have been equally agreed to by the Orthodox and Arians, In the Clofe of it feveral Ana- thema's were added, and particularly upon ail who mould teach' or preach other- C (0. The Introduction. 55 otherwife than what this Council had received, becaufe, as they themfelves fay, They did really believe and follow all Things delivered by the Holy Scriptures, both Pro- phets and Apojlles. So that now the whole Chriflian World was under a fynodi- cal Curfe, theoppofite Councils having damned one another, and all that dif- fered from them. And'if Councils, as fuch, have any Authority to anathe- matife all who will not fubmit to them, this Authority equally belongs to eve- ry Council •, and therefore 'twas but a natural Piece of Revenge, that as the Council of Nice had fent all the Arians to the Devil, the Arians, in their turn, mould take the Orthodox along with them for Company, and thus repay one Anathema with another. Conjiantius himfelf was warmly on the Arian fide, and favoured the Bifhops of that Party only, and ejected Paul the Orthodox Bifhop from the See of Con- fantinople, as a Perfon altogether unworthy of it, Macedonius being fubftitu- Soc - '• ?• ted in his room. Macedonius was in a different Scheme, or at leaft exDreiTed "*' himfelf in different Words both from the Orthodox and Arians, and \afien- Ath q ana £' ed, That the Son was not Confubitantial but 0^0««©-, not of the fame, but ^Tfin.Vi. like Subftance with [he Father, and openly propagated this Opinion, after he p. no. had thrufl himfelf into the Bifhoprick of Paul. This the orthodox Party highly Soc. 1. 1, refented, oppofing Hertnogenes, whom Conjiantius had fent to introduce him, c- 1?« and in their Rage burnt down his Houfe, and drew him round the Streets by his B^eet till they had murthered him. But notwithstanding the Emperor's Or- ders were thus oppofed, and his Officers killed by the orthodox Party, he treated them with great Lenity, and in this Inftance punifhed them much lefs than their Infolence and Fury deferved. Soon after this Athanafius and Paul'c. 15. were reftored again to their refpective Sees ; and upon Athanafius'^ entering Alexandria great Difturbances arofe, which were attended with the Deftruction of many Perfons, and Athanafius accufed of being the Author of all thofe Evils. Soon after Paul's return to Conjlantinople he was banifhed from thence again by the Emperor's Order, and Macedonius re-entered into Potfefiion of that See, upon which Occafion three Thoufand one Hundred and fifty Perfons were mur- thered, fome by the Soldiers, and others by being prefied to Death by the Croud. Athanafius alfo foon followed him into Banifhment, being accufed ofS 00 '***» felling the Corn which Conjiantine the Great had given for the Support of the c# l?t Poor of the Church of Alexandria, and putting the Money in his own Pocket ; and being therefore threaten'd by Conjiantius with Death". But they were both a little while after recalled by Conjlans, then banifhed again by Conjiantius ; and Paul, as fome fay, murthered by his Enemies the Arians, as he was carry- ing into Exile ; though, as Athanafius himfelf owns, the Arians exprefly denied Ad Sol. it, andfaid, that he died of fome Diftemper. Macedonius having thus gotten vi: - A §* quiet Pofieflion of the See of Conjlantinople, prevailed with the Emperor to p,8l3# publifh a Law, by which thofe of the Confubftantial, or orthodox Party, weresoc. 1. 2. driven not only out of the Churches but Cities too, and many of them compel- c 17.' led to communicate with the Arians by Stripes and Torments, by Profcriptions and Banifhments, and other violent Methods of Severity. Upon the Banifh- AJ Con & ment of Athanafius , whom Conjiantius in his Letter to the Citizens of Alexan- Ap ? 1# fa dria** 9 * 3* The Introduction. drla calls an Impofor, a Corrupter of Men 's Souls, a Dijlurber of the City , a perni- cious Fellow, one convicled of the icorft Crimes, not to be expiated by his fujfering Death ten Times, George was put into the See of Alexandria, whom the Empe- ror, in the fame Letter, ftiles a ?nojl venerable Per/on, and the mofi capable of all Cont. kx. Men to inflrucl them in heavenly Things ; though Alhdnafius, in his ufual Stile, Orat. i. ca |j s kj m an ifi i a i er anc j Hangman, and one capable of all Violences, Rapines, p * Z9D * and Murthers ; and whom he actually charges with committing the moft. im- 1. 2. c.25. pious Actions and outragious Cruelties. Thus, as Socrates obferves, was the Church torn in pieces by a Civil War for the fake of Athanafms and the Word . ConfubJlantiaL The Truth is, that the Chriftian Clergy were now become the chief Incen- diaries and Difturbers of the Empire, and the Pride of the Bifhops, and the Fury of the People on each fide were grown to fuch an Height, as that there fcarce ever was an Election or Reftoration of a Bifhop in the larger Cities, but it was attended with Slaughter and Blood. Athanafms was feveral Times ba- nifhed and reftored, at the Expence of Blood •, the Orthodox were depofed, and the Arians fubftituted in their room, with theMurther of Thoufands •, and as the Controverfy was now no longer about the plain Doctrines of uncorrupted Chriftianity, but about Power and Dominion, high Preferments, large Reve- Soc. 1. 2. nueSj a nd fecular Honours; agreeably hereto, the Bifhops were introduced £ ' J ' J l6 ' into their Churches, and placed on their Thrones, by armed Soldiers, and paid no Regard to the Ecclefiaftical Rules, or the Lives of their Flocks, lb they could get PofTefiaon, and keep out their Adverfaries : And when once they were in, they treated thofe who differ'd from them without Moderation or Merc-, turning them out of their Churches, denying them the Liberty of Worfhip, putting them under an Anathema, and perfecutingthem with innu- merable Methods of Cruelty ; as is evident from the Accounts given by the Ecclefiaftical Hiftorians, of 'Athanafms, Macedonius, George, and others, which may be read at large in the forementioned Places.. In a Word, they feemed to treat one another with the fame implacable Bitternefs and Severity, as ever their common Enemies, the Heathens, treated them, as though they thought that Perfection for Confcience fake had been the diftinguifhing Precept of the Chriftian Religion -, and that they could not more efFecUially recommend and diftinguifh themfelves as the Difciples of Chrift, than by taring and devouring Am. Mar. one another. This made Julian, the Emperor, fay of them, That he found by 1. zi.c. 5. Experience, that even Beajls are not fo cruel to Men, as the generality of Chrijlians were to one another. This was the unhappy State of the Church in the Reign of Conflantius, which affords us little more than the Hiftory of Councils and Creeds differing from, and contrary to each other \ Bifhops depofing, cenfuring, and anathematizing their Adverfaries, and the Chriftian People divided into Factions under their refpective Leaders, for the fake of Woi'ds they underftood nothing of the Senfe of, and ftriving for Victory even to Bloodfhed and Death. Upon the Succefll- on of Julian to the Empire, though the contending Parties could not unite againft the common- Enemy, yet they were by the Emperor's Clemency and Wifdora J he Introduction. 37 Wifdom kept In tolerable Peace and Order. The Bifhops which had beenSoc. J. j, banifned by Conflantius fiis PredecelTor, he immediately recalled, ordered their c - *• Effects, which had been confifcated, to be reftored to them, and commanded that no one mould injure or hurt any Chriftian whatfoever. And as Ammianus Marcellinus, an heathen Writer of thofe Times, tells us, he caufed the Chriftian l. ai , c. 5 Bifhops and People, who were at variance with each other, to come into his Palace, and there admonifhed them, that they mould every one profefs their own Religion, without Hindrance or Fear, provided they did not difturb the publick Peace by their Divifions. This was an Inftance of great Moderation and Generofity, and a Pattern worthy the Imitation of all his Succeffors. In the beginning of Julian's Reign fome of the Inhabitants of Alexandria, Sod. 3. and, as was reported, the Friends of ' Athanafius, by his Advice, raifed a great ; *» 5>4* Tumult in theCity,and murtheredGtcrg^, theBifnop of thePlace, by taring him Pnnoft,1 '7* in pieces, and burning his Body •, upon which Athanafius returned immediately from his Banifhment, and took PofTeffion of his See, turning out the Arians from their Churches, and forcing them to hold their Afiemblies in private and mean Places. Julian, with great Equity, feverely reproved the Alexandrians for this their Violence and Cruelty, telling them, that though George might have greatly injured them, yet they ought not to have revenged themfelves on him, but to have left him to the Juftice of the Laws. Athanafius, upon his Refto- ration, immediately convened a Synod at Alexandria, in which was firft avert- ed the Divinity of the Holy Spirit, and his Confubftantiality with the Father and the Son. But his Power there was but fhort ; for being accufed to Julian^ 13* as the Deftroyer of that City, and all Egypt, he faved himfelf by flight, but foon after fecretly returned to Alexandria, where he lived in great privacy c jlTheod. the Storm was blown over by Julian's Death, and the Succeffion djovta) :o 1,4, Cl " v the Empire, who reftored him to his Sec, in which he continued undifturbed to his Death. Although Julian behaved himfelf with great Moderation, upon his firft Ac- ceffion to the imperial Dignity, towards the Chriftians, as well as others, yet his Hatred to Chriftianity foon appeared in many Inftances. For though he did not, like the reft of the Heathen Emperors, proceed to fanguinary Laws, Soc. 1. 5, yet he commanded, that the Children of Chriftians ihould not be inftrucled in c « HjQ^ the Grecian Language and Learning. By another Edict he ordained, That no Chriftian 'fhould bear any Office in the Army, nor have any Concern in the Di- ftribution and Management of the publick Revenues. He taxed very heavily, Theod. . and demanded Contributions from all who would not facrifice, to fupport the 1 ;, > ,c - ** vaft Expences he was at in his Eaftern Expeditions. And when the Governors c ~ : ' of the Provinces took Occafion from hence to opprefs and plunder them, he difmiffed thofe who complained with this fcornful Anfwer, Tour God hatb com- manded you to fuffer Perfection ! He alfo deprived the Clergy of all their Immu- nities, Honours, and Revenues, granted them by Conjlantine, abrogated the Laws made in their Favour, and ordered they fnould be lifted amongft the Number of Soldiers. He deftroyed feveral of their Churches, and ft ripped • them of their Treafure and facred Veffels. Some he punifhed with Banifh- 1 menr» 3* The Introduction. ment, and others with Death, under pretence of their having pulled down fome of the Pagan Temples, and infulted himfelf. The Truth is, that the Chriftian Bifhops and People fhewed fuch a turbu- lent and feditious Spirit, that 'twas no wonder that Julian fhould keep a jealous F.ye over them, and though otherwiie a Man of great Moderation, connive at the Severities his Officers lbmetimes practiled on then. Whether he would have proceeded to any farther Extremities againft the. r, had he returned Vi- ctorious from his Perftan Expedition, as Theodorit afH vs he would, cannot, I 1. 3. c. 11. think, be determined. He was certainly a Pcrfon of great Humanity in his natural Temper ; but how far his own Superft tion, and the Imprudencies of the Chriftians, might have altered this Difpofition, 'tis impofllble to fay. Thus much is certain, that the Behaviour of the Chriftians towards him, was, in many Inftances, very blameable, and fuch as tended to irritate his Spirit, and awaken his Refentment. But whatever his Intentions were, he did not live to execute them, being flain in his Perfian Expedition. Soc. I. }, He was fucceeded by Jovian, who was a Chriftian by Principle and Profef- c. 24,15. f 10rK Upon his return from Perfia the Troubles of the Church immediately re- vived, the Bifhops and Heads of Parties crouding about him, each hoping that he would lift on their fide, and grant them Authority to opprefs their Ad- Theod. verfaries. Athanafius, a mongft others, writes to him in favour of the Nicene 1.4. c 4 Creed, and warns him againft the Blafphemies of the Arians •, and though he doth not directly urge him to perfecute them, yet he tells him, that 'tis ne- ceflary to adhere to the Decifions of that Council concerning the Faith, and that their Creed was Divine and Apoftolical ; and that no Man ought to reafon or difpute againft it, as the Arians did. A Synod alfo of certain Biihops met at Antioch in Syria ; and though feveral of them had been Oppofers of the Nicene Doctrine before, yet finding that this was the Faith efpoufed by Jovian, they with great Obfequioufnefs readily confirm'd it, and fubfcribed it, and in a flat- tering Letter fent it to him, reprefenting that this true and orthodox Faith was the great Center of Unity. The Followers alfo of Macedonius, who rejected the Word Confubjlantial, and held the Son to be only like to the Father, moft humbly befought him, that fuch who afferted the Son to be unlike the Father might be driven from their Churches, and that they themfelves might be put into them in their room ; with the Bilhops Names fubfcribed to the Petition. But Jovian, though himfelf in the orthodox Doctrine, did not fuffer himfelf to be drawn into Meafures of Perfecution by the Arts of thefe temporizing Prelates, but difmifled them civilly with this Anfwer : / hate Contention, and love thofe only that ftudy Peace ; declaring, that he would trouble none upon account of their Faith, whatever it was ; and that he would favour and eft e em fuch only who fhould fhew themfelves headers in refloring the Peace of the Church. Themiftius the Philo- fopher, in his Oration upon Jowl's Confulate, commends him very juftly on this account, that he gave free Liberty to every one to worfhipGod as he would, and defpifed the flattering Infinuations of thofe who would have perfuaded him to the Ufe of violent Methods, concerning whom he pleafantly, but with to® much Truth, faid, That he found by Experience, that they worfhip not God, but the Purple, The \ The Introduction. 39 The two Ernperors, Valentimamis and Valens, who fucceeded Jovian^ were of very different Tempers, and embraced different Parties in Religion. TheSoc. 1. 4. former was of the Orthodox fide ; and though he favoured thofe moft who were 0, *■ of his own Sentiments, yet he gave no Ditturbance to the Arians. On the contrary, Valeus, his Brother, was of a rigid and ianguinary Difpofition, and feverely perfecuted all who differed from him. In the beginning of their ReignTheod. a Synod met in Illyrivtim, who again decreed the Confubitantiality of Father, 1, 4- c - 8 « Son, and Holy Ghoft. This the two Emperors declared in a Letter their Af- Cod * fent to, and ordered that this Doctrine mould be preached. However, theyTJ 1 ^' both publifhed Laws for the Toleration of all Religions, even the Heathen and"' Arian. But Valens was foon prevailed on by the Arts of Eudoxius, Bifhop ofSoc 1.4. Con/I an tinopk, to forfake both his Principles of Religion and Moderation, and 0, 6 ' embracing the Arian Party, he cruelly perfecuted all thofe who were of the ° z# ' ' orthodox Parly, The Conduct of the orthodox Synod met at Lampfacus was the firit Thing that enraged him •, for having obtained of him leave to meet, for the Amendment and Settlement of the Faith, after two Months Confuta- tion they decreed the Doctrine of the Son's being like the Father as to his Ef- fence, to be Orthodox, and depofed all the Bifhops of the Arian Party. This highly exafperated Valem, who thereupon called a Council of Arian Bifhops, and commanded the Bifhops that compofed the Council at Lampfacus to em- brace the Opinions of Eacloxitts the Arian, and upon their refufal immediately fent them into Banifhment, and gave their Churches to their Enemies, fparing only Paulinus, for the remarkable Sanctity of his Life. After this he enter'd into more violent Meafures, and caufed the Orthodox, fome of them to be whipped, others to be difgraccd, others to be imprifoned, and others to be fined. He alio put great Numbers to death, and particularly caufed eighty ofSoc Ibti. them at once to be put on Board a Ship, and the Ship to be 'fired when it was c - T 5> 1<5 « failed out of the Harbour, where they miferably perifhed by the Water and theT hcoi ', Flames. Thefe Perfections he continued to the End of his Reign, and was '^ c ' zz " greatly a (lifted in them by the Bifhops of the Arian party. In the mean Time great Dillurbances happened at Rome. Libenus, BiffiopSoc. 1. 4. of that City being dead, Urfimis, a Deacon of that Church, and Damafus, c < l 9- were both nominated to fucceed him. The Party of t)amafus prevailed, and got him chofen and ordained. Vr/jHus being enraged that Damajus was prefer- red before him, fee up feparate Meetings, and at laft procured himielf to be privately ordained by certain obfeure Bifhops. This occafioned great Difputes amongft the Citizens, which ihould obtain theEpifcopal Dignity, and the Matter was carried to fuch an Height, that great Numbers were murthered in the Quar- rel on both fides, no lefs than one Hundred thirty feven Perfons being deftroy'd in the Church it felf, according to Ammianus, who adds, ° That 'twas no wander 1 17. c 3. to fee thofe who were ambitious of human Greatnefs, contending with fo much Heat Cum id adept i, futuri (int ita fecuri, ut direntur oblationibus Matronarum, proccdantq; vehicu- hs-mfldciucs, circiunfpeftl veiliti, cpulas curantcs profufa^ ade» ut coium convivia regales fuue- renc menfas, and 4-o The Introduction. and Animojiiy for that Dignity, becaufe when they had obtained it, they were fun tc be enriched by the Offer bigs of the Matrons, of appearing Abroad in great Splendor, of being admired for their coflly Coaches^ fumptuous in their Feafls, out-doing Sove- reign Princes in the Ex pcr.ee s of 'their Tables. For which Reafon Preetextatus, an Heathen, who was Prefect of the City the following Year, faid, Make me Bi- fhop of Rome and I'll be a Chriftian too. Gratian, the Son of Valenlinian, his Partner and Succeffor in the Empire, was of the orthodox Party, and after the Death of his Uncle Valens recalled thole Theod. whom he had banilhed, and reftored them to their Sees. But as to the Arians, 1 5- c. 2. } ie fent6V^v.«, one of his Captains, to drive them, as wild Beads, out cf all their Churches. Socrates and Sozomen tell us, however, that by a Law he or- dained, that Perfons of all Religions mould meet, without fear, in their feveral Churches, and worfhip according to their own Way, the Eummians, Pbotini- ans and Manichees excepted. Theodojius, foon after his Advancement by Gratian to the Empire, difcover- Soz. 1. 7- ed a very warm Zeal for the orthodox Opinions •, for obferving that the City of c - 4 6 ' Conflantinople was divided into different Sects, he wrote a Letter to them from Thejfakmca, wherein he tells them, That 'twas his Pleajiire, that all his Subjeels fhouldbe of the fame Religion with Damafus Bijhop of Rome, and Peter Bifhop of Alexandria ; and that their Church only fhould be called Catholick, who wor- fhipped the Divine Trinity as equal in Honour •, and that thole who were of another Opinion fhould be called Hereticks, become infamous, and be fubject to other Punifhments, He alio forbid AfTemblies and Difputations in tht Fo- rum, and made a Law for the Punifhment of thofe that fhould prefume to ar- Soc. 1. $. gue about rhe EfTence and Nature of God. Upon his firft coming to Conjlan- c- 7. tinople, being very folicitous for the Peace and Increafe of the Church, he fent for Demophilus the Arian Bifhop, and afked him whether he would conf-nt to the Nicene Faith, and thus accept the Peace he offered him ; adding, If you re* fufe to do it I will drive you from your Churches. And upon Demophilus's Re- fufal, the Emperor was as good as his Word, and turned him and all the Ari- ans out of the City, afcer they had been in poffeflion of the Churches there for c 8. Forty Years. But being willing more effectually to extinguifh Herefy, he fummoned a Council of Bifhopsof his own Perfuafion, A. C. 3S3. to meet to- gether at Conjlantinople, in order to confirm the Nicene Faith : The Number of them were one Hundred and fifty ; to thefe were added thirty fix of the Mace- Tlefecctid d ' irty. And accordingly this Council, which is reckoned the fecond general Oecumenical or general one, all of them, except the Macedonians, did decree Jc^g, that the Nicene Faith fhould be the Standard of Orthodoxy ; and that all He- ' i J 'refics fhould be condemned. They alfo made an Addition to that Creed, ex- plaining the orthodox Doctrine of the Spirit againft Macedcnius, viz. after the Words Holy Ghoft, they inferted, The Lord, the Quickner, proceeding from the Father, whom with the Father and the Son we worfioip and glorify;, and who fpake CoJ. by the Prophets. When the Council was ended the Emperor put forth two The, d. Edicts againft Hereticks ; by the firft prohibiting them from holding any Af- ' lly u * femblies j and by the fecond, forbidding them to meet in Fields or Villages, order- The Introduction. l\ ordering the Houfes where they met to be confifcated, and commanding that fuch who went to other Places to teach their Opinions, or perform their reli- gious worfhip, fhould be forced to return to the Places where they dwelt, con- demning all thole Officers and Magistrates of Cities who fhould not prevent fuch ArTemblies. A little while after the Conclufion of this Council, finding that many Diforders were ftill occafioned through the Oppofition of the feveral Parties tooneSoz. 1. 7. another, he convened the principal Perfons of each, and ordered them to deliver c. iz. into his Hand a written Form of their Bel.'-rf, which after he had received, he reti- red by himfelf, and earneftly prayed to God, that he would enable him to make Choice of the Truth. And when after this he had perufed the feveral Papers delivered to him, he tore them all in pieces, except that which contained the Doctrine of the indivifible Trinity, to which he intirely adhered. After this he publifhed a Law, by which he forbid Hereticks to worfhip or preach, or to ordain Bifhops or others, commanding fome to be banifhed, others to be render- ed infamous, and to be deprived of the common Privileges of Citizens, with other grievous Penalties of the like nature. Sozomen* however, tells-us, that he did not put thefe Laws in execution, becaufe his Intention was not to puniih his Subjects, but to terrify them into the fame Opinions of God with himfelf, praifing at the fame time thofe who voluntarily embraced them. Socrates^ <,.cio. alio confirms the fame, telling us, that he only banifhed Eunomius from Con- stantinople for holding private Affemblies, and reading his Books to them, and thereby corrupting many with his Doctrine. But that as to others he gave them no Difturbance, nor forced them to communicate with him, but allowed them all their feveral Meetings, and to enjoy their own Opinions as to the Chriftian Faith. Some he permitted to build Churches without the Cities, and the Novatians to retain their Churches within, becaufe they held the fame Doctrines with himfelf. Arcadius and Honorius* the Sons and Succefibrs of Tbeodofius, embraced theSoz. I. S. orthodox Religion and Party, and confirmed all the Decrees of the foregoing c< Ij 1} 4* Emperors in their Favour. Soon after their Acceflion to the imperial Digni- ty, Neclarius Bifhop of Conjiantinople died, and John, called for his Eloquence Cbryfojlom, was ordained in his room : He was a Perfon of a very rigid and fe- vere Temper, an Enemy to Hereticks, and againft allowing them any Tole- ration. Gaina* one of the principal Officers of Arcadius ', and who was a Chri- ftian of the Arian Perfwafion, defired of the Emperor one Church for himfelf and thofe of his Opinion, within the City. Cbryfojlom being informed of it, im- mediately went to the Palace, taking with him all the Bifhops he could find at Conjiantinople* and in the Prefence of the Emperor bitterly inveigh'd againft Gaina, who was himfelf at the Audience, and reproached him for his former Poverty, as alfo with Infolence and Ingratitude. Then he produced the Law that was made by Tbeodofius, by which Hereticks were forbidden to hold Af- femblies within the Walls of the City •, and turning to the Emperor, perfwaded him to keep in force all the Laws againft Hereticks ; adding, that 'twas bet r er voluntarily to quit the Empire, than to be guilty of the Impiety of betraying the Houfe of God. Cbryfojlom carried his Point, and the Confequence of it was gr an 4-2 The Introduction. an Infurrection of the Goths in the City of ' Conftantinople, which had like to have ended in the Burning the imperial Palace, and the Murther of the Emperor, and did actually end in the cutting ofFall the Gothick Soldiers, and the Burning of their Church, with great Numbers of Perfons in it, who fled thither for Soz. 1.8. Safety, and were locked in to prevent their efcape. His violent Treatment of •• feveral Bifhops, and the arbitrary Manner of his depofing them, and fubftitu- ting others in their room, contrary to the Dcfires and Prayers of the People, is but too full a Proof of his imperious Temper, and love of Power. Not con- tent with this, he turned his Eloquence againft the Emprefs Eudoxia, and in a fet Oration inveighing againft bad Women, he exprefied himfelf in fuch a Manner, as that both his Friends and Enemies believed that the Invective was chiefly levelled againft her. This fo enraged her, that fhe foon procured his Depofition and Banifhment. Being foon after reftored, he added new Provoca- tions to the former, by rebuking the People for certain Diverfions they took at a Place where the Statue of the Emprefs was erected. This fhe took for an Infult on her Perlbn, and when Chryfoftom knew her Difpleafure on this Ac- count, he ufed more fevere Exprefiions againft her than before, faying, Hero- dias is enraged again ; Jbe raifes frefh Difturbances ; and again defires the Head of John in a Charger. On this and other Accounts he was depofed and banifhed by a Synod convened for that purpofe, Bifhops being always to be had in thofe Days eafily, to do what wasdefired or demanded of them by the Emperors. • " 8 - Chryfoftom died in his Banifhment, according to the Chriftian With of Epipha- ttius, 1 hope you'll not die Bijhop c/XonftantinopIe ; which Chryfoftom returned with a Wifh of the fame good Temper, I hope you'll not live to return to your own City •, fo deadly was the Hatred of thefe Saints and Fathers againft each other. After Chryfoftcm's Death his Favourers and Friends were treated with great Severity, not indeed on the Account of Religion, but for other Crimes Soc. 1. 6. of Sedition they were charged with, and particularly, for burning down one of c ' lS - the Churches in the City, the Flames of which fpread themfelves to the Senate Houfe and entirely confumed it. Under the fame Emperors the Donatifts gave fad Specimens of their Cruelty Epift. 50. in Africa towards the Orthodox, as St. Auftin informs us. They feized on Maxi- ad Bon. & mianus, one of the African Bifhops, as he was (landing at the Altar, beat him adJanua unmercifully, and ran a Sword into his Body, leaving him for dead. And a 'little after he adds, That it would be tedious to recount the many horrible Things they made the Bifhops and Clergy furTer •, fome had their Eyes put out; one Bifliop had his Hands and Tongue cut off, and others were cruelly deftroyed. I forbear, fays Auftin, to mention their barbarous Murthers, and demolifhing of Houfes, not private ones only, but the very Churches them- Cod. felves. Honorius published very fevere Edicts againft them, ordaining, That if Theod. tne y dj c ] not ^ k ot h Clergy and Laity, return to the Catholicks by fiach a Day, they fhould be heavily fined, their Eftates fhould be confifcated, the Clergy banifhed, and their Churches all given to the Catholicks. Thefe Laws Auftin commends as rightly and pioufly ordained, maintaining the Lawf ulnefs of per- fecting Hereticks by all manner of Ways, Death only excepted. Under The Introduction. Under the Reign of Tbetofofius, Arcadius his Son, thofe who were called He- reticks were grievoufly perfecuted by the Orthodox. Tbeodofius, Bifhop of Soc. I. ■>. Sxnnada'm Phrxgia, expelled great Numbers of the Followers of Macedonius -*- from the City and Country round about, Not from am Zeal for the true Faith, as Socrates fays, but through Covetoufnefs, and a Deftgu to extort Money from them. On this Account he ufed all his Endeavours to opprefs them, and particularly Agapetus their Bifhop, armed his Clergy againft them, and accufed them before the Tribunal of the Judges. And becaufe he did not think the Governors of the Provinces fufficient to carry on this good Work of Perfecution, he went to Con- fiantinople to procure frefh Edicts againft them ; but by this means he loft his Bifhoprick, the People refufing him Admiffion in'o the Church upon his re- turn, and chufing Agapetus, whom he had perfecuted, in his room. Theophilus, Bifhop of Alexandria, the great Enemy of Chryfoflom, being 1. 7. c. 7. dead, CyriU was enthroned in his room, not without great Difturbance and Op- pofition from the People, and ufed his Power for the Opprefllon of Hereticks ; for immediately upon his Advancement, he fhut up all the Churches of the Novatians in that City, took away all their facred Treafures, and ftripped Theo- pemptus their Bifhop, of every Thing that he had. Nor was this much to be^^-^'S» wonder'd at, fince, as Socrates obferves, that from the Time of tteophilus, I4< Cxrill's Predeceffor, The Bifhop of Alexandria began to ajjume an Authority and Power above what belonged to the facerdotal Order. On this Account the great Men hated the Bifhops, becaufe they ufurped to themfelves a good part of that Power which belonged to the imperial Governors of Provinces j and particu- larly, CyriU was hated by Orejies, Prefect of Alexandria, not only for this Rea- fon, but becaufe he was a continual Spy upon his Actions. At length their Hatred to each other publickly appeared. CyriU took on him, without ac- quainting the Governor, or contrary to his leave, to deprive the Jews of all their Synagogues, and banifhed them from the City, and encouraged the Mob to plunder them of their Effects. This the Prefect highly refented, and refufed the Bifhop' s Offers of Peace and Friendfhip. Upon this about fifty Monks came into the City for Cyrill's Defence, and meeting the Prefect in his Chariot publickly infulted him, calling him Sacrificer and Pagan ; adding many other injurious Reproaches. One of them, called Ammonius, wounded him in the Head with a Stone, which he flung at him with great Violence, and covered him all over with Blood ; and being, according to the Laws, put by Orefies publickly to the Torture, he died through the Severity of it. St. CyriU honour- ably received the Body into the Church, gave him the new Name of Thauma- fhiSy or, The Wonderful, ordered him to be looked on as a Martyr, and lavimly extolled him in the Church, as a Perfon murthered for his Religion. This fcandalous Procedure of Cyrill's the Chriftians themfelves were afhamed of, becaufe 'twas publickly known, that the Monk was punifhed for his Infolence ; and even St. CyriU himfelf had the Modefty at la ft toufe his Endeavours that the whole Affair might be entirely forgotten. The Murther alfo of Hypatiald. II by CyriWs Friends and Clergy, merely out of Envy to her fuperior Skill in Phi- * 1 *- lofophy, brought him and his Church of Alexandria under great Infamy ; for g 2 as H J be Introduction. as fbe was returning home from a Vific, one Peter a Clergyman, with fome other Murtherers, leized on her, dragged her out of her Chariot, carried her to one of the Churches, ftripped her naked, fcraped her to Death with Shells, then tore her in pieces, and burnt her Body to Afhes. Soc. 1, 7. Innocent alio, Bifliop of Rome, grievoufly perfecuted the Novatians, and took c ' 9 - from therm many Churches ; and, as Socrates obferves, was the firft Bifhop of that See who difturbcd ihem. Celejline alfo, one of his Succefibrs, imitated this lnjuftice, and took from the Novatians the Remainder of their Churches, c 11. and forced them to hold their AfTemblies in private ; For the Bifhop of Rome, as well as thofe of Alexandria, bad ufurped a tyrannical Power, which, as Prtejls, they had no right to ; and would not fuffer thofe who agreed with them in the Faith, as the Novatians did, to hold publick AfTemblies, but drove them out of their Oratories, and plundered thern of all their Subflance. Nejiorius, Bifliop of Conjlantinople, immediately upon his Advancement, fhewed himfelf a violent Perfecutor ; for as foon as ever he was ordained, he addreffed himfelf to the Emperor before the whole Congregation, and faid, c 19. Purge me, O Emperor, the Earth from Hereticks, and 1 will give thee in recompence the Kingdom of Heaven. Conquer with me the Hereticks, and 1 with thee will fubdue the Perfians. And agreeable to his bloody Wifhes, the fifth Day after his Confecration, he endeavoured to demolifh the Church of the Arians, in which they were privately affembled for Prayer. The Arians in their Rage, feeing the Deftruction of it determined, fet Fire to it themfelves, and occafioned the Burning down ihe neighbouring Houfes ; and for this Reafon not only the Hereticks, but thofe of his own Perfuafion, diftinguifhed him by the Name of Incendiary. But he did not reft here, but tried all Tricks and Methods to de- ftroy Hereticks ; and by thefe Means endangered the Subverfion of Conftanti- mjle it felf. He perfecuted the Novatians, through hatred of Paul their Bi- flop for his eminent Piety. He grievoufly opprefled thofe who were not Or- thodox as to the Day of keeping Eafler, in Afia, Lydia, and Caria, and occa- fioned the Murthers of great Numbers on this Account , at Miletus and Sardis. c. z. Few indeed of the Bifhops were free from this wicked Spirit. Socrates, how- ever, tells us, that Atticus Bifhop of Conft antinople was a Perfon of great Piety and Prudence, and that he did not offer Violence to any of the Hereticks, but that after he had once attempted to terrify them, he behaved more mildly and c. 41. gently to them afterwards. Proclus alfo, Bifhop of the fame City, who 4iad been brought up under Alticus, was a careful Imitator of his Piety and Virtue, and exercifcd rather greater Moderation than his Mafler, being gentle towards all Men, from a Perfwafion, that this was a much more proper Method than. Violence to reduce Hereticks to the true Faith, and therefore he never made ufe of the imperial Power for this purpofe. And in this he imitated Theodojius the Emperor, who was not at all concerned or difpleafed that any fhould think, differently of God from himfelf. However, the Number of Bifhops of this Temper was but fmall. Nothing pleafed the generality of them but Methods of Severity, and the utter Ruin and Extirpation of their Adverfaries. Under The Introduction. 45 Under the Reign of this Emperor, the Arians alfo, in their Turn, ufed the Orthodox with no greater Moderation, than the Orthodox had ufed them. The Vandals, who were partly Pagans, and partly Arians, had feized on Spain and Africa, and exercifed innumerable Cruelties on thofe who were not of the iame Religion with themfelves. Trafimond their General in Spain, and Genfe- rick in Africa, ufed all poffible Endeavours to propagate Arianifm throughout alJ their Provinces. And the more effectually toaccomplifh this Defign, they filled all Places with Slaughter and Blood, by the Advice of the Bifhops of their Party, burning down Churches, and putting the orthodox Clergy to the molt grievous and unheard of Tortures, to make them difcover the Gold and Silver of their Churches, repeating thefe kind of Tortures feveral times, fo that many actually died under them. Genferick feized on all the facred Books he could find, that they might be deprived of the Means of defending their Opinions. By the Counfel of his Bifhops, he ordered that none but Arians fhould be admitted to Court, or employ'd in any Offices about his Children, or fo much as enjoy the Benefit of a Toleration. Armogefles, Mafculon, and Saturus, three Officers of his Court, were inhumanly tortured to make them embrace Arianifm ; and, upon their refufal, they were ftripped of their Ho- nours and Eftates, and forced to protract a miferable Life in the utmofl Po- verty and Want. Thefe and many more Inftances of Genferick's Cruelty to- wards the Orthodox, during a long Reign of thirty eight Years, are related by Viftor, Li. in fine. During thefe Tranfactions, a new Controverfy, of a very extraordinary and important Nature, arofe in the Church, which, as the other had done before, occafioned many Diforders and Murthers, and gave Birth to the third general Council. Nejlorius, the perfecuting Bifhop of Confianiinople, altho' tole- Evag.E.H. rably found in the Doctrine of the real Deity of the Logos, yet excepted againft 1 ' '■ c « 2 « the Virgin Mary's being called Qiotok©-, i.e. Mother of God, becaufe, as he 500 ", 1 ' 7 ' argued, Mary was a Woman, and that therefore God could not be born of her ; C * 51> 34 ' adding, / cannot call him God, who once was not above two or three Months old ; and therefore he fubftituted another Word in the room of it, callino- her XaroTCK©-, or Mother of 'Chrifl . By this Means, he feemed to maintain, not only the Diftinction of the two Natures in Chrift, for he allowed the proper Perfonality and Subfiftence of the Logos, but that there were alfo two diftinct Perfons in Chrift ; the one a mere Man, abfolutely diftinct from the Word, and the other God, as abfolutely diftinct from the human Nature. This caufedr£/WI , Lofs of all Honours, Dignities, Orders, &c. For this Reafon, Pope Z>o c . 3. 2 returns 4 s The Introduction. Auguft. returns him Thanks, that he had deftroy'd thefe Herefies, and exhorts him Epift. 75. f art h er< that he would reform the See of Alexandria, and not only depofe the heretical Clergy of Conflantinople from their clerical Orders, but expel them from the City it felf. Evag. l.i. Proterius was fubftitutcd by this Council Bifhop of Alexandria, in the room c - s * of Diofcorus ; and, upon his taking PofTefTion of his Bifhoprick, the whole City was put into the utmoft Confufion, being divided, fome for Diofcorus, Niceph. fome for Proterius.. The Mob aflaulted with greatViolence their Magiftrates, 1. 15. c. 8. anc j being oppofed by the Soldiers, they put them to flight by a Shower of Stones ; and as they betook themfelves to one of the Churches for Sanctuary, the Mob befieged it, and burnt it to the Ground, with the Soldiers in it. The Emperor fent two thouland other Soldiers to quel this Difturbance, who encreafed the Miferies of the poor Citizens, by offering the higheft Indigni- Evag. 1. 1. ties to their Wives and Daughters. And though they were for fome Time c.8. k e p t j n _<\we, veti upon Martian's Death, they broke out into greater Fury, ordained Timotbeus Bifhop of the City, and murthered Proterius, by running him through with a Sword. After this, they hung him by a Rope, in a publick Place, by way of Derifion, and then, after they had ignominioufly drawn him round the whole City, they burnt him to Arties, and even fed on his very Bowels in the Fury of their Revenge. The Orthodox charged thefe Outrages upon the Eutycbians ; but Zacharias, the Hiftorian, mentioned by Evagnus, fays, Proterius himfelf was the Caufe of them, and that he raifed the greateft Difturbances in the City : And, indeed, the Clergy of Alexandria, in their Letter to Leo, the Emperor, concerning this Affair, acknowledge, that Proterius had depofed Timotbeus, with four or five Bifhops, and feveral Monks, for Herefy, and obtained of the Emperor their actual Banifbment. c - 5- Great Difturbances happened alfo in Palejline on the fame Account-, the Monks who oppofed the Council forcing Juvenal, Bifhop of Jerusalem, to quit his See, and getting ontTbeodofius ordained in his room. But the Emperor foon reftored Juvenal, after whole Arrival the Tumults and Miferies of the City greatly encreafed, the different Parties acting by one another juft as their Fury and Revenge infpired them. c 9, 10. Leo fuceeeded Martian, and fent circular Letters to the feveral Bifhops, to make Enquiries concerning the Affairs of Alexandria, and the Council of Cbalcedon. Moft of the Bifhops adhered to the Decrees of thofe Fathers, and agreed to depofe Timotbeus, who was fent to bear Diofcorus Company in Ba- nifhment. Under Zeno, the Son-in-Law, and Succeffor of Leo, Hunnerick the Vandal grievoufly perfecuted the Orthodox in Africa. In the Beginning of his Reign, he made a very equitable Propofal, that he would allow them the Liberty of choofing a Bifhop, and worfhipping according to their own Way, provided the Emperor would grant the Arians the fame Liberty in Conjlantinople, and other Places. This the Orthodox would not agree to, choofing rather to have their own Brethren perfecuted, than to allow Toleration to Inch as differed from them. Hunnerick was greatly enraged by this Refufal, and exer- cifed The Introduction. 4.9 cifed great feverity towards all who would not profefs the Arian Faith, being excited hereto by Cyrill one of his Bifhops, who was perpetually fuggeftino- to him, that the Peace and Safety of his Kingdom could not be maintained, un- jefs he extirpated all who differed from him as publick Nufances. This cruel ecclefiaftical Advice was agreeable to the King's Temper, who immediately put forth the moft fevere Edicts againft thofe who held the Doctrine of the Confubftantiality, and turned all thofe Laws which had been made againft the Arians, and other Hereticks, againft the Orthodox themfelves, it being, as Hunnerick obferves in his Edict, an lnftance of Virtue in a King y to turn evil Counfels againft thofe who were the Authors of them. But though the Perfecution carried on by the Orthodox was no Vindication of Hutmerick's Cruelty towards them, yet I think they ought to have obferved the Juftice of divine Provi- dence, in fuffering a wicked Prince to turn all thofe unrighteous Laws upon themfelves, which, when they had Power on their fide, they had procured for the Punifhment and Deftruction of others. A particular Account of the Cruel- ties exercifed by this Prince may be read at large in Viclor de Vandal Perfec. ••3- Zeno, though perfectly Orthodox in his Principles, yet was a very wicked and profligate Prince, and rendered himfelf fo extremely hateful to his own Family, by his Vices and Debaucheries, that Bafilifcus, Brother of Verina t Mother of Zeno's Emprefs, expelled him the Empire, and reigned in his ftead ; and having found by Experience, that the Decrees of the Council of Chalcedon Evag. 1. 5. had occafioned many Difturbances, he by an Edict ordained, that the Nicenec>4. Creed alone fhould beufed in all Churches, as being the only Rule of the pure Faith, and fufficient to remove every Herefy, and perfectly to unite all the Churches ; confirming at the fame Time the Decrees of the Councils of Con- Jiantinople and Ephefus. But as to thofe of the Council of Chalcedon he ordered, that as they had deftroyed the Unity and good Order of the Churches, and the Peace of the whole World, they mould be anathematized by all the Bifhops ; and that where-ever any Copies of thofe Articles mould be found they mould be immediately burnt. And that whofoever after this fhould attempt, either by Difpute or Writing, or Teaching, at any Time, Manner or Place, to utter, or fo much as name the Novelties that had been agreed on at Chalcedon contrary to the Faith, mould, as the Authors of Tumults and Seditions in the Churches of God, and as Enemies to God and himfelf, be fubject to all the Penalties of the Laws, and be depofed, if Bifhops or Clergymen ; and if Monks or Laicks, be punifhed with Banifhment, and Confifcation of their Effects, and even with Death it felf. Moft of the eaftern Bifhops fubfcribed thefe Letters!. 3. c. f. of Bafilifcuf -■> and being afterwards met in Council at Ephefus, they depofed Acacius the orthodox Bifhop of Conftantinople, and many other Bifhops that agreed with him. They alio wrote to the Emperor to inform him, That they had voluntarily fubfcribed his Letters ; and to perfuade him to adhere to them, or that other wife the whole World would be fubverted, if the Decrees of the Synod of Chalcedon fhouldbe re-eft ablifhed, which had already produced innumerable Slaugh- ter s> and occafioned the /bedding of the Blood of the orthodox Chriflians. But Acacius , h Biuhop 50 The Introduction. Bifhopof Conftantinople, foon forced Bafilifcus to alter his Meafures, by raifing up the Monks and Mob of the City againft him •, fo that he recalled his for- mer Letters, and ordered Nejlorius and Eutyches, with all their Followers, to be anathematized, and foon after he quitted the Empire to Zeno. Upon his Evag. 1. 3. Reftoration he immediately refcinded the Acts of Bafilifcus, and expelled thofe * S}9 ' Bifhops from their Sees which had been ordained during his Abdication. In the mean Time the Afiatick Bifhops, who in their Letter to Bafilifcus had decla- red, that the Report of their Jubfcribing involuntarily, and by force ', was a Slander and a Lye ; yet upon this Turn of Affairs, in order to excufe themfelves to Acacius, and to ingratiate themfelves with Zeno, affirm, That they did it not vo~ luntarily, but by force, fwearing that they had always, and did now believe the Faith of the Synod 0/" Chalcedon. Evagrius leaves it in doubt, whether Zacharias de- famed them, or whether the Bifhops lyed, when they affirmed that they fub- fcribed involuntarily, and againft their Confciences. c 1 , Zeno obferving the Difputes that had arifen through the Decrees of the laft f. 14. Council, published his Henoticon, or his uniting and pacifick Editl, in which he confirmed the Nicene, Conflantinopolitan, and Ephefine Councils, ordained that the Nicene Creed mould be the Standard of Orthodoxy, declared that neither himfelf nor the Churches have, or had, or would have any other Symbol or Doctrine but that, condemned Nejlorius and Eutyches, and their Followers ; and ordered, that whofoever had, or did think otherwife, either now or for- merly, whether at Chalcedon or any other Synod, mould be anathematized. The Intention of the Emperor by this Edict, was plainly to reconcile the Friends and Oppofers of the Synod of Chalcedon -, for he condemned Nejlorius and Eutyches, as that Council had done, but did not anathematize thofe who would not receive their Decrees, nor fubmit to them as of equal Authority with thofe of the three former Councils : But this Compromife was far from having the defired effect. «. 11, 1 z. During thefe Things feveral Changes happen'd in theBifhoprick of Alexandria, timothy, Bifhop of that Place being dead, one Peter Mongus was elected by the Bifhops Suffragans of that See, which fo enraged Zeno, that he intended to have put him to Death, but changed it for Banifhment, and Timothy, Succeflbr of Proterius, was fubftituted in his room. Upon Timothy's Death John, a Prefbyter of that Church, obtained the Bifhoprick by Symony, and in De- fiance of an Oath he had taken to Zeno, that he would never procure himfelf to be elected into that See. Upon this he was expelled, and Mongus reftored by the Emperor's Order. Mongus immediately confented, and fubfcribed to the pacifick Edict, and received into Communion thofe who had formerly been * 16. of a different Party. Soon after this he was accufed by Calendw Bifhop of An- tioch for Adultery, and for having publickly anathematized the Synod oiChal- e. 17. cedon at Alexandria j and though this latter Charge was true, yec he folemnly denied it in a Letter to Acacius Bifhop of Conftantinople, turning with the Time, condemning and receiving it, juft as it fuited his Views, and ferved his Intereft. But being at laft accufed before Felix Bifhop of Rome, he was pronounced an Heretick, excommunicated, and anathematized. Analla- *. 10, 21. J he Introduction. 5 j Anajla/lus, who fucceeded Zer.o, was himfelf a great Lover of Peace, andEvag. l.j. endeavoured to promote it, both amongft the Clergy and Laity, and hercfore c - 5°* ordered, that there fhould be no Innovations in the Church whatfoever. Bat this Moderation was by no means pleafing to the Monks and Bifhops. Some of them were great Sticklers for the Council of Cb. and would not allow lb much as a Syllable or a Letter of their Decrees to be altered, nor communi- cate with thofe who did not receive them. Others were fo far from fu omitting to this Synod, and their Determinations, that they anathematized it j whilft others adhered to Zeno's Henoticon, and maintained Peace with one another, even though they were of different Judgment concerning the Nature of Chrift. Hence the Church was divided into Factions, fo that the Bifhops would not communicate with each other. Not only the Eaftern Bifhops feparated from the Weftern ; but thcfe of the fame Provinces had Schifms amongft them- felves. The Emperor, to prevent as much as poffible thefe Quarrels, banifhed thofe who were moft remarkably troublefome from their Sees, and particularly the Bifhops of Confl ant ino pie and Antioch, forbidding all Perfons to preach either for or againft the Council of Cbalcedon, in any Places where it had not been ufual to do it before ; that by allowing all Churches their feveral Cuftoms, he might prevent any Difturbances upon account of Innovations. But the Monks a Ji, 31» and Bifhops prevented all thefe Attempts for Peace, by forcing one another to make new Ccnfellions and Subfcriptions, and by anathematizing all who differed from them as Hereticks; fo that by their feditious and obftinate Behaviour they occafioned innumerable Quarrels and Murthers in the Empire. They alio treat- ed the Emperor himfelf with great Infolence, and excommunicated him as an Enemy to the Synod of Ch alee 'don. Macedonius^ Bifhop of Conftantinople, and c «44« his Clergy, raifed the Mob of that City againft him, only for adding to one of their Hymns thefe Words, Who was crucified for us. And when for this Reafon Macedonius was expelled his Bifhoprick, they urged on the People to fuch an height of Fury as endangered the utter Deftruction of the City ; for in their Rage they fet Fire to feveral Places in ir, cut off the Head of a Monk, crying out, he was an Enemy of the Trinity ; and were not to be appealed till the Em- peror himfelf went amongft them without his imperial Diadem, and brought them to Temper by proper Submiffions and Perfuafions. And though hec 34* had great Reafon to be offended with the Bifhops for fuch Ufage, yet he was of fo human and tender a Difpofnion, that though he ordered feveral of them to bedepofed for various Offences, yet apprehending that it could not be ef- fected without Bloodfhed, he wrote to the Prefect of Afia, Not to do anything in the Affair, if it would occafwn thejhedding a Jingle Drop of Blood. Under this "Emperor Symmacbus Bifhop of Rome expelled the Manichees from Plati» the City, and ordered their Books to be publickly burnt before the Doors of the Church. Juftin was more zealous for Orthodoxy than his PredecefTor Anaftafius, and£\-ag. in the flrft Year of his Reign gave a very fignal Proof of it. Severus, Bifhop • 5- H>»« of Antioch, was warm againft the Council of Cbalcedon, and continually anathe- matizing it in the Letters he wrote to feveral Bifhops •, and becaule the People h 2 quarrel- 5 l The Introduction. quarrelled on this Account, and divided into feveral Parties, Juflin ordered the Bifhop to be apprehended, and his Tongue to be cut out, and commanded that the Synod of Chakedon mould be preached up through all the Churches of the In vie. Empire. Platina alfo tells us, that he banifhed the Arians, and gave their Johan. i. Churches to the Orthodox. Honnifda alfo, Bifhop of Rome, in imitation of Plann. n j s predeceflbr Sym?nacbus t banifhed the Remainder of the Manicbees, and cau- fed their Writings to be burnt. Evag. 1. 5. Jufliman, his SuccefTor in the Empire, fucceeded him alfo in his Zeal for '- 11, the Council of Cbalcedon, and banifhed the Bifhops o£ Conftar.tinople and Antiocb, becaufe they would not obey his Orders, and receive the Decrees of that Synod. He alfo publiflied a Conflitution, by which he anathematized them and all their Followers, and ordered, that whofoever fhould preach their Opinions fhould be fubject to the moft grievous Punifhments. By this means nothing was openly preached in any of the Churches but this Council •, nor did any one dare to anathematize it. And whofoever were of a contrary Opinion, they were compelled by innumerable Methods to come into the Orthodox Faith. Paul. j n tne th ird Year of his Reign he publifhed a Law, ordering that there fhould ^iacon. ^ no p a g anS) nor Hereticks, but orthodox Chriftians only, allowing to He- reticks three Months only for their Converfion. By another he deprived He- Cod, de reticks of the Right of Succeffion, By another he rendered them incapable of Hxret. being WitnefTes in any Trial againft Chriftians. He prohibited them alfo Novel. 42. from baptizing any Perfons, and from tranferibing heretical Books under c - *• the Penalty of having the Hand cut off. Thefe Laws were principally owing to the Perfuafions of the Bifhops. Thus Agapetus, Bifhop of Rome, who had condemned Anthimus, and depofed him from his See of Conftantinople, perfuaded Jujlinlan to banifh all thofe whom he had condemned for Herefy. Flatin. Pelaghis alfo defired, that Hereticks and Schifmaticks might be punifhed by the fecular Power, if they would not be converted. The Emperor was too ready to comply with this Advice. But notwithstanding all this Zeal for Or- thodoxy, and the cruel Edicts publifhed by him for the Extirpation of Herefy , Evag. 1.4. he was infamoufly Covetous, fold the Provinces of the Empire to Plunderers *• 3°- and Oppreflbrs, ftripped the Wealthy of their Eflates upon falfe Accufations and forged Crimes, and went Partners with common Whores in their Gains of Proflitution ; and what is worfe, in the Eftates of thofe whom thofe Wretches falfely accufed of Rapes and Adultery. And yet, that he might appear as Pious as he was Orthodox, he built out of thefe Rapines and Plunders many flately and magnificent Churches •, many religious Houfes for Monks and •. J». Nuns, and Hofpitals for the Relief of the Aged and Infirm. Evagrius alfo charges him with more than beftial Cruelty in the Cafe of the Venetians, whom he not only allowed, but even by Rewards encouraged to murther their Ene- mies at Noon-day, in the very Heart of the City, to break open Houfes, and plunder the PofTefTors of their Riches, forcing them to redeem their Lives at the Expence of all they had. And if any of his Officers punifhed them for thefe Violences, they were fure to be punifhed themfelves with Infamy or Death. And that each fide might tafte of his Severities, he afterwards turned his The Introduction. jg his Laws againft the Venetians, putting great Numbers of them to Death, for thofe very Murthers and Violences he had before encouraged and fup- ported. During his Reign, in the 24th Year of it, was held the fifth general Council 7 ^* Vl f ih at Conflanlinople, confiding of about 165 Fathers. The Occafion of their 5 "'*™! Meeting was the Oppofuion that was made to the four former general Coun. A?c"<' 33. us looked with Contempt on the Fathers for their Hefiration in fo plain a Mat- ter, and told them, that there needed no Deliberation about it ; for that King Jofias formerly did not only deftroy the idolatrous Priefts who were living, ©»1 dug alfo thofe who had been dead long before out of their Graves. So clear a Determination of the Point, who could refill? The Fathers immediately were convinced, and Jufiinian caufed him to be confecrated Bifhop of Conflantinople, in the Room of Menas, juft deceas'd, for this his Skill in Scripture and Ca- fuiftry. The Confequence was, that the Decrees of the four preceeding Coun- cils were all confirmed •, thofe who were condemned by them re-condemned and anathematized, particularly Theodorus Bifhop of Mopfueflia, and lb as, with their Writings, as favouring the Impieties of Neftorius \ and finally, Origen, with all his deteftible and execrable Principles, and all Perfons whatfoever who fhould think, or fpeak of them, or dare to defend them. After thefe Tranf- aclions the Synod fent an Account of them to Jupnian, whom they compli- mented with the Title of the mojl Chrijlian King, and with having a Soul part 'a- c > 39. ker of the heavenly Nobility. And yet foon after thefe Flatteries his moft Chri- ftian Majefty turned Heretick himfeif, and endeavoured with as much Zeal to propagate Herefy as he had done Othodoxy before : He publifhed an Edict, by which he ordained, That the Body of Chrift was incorruptible, and incapable even of natural and innocent Paffwns ; that before his Death he eat in the fame manner as he did after his Refurreclion, receiving no Converfwn or Change from his very For- mation in the PVomb, neither in his voluntary or natural Affetlions, nor after his Re- furreclion. But as he was endeavouring to force the Bifhops to receive hisc 41. Creed, God was pleafed, as Evagrius obferves, to cut him off, and notwith- ftanding the heavenly Nobility of his Soul, he went, as the fame Author charitably], 5. c . 1. fuppofes, to the Devil. Hunnerick, the Arian King of the Vandals, treated the Orthodox in this Em-]. 4. c. 14. peror's Reign with great Cruelty in Africa, becaufe they would not embrace the Principles of Arius -, fome he burnt, and others he deftroyed by different Kinds of Death ; he ordered the Tongues of feveral of them to be cut out, who afterwards made their Efcape to Conflantinople, where Procopius, if you will believe him, affirms he heard them fpeak as diftindly as if their Tongues had remained in their Heads. Jujlinian himfeif mentions them in one of his Conflitutions. Two of them however, who happen'd to be Whore- Ma fters, loft afterwards on this Account, the Ufe of their Speech, for this Reafon, and the Honour and Grace of Martyrdom, Jujl'm 5 1 The Introduction. Evag. 1. j, Jujtin the younger, who fucceeded Jitftinian, publifhed an Edict foon after his 4 - ji Advancement, by which he lent all Bifhops to their refpedtive Sees, and to per- form divine Worfhip according to the ufual Manner of their Churches, without making any Innovations concerning the Faich. As to his perfonal Character, he was extremely difiblute, and debauched, and add idled to the moil vile and criminal Pleafures. He was alfo fordidly Covetous, and fold the very Bi- fhopricks to the bell Bidders, putting them up to publick Auction. Nor was c- 1- he lefs remarkable for his Cruelty : He had a near Relation of his own Name, whom he treacheroufly murthered, and of whom he was fo jealous, that he could not be content till he and his Emprefs had trampled his Head under their c - h Feet. However, he was very Orthodox, and publifhed a new Explication of the Faith, which for Clearnefs and Subtlety exceeded all that went before it. In this he profeffes, That he believed in Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Con- fubjlantial Trinity, one Deity, or Nature, or Effence, in one Virtue, Power and Energy, in three Hypoftafes or Perfons ; and that he adored the Unity in 'Trinity, and the Trinity in Unity, having a mo ft admirable Difference and Union ; the Unity ac- cording to the EJfence or Deity ; the Trinity according to the Properties, Hypoftafes or Perfons ; for they are divided indivifibly ; or if I may fo fpeak, they are joined toge- ther feparately. The Godhead in the Three is One, and the Three are One, the Deity being in them ; or to fpeak more accurately, the Three. are the Deity, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghofl, each Perfon being confidered by itfelf, the Mind thm feparating Things infe par able ; the Three being under food to be together God, be- ing one in Operation and Nature. We believe alfo in one only begotten Son of God, the Word ^for the Holy Trinity receives no Addition of a fourth Perfon, even after the Incarnation of God the Word, one of the holy Trinity. But our Lord J e fits Chrifi is one and the fame, Confubftantial to God, even the Father, according to his Deity , and Confubftantial to us according to his Manhood. He fuffered in the Flefh, but was impaftible in the Deity. For we do not own that God the Word who wrought the Mi- racles was one, and he that fuffered another -, but we confefs that our Lord Jefus Chrift, the Word of God, was one and the fame, who was made Flefh and beca?ne perfetl Man \ and that the Miracles and Sufferings were of one and the fame : For it was not a Man that gave himfelf for us, but God the Word himfelf, being made Man without change ; fo that when we confefs our Lord Jefus Chrift to be one and the fame, compounded of each Nature, of the Godhead and Manhood, we do not introduce any Confufwn or Mixture by the Union for as God remains in the Manhood, fo alfo neverthelefs doth the Man, being in the Excellency of the Deity, Emanuel being both in one and the fame, even one God and alfo Man. And when we confefs him to be per- fetl in the Godhead, and perfetl in the Manhood, of which he is compounded, we don't introduce a Divifwn in part, or Setlion to his one compounded Perfon, but only fignify the Difference of the Natures, which is not taken away by the Union ; for the .divine Nature is not converted into the human, nor the human Nature changed into the divine. Bui we fay, that each being confidered, or rather atlually exifting in the very Definition or Reafon of its proper Nature, conftitute the Onenefs in Perfon. Now this Onenefs as to Perfon fignifies that God the Word, i. e. one Perfon of the three Perfons of the Godhead was not united to a pre-exiftent Man, but that he formed to himfelf in the The Introduction. 55 the Womb of our holy Lady Mary , glorious Mother of God, and ever a Virgin , and out of her, in his own Perfon, Flejh confubftantial to us, and liable to all the fame Paffions, without Sin, animated with a reafonable and intellectual Soul. For con- fidering his inexplicable Onenefs, we orthodoxly confefs one Nature of God the Word made Flefh, and yet conceiving in our Minds the Difference of the Natures, we fay they are two, not introducing any Manner of Divifion. For each Nature is in him, fo that we confefs him to be one and the fame Chrift, one Son, one Perfon, one Hypo- ftafis, God and Man together. Moreover, we anathematize all who have, or do think otherwife, and judge them as cut off from the holy Caiholick, and apoftolick Church of God. To this extraordinary Edict, all, fays the Hiftorian, gave their Confent, efteeming it to be very Orthodox, though they were not more united amongft themfelves than before. Under Mauritius, John Bifhop of Conftantinople, in a Council held at thatPIatinin City, ftiled himfelf Oecumenical Bifhop, by the Confent of the Fathers there vit< Gre §* aflembled •, and the Emperor himfelf ordered Gregory to acknowledge him in 1 ' that Character. Gregory abfolutely refufed it, and replied, that the Power of binding and loofing was delivered to Peter and his SucefTors, and not to the Bi- fhops of Conftantinople ; admonifhing him to take care, that he did not provoke the Anger of God againfl himfelf, by raifing Tumults in his Church. This Pope was the firft who filled himfelf, Servus Servorum Dei, Servant of the Ser- vants of God -, and had fuch an Abhorrence of the Title of Univerfal Bifhop, that he fa id, / confidently affirm, that whofoever calls himfelf univerfal Prieft is the^- 6 - Epi#. Forerunner of Antichrift, by thus proudly exalting himfelf above others. I 94- But however modeft Gregory was in refufing and condemning this arrogant Platin in Title, Boniface III. thought better of the Matter, and after great flruggles, vk.Bonif. prevailed with Phccas, who murthered Mauritius the Emperor, to declare, 111 * that the See of the blefled Apoftle Peter, which is the Head of all Churches, fhould be fo called and accounted by a]J, and the Bifhop of it Oecumenical or univerfal Bifhop. The Church of Conftantinople had claimed this Precedence and Dignity, and was fometimes favoured herein by the Emperors, who de- clared, that the firft See ought to be in that Place which was the Head of the Empire. The Roman Pontiffs, on the other hand, affirmed, that Rome, of which Conftantinople was but a Colony, ought to be eiteemed the Head of the Empire, becaufe the Greeks themfelves, in their Writings, flile the Emperor, Roman Emperor, and the Inhabitants of Conftantinople are called Romans and not Greeks •, not to mention, that Peter, the Prince of the Apoftles, gave the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven to his SuccefTors, the Popes of Rome. On this Foundation was the Superiority of the Church of Rome to that of all other Churches built ; and Phocas, who was guilty of all Villanies, was one of the fitteft Perfons that could be found to gratify Boniface in this Requeft. Boniface alfo called a Council at Rome, where this Supremacy was confirmed, and by whom it was decreed, that Bifhops fhould be chofen by the Clergy and People, approved by the Prince of the City, and ratified by the Pope with thefe Words, Volumus &jubemus, For this is our Will and Command. To reward Phocas for the Grant of the Primacy, he approved the Murther of Mauritius, and very 2 honour- 56 The Introduction. honourably received his Images, which he fent to Rome. And having thus wickedly pofferTed themfelves of this unrighteous Power, the Popes as wickedly ufed it, foon brought almoft the whole Chriftian World into fubjection to them, and became the Perfecutors General of the Church of God ; proceeding from one Ufurpation to another, 1 11 at laft they brought Emperors, Kings and Princes into fubjection, forcing them to ratify their unrighteous Decrees, and to punifh, in the feverett Manner, all that mould prefume to oppofe and con- tradict them, till fhe became drunken with the Blood of the Saints, and with the Blood of the Martyrs of Jefus. Babylon the great, the Mother of Harlots, and Abominations of the Earth. The Inquifition is the Mafter-piece of their Policy and Cruelty -, and fuch an Inveniion for the SupprelTion of Religion and Truth, Liberty and Knowledge, Innocence and Virtue, as could proceed from no other Wifdom but that which is earthly, fenjual, anddevilifh. And as the Hiftory of it, which I now prefent my Reader with in his own Language, gives the mod perfect Account of the Laws and Practices of this accurfed Tribunal, I mail not enter into the Detail of popifh Perfections, efpecially as we have a full Account of thofe practifed amongft our felves in Fox and other Writers, who have done Juftice to this Subject. I mail only add a few Things relating to the two other general Councils, as they are ftiled by Ecclefiaftical Hiftorians. Plat. in vit. Under Heraclius, the Succeflbr of Phocas, great Difturbances were raifed Honoiii I- L1 p 0n Account of what they called the Herefy of the Monothelites, i. e. thofe who held there were not two Wills, the Divine and Human, in Chrift, but only one fingle Will or Operation. The Emperor himfelf was of this Opi- nion, being perfuaded into it by Vyrrhus Patriarch of Conflantinople, and Cyrus Bifhop of Alexandria. And though he afterwards feems to have changed his Mind in this Point, yet in order to promote Peace, he put forth an Edict, forbidding Difputes or Quarrels, on either fide the Queftion. Conjlans, his Grandfon, was of the fame Sentiment, and at the Inftigation of Paul Bifhop of Conflantinople, grievoufly perfecuted thofe who would not agree with him. Vht.invit. Martxn, Pope of Rome, fent his Legates to the Emperor and Patriarch to Marc, forfake their Errors, and embrace the Truth •, but his Holinefs was but little regarded, and after his Legates were imprifoned and whipped, they were fent into Banifhment. This greatly enraged Martyn, who convened a Synod at Rome of 150 Bifhops, who decreed, that whofoever mould not confefs two Wills, and two Operations united, the Divine and the Human, in one and the fame Chrift, fhould be anathema, and that Paul Bifhop of Conflantinople, mould be condemn- ed and depofed. The Emperor highly refented this Conduct, and fent Olym- ■pius Hexarch into Italy to propagate the Monothelite Doctrine ; and either to kill Martyn, or fend him Prifoner to Conflantinople. Olympius not being able to execute either Defign, Theodorus was fent in his room, who apprehended the Pope, put him in Chains, and got him conveyed to the Emperor, who after ignominioufly treating him, banifhed him to Pontus, where he died in great ^' ft M,6 *Mifery and Want. The Bifhops of Conflans\ Party were greatly aiTiftanc Tom.Con-tQ him in this Work of Perfection, and fhe wed more Rage againft their cU. i". " a Fellow- The Introduction. 57 Fellow - Chriftians , than they did againft the very Barbarians them- felves. Conftantine, the Eldeft Son of ' Conftans, cut off his two younger Brothers No-r'e sixth fes, that they might not fhare the Empire with him ; but however happen- g»-*r*l ed to be more Orthodox than his Predeceffors ; and by the Perfuafion of Aga- C ° ur,cil ' tho, Pope of Rome, convened the Sixth Genera] Council at Conftawinople, ^intk in which were prefent 289 Bifhops. The Fathers of this holy Synod compli- Agath. mented the Emperor with being another David, raifedup by Chrift, their God, a Man after his own Heart ; who had net given Sleep to his Eyes, nor Slumber to his Eye-lids, till he had gathered them together, to find out the per fe 51 Rule of Faith. After this they condemned the Herefy of one Will in (Thrift, and declared, That they glorified two natural Wills and Operations, indivifibly, inconvertible without Confufion, and injeparably in the fame Lord Jefus Chrift, our true God, i. e. the di- vine Operation, and the human Operation. So that now the Orthodox Faith in Reference to Chrift was this ; That he had two Natures, the divine and hu~ man •, that thefe two Natures were united, without Confufion, into onefingle Perfon ; and that in this one fingle Perfon, there were two diftincl Wills and Operations, the human and divine. Thus, at laft, 6$ 1 Years after Chrift, was the Orthodox Faith, relating to his Deity, Humanity, Nature and Wills, decided and fet- tled by this Synod ; who, after having pronounced Anathemas againft the Li- ving and Dead, ordered the Burning of heretical Books, and deprived feveral Bifhops of their Sees ; procured an Edict from the Emperor, commanding all to receive their Confeflion of Faith, and denouncing not only eternal, but cor- poral Punifhments to all Recufants, viz. If they were Bifhops, or Clergymen, or Monks, they were to be banifhed. If Laymen, of any Rank and Figure, they were to forfeit their Eftates, and lofe their Honours. If of the common People, they were to be expelled the Royal City. Thefe their definitive Sen- tences were concluded with the ufual Exclamation, of God five the Emperor, Long live the Orthodox Emperor ; down with the Hereticks ; cur fed be Eutyches, Macarius, &c. The Trinity hath depofed them. The next Controverfy of Importance was relating to the Worfliip of Ima- ges. The Refped due to the Memories of the Apoftles and Martyrs of the Chriftian Church, was gradually carried into great Superftition, and at Length degenerated into downright Idolatry. Not only Churches were dedi- cated to them, but their Images placed in them, and religious Adoration paid to them. Platina tells us, That amongft many other Ceremonies intro- duced by Pope Sixtus III. in the Fifth Century, he perfuaded Valentinian the younger, Emperor of the Weft, to beautify and adorn the Churches, and to place upon the Altar of St. Peter, a golden Image of our Saviour, enriched with Jewels. In the next Century the Images of the Saints were brought in, and religious Worfhip paid to them. This appears from a Letter of Pope Gregory's, to the Bifhop of ' Marfeilles, who broke in Pieces certain Images, be- caufe they had been fuperftitioufly adored. Gregory tells him, / commend you, i. 9 .r n d.z. that through a pious Zeal, you would not fuffer that which is made with Hands to be Ep. 9. ' adored ; but I blame you for breaking the Images in Pieces. For 'tis one Thing to adore a Piblure, and another to learn by the Hiftory of the Piclure, what is to be i adored. 58 The Introduction. 1. 7jucU. adored. And elfewhere he declares, That Images and Piclures in Churches, were Ep. 1C9. v er y ufeful for the Injlruclion of the Ignorant, who could not read. Sergius, after Putin. t kj s ^ re p a j rec j tne Images of the Apoftles. John VII. adorned a great many Churches with the Pictures and Images of the Saints. And at length, in the Reign of Philip picus, Conftantine the Pope, in a Synod held at Rome, decreed, That Images mould be fixed up in the Churches, and have great Adoration paid them. He alfo condemned and excommunicated the Emperor himfelf for Herefy •, becaufe he erafed the Pictures of the Fathers, which had been painted on the Walls of the Church of St. Sophia at Conflantinople ; and commanded, that his Images fhould not be received into the Church ; that his Name mould not be ufed in any publick or private Writings, nor his Effigies (lamped upon any kind of Money whatfoever. This Superftition of bringing Images into Churches was warmly oppofed, and gave Occafion to many Difturbances and Murders. The Emperor Leo lfaurus greatly dilapproved this Practice, and publifhed an Edict, by which, he com- manded all the Subjects of the Ro?nan Empire, to deface all the Pictures, and to take away all the Statues of the Martyrs and Angels out of the Churches, in order to prevent Idolatry, threatning to punifh thole who did not, as publick ^ Iat ', m , v, i Enemies. Pope Gregory II. oppofed this Edict, and admomfhed all Catho- rc 8 01 « "Jicks, in no m .nner to obey it. This occafioned fuch a Tumult at Ravenna in Italy, between the Partifans of the Emperor and the Pope, as ended in the Murder of Paul, Exarch of Italy, and his Son ; which enraged the Emperor in an hi-h Drg ee-, fo that he ordered all Perfons to bring to him all their Ima- ges at W T ood, B afs and Marble, which he publickly burnt ; punching with Death, all fuch as were found to conceal them. He alfo convened a Synod at Conflantinople ; where, after a careful and full Examination, it was unanimouf- ly agreed, that the Interceflion of the Saints was a meer Fable ; and the Wor- fhip of Images and Relicts was downright Idolatry, and contrary to the Word of God. And as uermanus, Patriarch of Conflantinople, favoured Images, the Emperor banifhed him, and fubftituted An.ijlatius, who was of his own Platin. Sentiment?, in his Room. Gregory III. in the L 'g'nning of His Pontificate, affembled his Clergy, and by their unanimous Confent, depofed him on this Account, from f \\c Empire, and put him under Excommunication •, r.nd was the firft who witndrew the Italians from their Obedience to the Empero-.s of Cu.iftantinntlc, :. lling in the Afliflance of Charles King of France. After this, he placed the Images of Chrift and his Apoftles in a more fumptuous Man- ner than they were before upon the Altar of St. Peter, and at his own Ex- pence, made a golden Image of the Virgin Mary, holding Chriit in her Arms, for the Ci.urch of St. Mary adPrafepe. Conjlanline Coprcnymus, Leo's Son and SuccefTor in the Empire, inherited his Fathers Zeal againft the Worfhip of Images, and called a Synod at Conflan- tinople, to determine the Comroverfy. The Fathers being met together, to the Number of 330, after confidering the Doctrine of Scripture, and the Opinions of the Fathers, decreed, That every Image, of whatfoever Materials made and formed by the Artifl, fljould be caft out of the Chriflian Church as a flrange and abominable Thing \ adding an Anathema upon all who fhould make Images or Piftures, The Introduction. cg Pictures, or Reprefentations of God, or of Chrift % or of the Virgin Mary, or of any of the Saints, condemning it as a vain and diabolical Invention \ depofing all Bi- /hops, and fubjecling the Monks and Laity, who Jhould fet up any of them in pub- lick or private, to all the Penalties' of the imperial Conflitutions . They alfo depo- fed Conflantine, Patriarch of Conftantinople, for oppofing this Decree -, and the Emperor firft banifhed him, and afterwards put him to Death ; and command- ed, That this Council fhould be efteemed and received as the feventh oecu- menical, or univerial one. Paull. Pope of Rome, fent his Legate to CV?;;-Platin in ftantinople, to admonifh. the Emperor to reftore the facred Images and Statues vit,Paulr * which he had deftroy'd •, and threatened him with Excommunication upon his Refuial. But Copronymus flighted the MefTage, and treated the Legates with great Contempt, and ufed the Image Worfhippers with a great deal of Severity. Conflantine, Bifnop of Rome, the Succeffor of Paul, feems alfo to have been an Enemy to Images, and was there tumultuoufly depofed, and Stephen III. Ij - 5n vir ' fubftituted in his Room, who was a warm and furious Defender of them. He StephaQi, immediately afTembled a Council in the Lateran Church, where the holy Fa- thers abrogated all Conftantine's Decrees ; depofed all that had beenorcained by him Bifhops, made void all his Baptifms and Chrifms ; and as fome Hiftorians relate, after having beat him, and ufed him with great Indignity, made a Fire in the Church, and burnt him therein. After this, they annulled all the Decrees of the Synod of Conftantinople, ordered the Reftoration of Statues and Images, and anathematized that execrable and pernicious Synod, giving this excellent Reafon for the Ufe of Images, That if 'twas lawful for Emperors, and thofe who had deferved well of the Com?nonwealtb, to have their Images eretled, but not lawful to fet up thoffofGod •, the Condition of the immortal God would be worfe than that of Men. After this the Pope published the Acts of the Council, and pronounced an Anathema aga nit all thofe who fhould oppofe it. Thus the Myftery of this Iniquity worked, till at length, under the Reign of fix feventh Irene and Conflantine her Son, a Synod was packed up of fuch Bifhops as wtrei er,erai ready to make any Decrees that fhould be agreeable to the Roman Pontiff, °"" :c!l > and the Emprefs. They met at Nice, to the Number of about 350. In this A ' C * venerable Affembty it was decreed, That holy Images of the Crofs jhould be con- fecrated, and put on the facred Veffels and Vejlments, and upon Walls and Boards , in private Houfes and publick Ways -, and specially that there fhould be eretled Ima- ges of the Lord God, cur Saviour Jefus Chrifl, of our bleffed Lad\; the Mother of God, of the venerable Angels, and of all the Saints. And that whofocver [hov.ld pre- fume to think or teach otherwife, or to throw away any painted Books, or' the Figure cf the Crofs, or any Image or PiUure, or any genuine Reliefs of the Martyr;, they jhould, if Bifijops or Clergymen, be depofed, or if Monks or Laymen, be excommuni- cated. Then they pronounced Anathemas upon all who mould not receive Images, or who mould apply what the Scriptures fay againft Idols, to the holy Images, or who mould call them Idols, or who mould wilfully commu- nicate with thofe who rejected and defpifed them ; adding, according to Cu- ftom, Long live Conflantine and Irene his Mother. Damnation to all Hereticks. Damnation on the Council that roared againji venerable Images. Tl?e holy Trinity bath depofed them, i 2 Irene 6o The Introduction. Irene and Conjlantine approved and fubfcribed thefe Decrees, and the Con- fequence was, That Idols and Images were erected in all the Churches ; and thofe who were againft them, treated with great Severity. This Council was held under the Popedom of Hadrian I. and thtis, by the Intrigues of the Popes of Rome, Iniquity was eftablifhed by a Law, and the Worfhip of Idols au- thorized and eftablifhed in the Chriftian Church, though contrary to all the Principles of natural Religion, and the Nature and Defign of the Chriftian Revelation. In vie. 'Tis true, that this Decifion of the Council did not put an entire End to the Hadrian I. Controverfy. Platina tells us, That Conjlantine himfelf not long after annul- led their Decrees, and removed his Mother from all Share in the Government. The Synod alfo of Francfort, held about fix Years after, decreed that the Wor- fhip and Adoration of Images was impious •, condemned the Synod of Nice, which had eftablifhed it, and ordered that it mould not be called either the Se- venth, or an univerlal Council. But as the Roman Pontiffs had engrofTed almoft all Power into their own Hands, all Oppofition to Image Worfhip became ineffectual j efpecially as they fupported their Decrees by the Civil Power, and cauled great Cruelties to be exercifed towards all thofe who mould dare difpute or contradict them. For many Years the World groaned under this antichriftian Yoke *, nor were any Methods of Fraud, Impofture and Barbarity left unpraclifed to fup- port and perpetuate it. As the Clergy rid Lords of the Univerfe, they grew wanton and infolent in their Power •, and as they drained the Nations of their Wealth to fupport their own Grandure and Luxury, they degenerated into the worft and vileft fet of Men that ever burdened the Earth. They were fhamefuily ignorant, and fcandaloufly vicious ; well verfed in the moft exqui- fite Arts of Torture and Cruelty, and abfolutely divefted of all Bowels of Mercy and Companion towards thofe, who even in the fmalleft Matters dif- fered from the Dictates of their Superftition and Impiety. The infamous Pra- ctices of that accurfed Tribunal, the Inquifition, the Wars againft Hereticks in the Earldom of Tboloufe, the Mafiacres of Paris and Ireland, the many Sa- crifices they have made in Great- Britain, the Fires they have kindled, and the Flames they have lighted up in all Nations, where their Power hath been acknowledged, witnefs againft them, and demonftrate them to be very Mon- fters of Mankind. So that one would really wonder, that the whole World hath not entered into a Combination, and rifen in Arms againft fo execrable a Set of Men, and extirpated them as favage Beafts, from the Face of the whole Earth ; who, out of a Pretence of Religion, have defiled it with the Blood of innumerable Saints and Martyrs, and made ufe of the Name of the moft holy Jefus, to countenance and fanctify the moft abominable Im- pieties. But it pleafed God, in his good Providence, to take the Remedy and Cure of thefe Evils, into his own Hands ; and after feveral fruitlefs Attempt: by Men, to bring about, at laft, a Reformation of Religion, by his own Wif- ck>m and Power. The Hiftory of this great Event hath been very particular- ly The Introduction. 6i ly and faithfully given by many excellent Writers, to which I muft here refer my Readers ; and it muft be owned, that the Perfons employ'd by Almighty God, to accomplifh this great Work, were, many of them, remarkable for their great Learning and exemplary Piety. I am fure I have no Inclination to detract from their Worth and Merit. One would indeed have imagined, that the Cruelties exercifed by the Papifts, upon all who oppofed their Superfti- tions in Worfhip, and their Corruptions in Doctrine, mould have given the firft Reformers an utter Abhorrence of all Methods of Perfecucion for Con- fcience fake, and have kept them from ever entering into any fuch Meafures themfelves. But it muft be confeffed, that however they differed from the Church of Rome, as to Doctrines and Difcipline, yet, that they too gene- rally agreed with her, in the Methods to fupport, what they themfelves ap- prehended to be Truth and Orthodoxy ; and were angry with the Papifts, not for perfecuting, but for perfecuting themfelves and their Followers •, be- ing really of opinion that Hereticks might be perfecuted, and, in fome Cafes, perfecuted to Death. And that this was their avowed Principle, they gave abundant Demonftration by their Practice. Luther, the great Inftrument, under God, of the Reformation in Germany, Luther, was, as his Followers allow, naturally of a warm and violent Temper ; but was however in his Judgment againft punifhing Hereticks with Death. Thus, in his Account of the State of the Popifh Church, as related by Se.kendorf, he fays : 'The true Church teaches the Word of God, but forces no one to it. If any one I. t. Sea. will not believe it, jhe difmi/fes him, and feparates her [elf from him, according'^- M3- to the Command of Chrifl, and the Example of Paul in the Acts, and leaves him to the Judgment of God : Whereas our Executioners, and mofl cruel Tyrants, teach not the Wcrd of God, bat their own Articles, acling as they fleafe, and then ad- judge thofe who refufe to believe their Articles, and obey their Decrees, to the Fires. The fame Author gives us many other ftrong Paffages to the fame Purpofe. Particularly^ in one of his Letters to Lincus, who afked his Opinion about the Punifhment of falfe Teachers, Luther fays : 1 am very averfe to the /bedding c/Ibid.S«t- Ms- if they publickly deny any one of the Articles received by all Chriftians, and par- ticularly that Chrift is God ; affirming him to be a mere Man or Prophet. This, fays he, is not to force Men to the Faith, but to reftr ain publick Blafphemx. In ano- ther Place he goes farther, and fays, That Hereticks are not, indeed, to be put i. ,, Scft# to Death, but may however be confined, and /hut up in [ome certain Flue, and put*. $. i». under Reftraint as Madmen , As to-the Jews, he was for treating them more ieverely, 6 1 The Introduction. L£ Seft.feverely, and was of Opinion, that their Synagogues fhould be levelled with the *7- § J. Ground, their Houfes deflrofd, their Books of Prayer, and of the Talmud, and even thofe of the Old Teftament, be taken from them, their Rabbi's be forbid to teach, and forced, by hard Labour, to get their Bread ; and if they would not fub- mit to this, that they ftouid be banifloed, as was formerly praclifed in France and Spain. J. ?. Sea. This was the Moderation of this otherwife great and good Man, who was *M»M- indeed againft putting Hereticks to Death, but for almoft all other Punifli- Gcrmany. ments tnat t he civil Magiftrate could inflict : And, agreeably to this Opinion, he perfuaded the Electors of Saxony, not to tolerate, in their Dominion, the Followers of Zuinglius, in the Opinion of the Sacrament ; becaufe he efteem- ed the real Prefence an efTential or fundamental Article of Faith •, nor to enter into any Terms of Union with them, for their common Safety and Defence, againft the Endeavours of the Papifts to deftroy them. And accordingly, notwithstanding all the Endeavours of the Landgrave of Hefje Cajfel, to get them included in the common League againft the Papifts, the Elector would never allow it, being vehemently difluaded from it by Luther, Melanclon, and 1. 1. Sea. others of their Party, who alleged, 'That they taught Articles contrary to thofe 6. fii. received in Saxony •, and that therefore there could be no Agreement of Heart with them. In one of his Conferences with Bucer, he declared, That there could be no Union, unlefs Zuinglius and his Party fhould think and teach otherwife* curling all Phrafes and Interpretations that tended to affert the figurative Sea. 17. Prefence only, affirming, That either thofe of his own Opinion, or thofe of §■ 47. Zuinglius, muf be the Miniflers of the Devil. On this Account, though Luther was for treating Zuinglius and his Followers, with as much Chriftian Friend- fhip as he could afford them, yet he would never own them for Brethren, but looked on them as Hereticks, and prefTed the Electors of Saxony not to allow ]. 3. Sea them in their Dominions. He alfo wrote to Albert Duke of Prujfia, to per- 6. $.15. f U ade ,him to banifh them his Territories. Seckendorf alfo tells us, That the Seft. 13. j jul y )eran Lawyers of Wittenburg, condemned to Death one Peter Peftelius, for Ibid.' being a Zuinglian -, though this was difapproved by the Elector of Saxony. Several alfo of the Anabaptifts were put to Death by the Lutherans, for their Obftinacy in propagating their Errors, contrary to the Judgment of the Landgrave of Hcjfe Cajfel, who declared himfelf for more moderate Meafures, and for uniting all forts of Proteftants amongft themfelves. Calvin. John Calvin, another of the Reformers, and to whom the Chriftian World is, on many Accounts, under very great Obligations, was, however well known to be in Principle and Practice a Perfecutor. So entirely was he in the perfecuting Meafures, that he wrote a Treatife in Defence of them, maintaining the Lawfulnefs of putting Hereticks to Death. And that by He- reticks, he meant fuch who differed from himfelf, is evident from his Treat- ment of Caflellio and Servetus. The former, not inferior to Calvin himfelf in Learning and Piety, had the Misfortune to differ from him in Judgment, in the Points of Predeftination, Election, Free-will and Faith. This Calvin could not bear, and therefore treated The Introduction. 63 created Caftellio, in fo rude and cruel a Manner, as I believe his warmed Friends will be afhamed to juftify. In fome of his Writings he calls him, Blasphe- mer, Reviler, malicious barking Dog, full of Ignorance, B eft tali ty and Impudence, Impoftor, a bafe Corrupter of the Sacred Writings, a Mocker of God, a Contem- ner of all Religion, an impudent Fellow, a filthy Dog, a Knave, an impious, lend, crooked minded Vagabond, beggerly Rogue. At other Times he calls him A Difciple and Brother of Servetus, and an Heretick. Caftellio's Reply to all thefe Flowers, is worthy .the Patience and Moderation of a Chriftian, and from his Slanderer he appeals to the righteous Judgment of God. But not content with thefe Invectives, Calvin farther accufed him of three Crimes which Caftellio particularly anfwers. The firft was of Theft, in taking away iome Wood, that belonged to another Perfon, to make a Fire to warm him- felf withal: This Calvin calls, CurfedGain, at another's Expence and Damage ; whereas, in Truth, the Fact was this. Caftellio was thrown into fuch Circum- ftances of Poverty by the Perfections of Calvin and his Friends, that he was fcarce able to maintain himfelf. And as he dwelt near the Banks of the Rhine, he ufed, at leifure Hours, to draw out of the River, with an Hook, the Wood that was brought down by the Waters of it. This Wood was no private Property, but every Man's that could catch it. Caftellio took it in the Middle of the Day, and amongft a great Number of Fifriermen, and feveral of his own Acquaintance ; and was fomeumes paid Money for it by the Decree of the Senate. This the charitable Calvin magnifies into a Theft, and publifhes to the World to paint out the Character of his Chriftian Bro- ther. But his Accufations ran farther yet ; and he calls God to witnefs, that whilft he maintained Caftellio in hisHoufe, he never faw any one more proud, or perfidi- ous , or void of Humanity ; and 'twas well known he was an Impoftor, of a peculiar Impudence, and one that took Pleafure in fcoffing at Piety, and that he delighted himfelf in laughing at the Principles of Religion. Thefe Charges Caftellio an- fwers in fuch a Manner, as was enough to put even Malice it felf to fi- lence. For, notwithftanding Calvin's Appeal to God for the Truth of thefe Things, yet he himfelf, and two of his principal Friends, who were eminent Preachers in Savoy, preffed Caftellio, even contrary to his Inclination, to take the Charge of a School in Stratjburg: And therefore, as he fays to Calvin, With what Confidence could you make me Mafter, if you knew me to be fuch a Perfon, when I dwelt in your Houfe ? What Sort of Men tnuft they be who would commit the Education of Children to fuch a wicked Wretch as you appeal to God you knew me to he ? But what is yet more to the Purpofe, is, that after he had been Mafter of that School three Years, Calvin gave him a Teftimonial, written and figned with his own Hand, as to the Integrity of his paft Behaviour, affirming, amongft other Things, That he had behaved himfelf in fuch a Manner, that be was, by the Confent of all of them, appointed to the Paftoral Office. And in the Conclufion he adds, Left any one fhould fujpeel any other Reafon why, Sebaftian went from us, we teftify to all wherefoever he may come, Ihat he himfelf voluntarily left the School, andfo behaved himfelf init, as that we adjudged him worthy this /acred Mi~ 2 tiiftry, &\ The Introduction. niftry. And that he was not actually received into it, was non aliqua vitcz ma- cula, not owing to any Blemifh of his Life, nor to any impious Tenets that he held in Matters of Faith, but to this only caufe •, the Difference of our Opi- nions about Solomon's Songs, and the Article of Chrift's Defcent into Hell. But how is this Teftimonial, that Caftellio had no macula vita, was unblame- able as to his Life, reconcileable with the Appeal to God, that he was proud and perfidious, and void of Humanity, and a profeffed Scoffer at Reli- gion, whilft he dwelt at Calvin's Houfe ? If this Charge was true, How came Calvin and his Friends to apppoint him Mafter of a School, and judge him worthy the facred Miniftry ? Or if he was of fo bad Character once, and afterwards gave the Evidence of a fincere Repentance by an irreproachable Behaviour, what Equity or Juftice, what Humanity or Honour, was there in publifhing to the World Faults that had been repented of and forfaken ? Caftellio folemnly protefts that he had never injured Calvin, and that the fole Reafon of his Difpleaiure againft him was becaufe he differed from him in Opinion. On this Account he endeavoured to render him every where Impious, prohibited the Reading of his Books; and, what is the laft Effort of Enmity, endea- voured to excite the civil Magiftrate againft him to put him to Death. But God was pleafed to protect this good Man from the Rage of his Enemies. He died at Bafil, in Peace,] and received an honourable Burial, the juft Reward of his Piety, Learning, and Merit. Bez.invir. I may add to this Account, Calvin's Treatment of one Jerom Bolfec, who Calvin. f rom a Carmelite Monk had embraced the reformed Religion, but held the Doctrine of Free-will and Predeftination upon the Forefighi of good Works. Calvin was prefent at a Sermon preached by him at Geneva, upon thefe Arti- cles, and the Sermon being ended, publickly oppofed him in the Congregation. When the AfTembJy was difmiffed, poor Bolfec was immediately apprehended, andfent to Prifon, and foon after, by Calvin's Counfel, banimed for Sedition and Pelagianifm from the City, and forbid ever to come into it, or the Terri- tories of it under Pain of being whipped, A . C. 1551. Geneva. But Calvin's Treatment of the unfortunate Servetus was yet more fevere. His Book entitled, Reftitutio Cbriftianifmi, which he fent in MS. to Calvin, enraged him to that Degree, that he afterwards kept no Temper or Meafures with him, fo that as Bolfec and U)tenbogaert relate, in a Letter written by him to his Friends Viret and Farel, he tells them, That if this Heretick (Servetus J Bibliorh. fhould ever fall into bis Hands, be zvould take Care that be fkould lofe his Life. Serve- Raifon. tus his Imprifonment at Vienne, foon gave him an Opportunity to fhew his Zeal ^°" r , d againft him : For, in Order to ftrengthen the Evidence againft him, Calvin &>c i-72.%.^ m lo tne Magiftrates of that City, the Letters and Writings which Servetus Art. vill. had fent to him at Geneva. This is evident from the Sentence it felf againft him, in which thofe Writings, as well as his printed Book, are exprefly men- tioned as containing the Proofs of his Herefy. Whether Calvin fent them of his own Accord, or, at the Defire of the Magiftrates of Vienne, I mail not prefume to determine. If of his own Accord, it was a bale Officioufnels, and if at the Requelt of thofe Magiftrates, it was a moft unaccountable Conduct in a I Pro- The Introduction. 6§ Proteftant, to fend Evidence to a Popifli Court, to put a Proteftant to Death ; efpeciatty confidering that Servetus could not differ more from Calvin than Cal- vin did from the Papifts, their common Adversaries, and who certainly de- ferred as much to be burnt, in their Judgment, as Servetus did in Calvin's,. Befides this, Servetus farther charges him with writing to one William Trie at Lyons, to furnifli the Magiftrates of that City with Matter of Accufation againft him. The Author of the Bibliotbeque beforementioned, fays, this is a meer Romance, dreffed up by Servetus. I confefs it doth not appear to me in fo very romantick a Light, at Jeaft Calvin's Vindication of himfelf from this Charge doth not feem to be altogether fufficient. He fays, 'Tis commonly re- ported, that I occafwned Servetus to be apprehended at Vienne, on which Account, 'tis [aid by many, that 1 have atled difhonourably, in thus expofing him to the mortal Enemies of the Faith, as though 1 had thrown him into the Mouth cf the Wolves. But, I befeech you, how came I, fo fuddenly, into fuch an Intimacy with the Pope's Officers ? 'Tis very likely, truly, that we fhould correfpond together by Letters ; and that thofe who agree with me, jujl as Belial doth with Jefus Chri/i, fhould enter into a Plot with their mortal Enemy, as with their Companion : This filly Calumny will fall to the Ground, when I fh all fay, in one Word, That there is nothing in it. But how doth all this confute Serveius's Charge ? For whatever Differences there might be between Calvin and the Papifts :n fome Things, yet, why might he not write to the Papifts at Vienne to put Servetus to Death for what was equally counted Herefy by them both, and when they agreed as the mod intimate Friends and Companions in the Lawfulnefs of putting Herecicks to Death. What Calvin fays of the Abfurdity of an Intimacy and Confpiracy with him their mortal Enemy, is no Abfurdity at all. Herod and Pontius Pilate, tho' Enemies, agreed in the Condemnation of the Son of God. Befides, 'tis cer- tain, that the Magiftrates at Vienne had Servetus's Manufcripts fent to them from Geneva, either by Calvin, or the Magiftrates of that City ; and when Servetus was afterwards apprehended at Geneva, the Magiftrates there fent a MeiTenger to Vienne, for a Copy of the Procefs that had been there carried on againft him, which that MeiTenger received, and actually brought back to Geneva. So that nothing is more evident, than that there was an Intimacy and Confpiracy between the Proteftants of Geneva and the Papifts at Vienne, to take away the Life of poor Servetus ; and that, though they were mortal Enemies in other Things, and as far different from one another as Chrift and Belial, yet that they agreed harmonioufly in the Doctrine and Practice of Per- fection, and were one in the Defign and Endeavour of murthering this unhap- py Phyfician. And though Calvin is pleafed magifterially to deny his having any Communication by Letters with the Papifts at Vienne, yet, I think, his Denial far from fufficient to remove the Sufpicion. He himfelf exprefly fays, that many Perfons blamed him for not acting honourably in that Affair ; and the Accufation was fupported by Servetus's Complaint, and by what is a much ftronger Evidence, by the original Papers and Letters which Servetus had fent to Calvin, which were actually produced by the Judges at Vienne, and recited in the Sentence as part of the Foundation of his Condemnation. And as Calvin k himfelf 66 The Introductio k. himfelf never, as I can find, hath attempted to dear up thcfe ftrong Circum- fiances, though he owed it to himfelf and his Friends, I think he can't wel! be excufed from practifing the Death of Servetus at Vienne, and lending his Afiiftance to the bloody Papifts of that Place the more effectually to procure his Condemnation. But he had the good Fortune to make his Efcape from Imprifonment, and was, June 17, 1553. condemned for Contumacy, |and burnt in Effig.e by the Order of his Judges, having himfelf got fafe to Geneva, where he was re-condemned, and actually burnt in Perfon, October 27. of the fame Year, 1553. He had not been long in this City before Calvin fpirited up one Nicholas de la Fountain, probably one of his Pupils, to make Information againft him, wifely avoiding it himfelf, becaufe, according to the Laws of Geneva, the Accufer muft fubmit to Imprifonment with the Party he accufes, till the Crime appears to have a folid Foundation and Proof. Upon this In- formation Servetus was apprehended and imprifoned. Calvin ingenuoufly owns a , That this whole Affair was carried on at his Inftance and Advice ; and that, in order to bring Servetus to Reafon, he himfelf found out the Party to accule him, and begin the Procefs againft him. And therefore, though, as the forementioned Author of the Bibliotheque for Jan. &c. 1729. ob- ferves, the Action after its Commencement was carried on according to the Courfe of Law ; yet, as Calvin accufed him for Herefy, got him imprifon'd, and began the criminal Procefs againft him, he is anfwerable for all the Con- fluences of his Trial, and was in reality the firft and principal Author of his Death, efpecially as the penal Laws againft Hereticks feem at that Time to have been in force at Geneva, fo that Servetus could not efcape the Fire upon his Conviction of Plerefy. When he was in Gaol he was treated with the fame Rigor as if he had been detained in one of the Prifons of the Inquifition. He was ftripped of all Means of procuring himfelf the Conveniencies and Supplies he needed in his Confinement, They took from him ninety feven Pieces of Gold, a gold Chain worth twenty Crowns, £\x gold Rings, and at laft put him into a deep Dungeon, where he was almoft eaten up with Vermin. All this Cruelty was practiied upon a Pro- teftanr, in the Proteftant City of Geneva. Befides this, he could never get a Proctor or Advocate to affift him, or help him in pleading his Caufe, though he requefted it, as being a Stranger, and ignorant of the Laws and Cuftoms of the Country. Calvin, at the Requeft of the Judges, drew up certain Pro- pofitions out of Servetus's Books, reprefenting them as blafphemous, full of Errors, and prophane Reveries, all repugnant to the Word of God, and to the common Confent of the whole Church ; and, indeed, appears to have been acquainted with, and confulted in the whole Procefs, and to have ufed all his Arts and Endeavours to prevent his coming off with Impunity. a Unus ex Syndicis, mc autcue, ia carcerem duel juffir. Epift. ad Sukzetk Quum agnltus fu- iflct, jcua^nd^m pu.uvi. hicbolatu mcus ad capicale judicium ipfum vocavit, Epilt. ad Fane/. ? Tis The Introduction. 67 'Tis but a poor and mean Excufe that Calvin makes for himfelf in this rc- fpect, when he fays, As to the Facl lwitt not deny, but that 1 twas at my Profecu-Epift. ad tion be was imprifotfd — But that after he was convicled of his Here fie s I made «^Farrel. Inflances for bis being put to Death. But what need of Inftances ? He had al- ready accufed him, got him imprilbn'd, profecuted in a criminal Court for the capital Crime of Herefy, and actually drew up forty Articles againft him for Herefy, Bhdphemy, and falfe Doctrine. When he was convicled of thefe Crimes the La >v could not but take its Courfe, and his being burnt to Death was the neceffary Confequer.ee of his Conviction. What occafion was there then for Calvin to prefs his Execution, when the Laws themfelves had ad- judged him to the Flames ? But even this Excufe, poor as it is, is not fin- cerely and honeftiy made. For Calvin was refolved to ufe all his Intereft to deftroy him. In his Letter to Farrelhz exprefly fays b , I hope, at leaf, they will condemn him to Death, but not to the terrible one of being burnt. And in another to Sultzer c , Since the Papijis, in order to vindicate their own Superjlitions cruelly Jhed innocent Blood, 'tis a Shame that Chriflian Ma Irates fhould have no Courage at all in the Defence of certain Truth. — However, I will certify you of one Thing, that the City Treafurer is rightly determined, that he fhall not efcape that End which wewifhhim. And in another to the Church at Franckfort d , The Author (Ser-Epift- ad vetusj is put in Gaol by our M.igijlrates, and I hope he* 11 fhortly Jujfer the Punifh-^* 11 ^' ment he deferves. There was but one way poflible for him to efcape, and that was by bringing his Caufe from the criminal Court, where he was profecuted, before the Council of the two Hundred. And this Calvin vigoroufly oppofed, and reflected on the Syndick himfelf for endeavouring it. He fays, that he pretended Illnefs for three Days, and then came into Court to fave that Wretch {Servetus) from Punifhment, and was not afhamed to demand, that the Cogni- fance of the Affair mould be referred to the two Hundred. However, he was una- nimoufly condemned. Now, what great Difference is there between a Profecu- tor's endeavouring to prevent the only Method by which a Criminal can be faved, and his actually prefiing for his being put to Death ? Calvin actually did the former, and yet would fain perfuade us he had no hand in the latter. 'Tis much of a Piece with this, his defiring that the Rigor of Servetus's Death might be mitigated ; for as the Laws againft Hereticks were in force at Ge- neva, the Tribunal that judged Servetus could not, after his Conviction of Herefy, abfolve him from Death, nor change the manner of it, as Calvin fays, he would have had it ; and therefore his defiring that the Rigor of it might be abated, looks too much like the Practife of the Inquifitors, who b Spero capitale faltem fore Judicium : Poena; vero atro cicatem remitti cupio. Epift. ad TarreJ. Cras ad fupplicium ducetur. Genus mortis conati fumus mutare, fed fruftra. Altsra EpilK ad FarreJ. c Quum tam acres funt & animofi fuperfticionum fuarum vindices Papifta», ut atrociter feviant ad fundendum innoxium fanguinem, pudeac Chriftianos Magiflratus in tuenda certa veritate nihil prorfus habere animi. Tanrum unius rei te admonitum volo, Quaeftorem Urbis in hac caufa refto efle animo, ut faltem exitum quern optamus non fugiat. 4 Auctor ipfe tenctur in carcere a Magiftratu noftro, &: projediem, ut fpero, daturas eft paenas. k 2 when 68 The Introduction. when they deliver over an Herecick to the fecular Arm, befeech it To to mode rate the Rigor of the Sentence, as not to endanger Life or Limb. This was the Part that Calvin acted in the Affair of Servetus, which I have reprefented in the moft impartial Manner, as it appears to me •, and am forry I am not able to wipe off fo foul a Sain from the Memory of this otherwife ex* cellent and learned Reformer. But when his Enemies charge him with acting meerly from Principles of Malice and Revenge in this matter, I think it an evident Abufe and Calumny. He was, in his own Judgment, for perfecting and deftroying Hereticks, as appears from the Treatife he publifhed in Vindi- cation of this Practice, entitled e , A Declaration for maintaining the true Faith, held by all Chriftians, concerning the 'Trinity of Perfons in One only God, by John Calvin, againft the deleft able Errors of Michael Servetus, a Spaniard. In which 'tis al- fo proved, t/iat it is lawful to punifb Hereticks ; and that this Wretch was juftly executed in the City of Geneva. Geneva, 1554. This Principle was maintain- ed by almoft all the Fathers and Bifhops of the Church fince the three firft: Centuries, who efteemed Herefy as one of the worft of Impieties, and thought it the Duty of the civil Magiftrate to employ their Power for the SuppreiTion of it, and for the Support and Eftablifhment of the orthodox Faith. And though the firft Reformers abhorred the Cruelty of the Papifts towards the Proteftants, they had neverthelefs the fame Abhorrence of what they counted Herefy chat the Papifts had, and agreed with them in the Lawfulnefs of fup- prefTing it by the civil Power. So that Calvin acted in this Affair from a Prin- ciple, though a miftaken Principle of Confcience, and had the Encouragement and Approbation of the moft learned and pious Reformers of the Times he lived in. Mclanclon, in a Letter to Bullinger, fays, 1 have read alfo what you have written concerning the Blafphemies of Servetus, and 1 approve your Piety and Judgment. I think alfo, that the Senate of Geneva hath done right, that they have ■j ut to Death that obflinate Perfon who would not ceafe to blafpheme ; and I wonder that there are any who dijapprove that Severity. He affirms the fame alfo in another Letter to Calvin himfelf. Bucer alfo faid publickly in his Sermon, that he :ht to have his Bowels fulled out, and be torn in pieces, as Calvin relates it in his Letter to Sultzer. Farrel in a Letter to Calvin fays, that he deferved to die l:n Thou 'arid Deaths, that it would be a Piece of Cruelty, and an Injuftice to Chrift, and the Doctrine of Piety, for Magiflrates not to take notice of the horrible Blafphe- mies of that wicked Her click. And he hoped God would fo order it, that as the Ma- giji rates of Geneva were very Praife-worthy for punifhing Thieves and facrilegious Perfons, fo they would behave themfelves well in the Affair of Servetus,. by putting him to Death, who had fo long obftinately perfifted in his Herefies, and deflrofd fo ynany Per fens by them. The Pallors of the Church at Baftl, in their Letter to the Syndicks and Se- nate of Geneva, exprefs their Joy for the Apprehenfion of Servetus, and advife " Declaration pour maintcnir le vraye Foy que tiennent tous Chretiens de la Trinite des Per- r'brncs en un feul Dieu ; par Jean Calvin, concre les Erreurs deteftables de Michael Servetus, Efpag- . vol, ou il eft aufii monltre qu'il eft licite de punir les Heretiques : & qu' a bon droict ces Mefcnant a etc ex.cute par jufticc co fa ville de Geneve. A Geneve, 1554. them J be Introduction. g, them firft to uje all Endeavours to recover him ; but that if he perfifted in his Per- verjenejs, they Jhould punijb bim according to their Office, and the Power they had received from God, to prevent bis giving any Dijturbance to the Church, and left the latter end Jhould be worfe than the firft. The Minifters of the Church of Bern were of the fame Opinion, and in cheir Letter to the Magiftrates of Geneva fay, We pray the Lord that he would give you the Spirit of Prudence, Conn [el and Strength, to remove this Plague from the Churches, both your own and others, and advife them to neglecl nothing that may be judged unworthy a Chriftian Magiftrate to omit. The Minifters of Zurich give much the fame Advice, and [nought that there was need of a great deal of Diligence in the Affair ; efpecially as the reformed Churches were evil thought of, amongsJ other Reafons, for this, as being themfelves heretical, and Favourers of Her clicks. But that, as the Providence of God had given them an Opportunity of wiping off Jo evil a Sufpicion, and preventing the farther ff reading of fo contagious a Poifon, they did not doubt but their Excellencies would be careful to im- prove it. Thole of Scaffhufen fubfcribed to the Judgment of thofe of Zurich, and declare, that they did not doubt, but that their Prudence would put a flop to the Attempts of Servetus, left his Blafphemies, as a Canker, mould eat up the Members of Chrift ; adding thefe remarkable Words, That to endea- vour to oppoje his Dreams by a train of Reafoning, what would it be, but to grow mad with a Madman. Thefe Extracts, which are taken out of the Letters printed at the End of Calvin's Inftitutions, clearly demonftrate, that he acted" ferioufly and delibe- rately in the Affair of Servetus, and that he confulted the neighbouring Churches, and had their Opinion of the Lawfulnefs and Expediency of putting him to Death for his Herefies. And though it doth not wholly excufe his Fault, yet it ought in Juftice to be allowed as an Abatement and Extenu- ation or it j and, I think, evidently proves, what his Enemies are very un- willing to allow, that he was not tranfported by R'age and Fury, and did not act meerly from the Dictates of Envy and Malice, but from a miftaken Zeal againft what he accounted Blafphemy and Herefy, and with the concurrent Advice of his Brethren in the Miniftry, and Fellow-Labourers in the great Work of the Reformation. And I think his eminent Services to the Church of God, both by his Preaching and Writings, ought, notwithstanding all his Failings, to fecure to his Memory the Honour and Refpect that is due to it. For hedeferved well of all the reformed Churches, and was an eminent Inftru- ment in the Hand of Providence, in promoting the great and glorious Work of faving Men from the grofs Errors, Superftitrons, and Idolatries of the Romifh Church. And as I thought my felf obliged impartially to reprefent thefe Things as they appear'd to me, I hope all who love to diftinguifli them- felves by Calvin's Name, will be careful not to imitate him in this great Bie- mifh of his Life, which, in reality, hath tarniih'd a Character, that would otherwife have appeared amongft the frrft and brighteft of the Age he- lived in. In the Year 1632. after Calvin's Death, one Nicholas Anthoine was condemn- ed alfo by the Council of Geneva to be firft hanged, and afterwards burn:, becaule, , 70 The Introduction. becaufe, that having forgotten the Fear of God, he had committed the Crime of Apoftacy and High-Treaibn againft God, by having oppofed the Holy Trinity, denied our Lord and Saviour Jefus Chrift, blafphemed his holy Name, renounced his Baptifm, and the like. ^ ern ". Valentinus Gentilis, a Native of Cofentia in Italy t had the Misfortune alfo to vkTc'alv ^ mto ^ ome heterodox Opinions concerning the Trinity, and held, that the B. Arct. ' Father alone was at/]°9j©-, God of himfelf, ttysmflQ-, unbegotten, EJfentia- Hift. Val. tor, the giver of ElTence to all other Beings ; but that the Son was Ejfenti- Gent - atus, of a derived Effence from the Father, and therefore not avjok®-, or God of himfelf, though at the fame Time he allowed him to be truly God. He held much the fame as to the Holy Ghoft, making them Three eternal Spirits, diftinguinYd by a gradual and due Subordination, referving the Mo- narchy to the Father, whom he filled the One only God. Being forced to fly his native Country on Account of his Religion he came to Geneva, where there was a Church of Italian Refugees, feveral of whom, fuch as G.Bland- rata, a Phyfician, Gribaldus a Lawyer, and Paulus Alciatus, differ'd from the commonly received Notions of the Trinity. When their Heterodoxes came to be known at Geneva, they were cited before the Senators, Minifters, and Prefbyters ; and being heard in their own Defence, were refuted by Cal- vin, and all fubfcribed to the orthodox Faith. But V. Gentilis having after this endeavoured to propagate his own Opinions, he was again apprehended, and forced by Calvin and others to a publick Abjuration, and condemned An. 1558. to an exemplary Penance, viz. " That he fhould be ftripped clofe " to his Shirt, then bare-foot and bare-headed mould carry in his Hand a " lighted Torch, and beg God and the Court's Pardon on his Knees, by con- " fefling himfelf malicioufly and wickedly to have fpread Abroad a falfe and " heretical Doctrine \ but that he did now from his Heart deteft and abhor " thofe abominable, lying, and blafphemous Books, he had compofed in its " Defence •, in teftimony of which he was to caft them, with his own Hands, " into the Flames, there to be burnt to Afhes. And for more ample Satis- " faction, he was enjoined to be led through all the Streets of Geneva, at the " found of Trumpet, in his penitential Habit, and ftrictly commanded not " to depart the City without Permiflion." And this Penance he actually un- derwent. But having found means to make his Efcape, he came at laft to Gaium, a Prefecture, fubject to the Canton of Bern, where he was feized and imprifoned by the Governor, who immediately fent an Account of his Appre- henfion to the Senate of Bern, who ordered him to be brought Prifoner to that City, where they put him in Gaol. After they had feized all his Books and Papers, they collected feveral Articles, with the Heads of an Indictment out of them to be preferred againft him. Amongft others thefe were two, 1. That he diffented from us and all the Orthodox in the Doclrine of the Trinity. And, 1. That his Writings contained many impious Blafphemies, concerning the Trinity. And becaufe he continued obftinate in his Opinions, notwithstanding the Endea- vours of the Divines to convert him, he was condemned by the Senate, for his Blafphemies againft the Son of God, and the glorious Myftery of the Trinity, 1 to The Introduction. 7» to be beheaded, which Sentence was executed on him in September Anno 1566. ; At BaJiUKo Herefy was a Crime punifhabJe with Death, fmce the Refor-Eafil. mation, as appears from the Treatment of the dead Body of David George, an Brandt enthufiaftical Anabaptift. Having left Holland he went to Baft!, and fettled Hift - Eook there as one that was banifhed out of his Country for the fake of his Religion, 3 " p ' 77# propagating his own Doctrines by Letters, Books, and Meffengcrs in Holland.. But his Errors being difcovered after his Death, he was taken out of his Grave, and together with his Books and Pictures burnt to Afhes, by order of the Magiftrates, at the Place of Execution, without the Walls of Bajil, Ma) 13, 1559. His Opinions were firft extracted from the printed Buoks and Manufcript Papers found in his Houfe, and he declared an Arch-He- retick. Zurich alfo furnifhes us with an Inftance of great Cruelty towards an Ana-Zurich, baptift. A kvere Edict was publifhed againft them, in which there was a B ck 2 - Penalty of a filver Mark, about four Shillings Englifh Money, i'et upon all p> 57, fuch as mould fuffer themfelves to be re- baptized, or fhould with- hold Baptifm from their Children. And it was further declared, That thofe who openly oppofed this Order, mould be yet more feverely treated. Accordingly one Felix was drowned at Zurich upon the Sentence pronounced by Zuinglius, m thefe four Words, Qui interum mergit y mergatur. He that redips let him be drown- ed. This happen'd in the Year 1526. About the fame Time alfo, and fince, there were fome more of them put to Death. From the fame Place alfo Ochinus was banifhed, in his old Age, in the Depth of Winter, to^e-Bez Epiff.. ther with his Children, becaufe he was an Arian, and defended Poh'garny, '• if Beza's Account of him be true. Lubieniecius, a Polijh Unitarian, was through the Practices of the Calvmifts y ?ohnd. banifhed with his Brethren from Poland, his native Country, and forced to Vlt - Lllb - leave feveral Proteftant Cities of Germany, to which he had fled for Refuge, pra f" Hift " particularly Stetin, Frederick/} adt, and Hamburgh, through the Practices ofpoln*" the Lutheran Divines, who were againfl all Toleration. At Hamburgh he re- ceived the Orders of the Magiftrates of the City to depart the Place on his Death-bed; and when his dead Body was carried to Altenau to be interred, though the Preachers could nor, as they endeavour'd, prevent his beino- bu- ried in the Church, yet they did actually prevent the ufual funeral Honours being paid him. John Sylvanus, Superintendant of the Church of Heidelberg, was put to Death by order of Frederick Elector Palatine, An. 1571. being accufed Lub. Hift; of Arianifm. I.i. c. 5. If we pafs over into Holland, we mall alfo find, that the Reformers there Holland. were moil of them in the Principles and Meafures of Perfecution, and mana- ged their Differences with that Heat and Fury as gave great Advantages to the Papifts, their common Enemies, In the very Infancy of the Reformation the Lutherans and Cahinijis condemned each other for their fuppofed Heterodoxy in the Affair of the Sacrament, and looked upon compliance and mutual Tole- ration to be Things intolerable, Thefe Differences were kept up principally by 7 2 The Introduction] by the Clergy of each Party. The Prince of Orange, and States of Holland, who were heartily inclined to the Reformation, were not for confining their Protection to any particular Sec of Principles or Opinions, but for granting an univerial Indulgence in all Matters of Religion, aiming at Peace and mu- tual Forbearance, and to open the Church as wide as poflible for all Chriftians of unblameable Lives ; whereas the Clergy being biafTed by their Pafiions and Inclinations for thofe Matters, in whofe Writings they had been inftructed, endeavoured with all their Might to eftablifh and conciliate Authority to their refpective Opinions ; aiming only at Decifions and Definitions, and fhutting up the Church by Limitations in many doubtful and difputable Articles ; fo that the Dilturbances which were raifed, and the Severities which were ufed upon the Account of Religion, proceeded from the Bigotry of the Clergy, con- trary to the Defire and Intention of the civil Magiftrate. Before the Minifters of the reformed Party were engaged in the Controverfy v'-' ] i- w ^ drminius, their Zeal was continually exerting it felf againft the Anabaptiils, '"whom they declared to be excommunicated and cut off from theChurch, and en- deavoured to convert by Violence and Force, prohibiting them from preaching under Fines, and banifhing them their Counrry, upon account of their Opinions. And the better to colour thefe Proceedings, lome of them wrote in defence of Perlecution ; or which is the fame Thing, againft the Toleration of any Reli- gion or Opinions different from their own ; and for the better Support of Or- thodoxy, they wouid have had the Synods ordain, that all Church Officers mould renew their Subfcriptions to the Confeffion and Catechifm every Year, that hereby they might the better know who had changed their Sentiments, and differed from the received Faith. This Practice was perfectly agreeable to the Geneva Difcipline •, Calvin himfelf, as hath been (hewn, being in Judg- ment for perfecuting Hereticks ; and Beza having wrote a Treatife, An. 1600. to prove the Lawiulnefs of punifhing them. This Book was tranflated from the Latin, into the Low Dutch Language by Bogerman, afterwards Prefidenc of the Synod of Dort, and publifhed with a Dedication, and Recommendation of it to the Magiftrates. The Confequence of this was, that very fevere Pla- carts were publifhed againft the Anabaptifts in Friejland and Groningen, where- by they were forbidden to preach -, and all Perfons prohibited from letting their Houfes and Grounds to them, under the Penalty of a large Fine, or Confinement to Bread and Water for fourteen Days. Jf they offended the third Time, they were to be banifhed the City, and the Jurifdiction thereof. Whofoever was difcovered to rebaptize any Perfon fhould forfeit twenty Dol- lars ; and upon a fecond Conviction be put to Bread and Water, and then be banifhed. Unbaptifed Children were made incapable of inheriting ; and if any married out of the reformed Church, he was declared incapable of inheri- ting any Eftate, and the Children made illegitimate. But the Controverfy that made the greateft Noife, and produced the moll remarkable Effects, was that carried on between the Calvinijls and Arminians. Jacobus Arminius, one of the Profeffors of Divinity at Leyden, difputing in his turn about the Doctrine of Predeftination, advanced feveral Things differing from The Introductio N. from the Opinions of Calvin on this Article, and was in a few Months after warmly oppofed by Gomarus his Collegue, who held. That 'twas appointed by an eternal Decree of God, who amongSi Mankind /hall be faved, and who Jhall be damned. This was indeed the Sentiment of moft of the Clergy of the United Provinces, who therefore endeavoured to run down Arminius and his Doctrine with the greateft Zeal, in their private Converlations, publick Difputes, and in their very Sermons to their Congregations, charging him with Innovations, and of being a Follower of the ancient heretical Monk Pelagius -, whereas the Government was more inclinable to Arminius' s Scheme, as being lefs rigid in its Nature, and more intelligible by the People, and endeavoured all they could to prevent thefe Differences of the Clergy from breaking out into an open Quarrel, to the Difturbance of the publick Peace. But the Minifters of the P*redeftinarian Party would enter into no Treaty for Peace : The Remon- it rants were the Objects of their furious Zeal, whom they called Mamalukes, Devils, and Plagues, animating the Magiftrates to extirpate and deflroy them and crying out from the Pulpits, We muft go through thick and thin, without fear- ing to ftick in the Mire : We know what Elijah did to Baal'i Priefts, And when the Time drew near for the Election of new Magiftrates, they prayed to God for fuch Men, as would be zealous even to Blood, though it were to ccft the whole 'Trade of their Cities. They alfo accufed them of keeping up a Correfpondence with the Jefuits and Spaniards, and of a Defign to betray their Country to them. Thefe Proceedings gave great Difturbance to the Magiftrates, efpecially as many of the Clergy took great Liberties with them, furioufly inveighing againft them in their Sermons as Enemies to the Church, and Perfecutors j as Libertines and Free-Thinkers, who hated the fincere Minifters of God, and endeavoured to turn them out of their Office. This Conduct:, together with their obftinate Refufal of all Meafures of Accommodation, and Peace with the Remonftrants, fo incenfed the Mag ftrates, that in feveral Cities they fufpended fome of the warmeft and moft feditious of them, and prohibited them from the publick Exercifes of their minifterial Function ; particularly Gezelius of Rcterdam, and afterwards Rofceus, Minifter at the Hague, for endea- vouring to make a Schifm in the Church, and exhorting the People to break off Communion with their Brethren. Being thus difcarded, they aflumed to themfelves the Name of the perfecuted Church, and met together in private Houfes, abfolutely refufing all Communion with the Remonftrant Minifters and Party, in fpite of all the Attempts made ufe of to reconcile and unite them. What the Minifters of the Contraremonftrant Party aimed at, was the hold- ing a national Council, which at length, after a long Oppofition, was agreed to in the Affembly of the States General, who appointed Dort for the Pi ice of the Meeting. Prince Maurice of Orange, the Stadholder, effectually prepared Matters for holding the faid Affembly \ and as he declared himfelf openly for the Contraremonftrant Party, not for that he was of their Opinions in Religion, be- ing rather inclined to thole of Arminius, but becaufe he thought them the be ft 1 Friends 73 74- Ike Introduction. Friends to his Family, he took Care that the Council mould confift of fuch Perfons as were well afTetted to them. In order to this his Excellency chan- ged the Government of mod of the Towns of Holland, depofed thofe Magi- ftrates who were of the Remonftrant Perfuafion, or that favoured them in the Bufinefs of the Toleration, and filled up their Places withContraremonftrants, or fuch as promoted their Interefts, making ufe of the Troops of the States to obviate all Oppofition. The Confequence of this was the Imprifonment of fe- veral great Men of the Remonftrant Perfuafion, fuch as the Advocate Olden- larnevelt, Grotius and others ; and the Sufpenfion, or total Deprivation of a confiderable Number of the Remonftrant Clergy, fuch as Vitenbogart of the Hague, Grovinckbovius of Roterdam, Grevius and others, by particular Synods met together for that purpofe, and to prepare Things, and appoint Perfons for theenfuing national one at Dort. The Perfons fixed on were generally the moft violent of the Contraremonftrant Party, and who had publickly declared, that they would not enter in'-o Communion with thofe who differ*d from them, nor agree to any Terms ot Moderation and Peace. There were alfo feveral foreign Divines fummoned to this Council, who were moft of them in the CaU viniftick Scheme, und profefled Enemies co the Armenians. The Lay Commif- fionersalfo, who were chofen by the States, were moft of them very partial Conticiremonftrants, and two or three of them, who feemed more impartial than the others, were hardly fuffered to fpeak ; and if they did, were prefently fufoected, and reprefentcd by Letters fent to the States, and Prince Maurice at the Hague, as Perfons that favoured the Remonftrants, which was then con- fider'd as a Crime againft the Government, infomuch that by thefe Infinua- TV> Ctaw-tions, they were in danger of being ftripped of all their Employments. The «rf^Dort, g r fl s^ff ]on an( j Opening of rhis venerable Affembly, was Nov. 13, 1618. 1618. John bogern.an was cholen Prefident of it 5 the fame worthy and moderate Di- vine, who had bef >re ranflated into Low Dutch Beza's Treatife, to prove the Lawfulnefs of punifhing Hertticks, with a Preface Recommendatory to the civil Magiftrate •, chofen, not by the whole Synod, but by the Low Coun- try Divines only , the Fore gners not being allowed any Share in the ELc"tion. At the fifth Seffion the Remonftrants petitioned the Synod, That a compe- tent Number of their Friends might have leave to appear before them, and that the Citation m ghr be fent to the whole Body, and not to any fingle Per- fon, to the End that they might be at liberty to fend fuch as they mould judge beft qualified to defend their Caufe ; and particularly infifted, that Gro- vinckhovius and Goulart might be of the Number. One would have thought that fo equitable a Requeft mould have been readily granted. But they were told, that it could not be allowed that the Remonftrants fhould pafs for a di- ftincl Body, or make any Deputation of Perfons in their common Name to treat of their Affairs •, and agreeably to this Declaration the Summons that were given out, were nut fent to the Remonftrants as a Body or Part of the Synod, but to fuch particular Perfons as the Synod thought fit to chofe out of them •, which was Lttle lefs than citing them as Criminals before a Body of Men, The Introduction. 75 Men, which chiefly confifted of their profeffed Adverfaries. When they firft Aft. Syn. appeared in the Synod, and Epifcopius in the Name of the reft of them, talked Dord.Sefl". of entring into a regular Conference about the Points in difference j they were 11, immediately given to underftand, that no Conference was intended, but thac their only Bufinefs was to deliver their Sentiments, and humbly to wait for the Judgment of the Council concerning them, Epifcopius, in the Name of his Brethren, declared, that they did not own the Synod for their lawful Judges, becaufe moftof chat Body were their avowed Enemies, and Fomenters and Pro- moters of the unhappy Schifm amongfl: them -, upon which they were imme- diately reprimanded by the Prefident, for impeaching and arraigning their Au- thority, and prefuming to prefcribe Laws to thofe whom the States General had appointed for their Judges. The Divines of Geneva added upon this Head, That if People obflinately refujed to fubmit to the lawful Determinations of the Church, there then remained two Methods to be ufed againjl them ; the one, that the civil Ma- giflrate might Jlretch out his Arm of Compulfion ; the other, that the Church might exert her Power, in order to feparate and cut off by a publick Sentence, thofe who violated the Laws of God. After many Debates on this Head, between the Sy- nod and the Remonftrants, who adhered to their Refolution, of not owning the Synod for their Judges, they were turned out of it by Bogerman the Prefi- dent with great InfoJence and Fury ; to the high Diflatisfaction of many of the foreign Divines, After the Holy Synod had thus rid themfelves of the Remonftrants, whofe Learning and good Senfe would have rendered them exceeding troublefome to this Aflfembly, they proceeded to fix the Faith ; and as they had no Oppofuion to fear, and were almofl all of one fide, at leaft in the main Points, they agreed in their Articles and Canons «, and in their Sentence againft the Remon- ftrant Clergy who had been cited to appear before them ; which was to this Effect : " They befeeched and charged in the Name of Chrift, all and fingular " theMiniftersof the Churches throughout the united Netherlands, &c. thac «' they forfake and abandon the well known five Articles of the Remonftrants, •« as being falfe, and no other than Secret Magazines of Errors - And *« whereas fome, who are gone out from amongfl: us, calling themfelves Re- " monftrants, have out of private Views and Ends, unlawfully violated the *« Difcipline and Government of the Church ■ have not only trumped up 44 old Errors, but hammered out new ones too — have blackened and ren- " dered odious the eftablifhed Doctrine of the Church with impudent Slan- " ders and Calumnies, without end or meafure, have filled all Places with " Scandal, Difcord, Scruples, Troubles of Confcience . all which heinous " Offences ought to be reftrained and punifhed in Clergymen with the fevereft " Cenfures : Therefore this national Synod . being aflured of its own " Authority doth hereby declare and determine, that thofe Minifters, «* who have acted in the Churches as Heads of Factions, and Teachers of Er- « rors, are guilty, and convicted of having violated our Holy Religion, " having made a Rent in the Unity of the Church, and given very great Scan- " dal ; And as for thofe who were cited before this Synod, that they are be- 1 2 " fides j 6 The Introduction. " fides guilty of intolerable Difobedience to the Commands of the " venerable Synod : For all which Reafons the Synod doth in the firft Place, " difcharge the aforelaid cited Perfons from all ecclefiaftical Adminiftrations, " and deprive them of their Offices, judging them likewife unworthy of any " academical Employment- And as for the reft of the Remonftrant Cler- " gy, they are hereby recommended to the Provincial Synods, Gaffes and " Confi (lories who are to take the utmoft care that the Patrons of " Ei rors be prudently difcovered ; that all o'oftinate, clamorous, and factious " DP urbers of the Church, under their Jurifdiction, be forthwith deprived t; of their ecclefiaftical and academical Offices And they the faid provin- " r\ il Synods are therefore exhorted to take'a particular Care, that they «' a Imit none into the Minlftry who fhall refufe to iubferibe, or promife to " preach the Doctrine afferted in thefe Sy nodical Decrees ; and that they fuf- " fer none to continue in the Miniftry, by whofe publick Diffent the Doctrine " which hat been fo unanimoufly approved by all the Members of this Synod, " the Harmony of the Clergy, and the Peace of the Church, may be again " difturbed And they moft earn eft ly and humbly befeech their gracious " God, that their High Mightinefles may fuffer and ordain this wholefome " Doctrine, which the Synod hath faithfully expreffed to be maintained " alone, and in its Purity within their Provinces ■ and reftrain turbulent " and unruly Spirits and may likewife put in Execution the Sentence " pronounced againft the above-mentioned Perfons and ratify and con- " firm the Decrees of the Synod by their Authority. The States readily obliged them in this Chriftian and Charitable Requeft •, for as foon as the Synod was concluded the old Advocate Bamevelt was beheaded, who had been a zealous and hearty Friend to the Remonftrants and their Principles ; and Grotius condemned to perpetual Imprifonment ; and becaufe the cited Minifters would not promife wholly, and always to abftain from the Exercife of their minifterhl Functions, the States palled a Refolution for the banifhing of them, on pain if they did not fubmit to it, of being treated as Difturbers of the publick Peace. And though they only begged a refpite of the Sen- tence for a few Days, to put their Affairs in order, and to provide them- felveswith a little Money to fupport themfelves and Families in their Banifh- ment, even this was unmercifully denied them, and they were hurried away- next Morning by four a Clock, as though they had been Enemies to the Religion and Liberties of their Country. Such was ' he Effect of this famous Pr fbyterian Synod, who behaved themfelves as tyrannically towards their Brethren, as any preiatical Council whatfoever could do; and to the Honour of the Church of England it muft be faid, that they owned their Sy nodical Power, and concurred by their Deputies, Carleion Bifhop of Landaff, Hall, Davenant, KvAWard, in condemning the Remonftrants, in excommunica'ing and depriving them, and turning them out of their Churches, and in eftablifhing b<,th theDifcipline and Doctrines of Geneva in the Netherlands. For after the Council was ended, the Remonftrants were every where driven out of their Churches, and prohibited from holding any private Meetings, and many of The Introduction. 77 of them banifhed on this very account. The Reader will find a very particu- lar Relation of thefe Transactions, in the learned Gem dt's Hiftory of the Reformation of the Low Countries, to which I muft refer him. if we look into our own Country we fhall find numerous Proofs of : ..:- .-.., fame antichriflian Spirit and Practice. Even our firft Reformers, who had Britain. feen the Flames which the Paprfts had kindled againft their Brethren, yet lighted Fires themfelves to confume thofe who differed from them. Cranmer*s Hands were ftained with the Bicod of feveral. He had a Share in the Prole - cution and Condemnation of that pious and excellent Martyr John Lambert ; Burner's and confented to the Death of Ann Askew, who were burnt for denying the cor-Hiit Ref. poral Prefence, which, though Cr.2r.me? then believed, he faw afterwards rea- w - IL P« for. to deny. In the Year 1549. Jean Bocher was condemned for fome enthu- 10 • I07 ' fiaftical Opinions about Chrift, and delivered over to the fecular Power. The Sentence being returned to the Council, King Edward VI. was moved to fign a Warrant for her being burnt, but could not be prevailed with to do it. Cranmer endeavoured to perfuade him by fuch Arguments as rather filenced than fatisfied the young King. So he let his Hand to the Warrant with Tears in his Eyes, laying to the Archbifhop, that if he did wrong, fince it was in SubmifTion to his Authority, he fhould anfwer for it to God. Thoush this ftruck Cranmer with Horror, yet he at laft put the Sentence in Execution againft her. About two Years after one George Van Tare, a Dutch Man, was accufed before them, for faying, That God the Father was only God, and that Chrift was not very God. And though he was a Perfon of a very holy- Life, yet becaufe he would not abjure, he was condemned for Herefy, and burnt in Smithfield. The Archbifhop himfelf was afterwards burnt for Herefy, which, as Fcx obferved, many looked on a juft Retaliation from the Provi- dence of God, for the cruel Severities he had ufed towards others. The Controverfy about the Popiln Habits was one of the fir ft that arofc amongft the Englijb Reformers. Cranmer and Ridley were zealous for the Ufe of them, whjjft other very pious and learned Divines were for laying them a fide, as the Badges of Idolatry and Antichrift. Amongft thefe was Doctor Hooper, nominated to the Bifhoprick of Glocefier ; but becaufe he refufed to be confecrated in the old Veftments, he was, by Order of Council firft filenced, and then confined to his own Houfe •, and afterwards, by Cranmer*s Means, committed to the Fleet Prifon, where he continued feveral Months. In the beginning of Queen Elizabeth's Reign, A. C. 1559. an A & p^ed ©„«* for the Uniformity of Common Prayer, and Service in the Church, and Ad-Elizabe:h. miniftration of the Sacraments, by which the Queen and Bifhops were empow- red to ordain fuch Ceremonies in Worfhip, as they fhould think for the Ho- nour of God, and the Edification of his Church. This Act was rigoroufly preffed, and great Severities ufed to fuch as could not comply with it. Parker Archbifhop of Canterbury made the Clergy fubferibe to ufe the prefcribed Rites and Habits, and cited before him many of the molt famous Divines who fcrupled them, and would allow none to be prefentcd to Livings, or preferred in the Church, without an intire Conformity. He fummoned the whole Body of 78 The Introduction. of the London Paftors and Curates to appear before him at Lambeth, and imme- diately fufpended Thirty feven, who refufed to fubferibe to the Unity of Ap- parel, and fignified to them, that within three Months they mould be totally deprived if they would not conform. So that many Churches were fhut up ; and though the People were ready to mutiny for want of Minifters, yet the Archbifhop was deaf to all their Complaints, and in his great Goodnefs and Piety was refolved they fhould have no Sacraments or Sermons without the Surplice and the Cap. And in order to prevent all Oppofition to Church Tyranny, the Star Chamber publifhed a Decree for Sealing up the Prefs, and prohibiting any Perfon to print or publifh any Book againit the Queen's In- junctions, or againft the Meaning of them. This Decree was figned by the JBifhops of Canterbury and London. This rigid and fanatical Zeal for Habits and Ceremonies, caufed the Puri- tans to feparate from the Eftablifhed Church, and to hold private Aflemblies for Worfhip. But the Queen and her Prelates foon made them feel their Ven- geance. Their Meetings were difturbed, and thofe who attended them ap- prehended, and fent in large Numbers, Men and Women, to Bridewell, for Conviction. Others were cited into the Spiritual Courts, and not difcharged till after long Attendance and great Charges. Subfcriptions to Articles of Faith were violently prefTed upon the Clergy, and about one Hundred of them were deprived, Anno 1572. for refufing to fubmit to them. Some were clofely imprifoned, and died in Gaol, through Poverty and Want. And that ferious Piety, and Chriftian Knowledge might gain Ground, as well as Uni- formity, the Bifhops, by order of the Qyeen, put down the Prophefyings of the Clergy, Anno 15J4.. who were forbid to aflemble, as they had done for fome Years, to difcourfe with one another upon religious Subjects and Ser- mons •, and as fome ferious Perfons of the Laity were ufed to meet on Holy Days, or after they had done work, to read the Scriptures, and to improve themfclves in Chriftian Knowledge ; the Parfons of the Parifhes were fent for, and ordered to fupprefs them. Eleven Dutch Men, who were Anabaptifts, were condemned in the Confiftory of St. Paul to the Fire, for Herefy ; nine of whom were banifhed, and two of them burnt alive in Smithfeld. In the Year 1583. Copping and Thacker, two Puritan Minifters, were hanged for Non- Conformity. It would be endlefs to go through all the Severities that were ufed in this Reign upon the Account of Religion. As the Queen was of a very high and arbitrary Temper, me prefTed Uniformity with great Violence, and found Bifhops enough, Parker, Aylmer, Whitgift, and others, to juftify and promote her Meafures ; who either enter'd their Sees with per- secuting Principles, or embraced them foon after their Entrance, as beft be- fitting the Ends of their Promotion. Silencings, Deprivations, Imprifonments, Gibbets, and Stakes, upon the Account of Religion, were fome of the pow- erful Reafonings of thofe Times. The Bifhops rioted in Power, and many of them abufed it to the mofl cruel Oppreflions. The Cries of innocent Prifo- ners, widowed Wives, and flarving Children, made no Impreflion on their Hearts. Piety and Learning with them were void of Merit. Refufal of 2 Sub- The Introduction, 79 Subfcriptions, and Non-Conformity were Crimes never to be forgiven. A particular Account of thefe Things may be feen in Mr. Neat's excellent Hi- ftory of the Puritans, who hath done Juftice to that Subject. I fhall only add That the Court of High-Commiffion eftablifhed in this Reign, by the Inftigation of Whitgift, Archbifhop of Canterbury, by which the Commiffi- oners were impowered to enquire into all Mifdemeanors, by all fuc'h Ways and Means as they could devife, and thought necefTary, to examine Perfons upon Oath, and to punifti thofe who refufed the Oath by Fine or Imprifon- ment, according to their Difcretion, was an high Stretch of the Prerogative, and had a very near Refemblance to the Courts of Inquifition, and the Cruel- ties that were practifed in it, and the exorbitant Fines that were levied by it in the two following Reigns, made it the univerfal Abhorrence of the Na- tion, fo that it was diffolved by Parliament, with a Claufe that no fuch Courc fhould be erected for the future. King James I. who was bred up in the Kirk of Scotland, which prof effed James I. the Faith and Difcipline of thofe called Puritans in England ; and though he bleffed God, For honouring him to be King over fuch a Kirk, the fine ereji Kirk in the World, yet, upon his Accefllon to the Englijh Throne, foon fhewed his Averfion to the Constitution of that Kirk ; and to their Brethren, the Puritans in England. . Thefe were folicirous for a farther Reformation in the Church, which the Bifhops oppofed, inftilling this Maxim into the King, No Bijhop no wilfon. King \ which, as ftale and falfe a Maxim as it is, hath been lately trumpt up, and publickly recommended, in a Sermon on the 30th of January. In the Conference at Hampton Court his Majefty not only fided with the Bifhops, but affured the Puritan Minifters, who were fent for to it, that be had not called the Affembly together for any Innovations , for that he acknowledged the Government Ec~ cleftajlical, as it then was, to have been approved by God himfelf \ giving them to underftand, that if they did not conform, he would either hurry them out of the King- HeyhVt dom, or clfe do worfe. And thefe Reafonings of the King's were fo ftrong, that L i/* "/ Whitgift, Archbifhop of Canterbury, wiih an impious and fordid Flattery faid, Laud ' He was verily perfuaded that the King Jpoke by the Spirit of God. 'Twas no \von- p * * ' der that the Bifhops, thus fupported by an infpired King, mould get an eafy Victory over the Puritans, which poffibly they would not have done, had his Majefty been abfent, and the Aids of his Infpiration withdrawn, fince the Archbifhop did not pretend that himfelf or his Brethren had any fhareof it. But having thus gotten the Victory, they ftrove by many Methods of Vio^ lence to maintain it ; and ufed fuch Severities towards the Non-Conformifts, that they were forced to feek Refuge in foreign Countries. The Truth is, this Conference at Hampton Court was never intended to fatisfy the Puritans, but as a Blind to introduce Epifcopacy into Scotland, and to fubvert the Conflitu- tion and Eftablifhment of that Church. His Majefty, in one of his Speeches to his Parliament, tells them, that be was never violent and unreafonable in his Profejjion of Religion. I believe all Man- kind will now acquit him of any violent and unreafonable Attachment to the Proteftant Religion and Liberties. He added in the fame Speech, it may be queftion- 8o The I NT RODUCTION. queftioned, whether by Infpiration of the Spirit, / acknowledge the Roman Church to be our Mother Church, although defiled with fome Infirmities and Corrup- tions. And he did behave as a very dutiful Son of that Mother Church, by the many Favours he fhewed to the Papifts during his Reign, by his Procla- mations for Uniformity in Religion, and encouraging and fupporting his Bi- fhops in their Perfections ofi'uch as differ'd from, or could not fubmit to them. Bancroft, promoted to the Archbifhoprick of Canterbury, was, as the Wilfon. Hiftorian calls him, A fiurdy Piece, a cruel and inflexible Perfecutor, treating Life cf the Nor. -Conform ills with the greateft Rigor and Severity ; and who, as Hey- Laud, /ifj tells us, was refolved to break them, if they would not bow. He put the p ' 5S ' Canons and Conftitutions agreed on A . C. 1603. furioufly into Execution, and fuch as -ftood out againil them, he either deprived or filenced. And \Villbn. indeed, as the aforementioned Author fays, Who could jl and againfl a Man of fuch a Spirit, armed with Authority, having the Law on his Side, and the King to his Friend. During his being Archbifhop he deprived, filenced, fufpended, and admoniflied, above three Hundred Minifters. The Violences he and his Brethren ufed in the High-Commiflion Courts, render'd it a publick Grievance. Wilfon. Ever) Man muft conform to the Epifcopal Way, and quit his Hold in Opinion or Safe- ty. That Court was the Touchflone, to try whether Men were Metal for their Stamp ; and if they were not /oft enough to take fuch Impreffwns as were put upon them, they were made malleable there, or elfe they could notpafs current. This was the beginning of that Mijchief, which when it came to a full Ripenefs, made fuch a bloody Tinclure in both Kingdoms, as never will be got out of the Bifhop* s Lawn Sleeves. But no- thing difpleafed the fober Part of the Nation more, than the Publication of the Book of Sports, which the Bifliops procured from the King, and which came out with a Command, enjoining all Minifters to read it to their Parifhioners, and to approve of it ; and thole who did not, were brought into the High- Commiffion, imprifoned, and fufpended ; this Book being only a Trap to catch fome confeientious Men, that they could not otherwife, with all their Wiifon. Cunning, enfnare. Thefe, and fuch like Machinations of the Bifhops, fays my Author, to maintain their temporal Greatnefs, Eafc, and Plenty, made the Stones in the Walls of their Palaces, and the Beam in the Timber afterwards cry out, moulder away, and come to nothing ; and caufed their Light to go out Ojfenfive to the Nojlrils of the Rubbijh of the People. Indeed many of the King's Bifhops, fuch as Bancroft, Neal, and Laud, who was a reputed Papift in Oxford, and a Man of a dangerous, turbulent Spirit, were fit for any Work ; and as they don't appear to have had any Principles of real Piety themfelves, they were the fitteft Tools that could be made ufe of to perfecute thofe who had. Neal, when he was Bifhop of Litchfield and Coventry, profecuted one Edward Wight- man, for broaching erroneous Doctrine, and having canonically condemned him, got the King's Warrant for his Execution, and he was accordingly burnt in Litchfield. One Legat alfo, was profecuted and condemned for Herefy, by King Bifhop of London, and expired in the Flames of Smithfield. He denied the Divinity of our Saviour, according to the Athanafian Mode of explaining it 3 but, as Fuller tells us, he was excellently fkilled in Scripture, and his 2 Con- The Introduction. %i Converfation verv unblameable. But as thefe Sacrifices were unacceptable to the People, the King preferred, that Hereticks hereafter, though condemn'd, fhou-'M filently. and privately wafte themfelves away in Prifon, rather ihan to amufeo'.bers with the Solemn ty of a publick Execution. In the Reign of the Royal Martyr, the Church was in the Height of he- Charles L ■Glory and Power ; though fuch is the Fate of all human Things, that fhe foon ficken'd, linguifhed, and died, haul carried all before him, and ruled the Church with a Rod cf Iron *, and though he feems to have had too much Pride to fubmit to the Pope of Rome, he acted the Part of a Pope himfelf, al- lowing himfeif, as Heytin tells us, to be addreffed under the Titles ofHolinefs, ?nd mojl holy Father. The Things he feemed principally to have had at Hear:, were the introducing an arbitrary Government into the State, the Sup- prelTion and Extirpation of Nonconformity, and bringing the Church of Eng- land, in Rites and Ceremonies, to as near a Refemblance as poflibly he could, to the Church of Rem;. This appears, by his protecting Montague, Manwa- ring and Sibtbdrp, who had infamoufly preach'd up the King's abfoiute Power, and making the two former Bifhops of the Church ; by his perfecuting the Puri- tan Minifters in the Star- Chamber and High Com mi (Hon Court, who, as Heylin tells us, Laud ufed to fay, were as bad as the Papifts, imprifoning and fining, and forcing many others to take Sanctuary in New England ; by his put- ting down and filencing all Lecturers throughout the feveral Diocefes of the Kingdom, by his fufpending and ejecting fuch as refufed to read the Book of Sports, by his forcing the French and Dutch Churches to a Conformity with the Rites and Ceremonies of the Church of England, by his obliging the Scots to receive Epifcopacy, a L'turgy and Canons, by his forming new Articles and ecclefiaftical Conftitutions for the Englijh Clergy, and enjoining them a ftrict Oath for the preventing of all Innovations ; by the many Popifh Super- ftitions he introduced into the publick Worfhip, fuch as Altars, Tapers, Candles, Candleflicks, Copes, Hoods, Images, Pictures, Cringes, Bows, Confecrations, and the like, and by the Lenity that was fhewn throughout the whole of his Administration to the Papifts themfelves, whilfl many worthy and learned Proteftant Gentlemen and Divines were treated with the -ut moil indignity and Barbarity •, ibme of them dying in Goal, and others be ng made to undergo the moft cruel bodily Punifliments, for daring to oppofe the arbi- trary and fuperftitious Proceedings of this furious and relentlefs Prelate. No Man of Companion can read his Treatment of Dr. Leigh ton without being fhocked and moved in the fame tender JVTanner as the Houfe of Commons were, who feveral Times interrupted, by their Tears, the reading of the Doctor's Petition •, which I mail here prefent my Reader with entire, and leave him to form what Character he pleafes of the Man, that could contrive and .carry on fuch a Scene of barbarous and execrable Cruelty. M 7s 8a The Introduction. ¥0 the Honourable and High Court of Parliament, "The bumble Petition oj Alexander Leighton, Pri finer in the Fleet -, Humbly Shevveth, TJOW your much and long diflreffed Petitioner, on the ijth cf February gone * ten tears, was apprehended in Black-Fryers, coming from the Sermon, by a high Ccmmijjion Warrant {to which no Subject's Bod) is liable) and thence, with a Multitude of Staves and Bills, was dragged along (and all the way reproached by the Name of fejuil and Traitor) till they brought him to London-houfe, where he was Pout up, and, by a jlrong Guard, kept {without Food) till feven of the Clock, till Dr. Laud, then Prelate of London, and Br. Corbet, then of Oxford, returned from Fulhaoi houfe, with a Troop attending. The Goaler of Newgate was fent for, who came with Irons, and with a Jlrong Power of Halberts and Staves ', they- carried your Petitioner through a blind hollow Way, without Pretence or Examina- tion, and opening up a Gate into the Street {which fome fay, had not been opened fince Queen Mary'j Days) they thruft him into a loath fome and ruinous Dog-hole, full of Rats and Mice, which had no Light but a little Grate ; and the Roof being unco- vered, the Snow and Rain beat in upon him, having no Beding, nor Place to make a Fire, but the Ruins cf an old pnoaky Chimney ; where he had neither Meat nor Drink, from the Tuelday at Night, till the Thurfday at Noon. In this woful Place,: and doleful Plight, they kept him clofe, with two Doors font upon him, for the Spacs of fifteen Weeks, fuffering none to come at him, till at length, bk Wife was only ad' mittcd. The fourth Day after his Comn.itment, the liigjk Commiffon Pu<\ \ vits came {under the Conduit of 'the Sheriffs of 'London) to yc-ur Petitioner's Hcufe, a !y Mul- titude with them ; giving out, thai they came to fear ch for fefuvs Bpoki\ There ihofe violent Fellows of Prey laid violent Hands upon your Petitioner's ili,u : -effd Wife, ■.ch barbarous Inhumanity as he is n foamed to e$p*ef? ; and; fa. rflei every Soul in the Houfe, holding a bent Pijol to a Child's Breajl of five Tears old, threat ning to- kill him, if he would not tell where the Books zuere ; through which, the Child wai fo affrighted that he never cajl it. They br:>ke open Preffes, Chefs, Boxes, the Boards of the Houfe, and every Thing they found i.i :hc Way, though they were willing to open all. They, and fome of the Sheriffs Men, f polled, robbed, and carried away all the Booh and M.viufcripts they found, with Hon/hold Stuff, ycur Petitioner's Ap- parel, Arms, and other Things ; fo that they left nothing thai liked them ; mt-ujiih- flanding, your Petitioner's Wife told the Sheriffs, they migbl come to reckon for it r They carried alfo a great Number of divers of your Petifoner's Books, and other Things, from one Mr. Archer'j Houfe, as he will tejlify. Further, ycur Petitioner being denied the Copy cf his Commitment, by the Goaler of Newgate, his Wife, with fome Friends, repaired to the Sheriff, offering him bail, according to the Statute in that behalf-, which being fhew'd by an Attorney at Law, the Sheriff replied, That he wifhed the Laws of the Land and Privileges of the Subject, had never been named in the Parliament, &c. Tour Petitioner (having thus fuffered in Body, Liberty, Family > y 2 EJtatty The Introduction. g> . and Houfe) at the End of fifteen Weeks was ferved with a Sulpana, on In- iby Sir Robert Heath, then bis Majefty*s Attorney- Gene- ral •, wbofe Deal •jour Prifoner was fuU of 'Cruelty and Deceit. In the mean "Time it did more than ", to four Pbyficians > that Poifon had been given him in Newgate •, for his Hair and Skin came off in a Sicknefs (deadly to the Eye) in the Height whereof, as he did lie, cenfure was paft againft him in the Star Chamber, without ~.::>-ing {which bad not been beard of) notwitojlandi.igof a Certificate from four Pbyficians, and Affidavit made by an Attorney, of the Defperatenefs cf the Dif- . But nothing would ferve Dr. Laud, but the higheft Cenfure that ever was pal in that Court, to be put upon him ; and fo it was to be infilled with Knife, /7>v, and Whip, at and upon the Pillory, with ten tboufand Pounds Fine ; which Lords conceived fhould never be infflitJed, only it was impofed (as on a dying Man) to terrify others. But the fdid DoSor and his Combinants, caufed the (aid Cenfure to be executed the 26th Day of November following [with a Wituefs) for the Hang-man was armed with Strong-drink all the Night befi^e, in Priibn, and, j tbrtatning JVords, to do it cruelly. Tour Petitioner's Hands be:- ; a Stake (befides ad other Torments) he received tl ; Stripes with a trible Cord ; after which, he food a! mo ft two Hours on the Pillory, in cold Froft and Snow, and fuffered the reft ; as cutting eff the Ear, firing the Face, and flitting of the Nofe \ fo that he was made a Theatre of M'fery to Men and Angels : And being fo broken with his Sufferings that he was not able to go, toe Warden of toe Fleet would not /uffer him to be carried in a Coach ; but he was forced to go by Water \ to the further Endan- gering of bis Life ; returning to the Goal after much harfh and cruel Ufage, for the Space of eight Tears, paying more for a Chamber then the Worth of it (having not a hit of Bread, nor drop of Water allowed.) The Clerk, cf the Fleet, to top up your Petitioner's Sufferings, jent for him to his Office, and without Warrant, or Caufe given by your Petitioner, fet eight ftrong Men-fellows upon him, who tore his Cothes, bruifed his Body, fo that he was never well, and carried him by Head and Heels, to .: loathfome and common Goal, where, befides the Filtbinefs of the Place and Vilenefs of the Company, divers Contrivances were laid for taking awa\ the Life of your Petitioner, as fa all manifeftly appear, if your Honours will be pleaf'ed to receive and perufe a Schedal of that Subjee?. m the Caufe of all this harfh, cruel, and continued ill Ufage, unpar ailed yet in any one fine e Britain was ble/fed with Cbrifi was nothing but a Book - Jen by your Petitioner, called Pious Plea againft the Prelacy ; and that, by the Call of divers and many good Chriftians in the Parliament Time, after di- vers Refufals given by your Petitioner, who would not publijh it being done, till it had the View and Approbation of the beft in the City, Country, and Univerfih, and fame of the Pmkatoeht it felf : In Witnefs whereof he had about 500 Hands ; for revealing of who fe Namei be wets promifed more Favours by Sir Robert Heath then h: will f peak of : But denying to turn Accujer of his Brethren be was tbre ' a Storm, which he felt to the full; wherein {through God's Mercy) he d \ though but lived, chufing rather to lay his Neck to the Toke for others, then to rdeafe bimfelfby others Sufferings. ra 1 Fur- The Introduction, Further, the Petitioner was robbed of divers Goods, by one Lightbonr, Graves, and others, Officers and Servants of the Fleet, amounting towards the Value of thirty Pounds, for which Lightborn offered Compofition (by a fecond Hand) upon the hearing of the approach of Parliament ; but your Petitioner (notwithflanding his Neceffity) refufed to hearken to any fitch illegal and dangerous way. To innumerate the reft of your Petitioner's heavy Preffures, would take up a Volume, with which he will not burden your Honours, till further Opportunity. And therefore, he hutnbly and heartily intreateth, that you would be gracioufly fleafed to take this his Petition into your ferious Thoughts, and to command Delive- rance, that he may plead his own Caufe, or rather ChrijVs and the States. As alfo to afford fuch Cofi and Damages as he has fuffer'd in Body, EJlate, and Family, having been Prifoner (and that, many Times') in the mofl nafty Prifons, eleven Tears, not fuffered to breath in the open Air : To which, give him leave to add his great Suffer- ings in all thofe Particulars, fomefixteen Fears ago,forpublifhing a Book, called, The Looking-glafs of H ly War. Further, as the Caufe is ChrifPs and the States, fo your Petitioner conceiveth (un- der Corretlion) that the Subjecl of the Book will be the prime and main Matter of your Agitation, to whoje Wifdom he hopelh the Bookfhal! ap prove it felf. Alfo your Petitioner's wearing Age, going now in jeventy two Tears, together with the Sicknejfes and Weaknefs of his long difireffid Wife, require a fpeedy Deliverance. Laflly, the Sons of Death, the Jefuits, and J efuiled, have fo long infulted in their own licentious Liberty, and over the Miferies of sour Servant and others ; who, for- hearing more Motives, craves Pardon for his Prolixity, being necefjilated thereto from the Depth and Length of his Miferies. In all which he ceafeth not to pray, &c. and, Kiffeth your Hands. Prov. xxiv. ii. Wilt thou not deliver them that are drawn unto Death, and thofe that are ready io be flain ? The/e and the like Violences of L^/Jand his Creatures drew down the jure Vengeance of the Parliament on his Head, and :nvoIved the Church of England it felt in his Ruin. Bifhops and Common Prayer were now no m-re. The Church was formed after a qu.te different Model ; and the Prefbyterian Difcipline re- ceived and eftablifhed ; both the Lords and Commons taking the folemn League and Covet, ant, which was intended for the utter aboiifhing prelatical Gov. rnrnent. The Writers of the Church Party think this afi everlafting Brand of Infamy upon the Prefbyterians. But how doth this throw greater Infamy upon t! n, than the oubverfion of Prefbytery m Scotland, and the impofing Canon? and Common Prayer on that Nation, doth on Laud and his Creatures r If the Al- teration of the eftabl.fh id Iveiigion, in any Nation, be a Crime, in it felt ' 13 fo in every Nation •, and 1 doubt not but the Scotch W efb) tenons think that that Arc'-'uifhop, and the prelatical Party, acted as jnjullly, illegally, and tyran- nically, in introducing the Englifh Form of Church Government and W . into Scotland, contrary to their former Se:tlement, and tiie Inclination of al- moft the whole Nation, as the High-Church Party can do with refpect to the Prefby- J be Introduction. g - frefbyterians, for altering the Form of the Eftablifhment in England: And, indeed, the fame Arguments that will vindicate the Alterations made in Scot- land by the King and the Bifhops, will vindicate thofe made in England by the Parliament and the Prefbyterians. It would have been highly honourable to the Prefbyterian Party, had they Pmlyterfr ufed their Power, when in FoffefTion of it, with Moderation, and avoided all*»*- thofe Methods of Perfections and Sufpenfions they had themfelves felt the Effects of in former Times. But to do them Juftice, they had no great Incli- nation for moderate Meafures. As foon as they cams into the Church, all others mult out who would not comply, and fubmic to Sequestrations and Im- prisonments. The folemn League and Covenant was impofed and rigoroufly exacted of all People, as they would efcape the Brand and Penalty of Malig- nants. Many of the Epilcopal Clergy, both in the City and Country, were expelled their Livings, though by a GeneroG-ty, not afterwards imitated by them, Provifion was made for the Support of their Wives and Children, The Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common-Council -Men of London, prefented a Remonftrance to the Parliament, defiring a ftrict Courfe for fupprefiino- all private and feparate Congregations; that all Anabapcifts, Heretricks, &*. as not conformed to the pubiick Difcipline, may be declared and proceeded againft ; that all be requ red to obey the Government fettled, or to be fettled*, and that none difafFected to the Presbyterian Government, be employ'd in any Place of pubiick Truft. An Ordinance of Parliament was made, by which every Minifter that fhould ufe the Common-Prayer in Church or Family, was to forfeit five Pounds for the firft Time, ten Pounds for the fecond, and te furier a Years Imprifonment for the third. Alfo every Minifter, for every Neglect of the Directory, was to pay forty Shillings ; and for every Contempt of it, by writing or preaching, to forfeit, at the Difcretion of thofe before whom he was convicted, any Sum not under five Pounds, nor above fifty Pounds. The Parliament alio appointed Elderfhips to fufpend, at their Dif- cretion, fuch whom they fhould judge to be fcandalous, from the Sacrament, with a Liberty of Appeal to the claffical Elderfhip, &c. They let up alfo ar- bitrary Rules about the Examination and Ordination of Miniiters by Triers, who were to be found in Faith, and fuch as ufually received the Sacrament, And in thefe Things they were quicken'd by the Scots, who complained that Reformation moved fo flowly, and that Sects and Errors encreafed, and En- deavours were ufed for their Toleration. Great Reftraints alfo were put up- on the Liberty of the Prefs, by feveral Ordinances made, for that Purpofe. And to fay the truth, when they once got Prefbytery eftabliftied, they vkd the fame Methods of Sufpenfions, Sequestrations and Fines that the prelatical Party had done before, though not with equal Severity ; and were as zealous for Uniformity in their own Covenant and Difcipline, as the Bifhops were for Hierarchy, Liturgy, and Ceremonies. But the Triumphs of the Prefbytery and Covenant, were but fhort. Up- Charles H. on the Reiteration of the Royal Wanderer, Charles II. Prelacy immediately revived, and exerted it kU in its primitive Vigour and Severity, In his Ma- 2 jetty's 86 The Introduction. jetty's fir ft Declaration to his loving Subjects, he was pleafed to promifc'tf Li- berty to tender Conferences, and that no Man foould be difqideted or called in Queflion for Differences of Opinion in Matters of Religion ; and that he would confent to an Aft of Parliament for the full granting that Indulgence. But other Meafures foon prevailed. In the fecond Year after his Rtftoration, the Act of Uniformity was palled, by which all Minifters were to read, and publickly declare unfeigned AjTent and Confent to all and every Thing contained in, and preferibed by the Book of Common Prayer, before the Feaft of St. Bartholomew, then enfuing, under the Penalty of immediate and abfolute Deprivation. The Confeqiunce of this Ad' was, that between two and three thoufand excellent Divines were turned put of their Churches •, many of them, to fay the lead, as eminent for Learn- ing and Piety as the Bfiiops, who were the great Promoters of this barbarous Act •, and themfelves and Families, many of them, expofed to the greateft Diftrels and Poverty. This cruel Injuftice obliged the ejected Minifters, ar:d their Friends, to fet up fepaiate Congregations, and occafioned fuch a Divifion from the eilablifhed Church, as will, 1 hope, ever remain, to witnefs againft the Tyranny of rhofe Times, and the reverend Authors and Promoters of that Act, to maintain the Spirit and Practice of ferious Religion, and as a publick Proteftation for the civil and religious Liberties of Mankind, till Time fharl be no more, or till the Church mall do her felf the Juftice and Honour to open wide her Gates, for the Reception of all into her Communion and Miniftry, who are not rendered incapable of either by Jefus Chriit, the great Shepherd and Bfli op of Souls. But however, Meafures were then foon taken to diiturb their Meeting. In 1664. the Bill againft frequenting Conventicles paffed ; the jfirft Offence made punifhable with five Pounds, or three Months Impri- fonment •, the fecond Offence with ten Pounds, or fix Months Imprifonment ; and the third with Banifnment to fome of the foreign Plantations •, fham Plots, being father'd on the Difienters, to prepare the Way for thefe Severities. But fome of the Bifhops, fuch as Sheldon, Ward, Wrenn, &c. did not think thefe-Hard- ihips enough, and therefore, notwithftanding the Devaluations of the Plague, and tho' feveral of the ejected Minifters fhewed their Piety and Courage, in flaying and preaching in the City during the Fury of it, the five Mile Act was paffed a- gainft them the next Year, ztOxford •, by which, all the filenced Minifters were obliged to take an Oath, that it was not lawful, on any Pretence whatfoever, to take Arms againft the King, or any commiffion'd by him •, and that they would not, at any time, endeavour an Alteration in the Government of Church and State. Such who fcrupled the Oath, were forbid to come within five Miles of any City cr Parliament Burrough, or of the Church where they had been Minifters, under Penalty of forty Pounds, or fix Months Imprifonment, for every Offence. After thefe things, feveral Attempts were fee on Foot for a Comprehenfion, but rendered ineffectual by the Practices of the Bifhops, and particularly by Ward, Bifliop of Salisbury, who had himfelf taken the folemn League and Covenant : But having forfaken his firft Principles, 'tis no Wonde: he became a bitter Perfecutor. In the Year 1670. another fe- vere Act was paffed againft them, by which ic was provided, that if any Per- The Introduction. 87 perfcn, upwards of fixteen, fhould be prefent at any Conventicle, under Cofout of exercifing Religion, in any other Manner than according co the Practice of the Church of England, where there were five Perfons or more, befides tho: : j of the faid Houfhold, the Offenders were to pay five Shillings for the nrft Offence, and ten Shillings for the fecond, and the Preacher to forfeit twenty Pounds for the firft, and forty Pounds for the fecond Offence. And thofe who knowingly fuffered any fuch Conventicles in their Houfes, Barns, Yards, £f.\ were to forfeit twenty Pounds. The Effect of thefe Acts was, that great Num- bers of Minitfers and their People, were laid in Goals amongft Thieves and common Malefactors, where they fuffered the greateft Hardships and Indigni- ties •, their Effects were feized on, and themfelves and Families reduced toal- mofl Beggary and Famine. But at length, this very Parliament which had paffed thefe fevere Bills againft Proteftant Diffenters, began themfelves to be awakened, and juftly grew jealous of their Religion and Liberties, from the Encreafe of Popery : And therefore, to prevent all Dangers which might hap- pen from Popifh Recufants, they paffed, in 1673. iheTeftAct; which hath fince been, contrary to the original Defign of the Law, turned againft the Proteftant Diffenters, and made ufe of to exclude them from the Enjoyment: of thofe Rights and Privileges which they have a natural Claim :o. In the Year 1680. a Bill paffed both Houfes of Parliament, for exempting his Ma- jefty's Proteftant differing Subjects .rom certain Penalties •, but when the King came to the Houfe, to pals the Bills, this Bill was taken from the Table, and never heard of more : And though this Parliament voed, that the Prolecntion of Proteftant Diffenters, upon the penal Laws, was grievous to the Subject, a weakening the Proteftant Intereft, an Encouragement to Popery, and dange- rous to the Peace of the Kingdom -, yet they underwent a frefh Profecucion, their Meetings were broken up, many Minifters imprifoned, and molt exorbi- tant Fines levied on theft; and their Hearers. In the Beginning of King yamefs Reign thefe rigorous Proceedings werej«rn:r. i continued ; 'rut as the DeHgn of that unhappy biggocted Pr nee was to fab- vert the Religion and Law> of thefe Kingdoms, he publifheo*, in the Year 16S7. a Declaration for a general Liberty of Confcience to ail Perfons, ofwhatPer- fuafion foever *, not out of any Regard or Affection to the Proteftant D fifen- ters, but for the promoting the Popifh Religion an I ft. Healfo cauftd an Order of Council to be paffed, that his Declaration of Indulgence mould be read in all Churches and Chapels, in the Time of Divine Service, all over En land and Wales. But though the Diffenters ufed the Libei h was thus granted them, and had feveral Opportunities to have been revenged en their former I\rfecu:ors •, yet they had too much Honour ar d to the Pro- teftant Religion and Liberties, ever to fall in with the R Court, or lend their Affiftance to introduce arbitrary Power and Popery. And as the Divines of the Church of England, when they faw King Jam& r s furious Mea- fures to fubvert the whole Ccnftitution, threw off their ftiff ighty Car- riage towards the Diffenters, owned them for Brethren, put on the Appearance of the Spirit of Peace and Charity, and affured them, that no fuch rigorous .Lhods The Introduction. Methods fkould be ufed cowards them for the future, Things that never en- ured into their Hearts whilft they were triumphant in Power, and which no- thing but a fenfe of their own extreme Danger feems then to have extorted from" them : The Dilfe-iiters, far from following their Refentments, readily entered into all Meafures with them for the common Safety, and were amongil the fir it and heartieft Friends of the Revolution, under King William III. of glorious and immortal Memory. III. Soon after the Settlement of this Prince upon the Throne, an Act was palled for exempting their Majelties Proteitant Subjects, d {Tenting from the Church of England, from the penal Laws •, and though the King, in a Speech to the two Hpufes of Parliament, told them, That he hoped they would leave 1 oom for the Admiffion of all Protectants, that were willing and able to feive him ; agreeable to which, a Claufe was ordered to be brought into the Houfe Qf Lords, to take away theneceffity ol receiving the Sacrament to make Per- i'ons capable of Offices ; yet his Majefty's gracious Intentions were frustrated, and the Claufe rejected, by a great Majority. Another Claufe alfo that was afterwards added, That the receiving the Sacrament in theChurch of England, or in any other Proteitant Congregation, fhould be a fufficient Qualification, net with the lame Fate as the former: So that though the Dilienters were freed from the penal Laws, they were left under a Brand of Infamy, and ren- der'd incapable of fervmg their King and Country, and the Lord's Supper laid open to be prolti:uted by Law, to the molt abandon'd and profligate Sinners ; and an Inftitution defigned tor the Union of all Chrittians, made the Telt of a •Party, and the Means of their Separation from each oiher *, a Scandal that re- mains upon the Church of England to this Day. It is indeed but too plain, that when the eftablifhed Church law it felf out of Danger, fhe forgot the Promifes of Moderation and Condefcention toward.-) the Diffenters, who readily and openly declared their Willingnefs to yield to a Coalition. But as the Clergy liad formed a Resolution of confenting to no Alterations in order to fuch an Union ; all the Attempts made to this Purpofe became wholly ineffectual. Indeed, their very Exemption from the penal Laws was envied them by many, and feveral Attempts were made to difturb and profecute them in this Reign, but were prevented from takirg Effect by royal Injunctions. inn. on the Death of King William, and the SuccelTion of Queen Ann, the Ha- tred of the Ciergy towards the Dilienters, that had lurked in their Breafts, du- ring t'ne loimer Reign, immediately broke out. Several Sermons were preach- ed to render them odious, and expofe them to the Fury of the Mob. A Bill was brought in and palled by the Houfe of Commons, for preventing occafio- nal Conlornvity, impofing an hundred Pounds Penalty upon every Perfon re- porting to a Conven icle or Meeting, after his Admiffion into Offices, and five Pounds for every Days Continuance in fuch Offices, after having been prefent at fuch Conventicle. But upon fome Difagreement between the Lords and Commons, the Bill dropped for that Time. The fame Bill, with fome few Alterations, palled the Houfe of Commons the two next Seffions, but was re- jected by the Lords. During this Reign feveral Pamphlets were publmYd, con- The Introduction. fa containing bitter Inve&ives againft the Diflenters, and exciting the Govern- ment to extirpate and deftroy them. Several Profecutions were alfo carried on againft them for teaching Schools, &c. with great Eagernefs and Malice. In ijop. an open Rebellion broke out, when the Mob pulled down the Meeting-Houfes, and publickly burnt the Pews and Pulpits. Sacheverell was Trumpet to the Rebellion, by preaching Treafon and Perfecution, and the Parliament that cenfured him, was haftily diffolved. The Parliament that fuc- ceeded, 171 1. was of a true Tory Spirit and Completion, and in irs fecond Seffion, pafled the Bill againft occafional Conformity. The next Parliament, which met in 1714- was of the fame Difpofition, and pafled a Bill to pre- vent the Growth of Schifm, by which the Diflenters were reftrained from teaching Schools, or from being Tutors to inftiud Pupils in any Family, without the Licenfe of the Archbifhop, or Bifhop of the Diocefe where they refided ; and the Juftices of the Peace had Power given them finally to de- termine in all Cafes relating thereto. Another Bill was alfo intended to be brought in againft them, to incapacitate them for voting in Elections for Par- liament Men, or being chofen Members of Parliament themfelves. But before thefe unjuft Proceedings had their intended Effect, the Pro-George I, teftant Succeflion, in his late Majefty King George I. took Place ; Queen Ann dying on the flrft of Auguft, the very Day on which the Schifm Bill was to have commenced ; which, together with that to prevent occafional Con- formity, were both repealed by the firft Parliament called together by that excellent Prince. And I cannot help thinking that if the Church of England had then confented to have fet the Diflenters intirely free, by repeal- ing the Teft and Corporation Ads,- it would have been much to its own Honour and Reputation, as well as a great Strength and Security to the na- tional Intereft. But the Time was not then come. We ftill labour under the Oppreflion of thofe two Ads ; and notwithstanding our Zeal for his Ma- jefty's Perfon and Family, muft fit down as eafy as we can, with the In- clination to ferve him, whilft, by Law, we are denied the Opportunity and Power. The Sentiments of his late Majefty, of glorious Memory, with refpecl to Moderation, and the tolerating of Diflenters, were fo fully"underftood by the whole Nation, as kept the Clergy in tolerable good Order, and from breaking out into many Outrages againft them. But a Controverfy that be- gan amongft themfelves foon difcovered what Spirit many of them were of. The then Bifhop of Bangor, the now worthy and reverend Bifhop of Salisbury, happen'd, in a Sermon before his Majefty, to affert the fupreme Authority of Chrift as King in his own Kingdom ; and that he had not delegated his Power, like temporal Lawgivers, during their Abfence from their King- doms to any Perfons, as his Deputies and Vicegerents. Anno 1717. He alfo publifhed his Prefervative, in which he advanced fome Pofitions con- trary to temporal and fpiritual Tyranny, and in behalf of the civil and re- ligious Liberties of Mankind. The Goodnefs of his Lordfhip's Intentions to ferve the Family of his prefent Majefty, the Intereft of his Country, and n the yo The Introduction. the Honour of the Church of God, might, methinks, have fcreen'd him from all fcurrilous Abufes. But how numerous were his Adverfaries, and how hard the Weapons with which they attacked him ! Not only the Dregs of the People and Clergy opened againft him, but mighty Men, and Men of great Renown, from whom better Things might have been expected, enter'd the Lifts with him ; and becaufe the avowed Champions for fpiritual Power, and the Divifion of the Kingdom between Chrift Jefus and themfelves. His Lorfhip of Bangor had this manifeft Advantage upon the Face of the Argu- ment. He pleaded for Chrift 's being King in his own Kingdom. His Ad- verfaries pleaded for the Tranilation of his Kingdom to certain fpiritual Viceroys- He for Liberty of private Judgment in Matters of Religion and Conference. They for Dominion over the Faith and Confciences of others. He againft all the Methods of Perfecution. They for penal Laws, for Corporation and Teft A£is, and the powerful Motives of pofitive and negative Discouragements. He, with the Spirit of Meeknefs, and of a Friend to Truth. They with Bitternefs and Rancour, and an evident Regard to Intereft and Party. However, the lower Houfe of Convocation accufed and profecuted him for attempting the Subverfion of all Government and Difci- pline in the Church of Chrift, with a View, undoubtedly, of bringing him under a fpiritual Cenfure, and with impeaching the regal Supremacy in. Caufes Ecclefiaftical, to fubject him to the Weight of a Civil one. Of the Bifhop it muft be faid, to his everlafting Honour, that the Temper he dis- covered, under the Opposition he met with, and the Slanders that were thrown on him, was as much more amiable than that of his Adverfaries ; as his Caufe was better, his Writings and Principles more confident, and his Arguments more conclufive and convincing. But notwithstanding thefe Ad- vantages, his Lordfhip had great Reafon to be thankful to God that the Civil Power fupported and protected him, otherwife his Enemies would not, in all Probability, have been content with throwing Scandal upon his Cha- racter, but forced him to have parted with SOMETHING, and then delivered him unto Satan for the Punifhment of his Flefh, and made him have felt the Weight of that Authority, which God made him the happy and honourable Inftrument of opposing; efpecially if they were all of them of a certain good Archdeacon's Mind, who thought he deferved to have his Tongue cut out. The DisTenters aifo have had their Quarrels and Controverfies amongft: themfelves, and managed them with great Warmth and Eagernefs of Tem- per. During their Perfecution under King Charles II. and the common Danger of the Nation under his Brother James, they kept tolerably quiet; the Defigns of the common Enemy to ruin them all, uniting them the more firmly amongft themfelves. But after the Revolution, when they were fe- cure from Oppression by the civil Power, they foon fell into eager Difputes about Juftification and other Points of like Nature. The high flown ortho- dox Party would fcarce own for their Brethren, thofe who were for Modera- tion in thefe Principles, or who differed in the leaft from their Doctrine con- cerning The Introduction, 91 cerning them. And when they could no longer produce Reafon and Scri&-NelibnV ture in their Defence, they, fome of them, made ufe of infamous Methods Li f ee fB} of Scandal, and endeavoured to blaft the Character of a reverend and wor* '. thy Divine Dr. Williams, in the mod defperate Manner ,• becaufe they could V76.' " no otherwife anfwer and refute his Arguments. But his Virtue flood the Shock of all their Attempts to defame it ; for after, about eight Weeks fpent in an Enquiry into his Life, by a Committee of the united Minifters, which received all Manner of Complaints and Accufations againft him ; it was decla- red at a general Meeting, as their unanimous Opinion, and repeated and a- greed to in three feveral Meetings fucceffively, that he wasintirely clear and innocent of all that was laid to his Charge. Thus was he vindicated in the ampleft Form, after the ftricteft Examination that could be made, and his Adverfaries, who dealt in Defamation and Scandal, if not brought to Re- pentance, were yet put to Silence. It was almoft incredible how much he was a Sufferer for his Oppofition to Antinomianifm, by a ftrong Party, who left no- thing unattempted to crufh him, if it had been poffible. But as his Inno- cence appeared the brighter, after his Character had been thoroughly fifted, he was, under God, greatly inftrumental in putting a Stop to thole pernici- ous Opinions which his Oppofers propagated ; which ftruck at the very Ef- fentials of all natural and revealed Religion. His Go/pel Truth remains a Monument of his Honour, a Monument his Enemies were never able to deftroy. However, nothing would ferve but his Exclufion from the Mer- chant's Le&ure at Pinners- Hall. Three other worthy Divines, who had been his Partners in that Service, bore him Company, and their Places were fup- plied with four others, of unqueftionable Rigidnefs and Sterling Ortho- doxy. Many Papers were drawn up on each Side, in order to an Accommo- dation j fo that it looked, as Dr. Calamy tells us, as if the Creed making Age was again revived. It was infifted, that Arminianifm fhould be renounced on one Side, and Antinomianifm on the other. But all was in vain ; and the Papers that were drawn up to compofe Matters created new Heats, inftead of extinguishing the old ones. Thefe Contentions were kept up for feveral Years, till at laft, the Difputants grew weary, and the Controverfy thread- bare, when it dropped of it felf. The next Thing that divided them was the Trinitarian Controverfy, and the Affair of Subfcription to human Creeds and Articles of Faith, as a Teft of Orthodoxy. In the Year 1695. a great Conteft arofe about the Trinity, amongft the Divines of the Church of England, who charged each other with Trithe- ifm and Sabellianijm ; and according to the ecclefiaftical Manner of managing Difputes, beftowed Invectives and fcurrilous Language very plentifully, up- on each other. The Diffenters, in the Reign of his late Majefty, not only unfortunately fell into the fame Debate, but carried it on, fome of them at leaft, with equal want of Prudence and Temper. In the Weft of England, where the Fire firft broke out, Moderation, Chriftian Forbearance, and Charity, feemed to have been wholly extinguished. The Reverend and Learned Mr. James Peirce } Minifter in the City of Exeter, was difmiffed from n z his 9* The Introduction. his Congregation, upon a Charge of Herefy ; and treated, by his Oppofers^ with (hameful Rudenefs and Infolence. Other Congregations were alfo pracYifed with, to difcard their Paftors, upon the fame Sufpicion, who were accufed of impioufly denying the Lord that bought them, to render them odious to their Congregations, merely becaufe they could not come up to the unfcrip- tural Tefts of human Orthodoxy. And when feveral of the Minifters of London thought proper to interpofe, and try, if by Advices for Peace, they could not compofe the Differences of their Brethren in the Weft : This Chriftian Defign was as furioufly oppofed as if it had been a Combination to extirpate Chriftianity it felf ; and a Propofal made in the Room of ir, that the Article of the Church of England, and the Anfwer in the Aflem- bly's Catechifm, relating to the Trinity, fhould be fubfcribed by all the Minifters, as a Declaration of their Faith, and a Teft of their Orthodoxy. This Propofal was confidered by many of the Minifters, not only as a Thing unreafonable in it felf, thus to make Inquifition into the Faith of others, but highly inconfiftent with the Character of Proteftants, diflenting from the national Eftablifhment ; and diffenting from it for this Reafon amongft o- thers, becaufe the eftablifhed Church exprefly claims an Authority in Contro- verjies of Faith. And therefore, after the Affair had been debated for a con- fiderable while, the Queftion was folemnly put, and the Propofal reje&ed by a Majority of Voices. This the Zealots were highly difpleafed with, and accordingly publickly proclaimed their Refentments from the Pulpits. Fafts were appointed folemnly to deplore, confefs, and pray againft the abound- ing of Herefy ; and their Sermons directly levelled againft the two great Evils of 'the Church, Nonfubf cription and Arianifm. Through the Goodnefs of God they had no Power to proceed farther : And when praying and preaching, in this Manner, began to grow tedious, and were, by Experience, found to prove ineffectual, to put a Stop to the Progrefs of the Caufe of Liberty, their Zeal immediately abated, the Cry of Herefy was feldomer heard, and the Ala- rum of the Church's being endangered by pernicious Errors, gradually ceafed ; it being very obfervable, that though Herefy be ever, in its Na- ture, the fame'Thing, yet that the Cry againft it is either more or lefs, sccording as the political Managers of it can find more or fewer PaHions to work on, or a greater or lefler Intereft tofubferve by it. And thus have I brought the Hiftory of Perfecution down to our own Times. If Church Hiftory would have afforded me any Thing better, I afifure my Reader he fhould have had it told with Pleafure- The Story, as it is, I have told with Grief. But 'tis Time to difmifs him from fo un- grateful an Entertainment, and fee what ufeful Reflections we can make on the Whole, j XL \j j.. t Ihe Introduction-. 93 SECT. III. Remarks upon the History of Chriflian Perfecution. I. Tp IS a Truth too evident to be denied, That the Clergy in general, . 1 throughout almoft all the feveral Ages of the Chriftian Church, have been deep and warm in the Meafures of Perfecution ; as though it had been a Doctrine exprefly inculcated in the facred Writings, and recommended by the Practice of our Saviour and his Apoftles. Indeed, could fuch a Charge as this have been juftly fixed on the great Author of our Religion, or the MeiTengers he fent into the World to propagate it ', I think it would- have been fuch an Evidence of its having been dictated by weak, or wicked, or worldly minded Men, as nothing could polTibly have difproved. But that Chriftianity might be free from every Imputation of this kind, God was» pleafed to fend his Son into the World, without any of the Advantages of worldly Riches and Grandeur, and ablbkuely todifclaim all the Prerogatives of an earthly Kingdom. His diftinguifhing Character was that of meek and lowly ; and the Methods by which he conquered and triumphed over his Ene- mies, and drew all Men to him, was Patience and Conflancy, even to the Death,. And when he fent out his own Apoftles, he fent them out but poorly fnrni fil- ed, to all human Appearance, for their Journey ; without Staves, or Scrip, or Luke ix. 5. Bread, or Money, to let them know that he had but little of this World to give them ; and that their whole Dependance was on Providence. One Thing however he atTured them of, that they fhould be delivered up to the Matt, x, Councils, and fcoitrged in the Synagogues, and be hated of all Men for his fake. So 17 * far was he from giving them a Power to perfecute, that he foretold them they muft fuffer Perfecution for his Name : This the Event abundantly ju- ftified. And how amiable was their Behaviour under it ? How greatly did they recommend the Religion they taught by the Methods they took to pro- pagate it ? 'The Arms of their Warfare were not carnal, but fpiritual. The Argu- ment they ufed to convince thofe they preached to, was the Demonjlration of the Spirit, and of Power. They approved tbemfelves as the Minifiers of God, by much Patience, by Afflifiions, Neceffities, Diflreffes, Stripes, lmprifonments, Tumults, Labours y Watchings, Fa/lings-, Purenefs, Knowledge, Long-fuffering, Kindnefs, by the Holy Ghofl, by Love unfeigned, by the IVord of Truth, by the Power of God, and by the Armour 0} Right eoufnefs on the right Hand and on the left. Oh how unlike were their SucceiTors to them in thefe Refpeds ! How different their Methods to convince Gainfayers ! Excommunications, Sufpenlions, Fine?. Banifhments, lmprifonments, Bonds, Scourges, Tortures and Death, were the powerful Arguments introduced into the Church, and recommended, pra&ifed and fanctified by many of the pretended Fathers of it. Even thofe whom Superftition hath dignified by the Name of Saints, Athanafius, Chnfoflom, Gregory^yril, and others, grew wanton with Power, cruelly oppreflcd thofe who differed 94 T/ta Introduction. differed from them, and ftained moft of them their Characters with the Guilt of Rapine and Murder. Their religious Quarrels were managed with fuch an unrelenting, furious Zeal, as difturbed the imperial Government, threw Kingdoms and Nations into Confufion, and turned the Church it felf into an Aceldama, or Field of Blood. Some few there have been who were of a different Spirit, who not only abftained from perfecuting Couni'els and Meafures themlelves, but with great Juftice and Freedom cenfured them in others. But as to your Saints and Fathers, your Patriarchs and Bifhops, your Councils and Synods, together with the Rabble of Monks, they were mcft of them the Advifers, Abetters and Practicers of Perfecution. They knew not how to brook Opposition to their own Opinions and Power, brand- ed all Doctrines different from their own, with the odious Name of Herefy, andufed all their Arts and Influence to opprefs and deftroy thole who pre- fumed to maintain them. And this they did with fuch Unanimity and Con- ftancy, through a long Succeflion of many Ages, as would tempt a (lander by to think, that a Bifhop or Clergyman, and a Perfecutor, were the fame Thing, or meant the felf fame individual Character and Office in the Chri- stian Church. I am far from writing thefe Things with any Defign to depreciate and blacken the epifcopal Order in general. 'T»s an Office of great Dignity and Ufe, according to the original Defign of its Inftitution. But when that Deficrn is forgotten, or wholly perverted > when, inftead of becoming Over" feen of the Flock of Chrift, the Bifhops tare and devour it, and proudly ufurp Do- minion over the Confciences of Chriftians, when they ought to be content with being Helpers of their Joy, I know no Reafon why the Name fhould be complimented, or the Character held facred, when 'tis abufed to Info- lence, Oppreflion and Tyranny ; or why the venerable Names of Fathers and Saints, fhould fcreen the Vices of the Bifhops of former Ages, who, not- withftanding their writing in behalf of Christianity and Orthodoxy, brought ibme of them the greateft Difgrace on the Chriftian Religion, by their wic- ked Practices, and expofed it to the fevereft Satyrs of its profeffed Enemies: And for the Truth of this, I appeal to the foregoing Hiftory. IfanyOb- fervations on their Conduct fhould affect the Temper and Principles of any now living, they themfelves only are anfwerable for it, and welcome to make what Ufe and Application of them they pleafe. Sure I am that the repre- fenting them in their true Light, reflects an Honour upon thofe reverend and worthy Prelates, who maintain that Moderation and Humility, which is effential to the true Dignity of the Epifcopal Character, and who ufe no other Methods of Conviction and Perfuafion, but thofe truly Apoftolical ones, of found Reafoning and exemplary Piety. May God grant a great Increafe, and a continual Succeflion of them in the Chriftian Church. II. But as the Truth of Hiftory is not to be concealed ,• and as it can do no Service to the Chriftian Caufe to palliate the Faults of any Set of Chri- ftians whatfoever ; efpecially when all Parties have been more or lefs in- volved in the fame Guilt ; I muft obferve farther, as an Aggravation of this The Introduction. this Guilt, that the Things for which Chriftians have perfecuted each other, have been generally Matters of no Importance in Religion, and oftentimes filch as have been directly contrary to the Nature of it. If my Reader would know upon what Accounts the Church hath been filled with Divifions and Schifms ; why Excommunications and Anathemas have been fo dread- fully toiled about ; what hath given Occafion to fuch a Multitude of Suf- penlions, Depofitions and Expulfions ; what hath excited the Clergy to fuch numberlefs Violences, Rapines, Cruelties and Murders, he will probably be furprized to be informed, that 'tis nothing of any Confequence or real Im- portance, nothing relating to the Subftance and Life of pure and unde- nted Religion ,• little befides hard Words, technical Terms, and inexplica- ble Phrafes, Points of mere Speculation, abftrufe Queftions, and metaphys- eal Notions i Rites and Ceremonies, Forms of human Invention, and cer- tain Inftitutions, that have had their Rife and Foundation only in Superfti- tion. Thefehave been the great Engines of Divifion; thefe the fad Occa- fions of Perfecution. Would it not excite fometimes Laughter, and fome- times Indignation, to read of a proud and imperious Prelate,excommunicating the whole Chriftian Church, and fending, by Wholefale, to the Devil, all who did not agree with him in the precife Day of obferving Rafter ? Efpeci- ally when there is fo far from being any Direction given by Chrift or his Apoftles about theDay; that there is not a fingle Word about the Fefti- val it felf. And is it not an amazing Inftance of Stupidity and Superftition, that fuch a paltry and whimfical Controverfy fhould actually engage, for ma- ny Years, the whole Chriftian World, and be debated with as much Warmth and Eagernefs, as if all the Interefts of the prefent and future State had been at Stake ; as if Chrift himfelf had been to be crucified afrefh, and his whole Gofpel to be fubverted and deftroy'd. The Avian Controverfy, that made fuch Havock in the Chriftian Church, was, if I may be allowed to fpeak it without Offence, in the Beginning only, about Words ; though probably, fome of Arius his Party went farther afterwards than Arius himfelf did at firft. Arias, as hath been (hewn, ex- prefly allowed the Son to be <&& xt ,vwv & •» vmmy before all Times and Ages y «srAHf «< 0«f, perfect God, a.va\\^o<;, unchangeable, and begotten after the moft perfect Likenefs of the unbegotten Father. This, to me, appears to bid very fair for Orthodoxy, and was, I think, enough to have reconciled the Bifhop and his Presoyter, if there had not been fome other Reafons of the Animofity between them. But when other Terms were invented, that were hard to be underftood, and difficult to be explained ; the original Controver- fy ceafed, and the D ; fpute then was about the Meaning of thofe Terms, and the Fitnefs of their Ufe in explaining the Divinity of the Son of God. Arius knew not how to reconcile the Bilhop's Words, Aety&nit, ever begotten; with the Aflertion, that the Son, iv o}i kx. nti that there was a Time when he was not ; it inferred his being a temporary and not an eternal Being ; though Arius exprefly de- nied both thefe Confequences. In {Viort, it was a Controverfy upon this me- Tiuid. taphyfical Queftion, Whether or no God could generate or produce a Being, in H H. 1. l.Stritlnefs of Speech, as eternal as himfelf ? or, Whether God's generating the Son doth not neceffarily imply the Pre-esijlence of the Father, either ztivoio., in Conception, or ajouco T/M, feme fmall imaginable Feint of Time, as Arius imagined, and the Bi- fnop denied. This was, in Fact, the State of this Controverfy. And did not the Emperor Conflantine give a juft Character of this Debate, when he declared the Occafion of the Difference to be very trifling ; and that their Quarrels arofe from an idle itch of Difputation, fince they did not contend about any eflential Doctrine of the Gofpel ? Could thefe hard Words and in- explicable Points juftify the Clergy in their intemperate Zeal; and in their treating each other with the Rancour and Bitternefs of the moll implacable Enemies? What hath the Doctrine of real Godlinefs, what hath the Church. of God to do with thefe Debates? Hath the Salvation of Mens Souls, and the Practice of Virtue any Dependance upon Mens receiving unfcriptural Words, in which they cannot believe, becaufe they cannot underftand them» and which, thofe who flrft introduced them were not able to explain? If I know my own Heart, I would be far from giving up any plain and important Doctrine of the Gofpel. But will any Man cooly and ibberly affirm, that nice and intricate Queftions, that depend upon metaphyfical Diitinctions, and run fo high as the moft minute fuppofeable Atome, or Point of Time, can be either plain or important Doctrines of the Gofpel ? Oh Jefus ! If thou be the Son of the everlafting God, the Brightnefs of thy Father's Glory, and the ex- frefs Image oj his Perfon ; if thou art the moft perfect Refemblance of his all perfect Goodnels, that kind Benefactor, that God-like Friend to the human Race, which the faithful Records of thy Life declare thee to be, How can I believe the eflential Doctrines of thy Gofpel to be thus wrapped up in Dark- nefs ; or, that the Salvation of that Church, which thou hajl purchased with thy Blood y depends on fuch myfterious and inexplicable Conditions ? If thy Gofpel reprefents thee right, furely thou nmft be better pleafed with the humble, peaceable Chriftian, who, when honeftly fearching into the Glories of thy Nature, and willing to give thee all the Adoration thy great Father hath or- 1 dered The Introduction. lered him to pay thee, falls into fame Errors, as the Confequence of human A'eaknefs; than with that imperious and tyrannical Diiciple, who divides W thy Members, tares the Bowels of thy Church, and fpreads Cdnfufion and Strife throughout thy Followers and Friends, even for the fake of Truths that lie remote from Mens Understanding, and in which thou haft not though: proper to make the full, the plain Decilion. If Truth is not to be given up for the fake of Peace, I am fure Peace is not to be facrificed for tiie fake of inch Truths ; and if the Gofpel is a Rule worthy our Regard, the Clergy of thofe Times can never be excufed for the Contentions they raifed, and the Miferiesthey occafior.ed in the Chriftian World, upon Account of them. The third and fourth General Councils feem to have met upon an Occa- fion of much the like Importance. The firft Council of Nice, determined the Son to be a diftinct Hypoftafis, or Perfon from, bu: of the fame Nature with the Father. The fecond at Conflantimpk, added the Holy Ghoft to the fame Subftance of the Father, and made the fame individual Nature to belong equally and wholly, to Father, Son, and Holy Ghoft ; thus making them three diftinct. Perions in one undivided ElTence. But as they determined the Son to be truly Man, as well as truly God, the Biihops brought a new Controver- fy into the Church, and fell into furious Debates and Quarrels about his Perfonality. Neficrius, Billiop of Ccnftantinople, with his Followers, main- tained two diftincTc Perfons in Chrift, agreeable to his two diftinct Natures. But Saint Cyril, the implacable Enemy of Neflorius, got a Council to decree, that the two Natures of God and Man being united together in our Lord, made one Perfon or Chrift, and to curfe all -who fhould affirm that there were two diftinct. Perfons or Subfiftences in him. 'Tis evident, that either Cyril, and his Council, muft have been in the wrong in this Decree, or the two former Councils of Nice and Ccnftantinople wrong in theirs; becaufe 'tis certain, that they decreed the Word PERSON to be ufed in two infi- nitely different Senfes. According to thofe of Nice and Conftaminop/e, one individual Nature or Eflence contain'd three diftinct Perions. According to Cpifs Council, two Natures or Effences infinitely different, and asdiftind: as thofe cf God and Man, conftituted but one Perfon. Now how one Nature jbtyld be thee Perfons, and yet tiro Natures one Perfon, will require the Skill even of Infallibility it felf to explain ,• end as thefe Decrees are evidently contra- dictory to one another, I am afraid we muft allow, that the Holy Ghoft had no Hand in one or other of them. This fome of the Clergy very eafily ob- ferved ; and therefore, to maintain the Unity of the Perfon of Chrift, Euty ches and Diofcorus maintained, that though Chrift confifted of two Natures be- fore his Incarnation, yet afcer that, he had but one Nature only. But this was condemned by the Council of Chakedon, and the Contradictions of the former Councils declared all to be true, and render'd facred with the Stamp of Orthodoxy. This was alfo ratified by the fifth Council under Ju/iiniaK, who alfo pioufly and charitably raked into the Duft of poor Origin, and damned him for an Heretick. Butftill there was a Difficulty yet remaining, about the Perfon of Chrift : For as ChrilVs being one Perfon did not deftroy o the 97 ^S The Introduction. the Difiinction of his two Natures, it became a very important and warm Controverfy, Whether Chrift had any more than one Will, as he was but one Perfon in two Natures ? or, Whether he had not two Wills, agreeable to his two diftinct Natures, united in one Perfon ? This occafioned the calling the fixth General Council, who determined it for the two Wills ,* in which, ac- cording to my poor Judgment, they were very wrong. And had I had the Honour to have been of this venerable Aflembly, I would have compleated the Myftery, by decreeing, that as Chrift had but one Perfon, he could have but one perfonal Will ; but however, that as he had two Natures, he mud alfo have two natural Wills. I beg my Reader's Pardon for thus prefuming to offer my own Judgment, in Oppofition to the Decree of the holy Fa- thers j but at the fame Time, I cannot help fmiling at the Thought, of two or three hundred venerable Bifhops and Fathers thus trifling in Council, and folemnly playing at Queftions and Commands, to puzzle o- thers, and divert themfelves. Were it not for the fatal Coniequences that attended their Decilions, I fhould look on them as Bifoops in Mafauerade y met together only to ridicule the Order, or to fet the People a laugh- ing at fo awkward a Mixture of Gravity and Folly. Surely the Reverend Clergy of thofe Days had but little to do amongft their Flocks, or but little Regard to the Nature and End of their Offi.ce. Had they been faithful to their Character, inltead of doting about Queftions and Strifes of Words, whereof E , Snife, Railings, evil Surmijings, perverfe Difputings of Men of cor- t Mm is, and deftitute of the Truth, fuppojing that Gain is Godlinefs, they would ifented to, and taught vzholfome Words, even the Words of our Lord Jefus, C i the Doctrine which is according to Godlinefs. Bat this was not the Temper of the Times. It would have been indeed - >re tolerable, had the Clergy confined their Quarrels to themfelves, and quarrelled only about fpeculative Doctrines and harmleis Contradictions. But to interefl: the whole Chriftian World in thefe Contentions, and to ex- cite furious Perfecutions for the Support of Doctrines and Practices, even Gppofite to the Nature, and deftrnctive of the very End of Chriitianity, is equailv monftrous and aftonilhing. And yet this is the Cafe of the feventh .neral Council, who decreed the Adoration of the Virgin Alary, of -.gels, and of Saints, of Relicts, of Images and Pictures, and who thereby red the Dignity, and corrupted the Simplicity of the Chriftian Worfhip and D ftrine. This the venerable Fathers of that Council did, and pro- nounced Anathemas againft all who would not come into their idolatrous Practices, and excited the Civil Power to opprefs and deftroy them. III. Surely it could not be a Zeal for God and Chrift, and the Truth and Ho- nour of Chriitianity, no real Love to Piety and Vertue, that prompted and lead them on to thefe Acts of Injuftice and Cruelty. Without any Breach of Charity, :: may be aliened of moft, if not all cf them, that 'twas their Pride, and their immoderate Love of Dominion, Grandeur and Riches, that influenced them to \hefe unworthy and wicked Meafures. The Intereft of Religion and Truth, the Honour of God and the Church, is, I know, the ftale Pretence; but a Pretence, I a in The Introduction. 99 am afraid, that hath but little Probability or Truth to fupport it. For what hath Religion to do with the Obfervation of Days ? or, What could excite Viclor to excommunicate fo many Churches about Eafler, but the Pride of his Heart, and to let the World fee, how large a Power he had to fend Souls to the Devil ? How is the Honour of God promoted, by Speculations that have no Ten- dency to Godlinefs ? Will any Man ferioufly affirm, that the ancient Difputes about v7n^a.\\jmv intra yjirv, o]t zei; ztoj. zti ts oroy.'/jx j Luculenta praefenFo rerum quacq; propheticum Apoftolici aevi Spijicitn proficetui*. Olim fchifmata & h^afls fubinde or:*, prx fitftrgii iftroi dchderio &ambi:u. O 2 Laity, i oo The Introduction. Laity^ and grew, many of them, rich, by the voluntary Oblations of the People : But the Grants of that Emperor confirm'd them in a worldly Spirit, and the Dignities and vaft Revenues that were annexed to many of the Sees, gave Rife to infinite Evils and Difturbances. So they could but get Pof- feflion of them, they cared not by what Means, whether by clandeftine Or- dinations, fcandalous Symony, the Expulfion of the PofleiTors, or through the Blood of their Enemies. How many Lives were loft at Rome, Conftamitio- ple } Alexandria and Antioch, by the furious Contentions of the Bifhops of thofe Sees ; depofing one another, and forcibly entring upon Pofleffion ? Would Athanajius, and Alacedonius, Damafus, and others, have given Occa- sion to fuch Tumults, and Murders, merely for Words and Creeds, had there not been fomewhat more fubftantial to have been got by their Biflropricks ? Would Cyril have perfecured the Nov at i am, had it not been for the fake of their Riches, of which he plunder'd them, foon after his Advancement to the See of Alexandria ? No. The Character given by the Hiftorian of Theodojius, Eifhop of Synada, may be too truly applied to almoft all the reft of them,- who perfecuted the Followers of Macedonius, not from a Principle of Zeal for the Faith, but through a covetous Temper, and the Love of Money. This St. Jerome obferved with Grief, in the Paflage cited />• 31. of this In- troduction ; and Ammi anus Mar cellinus, an Heathen Writer, reproach'd them with, in the Paffage cited p. 30. IV. I think it will evidently follow, from this Account, that the Deter- minations of Councils, and the Decrees of Synods, as to Matters of Faith, are of no manner of Authority, and can carry no Obligation upon any Chri- itian whatfoever- I will not mention here one Reaion, which would be it ielf fufficient, if all others were wanting, viz,. That they have no Power given them in any Par: of the Gofpel Revelation, to make thefe Decifions in controverted Points, and to oblige others to fubferibe them ; and that there- fore the Pretence to it is an Usurpation of what belongs to the great God, who only hath, and can have a Right to prefcribe to the Confciences of Men. Bur to let this pafs, what one Council can be fixed upon, that will appear to be compofed of fuch Perfons, as, upon an impartial Examination, can be allowed to be fit for the Work of fettling the Faith, and determin- ing all Controverfies relating to it? I mean in which the Majority of the. Members may, in Charity, be fuppofed to be difinterefted, wife, learn- ed, peaceable and pious Men ? Will any Man undertake to affirm this of the Council of Nice ? Can any Thing be more evident than that the Members of that venerable Aflembly, came, many of them, full of Paflion and Refentment ; that others of them were crafty and wicked, and others ignorant and weak ? Did their Meeting together in a Synod immediately cure them of their Defire of Revenge, make the Wicked virtuous, or the Ignorant wife? If nor, their joint Decree, as a Synod, could really be of no more Weight than their private Opinions ; nor, perhaps, of fo much ; becaufe, 'tis well known, that the great Tranfactions of fuch Affemblies, are generally managed and conducted by a few ; and that Authority, Per- fualioDj The Introduction. ioi fuafion, Profpect of Intereft, and other temporal Motives, are commonly made Lie of to fecure a Majority. The Orthodox have taken Care to de- ftrov all the Accounts given of this Council, by thofe of the oppofue Party ; and Euftbius, Bifhop of Cxfarea, hath palled it over in Silence; and only dropped two or three Hints, that are very far from being favourable to thofe reverend Fathers- In a Word, nothing can be collected from Friends or Enemies, to induce one to believe, that they had any of thole Qualifica- tions which were neceffary to fit them for the Province they had undertaken, cf fettling the Peace of the Church by a fair, candid and impartial Deter- mination of the Controverfy that divided it: So that the Emperor Cdnftantim, and Senates the Hiftorian, took the moft effectual Method to vindicate their Honour, by pronouncing them infpired by the Holy Ghoft, which they had great need of, to make up the want cf all other Qualifications. The fecond General Council were plainly the Creatures of the Emperor t Tl:evdcfius i all of his own Party, and convened to do as he bid them ; which they did, by confirming the Niceue Faith, and condemning all Hereiies. The third General Council were the Creatures of Cyril, who was their Prefi- dent, and the inveterate Enemy of Neflorius, whom he condemned for Herefy, and was himfelf condemned for his Ralhnefs in this Affair, and excommuni- cated by the Eifhop of Anticch. The fourth met under the Awes of the Em- peror Martian, managed their Debates with Ncife and Tumult, were formed into a Majority by the Intrigues of the Legates of Rome ; and fettled the Faith by the Opinions of Athanafms , Cyril, and others. I need not men- tion more ; the farther we go the worfe they will appear. Now may it not be risked, How came the few Bifhops, who met by Command of "Theo* do/ius, to be ftiled an Oecumenical or General Council ? As they came to decree, as he decreed they Ihould, what Authority, with any wile Man, can their D cifions have? As they were all of one Side, except thirty fix of the Macedonian Party, who were afterwards added ; what lefs could be expected, but tha chcy wculd decree themfelves Orthodox, eflablifli their own Creed, and anathematize all others for Hereticks ? And as to the next Council, I confefs I can pay no Rei'pecl: or Reverence to a Set of Ciergy, met under the Direction and Influence of a Man of Cyril's Principles and Morals ,* efpe- c ; illy as the main Tranfaction of that Council was hurried on by a Defire of Revenge, and done before the Arrival of the BiHiop of Antiocb, with his (aftragan Brethren, and condemned by him as loon as he was informed of it i till at length the Power and Influence of the Emperor reconciled the two haughty Prelates ; made them reverfe their mutual Excommunications, decree the fame Doctrine, and join in pronouncing the lame Anathemas» Cannot any one difcern more of Refentment and Pride in their firlt Quar- rel, than of a Regard to Truth and Peace; and more of Complaifance to the Emperor than of Concern for the Honour of Chrift in their after Reconcilia- tion ? And as to the next Council, let any one but read over the Account given of it by Evagrius ; what horrible Confufions there were amonglt them ; how tJaey threw about Anathemas and Curfes; how chcy father'd their Violences en i o i The Introduction. on Chrid; how they fettled the Faith by the Doctrines of Athanafms, Cyril, and other Fathers ; and if he can bring himfelf to pay any Reverence to their Decrees, I envy him not the Submiflion he pays them, nor the Rule by which he guides and determines his Belief. I confefs I cannot read the Account of thefe Tranfa&ions, tiieir afcribing their Anathemas and Curfes to Chrift and the Holy Trinity, and their De- cifions as to the Faith, to the Holy Ghoft, without Indignation at the horrid Abufe of thofe facred Names. Their very Meeting to pronounce Damna- tion on their Adverfaries, and to form Creeds for the Confciences of others, is no lefs than a Demonftration that they had no Concurrence of the Son of Gcd no Influence of the Holy Spirit of God- The Faith was already fettled for them, and for all other Chriftians in the facred Writings, and needed no Decifion of Councils to explain and amend it. The very Attempt was In- iblence and Ufurpation, Infallibility is a neceflary Qualification for an Of- fice cf fuch Importance. But what Promife is there made to Councils of this divine Gift > or, if there (hould be any fuch Promife made to them; yet theMethod of their Debates, their fcandalous Arts to defame their Adverfaries, and the Contradictions they decreed for Truth and Gofpel, proves, to the fulleft Conviction, that they forfeited the Grace of it. And indeed, if the Fruits cf the Sprit me Low, Peace, Long- f it ffe ring, Gentlenefs, Goodnefs, and Meeknefs, there appeared kw or no Signs of them in any of the Councils. The Soil was too rank and hot to produce them. I wilh, for the Honour of the former Times, I could give a better Ac- count of thefe Aflemblies of the Clergy, and fee Reafon to believe my feif that they were, generally fpeaking, Men of Integrity, Wifdom, Candour, Moderation and Virtue. The Debates of fuch Men would have deferved Regard, and their Opinions would have challenged a proper Reverence. But even had this been the Cafe, their Opinions could have been no Rule to others, and how great a Veneration foever we might have had for their Characters, we ought, as Men and Chriftians, to have examined their Prin- cioles. There is one Rule fupeiior to them and us, by which Chriftians are to try all Doctrines and Spirits ; the Decifion of which, is more facred than that of all human Wifdom and Authority, and every where, and in all A°es obligatory. But as the ancient Councils confided of Men of quite other Difpofitions ; and as their Decifions in Matters of Faith were arbi- trary asd unwarranted ; and as thofe Decifions themfelves were generally owinc to Court Practices, intriguing Statefmen, the Third of Revenge, the Management of a few crafty interefted Bilhops, to Noife and Tumult, the Profpects and Hopes of Piomotions and Tranilations, and other the like Caufes i the Reverence paid them by many Chriftians is truly furprizing j and I cannot account for i: any way but one, vi^. that thofe who thus cry up their Authority, are in hopes of fueceedrrrg them in their Power; and. therefore would feign perfuade others that their Decrees are facred and binding, to make way for the impofing of their own. \ The Introduction. 103 It would be well worth the while of feme of thefe Council-mongers to lay down feme proper Rules and Diftinctions, by which we may judge what Councils are ro be received, and which to be rejected; and particularly why the four firft General Councils fhould be fubmirced to in Preference to all others. Councils have often decreed contrary to Councils, and the fame Bi- fhops have decreed different Things in different Councils ; and even the third and fourth General Councils determined the Ufe of the Word PERSON, in an infinitely different Senie from what the two firft did. Heretical Councils, as they are called, have been more in Number than fome Orthodox gene- ral ones, called by the fame imperial Authority, have claimed the fame Powers, pretended to the fame Influence of the Holy Ghoft, and pronounced the fame Anathemas againft Principles and Peribns. By what Criteria or certain Marks then muft we judge, which of thefe Councils are thieving, general, particular, orthodox, heretical, and which nor ? The Councils themfelves muft not be Judges in their own Caufe '■> for then we muft re- ceive, or reject them all. The Characters of the Eifhops that compofed them will not do, for their Characters feem equally amiable and Chri&ian on each fide. The Nature of the Doctrine, as decreed by them, is far from bein^ a fafe Rule ; becaufe, if human Authority, or Church Power makes Truth in any Cafe, it makes it in every Cafe ; and therefore, upon this Foot the Decrees at lyre and Ephefus, are as truly binding as thofe at Nice and Chalcedon. Or, if we muft judge of, the Councils by the Nature of the Doctrine, abftra&ed from all human Authority, thofe Councils can have no Authority at all. Every Man muft fit in Judgment over them, and try them by Reafon and Scripture, and reject and receive them, juft as he would do the Opinions of any other Perfons whatfoever. And, I humbly conceive, they fhould have no better Treatment, becaufe they de- ferve none. V. If then the Decrees of Fathers and Councils, if the Decilions of human Authority in Matters of Religion, are of nc avail, and carry with them no Obligation, it follows, that the imposing Subscriptions to Creeds and Arti- cles of Faithj as Tefts of Orthodoxy, is a Thing unreasonable in it felf, as it hath proved of infinite ill Confequence in the Church of God- I call it an unreafonabk Cufhm, not only becaufe where there is no Power to make Creeds for ethers, there can be no Right to impofe them ; but be- caufe no one good Reafon can be afligned for the Ufe and Continuance of this Practice. For, as my Lord Bilhop of London admirably well explains this Matter, As long as Men are Men, and have different Degrees of UnderflandingjBifiop ef and every one a Partiality to his own Conceptions, it is not to be expec~led that they London, fhould agree in any one entire Scheme, and every Part of it, in the Circumflances as ldPa -^' . well as the Suhflame, in the Manner of 'Things , as nthe Things t . P The Queflion therefore is not in general about a Difference in Opinion, which, in ' prefent State, is unavoidable ; but about the IV, I Importance of the Things rein Chrljlians differ, and the Things wherein they agree. And it will appear, that the fever at Denominations of Christians agree loth itLthe Siibftanct 1 T04. The Introduction. in the neceffary Injor cements of the Pr aft ice of it. 'That the World, and all Things in it % were created by God, and are under the Direction and Government of his all powerful Hand, and all feeing Eye ; that there is an effential Difference be- tween Good and Evil, Virtue and Vice ; that there will be a State of f ture Rewards and Punifbments according to cur Behaviour in this Life ; that ('hrifl was a Teacher f em f rem God, and that his Apoftles were divinely infpired ; that all Chriflians are bound to declare and profefs themfelves to be his Difciples ; that not on- ly the Exercife of the fever al Virtues, but alfo a Belief in Chrifl is neceffary in order to their obtaining the Pardon of Sin, the Favour of God, and eternal Life ; that the Worjhip of God is to be performed chiefly by the Heart, in Prayers, Praifes, and Thankfgivings ; a;:d, as to all other Point?, that they are bound to live by the Rules zh Chrifl and his Apoftles have left them in the Holy Scriptures. Here then, adds the learned Bifhop, is a fixed, certain, and uniform Rule of Faith and Practice, containing all the mofl neceffary Points of Religion, eflabliffjed by a divine Sanction, embraced as fitch, by all Denominations of Chriflians, and in it felf abundantly Sufficient to preferve the Knowledge and Practice of Religion in the World, As to Points of greater Intricacy, and which require uncommon Degrees of Penetration and Knowledge ; fuch indeed, have been Subjects of Difpute amongfl Perfons of Study and Learning in the feveral Ages of the Chriflian Church ; but the People are not obliged to enter into them, fo long as they do not touch the Foundations of Chrifl iajiity, nor lave an Influence upon Practice, hi other Points it is fufficient that they believe the Doctrines, fo far as the) find, upon due Enquiry and Examination, according to their feve- ral Abilities and Opportunities, that God hath revealed them. This incomparable Paffageof this Reverend and truly Charitable Prelate, I have tranferibedintire; becaufe it will undoubtedly give a San&ion to my own Principles of univerfal Eenevolence and Charity. His Lordfhip affirms, that all Denominations of Chrifli- ans (he, will allow me to mention a few of them ; Socinians, Arians, Athanaiians, Sabellians, Pelagians, ArminianSjCalvinifts, Epifcopalians, Presbyterians, Inde- pendants, Anabaptifts,^V.) agree in the Subflance of Religion, and in the neceffary En- forcements of the Practice of it ; inafmuch as they do all believe firmly and fincerely, thofc Principles which his Lordfhip calls, with great Reafon and Truth, a fixed, certain, and uniform Rule of Faith and Practice, as containing all the mofl neceffary Points of Religion, and in it felf abundantly fufficient to preferve the Knowledge and Practice of Religion in the World. My Inference from this noble Conceflion, for which all the Friends to Liberty, in Church and State, throughout Great Britain, will thank his Lordfhip, is this; that fince all Denominations of Chriflians do, in his Lordfhip's Judgment, receive his fixed, certain, and uniform Rule of Faith, and embrace all the mofl: neceffary Points of Reli-» gion ; to impofe Subfcriptions to Articles of Faith and human Creeds, muft be a very unreafonable and needlefs Thing : For either fuch Articles and Creeds contain nothing more than this fame Rule of Faith and Practice; and then ail Subfcriptions to them is Impertinent ; becaufe this is already received by all Denominations of Chriflians, and is abundantly fufficient, by the Bifhop's own Allowance, to preferve the Knowledge and Practice of Re- ligion in the World : Or fuch Articles and Creeds contain fomething more than The Introduction. 105 than his Lordfhip's fixed Rule of Faith and Practice, fomethirig more than all the moll neceflary Points of Religion, fomething more than is fufficientto preferve the Knowledge and Practice of Religion in the World, /;. e. iome wry unneceflary Points of Religion*, fomething on which the Pjefervation of Religion doth not depend ; and of Confequence, Subfcriptions to unn - ceflary Articles of Faith, on which Religion doth not depend, can never be neceflary to qualify auy Perfor, for a Minifter of the Church of ChrifT, and therefore not for the Church o{ England, if that be Part of the Church of Chrift. And this isthe more unnecefiary,becaufe, as his Lordlhip farther well obferves, the Pevple are not obliged to eater into them.fo long as they do not touch the Fa/ndaticns ofChrijiianitj, i. e. fo far as his Lordfhip's certain, fix'd and uniform Rule, which contains all necelfary Poirus of Religion, is not affected by them. And if the People are not obliged to enter into Points of great Intricacy and Difpute, I humbly conceive, the Clergy cannot be obliged to preach them ; and that of Confequence 'tis as abiurd to impofe upon them Subfcriptions to fuch Things, as to oblige them to fubfcribe what they need not preach, nor any of their People believe. Upon his Lordfnip's Principles, the impofing Subfcriptions to the hard unlcriptural Expreffions of the Athanafians and Art ant, by each Party in their Turns, and to the thirty nine Articles of the Church of England, mult be a very unreasonable and unchriltian Thing ; becaufe, the Peculiarities to be fub- icribed, do not one of them, enter into his fpecifled Points of Religion, and are not neceflary to preferve Religion in the World ; and after fo publick a Declaration of Charity towards all Denominations of Chriilians, and the Safety of Religion and the Church, upon the general Principles he hath laid down, there is no P^eafon to doubt but his Lordfhip will ufe that Power and Influence which God hath entrulted him with, to remove the Wall of Se- paration in the eftabiiihed Church, in order to the uniting all differing Sects, all Denominations of Chriilians, in one vifible Communion ; and that he wiil join in that moll Chriflian and Catholick Prayer of one of his own Brethren, though difapproved of by another of narrower Principles, Bhf B 'f-P of fed be they who have contributed to fo good a Work. Subfcriptions have ever been^""£ or '* a Grievance in the Church of God, and the firfl Introduction of them wasX n,' owing to Pride, and the Claim of an unrighteous and ungodly Power. Nei-o/Wor- ther the Warrant of Scripture, nor the Intereft of Truth made them neceflary. cefter. Tis, I think, but by few, if any, pretended that the facred Writings coun-^O^^ tenance this Practice. They do indeed abound with Directions and Exhort- p ' 10 '' tations to adhere ftedfaftly to the Faith, not to be moved from the Faith, nor tof- feci about with every Wind of Dc&rine But what is the Faith which we are to adhere to? What the Faith eftabhfhed and (lamped for Orthodox by the Bifhopsand Councils? Ridiculous 1 If this was the Cafe, our Faith muft be as various as their Creeds, and as abfurd and contradictory as their Dead- ens. No, The Faith we are to be grounded and fettled in, is that xokich.was at once delivered to the Saints, that which was preached by the Apefl.'es to Gentiles, as well as Jeus ; the whalefome Hoards we are tj confent to are the Wbrdt p «/ io6 The Introduction. c/ our Lord Jefus Cbri/i, and the Doctrine which is according to Godlinefs. This all genuine Christians receive, out of regard to a much higher Authority than be- longs to any Set of Men in the World ; and therefore the Sanction of Fa- thers and Councils in this Cafe, is as impertinent as a Man's pretending to give a Sanation to the Conftitutior.s of the Great G'od. And as to all other Articles of Faith, neither they, nor any others, have any Commiffion to impofe them en the Confidences of Men, and the Moment they attempt to do it, they ceafe to he Servants in the Houfe of God, and act as the true and pro- per Lords of the Heritage. But it may be faid, That the Chunk hath Power to determine in Controverts of Faith ; fo as net to decree any tl. ing againjl Scripture , nor to enforce any thing to be believed as necejfary to Salvation beftdes it ; i. e. I fuppofe the Church hath Power to guard the Truths of Scripture ; and in any Controverfies about Doctrines, to determine what is or is not agreeable to Scripture, and to en- force the Receprion of what they thus decree, by obliging others to fub- feribe to their Becilions. If this be the Cafe, then it neceflarily follows, that their Determinations muft be ever right, and conftamly agreeable to the Do&rine of holy Writ ; and that they ought never to determine, but when they are in the Right, and are fure they are in the Right; becaufe, if the Mattel be difficult in its Nature, or the Clergy have any Doubts and Scru- bs concerning it, or are liable to make falfe Decisions, they cannot, with any Reafon, make a final Decifion : becaufe 'tis poffible they may decide on the wrong fide of the Queltion ; and thus decree Falfhood inftead of Truth. And I prefume there are but few who will claim, in Words, fo ex- traordinary a Power as that of eftablifning Falfhood in the room of Truth and Scripture. And even fuppofing their Decifions to be right, how will it follow that they have a Power to oblige others to fubmit to and fubferibe them ? If by found Reafon and Argument they can convince the Confcien- ces of others, they are fure of the Agreement of all fuch with them in Princi- ple ; and upon this Foot Subfcriptions are wholly ufelefs :, and if they can- not convince them, 'tis a very unrighteous Thing to impofe Subfcriptions on them ; and a (hameful Prevarication with God and Man for any to fub- mit to them without it. Decifions made in Controverfies of Faith, by the Cler?y, carry in them no Force nor Evidence of Truth. Let their OiSce be eve Mb facred, it doth not exempt them from human Frailties and Imper- fections. They are as liable to Error and Miftake, to Prejudice and Paffion, as any of the Laity whatfoever can be. How then can the Clergy have any Authority in Controverfies of Faith, which the Laity have not? That they have erred in their Decifions, and decreed Light to be Darknefs, and Darknefs Light ; that they have perplexed the Confciences of Men, and cor- rupted the Simplicity of the Faith in Chrift, all their Councils and Synods are a notorious Proof. With what Juftice or Modefty then can they pre- tend to a Power of obliging others to believe their Articles, or fubferibe them ? If I was to fpeak the real Truth, it will be found, that thofe numerous Opinions which have been anathemacifed as Heretical, and which 2 have The Introduction. io7 have broken the Chrifli an World into Parties, have been generally invented, and broached, and propagated by the Clergy ; witnefs Arius, Macedonius, Nefto- rius, Eutycbes, Diofcorus, and others ; and therefore if we may judge by any Observations made on the Rife of Herefy, what is a proper Method to put a Stop to the Pro^reSs of it, it cannot be the Clergy's forming Articles of Faith, and forcing others to fubfcribe them ; becaufe this is the very Method by which they have eftablifhed and propagated it. The Truth is, this Method of preventing Error will fait all Religion-, and all Sovrs of Principles whatsoever, and is that by which Error main- tains its Ground, and is indeed render 'J impregnable. Ail the different Sorts of Cbrifliam, Papifls and Proteftants, Greeks, Lutherans, Cahnuifis and Ar- minians, cannot certain!} be right in their discriminating Principles. And yet where fhall we find any Clergy that don't pretend a PJght to impole Subscrip- tions, and who do not maintain theTruth of the Articles to which they make Such Subscription necelTary ? Upon this Foot the Doctrines of the Council of Trent, the thirty nine Articles of the Church of E;:g/and, and the Aflemblies Confeffion of Faith, are all of them equally true, Chriftian and Sacred,- for they are in dif- ferent Places embraced as Standards of Orthodoxy, and their Sacred nefs and Authority fecur'd and maintain'd by the Subscriptions of the Clergy to them : And therefore, I think it as little agreeable to Prudence as it is tojuftice for Chriftians to keep up a Practice that may be So eafiiy, and hath been So of- ten turned into a Security for Herefy, Superftition and Idolatry ; and eSpe- cially for Proteftants to ware any longer theSe Marks of Slavery, which their Enemies, whenever they have Power, will not fail to make USe of, either to fetter their Confciences, or diftinguifh them for the Burning. But it may be Said that the Abuie of Subscriptions is no Argument againft the USe of them ; and that, zs they are proper to difcover what Mens Senti- ments are, they may be So far Sometimes a Guard and Security to the Truth. But as all Parties, who ufe them, will urge thisReaSon for them, that they are in PofiefSion of the Truth, and therefore willing to do all thev can to Se- cure and promote it; of ConSequence Subscriptions to Articles of Faith can never be looked on properly as Guards to real Truth, but as Guards to cer- tain prevailing Principles, whether true or falfe. And even in this CaSe they are wholly Ineffectual. The Clergy of the Church of England are bound to fubfcribe the thirty nine Articles, i.e. to the Truth of Athauaftan and Cafai- niflick Principles. But hath this Subscription anSwer'd its End? Do not the Clergy, who are all Subscribers, and who often repeat their Subscriptions, difter about theSe Heads as much as if they had never SubScribed at all ? Men that have no Principles cf Religion and Virtue, but enter the Church only with a View to the Benefices and Preferments of it, will fubfcribe ten thou- fand Times over, and to any Articles that can be given them, whether true or falfe. Thus the Afiatick Bimops fubferibed to the Condemnation of the Decrees of the Council of Chalcedcn, and inform BafiUfcus the Emperor that their Subscriptions were voluntary. And yet when BafiUfcus was depofed, they immediately SubScribed to the Truth of thoSe Decrees, and Swore their p 2 firft 1 08 The Introduction. firft Subfcription was involuntary. So that Subfcriptions cannot keep out any Atheifts, Infidels, or profligate Perfons. And as to others, daily Experience teaches us, that they either disbelieve the Articles they fubfcribe, fubfcri- bing them only as Articles of Peace ; or elfe, that after they have fubfcribed them, they fee Reafon, upon a more mature Deliberation, to alter their Minds, and change their original Opinions. So that till Men can be brought always to act upon Confciencc, never to fubfcribe what they do not believe, nor ever to alter their Judgment, as to the Articles they have fubfcribed ; Sub- fcriptions are as impertinent and ufelefs as they are unreafonable, and can ne- ver anfwer the Purpofesof thofe who impofe them. But I apprehend farther, that this impofing of Subfcriptions is not only an unreafonable Cuftom, but attended with many very pernicious Confequences. It is a great Hindrance to that Freedom aird Impartiality of Inquiry which is the unalterable Duty of every Man, and necefiary to render his Religion rea- fonable and acceptable. For why fhould any Perfon make any Inquiries for his own Information, when his Betters have drawn up a Religion for him, and thus kindly faved him the Labour and Pains ? And as his worldly Intereft may greatly depend on his doing as he is bid, and fubfcribing as he is ordered ; is it not reafonable to think that the generality will contentedly take every thing upon Truft, and prudently refrain from creating to them- felves Scruples and Doubts, by nicely examining what they are to fet their Hands to, leaft they fhould mifs of Promotion for not being able to omply with the Condition of it, or enjoy their Promotions with a diflatisfied and uneafy Confcience ? Subfcriptions will, I own, fometimes prove Marks of DiftinfHon, and as Walls of Separation : For though Men of Integrity and Confcience may, and oftentimes undoubtedly do fubrnit to them ; yet Men of no Principles, or very loofe ones, worldly and ambitious Men, the Thoughtlefs and Igno- rant, will mod certainly do it, when they find it for their Intereft. The Church that enclofes her felf with thefe Fences, leaves abundant Room fov the Entrance of Perfons of fuch Characters. To whom then do^h (he refufe Admittance ? Why, if to any, it muft be to Men who cannot bend their Confciences to their Intereft ; who cannot believe, without Examination, nor fubfcribe any Articles of Faith as true, without underftanding and be- lieving them. 'Xis in the very- Nature of Subfcriptions to exclude none but thefe, and todiftinguilh fuch only for Shame and Punifhment. Now how is this confident with any Thing that is called Reafon or Religion? If there could be found out any wife and reafonable Methods to throw out of the Chnftian Church and Miniftry, Men who are in their Hearts Unbelievers, who abide in the Church only for the Revenues (he yields to them, whofhift their religious and political Principles, according to their Intereft, who propa- gate Doctrines inconfiftent with the Liberties of Mankind, and are fcandaious and immoral in their Lives ; if Subfcriptions could be made to aofwer thefe End?, and thefe only, and to throw Infamy upon fuch Men, and upon fuch Men only i no one would have any Thing to aliedge againtt the Ufe of them. Wheref s y Jhc Introduction, io^ Whereas, in Truth, Subfcriptions are the great Securities of fuch profligate Wrerches, who, by complying with them, eater into the Church, and there- by (hare in all the temporal Advantages of ic ; whilft the (crapulous, confci- entious Chriftian is the only one fhe excludes, who thinks the Word of God a more fure Rule of Faith than the Dictates of Men • and that Subfcriptions are Things much too facred to be trifled with, or lightly fubmitted to. They are indeed very great Snares to many Perfons, and Temptations to them too often to trefpals upon the Pvules of ilrict Honefty and Virtue. For when Mens Sublicence and Advantages in the World depend on their fubfcri- bing to certain Articles of Faith, 'tis one of the moil powerful Arguments that can be, to engage them to comply with it. *Tis poffible indeed they may have their Objections againft the Reafonablenefs and Truth of what: they are to fubfcribe. But wilJ not Iutereil often lead them to overlook their Difficulties, to explain away the natural Meaning of Words, to put a different Senie upon the Articles than what they will fairly bear, to take them in any Senie, and to fubfcribe them in no Senfe only as Articles of Peace ? It mud be b) fome fuch Evalions that Avians fubfcri be to Aihanafian Creeds, and Armiman to Principles of rigid Cahinifm. This the Clergy have been again and again reproach'd with, even by the Enemies of Chriftianity. And 1 am fori y to fay it, they have not been able to wipe off the Scandal from themfeUes. I am far from laying or believing that all the Clergy make thefe evafive Subfcriptions : Thofe only that do fo give this Offence ; and if they are, in other Caies, Men of Integrity and Conicience, they are Ob- jects of great Compaflion. As far as my own Judgmeni is concerned, I think this Manner of Subscribing to Creeds and Articles of Faith, is infamous*' in its Nature, and vincicable upon no Principles of Confcience and Honour. It tends to render the Clergy contemptible in the Eyes of the People, who will- be apt to think that they have but little Reafon to regard the Sermons of Men, who have prevaricated in their Subfcriptions, and that they preach for the fame Reafon only that they fubfcribed, viz.. their worldly Intereil. 'Tis of very pernicious Influence and Example, and in its Confequcnces leads to the Breach of all Faith amongft Mankind, and tends to the Subverfion of civil Society. Fo- if the Clergy are known to prevaricate in fubfcribingto religi- ons Tefts of Orthodoxy, is it not to be fear'd that others may learn from them 10 prevaricate in their Subfcriptions to civil Tells of Loyalty ? And indeed, there is a great deai of Reafon to imagine, that if Men can tutor and twill: their Confidences fo as to fubfcribe Articles of Faith, contrary to their own Perfuafion, and only as Articles of Peace, or a Qualification for a Living, they would fubfcribe for the fame Reafon to Popery or Mahometanifm ; for if this be a good Reafon for fubfcribing any Articles which I do not believe, 'tis a Reafon for fubfcribing all ; and therefore I humbly apprehend that a Practice, which gives fo much Occafion to fuch fcandalous Prevarications with God and Man, ihould be call off as an infufterable Grievance, and as an Yoak upon the Necks of the Clergy, too heavy for them to bear. no The Introduction. Let me add farther, that this Practice of impofing Subfcriptions, hath been the Occafion of innumerable Mifchiefs in the Church of God. 'Twas the common Cry of the Orthodox and Avians, and all other Hereticks, in their Turns of Power, Either fubferibe or depart from your Churches. This cnftamed the Clergy againft each other, and filled them with Hatred, Ma- lice and Revenge. For as by impofing thefe Subfcriptions, Inquifition was made into the Confciences of others ; the Refufal tc fubmit to them was a certain Mark of Herefy and Reprobation ; and trie Ccnfequence of this was the Infliction of all fpiricual and temporal Punifhments. *Twas impoflible but that fuch Procedures fliould perpetuate the Schifms and Dtvifions of the Ciiurch, fince the Wrath of Man cannot work the Righteoufoefs of God, and flnce Civil Punifhments have no Tendency to convince the Confcienee, but only to enflame the Paffions againft the Advifers and Inflicters of them. And as ecclefiaftical Hiftory gives us fo dreadful an Account of the melan- choly and tragical Effects of this Practice, one would think that no Nation, who knew the Worth of Liberty, no Chriftan Proieftant Church, that hach any Regard for the Peace of the Fleck of Chrift, fhould ever be found to authorize and continue it. VI. What Security then fhall we have left us for Truth and Orthodoxy, when our Subfcriptions are gone ? Why, the facred Scriptures, thofe Oracles of the great God, and Freedom and Liberty to interpret and underftand them as we can ; the Confequence of this would be great Integrity and Peace of Confciencc, in the Enjoyment of our religious Principles, Union and Friendflnip amengft Chriftians, notwithstanding all their Differences in Judg- ment, and great Refpect and Honour to thofe faithful Payors, that carefully feed the Fleck of God, and lead them into Paftures of Righteoufnefs and Peace. We (hall lofe only the Incumbrances of Religion, our Bones of Con- tention, the Shackles of our Confciences, and the Snares to Honefty and Vir- tue ; whilft all that is fubftantially good and valuable, ail that is truly divine and heavenly, would remain ro enrich and blefs us- The Clergy would indeed lofe their Power to do Mifchief; buc would they not be happy in that Lofs, efpecially as they would be infinitely more likely to do good ? They would be no longer looked on as Fathers and Dictators in the Faith ; but ftiil they might remain Ambaffadors for Chrift, befeeching Men, in ChrifVs ftead, to become reconciled to God. And was all human Authority, in Matters of Faith, thus wholly laid aiide, would not the Word of God have a freer Courfe, and be much more abundantly glorified? All Chriftians would look upon Scripture as the only Rule of their Faith and Practice, and therefore fearch it with greater Diligence and Care, and be much more likely to underftand the Mind cf God therein. The main Things of Chriftianity, would unque- ftionably be generally agreed to by all ; and as to other Things, Points of Speculation, and difficult Qiieftions, if Chriftians differ'd about them, their Differences would be of no great Importance, and might be maintained, confident wi;h Charity and Peace. In- The Introduction. iri Indeed, a ftricl and conftant Adherence to Scripture, as the only Judge in Controversies of Chriftian Faith, would be the mod likely Method to intro- duce into the Church, a real Uniformity of Opinion as well as Practice. For if this was the Cafe, many Difputes would be wholly at an End, as ha- ving nothing to give Occafion to them in the facred Writings; and ail others would be greatly (horten'd, as hereby ail foreign Terms, and human Phra- fesof Speech, by which the Qiieftions that have been controverted amongft Chriftians, have been darkened and perplexed, would be immediately laid afide, and the only Enquiry would be, What is the Senfe of Scripture ? What the Doctrine of Chrift and his Apoftles? This is a much more (hort and ef- fectual Way of determining Controversies, than fending Men to Nice and Chalcedon, to Councils and Synods, to Athanafius or Anus, to Calvin or Armi- minius, or any other Perfons whatfoever that can be mentioned, who at beft deliver but their own Senfe of Scripture, and are not to be regarded any far- ther than they agree with it. It was a Departure from this, as the great Standard of Faith, and corrupting the Simplicity of the Gofpel Dodrine by hard unfcripturai Words, that gave Occafion to the innumerable Controver- sies, that formerly troubled the Chriftian Church. Human Creeds were fub- ftituted in the Room of Scripture ; and according as Circumftances differ 'd, or new Opinions were broached, fo were the Creeds corrected, amended and enlarged, till they became fo full of Subtleties, Contradictions, andNonfenfe, as muft make every thoughtful Man read many of them with Contempt. The Con- troverfy was not about Scripture Expreflions, but about the Words of Men, not about the Senfe of Scripture, but the Decrees of Councils, and the Opini- ons of Athana/itis, Leo, Cyril, and the venerable Fathers. And upon this foot 'cwas no Wonder their Difputes fhould be endlefs ; fince the Writings of all fallible Men muft certainly be more obfcure and intricate than the Writings of the infallible Spirit of Truth, who could beat no Lofs about the Doctrines he dictated, nor for proper Words fultably to exprefs them. 'Tis infinite 'tis endlefs Labour, toconfultaiJ that the Fathers have written; and when we have confultec them, What one Controverfy have they rationally decided > What one Chriftian Doctrine have they clearly and folidly explain'd ? How few Texts of Scripture have they critically fettled the Senfe and' Meaning of? How often do they differ from one another, and in how many Inftances from themfelves? Thofe who read them greatly differ in their Interpretation cfthem; and Men of the moft contrary Sentiments, all claim them for their own. Athanctftato and Arims appeal to the Fathers, and fupport their Prin- ciples by Quotations from them. And are thefe the venerable Gentle- men whofc Writings are to be fet up iu Oppofitron to the Scripture, or fa up as authoritative Judges cf the Senfe of Scripture ? Arc Creeds of their dila- ting to be fubmitted to as the only Criterion of Orthodoxy, orefteemed as Standards to diftinguifh between Truth and Error ? Away with thisVoilv and Superftuion ! The Creeds of the Fathers and Councils are but human Cieeds, that have all the Marks in them of human Frailty and Ignorance. The Creeds which are to be found in the Gofpel, are the infallible Didares of the m 2 -. The Introduction. the Spirit of the God of Truth, and as fuch, claim our Reverence and Sub- miffion ; and as the forming our Principles according to them, as far as we are able ro understand them, makes us Chriftians in the Sight of God, it fhould be fufficient to every ones being owned as a Chriftian by others, with- out their ufing any inquiiitory Forms of Trial, till they can produce their CommifTion from Heaven for the Uie of them. This, as it is highly reafon- ablc in it felf, would do the higheft Honour to the Chriftian Clergy ; who, inftead of being reproach'd for Hanghtinefs and Pride, as Incendiaries and Plagues of Mankind, as the Sowers of Contention and Strife, and Difturbers of the Peace of the Church of God ; would be honoured for their Works fake, efteemed for their Characters, lov'd as Bleffings to the World, heaid with Pleaftire* and fuccefsful in their Endeavours to recommend the Knowledge snd Practice of Chriftianiry. VII. Were the Doctrines of the Gofpel regarded as they (hould be, and the Precepts of the Chriftian Religion fubmitted to by all who profefs to believe it, univerfal Benevolence would be the certain Ertecc, and eternal Peace and Union would reign amongft the Members of the Chriftian Church. For if there are any Commands of certain Clearness, any Precepts of evident Obligation in the Gofpel, they are fuch as refer to the Exercife of Love, and the maintaining univerfal Charity. In our Saviour's admirable Difcourfe on Matt. v. c j ie Mounts this was the excellent Doctrine he taught : Bleffed are the Meek, for 5o 7, 9 they /hall inherit the Earth. Bleffed are the Merciful, for they fiall obtain Mercy. Bleffed are the Peace-makers, for they (1) all be called the Children of God. And in ano- Matr.xxii. t h er pj aC e, defcribing the Nature of Religion in general, he tells us, that the **" Love of Gcd is the firji Commandment, and that the fecond is like unto it ; 'Thou /hah Jove thy Neighbour as thy felf. This he enjoins upon his Difciples as his -•'• peculiar Command : This is my Commandment, that ye love one another, as 1 have loved you ; and recommends it to them as that whereby they were to be diftin- v.ii. s-'r guifhed from all other Perfons. A new Commandment Igive unto you, that ye love 35. one another as 1 have loved you, that ye alfo love one another. By this /ball all Men know that ye are my Difciples, if ye have Love one to another. This was the more needful for them, confidering that our Lord foreknew the grievous Persecuti- ons that would befal them for his fake; to encourage them under which, he I Utt, v. pronounces them bleft : Blcjfed are they which are persecuted for Right ecnfnefs Jake, 10. for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven ; whilft, at the fame time, he leaves a Brand i2 of Infamy on Persecutors* and marks them out for tne Vengeance of God : Re- joice and be exceeding glid, for great is your Reward in Heaven ; for fo perfecuted they Luke si. the Prophets that were before you. ll\ j unto you. for ye build the Sepulchres of the +ih& c ' prophets, and your Fathers killed them; therefore, faith the Wifdom of God, I will feud, yon Prophets and Apojlles, and they will fi ay and perfecute them, that the Blood of all the Prophets -maybe required of this Generation. And, indeed, fo far was our Lord from encouraging any persecuting Methods, that he rebuked and put a S:op to all the Appearances of them. Thus when his Difciples would hare called down Fire from Heaven to confume the Sama^ 7 i tans. The Introduction. ii| titans, who refufed to receive him, he rebuked them, and faid, Te know «a* Luke i* ukat manner of Spirit ye are of; the Son of Man is not come to deftroy Mens Lives ,5 5» 5 6 « but to fave them ; and when one of thofe who were with Chrift cut rff the Ear of one of the highPrieft's Servants, upon his laying Hands on him, he fevcely reproved him ; Put up again thy Sword into its Place ; for all they that take tie *• af t- Sword fh all peri (h -with the Sword. And, in order to cure his Apoftles of tneir XXV1, **■ Ambition and Pride, and to prevent their claiming an undue Power, he gave them an Example of great Humility and Condefcention, in warning and wiping their Feet, and forbid them imitating the Gentiles, by exerci/ingw. 2f, Dominion and Authority, but whoever will be great amongfl you, let him be your^- Minifter ; and whofoever will be chief amongfl you, let him be your Servant-, even as the Son of Man came not to be minifter 3 d unto, but to minifter, and to give his Life a Ranfomfor many. And as the Jewilh Teachers took on them the Name of Rabbi, to denote their Power over the Confciences of thofe they infiructed, he commanded his Difciples, Be ye not called Rabbi, for one is your Mafter, evenxi'm. $, Chrift, and all ye are Brethren ; and call no Man Father upon Earth, for one is your^ Q ' Father, which is in Heaven. But he that is greateft amongfl you, fhall be your Ser- vant. From thefe, and other Paflages of like Nature, it is very evident, that there is nothing in the Life of Jefus Chrift, that gives any Countenance to thefe wicked Methods of propagating and fupporting Religion, thatfome of his pretended Followers have made ufe of, but the ftrongeft Dire&ions to the contrary. It is indeed objeded, that Chrift fays, Compel them to come in, that my Houfe Luke xiv. maybe full : Eut that this Compulsion means nothing more than Invitation and 1 *• Perfuafion, is evident, from the parallel Place of Scripture, where what St. Luke calls, Compel them to come in, is expreffed by, Bid them to the Marriage, i. e. Mact.xxii. endeavour, not by Force of Arms, but by Argument and Reafon, by Im- 9 - portunity and Earneftnefs, and by fetting before Men the Promifes and Threatnings of the Gofpel, and thus addreffing your felves to their Hopes and Fears, to perfuade and compel them to embrace my Religion, and be- come the Subjects of my Kingdom ; and in this moral Senfe ofCompulfion, the original Word is often ufed. But farther, 'tis, by a late Writer, reckon'dChrifiiani- very furprizing, that Chrift fhould fay, Think not I am come to fend Peace, I l Y as old » come not to fend Peace, but a Sword; for 1 am come to fet a Man at Variance with^f' p ' 5 °*' his Father, and the Daughter againft her Mother, &c. But how is this fo very , 4 \\\ furprizing ? or what Man of common Senfe can miftake the Meaning of the ' Words, who reads the whole Difcourfe ? In the former Part of it, 'tis exprefly declared, that the moft grievous Perfecutions fhould befall his Difci- ples for his fake ; that Brother fiould deliver up Brother to Death, and the Father the Child; and the Children ffiall rife up againft their Parents, and caufe them to be put to Death. Can any Man underftand this of an Intention in Chrift to fet People at Variance, when 'tis a Prediction only of what fhould be the Confequence of publifhing his Gofpel, through the Malice and Cruelty of its Oppofers ; a Prediction of what his Difciples were to fuffer, and not of what they were to make others to fuffer. And as to that Paf- q fa^e very next Words : For from henceforth, i. e. upon the Publication of my Reli- gion and Gofpel, there (I) all be five in one Houfe divided, three againft two, and two againft three, dec. Can any Man need Paraphrafe and Criticifm to ex- plain thefe PaiTages of any Thing, but of that Perfecution which fnould be- fall the Preachers and Believers of the Gofpel ? Or imagine it to be a pro- phetick Defcription of a Fire to be blown up by Chrift to confume others, when the whole Connection evidently refers it to a Fire, that the Oppofers of his Religion fhould blowup, to confume himfelf and Followers? jefus knew 'cwas fuch a Fire as would firft confume himfelf. / am come to fend Fire en the Earth ; and what will J, if it be already kindled? Or, as the Words fhould be tranflated, How do lwifhit was already kindled? How do I wifh it to : break out on my own Perfon, that I might glorify God by my Sufferings and Death ? For as it follows, / have a Baptifm to be baptised xvith, a Baptifm with my own Blood : And how am I fir ait en d till it be accomplifh'd ! After this Account of his own Sufferings, he foretells the fame fhould befall his Fol- lowers: Suppofeye that 1 am come to give Peace on Earth? I tell you, Nay, but rather Divifion i. e. as I my felf muft fuffer to bear Witnefs to the Truth, fo, after my Deceafe, fuch (hall be the unreafonable and furious Oppofition to my Gofpel, as fhall occafion Divifions amongft the neareft Relations, fome of whom (hall hate and perfecute the other for their embracing my Religion. And of Confequence Chrifi did not declare, in the ?wfl exprefs Terms, as the fore- 3biJ. mentioned Writer afferts, 'That he came to do that which we mufi fuppofe he came to hinder. He did only declare, that he came to do what he was refolved not to hinder, /'. e. to publifh fuch a Religion as his Enemies would put him to Death for, and as would occafion Divifions amongft the neareft Relations, through the unreafonable Hatred and Oppofition that fome would fnew to others upon Account of it. This Matter is elfewhere clearly exprefTed John xvi. by Chrift: Thefe Things have 1 fpoken to you, that ye fhould not be offended. They i> z » 3- fi) all put you out of the Synagogues ; yea, the Time comet h, that whofoever killeth you, will think that he doth God Service. And thefe Things will they do unto you, becaufe they have not known the Father nor me, i. e. have not underitood either natural Religion, or the Religion of my Gofpel. There is therefore nothing in the Conduct or Doctrines of Jefus Chrift to countenance or encourage Perfecution. His Temper was benevolent, his Conduct merciful, and one governing Defign of all he faid, was to promote Mcekuefs and Condefcenfion, univerfal Charity and Love. And in this all Rom. xii. his Apoftles were careful Imitators of his Example: Let Love, faith St. Paul, i>, vo. be without Diffimulation ; be kindly affeclioned one to another with brotherly Love, i?.. in Hone:' prefering one another. If it be poffible, as much as in you lies, live xiii. lo.peaceably with all Men. And the Love he recommended was fuch, as worketh no ill to his Neighbour, and which therefore he declares to be the fulfilling oj the Law. And, leaft different Sentiments in lefTer Matters fhould caufe Di- vifions The Introduction. iic vjfions amongft Chriftians, he commands, to receive him that is weak in theKom. xir. Faith, not to doubtful Deputations, t*n &s ^tMtewen fiakoytanay, noc to jud^eor 1 - to contend abou: Difputations, or difputable Things. Upon Account oflfuch Matters, he orders that none fhould defpife or judge others, becaufe God* -- »*. bad received them, and becaufe every Man ought to be fully perfuadedin his own h *■ Mind, and becaufe the Kingdom oj God was not Meat and Drink, but Righteoufnefs 17 and Peace, and Joy, in the Holy Ghofl, and becaufe every one was to giiie an*' Account of hi mj elf to God, to whom alone, as his only Matter, he was to ftand or fall. From thefe fubftantial Reafons, he infers, We then that are ftrong*** «• who have the moft perfect Understanding of the Nature of Chriftianity and our Chriftian Liberty, ought to bear the Infirmities of the Weak, and not *©*• pleafe ourfehss ; and having pray'd for them, that the God of Patience and Confolation would grant them to be like minded one towards another, according to or after the Example oi Chrifl, that, notwithstanding the Strength of fome' and the Weaknefs of others, they might, with one Mind, and with one Mouth & glorify God, even the Father of our Lordjefus Chrifl ; he adds, as the Conclu- iion of his Argument, Wherefore receive ye one another, as Chrifl a!fo received"?' us to the Glory of God. In his Letters to the Corinthians, he difcovers the fame divine and aimiable* Cor. i. Spirit. In his firft Epiftle, he befeeches them, by the Name oj the Lordjefus 10 * &c ' drift, that they would all [peak the fame Thing, and that there fhould be no Schifm amongft them, but that they (hould be perfectly joined together in the fame Mind and in the fame Judgment, i. e. that they (hould all own and fubmit to Chrifl* as their only Lord and Head, and not rank themfelves under different Lea- ders, as he had been informed they had done; for that they were the Body of*" 27. Chrifl, and all of them his Members, and ought therefore to maintain that Charity to one another, which fuffereth long, and is kind, which envieth not x'm. r &&' vaunteth not it felf, is not puffed up, doth not behave it felf unfeemly, feeketh not her own, is not eafily provoked, thinketh no Evil, rejoiceth not in Iniquity, but re- joiceth in the Truth, beareth all Things, believeth all Things, hopeth all Things en~ dureth all Things, which is greater and more excellent than Faith and Hope, which fails not in Heaven it felf, where Faith and Rope (hall be at an End : and without which, though we could fpenk with the Tongue of Men and Angels, fhould have the Gift of Prophecy, and underfland all Myfleries, and all Knowledge, and could remove Mountains, yea, though we fiould beflow all our Goods to feed the Poor and give our Bodies to be burned, we fhould be only as founding Brafs, and as a tinkling Cymbal, nothing in the Account of God, nothing as to any real Profit and Advantage that will accrue to us. And, in his fecond Epiftle, he takes his Leave 2 c ^ r - of tl em with this divine Exhonation, and glorious Encouragement: Finally Xilu ll * Brethren, farewell, be perfect, be of good Comfort, be of one Mind, T o f.vra be affectionate and kindly difpofed to one another, as though you were in- fluenced by one common Mind ; Live in Peace, and the God of Love and Peace flhill be with you. In his Epiftle to the Gafatians, he gives us a Catalogue of thofe Works Gal v. .of the Flefli which exclude Men from the Kingdom of God, Cuch as Ada!- '.; q 2 eery, 1 16 The Introduction. tery, Fornication, — Hatred, Variance, Emulation, Wrath, Strife, Seditions, He- refies, Envyings, and the like ; and then aflures us, that the Fruits of the Spirit are Love, Joy, Peace, Long-fuffering, Gentlenefs, Goodnefs, Faith, Meeknefs, and 'Temperance, againjl -which there is no Lain; and, after having laid down this as Gal vu an eflfential Principle of Chriftianity, that neither Circumcifion availeth any Thing, 15. nor Unci rcumcifion, but a new Creature, or, as 'tis expretfed in another Place, Faith which works by Love ; he pronounces this truly apoftolick Benediction, it- As many as walk according to this Rule, Peace be on them, and Mercy, and upon the Ifrael of God. The fame divine and excellent Strain runs through his Letter to the Ephe- E h : v fans : 1 therefore, the Prifonerofthe Lord, befeechyou that ye walk worthy of theVo- i, P &c. V ' cation wherewith ye are called, with all Lowlinefs and Meeknefs, with Long-fuffering and Meeknefs, forbearing one another in Love, endeavouring to keep the Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace 5 and the Term of this Union, which he lays down is the Acknowledgment of one Catholick Church, one Spirit, one Lord and Mediator, and one God, even the Father of all, who is above all, through all, and ^ u in all. The contrary Vices of Bitternefs, and Wrath, and Anger, and Clamour, I ,' and evil J peaking, and Malice, are to be put away, as Things that grieve the Holy " Spirit of God : and we muft be kind one to another^ forgiving one another, even as *• God, for Chrifl' s fake, hath forgiven us, and be Followers of God, by walking in " Love, even as Chrifl hath alfo loved us, and hath given himfelffor us. His Exhortation to the Philippians, is in the mod moving Terms: If there be any Confolation in Chrifl, if any Comfort of Love, if any Fellowfhip of the Spirit, if any Bowels and Mercies, fulfil ye my Joy, that ye be like minded, having the fame Love, being of one Accord, of one Mind. Let nothing be done through Strife or Vain- glory, but in lowlinefs of Mind let each efleem other better than themfelves. In his Exhortation to the Colofftans, he warmly preffes our cultivating the )1o r n i fame Difpofition, and abounding in the fame Practice : Put of all thefe, Anger, $ Sec. Wrath, Malice; — put on as the Eletl of God, holy and beloved, Bowels of Mercies, Kindnefs, Humblenefs of Mind, Meeknefs, Long-fuffering, forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, even as Chrifl forgave us. And, above all thefe Things, put on Charity, which is the Bond of Perjeflnefs, and let the Peace of God rule in your Hearts, to which alfo ye are called in one Body. In his Directions to Timothy, he gives him this Summary of all practical 1 Tim i Religion : The Endoj the Commandment is Charity out of a pure Heart, and a good 5, &c Conference, and Faith unfeigned, and he afcribes Mens turning afide to vain jangling, to their having fwerved from this great Principle. And, to mention no more Paflages on this Head, I {hall conclude this whole Account with that amiable Defcription of the Wifdom, that is from above gi- ven by St. James : The Wifdom that is from above, is pure and peaceable, and James 111. g^/^ and eafy to be intreated, full of good Fruits, without Partiality, and without ^HyPocrify. But ij we have bitter Envying and Strife in our Hearts, we have nothing to glory in, but we Ije againfl theTruth, i.e. belye our Chriftian Profeflion ; for whatever falfe Judgment we may pafs upon our felves, this Wifdom defcendeth not from above, but is earthly, fenfual, devilifh; for where Envying and Strife is, there is Confufion, and every evil Work, I v. h Phil. ii. u &c. The Introduction. i \ j I have thrown all thefe excellent Paflages of the facred Writings together, that it may appear in the moft convincing Light, that the Scriptures have no- thing in them to countenance the Spirit, or any of the Methods of Periecu- tionfand to confront the melancholy Account I have given before of the Progrefs and Ravages caufed by this accurfed Evil. Good God, how have the Practices of Chriftians differed from the Precepts of Chriftianity ! Would one imagine that the Authors of ihofe dreadful Mifchiefs and Confufions were the Biihops and Minifters of the Chriftian Church ? That they had ever read the Records of Chriftian Religion ? Or if they had, that they ever be- lieved them ? But it may be objected, that whatever may be the Precepts of the Chriftian Religion, yet the Condud even of the Apoftles themfelves gives fome Coun- tenance to the Spirit and Practice of Perfecution, and particularly the Con- duel of St. "Paul ; and that fuch Powers are given to the Guides and Bifhops of the Chriftian Church, as do either exprefly or virtually include in them a a Right to perfecute. Let us briefly examine each of thefe Pretenfions. As to the Practice of the Apoftles, Bez,a mentions two Inftances to vindi-De Hsret. cate the Punifhment of Hereticks. The firft is that of Ananias and Sapphira y z Magifi. ftruck dead by Peter ; and the other that oiElymas the Sorcerer, ftruck blind p ^ n * p * by Paul. But how impertinently are both thefe Inftances alledged ? Herefy T *' was not the Thing punifhed in either of them. Ananias and Sapphira were (truck dead for Hypocrify and Lying, and for confpiring, if it were poffible, to deceive God. Elymas was a jewifh Sorcerer, and faffe Prophet, a fubtle mifchievous Fellow, an Enemy to Righteoufnefs and Virtue, who withftood the Apoftolick Authority, and endeavoured, by his Frauds, to prevent the Conversion of the Deputy to the Chriftian Faith. The two firft of thefe Per» fons were punifhed with Death. By whom? What, by Peter? No, by the- immediate Hand of God. Peter gave them a Reproof fuitable to their Wic- kednefs ; but as to the Punifhmenr, he was only the Mouth of God in de- claring it, even of that God who knew the Hypocrify of their Hearts, and gave this figoal Inftanceof his Abhorrence of it in the Infancy of the Chri- ftian Church, gready to difcourage, and, if poffible, for the future, to pre- vent Mens thus dealing fraudulently and infincerely with God. And, Iprefume, if God hath a Right to punifh Frauds and Cheats in another World, he hath a Right to do fo in this; efpecially in the Inftance before us, which feerrs to have fomerhing very peculiar in it. Peter exprefly fays to Sapphira, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? && v . ?< What can this tempting of the Spirit of the Lord be, but an Agreement be- tween Ananias and his Wife, to put this Fraud on the Apoftle, to fee whe- ther or no he could difcover it by the Spirit he pretended to ? This was a pro- per Challenge to the Spirit of God, which the Apoftles were endewed with, and a Combination to put the Apoftolick Character to the Trial. Had not the Cheat been difcovered, the Apoftle's Infpiration and Miffion would have been defervedly queftioned, and as the State of Chriftianity required that thi$ divine Miffion fhould be abundantly eftablifhed, Peter lets them know that fe their 1 1 8 The Introduction. their Hypccrify was difcover'd, and, to create the greater Regard and At- tention to their Perfons and Meflage, God faw fit to punifh that Hypocrify with Death. Afts xiii. As to Elymas the Sorcerer, this Inftance is as foreign and impertinent as 6 » &c * the other. Sergius Paul us, Proconful of Cyprus, had entertained at Papbos one Earjefus a jfew, a Sorcerer; and hearing alfo that Paul and Barnabas were in the City, he lent for them to hear the Doctrine they preached. According- ly they endeavoured to inftruct the Deputy in the Chriftian Faith, but were withftood by Elymas, who, by his Subtleties and Tricks, endeavoured to hin- der his Conversion. St. Paid therefore, in order to confirm his own divine Million, and to prevent the Deputy's being deceived by the Frauds and Sor- ceries of Elymas, after feverely rebuking him for his Sin, and Oppofition to Chriftianity, tells him, not that the Proconful ought to put him in Jail, and punifh him with the civil Sword, but that God himfelf would decide the Controverfy, by finking the Sorcerer himfelf immediately blind, which ac- cordingly came to pafs, to the full Conviction of the Proconful. Now what is there in all this to vindicate Perfecution ? God punifhes wicked Men for Fraud and Sorcery, who knew their Hearts, and had a Right to punifh the Iniquity of them. Therefore Men may punifli others for Opinions they think to be true, and are confcientious in embracing, without knowing the Heart, or being capable of difcovering any Iniincerity in it. Or God may vindicate the Character and Million of his own Meffengers, when wickedly oppofed and denied, by immediate Judgments inflicted by himfelf on their Oppofers. Therefore the Magistrate may punifh and put to Death, without any War- rant from God, fuch who believe their Million, and are ready to fubmit to it, as far as they underirand the Nature and Defign of it. Are thefe Confe- cuences juft and rational ? or would any Man have brought thefe Inftances as Precedents for Perfecution, that was not refolved, at all Hazards, to de- fend and practife it? iCor.v.v But doch not St. /^«/command to deliver Perfons to Satan for the Deftruclion Gal. i. 9 of tht F't/b ? Doth he not iu >Jb that they were even cut off who trouble Cbriftians, v « **■ and enjoin us to mark them which caufe Divijions and Offences, contrary to his Do- Rom. xvi. fofag^ and to avoid them, and ml to eat with them? Undoubtedly he doth. Eut i Cor v. o what can be reafonably infer'd from hence in favour of Perfecution, merely for the fake of Opinions and Principles? In all thefe Inftances, the Things cenfured are Immoralities and Vices. The Perfon who was deliver'd by St. Paitlto atan, was guilty of a Crime not fo much as narrted by the Gentiles themfelves, the inceftuous Marriage of his Father's Wife; and the Perfons we are, as iniftians, commanded not to keep company and eat with, are Men of fcandalous Lives; fuch as Fornicators, or Covetous, or Idolaters, or Railers, or Drunkards, or Extortioners, making a Profeffion of the Chriftian Religion, or, in St. Paul's Phrafe, called Brethren \ a wife and prudent Exhor- tation in thofe Days efpecially, to prevent others from being corrupted by fuch Examples, and any Infamy thrown on the Chriftian Name and Character. As to kofe whom the Apoftle wijbes cut off] they were the perfecting jfcw, who The Introduction, ii^ who fpread Contention amongft Chriftians, and taught them to bite and de- vour one another, upon Account of Circumcifion, and fuch-like Trifles ; Men that were the Plagues and Corrupters of the Society they belonged to. Men who caufed iuch Divifions, and who caufed them out of a Love to their own Belly, deferred to have a Mark fet upon them, and to be avoided by ail who regarded their own Intereft, or the Peace of others. What the Apoftle means by delivering to Satan, I am not able certainly to determine. It was not, I am fure, the putting the Perfon in Jail, or tor- turing his Body by an Executioner; nor fending him to the Devil by the Sword or the Fagot- One Thing included in it undoubted y was, his Sepa- ration from theChriftian Church : Put away from amtmgfijourfehes that wicked i Cor. v m Perfon, which probably was attended with fome bodily Diftemper, which, as it 1 h came from God, had a Tendency to bring the Perfon to Confederation and Re- flefrion. The immediate Defign of it was'the Deftruction of the Flelh, to cure him of his Inceft, that, by Repentance and Reformation, his Spirit 'might be favedintbeDayofChrifti and the Power by which the Apoftle inflicted this Punifhment, was peculiar to himfelf, which God gave him for Edification, audzCoi not for DeftruEliun : So that whatever is precifely meant by delivering to Satan,* & it was the Punifhment of a notorious Sin,- a Punifhmen: that carried the Marks of God's Hand, and was defign'd for the Perfon's Good, and was actually instrumental to recover and lave him, 2 Cor. ii. But what Reiemblance is there in all this to Perfecution, in which there is no Appearance of the Hand of God, nor any Marks but thofe of the Cruelty and Vengeance of Men ; no Immorality punifhed, and, generally fpeaking, nothing that in its Nature deferves Punishment, or but what deferves Encouragement and Applaufe. And 'tis very probable that this is what St. Paul means ~by his wifbing thofe cut (ff who difturbed the Peace of the Gahtian Christians, by fpreading Divifions amongft them, and exciting Perfecutions againft them ; though, I confefs, if St. Paul meant more, and pray'd to God that thofe obftinate and incorrigil Enemies to Chriftianity, who, for private Views of worldly Intereft, raifed perpetual Disturbances and Perfecutions where-ever they came, might receive the juft Punifhmen: of their Sins, and be hereby prevented from' d Ming far- ther Mifchief, I don't fee how this would have been inconfifxent with Charity, or his own Character, as an infpired Apoftle. It may poflibly be urged, that though the Things cenfured in thefe Places are Immoralities, yet that there are other PaiTages which refer only to Prin- ciples, and that the Apoftle Paul fpeaks againft them with great Severity : As particularly, If an\ Man preach any ether Go/pel unto you, than that ye have r*-GaI.i a ceized, let him be acctirfed And again, A Man that is an Heretick, after the jufiTv.nL and fecond Admonition, rejetl. As to the firft of thefe, nothing can be more 1.."" evident than that the Apoftle pronounces an Anathema only againft thofe who fubverted the Chriftian Religion, fuch who taught that it was inefficient to Salvation, without Circumcifion, and Submiflion to the Jeu-ifb Law: As the Gofpel he taught, was what he had received from Chrift, he had, as an Apoftle, a Right to warn the Churches he wrote to againft corrupting the 2 Sim- i ao The Iktrodugtion, Simplicity of it, and to pronounce an Anathema, ». e. to declare, in the Name of his great Matter, that all fuch falfe Teachers fhould be condemned who continued to do fo ; and this is the utmoft that can be m*de of the Ex- preflion ; and therefore this Place is as impertinently alledged in favour of Perfecution, as it would be to alledge thole Words of Cnrift : He that belie- veth not, pall be condemned. The Anathema pronounced, was the divine Ven- geance, it was Anathema Maranatha, to take Place only when the Lord (hould come to Judgment, and not to be executed by human Vengeance. As to Herefy, againft which fuch dreadful Outcries lave been raifed, 'tis taken indifferently in a good or a bad Senfe in the Scripture. In the bad Senfe, it li.-mifies, not an involuntary Error, or Miftake of Judgment, into which ferious and honeft Minds may fall, after a careful Enquiry into the Will of God, but a wilful criminal Corruption of the Truth for worldly Ends and Pur- pofes. Thus'tisreckon'djbySt. Paul himielf, amongft the Works of the Flefh, Gal.v. to. fuch as Adultery, Fornication, Variance, Strifes, and the like, becaufe Herefy is embraced for the fake of flefh ly Lufts, and always minifters to the ferving them. Thus St. Peter, "There were falfe Prophets alfo amongft the People, even as there/hall 2. Pet. ii. be falfe Teachers amongft you , who privily (hall bring in damnable Hereftes, even deny- i, &c. j }t g tJ je Lord that bought them, and bring upon them/elves fwift'Deftrutlion ; and ma' ny /ball follow their pernicious Ways, by reafon of whom the Way of Truth /ball be v. 10. evil f poke of i and through Covetoufnefs Jhallthey t with feigned Words, make Mer- chandise of you ; whom he farther defcribes, as walking after the Flefh in the Luft oj Uncle annejs, and as given to almoft all manner of Vices. This is Herefy, and denying the Lord that bougbt us, and the only Meaning of the Expreflion, as ufed by the Apoftle; though it hath been applied by weak or designing Men, Tit. iii. to denote all fuch as don'c believe their metaphyseal Notion of the Trinity, ix. or the Athanajian Creed. Hence it is that St. Paul gives it, as the general Character of an Heretick, that lie is fubverted, viz. from the Chriftian Faith, jinneth, viz. by voluntarily embracing Errors, fubverfive of the Gofpel, in favour of his Lufts, on which Account he is J "elf- condemn 'd, viz. by his own Confcience, both in the Principles he teaches, and the vile Ufes to which he makes them ferve : So that tho* fincere and honeft Enquirers after Truth, Perfons who fear God, and practife Righteoufnefs, may be Hereticks in the Efteem of Men, for not understanding and believing their Peculiarities in Re- ligion, yet they are not and cannot be Hereticks, according to the Scripture Defcription of Herefy, in the Notion of which there is always fuppofed a wicked Heart, earning Men wilfully to embrace and propagate fuch Princi- ples as are fubverfive of the Gofpel, in order to ferve the Purpofes of their Avarice, Ambition, and Luft. Such Herefy as this is unqueftionably one of the worft of Crimes, and Hereticks of this kind are worthy to be rejected. Ic muft be confeifed, that Herefy hath been generally taken in another Senfe, and to mean Opinions that differ from the eftablifhed Orthodoxy, or from the Creeds of the Clergy, that are uppermoft in Power ; who have not only taken on them to reject fuch as have differed from them, from their Commu- nion and Church, but to deprive them of Fortune, Liberty and Life. But as The Introduction. isi as Sr. Paul's Notion of Herefy entirely differs from what the Clergy have generally taught about it, theirs may be allowed to be a very irrational and abfurd Dodrine, and the Apoftle's remain a very wife and good one ; and though they have gone into all the Lengths of Wickednefs to punifh'what rhey have ftigmatized with the Name of Herefy, they have had no apoftolick Example or Precept to countenance them; Scripture Hereticks being only to be rejected from the Church, according to St. Paul, and as to any farther Punifhment, 'tis deferred till the Lord fhall come. As to the Powers given to the Guides, or Overfeers,' or Bifhops of the Church, I allow their Claims have been exceeding great. They have alTumed tothemfelves the Name of the Church and Clergy, hereby to diftin«uiih them- felves from the Flock of Chrift. They have taken on them, as we have ieen to determine, mend, and alter the Fairh, to make Creeds' for others, and oblige thein to fubfcribe them, and to act as though our Saviour had diverted himfelf of his own Rights, and given unto them all Power in Heaven and Earth. But thefe Claims have as little Foundation in the Gofpei as in Rea- fon. The Words Clergy and Church, are never once ufed in Scripture to de- note the Bifhops or other Officers, but the Chriftian People. St. Peter ad- vifes the Presbyters td feed the Flock oj God, ami to exercife the Etifcopal Office i Pet. fc ivillingly, a not as lording it over the Heritages, or Clergy of God. And St. *• Paul, writing to his Ephefians, and fpeaking of their Privileges as Chriftians- fays, that by Chrift they -were made God's peculiar Lot, or Heritage, or b Clergy! In like manner, the Body of Chriftians in general, and particular Congre- gations in particular Places, are called the Church, but the Minifters of the Gofpei never in contradiftinction to them. J Tis of all Believers that St* ZPeter gives that noble Defcription, that they are a fpiritual Hufe, an holy Priefthood, to offer up fpiritual Sacrifices, a chofen Generation, a royal Pridhood, an holy Nation, and a c peculiar People, or a People for his peculiar Heritage^ or purchafed Pojfejfion; as the Word is render'd, Eph. i. 14. So that to be'the Church, the Clergy, and the facred Priefts of God, is an Honour common to all Chriftians in general by the Gofpei Charter. Thefe are not the Titles of a few only, who love to exalt themfelves above them. Undoubtedly, the Order of the Chriftian Worfhip requires, that there fhould be proper Perfons to guide and regulate the Affairs of it. And ac- cordingly St. Paul tells us, that Chrift gave fome Apoftles, fome Prophets, fome Eph fv Evangelifts, and fome Paftors and Teachers, different Officers, according to then/ different State and Condition of his Church. To the Apoftles, extraordinary Powers were given, to fit them for the Service to which they were called ; and, to enable them to manage thefe Powers in a right Manner, they were under the peculiar Conduct of the Spirit of God. Thus our Saviour after his Refurreaion, breathed on his Difciples the Holy Ghoft, and faid, Wfofe fever Sins ye remit, they are remitted to them ; and whoje foever Sins ye retai^Johti re, k Ee co >£ zx.Ki)$am your Sins ; and to the Other, I put you under the Sentence of Damnati' ,i ? Would any confiderate Man in the World have ever credited their Pretrifions to fuch an extrava- gant Power? Or can one fingle Inftance be produced of the Apoftles pre- tending to exercife it ? No- Their Power of binding and loofing, of retaining and remitting Sins confided in this, and in this principally, -wz,. their fixing the great Conditions of Mens future Salvation, and denouncing the Wrath of Al- mighty God againft ail, who, thro 3 wilful Gbftinacy, would not believe and obey the Gofpel. And the Commiffion was given them in the moft general Terms, Whofe foever Sins ye retain, &c. not becaufe they were to go to parti- cular Perfons, and ^peremptorily fay, Tvu flail be faved, and you flail be damned, but becaufe they were to preach the Gofpel to Gentiles, as well as Jews, and to fix thofe Conditions of future Happinefs and Mifery, that fhould conclude all the Nations of the Earth, to whom the Gofpel fhould be preached. This was their proper Office and Work, as Apoftles ; and, in order to this, they had the Spirit given them, to bring all Things that Chrift had faid to their Remembrance, and to inftrud them fully in the Nature and Doctrines of the Gofpel. And as they have declared the whole CounfelofGod to the World, they have loofed and bound all Mankind, even the very Biflops and Paftors of the Church, as well as others, as they have fixed thofe Conditions of Pardon and Mercy, of future Happinefs and Mi- fery for all Men, from which God will 'not recede, to the End of Time. This was a Power fit to be entrufted with Men under the Conduct of an. unerring Spirit, and with them only; whereas the common Notion of facer- dotal or prieftly Abfolution, as it hath no Foundation in this Commiffion to the Apoftles, nor in any Paflage of the facred Writings, is irrational and abfurd, and which the Priefts have no more Power to give, than any other common Chriftian whatfoever, no, nor than they have to make a new Gofpel. I would add, that as the Apoftles received this Commiffion from Chrift, they were bound to confine themfelves wholly to it, and not to exceed the Limits of it. They were his Servants who lent them, and the Meflage they received from him, that, -and that only, were they to deliver to the World. 2 Cor. v. Thus St. Paul fays of himfelf, that God had committed to him the Word of Recon- zo. ciliatim, and that he was an Ambajfador for Chrift ; that he preached not himfelf, iv. <,-bnt Chrift Jefiu the Lord, and himfelf the Servant of others for Jefus fake ; that he ,, '*4* had no Dominion over others Faith, no Power to impofe upon them arbitrary Things, or Articles of Faith, which he had not received from Chrift; and i Cor. u. that accordingly he determined to know nothing but Chrift, and him crucified, i. e. to %. % preach The Introduction. 7 23 preach nothing but the pure and uncorrupted Doctrir.es of his G md that this was his great Comfort, that he had not fbunned to declare the Cout .. of God. If then the infpired Apoftles were to confine themfelves to what they received from God, and had no Power to make Articles of Faith, and fix Terms of Communion and Salvation, other than what they were imme- diately ordered to do by Chrift, it is abfolutely impoffible that the Clergy can have that Power now; who have, as I apprehend, no immediate Com- miiTion from Chrift, nor any direct Inspiration from his Holy Spirit. Nor is there any Thing in the Circumftanees of the World to render fuch a Power defirable ; becaufe the Apoftles have (hewn us all Things that we need believe or practife as Chriftians, and commanded the Preachers of theGofpel to teach no other Doftrines but what they received from them. Hence St. Peter's Ad- vice to the Elders, that they fbould jeed the Flock of God, not as larding it over i Pet. v. j; the Heritage, And St. Paul, in his Epiftles to Timcthy, informing him in the Nature of theGofpel Doctrines and Duties, tells him, that by putting theiTim.lv. Brethren in Remembrance of thefe Things, he would approve himfelf a good Alt nifter 6 - of Jefus Chrift, and commands him to take Heed to himfelf, and to the po£hfnes vu n lA he had taught him, and to continue in the?n, charging him, in the Sight of God, ao. and before Chrift Jefus, to keep the Commandment given him, that which was com- z Tim. ii. mittedto his Tr uft, without Spot, unrebuke able, till the Appearance of Chrift l jfejw '.*■*' Thefe were the Things to which Timothy was to confine himfelf, and to com- mit to others, that they might be continually preached in the Chriftian Church ; and of Confequence Vis the fame Apoftolick Doctrine that the Biftiops, or Elders, or Minifters of the Church, are to inftruct their Hearers in now, as far as they underftand it, without mixing any Thing of their own with it, or of any other Perfons whatfoever. The great End and Defign of the ministerial Office, is for the fevfeSt m AS of the Saints, and the edifying of the Body of Chrift. Hence the Elders are com- 28 - manded to take Heed to themfelves, and to the Flock truer which the Holy Gheft had made them Bishops, to feed the Church of God. They are likewife exhorted to hold faft the faithful IVord, as they had been taught, that by found Dotlrine they may be able to exhort and convince others. They are to give Attendance to Reading Exhortation, and Dotlrine, and to put others in Remembrance of the greac Truths of the Gofpel, charging them, before the Lord, not to ftrive about unprofitable Words, but to be gentle to all Men, and in Meehief to iuftrutl even thofe who oppofe. They are to contend e ai neflly for the Faith, as well as other Chriftians, but then 'tis for that Faith which was once delivered to the Saint* ; and, even for this, the Servant of the Lord is not, tthx*d£ to fight. He is not to^tim u ufe carnal, but fpiritual Weapons, nor to put on any Armour, but that ofz'4. Righteoufnefs on the Right Hand, and on the Left. They are to (peak tbeEph. iV. Truth, bu: it muft be in Love. They fhould be ^ealiufty affetled, but it mould ' $• be always in a good Thing. They mu(x ftop the Mouths of unruly and vain Tatki r •, ] ir j ' but it muft be by Uncorruptnefs of Dotlrine, Gravity, Sincerity, and found Speech"' that cannot be condemned, Upon thefe, and the like Accounts, they are faid r z 1 24. The Introduction. to be over us in the Lord, to rule us, and to be our Guides ; Words that do not imply any Dominion that they have over the Conferences of others, nor any Rie efteemed, as they ought to be, the Difturbers, Plagues and Curfes of Mankind, and the Church of God ; but let not the Religion of Jefus Chrift fuffer for their dimes, nor fhare any Part of that Scandal, which is due only to thofe who have dishonoured their Character and ProfefHon, and abufed the moft beneficent and kind Inftitution that ever apDeared in the World. It is in order to expofe this fnameful Practice, and render it the Abhor- rence of all Mankind, that I have drawn up the foregoing Sheets, and, I prefume, that no one who hath not put off Humanity it felf can read them, without becoming Sentiments of Indignation. The true Ufe to be made of that Hiftory, is, not to think dishonourably of Chrift and his Religion, not to contemn and defpife his faithful Minifters, who, by Preaching and Pra- ctice, by Reafon and Argument, endeavour to propagate Knowledge, Piety, Righteoufnefs, Chanty, and all the Virtues of private and focial Life. The Bleffing of the Almighty God be with them. The Grace of our Lord Jefus Chrift fucceed and profper them. I fay therefore, the Ufe of the fore- going Hiftory is to teach Men to adhere clofe to the Doctrines and Words of Chrift and his Apoftles, to argue for the Doctrines of the Gofpel with Meek- nefs and Charity, to introduce no new Terms of Salvation and Chri- ftian Communion, not to trouble the Chriftian Church with metaphyseal Subtleties and abftrufe Queftions, that minifter to Quarelling and Strife, not to pronounce Cenfures, Judgments, and Anathemas, upon fuch as may dif- fer from us in ipeculatrve Truths, not to exclude Men from the Rights of civil Society, nor lay them under any negative or pofitive Difcou^agements for Confcience fake, or for their different Ufages and Rites in the Externals of Chriftian Worfhip ; but to remove thofe which are already laid, and which are as much a Scandal to the Authors and Continuers of them, as they are a Burthen to thofe who labour under them. Thefe were the fole Views that influenced me to lay before my Reader the foregoing melancholy Ac- count ; no: any Defign to reflect on the Clergy in general, whofe Office and Character I greatly reverence, and who, by acting according to the ori- ginal Deftgn of their Inftitution, would prove the moft ufefui Set of Men in every Nation and Kingdom, and thereby fecur p to themfelves all the Eftceni they could reafonably defire in the prefent World, and, what is infinitely more valuable, the Approbation of their great Lord and Mafter in another. F j n 1 s. T O T H E Moft Reverend Father in God, JOHN; Lord Arch-Bitliop of Canterbury, Primate and Metropolitan of all ENGLAND. May it pleafe Tour Grace; HBMigMgfjgK H E Book which I now publifh, and my Hi- ftory of the Inquifition prefixed 10 it, appeared to me worthy of Your Grace's Patronage, ra* ther than any other Perfon's living, when I confidered the Subject treated of in both of them, and that high Station, which in thefe moft difficult Times You fupport with the greateft Honour and uni- * verfal 11 The D E D I CAT I N. verfai Applaufe of all good Men, for the common Advan- tage of the Reformed Churches. The Book it felf contains the Sentences of the Tholoufe Inquifition, pronounced during the Space of fixteen Years, principally againft the Albigenjes and Valdenfes, about the Beginning of the Fourteenth Century. In thefe Sentences there are not only many curious Things, which greatly illufxrate the Hiiioriesof thofe Times, but the Inquifition it felf and the Method of its Procedure, is reprefented by about one hundred Sentences pronounced by it and held up as it were in a Glais to be difcerned by all : From hence, even the Papacy it felf, which principally is fup- ported by Cruelty and Perfecution, may be more fully known, which, tho' covered with Sheeps Cloathing to deceive the Unwary, cherifhes a Wolf in its Bofom. My Hiftory of the Inquifition gives Light to the Book of Sen- tences. My Defign in it was to give a Reprefentation of that Tribunal, not in a falle Difguife, nor deform'd by unnatural and hideous Colours, but in living and genuine ones ; I mean, to draw the Picture of that horrible Court, which makes its principal Boaft of the Title of San&ity, to the Life, not from the Writings of thofe who feparate from the Church of Rome, but that there may be no Room for Calumny, from thofe of the Popilh Doctors, and even Inquifitors themfelves ; that hereby the vaft Power granted to the Inquifitors, the moil cruel Laws of it, and the injuft Method of Procedure, quite different from the Ufage of all other Court?, might appear to the whole World, and that hereby the Papacy it felf might be known to all Mankind to be what it really is. For indeed there is nothing that more evidently difcovers its Nature, than that immenfe and fupream Power, by which the Pope of i Rorne y The DEDICATION. Rome, claiming to be the Vicar of Chrift on Earth, makes himfelf the Judge of the Faith, and ufurps Dominion over the Confciences of the Faithful. And of this the Office of the lnquifition is the moft abundant Proof. For here the Pope, as fupreara Legiflator, makes Laws, by which he endeavours to bind, under the moft fevere Penalties, all who wear the Name of Chrift, without excepting thofe of the higheft Rank, no not Princes and Kings, to obey and believe all Things, which are eftablifhed by the Ca- nons of the Church of Rome. And as fupream Judge of the Faith, he erefts himfelf a Tribunal, from the Judg- ment of which none of the Faithful are exempted ; He fends his Inquifitors into all Provinces and Countries, who. as Judges delegated by him, exercife Judgment in his Name, and make all Magiftrates and Princes obedient to their Commands, as tho' they were the Commands of the Pope himfelf. And that it may appear that he fets himfelf up as God, he endeavours to fearch out the moft concealed Things, and, as far as he can, the very 1 houghts of the Heart. He commands the moft private Affairs, tranfa&ed between the moft intimate Friends, to be informed of to the Inquifitors, if there appears to be the leaft Sufpicion of a wavering Faith, under this moft fevere Threatning, that if any one doth not immediately difcover what he hath heard and feen, he fhall be efteemed as an Accomplice in the Crime, and as an Hinderer of the holy Office of the lnquifition ; that by this Means, even from the fmalleft Proofs, he may form a Judgment of the very Thoughts, or by the moft cruel Tortures draw out a Confeflion of every Thing harbour'd in the Mind, or at leaft punifh the A&ion or Word that gave Occafion to the Sufpicion. And that it may more evidently appear, that this Tribunal is * 2 erected 111 iv The D E D I C A T J N. erefted not for the Honour, but rather for the Reproach of Chrift, he ordains thofe Punifhments, and exercifes thofe Judgments, not againft the profane and impious Violaters of the Divine Laws, Thieves, Adulterers, Drunkards, Revilers, and the like, concerning whom the Scripture plainly pronounces, that they (hall not inherit the Kingdom of Heaven ; but againft the Tranfgreffors of his Laws, which, without any Foundation in the Word of God, he hath, by an infolent Ufurpation offpiritual Power, laid on the Church of God, as a Yoke to diftin- guifh all who are fubjedt to him. So that if any one doth not obferve the leaft Ceremony he commands, or not believe what is ordered by him to be believed, altho' he is perfuaded by the clear Teftimony of the Word of God, that he ought to aft and believe otherwife, or gives the leaft Proof of fuch a Belief, he can't efcape the cruel Hands or the Inquifitors. So that by thefe Fruits 'tis evi- dent, he prefers his own Commandments to the Divine. On the other hand, all who defire to preferve the Pu- rity and Liberty of the Gofpel, every where highly efteem and honour Your Grace, who, as you prefide over the Church of England by far the moft Eminent of all the Re- formed Churches, are for this Reafon, I had almoft faid, their common Defender. You by Methods and Counfels, direQly contrary to the Papal Tyranny, labour with great Succefs to promote the Chriftian Doftnne and Faith, and . to bring Men into the Way of Salvation. For, not to mention Your Grace's chaite and natural Eloquence in Preaching, fo agreeable to the Holy Scriptures^ the Strength and Force of Your Judgment in Arguing, Your Learning, not for Oftentation, but Ufefulnefs, and thole other excellent Qualifications^, which formerly drew the Hopes The DEDICATION. Hopes and Eyes of ail good Men upon You, and for which You are now an Ornament to Your Profeffion ; the great Goodnels of Your Mind, fo highly becoming an Evangelical Paftor, gives a happy Prefage to the Refor- mation, even now in Danger, and lately almorl oppreffed. For fuch is the Integrity of Your Life, fuch the Simplici- ty and Candor of your Behaviour, fuch Your Charity and Benevolence to all, fuch Your VVifdom from long Expe- rience, that You feem to have been chofen by Divine Pro- vidence, by Your Conduct to unite and ftrengthen the reformed Churches, to heal their Differences, and to ad- vance and defend the Gofpel Liberty and Chriftian Reli- gion againft the Attempts and lavage Cruelty of the Papifrs. For You not only approve, but are a Pattern of true Go- fpel Charity. You oppofe the Papal Tyranny and Barba- rity, by Purity of Life and Gentlenefs of Diipofition the very Methods by which Chriftianity formerly overcame and deftroyed Idolatry, and the Heathen Impiety and Ty- ranny, and by which it always will tiiumph over its Ene- mies. I could not therefore fubmit this Work to any but Your Grace's Protection, and perfuade my felf You will With me judge it to be leafonable; efpecially in this State of Affairs, in which the Papacy is endeavouring, efpecially in England, to eredl it felf again, and ufurp the fole Do* minion ; that in this Treatife all Men may fee, as in a Glafs, its living and genuine Reprefentation, and never fuffer themfelves to be deceived by a falfe and difguifed Appearance, but acknowledge it to be what it really i& viz- an Aflembly and Combination of cruel and bloc y Men^ who affed: and ufurp, where-ever they can,, a Do "minion over Confcience, and thus erect a Kingdom owo VI The DEDICATION. fite to that of Chrift's : That by this Mean?, they may, under: Your Conduct and Government, as a truly fpiritual Father, learn to abhor, and with all their Hearts, to deteft that imperious Society, and oppofe the Propagation of it, by Faith unfeigned, a Charity truly Chnftian, and by San&ity of Behaviour; and that they may alfo confult the Safety of the reformed Church, and _ eipecially learn from thence to abhor all Cruelty and Punimment towards Di£ tenters and erroneous Perfons, in other Refpects pious, as thofe who know, that we muft all give an Account of our Faith before the Tribunal of Chrift, the fupream Lawgiver and Judge, and that it is not lawful for any Men to give a Law to Confciences, or prefcribe the Rules of Believing, becaufe this is in Reality to a fcend the Tri- bunal of Chrift himfelf. Thus the Church will profper and fburifh under Your Grace's Care; Enmities^ Hatred and Schiims, which have miferably divided it into Par- ties will be destroyed ; and if God, offended with us for our Sins, ftrall not vouchfafe to reftore to us thofe golden Ages of the primitive Church, in which all the Faithful were of one Heart and one Mind, yet that we may all at leaft learn this from hence, not to rule over another's Confcience, never to punifh an erroneous Chri- ftian for a mere harmlefs Miftake, never to put to Death any one for an ingenuous Profeffion of his Faith, of which he is ready to give an Account to God, but to refute their Errors by the Force of Reafon, and the plain Teftimony of Scripture, and in the mean while to wait with Gentle- nefs and Patience for their Repentance, if perad venture God fhould grant them to underftand their Errors, and sive them an Heart iincerely to embrace the Truth. B May The DEDICATION. May the God of Peace, who brought again from the Dead that great Shepherd of the Sheep, our Lord Je- fus Chrift, by the Blood of the everlafting Covenant, profper all your moft pious Endeavours for the Peace and Safety of the Churchy and grant that You may happily reftore it when fallen, and fupport it when tottering, by the fame Aids, with which it firft grew, encreafed, and was eftablifhed. Thefe are the (incere and moft affectionate Prayers of 3 may it pleafe Your Grace, Tour GRACE*, Mofl Humble and 7)evoted Servant y Vll Philip a Limborck Mr. LIMBORCH's P E F A C E T O T H E E A D E R. E N firft I determined to publijh the 'Book of the Sentences of the Tholoufe Inquifition, I had Reafon p| to think that it would be the fame with others , as I *p| found it with my f elf, viz. that federal Things in thofe WMSMirrt Sentences wo*ild not be very clear, imlefs the Nature of the Inquifition, and Method of Proceeding in it, were > in fome Meafure, tmderfiood ; and therefore, I intended, for the Rea- der s Advantage, to prefix to it a 'Dijjertation concerning the Inquifi- tion : But, as I turned over the Authors who treated of this Affair, 1 found fuch [Plenty of Matter, that I laid by my firft Tiefign, and refohedto write an entire Hi [lory of the Inquifition, Whether I have arfwtred Expectation, the Reader muft judge : I am fure I was not wanting in the defire to ferve him. The Hifiory it felf I have comprehended in Four Books ; in which Ihavefo fully explained every Thing relating to the lnquifition, and that could clear up the Books of Sentences, that I a,.i perfwaded the Reader will find no Obfcurity left when he perufes them. He will perceive, by the Laws and Bulls every where pnblified againft Hereticks, why fuch a Tunijhment is infliUed upon each c Perfon, and the Crimes objected to the Criminals^ and why the Sentences are conceived in thefe and no other Words. And although PREFACE to the Reader. although the PuniJJrments enjoyned Penitents, by way cf wbolefome 'Penances, are arbitrary, and left to the Pleafure of the Inquifitors yet they are directed [ by fome certain Laws and Cuftoms ■ fo that' upon hearing the Crimes read objected to any Criminal, it may from thence, be eajily gathered to what Penance' he is to be condemned according to the Laws and Cuftoms received in the Inquifition. I haze not, through an Attachment to any Party, written am Thing contrary to Truth. I have made ufe of Popifj ' Authors yea Inquifitors them/ekes, and Ccu.nfdlors of the Inquifition, who are fo far from having written any Thing untrue, out cf Hatred to the In- quifition, that they every where cry up the SanUity of it, and, without End orMeafure, inculcate its vaft Advantage to the Church of Rome ■ and therefore, whatever they write concerning the Inquifition and Method of Proceeding before that Tribunal, 1 affured myfetflmtebt fafely relate, without any Charge of Calumny on account of it. And to cut off all Pretence for fitch a Charge, 1 thought proper to retain the very Words of the Popifj T>ocfors, as they are extant in their own "Books, without any Alteration, unlefs where, becaufe of their Prolixnefs, I have abridged them-, and, even then, I have made ufe of their own Words, as far as the Nature cf an Abridgment would allow i fo that he who reads my Hiftory, will read not fo much my Wrds, as thofe of the Inquifitors themj elves, and other Popifo T)oblors. I thought Ifboula hereby greatly ferve the Publick, by JJjewing what fort of Court that of the Inquifttion is, the Papi/fs and Inquifitors themfehes being Witneffes. Amonvft all the Au- thors I have quoted, R. Gonfalvius Montanus is the only one that was a Prcteftant ; and, as far as 1 can gather from his Book, was one of the fe, who, about the Death of the Emperor Charles V. 7^- thered a Church for worftipping God in a purer Manner at Seville upon difcovering the grievous Errors and Superftitions of the Church of Rome, which was afterwards difperfed by that moft cruel Inquifi- tion, of which there were held A els of Faith at Seville and Yalladolid An. 1 5 59. But I have fcarce any Thing from him but what j] affirmed by other Authors-, he only fupplies me with Infimces fulh to illuflrate what others write concerning the Inquifttion, the Laws of it, and Method of Proceeding. To him I may add James Uffer Arcbbijhop of Armagh, from whofe Treatife, De Succdlione, fal J have borrowed feme few Things. But, inafmuch as even the( e Things were taken from Popijlj Authors, of whom there are frequent IX PREFACE to the Reader. Qiiotations in that Treatife, what I have tranfcribed from thence 7 ought, in J 'uft ice, to have the fame Authority, with the Tapifts, as though I had quoted it from the eery Authors, whofe Words are made nfe of by that mo ft learned Tr elate. The Reader may, perhaps, wonder at one Thing, that I have al- ways called thofe Her eticks that have been proceeded againft by the Inqiiijition : jBut, as I was relating the Topes *Bulls, and the T)c« crees of Topifi Councils, I could not help ufing the fame Words I found in them. ( £y an Heretick, therefore, lunderftandone condemned for Herefy by the Church of Rome. / could not rehear fe their de- cree s but in their own Words, and was therefore forced always to ufe them r unlefs I would have interrupted the Courfe of the Hiftory,. by repeated and innumerable yl Iterations^ and thereby rendered it lefs pleafing and acceptable. Let it therefore fuffice, once for all, to fay, that, by the Word Heretick, when lever [peak of the Inquifttion againft Her eticks, I do not mean one who is truly an Heretick, but accounted an Heretick by the Church of Rome, taking the Word in the Topijh Senfe of it. In the mean while, thofe who are Her eticks in their Account, are not fo in mine 5 and Ifincerely believe-, that thofe which the Church of Rome hath condemned fr Herefy, have died, and gloricufly endured the Tuvijfanent of Fire for the Teftim:ny of J e fits Chrifty and the man-fairing a good Confcience. Thefe few Things I thought proper to advife my kind Reader of, and hope he will pafs 4. favourable Judgment, Sep. 13. An. cididcxcii. A A CATALOGUEof the AuTHORsout of whofe Writings the History of the In q_u i sit ion is principally drawn. DTre&orium Inquifitorum Fr. Nicolai Eymerici Ord. Pra:d, cum Commentariis Francifci Pegnae J. V. D. Roma? m xdibus po- puli Romani, mdlxxxv. fol. Eymericus was born at Girona in Catalonia, was a Predicant Monk, and flourijhed in the 'Papacy of Urban V. and Gregory XL and in the Reign of Peter IV. King of Aragon. He was made Inquifitor General about the Tear 1358. and fucceeded Nicholas Rofell. He was made a Cardinal An. 1355. He died Jan. 4, 1393. having executed the Office of the Holy Inquifttion for forty four Tears together. Vegnzwasa Spaniard, of the Kingdom of Aragon, made Auditor of the Roman Rota, in the room of Chriftopher Robufterius, 0&. 14, 1 588. He was advanced to the Deanery of the fame Court June p, 1604. in the room of Cardinal Jerom Pamphilii, and died in that Deanery Aug. 21, 1612. Francifci Pegna? Inftru&io, feu Praxis Inquifitorum, cum annota- tionibus Ca?faris Carena?. Lugduni 1669. poft Carena? tra&atum dc Officio SS. Inquifitionis. fol. Guidonis Fulcodii, qua?ftiones quindecim ad Inquifitores ,- cum an- notationibus Caefaris Carena?, ibid. Fulcodius was a Cardmal, and afterwards Tope, by the Name of Clement IV. Lucerna Inquifitorum Fr. Bernardi Comenfis, cum annot. Francifci Pegna?, imprefla Roma? cum licentia Superiorura, ex ofiEcina Bartho- lomsei GraiTi. 1584. Jacobus Simancas de Catholicis Inftitutionibus, Simzncaswas%i/hof> of Badajox in the Kingdom of Portugal, and Province of Eftremadura. Joannes a Royas, de harreticis eorumque impia intentionc & cre- dulitate. Royas was a Licentiate of the Canon and Civil Law, Inquifitor of heretical Travity at Valencia in Spain. Zanchini Ugolini tra&atus de haereticis : cum Additionibus Fr. Camilli Campegii. Z. Ugolinus was a Lawyer of Rimini in Italy. C. Campegius was a Predicant Friar, and Inquifitor General in all the Territories of Ferrara. Conradus Brunus de ba?reticis & fchifraaticls, lib. £. * * 2 Format xii A Catalogue of Authors, 1?c, Forma procedendi contra ha?reticos, feu inquifitos de ha?refi, & in caufa hatreds. Alitor creditur Joannes Calderinus. Hi quinque autorcs exftant in Parte II. Tom. XL tra&atuum illuftrium Juris confultorum, qua? agit, de judiciis criminalibus S. Inquifitionis. Ludovicus a Paramo, de Origine & Progretfu Officii San&a? Inqui- fitionis, ejufque dignitate & utilitate. Madrid, ex Typographic Re- gia. cid id xcnx. fol. Ludovicus a Paramo was Archdeacon and Canon of Leon, a City in Spain, and Inquijitor of the King- dom of Sicily. Antonii de Soufa, Aphorifmi Inquifitorum. Lugduni, apud Anif- fon. 1669. 8. Soufa was a Portuguefe of Lisbon, a Predicant Friar, Mafter of Divinity, and Coanfelhr to the King and the Tribunal of the fupream Holy Inquifition. Carfaris Carena?, tractatus de Officio San&iflima? Inquifitionis, & modo procedendi in caufis fidei. Lugduni apud Aniflbn. 1669. fol. Carena, T). T). was Auditor of Cardinal Camporeus, Judge Con- servator, Cotmfellor, and Advocate Fifcal of the Holy Office, Reignaldi Gonfalvii Montani Sancta? Inquifitionis Hifpanica? artes aliquot detecta? ac palam tradu&a?. Heidelberga? 1567. 8. Pauli Servita? Hiftoria Inquifitionis, pra?fertim prout in Dominio Veneto obfervatur. Relation de flnquifition de Goa. 12. a Paris 1687. Memoires de la Cour d'Efpagne. 12. a la Haye. 1691. Abrahami Bzovii Annalium Ecclefiafticorum Baronii Continuatio, Antwerpiae 1617. Annales Ecclefiaftici ex Tomis o&o ad unum pluribus au&um reda&i : Autore Odorico Raynaldo. Roma: ex Typographia Varefii. 1667. Raynaldus was of Trevifo, Tresbyter of the Congregation of the Oratory. Compendium Bullarii Flavii Cherubim*. Lugduni apud Laurentium Durand, 1624. 4. Luca? Waddingi Annales Minorum, in quibus res omnes trium ON dinum Francifcanorum tradtantur. Lugduni 1625. fol. rf Jacobi Augufti Thuani Hiftoria fai temporis. Jacobus UfTerius Archiepifcopus Armachanus de Succeffione Eccle- fiarum in Occidentis pra?fertim partibus. Liber Sententiarum Inquifitionis Tholofana?. Liber catenatus, MS. inter archiva Capituli S. Salvatoris, Traje&i ad Rhenum. Gloffarium ad Scriptores media? & infima? Latinitatis, Caroli du Frefne Domini du Cange. Lutet. Paris. 1678. fol. Dominici Macri Hierolexicon* Roma? 1677. fol. t THE THE CONTENTS BOOK I. Of the Origin and Progrefs of the Inqjjisition. Chap. I, II. III. THE Doclrine of Jefus Cbrift forbids P execution on the Account of Religion — . p ag< r 'The Opinion of the Primitive Cbrijlians concerning Per/ecu t ion ' 4 The Laws of the Emperors, after the Nicene Council, againft the Arians and other Hereticks . ■ .„„ ^ y The Arian Perfections of the Orthodox — , j6 IV V. The Opinion of fome of the Fathers concerning the Perfecution of Dijfin ters VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. XI. XII. XIII. XIV. XV. XVI. XVII. XVIII. XIX. XX. XXI. 23 30 41 42 58 60 St. Augufline'j Opinion concerning the Perfecution of Hereticks The Perfections of the Popes againfi Hereticks - Of the Albigenfes and Valdenfes » _ __ , Of the Perfections again ft the Albigenfes^ Valdenfes _ Of Dominicus, and the frft Rife of the Tholoufe Inquifition . . Of the Wars againft Raymond Father and Son, Earls of Tholoufe 62 Several Councils held, and the Laws of the Emperor Frederick II. by which the Office of the Inquifition was greatly promoted - — 70 The Inquifition introduced into Aragon, France, Tholoufe, and Of the fir ft Hindrances to the Progrefs of the Inquifition The more happy and fpeedy Progrefs of the Inquifition . ■ I he Inquifition introduced into fever al Places - - Of the Inquifition at Venice » ■ , The Inquifition againft the Apoftolicks, Templars, and others The Inquifition againft the Beguins -~ TheProcefs againft Mathew Galeacius, Vifcount Milan, and others no The Inquifition introduced into Poland, andreftoredin France 1 1 2 XXII. Of 77 81 87 9 1 94 97 XtV The CONTENTS. XXII. Of Wickiiff, Hufs, and the Inquifition againft the Huflltes Pag. 114 .XXIII. Of the Inquifition in Valence, Flanders, and Arrois ■ 118 .XXIV. Of the Spanifh Inquifition ■ ■ • 119 XXV. Of the Inquifition in Portugal ■ 131 XXVI. Of the Attempt to bring the Inquifition into the Kingdom of Naples 142 XX VII. Of the Inquifition in Sicily, Sardinia and Milan 144 XXVIII. The Return of the Inquifition into Germany and France at the Time of the Reformation " 1 47 XXIX. Six Cardinals appointed at Rome Inquifitors General — — 150 XXX. Of the Inquifition in Spain againft Heretkks — - — — 156 XXXI. Of the Inquifition in the Low Countries — 1 60 BOOK II. Of the Minifters of the Office of the I n qjj i s i t i o n. Chap '.I. d~\F l h e Miniflers of the Inquifition in general ■ Pag. 162 I J. V^/ Of the Inquifitors 163 III. Of the Vicars and Affifl ants of 'the Inquifition 168 IV. Of Affeffors and Councilors neceffary to the Office of the Inquifition — 171 V. Of 'the Promoter Fifcal • • ■ • 178 rVI. Of the Notaries of 'the Inquifition — » 179 VII. Of the Judge and Receiver of the confifcated Effetts — 1 8 3 VIII. Of the Executor and Official of the Inquifition — 185 IX. Of the Familiars or Attendants • ■ — - 187 X. Of the Crofs Bearers — — — — 191 XL Of the Vifitors of the Inquifitors - ■ — 195 XII. Of the Duty or Power of every Magiflrate — — 196 XIII. Of the Privileges of the Inquifitors — ■ ■ 203 XIV. Of the Amplitude of the Jurifdiclion of the Inquifitors — 208 XV. Of the Power of the Inquifitors — 214 XVI. Of the Power of the Inquifitors in prohibiting Books ■ 222 XVII. What the Inquifitors can do themfelves, and what in Conjunction with the Ordinaries ■ - ■ 232 XVIII. Of the J 'ay I of 'the Inquifitors, and Keepers of the Jayl . 236 XIX. Of the Expences requifile in the Adminiflration of the Inquifition, and Con- fifcation of Effects applied to this Ufe ■ ■ « — 250 XX, Of the Salaries of the Inquifitors and other Officers ■ 2$j V O L. The CONTENT S. VOL. II. BOOK III. Of the Crimes belonging to the Tribunal of the Inquisition. Chap. I. (~\F Hereticks, and their EcclefiafticalPu?iifhmen!s — - Pag. i 15 I f\ II. \^J Of the Civil Punifhments of Hereticks III. Of open andfecret Hereticks „_ 2 y IV. Of affirmative and negative Hereticks - _ 2 q V. Of Hereticks impenitent and penitent — — , „? VI. Of Arch-Hereticks . m |~ VII. Of the Believers -of Hereticks, andofSchifmaticks • w 4I VIII. Of the Receivers and Defenders of Hereticks - ., IX. Of the Favourers of Hereticks — «. L .- X. Of the Hinderers of the Office of the Inquifition _ ,g XI. 0/ Perfons fufpecled of Herefy - ^ .g XII. Of Perfons defamed for Herefy . — — 5. XIII. Of Perfons relapfed ' ~ . ^, 6 - XIV. Offuch who read and keep prohibited "Books - 6 q XV. Of Polygamies /* XVI. Of ' thofe who celebrate and adminifler the Sacrament of 'Penance, ?wt being Priefls XVII. Of folicitingConfeffors ■ ■ ■ .. - ~g XVIII.. Of one that is infordefcent in Excommunication -« g 2 XIX. Of Blafphemers ■ — *_ __ g XX. Of Diviners, Fortune-Tellers, and Ajlrologers , . g£ XXI. Of Witches 8 " XXII. Of Jews, and fuch as return to Jewifh Rites — — ^ q a book IV. Of the Manner of Proceeding before the Trie u n a l of the I N QJJ I S I T I O N. Chap. I. T TO IV tJye Inquifitor begins his Office — _ p-g IG7 I 1 - JTl Of the Promulgation of an Editl of Faith —no 122. III. Of the Obligation to denounce every Here tick to the Inquifition IV. Offuch zvbo voluntarily appear, and the Grace Jhcwn them . \ 24 V. Of the three Methods of beginning the Procefs before the -Tribunal of the Inqmfition ^ . I2 g VI. Hovj the Procefs begins by vjay of 'Inquifition — . 1 -o VII. Hqvj the procefs begins by Accufation . . 1 32 1 JUL H»m XV xvi The CONTENTS. "VIII. How the Procefs begins by Denunciation — — P a g- 133 IX. Of the Witneffes, and who are admitted as Witneffes before the Tribunal of the Inquifttion ■ ■ ■ ■-» — - - 136 X- Of the Number of the Witnejfes ■ « 141 XL Of the Examination of the Witnejfes ■ » 142 XII. How the Criminals when informed againft are fent to J r ayl . 145 XIII- OftheExa?ninationofthePrifoners — — 149 XI V. What Arts the Inquijitors ufe to draw a Confeffion from the Prifoners 1 54 XV- How the Prifoners are allowed an Advocate \ Procurator and Guardian 162 XVI- How the Prifoners are interrogated by the Incuifitor, whether they allow the Witnejfes to be rightly examined and re-heard ■■ 1 64 XVII- How the Promoter Fifcal exhibits the Bill of ' Accufation — — 165 X V 1 1 1 • How the Interrogatories given in by the Criminals art iform? 'd and exhibited 170 XIX- Of the re-examiningthe Witnejfes, and thePunifhment off aife Witnejfes 171 XX- How the Prifoner hath a Copy of the Evidence, without the Names of the Witnejfes — — ■ 176 XXI- How the Articles and Witnejfes for the Criminal are produced and exa- mined . ! 185 XXIL Of 'the Defences of the Criminals ■ ■■ — 188 XXIII* How the Inquifilor may be rejecled — - — ■ 193 XXIV. Of the Appeal from the Inquijitor >■ ■ .. 194 XXV- How they proceed againfl fuch who make their Efcape 196 XXVI. How the Procefs is ended in the Inquifttion — - - 200 XXVII. How the Procefs is ended by Abfolution ■ 204 XXVIII- How the Procefs againjl a Perfon defamed for Herefy is ended by Cano- nical Purgation ' ■ ■ 207 XXIX. How the Procefs is ended by Torture — — — 212 XXX. How the Procefs is ended againfl a Perfon Jufpetled of Herefy, as alfo againfl one both fufpetled and defamed — — — 226 XXXI. How the Procefs againft an Heretick confejfed and penitent ends, andfrft of Abjuration — — — 234 XXXII. Of the PunifJjment and wholefome Penances injoyned fuch as abjure 240 XXXIII. When and how far any one is to be admitted to Penance — — 259 XXXIV. How the Procefs ends againft a relapfed Penitent ■ 264 XXXV. How the Procefs ends againft an impenitent Heretick and impenitent Re- lapfe — ► — — 269 XXXVI. How the Procefs ends againft a Negative Heretick convitled < 271 XXXVII. How the Procefs ends againft a Fugitive Heretick — 275 XXXV 'III. Of the Method of Proceeding againjl the Dead 277 XXXIX. Of the Manner of Proceeding againft Houfes ■ 287 XL. How the Sentences are pronounced, and the condemned Perfons delivered over to the Secular Arm > 288 XLI. Of an Acl of Faith ■ 292 XLII. Ai Enumeration of the ftvsral Inftances of Injuftice and Cruelty pratlifed in the Tribunal of the Inquifttion ■■■■ • % — — 310 THE THE HISTORY O F T H E INQUISITION. CHAR I. The Doctrine of Jesus Christ forbids Perfection on the Ac* count of Religion. LTHOUGH the very Name of the Inqjuisition was not fo much as heard of in the Chriftian Church, before the Thirteenth Century, yet having now fpread it felf al- moft throughout the whole World, and become every where notorious •, it is not to be wondered at, that there mould be a general Curiofity in Mankind of more tho- roughly underftanding it, and knowing by what Laws it is conducted, and what are the Methods of Proceeding therein. The Doctors of the Romijh Church give it the higheft Commendations, as the only and moil certain Means of extirpating Herefies, and an impregnable Support of the B Faith 5 2 The History of the Inquisition. Faith •, not invented by human Wifdom and Council, but given to Men by the immediate Influence of Heaven, whofe Tribunal breathes nothing but Holinefs, and to which they give fuch Titles as denote the moft perfect Sanctity. The Inquifition it felf is called the Holy Office ; the Prifon of the Inquifition the Holy Houfe, fo that the very Name raifes it Refpect and Vene- ration : Tea, they go io far as to compare it with the Sun ; and affirm r that as it would be accounted ridiculous to commend and extol the Sun, it would be equally fo to pretend to praife the Inquifition. The Proteftants on the other hand reprefent ir, not only as a cruel and bloody, but moft unjuft Tribunal •, where, as the Laws by which other Tribunals are go- verned are difregarded, fo many Things, which every where elfe would be efleemed Unrighteous, are commended as Holy. And they are fo far from thinking that it is a proper Means of reftraining or punifhing the Guilty, (which is the principal Thing to be aim'd at by every Tribunal) that on the contrary, they believe it was invented for the Oppreffion of Truth, and the Defence or Superflition and Tyranny •, where Peribns, let their Innocency appear as bright as the Sun at Noon-day, are treated as -the moft vile and perfidious Wretches, and cruelly put to Death by the fevereft Tortures. I therefore thought it might be of Service to the World, to defcribe the Ori- gine of this Tribunal ; and againft whom, and by what Methods they ge- nerally proceed in it. In order to this, it is necefTary to look back, and deduce this whole Affair from the very Original. The Chriftian Religion, taught by the infpired Apoftles, made its Pro- igrefs in the World, and mewed it felf to be of Divine Original by the Ho- linefs of its Precepts, the exceeding Greatnefs of its Promiies, and the many- Miracles wrought in Confirmation of it ; and, at laft, brought the whole World into its Obedience without the AfTiftance of Carnal Weapons, or Temporal Power. Our Lord himfelf expected only a voluntary Obedience from Mankind; as he required only to be worfhipped in Spirit, and com- manded every one that would be his Difciple to deny himfelf, which is the proper Work of the Mind and Soul, and cannot be effected by any exter- nal Violence whatfoever. Even God the Father himfelf heretofore, in or- der to reprefent the Nature of the Kingdom of his Son Jefus Chrift, fhewed it to Daniel under the Figure of the Son of Man, whilft the other Kingdoms of this World were denoted by the Images of wild Beafts •, for no other Gaufe undoubtedly, but to fhew the different Nature of Chrift's Kingdom from the Kingdoms of this World. Thefe are to be erected, enlarged, and. preferved by Violence and Arms, and Meafures fierce and beftial ; his, by Mildnefs, Gentlenefs, and the Weight of Arguments, in order to convince, and not offer Force to the Mind. The Precepts of the Gofpel breathe no- thing but Charity and Love : Our Lord calls Charity his New Command- ment, by which he would have all Men know and diftinguiili his Difci- ples» But there is nothing fo oppofite to Charity as the punifhing an er- roneous Perfon, who believes he promotes the Divine Glory by his Error 5 and in Defence of it : is ready to undergo the moft cruel and fhameful Death, Our The History of the Inquisition. Our Saviour fent his Difciples like Sheep into the midfl of Wolves, in or- der to bear Teftimony to the Gofpel by their Patience under Sufferings, and hereby fpread the divine Savour of it through the World. It was far from his Defign, that like Wolves they fhould tear and devour the Sheep •> or that they mould violently compel thole by the Terrors of Torments and Death to embrace his Religion, whom they could not gain by the Force of Arguments : Befides, all agree that Faith is the Gift of God, and there- fore can never be produced by human Force •, nor can God be pre- vailed on by external Violence to communicate this his excellent Gift. The Mind is to be convinced by Arguments •■> the Tongue and bodily Members may be forced by external Violence ; but this can never extort from any one a real Belief of that to be true, which he is perfwaded in his Mind is falfe : So that nothing can be more directly oppofite to the Genius of Chriftianity, than to perfecute the Erroneous ■, to expofe them under the infamous Name of Hereticks to the Fury of the Mob, and punilh them with a cruel Death. Nor are we to think, that thefe gentle Means of propagating Chriftianity were proper only for the Time of its firft Appearance, when the Church was deftitutc uf the Civil Power -, and by Reafon of its Oppofi ion to the prevailing Religions of the World, drew upon it felf the Anger and Fury of the Princes of it ; but that the Cafe is now alter'd, fmce the Kings and Rulers, upon their Converfion to the Faith, are obliged to fubject their Scepters to Jefus Chrift : For the Change of Fortune makes no Change in his Religion •, nor can the Alteration of any worldly Affairs take away the Force and Obligation of his Commands ; for Chrift, by his Apoftles, preached one Scheme of Doctrines to lafl for ever. 'Tis true, that Kings are to fub- mit their Scepters to Chrift, not by forcing Men with Punifhments, in Op- pofition to his Commands, to profefs, contrary to their Confcience and real Sentiments, what they believe to be falfe, and fo to fill his Church with Hy- pocrites inftead of true Believers •, but by ordaining equal and juft Laws, agreeable to the Gofpel Precepts, for the Prefervation of the Publick Tranquility •, and that there may be nothing to obftruct the true fpi- ritual Worffiip of God, and the Salvation of Souls. This is that moft harm- Jefs, and yet moft powerful Method of propagating the Gofpel, agreeable to its Nature and Genius, by which in the Beginning, it was fpread in a ffiort Time through the whole World, by a few weak and defencelefs Perfons, inftructed only by the Divine Spirit, through the Weight of its Arguments, and the Power of its MiraHes i and by which it may be ftill propagated, and preferved pure and uncorrupt, againft all the Attempts of Unbelievers and Hereticks : For our Lord did not furnifh his Difciples with carnal Wea- pons to oppofe the Frauds, Impoftures, Violence and Perfections of the World, but with fpiritual Weapons, which through God are powerful to bring every Imagination into Captivity to the Obedience of Chrift, that they might triumph over the World in the midft of Afflictions, by their Innocence, Simplicity, Fortitude and Patience» So far indeed was he from B 2 ordaining The History of the Inquisition. ordaining Perfecutions, as the Punifhment of Error, that he commands his Church, when fuffering Perfecutions, to pray for thofe that perlecute it. By this Means the Church in the Beginning was founded, and fo wonderfully propagated throughout the whole World in its firft and pureft Ages. CHAP. II. *fhe Opinion of the Primitive Christians concerning Perfecation. AGreeable to this Practice was the univerfal and conftant Doctrine of thefe Times ; for the primitive Chriftians oppofed with the greateft Vigour, all Cruelty and Perfecution for the Sake of Religion. 'Tis true, indeed, that they condemned the Heathen for their Barbarities ; and argued wholly for this, that Chriftians fhould have the free Exercife of their Religion granted them ; but they us'd fuch Arguments, and Topicks of Rea- foning, and even fometimes when treating of different Subjects, exprefs'd themfelves in fuch a manner, as plainly declares that they do equally con- demn all Sort of Violence for the Sake of Religion, againft all Perfons what- foever. Thus Teriullian, in his Apology, c. 24. fays : Take heed that this be not made ufe of to the Praife of Impiety, viz. to take away from Men the Li- berty of Religion, and forbid them the Choice of their Deity ; fo that it fhould be criminal for them to worjhip whom they would, and they fhould be compelled to worjhip whom they would not ; no one would accept of an involuntary Service, w not a Man, And in the 28 th Chap, It plainly appears unjufl, that Men pojfejjed of Liberty and Choice, Jhould be compelled againft their Will to facrifice. For in other Cafes a willing Mind is required in the Performance of Divine JVor- fkip ', and it may juflly be accounted ridiculous to force any P erf on to honour the Gods, whom he ought willingly for his own Sake to endeavour to appeafe. And again, in his Book to Scapula, cap. 2. Every one hath a natural Right and Power to worjhip according to his Perfwafwn, for no Man's Religion can be either hurtful or profitable to his Neighbour : Nor can it be a Part of Religion to com- pel Men to Religion, which ought to be voluntarily embraced, and not through Conjiraint ; fince 'tis expecled, that even your Sacrifices fhould be offered with a willing Mind \ fo that if you compel us to facrifice, think not to pleafe your Gods ; for unlefs they delight in Strife* they writl tint, dejire unwilling Sacrifices : But God is not a Lover of Contention. Cyprian alfo agiccs vridi lertullian his Mafter, in his 62d Letter to Pomponius, concerning Virgins, where, creating of the Excommunication of Offenders, he thus fpeaks : God commanded, that thofe who would not obey his Priefls, and thofe Judges, which Time after Time he ap- pointed, Jkould be flain. Such were cut off with the Sword during the Difpenfa- tion of the Circumcifion in the Flejh, But now, fmce the fpiritual Circumcijion takes Place in all the faithful Savants of God 3 the Proud and Objlinate arc to be flain with The History of the Inquisition. 5 With the /piritual Sword , by being cafi out of the Church. And in his -lit Letter to* Maximus, the Presbyter, deputing againft thoie who feparated themfelves from the Church, he ipeaks to them in this manner : Since upon your Deliverance from Prijbn, you became in/ecled with an heretical a fchifmatical Opinion, fo it was, that all your Glory remained in Prijbn behind you ; There you feemed to have left the Dignity of your Character, Jince you, the Soldiers of Chrift, returned not to the Church when you came from your Imprisonment, who went into lmprifonment with the Cor- ion and Applaufes of the- Church ; for though there may be Tares in the Church, this ought to be no Obftruclion to our Faith and Charity ; nor is their being in the Church any Reafonfor our Departure cut of it : It Jhould be our Care that we be found the true Wheat, that when the Majler Jhall gather it into his Granaries, we may reap the Fruit of our Work and Labour. The Apoftle, in his Epiftle to //j according " to the Conftitution of Jujlinian againft Anthimus, &V. Inter dicimus autem, &c. Thus did the Chriftians imitate the Heathen Cruelty, by perfecuting thofe that differed from them, and followed the Example of Julian, in destroying their Schools, which the Heathens themfelves condemned as barbarous and cruel : For thus Ammianus Marcellinus declares, b. 25.. His Laws, abfolutsly commanding fome 'fffmgs to be done, and forbidding others, were generally good, fome few excepted ; among which was that cruel one, by which he prohibited the Cbri- jlian Mafters of Rbetorick and Grammar to teach, to prevent any from forfaking the Worfhip of the Gods: But in Procefs of Time, under the Government of the Popes, the Edicts of the Chriftians vaftly exceeded this Cruelty of Julian. s Tis true, thefe were Laws made by the Civil Magiftrate, but that they were publifhed with the Approbation of theBifhops, no one can doubt, who compares our Times with the Antient. The Bifhops could not bear that their Decrees and Anathemas mould be flighted as infignificant and harmlefsFlafhes. They would fain have all condemned by their Sentence appear to others to be juftly condemned ; and eagerly thirfted after the Mitres and Churches of thofe, whofe Doctrines they were pleafed to anathematize ; and therefore, in order to get Pofleflion of them, it was found necefifary to arm the fecular Power, and to enact civil Laws againft them, that hereby they might ftrip them of their Dignities, and drive them into Banifhment,. in order to enter on their vacant Sees. Nor let any one imagine, that the ancient Times were more holy than ours ; the fame worldly Spirit that now influences our Synods, governed the Councils of the ancient Bifhops : Even the Council of Nice, {0 much celebrated and extolled, is an abundant Proof of this. Such was the fierce and reftlefs Spirit of the Bifhops there met together; fo many and bitter their Contentions, that, forgetting the principal Caufe of their meet- ing together, they meanly prefented Accufations againft each other to the Em? peror, who, that he might put an End to their Quarrels, ordered the Ac- cufations to be burnt •, and commanded them that they fhould immediately go upon the Bufinefs for which they had been aflembled. Who can believe, that an Affembly of Men, inflamed with Paflion and mutual Hatred, and breath- ing nothing but Revenge, would reft contented, with having procured the Condemnation only of their hated Enemies, and not rather ufe their utmoft Endeavours to excite the Emperor to banifli thofe whom they had condemned ? telft. Be. l.But not to rely on Conjectures, Socrates exprefly tells us : " That Theodofius 7. c. 3. " Bifhop of Synada in the greater Phrygia, cruelly perfecuted the Hereticks " of the Macedonian Sect, of which there was a great Number in that * c City •, driving them not only from the City, but from the very Country " alfo i not according to the Cuftom of the orthodox Church, which ufes no Me- «< thods of Perfection, nor thro* Zeal for the true Faith,*, but from a covetous •« Defire of enriching himfelf with the Spoils of the Hereticks. To this End «' he left no Means untried to ruin the Followers of Macedonius, arming his •' Clergy, and perfecuting them by innumerable fubtle Methods, and Tricks *• of Law. But his Malice was principally levelled againft their Bifhop Aga- " penis* The History of the Inquisition. 15 ■» pelus, whom he tired out with repeated Injuries. And becaufe he did not ** think the Governors of the Provinces fufficient for the Punifhment cf Here- •' ticks, he went to Conjiantinople to folicite aew Edicts from the Magiftrates. Nor were the Bifhops of Rome afraid to implore rhe Afliftance of the Empe- Si'mmO* rors againft Hereticks. Pope Anaftaftus perfwaded the Judges to condemn the ***. 49. Manicheans to perpetual Banifhment, whom he could not bring over to the 5« ! 4- Catholick Faith ; left by their Contagion they mould infect the holy Flock. And Leo the Great, writing to Leo the Emperor, fays : That the perverfe and enfnaring Deputations of the Hereticks would foon come to an End, if put un- der Reftraint by the Imperial Power. And in his 43d Epiftle to the fame Prince : Vouchfafe, by your Regard for the Faith, to yield this Remedy to the Church -, thai Hereticks may not only be kept out cf all holy Orders, but even expelled from every City, that the holy People of God may be in no farther Danger of Infeclion from thefe wicked Men. And in his 45th Epiftle, he exhorts the Emprels Pulcheria, That Jhe would banijh Eutyches further from Conftantinople, that he might re- ceive no Comfort from thofe whom he had drawn over to his Impiety. But further, when they had got into PofTeffion of the fupreme Power ia Rome, they were oftentimes the Authors of Perfecution themfelves. Pope Celeftine, as Socrates relates in his Ecclefiaftical Hiftory, b.j. c. 11. " took •* from the Novatians their Churches in Rome, fo that Rufticula, their Bifliop, " was forced to meet his Flock in private Houfes : For till this Time the " Novatians fk>urifhed in Rome, were in Poffeflion of many Churches, and " had large Congregations to fill them •, but they fell a Sacrifice to Envy^ " becaufe, The Bifhops both of Rome and Alexandria had ufurped a tyrannical (N. r y M Power, exceeding all the Bounds of the Priefihood. For this Reafon, the Bifhops K of Rome did not permit even thofe who agreed with themfelves in Opi- " nion, to hold free and open AfTemblies ; but though they pr ailed them for " their Agreement with them-in the Faith, yet deprived chem of all their " Subftance. But the Bifhops of Conjiantinople were however free from this " wicked Spirit ; for they not only fuffered the Novatians to meet within the . than fall into their Hands. In another Place he fays : How many Bifhops were brought before Governors and Kings, and heard this Sentence from their Judges: Either Subscribe, or depart from your Churches? For the Emperor hath commanded you fhould be banifhed from your Churches. How many in every City fcattered them/elves up and down for fear of being accufed as the Bifhops Friends ? For the Magiflrates were written to, and commanded upon Penalty p. 817. Pt fine, The History of the Inquisition. 17 >enalty of a Fine, to compel the Bifhops of their refpeclive Cities to fubfcribe. In une, all Places and Cities were filled with Terrors and Tumults ; for Violence was offered to the Bifiops, and the Judges faw the Mournings and Sighs of the People. And at length, after a tragical Account of the various Cruelties and Perfe- cutions of the Arians, he adds : That they would not fuffer the Friends ofthofe they p.s^. had jlain, to bury^ their dead Bodies, but hid them in private Places, that hereby they might conceal their Murthers. There are other Pafiages to the fame Purpofe in the fame Epiftle. In his firft Apology alfo for his Flight, he fpeaks to the fame Purpofe, and among other Things relates, that Sebaftianus, Captain of the Forces, at the Inftigation of George the Bifhop, ordered Virgins to be brought to a flaming p. 704, Pile, and violently compelled them by Fire to declare their Profeffion of the Arian Faith j and when he perceived their Courage was not to be thus fubdued, he Jlripped their Bodies naked, and fo manned their Faces with Blows, that it was a long while before their own B.elations knew them again. He alfo apprehended forty Men, and miferably tore their Bodies by a new Method of Cruelty -, for he made Rods of the Palm Tree, retaining their Prickles, and with thefe beat them on their Backs, in fuch a barbarous manner, that fome, by Reafon of the Prickles flicking in their Flejh, were forced feveral Times to apply to the Phyficians for a Cure j whilft others actually dy'd under the Torture. As for the others, as ?nany as they apprehended, they banifhed them, with the Virgins, into Great Hoafis, a Country in Egypt. And that they might have fome Pretext to palliate their Perfecutions, Ut, t„ Vitlor, in his Account of the Perfecutions of the Vandals, tells us, that the very Laws made by the Catholicks againft heretical Impiety, were now turned, and executed upon the Catholicks themfelves ; fo that what they once fuffered from the Catholicks, they made the Catholicks to fuffer in their Turn, now they had got the fecular Power on their Side. Lucius, an Arian Bifhop, befides the Slaughters, Torments, Banifhments, Bmmu, K Hangings, Burnings, and other innumerable Cruelties he exercifed on the 2 »'*?- Catholicks, laid wafte the Monafleries and Caves of the Monks. Almoft the fame Things are related ofSeverus, Bifhop of Antioch. Vitlor in his firft Book of the Vandal Perfecution, fays, that being infe&ed with the Arian Herefy, they filled every Place with Fire and Slaughter, and burnt and demolifhed the Churches, Temples, and Monafleries ; and tortured the Bifhops and Priefls with various kinds of Cruelties, to force them to deliver up all the Gold and Silver they had of their own, or that belonged to their Churches ; and if they gave them any, they put them to yet more exquifite Tortures to force them to deliver up the whole, as imagining they had concealed a Part from them. They deprived the Catholicks up and down of their Churches, and commanded them to be fhut up. The fame Vittor recounts the v&ri-c.6.§.6 t ous Sorts of Cruelties wherewith the Arians perfecuted the Catholicks, viz. e ' zS - $• that in Africa they were, by the Vandals, firft deprived of their Churches 4 ' 5 * and Houfes, then driven without the City- Walls, without Creature, Wea- pon, or Clothes j and yet farther, by a publick Edift, it was commanded, D that i8 The History of the Inquisition. that no one ihould entertain or feed them ; and if any one out of Companion did this, he was burnt, with his entire Family. \, 8.$. 8. Hunerick, the Avian King of the Vandals in Africa, among other Cruelties he exercifed on the Catholicks, threw an immenfe Multitude of them one upon another, like Heaps of Locufts, into ftrait and vile Places, where they had no Conveniency for eaBng Nature, but were forced to do it amongft one another as they lay, fo that the Stench and Terror exceeded all other kinds of Punifhments. Victor relates thefe Things,, who himfelf was an Eye-wit- nefs to them. I z. The fame Vitlor relates other kinds of Cruelty practifed by Hunerick ; but it would be too tedious to recount them all. 'Tis enough to add, that fome had their Tongues cut out, others their Hands, others their Feet chopt off; others their Eyes dug out, and others were miferably (lain through the Extremity of their Tortures. See alfo Hift. Tripari t b. 5. c. 32. and h 4. f. 39. Auftin alfo, in his 50th Epiftle to Boniface, and in his 68th Epiftle, and in other Books which he wrote againft the Donatifts, recounts the various Cruelties of the Donatifts and Circumcellians •, fo that the Chriftians feemed only to be employed in mutual Butcherings of one another ; and acted as though the whole Perfection of the Chriftian Life confifted, not in the Ho- linefs of their Manners, but in a bitter and imprudent Zeal ; fo that Ammianus Marcellinus, an Heathen Writer, defcribing thofe Times, relates of Julian the Emperor, b. 22. That he ordered the Chriftian Bifhops and People that were at Variance with each other, to come into his Palace, and there admonifhed them, that they Jhould every one profefs his own Religion, without Hindrance or Fear, whilft they did not difturb the publick Peace by their Divifions ; which he did for this Reafon, becaufe as he knew their Liberty would increafe their Divifions, he might now have nothing to fear from their being an united People ; having found by Experience, that even Beafts are not fo cruel to Men, as the Generality of Chri- ftians are to each other. The Eccleliaftical Doctors give very pathetick and odious Defcriptions of the Perfecutions of the Arians. 'Tis abundantly plain from the Writings of the Orthodox, which now remain, that their Edicts were far from being vain and harmlefs Terrors. And if we now had the Writings of the Arians, we mould not probably find fofter Things related by them of the Orthodox, than the Orthodox in their Writings relate of the Arians : But by reafon of the fevere Edicts againft keeping their Books, their Works are entirely deftroy'd ; and we have now no Remains of the Hiftory of thofe Times but what we find in the Writings of the Orthodox. And though thefe were in fome Refpects great Men, yet their Actions and Writings abundantly teflify, that they were far from being free from human Paffions, Hatred, Anger, and the Study of Revenge ; efpecially when they had to do with their Adverfaries, and thofe who differed from them in Matters of Religion. This hath been the Unhappinefs of all Times, that it is too generally true of Divines, what T»m. ',. p. £ ra j- mus w i t h Grief declared of the Divines of his own, That the Behaviour of ? * fome The History of the Inquisition. tbeir Tongues, _ and more unfit for all manner of Converfe in Life, n: fan unlearned Perfons, but than they themfelves would other-wife be \ fo that fome have vdj of Divinity bath made tbem fucb: or, as he elfewhere lays, tba Bebaz wr is fuch, that Divinity both been looked on as a Sort of Studs that deprives Men of Sincerity and common Senfe. Let us not imagine, than theie Things are not equally true of the ancient, as well as of the modern Divines. He that but dips into the Acts of the ancient Councils, and Ec- clefiaftical Remains, will evidently fee, that they had the fame Pafiions with thofe of our own Time, were equally precipitant in condemning, bitter in reproaching, and violent in perfecting thofe they call'd Hereticks. Socrates writes of the Bifhops of his own Time, TJ:at their manner was, to load with Hift. Led. Re; i pronounce impious all they depofed, i declaring the Caufesb.i.c.14. of tbeir Impiety. When they write againfb their Adverfaries, their Stile is oftentimes bitter ; an Impotency of Mind that many have obferved in the principal and mod celebrated Authors. Erafmus, tho' he highly commends Jerome, hath feveral Times obferved the fame in him. In his Apology to .lis Apo- logy againft Sutor, he goes farther, and fays; That tho 9 his Memory is now^m 9 '. -.idly accounted facred by all, yet whilft he lived, he reviled, and railed at, p. 640." find deceived others -, and was in bis Turn reviled, and railed at, and deceived by others. Butter gives no better a Character of Jerome, writing againft the irenicum of Parous, p. 14. He that turns over the Writings of St. Jerome againft Jovinian, Vigilantius, and Ruffinus, will be atnaz'd to fee in a Monk fuch a boiling and bitter Gall. Upon which Account Budeus pleafantly writes to Erafmus: Who knows, but that for this Reafon he may be brought and fcourged Erafirn, before the Tribunal of Chrift ? I don't mention theie' Things to blacken the^w, 3. Reputation of Jerome, but to fhew by the Example of this otherwife great?" I5<5, Man, how difficult it is to govern ones felf in theological Debates, when we fee Men, famous for their Piety, thus carried away by the Heat of Difputes. The Moderation of Auflin is generally commended : But he that reads his Writings againft the Donatifls, mud acknowledge, that in the Warmth of Difputation he oftentimes exceeds the Bounds of Moderation, and lays to their Charge every thing that came uppermoft. Athana lias's Epiftle to the Monks is Proof enough of his ungovernable and angry Tem- per, in which we find nothing but foul and reproachful Language againft the Avians -, a plain Proof of a violently diforder'd Mind. I queftion not but that he had weighty Reafons for his Anger and Hatred. But 'tis as cer- tain, that when the Mind is diforder'd, tho' for the mod juft Caufe, many Things are rafhly thrown out, the Effect of Choler, and not agreeable to Truth : So that 'tis by no Means fafe, haftily to credit, all that the an- D 2 gry qc The History of the Inquisition. gry Fathers have faid of, or imputed to their Adverfaries, efpecially as they have taken Care to fupprefs their Writings. Cunceus very folidly and gravely 'Trxfat. in pronounces his Opinion of the Greek Fathers, viz. The common People think, Juliani ih a t h e mu ft he very criminal, who doth not believe, that Piety, the great Sup- .C res. port of Chriftianity, is always attended with Candour. For my own part, as 1 ejleem them on many Accounts to be excellent and divine Men, fo I know that they have done ill defgnedly, and were of a very bitter Spirit. Not to mention others, the Greek Fathers, thro" a national Vice, were always too violent on both Sides. They had all of them a rolling Eloquence, admirable Learning, and a Genius ft for every thing \ and on thefe Accounts one may difcem a Sharpnefs and Eagernefs breathing throughout all the Remains they have tranfmitted to Po- fterity. As for thofe they were angry with, tho* great Men in themfelves, and worthy the higheft Commendation, they blacken* d them as the vileft Perfons ; and on the other hand, they were fo lavifh of their Praifes on thofe they approved, that, tho* they had Utile to deferve it, Pofterity admires their Virtues, and even adores a Stone of their Sepulchre as a God. Not much different from this, is that Paf- ?. ii. p.66 3 fage of Melchior Canus, in his Common Places of Divinity : I cannot excuse Sozomen'j Lyes: For he was a Greek, which Nation is and ever was ad- dicted to lying. And he was fo fully convinced, that the moft fhameful Lyes had crept into the Hiftories of his own Church, that he breaks out into j. 650. this Complaint : 1 fpeak it rather with Grief, than as a Matter of Reproach, that Laertius hath written the Lives of the Philofophers with greater Regard to Truth, than Chrijlians have the Lives of their Saints ; and that Suetonius' j Ac- count of the Casfars is written with greater Incorruptnefs and Integrity, than the Account which the Catholicks have given, I will not fay of their Emperors, but of their Martyrs, Virgins, and Confejfors. The two former have not concealed the real or fufpecled Vices of their beft Philofophers or Princes, nor the Appearances of Virtue in the worft ; whereas ours, for the moft part, either are governed by their Pajfions, or induftrioufty forge fo many idle Stories, that I a?n not only afhamed but tired of them. Such as thefe are fo far from being ufeful to the Church of Chrift, that they greatly differve its Inter eft. I forbear their Names, becaufe here I blame their Morals, and not their Learning, as to which the Cenfure might be more free. As to Behaviour, one ought to be more cautious towards the Living, and more refpeclful towards the Dead: But this is certain, that whoever mix Fable and Falfhood with Eccleftaftical Hiftory, can't be good and upright Men, and their whole Account can be invented for no other Purpofe, but to increafe their Gains, or to eftablifh Error -, of which the firft is vile, the other pernicious. %'6j4". And a little after, defcribing the Office of a good Hiftorian, he fays: That be ought not to dare to fay any thing falfe, or omit any thing true, that he may* tt t be fufpecled to write either out of Favour or Hatred. He adds : Since thefe Things are neceffary Marks of Honefty and Integrity, 'tis ftrange that Suetonius fhould have obferved them all, and almoft all ours have entirely omitted them. *Tis no difficult Matter to conjecture what their Candour and Fidelity is, in relating the Actions of their Adverfaries, and thofe whom they have condemned for Hereticks, who have been fo immoderate and falfe in their Commer> The History of the Inquisition. 21 Commendations of their Saints. Canus himfelf confeffes, that raoft uf their Writers hare been deflitute of every Qualification of a good Hiftorian. Bellarmine, in his Marks of the Church, fays : ^the Catholicks are no where cap. 16. found to have praifcd or approved either the Doclrine or Life of any Heathens or Rereticks. So that it was a fufficient Reafon to write the worft Things of any Man, or to conceal and condemn to eternal Oblivion the bed and moft laudable Actions, if he had been pronounced an Heretick by the Church •, and the Papifts now think it Reafon enough to give no Credit to any Per- fon, if he doth not condemn, or if he praifes the Actions of thofe who have been declared Hereticks by the Church of Rome, and hath in any manner oppofed her. On this Principle, Melchior Canus gives his Reafons, why all p. 66s. the Faithful of Ch rift ought to explode theHiftory of Cario. For, fays he, in his Writings, he villifies and cruelly ufes fome of the Popes, who were the befl cf Men, and commends and extols fome of the German Emperors, who were Re- bels and Enemies to the Church of Rome. So that you may know the Lion by his Paw, i. e. a Lutheran by thofe he praifes or condemns. If this Inference of Canus were true, 'tis neceffary, that he who would be owned for a Catho- lick, muft load all the Enemies of the Church of Rome with Infamy and Difgrace, and never blame the Catholicks, but praife and commend every- thing they do. But if we read the Writings and Hiftories of the modern Papifts, we fhall find them filled with fo many Stories and evident Lyes, to which the publick Acts and Documents bear Witnefs, that one can fcarce find the fmalleft Footfteps of Truth in them, and may juftly af- firm, that they wrote entirely for Gain, or the Eftablifhment of Error. And if rheir Power fhould rife again to the fame Height as it was in former Ages, fo that they fhould be able wholly to deftroy the Writings and Monuments of thofe who differ from them, and Perfons were to learn from their Writings only the Doctrines and Actions of the Reform'd and Protectant, who doth not fee what wretched Accounts they would tranfmit to Pofterity, even lighter than Vanity it felf ; which however could fcarce be convicted of Falfhood by proper Testimonies, after they had thus deftroyed the contrary Documents ? And therefore, as 'tis not fafe to form a Judgment of the Principles and Behaviour of the Reform'd and Proteftant from Popifh Writings only, fowe ought to be very cautious and back- ward of pronouncing concerning the Doctrines and Actions of thofe who were condemned for Hereticks, from the Writings and Hiftories of the Ancients,, becaufe their Writings have been fo entirely fupprefs'd by the Induitry and Care of their Adverfaries, that there is fcarce one genuine Book of theirs remaining, wherein they have defcribed or defended their Doctrine or Manner of Proceeding. But 'tis Time to return from this Di~ greffion. We have fhewn with what Bitternefs the Orthodox have perfecuted the. Arians and Donatijls j nor did the Arians exercife lefs Cruelty againft the Orthodox, when they had an Emperor who favour'd their Party. But it muft be confefs'd this Cruelty was not always equal : For although the Avian: 22 The History of the Inquisition. Arians are not to be excus'd in their barbarous Treatment of the Ortho- dox ; yet we read that fometimes it was greatly abated. Socrates in his Ec- clefiaftical Hiftory, I. 4. c. 32. relates of Valens the Emperor, That he vio- lently oppos'd thofe who profeffed the Doclrine of Confubjlantnuitx, threatning them every Day with feverer Punijhments ; till Themiftius the Ph'ilofopher pa) tnitigated his Rage, by an Oration, called repr******** , in which he admonijhes the Emperor, that he Jhoiild not fo greatly wonder that there was fuch a Diver fity of Opinions amongst Chriflians ; for that it was but fmall if compared with the Num- ber of the different Opinions amongjl the Greeks, which were more than three hun- dred. This Variety of Opinions muff neceffarily caufe Divifions ; but that God was pie afed with this Diver fity of Sentiments, that all might learn the more to reverence his Majefty from the Difficulty ofunderflanding him. When the Ph'ilofopher had re- prefented thefe and other Things of like Nature to him, the Emperor gtew afterward* more mild, though he did not entirely lay afide his Fury, punifhing the Priefis with Ban; foment inflead of Death. But afterwards, as the fame Socrates relates, c. 35. being preffed with the Gothick War, he left off banifhing the Homou- fians, Farther, there were fome amongft them who abftained from all Vio- lence in Matters of Religion, and were willing to allow the free Exercife of it to thofe who differed from them. Grotius gives them this Teftimony : Nor Prole", ad is. this a little to their Praife, that the Vandals, about the Times of Hunnerick Procop. an d Gundemond, and the Goths, always abjlained from offering Violence to the Coch. & Confciences of thofe fubj eel to them, and permitted the Followers of the Nicene Faith and a ic. ^ fojfajg an d teach, and perform divine Worfhip as they pie afed. The Ambaffa- dors of the Goths [aid to Belifarius, that they never forced any one with Threat- nings to change his Profeffion ; nor hindered the Goths themfelves from believing the Nicene Faith \ adding, that the Goths did not Jhew lefs Reverence towards the facred Places than the Romans themfelves. And a little after, p. 32. Theude- rick, Kingcfthe Oftrogoths and Italy, is highly extolled by Eunodius, the Catholick Bifhop of Ticinum, for his Piety and Worfhip of the true God. Such was his Re- gard even to the Religion he did not profefs, that he always made the befi Men Bi- fhops. Concerning which, his Nephew Athalarick thus writes : " 'Twas but M juft to obey the Will of fo good a Prince, who in a Religion he did not be- " lieve, acted with fo wife Deliberation, as to choofe fuch a Bifhop, as made «' it appear that this was his governing Defire, to fee the Religion of all Chur- Ci ches rlourifh under good Priefts." Hence it came topafs, that he called a Synod to put an End to a Schifm that had arofe, as Paulus Warnefredi, and Zonaras de- clare : He annulled all Simoniacal Ordinations, and defired the Catholick Bifhops to pray in his Behalf for the divine Affiflance ; as may be feen in CafTiodorus : So that I do not wonder that Silverius, Catholick Biffop of Rome, was fufpecled by the Greeks, of favouring the Empire of the Goths rather than the Greeks. Procopius furnifhes us with this noble Inflame of the Eauity of the Goths in Re- ligion. In like Manner the Orthodox Emperors did not always make Ufe of that Severity which their Laws threaten'd againft Hereticks, it being fometimes their Intention only to terrify with the Fear of Punifhments, and not to inflict 2 the The History of the Inquisition. 03 the Punishments themfelves. Sozomen relates, that « Tbeodofius commanded i- " by a Law, that Hereticks fhould not afTemble together, nor teach their'- "■ '• IZ " Opinions, nor ordain Bifhops or others. That fome of them ihould be " driven from their Cities and Lands ; others declar'd infamous, and denied cC the Privileges of the City which other Citizens enjoy'd ; and that he or- " dained other grievous Penalties by his Laws, which he never executed : " For he endeavour'd not to punifh, but only terrify his Subjects, and thus " to bring them into his own Sentiments of the Deity ; for he commended M thofe who were willingly converted." The fame Writer relates of Va- lentinian, who enjoy'd the Empire with his Brother Valens. " They were/. 6. c.C. H both Chriftians by Religion ; but differ'd in their Opinions and Manners. " For Valens, when baptiz'd by Eudoxius the Bifhop, furiouily followed the « Doctrine of Anus, and was angry that he could not force all into his Send- " ments. But Valentinian embraced the Nicene Faith, and favour'd thofe who " were of his Mind ; but never injur'd any who were of a different Opini- " on." Socrates alfo, and Sozomen relate of Gratia», who govern'd the Empire n\fi. &: with Valentinian the Younger, that he ordain'd by Law, That all Perfons of I- 5- c. z every Religion, without Exception, Jhould meet in their Churches ; and that the l ' 7 - Ct l Eunomians, Photinians, and Manichees only Jhould be expelled from them. So- crates, after having recounted the various Seels of Hereticks, adds, That the 1 -")- c -i Emperor Theodofius perfecuted none of them except Eunomius, whom for gather- ing Ajfemblies, and reading over the Booh he had written in private Houfes at Con- ftantinople, he fen t into Banijhment, becaufe he corrupted many with his Doctrine: As to the rejl he offer 3 d them no Injuries, nor forced them to communicate with himfelf ; hut permitted all to meet in their Conventicles, and to think as they pleafed of the Chriftian Faith. Some of them he fuffer'd to build themfelves Oratories without the Cities, but the Novatians to have their Churches within them, without fear j be- caufe they held the fame Sentiments, in Matters of Faith, with bbnfelf. And he relates of Atticus, Bifhop of Conflantinople, That he did not only preferve his owni. 7 , c . ?. People in the Faith, but even fur prized the very Hereticks by his wonderful Prudence \ that he had no Inclination to perfecute them, and that having once attempted to terrify them, he always after Jbetad himfelfmore mild and gentle towards them. c. z, CHAP. V. The Opinion of fome of the Fathers concerning the Perfection of Dissenters. WH AT the Opinion of thofe ancient Doctors of the Church, whom we call Fathers, was, we may learn from their Writings, Atba* nafius, in his Epiftle to the Hermits, fpeaks in this Manner of the Arians, and thus paints out their Perfections againft the Orthodox : That Jewifh He- p. BifJ ■ p. 852 a + The History of the Inquisition. rek hath not only learnt to deny Chrift, but alfo to delight in Slaughters. But even this was not fufficient tofathfy them. For as the Father of their Herefy goes about as a roaring Lion, feeking whom to devour -, fo the fe having Liberty to go up and down, run about, and whomsoever they happen to meet with, who either blame their Flighty or abhor their Herefy, inhumanly tare them with Scourges, or bind them with 8 30. Chains, or banifh them from their native Country. And a little afler : If it be a mean and difionefi Thing, that fome Bifhops have changed their Opinion through Fear, how much more heinous and vile is their Wickednefs, who, as is the Cafe gene- rally of thofe who miftruft the Goodnefs of their Can fe, have forced others againfi their Will to renounce their Belief ? "Thus alfo the Devil, btcaufe he hath no Truth in him, invades Men with the Hatchet and Ax % and thus violently breaks open the Doors of thofe that receive him. The Saviour, on the contrary, is gentle ; his Lan- guage is, If any one will, let him follow me, and become my Difciple. When he comes to any one, he doth not make ufe of Force, but knocks at the Dot, and fays, Open to me, my Sifter, my Spoufe. If they open he enters ; if they refufe it he departs : For Truth is not to be preach* d by Swords, or Dart;, or military Wea- pons ; but by Perfwafwn and Advice. But what room is there for the Liberty of Perfwafwn, where Men arc awed by the imperial Authority f And : ufies Reafoning, when whoever oppofes is fare to be rewarded with Banijhment or Death? And after a great deal more, he thus inveighs againft the bloody Arians : All their Endeavours abound with Slaughter and Impiety \ and fitch is the accurfed Craftinefs of their Temper and Behaviour, that they abufe and deceive Men by the Promifes of 'Honours, and Majeflracies, and Money, that fo when they cannot obtain the Confiitution of their Bifhoprick by lawful Means, they may give the more fimple fome Appearance of a right Inflitution. So that the very Name of Heathen is too good for them ; fo far are they from meriting the Name cf Chriftians, and their Anions fo unlike thofe of Men, that they are perfetlly favage and brutal. For fuch is their Cruelty and Barbarity, that they are more bloody than the very Executioners, and more vile than any other Hereticks, and greatly excelled, even by the Heathens themfelves : For I have heard from the Fathers, and I believe it true, that in the Perfecution under Maximianus, the Grandfather of Conftan- tius, the Heathens concealed our Chriftian Brethren when they were fought after, and were themfelves oftentimes fi?i'd and imprifon 1 'd for no other Reafon, but becaufe they would not betray thofe that fed to them, thinking themfelves bound to protecl them with the fame Fidelity as they would have expelled the?nfelves -, not in the leafi afraid to expofe themfelves to Danger on that Account. But now thefe wonderful Inventors of a new Herefy, famous for nothing fo much as their Treachery, atl quite the Reverfe ; for they feek out thofe that conceal themfelves, and lay Snares for thofe that harbour them ; and become of their own Accord, very Executioners •, account- ing the Concealed and the Concealor equally their Enemy : So that they are naturally bloody, and Murtherers, and Rivals of the Wickednefs of Judas. Tis indeed im- poffible that any Words can fuffciently defer ibe their Atlions. What would not this Doctor have faid, had he feen the cruel Laws of the Inquifition brought into Ufe, by which 'tis not only a Crime to conceal an Heretick, but all who ,do not inform againft him are anathematiz'd as Favourers and Defenders of Here- The History of the Inquisition^ 25 Hereticks, and Hinderers of the Office of the Inquifition, and condemned to other Punifhments, according to the arbitrary Will of the Inquifitors. He would unqueftionably have complained that he wanted Words to defcribe fuch an execrable Cruelty. For if what the Arians did was beyond Defcrip- tion, how much lefs can any Words give a juft Reprefentation of the Barba- rity of the Inquifitors, which is as much fuperior to the Cruelty of the Ari- ans, as theirs was, according to Athanafius, to that of the Heathens. But Athanafius goes on : Oh their new Herefy ! Such are its Wickedneffes and Impie- ties, that let the Devil be ever fo bad, this will appear to be the Devil all over. Such a monflrous Evil never rofe up before ; for thofe who had any heretical Opini- ons, ufed to keep their Thoughts and Sentiments to themfelves. But now Eufebius and Arius, like Serpents crawling out of their Dens, vomit openly the Poifon of their impious Seel ; this taking the Liberty publickly to Mafpheme, and the other as publick- ly to defend his Blafphemy : But this he could not defend till he had found an Emperor to fupport his Blafphe?ny. On the other band, the Fathers in a general Council, of about 300 Bifhops, condemn' d the Arian Herefy, and fhew'd that 'twas contrary to the Faith of the Church : But the Defenders of the Seel, feeing themfelves defpis'd, and being able to alledge nothing agreeable to Reafon, have invented a new Way, and attempted to fupport themfelves by the fecular Power -, in which one cannot help being amaz'd at their Infolence and Wickednefs ; and how much it exceeds all other Herefies. For the Madnefs of other Herefies confijls in perfwafive Words, in order to deceive the Simple : And as for the Heathens, the Apoftle tells us, they deceive Men by their Elo- quence and Oratory, and fubtle Speeches ; and the Jews, forgetting the Scriptures, contend about Fables and endlefs Genealogies : The Manicheans alfo, and Valentini- ans, and the other Hereticks, endeavour to fupport their Trifles by adulterating and corrupting the facred Scriptures. But the Arians, more perverfe than all the reft, plainly declare all the other kindred Herefies to be inferior to theirs, fince they allow themfelves in much more impious Praclices, and endeavour to rival all others, but efpecially the Jews in their Wickednefs and Villainies \ for as they immediately brought Paul before the Governors Tribunal, whom they could not convicl of the Crimes ob~ jelled to him ; fo thefe, every Day devifing frefh Tricks, ufe no other Arguments but the Power of the Judges ; and if any one but once contradicls them, he is immediately dragged before the Governor and Captain : And farther, other Herefies being over- come by the Demonflration of the Truth, fhut their Mouths in Silence, and have no- thing to do but to blufh upon Conviclion. But this new and execrable Herefy when over- come with Reafon, and put to jhame by the Power of Truth, endeavours to bring Men over to its Inter eft by Violence, Stripes and Jails, when Words prove inef- feblual to perfwade them ; and even by thisfhews it f elf to be an Enemy to true Piety and the Worfhip of God: For 'tis the Property of true Religion, not to force but per- fwade. Thus our Lord, far fro mi forcing Men, left them to the Liberty of their own Will, commonly thus fpeaking to all: If any one will come after me; and to his Difciples : And will you go away alfo ? But what is more fuitable to the Nature of fuch an Herefy as this, which is quite repugnant to true Religion, and in Re- bellion to Chriji, avows Conflantius as the Author of its Impiety, hereby making E him, s6 The History of the Inquisition. hi m, as it were, an Antichrift , what more agreeable to its Nature than to aft in Defiance to the Saviour ? In his firft Apology for his Flight, he fpeaks to the fame Purpofe. And in the firft Place to prevent the Arians imputing thefe Perfections to the J. 702. Judges, and fo pronouncing themfelves innocent, he fays : What the Judges feem to do, they are the true Authors of -, or rather, they make themfelves the Tools to execute the Sentence and Malice of the Judges. And afterwards he fhews from ». 716. whom they learn'd thefe Perfections. Pray let them tell me, fince whatever is- fa'id to them, they -pretend is unworthy their Regard, whence they have learn'd the ■ T>o r clrine of Perfecution ? Surely they had it not from the Saints ; it therefore follows, that they mv.fi have received it from the Devil<, whofe Language is, I will purfue and overtake. It is the Command of God, and agreeable to the Practice of the Saints^ that wefhouldfly -, but to perfecute is the Invention of the Devil, who being an Enemy to all, is defirous of exciting every where Perfecution. In this and the like Manner, Athanafius, whilft perfecuted by the Arians, largely and pathetically argues, condemning Perfecution of every Sort upon the Score of Religion, and freely pronouncing it the Invention of the Devil. And yet we do not find that this fame Athanafius made the leaft Intercefiion with the Emperor Conjlantine, when the Nicent Synod was ended, to prevent the Banifhment of Arius and his followers •, no, nor one fingle Word to fhew that he even difapprov'd of Anus's Banifhment •, through a too common Weaknefs of Mind, whereby Men are apt to think, that the fame Thing done to them by others would be mod unjuft, that would not be unjuft in them to do to others. Hilarlus againft Auxentius the Arian, (hews, with equal Eloquence, his De- teftation of Cruel y towards Men differing in their religious Sentiments. And firjl I cannot help pitying the Misfortune of our Age, and lamenting the abfurd Opi- nions of the prefent limes ; according to which, human Arts muft fupport the Caufe of God, and the Church of Chrifl be defended by Methods offecular Ambition. I be- feech you, O ye Bifhops, who believe your felves to be fuch, what Helps did the Apojlles make Ufe of in propagating the Go/pel ? What Powers ajjifled them in preaching Chrifl, and converting all Nations from Idols to God ? Had they any of the Nobles from the Palaces joined with them y when they fung Hymns to God in Pri- fon and in Chains, and after they had been cruelly fcourged ? Did Paul gather the Church of Chrifl by Virtue of the Royal Edicl, when he himfelf was made a Spetla- cle in the publick Theatre ? Was the Preaching of the Divine Truth protecled by Nero, Vefpafian or Decius, which flourifhed by Means of their very Hatred to- wards us ? Had they not the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven ? Surely they had, though they maintained themfelves by their own Hands and Labours, met together in Garrets ■and fecret Places, and travelled by Sea and Land over almofl all the- Nations, Towns and Cities of the Earth, in Qppofition to the Edicl s both of Senate and Kings t Did not Mens Haired of the Gofpelmanifeft the Divine Power, in that the more Chrifl was for. bidden to be preached, he was fill the more preach' d in the World? But now (0 wretch- ed Cafel) earthly Suffrages are to recommend the Divine Faith ; and CJjrift is declared to be dejlitute of Power, fince Ambition is become the Means of reconciling Men to his Name. The History of the Inquisition. ij Name. The Church now terrifies Men by Bani/hments and Jails, which was at firft believed in by Means of Banifhments and Jails : She now relies on the Dignity of her Communicants, though atfirjl confer ated by the Terror of her Perfecutors : She now puts her Priejls to flight ; though /he was at flrfl propagated by the Flight of her Priefts. She now glories that floe is beloved of the World ; though fhe could not belong to Chrift, unlefs the World hated her. And in his firft Book to Con- flantine, to the fame Purpofe. God rather choje to teach Men the Knowledge of himfelf than forcibly demand it ; and by gaining Authority to his own Precepts, by wonderful heavenly Works, Jheufd that he difdained a Mind compelled even to the Acknowledgment of himfelf. If fuch a Method as this was made Ufe of to propagate the true Faith, the Epifcopal Doelrine fhould agree with it, and fay, He is the God of the whole World, and needs not a conftrained Obedience. He doth not require a forced Confeffion : He is not to be deceived, but engaged : He is to be worjhiped, not for his own fake, but ours. I can accept him only that is willing ; hear him only that prays, and heal him only that freely confeffes him. He is to be fought with Simplicity of Mind, to be learned by humble Confeffion, to be loved with true Af- fetlion, to be reverenced with Fear, and his Favour to be fecured by an honefl Mind, But what flrange Thing is this, that the Priefts are forced by Chains and fevere Penalties to fear God ? The Priefts are kept in Prifon ; the People are bound in Chains; Virgins are firipfd naked, and their Bodies, confecrated to Go >d, expo fed by Way of Punijhment to publick View, made an open Speclacle, and fitted for the Torture. Ambrofe alfo taught the fame Doelrine. The Apoftles are not commanded t Ce vmnt. take Rods in their Hands, as Matthew writes. What is a Rod but an Enfign t '? Luc - L 7< Power, and an Inftrument of Vengeance to inflitl Pain? And therefore the Difci- 1 " c ' l0 * pies of an humble Mafter, I fay of an humble Mafter, for in his Humility his Judgment was taken from him, can only perform the Duty he hath enjoyned them by Offices of Humility : For he fent Perfons forth to fow the Faith, who fhould not force Men but teach them ; nor exercife Power, but exalt the Doelrine of Humility. And a little after he adds : When the Apoflles would have had Fire from Hea- ven, to confume the Samaritans, who would not receive our Lord Jefus into their City ; he turned about and rebuked them, faying, Ye know not what Spirit ye are of j for the Son of Man is not come to deftroy Mens Lives, but to five them. Gregory Narianzen evidently fhews himfelf to be of the fame Sentiment, although he hath not handled this Argument profeffedly : For having obfer- ved that Men were not eafily and at once, but flowly and gradually, brought off from Idolatry to the Law, and from the Law to the Gofpel ; and havTng confider'd the Reafon of it, he thus fpeaks : And why is it thus ? Becaufe we are to know, that Men are not to be driven by Force, but to be drawn by Per- fwafion. For that which is forced is not lafting ; this even the Waves teach us, when they are repelled by Violence -, and the very Plants when bent contrary to their Nature. That which is voluntary is both more lafting and fafe. This is agreeable to the Divine Equity ; the other an Inflame of Tyranny. So that he did not think it juft even to do good to Men againft their Will, or without their Con- E 2 fent. o8 The History of the Inquisition. fent. And in the Poem of his own Life, he fpeaks to the fame Pur- pofe: Perfwafion's much morejuft than Violence -, Fitter for us, and thofe whom we attempt To reconcile unto the Being Supream : What by Compulfion's done can never lajl. Like as the bending Bow, and Stream repeWd, The Force removed, by their own Power return To native Form and Place, /corning Reflraint. That's only durable which is th' Effecl Of free Confent and Choice. Love leads the Way, And fieady keeps, by kind, yet powerful Influence. Optatus Milevitanus writing againft Parmenianus, the Donatift, vindicates the Church from the Charge of perfecuting Diflenters from it. For when P armenianus objected to the Catholicks : That cannot be called the Church, 'which feeds on cruel Dainties, and grows fat with the Flefh and Blood of the Saints : Optatus thus anfwers him, /, 2. The Church hath its proper Members ; the Bi- jhops, Presbyters, Deacons, Minifltrs, and the Body of the Faithful, To which of thefe different Orders in the Church can you impute what you objecl ? Point out, if you can, by Name, any Minifler or Deacon, or injlance in any one Presbyter that hath been concerned in it, or any Bifhops who have approved it. What one amongsl us hath endeavoured to enfnare, or hath perfecuted any Perfon ? Declare, if you can, and prove one /ingle Injlance of Perfecution by us. In this Pafiage he plainly acknowledges, that the Church ought not to feed on cruel Dainties, and de- nies that the Donatifls can, with Truth, objecl: this to his own Church ; though indeed, 'tis fcarce to be believed, when one confiders the Edicts of the Emperors againft the Donatifts, and other Hereticks. But he goes on, and largely Ihews, that the Donatifls themfelves had fed on thefe cruel Dain- ties, and feafted on Chriftian Blood ; and at length concludes : See, your own Party have made good what you your felf have confeffed, that that cannot be the Church which' feeds on cruel Dainties. Miffionary Dragoons, and ordained Bi- fhops are vaftly different. What you have falfely laid to our Charge, hath been done by others, not by us ; and what you have owned to be unlawful to do, you your [elves have acled. What was Chryfoflom's Sentiment in this Affair, he himfelf fufficiently de- clares in his Sermon about Excommunication, where he thus inveighs againft thofe, who pronounced others accurfed : I fee Men, who under fl and not the genuine Senfe, nor indeed any thing of the facred Writings, who, to pafs by other Things, 1 am not afhamed to own, are Furious, Triflers, Quarrelfome, who know •not what they fay, nor whereof they affirm ; bold and peremptory in this one Thing, ever determining Articles of Faith, and declaring accurfed, Things they under/land not. Upon this Account we are become the Scorn of the Enemies of our Faith, who look upon m as Perfons that have no Regard for Virtue^ and never learnt to do good. How am The History of the Inquisition. 2q am I afflicled and grieved for thefe Things ? And afterwards, citing that Place of St. Paul, 2 Tim. ii. 24, 25, 26. The Servant of the Lordmuft not ftrive, but be gentle, Sec. he goes on : Entice him with the Bait of Companion, and thus en- deavour to draw him out from Dejirutlion, that being thus delivered from the Infection of his former Error, he may live, and thou may 1 ft deliver thy Soul. But if he obft in- nately refufes to hear, witnefs againft him, left thou become guilty ; only let it be with Long-fuffering and Gentlenefs, left the Judge require his Soul at thy Hand, Let him not be hated, Jhunrfd, or perfecuted, but exercife towards him a fin- cere and fervent Charity. And at length he thus concludes: Impious and heretical Principles are to be oppofed and anathematized ; but Men themfelves are to be fpared, and we muft pray for their Salvation. If this was his Opinion as to thofe who anathematifed others only upon the Account of Herefy, how zealous would he have been againft fuch, who, not content to pronounce Hereticks accurfed, deliver them over to the fecular Arm to be moft. cruelly puniflied ? He farther declares his Opinion, in his eighth Homily on the flrft. of Genefis : Hereticks may be compared to Perfons in aDifeafe, and that are almoft deprived of their Sight ; for as the one cannot bear the Light of the Sun thro 1 the Weaknefs of their Eyes, and the other thro 1 lllnefs naufeate the moft wholfome Food ; Jo they being diftemper d in their Minds, and darkned in their Under ft anding, cannot endure to behold the Light of Truth. We ought therefore, in Difcharge of our Duty, to hold out the helping Hand, and fpeak to them with great Meeknefs. For thus St. Paul hath advifed, fay- ing, That our Adverfaries are to be inftrucled with Gentlenefs, if per adventure God may give them Repentance, to the Acknowledgment of the Truth, and that they may efcape out of the Snare of the Devil, having been taken captive by him at his Will . fo that there is need of a double Meafure of Gentlenefs and Forbearance, to deliver and bring them out of the Snares of the Devil. But in his 47th Homily upon Matt. xiii. explaining the Parable of the Tares, he doth not condemn all Sorts of external Violence againft Hereticks : Wilt thou therefore that we go and gather them up ? But the Lord forbad it, left alfo ye pluck up the Wheat with the Tares -, which he faid to prevent Wars, and Effufion of Blood, and Slaughter. For if Hereticks were to be killed, a bloody and eternal War would [pre ad it felf thro* the World. And therefore he forbids it on a double Account ; the one, that the Woeat might not be burnt ; the other, that unlefs they were healed, they could not efcape the fever eft Punifhment. Therefore, if you would punifi them, and not hurt the Corn, you muft wait for the proper Time and Seafon, What then doth he ?nean when he Jays, left alfo ye pluck up the Wheat ? Undoubtedly this, that if you take up Anns, you muft neceffarily deftroy many of the Saints with the Hereticks ; or that even fom of thefe may be changed into the true Wheat : If therefore you too haftily plurk them up, you will deftroy all that good Wheat, which might have been produced out of the very Tares. But he doth not forbid us to confine, or fhut the Mouths of Hereticks, or to hinder their Liberty of Speech, or fy nodical AJfemblies, or prevent their Union, but only to murder and deftroy the?n. St.Jerome is of the fameMind, who in his 6i& Lecter to Theophilus againft?^ ofjerufalem, thus fpeaks : The Church of Chrift was founded on the bloody Sufferings and The History of the Inquisition. and Patience of its ftrft Profeffors, and not on their abufing and injuring others : It grew by Perfecutions, and triumphed by Martyrdoms. For tho' he fhews him- felf very fevere againft Hereticks, yet he was not for punifhing them with Death, but treating them with Gentlenefs. Thus in his Comment on Hofea ii. i. Toil that believe in Chrift, whether Jews or Gentiles, fay ye to the Branches that are broken off, and the People that is caft out, My People, for he is thy Brother ; and my Sifter, for fhe hath obtained Mercy. When the Fulnefs of the Gentiles Jhall come in, then Jhall all Ifrael be faved. This is commanded us, that we fhould not wholly dejpair of Hereticks, but provoke them to Repentance, and with a brotherly -AffcEiion wijh their Salvation. And explaining the Parable of the Tares, Matt. xiii. he fays : Wherefore he who governs the Church ought not to fleep, left thro* his Neg- ligence the Enemy fhould fow the Tares, i. e. heretical Opinions. But whereas His faid, left gathering the Tares, ye pluck up alfo the Corn, His tofhewus, that there is a Place for Repentance, and that we ought not haflily to cut off our Brother, be- caufe it may happen, that he who To-day is infecled with heretical Pravity, may re- pent To-morrow, and become a Defender of the Truth. And in his Commentary on theEpiftle to theGalatians, ch.v. 9. A little Leaven leavens the whole hump, among other Things he hath this : A Spark is to be extinguijhed as foon as it appears, and the Leaven not to be fuffer'd to approach the Lump : Corrupted Flefh is to be cut off, and fcaby Sheep to be driven from the Sheepfold, left the whole Houfe, Lump, Body and Flock, fhould be burned, leavened, corrupted, and perifh. Arius at firft was but as aftngle Spark, which, becaufe it was not immediately extinguijhed, fet on Fire and ravaged the whole World. CHAP. VI. ^.Augustine's Opinion concerning the Perfecution of Hereticks, AUguftine, in his former Writings, condemned all Violence upon the Ac- count of Religion ; for, writing againft the fundamental Epiftleof Afa#i- chceus, he begins with this Addrefs to the Manichceans : The Servant oftheLord cught not to Jlrive, &c. It is therefore our Buftnefs willingly to acl this Part. God gives that which is good to thofe who willingly ask it of him. They only rage againft you, who know nothing of the Labour that is neceffary to find out Truth, or the Diffi- culty of avoiding Errors. 'Tis they who rage againft you, who know not how uncom- mon and difficult it is to overcome carnal bnaginations by the Calmnefs of a pious Mind. 9 Tis they who rage againft you, who are ignorant how hard it is to heal the Eye of the inward Man, Jo that it can behold its Sun ; not that Sun whofe celeftial Body you worjhip, and which irradiates the flejhly Eyes of Men and Beafts, but that of which the Prophet writes, The Sun of Righteoufnefs is rifen on me •, and of which we read in the Evangelift, He was that true Light which enlightens every Man that cometh into the World. They rage againft you> who know not that *tis by many k 1 Sighs The History of the Inquisition. 2 Sighs and Groans we muft attain to a [mall Portion of the Knowledge of God. Lafth they rage againft you, who are not deceived with that Error, into which they fee you are fallen. But as for my felf, I, who after long and great Fluctuation, can at loft perceive, what is that Sincerity which is free from all Mixture of vain Fable, cannot by any Means rage againfl you, whom 1 ought to bear with, as I was once borne u my felf, and to treat you with the fame Patience that my Friends exercifed towards me, when I was a zealous and blind Efpoufer of your Error. And again, in his Queftions upon St. Matthew's Gofpel, chap. 12. when the good Corn fprung up and brought forth Fruit, then appear'd the Tares alio : For when the fpiritual Man begins to difcern all Things, he begins to difcern Errors. His Servants faid to him, Wilt thou that we go and gather the Tares ? Are we to fuppofe that thofe are the Servants, whom he calls a little after Reapers, which in the Expofition of the Parable he exprefly faith to be Angels ? But who will dare af- firm, that the Angels knew not who fowed the Tares, and then fir fl difc erne d them, when they perceived the Fruit come forth ? We ought rather to interpret it of faithful Men here, ftgnified by the Name of Servants, whom he alfo calls the good Seed. Nor is it any Wonder that the fame Perfons fhould be called the good Seed, and the Servants of the Mafter, jince Chriji Jays of himfelf, that he is the Gaie, and the Shepherd j for the fame Thing is reprefented under many different Similitudes for different Rea- fons -, and the rather here, becaufe when he fpeaks to the Servants, he doth not fay, When the Harveft comes, I- will fay to you, Gather firft the Tares : Bui will fpeak, fays he, to the Reapers, From whence we may infer, . that the gather- ing the Tares to burn them is the Bufinefs of others, and that no Son of the Church fhould imagine that 'tis an Office belonging to 1oim. When therefore any Perfon begins to be fpi- ritual, he perceives the Errors of the Hereticks, and judges and difcerns every things that he reads or hears to differ from the Rule of Truth. But until he grows more perfeel in thefe fpiritual Things, and ripens into Fruit as the Seed did, he may be furprized how fo many Falfhoods of the Hereticks fhould exifi under the Chriftian • Name. Hence it was that the Servants faid, Didfl thou not fow good Seed in this Field ? Whence then the Tares ? When at laft he comes to [know, that this • is owing to the Subtlety of the Devil, who, far from being awed by the Authority of fo great a Name, covers his own Falfhoods under it, he may have an Inclination to deftroy fuch Men out of the World, according as he hath Opportunity. But whe- ther he ought to do this, and whether it be the Duty of Men, he confults the Jufiice of God, whether he hath commanded or permits it ? Hence the Servants faid, Wilt thou that we go and gather them ? To which the Truth it felf anfwered: The Condition of Man in this Life is not fuch, . that it can certainly be known, what that Man may afterwards prove, who is now feen to be in a manifeft .Error ; or how his Error may contribute to the Increafe of the Good. And therefore fuch are not to be dejlroyed, left whilft we endeavour to kill the evil, we kill alfo the good, or fuch as poffibly may hereafter prove fo \ and left we hereby prejudice the good, to whom the other may be, tho 9 unwillingly, ufeful But the moft proper Time for this is, at the End of all Things, when there will be no farther Opportunity cf amending the Life, or of advancing in the Truth, by the Occafion and Comparifoncf other Mens Errors. And even then this is to be done not by Men, but by the Angels. Hence it 31 The History of the Inquisition. it was that the Mafter anfwers, No, left gathering the Tares ye pull up atfo the Wheat. But in the Time of Harveft I will fay to the Reapers, &c. And thus he rendered them the mofl patient and calm. But afterwards, upon his fharp and long Difputes with the Donatifts, tho* he was fo far of the fame Mind, as that he was not willing to punifh them with Death, yet he fo far altered his Opinion, as that he did not difapprove of, but was for actually inflicting all Puniihments, which did not cut off the Hopes of Repentance, i.e. all manner, Death only excepted -, that being terrified by them, they might be compelled to embrace the orthodox Faith •, which he hath fhewn in a few Words, in his fecond Book of Retraclations, c. 5. / have two Books entitled^ Againft the Donatifts : In the firfi I declared, that I did not approve that fchifmatical Perfons Jhould be compelled to Communion by any fecidar Power. 'The Reafon was, becaufe I had not then experienced what great Mi/chief would arife from their Impunity, nor how much Good Discipline would conduce to their Converfion. He argues the fame more largely in his 48th Letter to Vincentius, on Account of the Rogatian Herefy : My firfi Opinion was, that none was to be forced to the Unity of Chrifi -, but that he was to be dealt with by Words , fought with by Argument^ overcome by Reafon, left thofe who once were open Here ticks Jhould be- come feigned Catholicks. But I changed my Opinion, not from the Contradiction of others, but from demonflrative Examples. My own City was firfi alledged, which ihd* entirely in the Herefy of Dona t us, was converted to the Catholick Unity by Fear of the Imperial Laws, and now fo thoroughly detefis their pernicious Animofity, that one would be apt to believe it had never been infetled with it. Many other Cities were particularly named to me, fo that from hence I underflood the Meaning of what is written, Give Opportunity to a wife Man, and he will be wifer. For how ma- ny, to our certain Knowledge, were willing to become Catholicks, convinced by evident 'truth ; but yet deferred it through Fear of offending their Friends ? How many were held in Subjeclion, not to Truth, in which you never had any Concern, but to Obflinacy of Habit, whereby was fulfilled in them that divine Pajfage, An evil Servant will not grow better by Words ; even though he underftand, he will not obey. How many imagined that the Donatifts were the true Churchy becaufe Security had rendered them proud, fioathful and negligent in their Enquiries after the Catholick Truth ? How many were prevented, by the falfe Reports of Slan- derers, from entring into the Church ; -who gave out that we placed I know not what upon the Altar of God ? How many thought it indifferent to what Party a Chrifiian belonged, and therefore continued Donatifts, becaufe they were born in that Seel, and no one forced them to forfake it, and return to the Catholick Faith ? Now the Terror of thofe Laws, by the Publication of which Kings ferve the Lord with Fear, was of fitch Advantage to all thefe, that they fay, fome of them : This was what we intended. Blejfed be God, that hath given us the Occafion of doing it now, and prevented all farther Delays. Others fay : This we knew to be true. But we were under an unaccountable Prepoffeffion. Bleffed be God, who hath broke our Bonds in finder, and hath brought us to the Bond of Peace. Others fay : We knew not that the Truth was here, neither were we willing to learn it. But Fear made us diligent in inquiring after it, being apprehenfive, that we Jhould lofe our temporal 2 Enjoyments y The History of the Inquisition. g> Enjoyment, without gaining any eternal BleJJings. Blejfed be God, who by Fear hath cured us of our Negligence, fo that thro* Terror we have enquired after, what in a State of Security we Jhould never have been careful to have known. Others fay : We were afraid to enter thro* falfe Reports, which we could not know to be falfe unlefs we entered. Neither JJjould we have entered, unlefs we had been forced. Blejfed be God, who hath taken away our Fear by the Rod, and given us to under (land how vain and lying the Reports are, which have been raifed of his Church. Hence we believe all thofe Things to be falfe, which the Authors of this Herefy have raifed, fince their Followers have fpread much greater Falfhoods. Others fay : We thought it fignified nothing of whatever Party we were Chriflians. But blejfed be God, who hath brought us from the Schifm, andfhewn us that y tis agreeable to the one God, that he Jhould be worjhipped in Unity. Should 1 therefore oppofe my f elf to my Col- leagues in preventing Methods fo gainful to the Lord, and thereby hinder the ga- thering into the Sheepfold of Peace, where there is one Flock and one Shepherd, the Jlray'd Sheep of Chrijl, who now wander in the Mountains and Hills, i. e. in the Swellings of their Pride f Ought I to oppofe fuch a Provifion as this, for fear of your lofing the Things you call your own, whilji if you were free from Fear, you would profcribe even Chrijl himfelf? Have you a Liberty of making Wills by the Ro- man Law, and ought you to dejlroy by infamous Charges the Will delivered by God to the Fathers, in which 'tis written, In thy Seed mail all Nations be blefied ? Should you be allowed to make free Contracls in buying and felling, and yet dare to divide amongjl your felves what the betrayed Saviour bought for us ? Is it juji that your Donations to others Jhould be valid, and Jhould not what God hath given to his Children be firm, whom he hath called from the rifing of the Sun to the fetting of it ? Can it be unjujt to banijh you from the Land of your Body, when you endeavour to banijh Chrijl from the Kingdo?n of his Blood, fro?n Sea to Sea, and from the River to the utmojl Bounds of the World ? No : Let the Kings of the Earth ferve Chrijl, even by making Laws for Chrijl. From thefe Words of Aujiin, it appears clearer than the Light, that he approved of the Punifhment ordained by Civil Laws againft the Erroneous, as that they ought not to make Wills, nor buy and fell, nor receive Lega- cies, but that they mould be fent into BanifhmenL And to mew that he thought this Punifhment juft upon the Donatifis and Rogatians, he adds : The Terror of temporal Powers, when it oppofe s the Truth, is a glorious Trial to the Good and Refolute, but a dangerous Temptation to the Weak. But when it inculcates the Truth upon the Erroneous and Schifmatical, to ingenuous Minds it is an ufeful Admo- nition, but to the Foolijh it proves an unprofitable Affliclion. There is no Power but what is of God, and he that refifteth the Power, refifteth the Ordinance of God : For Princes are not a Terror to them that do well, but to thofe who do ill. Wilt thou not therefore fear the Power ? Do well, and thou malt have Praife from it. For if the Power favouring the Truth corrects any one, he who is made better by it hath Praife from it : Or if, in Oppofition to the Truth, it rages againjl any one, he who is crowned Conqueror hath Praife from it. But as for thee, thou dojl not well that thou Jtiould'ft not fear the Power. And to make this appear, he largely refutes hfs Opinion, and then thinks he hath evinced the F Juitice 2\ The History of the Inquisition. Juftice of the Perfecution raifed againft them. And in the former Part of his Letter, he argues, that they ought to be compelled to return to the Church, not by Reafon only, but by Terrors. For, fays he, if they Jhould be terrified, and not taught, it would feem to be the Exercife of an unjujl Power over them ; and if they were taught, and not terrified, their old Habits would harden them, and they would move more fiowly into the Way of Salvation. The like may be read in his 50th Epiftle, to Boniface, a military Man of Cafar's Retinue : A Per/on in a raging Phrenzy can't bear the Phyfician, nor a libertine Son bis Father ; the one becauje he is bound, the other becaufe he is chafiifed ; both becaufe they are loved. But if they negletl them, and fuffer them to perijh, 'tis a falfe and cruel Mildnefs ; for if the Horfe and Mule, who have no Under ft anding, bite and ftrike at thofe who handle them to cure their Wounds, who yet, tho' they are of- tentimes in Danger, and fometimes receive Mifchief, don't leave them, till by medi- cinal Smart and Pains they have made them found •, how much lefs ought one Man to be given up by another, a Brother by his Brother, left he perijh eternally -, when after Correction he might be brought to underftand, how great a Benefit was conferred en him, even when he was complaining of fuffering Perfecution. 'Therefore, as the Apoftle fays, Let us do good to all as we have Opportunity •, let thofe, that can, do it by Difcourfes of the Catholick Precepts, others by the Laws of Catholick Princes, that all may be called to Salvation, and recovered from Deftrutlion, partly by thofe who obey divine Admonitions, and partly by thofe who obey the Imperial Commands. When the Emperors make bad haws in Favour ofFalfhood againft the Truth, true Be- lievers are approved, and thofe who perfevere are crowned with Vitlory. But when they ordain good haws for the Truth, in Oppofition to Error, the Unruly are ter- rified, and the Wife amended. He therefore who refufes to obey the Imperial Laws, when made againft the Truth of God, acquires a great Reward : He who refufes to obey, when made for Support of divine Truth, expofes bimfelf to mo ft grievous Punifhment. For in the Times of the Prophets all thofe Kings are blamed, who did not forbid and abolifh every thing contrary to the divine Precepts, and thofe who did are highly commended. Even King Nebuchadnezzar, when he was a Servant of Idols, made an impious Law, that the Image fhould be worfhipped. But thofe who did not obey his wicked Conftitution, atled pioufty and faithfully. And yet the fame King, changed by a divine Miracle, made a pious and commendable Law for the Truth ', that whoever fhould blafpheme the true God of Shadrack, Mefhack, and Abednego, floould be deftroy'd with his whole Houfe. Thofe who defpifed this Law, and defervedly fuffered the Penalty of it, might yet fay, what thefe do, that they were righteous Perfons, becaufe perfecuted by the King's Law ; which they might fay as well, if they were as mad as thofe who divide the Members of Chrift, deftroy the Sacraments of Chrift, and yet glory in Perfecution : Becaufe they are forbidden to do thefe Things by the Imperial Laws made for the Unity of Chrift, they vainly boaft of their Innocence, and feek the Glory of Martyrdom from Men, which they cannot re- teive from the Lord. After which he fubjoins a long Difcourfe to prove, that all who fuffer Perfecution are not Martyrs, but fuch only who fuffer for Righ- teoufnefs •, and that all Perfecutors are not of the falfe Church. For Agar fuf- fered Perfecution from Sarah j and yet fhe who perfecuted was holy, andfhewho 2 fuffered The History of the Inquisition. 2* fuffered Perfection unholy. And a little after : If therefore we will acknowledge the Truth, that is an unjuft Perfecution, which the Wicked make on the Church of Chrift, and that a juft Perfecution which the Churches of Chrift make on the Wicked. So that the Church is bleffed which fuffers Perfecution for Right eoufnefs Sake, and they miferable who fuffer Perfecution for Unrighteoufnefs. Befides, the Church prfecutes, by Love -, they, by Rage ; /he, that fhe may corretl ; they, in order to overthrow ; /he, that fhe may recal from Error ; they, to force others into it. She perfecutes and apprthends Enemies, to cure them of their Vanity, and that they may advance in the Truth ; they return Evil for Good, and be- caufe we confult their eternal Salvation, endeavour to deprive us of our temporal Safety. And afterwards : 'Tit an Inflance of Mercy to them, becaufe by thefe Imperial Laws, they are fnatched, tho' againft their Wills, from that Sebl, where they have learnt their Errors from the Dotlrines of Devils, that they may be healed by beinv accu- flomed to found Doctrines and Manners in the Catholick Church. For many of thofe whoje pious Fervour of Faith and Charity in the Unity of Chrift we now admire give Thanks to God with great Gladnefs, that they are not now in the Error to think thofe evil Things good ; which Thanks they would never have given willingly, un- lefs they had been forced unwillingly to depart from that accurfed Society. As to the Objection, that the Apoftles never defired fuch Methods from the Kings of the Earth, he anfwers ; That none of the Emperors then be- lieved in Chrift, and therefore could no ferve him by makino- Laws for Godlinefs, againft Impiety. But afterwards, when that began to be fulfilled, which is written, All the Kings of the Earth mail worfhip him, all Nations fhall ferve him, what Perfon in his Wits could then thus addrefs himfelf to Kings ? It doth not concern you, who in your Dominions defends or oppofes the Church of our Lord, who will be religious or impious. May it not as well be faid, It is nothiw to you, who in your Dominions is chaft or lewd ? For fince God hath given to all Men Freedom of Will, why Jhould Adulteries be punifhed by Law, and Sacrileges per- mitted ? Is the Preservation of the Soul's Fidelity to God of left Importance than a Woman's to her Husband ? Or becaufe thofe Things which are done, not from any Contempt of Religion, but merely thro* Ignorance, are to be more gently animad- verted on, are they therefore to be entirely neglecled ? Who doubts whether it be better to draw Men to the Worfhip of God by Argument, than to compel them with the Fear of Punifhment or Pain ? But doth it follow, that becaufe thofe who are won by Reafon are the beft, that therefore others are to be wholly difregarded P We can produce manylnftances to prove, of how great Advantage Co?npulfionbyFear and Pain hath been, they having been hereby rendered open to Inftruclion, or excited to the Pra- clice of what they have been taught. And afterwards : To what Purpofe do thefe Men cry out, Men are free either to believe, or not believe. To whom did Chrift ufe Violence ? Whom did he force ? I produce the Apoftle Paul. Let them own that Chrift firft forced, and afterwards taught him ; firft ft ruck, and then comforted him. 'Tis wonderful to confider, how he, who, forced by bodily Punifhment, firft entered into the Gofpel, laboured in it more abundantly than all they, who "by the Word only were called to the Belief of it. By how much greater his Fear was that forced his Love, by fo much the more perfeel was his Love that caft out Fear. Why then Jhould not F 2 the N.B. j6 The History of the Inquisition. the Church compel her loft Sons to return, fince thefe loft Sons have compelled others to their Definition ? E/pecially as the holy Mother more kindly embraces thofe, who, having been not fo much compelled as /educed, are made to return by terrible tho* wholfome Laws, into her Bofom, and rejoices over them much more than over thofejhe hath never loft. What, doth it not belong to the Pafioral Care, to recover thofe Sheep i, when found, to the Lord's Flock, by the Terror of Stripes, or even Pains, if they refift, which having not been violently fnatched away, have wandered from the Flock, thro* foft and gentle Perfwafwn ? And a few Lines afterwards : Be- caufe they cannot /hew that they are compelled to Evil, they argue, that they ought not to be compelled even to what is good. But we have /hewn that Paul was compelled by Chrift,/o that the Church imitates its Lord in compelling tho/e, firft waiting be/ore /he compels any, that the Preaching of the Prophets ?night be fulfilled with refpetl to the Faith of Kings and Nations. For to this Purpofe may be underfiood that of ble/fed Paul, Having in a Readinefs to revenge all Difobedience, when your Obe- dience is firft fulfilled. Hence al/o our Lord himfelf, firft commands the Guefts to be invited, and afterwards compelled to his great Supper. For when the Ser* vants anfwered him, Lord, it is done as thou commandedft •■>. and yet there is Room, he faid, Go out into the High-ways and Hedges, and compel them to come in. Now in thofe who were firft kindly brought in y . is fulfilled the, firft Obe- dience ', , in tho/e who are compelled the Difobedience is revenged. For what is this:, Compel them to come in •, when 'tis firft /aid, Bring in ; and the An/wer was, It is done as thou haft commanded, and yet there is Room? If he would have it underfiood, of being compelled by the Terror of Miracles, thofe were done in great- eft abundance, in Behalf of thofe who were firfi called, e/pecially of thofe of whom 'tis faid, The Jews feek Signs. The like may be read in his 204th EpiftJe to Donatus, a Donatift Prefbyter, in which he relates the various Cruelties of the Donatifts and Circumcellians, and writes that many were reduced to the Uni- ty of the Church, by the Laws made againft them. After a long Account of this, he anfwers an Objection of the Donatifts, that the Catholicks coveted and took away their Goods, and fhews the Falfhood of it. See alfo his 11 6th Epiftle to the Donatifts. From hence we may fee that Auftin hath very fully taught $ and endeavoured by many Arguments to prove, that Hereticks ought to be compelled to. return to the Church by external Violence and the Fear of Punifhments, tho J he was not willing that they fhould be put to Death. Wherefore he not only writes to Dulcilius the Tribune in his 60th Epiftle : Thou haft not received by anyLaivs the Power of the Sword over them, nor do any of the Imperial Conftitutions, which then art intrufted with the Execution of, command thee to put them to Death. . But in his 158th and 159th, Epiftle to Marcellinus, and in his 160th to Apringius, he largely intercedes to prevent their Death, and that their Punifhment might not reach /0 far. And in his 127th Epiftle to Donatus, Proconful of Africa, he thus writes : Since there are /uch terrible Judges and Laws, to prevent their in? furring the Puni/hment of the eternal Judg?nent, we would have them corretJed, -not destroyed : We would not that the necej/ary Discipline towards them /hould be neg-* left*?) nor that they /hould be puni/hed according to their De/erts. Put fuch a Re? 1 ftraint The History of the Inquisition. 37 firaint on their Sins, as that there may be feme to repent that they have finned. So that tho' he intercedes for them that they fhould not be put to Death, yet the only Punifhment he would have Hereticks exempted from is Death. Hence in his Epiftle to Crefconius the Grammarian, b. 3. c. 50. he faith: No good Men in the Catholick Church are pleafed, that any one, even an Heretick, Jhculd be punifhed with Death. But as to all other Methods of Perfecution, Aufin is fo far from being againfi them, that he recommends them, as a Remedy pro- per for the Extirpation of Herefies. Hence in his firft Book againft Gau~ dentius, c. 5. he fays : God forbid that this Jhoidd be called perfecuting Men, when His only a perfecuting their Vices, in order to deliver them from the Power of them ; jujl as the Phyftcian treats his dijlemper'd Patient. This then is the fo much admired Clemency of Aujiin, that he interceded with the Proconfuls, that the Donatijh fhould not be punifhed with Death ; whilft at the fame Time he not only approved of all other Penalties except Death, fuch as Banifhment, the denying them Power to make Wills, to in- herit their Patrimony, or to receive what was left them by others, of ma- king Contracts, buying and felling, and the like ; but he himfelf accufed them to the Proconfuls, that if they perfifted in thefe Opinions, they might fuffer thefe Punifhments. Who doth not fee, that under fuch Circumftances, Life is fometimes worfe than Death ? And that, as Arcadius and Honorius decreed with refpecl to the Children of thofe condemned for Treafon, Life would be. a Punifhment, and Death a real Relief? 'Tis much more terrible to pine away in Poverty, Banifhment, and other Miferies, and then perifh by a lingering Death, than to be killed outright, tho' in a cruel and bloody manner. Yea fometimes, fuch hath been the Cruelty of Perfecutors, that they have denied thofe they have perfecuted, Death, that they might not feem to give them the Honour of Martyrdom \ whilft they have invented and exercifed on them all manner of Miferies and Tortures, that by the Weight and Length of their Punifhments, they might force them to a Denial of their Faith. There is no need to produce many Proofs or Examples of this Nature, or to fearch into Antiquity for Inftances. I mail only produce two frefh ones, one of which now prefents it (t\{ to us in France,- There we fee that the miferable Reform d are not punifh'd with Death, but given up to the licentious Abufesof Sol»- diers, and that they have no End of their Troubles, unlefs they abjure the Reform'd Religion. And yet all the Reform'd unanimoufly agree, they ne- ver fuffer'd a.more grievous Perfecution. Bohemia will afford us another In- ftance of Perfons forced by the like Cruelty toApoftacy. We read in the Hiftory of the Bohemian Perfecution, c. 99. that when the Vice Chamberlain of the Kingdom had folicited the Inhabitants of the City Tufa in vain toApofta- cy, and was complaining of their Obftinacy in the jefuits College at Prague, one Marlyn de Huerda, a Spaniard, was prefent, and laughed at it, and promifed to accomplish the Matter for 500 Pieces of Gold. " Taking with him ibmeBands M of Soldiers, he entered the City, and lent them by Tens and Twenties to each " Senator, and gave them Liberty to plague them by every Method they could ■* invent 5 and bv this Means in a. little while compelled them all to Ape* « ftacy, gS The History of the Inquisition. " flacy, and then received his Reward from the Chamberlain. The fame " Martyn, when others had attempted, in vain, the Reformation, astheycal- " led it, of the City Kuitehrge, terrified the Citizens by the fame Means, cc till at length they were lb oppreffed by Means of the Soldiery, and broken «' by their continu'd Perfections, that moft of them complied with their Ene- " mies, and fubmitted their Necks to the Antichriftian Yoke ; whilft others, " leavino- every Thing behind them but their Wives and Children, went into cc Banifhment." c. 93. The like Sort of Reformation we may read, c. 97. made in the City Zaterus. Cap. 103. gives an Account of various Punifh- ments inflicted, by the Cruelty of which many were forced to Apoftacy, though not one put to Death. Yea, there is an Account, §. 13. " That " fome, who begged rather to be put to Death, than compelled to Apo- <£ flacy, were anfwer'd : Caefar did not thirft after their Blood, but the Salva- " tion of their Souls. The like Requefl made by others was received with " Laughter. Ho, Sirrah, Do you want the Honour of Martyrdom ? Te 4c Wretches, you are unworthy of having any Occafwn wherein to glory." From thefe Examples 'tis clearer than Day, that fome Perfecutions, though not reaching to Death, may be more cruel than Death it felf. And though poffibly fome Perfon may pretend a Sort of Gentlenefs in all this, yet let him remember what Bellarmine ]uH}y writes, De Laicis, /.3. c.21. That Au- Jlin excepts the Punifhment of Death •, not that he thought they did not deferve it, but becaufe it became the Clemency of the Church ; and becaufe there were, as yet, no imperial Laws : For the law Quicunque, C. de Haeretici, was not made till a little after Auftin'i Death, ordaining Hereticks to be put to Death. By which he plainly infinuates, that he believed that if there had been any im- perial Law, ordaining rhe Punifhment of Death to Hereticks, Aufiin would have approved of it ; for he immediately adds : That it appears that Aufiin thought it jujl to kill Hereticks ; becaufe he fhews, that if the Donatifts were put to Death, they would be juflly punifhed, 1. 1. cont. Epift. Parmen. c. 7. and elfewhere. If any one will compare thefe Things with the former Opinion of Aufiin, he may juflly cry out, Oh how much is Aufiin changed from himfelf, who, mindful of his own former Error, from which he was not recover'd, but by the great Patience of his Friends, was againft ufing Methods of Cruelty, even towards the Manichceans. But now he approves of all Punifhments againft the Donatifts, Death only excepted, that they may be compelled into the Catholick Church, even againft their Wills, under a Pretence that at lafl they may voluntarily remain in her Communion. Now he puts into the Mouths of Perfons thefe forced fludied Speeches and Pretences, by which they are taught to palliate their Return into the Church, which was in reality wholly owing to Violence and the Fear of Punifhment, as though it had been voluntary, and the very Means of their Salvation. But let us fup- pofe, that they believe themfelves obliged by Virtue of a divine Command to preach their Doctrine, left they mould difobey God ; and that therefore they ought to return into their own Country to propagate it : What would good St. The History of the Inquisition. ?a St. Auftin determine againft them in fuch a Cafe ? Why, all his Arguments tend to this, that if they mould return, contrary to the imperial Edift, he mould not at all difapprove a capital Punimment, if it was fo appointed by the Laws. And indeed, all who fince Auftin have taught that Hereticks are to be per- fected, and even punifhed with Death, have made Ufe of no Authority more than Auftin* s ; and to mew how highly they efteem his Authority, they ufe his Arguments as the very ftrongeft, though in themfelves abfurd, and manifestly contrary to Scripture, to defend a Doctrine fo abfolutely repug- nant to the Nature of Chriftianity. From him they have borrowed the Di- ftinction, that it is unlawful for Hereticks to perfecute the Church, but the Duty of the Church to perfecute Hereticks. This is now become the com- mon Exception of all the Murderers of Hereticks, with which every one armed with the fecular Power, under a fpecious Pretence, perfecutes and oppreffes thofe who differ from him : This is the principal Argument by which the Papifts defend themfelves, when they would juftify their own Perfecution of Hereticks, and condemn all others that perfecute them. And which is the Wonder, they commend as praife- worthy and heroical what is praclifed by their own Church againft others, even when they condemn the fame Things as cruel and inhumane in them ; as though they were exempted from the common Law of Nature, of doing to others as they would be done by. Conrad Brunus complains of the Hereticks and Schifmaticks, that the Vandals b. z. c. 8. and Donatifts in Africa, turned and executed all the Laws made againft Here- £• 3« ticks upon theCatholicks. Thefe, fays he, the Hereticks alfo of our Time imitate-. In this indeed they are worfe than they •, becaufe they denied thofe Laws were ever made againft themfelves •, whereas our modern Hereticks affirm they were made, and ought to be executed againft the Catholicks, as may eafily be feen from many of their Wru tings. In the fame Book he complains : That the Hereticks f pare neither Age, nor Sex, nor Degree, nor Dignity ; but rage promifcuoufty againft Children and grown Perfons, Women and Men, Virgins and Married, old Men and young. He adds, c. 13. "Tis cruel and moft inhumane to abufe the Dead: But this is peculiar to our Hereticks and Schifmaticks. They conceal the Bodies of Bifhops and Presbyters, Wo- men and Virgins, whom they have barbaroufty killed, and deny them Burial. The Bodies of fome they have taken out of their Graves, and caft upon the Ground \ Trip. I. *r others have contemptuoufly fcattered into the Air the AJhes of thofe whom they havec 3. burnt, and thrown the Bodies of fome into Rivers. If any one confiders the De-popg Leo 3 cretals of the Popes, the Inftrudions of the Inquifition, and the ufual Manner Ep. 7 3- of proceeding in it, in which there is no Diftindion of Perfons ; but all are fubjedted to the Inquifition without Refpecl to Age, Sex or Dignity, which not only forbids the burying dead Hereticks, but annexes a Punifhment to thofe who bury them ; and oftentimes commands their dead Bodies to be taken up, and to be either thrown upon Dunghills, or reduced to Afhes, and their Allies fcatter'd in the Air, as mall be hereafter more large- ly fhewn : I fay, if any one confiders thefe Things, he might v/ell think Bru- ms to be in jeft , unlefs he was of Auftin' s Opinion, that°tbe Church might do \ 4.0 The History of the Inquisition. do againft Hereticks what it would not be lawful for Hereticks to do againft the Church : Which Doctrine once allow'd, every one will decide for him- felf, that his is the true Church, and hence claim a Right of perfecuting others, and perfwade himfelf he doth not act unjuftly, even though he would not allow others to act fo by himfelf. Thus we fee, that Chriftians by this idle Doctrine, are deviated from their original Simplicity and Meek- nefsi and that in the room of mutual Love, by which all the Faithful we're of one Heart and one Soul, there have fucceeded in the Church of Chrift, not only Difcords, Contentions, Hatreds and Enmities, but Slaughters, and the word of cruel Butcheries. But furely they ought to confider, that they cannot without Injuftice, do to others what they think it would be unjuft in others to do to them *, and that therefore as they would not themfelves be perfecuted by others, it muft be unjuft in them cruelly to perfecute others, even though they think them He- reticks. For as Salvian, Presbyter of Marfeilles-, admirably writes in his Trea- fife of the Government of God, B. 5. p. 150, 151. They are Hereticks, but not willingly. They are Hereticks in our Account, but not in their own. For they judge themfelves to be fo very good Catholicks, that they give us the infamous Name of Hereticks : So that jufi what we think of them, they "think of us. JVe know they do an Injury to the only begotten Son of God, becaufe they affirm him to be lefs than the Father. They think we derogate from the Father's Honour, becaufe we make the Son equal to him. The Truth is with us ; they imagine it to be with them : JVe truly ho- nour God ; they think that their Opinion is mofl honourable to God. They are de- fective in their Duty -, but believe that this is the chief Duty of Religion. They are Impious ; but think it to be true Piety : Though therefore they err, they err with an bonejl Mind, not from Hatred but real Affetlion to God, and believing that they ho- nour and love the Lord. Though they have not true Faith, they efleem even this to be the mojl perfect Love of God. How they /hall be puniftfd in the Day of Judg- ment for this Error in Opinion, no one knows but the Judge. And therefore 1 think God patiently bears with them, becaufe be fees that though they do not believe aright, yet that they err from a real Love to Piety and Truth, &c. But the Minds of Chri- ftians have been perverted from this Branch of Equity through the Preva- lence of Self-love •, fo that when they could prevail with the Civil Power to afiift them, they have pronounced all that differed from them Hereticks, and ,then exercifed all Kinds of Cruelty againft them. CHAP. The History of the Inquisition. \i CHAP. VII. *fhe Persecutions of the Popes againft Hereticks. IN the following Ages the Affairs of the Church were fo manag'd under the Government of the Popes, and all Perfons fo ftrictly curbed by the Severity of the Laws, that they durft not even fo much as whifper againft the received Opinions of the Church. Befides this, fo deep was the Igno- rance that had fpread it felf over the World, that Men, without the leaft Regard to Knowledge and Learning, received with a blind Obedience every Thing that the Ecclefiafticks order'd them, however ftupid and fuperftitious, without any Examination ; and if any one dared in the leaft to contradict them, he was fure immediately to be punifli'd ; whereby the mod abfurd Opinions came to be eftablinYd by the Violence of the Popes. 'Twas at this Time that the Doctrine of Tranfubftantiation was introduced into the Church, now, in every Thing, fubject to the Pope's Beck ; and how dan- gerous it was to oppofe it, we may learn from the Inftance of Berengarius of Tours, Archdeacon of Anglers, who, teaching that the Bread and Wine in the Supper, was only the Figure of the Body and Blood of the Lord, was condemn'd as an Heretick, by Leo IX. in a Synod at Rome and Vercella, in the Year 1050, and five Years after, viz. 1055. was forced to recant, and to fubfcribe with his own Hand to the Faith of the Roman Church, and confirm it with an Oath, by Vittor II. in the Council of Tours. But as Berengarius his Recantation was forced ; and as he afterwards defended that Opinion, which in his Heart he believed, Nicolaus II. called a Council at the Lateran, Anno 1059. and there again condemn'd Berengarius, and compeird him to make a folemn Abjuration, which Berengarius publickly read, and fign'd with his own Hand. This was that famous Abjuration, which begins, Ego Berengarius. Thus was the Truth fuppreffed by the Papal Violence. In the Eaft alfo, Anno ii 18. one Bafilius, the Author of the Seel: of the Bongomili, was publickly burnt for Herefy by the Command of Alexius Comnenus the Emperor, as Baronius relates, Anno 11 18. §. 27. In the mean Time the Power of the Roman Pontiff grew to a prodigious Height, and began to be very troublefome, even to the Emperors them- felves ; for not content with the Ecclefiaftical Power, they claimed alfo the Subjection of the Secular. But in the midft of this thick Darknefs, fome Glim- merings of Light broke forth through the great Mercy of God. For after the Year of Chrift, 1 100. there arofe various Difputes between the Emperors and Popes, about the Papal Power in fecular Affairs, which, as they were managed with great Warmth, gave Occafion to many more ftrictly to ex- amine that unbounded Power which the Popes of Rome claimed to themfelves. Some of the Emperors bravely maintained their Rights againft the Papal En- croachments, and were fupported, not only by the Arms and Forces of Generals G and ^i The History of the Inquisition. and Princes, but by Bifnops and Divines, who ftrenuoufly wrote in their Defence . Thisfpirited up many others to oppofe that unbounded Authority, which the Popes afiumed in Matters of Faith, who not only argued that they were ca- pable of erring, as well as the other Bifhops, but actually pointed out and cen- fured their many Errors and Abufes of their unlimited Power : All thefe the Court of Rome branded with the infamous Name of Hereticks, and would have made the Sacrifice ro thepublick Hatred. They appeared firft in fome Parts of Italy, but principally in the Milaneze and Lombardy : And becaufe they dwelt in different Cities, and had their par- ticular Inflructors, the Papifts, to render them the more odious, have repreiented them as different Sects, and afcribed to them as different Opi- nions, though others affirm they all held the fame Opinions, and were entirely of the fame Se£k. The Truth is, that from the oldeft Accounts of them we fhall find, that they did not all hold the fame Tenets, and were not Btf the fame Sect ; though neither their Opinions nor Sects were fo many and different as the Papifts reprefent. The Principal of them were Tancbelinus, Petrus de Bruis, Petrns Abailardus, Arnaldus Brixianus, whofe Opinion Ba- rotitis calls the Herefy of the Politicians, Hendricus, and others, who preached partly in Italy, and partly in France about the Country of Tholoufe •, and be- caufe afterwards the greater Number of them propagated their Opinions in the Province of Albigeois, in Languedoc, and gather'd there large and nume- rous Churches, who openly profeffed their Faith ; , they were ftiled Al- bigenfes, CHAP. VIII. Of the Alb i genses W Valdenses, ABOUT the fame Time the Valdenfes, or the poor Men of Lyons, ap- peared at Lyons, whofe Original hath been largely fliewn by the moft Reverend and Learned UJher, Archbifhop of Armagh, in his Book Be Sue- ceffione, &c. ch. viii. I fhall therefore only enquire, whether the Faldenfes and Albigenfes were the fame People, according to the common Opinion of Pro- teftants, or different from one another. It cannot be doubted but that they had fome Opinions in common. But there is nothing more evident, than that there was amongft them a great Variety of Doctrines, and Difference of Rites and Cuftoms, as appears from the Book of the Sentences of the Inqui- lition at TJwkufe, which I have publifli'd, in which are to be found many of the Sentences pronounced againft the Albigenfes and Valdenfes, which difcover lbme very curious and uncommon Things, concerning their Doctrines and Rites ; and which are fuch evident Proofs of their difference in Opinions and Cuftoms, that from the reading of a few Lines, one may eafily know whe- i ther The History of the Inquisition. 4.3 ther the Sentence pronounced was againft the Albigenfes or Valdenfes \ which manifeft Difference hath induced me to believe that they were two diftinft Seels ; though I have hitherto been in the common Opinion, that they were but one. And that this may appear more clearly, I mall here give out of the Book of Sentences, the Doctrines common to both, and thole in which they differ'd, and defcribe their particular Rites and Cuftoms. The Opinions common to them both were thefe : Even Oath is unlawful fa 39« *• end finful 5 and therefore they would never, upon any Occafion, take an^ /,9C * Oath. Concerning Penance and the Confcffion of Sins : The Albigenfes are faid to/0/. 4°» believe, That Confejfwn made to the Priefis of the Church of 'Rome, ftgnifies nothing : 'That neither the Pope nor any other of the Church of Rome can abfolve any one from his Sins -, but that they have the Power of Abfolving from their Sins, all thofe who become of their Sett, by the Impofition of Hands. Almoft the fame Things are afcribed to the Valdenfes, that they teach, That they have Power from God only, even as the Apoflles had, of conf effing Men fit. 96. and Women of their Sins, who believe them, and are willing to confefs to them : That they hear their Confeffions, and enjoyn them Penance for their Sins ; although thefe who hear their Confeffions, are not ordained by the Church, are not Priefts or Clerks, but Laicks only -, and though they confefs that they have not, in the leaf, re- ceived this Power from the Church of Rome. And farther, in molt of the Sen- tences againft the Valdenfes, we find, That they confeffed their Sins to one of the Valdenfes, and received Abfolution and Penance from him, and believed that the [aid Confejfwn and Abfolution, and Penance, as much avail* d to the Salvation of the Soul, as though they had been confeffed to a proper Prieft. But their Doctrine is beft underftood by the Sentence of Hugueta, the Wife of John, of Vienna: That God only can abfolve from Sins ; and that he who receives Confejfwn, can only fit. 147, advife what a Man ought to do, and enjoin Penance ; and that a wife and prudent Perfon may do this, whether he be a Prieft or not. As to the Church of Rome, the Albigenfes are faid to believe, That there fit. 40. are two Churches, one merciful, viz. theirs and the Church of Chrift % which retains that Faith, in which every one, and without which no one can be faved: The other a cruel one, viz. The Church of Rome, which is the Mother of For- nications, the Temple of the Devil, and Synagogue of Satan ; and that no one can be faved in the Faith of that Church. And elfewhere we read, That nofci ,. Man can be faved, that is not received by them, and unlefs he die of their Seel. The Valdenfes are faid to have taught almoft the fame Things : That theyfol 96. are not fubjetl to the Roman Pontiff, nor to the Prelates of the Church 0/Rome : That they cannot be excommunicated by the Pope, nor the other Prelates of that Church : That they ought not to obey the Pope, when he commands them toforfake and abjure their Seel, as condemned by the Church : That the Church of Rome fins, &nd alls unlawfully and unjuflly againft them, becaufe it perfecutes and condemns them. And that they farther taught, That the Prelates of the Church of Rome, fit. n8.h. are blind Leaders of the Blind ♦, do not preferve the Truth of the Gofpel, nor imi- tate the apoftolick Poverty j and that the very Church r/Rome is an Houfeof Lies. G 2 The ^4- The History of the Inquisition. The Opinions that are afcribed to the Albigenfes, but never to the Valdenfes* fit. 40. are thefe : 'That there are tzvo Gods and Lords ; the one good, the other evil. That the Creation of all Things, vifible and corporeal, was not from God our hea- venly Father, and the Lord Jefus Chrifi, but by the Devil and Satan, the evil God, who is the God of this World, and the Maker and Prince of it : Which fol 68. they exprefs elfewhere in this Manner : That it was not God that caufed the Earth to yield Seed and bring forth Fruit. And elfewhere : That the- good God made all Things invifible and incorruptible -, and that the evil Prince, viz. Lucifer, made all Things vifible and corruptible, and even humane Bodies. fol 120. b, And in another Place: That there were two Gods, one good, the other bady and that the bad God created all Things vifible. Since thefe Things are to be met with in the Sentence of Fetrus Auterius, one of their famous Doctors, I am apt to think, not only that fome of the Manichceans, who were banifned from Afia, and came into Bulgaria, and af- terwards went into the Country ofTholoufe, lurked amongft them *, but that they had, many of them at leaft, embraced the Manichcean Opinions. And indeed, we ought not to conceal the Truth. For although they are to be commended for having difcover'd many of the Romifh Errors in Doctrine, and for their forfaking the Communion of that Church ; yet we ought in- aenuoufly to own their Miftakes. And as their recommending to thofe they received into their Communion, what they called the Endura, i. e. fading themfelves to Death, was certainly an Error in Practice ; fo that we need not be afhamed to own that they fometimes erred in Matters of Faith. 'Tis ra- ther to be wonder'd at, that in fo barbarous an Age, they fhould throw off fo many Errors, than that they mould retain fome. But befides, they are faid alfo to have held the following Opinions. That all the Sacraments of the Church of Rome are vain and unprofita- ble,, viz. The Eucharift, Baptifm, Confirmation, Order, and extreme Ua- ction. fit. 39. b. As to the Eucharift,. they are reported, to have believed, That there was fit. no. b. noi t j je g oc [y jr Qforiji^ an ^ that there was nothing but meer Bread. fol. 120. b. As to the Raptifms : That they condemned the Baptifm of Water, faying : That a Man was to be faved by their laying on of Hands upon thofe who believed them ; fol. 68. a. an fi that fair Sins were to be remitted without Confeffon and Satisfaction : That no Baptifm availed any Thing •, no,, not their own. We read alfo in the Sentence of Petrus Raymundus Dominicus de Borno, that he heard Peter Auterii teach- f*L 176. j ncrj amongft other Things, That the Baptifm of Water, made by the Church, was of no avail to Children ; becaufe they were fo far from confenting to it, that they wept. fti, j. A s to extreme Unction : That the Order of St. James» or extreme Untlion upon the Sick, made by material Oil, fgnified nothing •> and that they prefer Impa- ction of Hands, which the Inquifitors call execrable, hi i. As to Orders : That they reproach and condemn the Conflitution of the whole Church of Rome, and deny all the Prelates of it the Power of Binding andLoofing 5 faying;. That they cannot loo fe or bind other Simicrs, fmce they themfelves are greater Siilr 0/.4P. The History of the Inquisition. ac Sinners ', but that they can give to thofe they receive, the Holy Spirit , in order to their Salvation. As to Matrimony : That it is always finful, and cannot be without Sin -, andfil. 40. was never appointed by the good God. Alfo : That carnal Matrimony between fit. 81. k a Man and Woman, is not true Matrimony, nor good, nor lawful, nor appointed by God ; but a quite different fpiritual Matrimony. As to the Incarnation of Chrift : That the Lord did not take a real humane Bo- fit. 40, dy, nor real humane Flejh of our Nature ; and. that he did not really arife with it, nor do other Things relating to our Salvation ; nor fit down at the Right-hand of the father with it, but only with the Likenefs of it. They affirm alfo : That the moft holy Virgin Mary, the Mother of our Lord, neither is, nor was a carnal Wo- man, but their Church, which they fay is true Penitence \ and that this is the Vir- gin Mary. Or as we read elfewhere : That God never enter' d into the Womb fit. Bi.K of the blejfed Virgin Mary ; and that he only is the Mother, and Brother, and Sifter of God, that keep the Commands of God the Father. Like wife, that is wasfoi. no b, impoffible for God to be incarnate •, becaufe he never humbled himfdf fo much, as to ■put himfelf in the Womb of Woman. Concerning the Refurrection of the Dead: They are charged with denyingfii.no.b. the Refurretlion of Bodies. Or : There will be no future Refurreclion of humane f i. 1 4 6. Bodies ; andaltho* the Souls of Men Jh all come to Judgment, they fh all not come in their Bodies* Which is elfewhere more diftinctly explain'd : That they imagine a fit. 40* Sort of fpiritual Bodies, and a Sort of an inward Man ; in which Bodies Perfons are hereafter to rife. One of the Albigenfes is faid to have believed, that when fit. 146^ the Souls of wicked Men are gone out of their Bodies, before and after Judgment, they go through los Baufies, and los Tertres, i. e. over Rocks and Precipices ; and that the Devil throws them headlong from the Rocks. Alfo, That the Souls of Men, even after their Separation from the Body, have Flejh and Bones, Hands and Feet, and all Members ; which though they are thrown by Devils headlong from the Rocks , and by this Means tormented, yet can never die. As to the Adoration of the Crofs .* That no Man ought to adore the Crofs: fit. 6%}- Which in another Place is very odioufly reprefented, viz. That the Sign of the fit. 3. holy Crofs, which the univerfal Church worfhips as the Emblem of our Salvation, and the Reprefentation of our Lord's Paffwn, is a deleft able Emblem of the Devil. And the Reafon of this is added elfewhere: That the Crofs of Chrift ought not fit. 176, ■ to be adored ; becaufe no Man worfhips the Gallows upon which his Father was hanged. As to the humane Soul : That Souls were Spirits banijhed from Heaven becaufe fit. uo.5,- of their Sins. Thefe are faid to be the Principles of the Albigenfes^ and they will all ap- pear in the Sentence pronounced againft Stephana de Proaudo, which I fhall here give at large, from the Book of the Sentences of the Inquifition at Tha- loufe. " In the Year of our Lord 1307, the 5th of the Nones of March, and fiut " Sunday in Lent, We the before-mention'dlnquifitor and Vicars. Whereat *' it.moft evidently and lawfully appears to us, by thy wicked AfTertions, that 4.6 The History of the Inquisition. " thou Stephana de Proaudo, formerly Wife of Peter Gilbert, being infected " with the peftiferous Doctrines of Hereticks, dofl affert and confefs into- in the Houfe of Nicholas of Middlebourge, a Phyfician, a Divine of Lo- vain, who told him, that he refufed to give Abfolution to a certain Con- feffor of the Nuns, becaufe he acknowledged he had lain with 200 of them. Buc what need is there of producing Teflimonies ou f of particular Authors?" The> very Laws of the Inquifition, which ordain Punifhments for thofe Priefts, who follicit not only Women, but, what is much worfe, even Boys, in the Sacrament of Confeflion, are an undeniable Proof that thefe Crimes are too frequent and common in that State of impure Celebacy. So that having their own Minds infnared with the Lufts of the Flefh, aod their Eyes, as the Scrip-. cure expreffes it, . full of Adultery, like the Generality of Mankind, they judge. 43« #•■ reading fame Words, but firft put a white Linen Cloth upon her, and after he had read in the Book, Peter and Aurelius made many Bows near her Bed. For this Reception they were prepared by certain Abftinences, which I gather from the Sentence of Peter Raymundus Dominions de Borno r who is faid to have {een Peter Auterii with Peter Sancii, who then- kept thofe Fafts, which they are obliged to do, who are to be admitted to the Sect of the Hereticks. This Admiflion was believed to fave the Soul of the Perfon admitted, and was called Spiritual Baptifm, The Conflation, The Reception, and Good End. So fot. 26. as that they, were believed to be fo fanctified by it, as that afterwards it was/c/. 3.*. unlawful for them to be touched by a Woman. Thus we read in the Sen- tence of a Woman, whofe Father had been received amongft the Albigenfes*, fit. 49. That fhe was forbid by her Father to touch him, becanfe after his Reception no JVoman ought to touch him, and from that Time foe never did touch him. And in another Woman's Sentence*, That 'twas unlawful for her to touch Petrus jW. 68. -• Sancii, and that fhe heard that 'twas reported amongft them\ that they neither touch a Woman, . nor Juffer themfelves to be touched by one. . But inafmuch as it was pofTible that the Perfon received might return to his former Pollutions, his Reception was delay'd to his lajft Sicknefs, when there was no more Hopes of Recovery, that io he might not lofe the Good he had 5| The History gJ the Inquisition. had received ; for which Reafon fome were not admitted, tho' one of the Albi- genfes was prefent ; becaufe 'twas not believed they would immediately die. fol.cz. Thus 'tis reported of Petrus Sancii, that being called to hereticate a certain fick Woman , fie was not then hereticated j hecaufe he did not think it proper upon Ac- count of her not being weak enough. And afterwards, though the Diftemper grew more violent, Petrus Sancii did not hereticate her, becaufe me re- covered. As for thofe who were received during their Illnefs, they were commanded to make Ufe of the Endura, i. e. Falling ; and to haften their Death by the opening a Vein, and Bathing. Thus 'tis reported of a certain Woman ; T\\d.t fhe fol. 14. b. perfevered in the Abftinence which they call the Endura, m any Days ; and ha- jlen'd her bodily Death, by lofing her Blood, frequent Bathing, and greedily taking a poifonous Draught of the Juice of wild Cucumbers, mixing with it broken Glafs, that fol. 46. by tearing of her Bowels jhe might fooner die. Of another, 'tis faid, That /he was forbidden by her Mother-in- Law to give her little Daughter, that had been here seated fol. 49. by Peter Sancii, any Milk to drink, by which it died. Another confefies, That fke had not feen her Father, fince his Heretication, eating or drinking any Thing but fol. 63. cold Water. But one Hugo, who continued feveral Days in the Endura, did afterwards, by his Mother's Perfuafion, eat and recover. The fame Year Peter Sancii invited him to enter into the Endura, and fo make a good End ; but he would not agree to it till he came to die. The fame Hugo faw, that Sancius pro- cured and haften* d his own Death, by Bleeding, Bathing, and Cold. Petrus Auterii fol. 6<,.h. is faid to have received another Woman -, and after her Reception, to have forbid, that any Meatfhould be given to the faid hereticated fick Woman \ and there were two Women who attended her, that watched that there fhould be neither Meat nor Drink given her the whole Night, nor following Day, left fhejhould lofe the Good /he had received, and contradicl the Order of Peter Auterii •, although the faid fick Woman defired that they would give her Meat. But the third Day after, fhe eat and fol. 8a. i. grew well. In the Sentence of Peter Raymundus, of the Hugo i s, we read thefe Things concerning the Endura. Tou voluntarily Jhorten your own corporal Life, and inflicl Death upon your felf ; becaufe you put your felf in that Abflinence, which the Hereticks call Endura, in which Endura you remained fix Days, without Meat or Drink, and wouldft not eat, neither yet wilt, though oftentimes invited to it. However, all of them did not care to fubject themfelves to fo fevere a Law. fol. ?r. For we read of a certain Woman, that me would not fufrer her fick Daughter, although near Death, to be received ; becaufe then her faid Daughter mufi be put fol. 30. b. in the Endura. There is alio an Inftance of a Woman, who for fear me mould be taken up by the Inquifitors, put her felf in the Endura ; and fending for a Chirurgeon, order'd him to open one of her Veins in a Bath : And after theChi- rurgeon was gone, fhe unbound her Arm in the Bath, that fo the Blood running out more freely, fhe might fooner die. After this fhe bought Poifon in order to deftroy her felf. Afterwards fhe procured a Coblers Awl, which in that birbarous Age they call Alzena, intending to run it into her Side : But the Women difputing amongft themfelves, whether the Heart was on the right Side or the left, ihe at laft drunk up the Poifon, and died the Day after. Z They The History of the Inquisition, ^ They had alfo a peculiar Manner of faluting each other, by embracing, jW. 59. & putting their Hands to both Sides, and turning their Head three Times to/ o/ - 1 ~ 6 > b each Shoulder, faying every Time, Praife the Lord: Which Manner of Si-fii izo.h lutation feems to have been very common among them ; becaufe we find k. fo! - 9.h mentioned in the Sentences of many of them, and was performed fometimes with bended Knees •, fometimes by putting their Hands down, even to the Ground. Sometimes alfo this Cuftom was infilled on : So we read of a certain fil. 91. Perfon, being required by the J aid Here tick, to bend the Knee before bim, and fay, Praife ye the Lord •, he bent on his Knee, and faid before him, Praife ye the Lord. The Heretick anfwer'd •, May God bring you to a good End. And of a certain Woman,/»/. 89. That fhe faw a certain Perfon bowing before Peter Auterii, in her aforefaid Houfe -, and then fhe was required to make her Amendment before the faid Heretick, as the other did. And then fhe alfo began to bend the Knee before the faid Heretick, and knew not how to make the aforefaid Amendment \ upon which, they who were pre fent began to laugh, which made her blufh and go away. We read of another, that.M 70» he agreed with Peter Auterii, That he would commend himfelf to him ; that he might pray to God for him ; and began to bow the Knee before him : And that Peter Auterii faid, Te may not do it -, for this is not the Place -, and fo fent him away, that he might not bow the Knee before him, which he was willing and had began to do. Nor was this Manner of Salutation required only from thofe who were admit- ted, but alfo made Ufe of by thofe who were called Perfetl ; and admitted others, as often as they met one another. Thus we read in the Sentence of/o/. i6,h Amelius de Pedis, That he and Peter Auterius faluted each other with mutual Adoration before the Inquifitors ; and that they both adored each other, after an heretical Manner, before them, by falling on their Faces on the Ground ; and faid that they were of the fame Seel ; and acknowledged that they had elfewhere oftentimes adored one another after the fame Manner. They fafted three Days a Week on Bread and Water. A certain fick Man/o/. 120. h was told, That he muft have no Food, unlefs he could repeat the Pater Nofter. fit. 49. We read of the' Valdenfes, that they had certain Elders (Majores) of their fit. 147. Seel:. Thus John of Lorain was called Majoralis of that Seel ; and Chriflian, and John of Chabley, Majores. 'Tis reported of them alfo, That they prayed on their Knees before and after Dinner, leaning on a Table. This occurs in almofb all the Sentences of the Valdenfes. 'Twas alfo cuftomary with them to fay Grace over their Meat ; becaufe Perrin Faber was accufed, that he eat and drank with the Valdenfes, atf j i C9 i the fame Table that had been bleffed by them. They ufed to compare themfelves with the Apofiolical Life and Perfection ; andfot.i^.b» haft that they were equal to them in Merit ; and that they preferved and imitated the Evangelick and Apoftolick Poverty -, upon which Account they obtained the Name of the poor Men of Lyons. Befides this, they had other Cuftoms different from the common Way offiL 11$ J* Living. Thus we read, That the faid Seel of the Valdenfes, feparatcd and dif- fered in other Things from the common Life and Manners of the Faithful, And 56 The History of the Inquisition. fd. 123. And laftly, we read in.the Sentence of John Pbitibert, a Prefbyter, That the Valdenfes />raza& to their Believers fometime after Supper, in the Night, cut of the Gcfpels and Epiftles, in the vulgar Language. Since therefore there is fo great a Diverfity in the Opinions and Cuftoms of the Albigenfes and Valdenfes, 'tis very evident that they were two diftinctt Setts, both of them abhorring the Communion of the Church of Rome ; but in ma- ny Things differing from each other. This appears moil plainly from thefe Atts •, for all thofe that received Sentence, to Page 92. are Albigenfes : Ste- phen Poncher is the firft of the Valdenfes, mentioned in the fame Page. Page 96. follows the Sentence againit John Brayffe, the Valdenfian. _ After that, the Al- bigenfes and Valdenfes are condemned promifcuoufly, but in fuch a Manner, as that at firft View, one may know one from the other. The principal Perfons of the Albigenfes, who received others, and are mentioned in the feveral Sentences, are Petrus Auterii, James, his Son •, and William, Peter's Brother, Petrus Rai- mundi de Santlo Papulo, Aimericus Barrotti, Amelius de Perils, Andreas de Padris, Otlavius, Petrus Sancii de Garda, Bernardus Andoyni de Monte Acuto, and a o-reat Number of others, mentioned/. 93, 101, 106, 123, 146. b. From hence I conclude, that they were not only two diftintt Setts originally, but that they were not united into one Church afterwards, at leaft, in the Year 2320. i. e. half an Age after their firft Rife. Pegna in °l cannot however deny, that Ivonetus, who lived about thofe Times, attri- DireB. butes many Things to the Valdenfes, which in thefe Atts are afcribed to the fur. 2. Albigenfes, viz. that they are divided into two Parties. There are fome, fays «om. 25. j vonetuSj W } J0 are accounted Perfecl : Thefe are properly called the poor Men of Lyons. All are not taken in under this Character, but are firft inftrutled them- (elves, a long while, that they may know bow to teach others. Thefe Perfect declare that they have nothing of their own, neither Houfes nor Poffeffions, nor certain Dwel- lings. And if they had any Wives before, they put them away. They fay they are the true Succeffors of the Apoftles, and are the M.ifters and Confeffors of others ; qp vifiting about the Countries, and confirming their Difciples in their Error : Thefe Difciples bring them all Things necejfary. Into whatever Place they come, they give Notice of their Arrival : They are met by great Numbers in fome fafe and fecret Place, to fee and hear them. They fend them the beft of Meat and Drink. They ap- point Collections for Support of their Poor, their Mafters and Students, who have no- thing of their own \ or elfe to inveigle others, zvho are drawn over to their Party by the *Love of Money. Moft of thefe Things are afcribed in thefe Atts, to the Albigenfes ; fo that they fometimes feem to have been confounded with one another. On the other hand, Pegna and Eymericus feem to have acknowledged a Difference between them. For Pegna, upon Eymericus's Directory of the In- quifitors, Par. 2. Comment.^, calls the Sacrament of the Albigenfes, Confola- mt-ntum, the Conflation ; and adds, that their other Sacrament was the Blef- fincr of Bread. This, fays he, is a Sort of breaking Bread, which they daily ufe at Dinner and Supper : 9 Tis performed after this Manner. When the Puritaas (fo lie calls the Albigenfes) are come to the Table , they all fay the Lord's Prayer ; i* 1 the The History of the Inquisition. 57 the mean while, he who is the principal Per/on amongft them, either as to Riches or Dignity, takes in his Hand one or more Loaves, according to the Number of ihofe that areprefent ; and faying, The Grace of our Lord Jefus Chrift be with you all always > he breaks the Loaf or Loaves, and diflributes to all that ft down, whither they are Puritans, or only their Believers. And in this they differ from the poor Men of Lyons ', for they perform this Ceremony or Bleffmg, only once in a Tear. Of the Valdenfes, Eymericus thus writes, P. 3. Num. 112. Thofe among them that are Perfect, put in the upper Part of the Shoe or Zabbata, a Sort of a Efcutheon, as a Sign, from which they are called Inzabbatati. They have one among them, fuperior to the reft, whom they call Majoralis or Elder, to whom alone, and to no other, they yield Obedience. When they fit at Table they blefs in this Manner: He who blefTed the live Barly Loaves and two Fifties, in the De- fart, to his Difciples, blefs this Table to us. A?:d when they rife, they repeat thofe Words of the Revelation ; Blefling, and Honour, and "Wifdom, and Thanks, and Glory, and Strength, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. Always holding their Eyes and Hands lift up to Heaven. This Account is agree- able to what wc read of the Valdenfes, in the Book of Sentences of the Thou- loufe Inquifition, but much more explicite and diftincl. The fame Eymericus, Num. 88, &c. charges thefe Hereticks, of his Time, with many Equivocations and Tricks, by which they endeavour to deceive the Inquifitors, when they interrogate them concerning their Faith, viz. If they are asked, Do you believe the Sacrament of Baptifm neceffary to Salvation ; they anfwer ; I believe. By which, they mean their own private Faith, and not their believing the Doftrine they are asked about : Or, if it pleafes God, 1 believe well ; meaning, that it is not pleafing to God, that they fhould believe as the Inquifitors would have them : Or, by returning the Queftion. Sir, How do you believe ? And when the Inquifitor anfwers, I believe the Faith of the Church of Rome, they reply 9 I believe fo ; meaning, that they believe the Inquifitor believes as he fays ; not that they believe as he doth. Thefe and other like Things he affirms that he obfer- ved, during the Administration of his Office. I have been the longer on this Account of the Albigenfes and Valdenfes, that every one may judge whether they were one or two different Seels, To fpeak my own Mind freely, they appear to me to have been two diftindl ones ; and that they were entirely ignorant of many Tenets, that are now afcribed to them. Particularly the Valdenfes feem to have been plain Men, of mean Ca- pacities, unfkilful and unexperienced ; and if their Opinions and Cuftoms were to be examined without Prejudice, it would appear, that amongft: all the modern Seels of Chriftians, they bare the greateft Refemblance to that of the Memwnites. CHAP. 58 The History of the Inquisition. CHAP. IX. Of the Persecutions againfi the Albigenses and Valdenses. Baron/ TT T was the entire Study and Endeavour of the Popes, to crufh in its In- §.i8.n.4. J fancy, every Doctrine that any way oppofed their exorbitant Power. In the Year 1 163. at the Synod of Tours, all the Bifhops and Priefts in the Coun- try of Tboloufe, were commanded to take Care, and to forbid, under the Pain of Excommunication, every Per/on from -pre fuming to give Reception, or the leafi Af- fifiance to the Followers of this Herefy, which firft began in the Country ofTho- loufe, whenever they fhould be difcovered, Neither were they to have any Dealings with them in buying or felling *, that by being thus deprived of the common Ajfiflances of Life, they might be compelled to repent of the Evil of their Way. Whofoever Jhall dare to contravene this Order,, let him be excommunicated as a Partner with them in their Guilt. As many of them as can be found, let them be imprifoned by the Catho- lick Princes, and punifhed with the Forfeiture of all their Subjlance. Some of the Valdenfes coming into the neighbouring Kingdom of Arragon, King lldefonfus, in the Year 1 194. put forth, againft them, a very fevere and bloody Edict, by which be banifhed them from his Kingdom, and all his Dominions, as Enemies of the Crofs ofChriji, Propbaners of the Chriftian Religion, andpublick Enemies to himfif and Kingdom. He adds : If any, from this Day forwards, pall prefume to receive into their Houfes the aforefaid Valdenfes and Inzabbatati, or other Hereticks, of whatfoever Profejfion they be, or to hear in any Place their abominable Preachings, or to give them Food, or to do them any kind Office whatfo- ever ; let him know,, that he jhall incur the Indignation of Almighty God and Ours y thai he jhall forfeit all his Goods, without the Benefit of Appeal, and be punifh'd as though guilty of High Treafon, &c Let it be farther obferved, That if any Perfon, of high or low Condition, jhall find any of the often before mentioned accurfed Wretches, in any Part of our Dominions, who hath had three Days Notice of this our Edicl, and who either intends not to depart at all, or not immediately, but who iontitmacioujly fays, or travels about ; every Evil, Difgrace, and Suffering that befhall infiitl on fuch Perfon, except Death or Maiming, will be very grateful and accepta- ble to us ; and he jhall be fo far from incurring any Punijhment upon this Account,., that he jhall be rather entitled to our Favour. However, we give thefe wicked Wretches Liberty till the Day after All Saints {though it may- Jeem contrary to Jujlice and Reafoti) by which they muji be either gone from our Dominions, or upon their Departure out of them : Rut afterwards they (hall be plunder* d, zvbipp'd and beat, and treated with all Manner of Difgrace and Severity. Nor did they act with lefs Cruelty againft Hereticks in Orvieto. Peter Parentius, the PrafetJ, declared, and that publickly, to a large AfTembly, % ij, 24. 'p| iac -whofoever, within an appointed Day, would come back to the Church,. which never fnuts her Bofom to thofe who return, and obey the Commands of the Bifhops, fhould obtain Pardon and Favour 5 bui that whofoever fhould ?cgna in Eymeric. p. i. com. 39. Bzovius, a. 1 199. £ 58. Raynalc!'. *. 1 1 99. The History of the Inquisition. 59 fhould refufe to return by the prefixed Day, fhould be fubject to the Punifh- ment appointed by the Laws and Canons. But what this Favour was, is de- scribed in the publick Records of that Church, in thefe Words : But the Bijhop inflamed againft the Wickednefs of the Manichucans, received, with a pajioral Concern, the Confeffion of the Hereticks, returning from their Herefy to the Catholick Unity, and prefented them to the Pnsfeoi. Some of thefe he bound in iron Chains, others he caufed to be publickly whipped, others he miferably banifhed out of the City, others he fined, who were true Penitents on Account of the Money they loft » from others he took large Securities, and pulled down the Houfes of many more: So that the Governor of the City, walking after the Royal Pattern, turned aftde neither to the left Hand nor to the right. To this Account Raxnaldus adds, Thefe §. ij» Things did this new Phineas, burning with an holy Zeal, for the Catholick Faith, this Tear in the Time of Lent. But he was a little after killed by the He- reticks. About the Year 1200, Pope Innocent III. wrote to feveral Archbifhops Bzovius, and Bifhops in Guienne, and other Provinces of France, that they fhould ba-«. H9&« nifh the Valdenfes, Puritans, and * Paterines, from their Territories; and§* 6, lends thither the Friars, Reyner, and Guido the Founder of the Order ofR-aynald, Hofpitallers, to convert Hereticks •, and commands the Bifhops, that thofe who $• 37» would not be converted fhould be banifh'd •, and that they mould humbly re- ceive, and inviolably obferve whatever Friar Reyner fhould ordain againft Hereticks, their Favourers and Defenders. He commanded alfo the Princes, Earls, 6fr. That thofe Hereticks who fhould be excommunicated as impe* nitent by Friar Reyner, fhould be adjudged to Forfeiture of their Eftates and Banifhment-, that if after this Interdict they fhould be found in their Domi- nions, they fhould proceed more feverely againft them, as became Chrifti- an Princes. He gave moreover full Power to Reyner, to compel the Princes to this Work, under Pain of Excommunication, and Interdict of their Domi- nions, without Appeal •, and commands him not to delay to publifh the Sen- tence of Excommunication againft the Receivers of excommunicated Here- ticks. And to conclude, he exhorts the People to give all Affiftance, when required, againft Hereticks, to the Friars Reyner and Guido, and granrs to all who fhould (land by them faithfully and zealoufly, the fame Indulgence of Sins, which is ufed to be granted to thofe who vificed the Threfhold of St. Peter or St. James. The next Year following he commands the Archbilhops of Bzoviiis s Aix and Metz, and others, withfome Abbots, that they fhould examine the" r, 99« poor Men of Lyons, and others, concerning the Orthodox Faith ; and as they *" found the Matter, fhould give him full Information by MelTenger or Letters > that being thus more fully informed by them, he might know the better how to proceed againft them. He made alfo the moft fevere Laws for the Extirpa^ tion of Herefy, which are contained in his Letters to the Citizens of ' Viterbo, Ra ?* a ^ fome of whom had been infected with Herefy. £' \£~ * Some of the Se&aries of the Valdenfes : They called themfelvcs Paterines, after the Example of the Martyrs, who fuffered Martyrdom for the Catholick Faith ; becaufe they, like them, mrexevxpojitcs pajpe-mbfts, expofed to Sufferings. Du Frefne Glojfar. Med. &* in/, Lat. in voce. I 2 CHAP, n- 1199. 6o The History of the Inquisition. CHAP. X. Of Dominicus, and the firft Rife of the Tholoufe Inquisition. T H U S far we have confider'd the Method of Proceeding againft Here- ticks, as committed to the Bifhops, with whom the Government and Care of the Churches were entrufted, according to the received Decrees of the Church of Rome. But inafmuch as their Number did not feem fufficient to that Court, or becaufe they were too negligent in the Affair, and did not pro- ceed with that Fury againft Hereticks as the Pope would have had them ; therefore, that he might put a Stop to the encreafing Progrefs of Herefies, and more effectually extinguifh them, about the Year of our Lord, 120a. he founded the Order of the Dominicans and Francifcans, that they might preach againft Herefies. Dominick and his Followers were fent into the Country of Tholoufe, where he preached, with great Vehemence, againft the Hereticks that were arifen there ; from whence his Order hath obtained the Name of Preachers, or Predicants. Father Francis, with his Difciples, batteled it with the Hereticks of Italy. They were both commanded by the Pope, to excite the Cathohck Princes and People to extirpate Hereticks ; and in all Places to enquire out their Number and Quality, and alfo the Zeal of the Catholicks and Bifhops in their Extirpation ; and to tranfmit a faithful Ac- count to Rome. Hence they were called Inquifitors. It is evident that the firft Inquifitors were Dominican Friars, or of the Or- der of Predicants ; but 'tis not fo certain what Year the Inquifition it felf was firft introduced. Dominick, as hath been faid, was fent into the Country of De succef. Tholoufe, * i or Gallia Narbonenfts .- He, as Bertrand relates in his Account of the Beck/, in Affairs of Tholoufe, whom Vjfer cites, firft lodged in the Houfe of a certain cccidente, ]\T b] ern an, t0 wn om belonged the Houfe of the Inquifition at Tholoufe, near * 9 ' 9 ' the Caftle of Narhonne -, and finding him fadly infefted with Herefy, Father Dominick, Inquifitor of the Faith, reduced him to the Path of Truth ; upon which, he devoted himfelf and his Houfe, to St. Dominick and his Order : Which Houfe hath ever fince belonged to the Inquifition, and the Dominican Order» From hence we may gather,, that Dominick was the firft Inquifitor •, and that the Inquifition was firft introduced into Tholoufe: But as to the Year when, Wri- ters differ ; fome referring it to the Year of Chrift, 1212 \ others to 3208 ; and others to 12 15. This is certain, and agreed by all, that it began under the Papacy of Innocent III. and that Dominick was appo : nted the firft Inquifitor in Gallia "Narbonenfts : But whether he received his Office of Inquifitor from Arnaldus, Abbot of Cijteaux, I '.-gate of the ApoftolickSee, in France, or im- mediately from the Pope, isdifputed by the Popifh Writers. Thofe who en- deavour to reconcile the Difference, lay that Dominick was firft appointed . * That Part of France t which anciently contained the Provinces of Savoy, Dauphinz, Provhee» and Lavgued and tnat in De- fence of the Ecclefiaftical Effects they would expofe themfelves and their own Eftates, and take up Arms, as often as they fhould be called on to do it by the Prelate of the War, who was then Dominick, and afterwards the Ma- fters General of the Dominican Order, Dominick farther ekactcd an Oath Iron 64. The History of the Inquisition. the Wives of thefe Crofs-bearers, if any of them were married, that they would not perfwade their Hufbands to forfake this War for the Support of the Ecclefiaftical Immunity •, and promifed them eternal Life for lb holy a Service. And to diftinguifh them from other Laicks, he ordered that both the Men and their Wives mould wear Garments of white and black Colours, tho' they dif- fered as to their Make. They alfo repeated in the canonical Hours the Lord?& Prayer, and the Salutation of the Angel fo many Times, as was cuftomary in any other common Wars. It was ordained alfo, that none fliould be admitted to this facred Warfare, without a previous rigorous Examination of his Life, Manners and Faith, whether he had paid his Debts, forgiven his Enemies, made his Will, that he might be more ready for the Battle, and obtained Leave from his Wife before a Notary and proper WitnelTes. The Wives of thofe who were flain in the Expedition promifed they would never marry again. This kind of Warfare was at that Time very acceptable, fo that many eagerly entered into it, that by the Slaughter of Hereticks, and the Plunder of their Goods, they might march away 10 Heaven.] But becaufe even thefe Crofs-bearers did not fight againft them with that con- tinued Zeal and Fury, that the-Pope and Dominick would have had them, the Dominicans excited larger Numbers to engage in this W T arfare, by theHopes of UfTer. At a plenary Indulgence. The Text which their Preachers ufed to chufe for this sue. cap. Purpofe, was from Pfal. xciv. 16. WIjo will rife up for ?ne againft the Evil doers ? (,§.<). Q r wJjq w $ fland up for me againft the Workers of Iniquity ? And as they di- rected their whole Sermons to their own cruel Purpofe, they generally thus concluded : You fee, mofl dear Brethren, how great the Wickednefs of the Here- ticks is, and how much Mifchief they do in the World. Tou fee alfo how tenderly, and by how many pious Methods the Church labours to reclaim them. But with them they all prove ineffectual, and they fly to the Secular Power for their Defence. Therefore our holy Mother the Church, tho* with Reluelance and Grief, calls together againft them the Chriftian Army. If then you have any Zeal for the Faith, if you are touched with any Concern for the Honour of God, if you would reap the Benefit of this great Indulgence, come and receive the Sign of the Crofs, and join your [elves to the Army of the crucified Saviour. There was indeed this Difference between thofe who took up the Crofs againft the Saracens, and thofe who did it againft the Hereticks, that the former wore it on their Backs, and the latter on their Breafts. And that their Zeal might by no Means grow cool, there were cer- tain Synodical Decrees made by the Authority of the Pope, by which the Pres- Uiter. ihiA. byters were enjoined continually to excite and warm it. Let the Prefbyters con- fno.§.ii- tinually and affetlionately exhort their Parifoioners that they arm thcmfelves againft the heretical Albigenfes. Let them alfo enjoin, wider the Pain of Excommunication, thofe who have taken the Crofs, and not profecuted their Vow, that they retake the Crofs and wear it. Raynold. Raymond Earl ofTboloufe not being in the leaft diverted from his Purpofe by a. 1108 the Sentence of the Legate, who having conful ted with Dominick, had forbid S , *.® Ff him, as a Favourer of Hereticks, the Communion of holy Things, and of the zoyius, p d j tft f u j was excommunicated by a Bull oft. Innocent himfelf, as a Defender of §. j, * Hereticks, The History of the Inquisition. 65 Hereticks, and all his Subjects abfolved from their Oath of Allegiance ; and Power was given to any Catholick Man, tho* without Prejudice to the Right of the fupremeLord, not only to act againlt his Perfon, but to feize and de- tain his Country ; under this Pretence chiefly, that it might be effectually purged from Herefy by the Prudence of the one, as it had been grievoutf y wounded and defiled by the Wickednefs of the other. The Earl, frighten'd by this Sentence, and efpecially by qhe terrible Ex- 95; pedition of the Crofs-bearers againft him, promifed Obedience, and fought to be reconciled to the Church ; but could not obtain it without delivering up to the Legate feven Caftles in his Territories for Security of Performance, and unlefs the Magiftrates of Avignon, Nimes, and Agde, had interceded for him, and bound themfelves by an Oath, that if the Earl mould difobey the Commands of the Legate , they would renounce their Allegiance to him. It was farther added, that the County of Venaifcin fliould return to the f. 6, Obedience of the Church of Rome. The Manner of the Reconciliation of the Earl ofTholoufe, was, according to Bzovius, thus: The Earl was brought be^ fore the Gates of the Church of St. Agde, in the Town of that Name. There were prefent more than twenty Archbi/hops and Bifhops, who were met for this Purpofe. The Earl fwore upon the holy Body of our Lord Jefus Chrift, and the Relicksof the Saints, which were expofed with great Reverence before the Gates of the Church* and held by fever al Prelates, that he would obey the Commands of the holy Roman Church. When he had thus bound himfelfby an Oath, the Legate order* d one of the f acred Vejlments to be thrown over his Neck, and drawing him thereby, brought him into the Church, and having four ged him with a Whip, abfolved him. Nor mu/l it be omitted* that when the faidEarl was brought into the Church, and received his Abfolution as he was fcourging, he was fo grievoufly torn by the Stripes, that he could not go out by the fame Place thro* which he entered, but was forced to pafs quite naked as he was thro* the lower Gate of the Church. He was alfo ferved in the fame manner at the Sepulchre of St. Peter the Martyr at New Cadres, whom the Earl had caufed to be fain. However, the vaft Army of the Crofs-bearers was not idle after the Re- conciliation of the Earl of Tholoufe, but every where attacked the Hereticks, took their Cities, filled all Places with Slaughter and Blood, and burnt many whom they had taken Captives. For in the Year 1209. Biterre was taken by Bzovius, them, and all, without any Regard of Age, cruelly put to the Sword, and the*- 1109. City it felf deftroy'd by the Flames. Ccefarius tells us, that when the City^ 1 ' was taken, the Crofs-bearers knew there were feveral Catholicks mixed with|^ s yn * the Hereticks •, and when they were in Doubt how to act, left the Catho- /209. j". licks mould be flain, or the Hereticks feign themfelves Catholicks, Arnold Ab-n- bot of Cifleaux made Anfwer, Slay them all, for the Lord knows who are bis ; whereupon the Soldiers flew them all without Exception. Carcaffone alfo was deftroyed, and by the common Confent of the Prelates $ lJ>M , and Barons, Simon Earl of Montfort, of the Baftard Race of Robert King o/ ' France,, [whom Petavius in his Ration. Temp, calls a Man as truly religious as va- liant,] was made Governor of the whole Country, both of what was already conquered, and what was to be conquered for the future. The fame Year he K took 66 The History of the Inquisition. took feveral Cities, and reduced them to his own Obedience. He cruelly treated his captive Hereticks, and put them to Death by the moft horrible $. 2 5. Punifhments. In the City Caflres two were condemned to the Flames ', and when a cer- tain Per/on declared he would abjure his Herefy, the Crofs-bearers were divided amongst themfelves. Some contended that he ought not to be put to Death \ others /aid 'twas plain he had been an Heretick, and that his Abjuration was not fmcere, but pro- ceeded only from his Fear of immediate Death. Earl Montfort consented that he Jhould be burnt ; alledging, that if his Converfion was real, the Fire would expiate his Sins ; if otherwife, that he would receive a juft Reward of his Perfdioufnefs. a. 1107. In other Places alfo they raged with the like Cruelty. One Robert, who had 5* 5- been of the Seel: of the Albigenfes, and afterwards joined himfelf to the Domi- nicans, fupported by the Authority of the Princes and Magiftrates, burnt all who perfifted in their Herefy ; fo that within two or three Months he caufed fifty Perfons, without Diftinc~lion of Sex, either to be buried alive or burnt ; from whence he gained the Name of the Hamnier of the Hereticks, Raynold affirms, that it ought not to be doubted but that Pope Innocent ap- *. t*io. pointed him to this Office. At Paris, one Bernard, with nine others, of $. i°' whom four were Priefts, the followers of Almerick, were apprehended» Bzovius, an( j being a u nac } j nt0 a Field, were degraded before the whole Clergy and a. ^09. p e0 p| e> anc j burnt in the Prefence of the King. a 121 1 The Year following there was undertaken a new Expedition of the Crofs- § 9. bearers againft the Albigenfes, They feized on Alby, and there put many ta Death. They took la Vaur by Force, and burnt in it great Numbers of the Albigenfes. They hanged Aymerick the Governor of the City, who was of a very noble Family. They beheaded eighty of lefTer Degree, and did not fpare the very Women. They threw Girarda, Aymerick\ Sifter, and the chief Lady of that People, into an open Pit, and covered her with Stones. After- wards they conquered Carcum, and put to Death fixty Men. They alfo feized on Pulchra Vallis, a large City near Tholoufe, and burnt in it 400 Albigenfes, and hanged 50 more. They took Caflres de Termis, and in k Raymond de Tennis, whom they put in Prifon, where he dy'd, and burnt in one large Fire his Wife, Sifter, and Virgin Daughter, with fome other noble Ladies, when they could not perfwade them, by Promifes or Threats, to embrace the Faith of the Church of Rome. The Earl of Tholoufe, terrified with thefe Succeffes of Simon Montfort, and fearing for himfelf and Country, raifed a great Army, and had Forces fent him from the Kings of England and Aragon, to whom he was related, For he married Joan, Sifter of the King of England, who had been formerly Queen of Sicily, and had by her a Son named Raymond. After her Death he married Eleanor, the Sifter of Peter King of Aragon. But this Army was de- feated with a great Slaughter by the Crofs-bearers under the Command of Earl Montfort, and the Earl of Tholoufe driven from his Dominions. About the Beginning of the Year 12 15. in a Council of certain Archbifhops and Bifhops near Montpellier, held by the Pope's Legate, Montfort was declared Lord of all the Countries he had conquered, and the Archbifhop of Ambrun was fent The History of the Inquisition. 67. fent fothe Pope, to get him to ratify the Council's Sentence, and Lewis, eldeft Son of Philip the French King, confirmed him in the PolTefiion. During thefe Tranfactions Pope Innocent III. in the Year of our Lord 12 15. called the famous Lateran Council, where Dominick was prefent, in which there were many Decrees againft Hereticks, which were afterwards inferted in the Decretals of Gregory, Tit. deHceret. cap. 13. To this Council fled the Earl of Tholoufe, with his Son Raymond, being difpofTeffed of his Dominions by Mont- fort. Guido, the Brother of Earl Montfort, appeared againft him, and after many Debates, Earl Raymond is declared, to be for ever excluded from his Do- minions, which he had governed ill, and ordered to re?nain in fome convenient Place out of bis own Lands, in order to his giving fuitable Proofs of his Repentance. Four hundred Marks of Silver were affigned him yearly out of his Revenues, as long as he behaved himfelf with an humble Obedience. But as all bore T'eftimony to his Wife, that fhe was a good Catholick Lady, me was left in Poffeffion of the Lands of her Dowry, provided fhe caufed the Com?nands of the Church to be ob- ferved, and fuffered none to dijlurb the Affairs of Peace or Faith. However, all that the Crofs-bearers had taken was adjudged to Montfort •, and as to the reft, which they had not feized on, the Church decreed it fhould be kept by proper Perfons, to prejerve the Peace, and the Faith, that there might be fome Provifion for the only Son of the Earl of Tholoufe, according as he fhould dejerve it in Part or Whole, after his coming to Age. Upon this Decree of the Synod Raymond went into Spain, and his Son Ray- mond into Provence, where, with the Help of many auxiliary Forces, he made War on Montfort. He recovered fome Part of his Dominions, and even the City of Tholoufe it felf. Whilft Montfort was endeavouring to retake it with a large Army, he was killed by the Blow of a Stone, and thereby the City de- livered from the Siege. Thus Raymond recover'd by Arms his Father's Earl- dom, who died in the Year 1221. and was fucceeded by this his Son, who could not obtain, with all his Endeavours, a Chriftian Burial for his Father. As Things thus took a different Turn, fometimes according to the Pope's Wifh, at other Times contrary to it, he preffed the Inquifition as the molt effectual Remedy for the Extirpation of Hereticks. Bzovius relates, that at*- tll U this Time many Hereticks were burnt in Germany, France, and Italy, and that^ 7# in this Year no lefs than 80 Perfons were apprehended at once in the City of Strafbourg, of whom but a very few were declared innocent. If any of thefe de- nied their Herefy, Friar Conrade 0/Marpurg, an Apojlolical Inquifitor of the Or- der of Predicants, put them to the Trial of the Fire Ordeal, and as many of them as were burnt by the Iron, he delivered over to the Secular Power to be burnt as Hereticks ; fo that all who were accufed, and put to this Trial, a few excepted, were condemned to the Flames. About that Time Pope Honorius fent a Refcript to the Bifliop of Boulogne, Bzovius* anathematizing all Hereticks, and Violaters of the Ecclefiaftical Immunity,"- lzlS * in thefe Words : We excommunicate all Hereticks of both Sexes, of what fo ever Seel, $• u * with their Favourers, Receivers, and Defenders ; and moreover, all thofe ivho caufe any EdiRs or Cuftoms, contrary to the Liberty of the Churchy to be observed, unlefs K 2 they 68 The History of the Inquisition. they remove them from their publick Records within two Months after the Publica- tion of this Sentence. Al>o we excommunicate the Makers, and the Writers of thofe Statutes, and moreover all Governors, Confuls, Rulers, and Counfellors of Places, where fuch Statutes and Cuflcms Jhall be publifhed or kept, and all thofe who /hall prefume to pafs Judgment, or to piblijb fuch Judgments, as Jhall be made according to them. Ra Id. In the mean while, after Raymond had recovered his Father's Dominions, a. 112 1. the Inquifition was banifhed from the Country of Tholoufe. But Pope Hono- § 41. rius III. left no Stone unturned to render the Earl obnoxious. He took Care to let him know by his Legate, that he mould be ftripp'd of his Dominions as his Father was, unlefs he returned to his Duty ; and by Letters bearing Date the 8th of the Calends of November, he confirmed the Sentence of the Legate, by which he deprived him of all his Right in every Country that had ever been Bzovius, fubject to his Father •, and to give this Sentence its full Force, he commanded a. mi. the Dominicans, and gave them full Power to proclaim an holy War, to be $• 8# . called the * Penance War, againft the Hereticks. A vaft Number met to- tenti™ "gather at the Sound of this horrid Trumpet, and entred into this holy Society, as they believed it, wearing over a white Garment a black Cloak, and re- ceiving the Sacrament for the Defence of the Catholick Faith. And that the Pope might more effectually fubdue the Eari of Tholoufe, he fent his Letters to King Lewis, who had fucceeded his Father Philip, in which Raynald. he exhorts him to take Arms againft the Albigenfes in this manner. 'Tis the *• 1223. Command of God, If thou fhalt hear fay in one of thy Cities, which the Lord $♦4*« thy God hath given thee to dwell there, faying, Let us go and ferve other Gods, which ye have not known, thou fhalt fmite the Inhabitants of that City with the Edge of the Sword, and fhalt burn with Fire the City. Altho* you are under many Obligations already to God, for the great Benefits received from him, from who?n comes every good Gift, and every perfetl Gift, yet you ought to reckon your felf more efpecially obliged couragioujly to exert your felf for him againft the Subverters of the Faith, by whom he is blafphemed, and manfully to defend the Catholick Purity, which many in thofe Parts*, adhering to the Dotlrine of Devils, are known to have thrown out. Ufftr;. de During this there met a Synod at Paris, by the Pope's Command, about the Succef. c. Affair of the Albigenfes,. at which the Pope's Legate was prefenr, with two 10. §. 46. Archbifhops and twenty Bifhops, where Amalric, Son of Simon Montfort, de- f* manded the Reftitution of the Lands of Raymond Earl of ' T'holoufe, which had been adjudged to him and his Father by the Pope and French King.. Ray- mond defended himfelf before the Legate, affirming his Country to be free from Herefy. He entreated the Legate to come to the feveral Cities of his Dominions, to enquire of all Perfons the Articles of their Belief, that if he found any hold- ing Opinions contrary to the Catholick Faith, he might punifh them according to the Rigour of Juftice : Or if he fhould find any City rebelling againft him, he would ufe his utmoft Power to compel it to make proper Satisfact. ion. For himfelf he offered, that if he had offended in any thing, which hedoth not remem- ber, to have done, he would give full Satisfa&io» to God and Holy Church, as. became The History of the Inquisition. 6y became a faithful Chriftian, and if the Legate pleated, would fubmit to an Examination of his own Faith : But this the Legate contemn'd ; cor could the Catholick Earl (they are the Words of Matthew Paris) find any Favour, unlefs he would abjure his Patrimony, and rcnonunce it for himfelf and his Heirs. So that an Expedition of the Crofs-Bearers was again refolved on, againft Earl Raymond^ in which Lewis the French King engaged, by the Perfuafions of Honorius IIL and many Earls and Prelates, for Fear of the Pope, who had rather have been abfent, as thinking it unworthy to opprefs a faithful Man and good Chriftian. And as Raymond held feveral caution- ary Lands of the King of England, Honorius fent him prohibitory Letters, to prevent his making War on the French King, or fending Afiiftance to Raymond, for the Defence of them, in thefe Words : Make no War, either by your [elf, or- your Brother, or any other Per/on, 0«RaynalcL the [aid King, fo long as he is engaged in the Affair of the Faith, and Service of"- m6~ Jefus Chrijl \ leaft by your obftru fling the Matter, which God forbid, the King,§- z 4* with his Prelates and Barons of France, Jhould be forced to turn their Amis from the Extirpation of Hereticks to their own Defence. As for us, ft nee we could not- excufe fuch a Condutl, and Injlance of great Indevotion, we could not impart to you our paternal Favour, which otherwife, in all proper Seafons, jhould never be want- ingto you.. And as we are not only ready to do you Juftice, but even Favour, as far as. God enables us, we have taken Care, that whatever becomes of Hereticks and their hands, your Rights, and thofe of other Catholicks, flail be Jafe y according to the Decrees of the forefaid Council. So that the French King undertook the Expedition, and with a large Army,. flit down Erft before Avignon. But the City was valiantly defended, and E, Raymond did much Damage to the Befiegers, killing many of them, A great Part of the Army alio, with the King himfelf, died of the Difentery and other Diftempers. The Pope's Legate concealed the King's Death for fome Time, leaft the whole Army mould be forced to break up with Dilgrace from the Seige of a fingle City, without being able to take it. At length, when the City was not to be conquered by Force, the Legate had recourfe to Fraud, fetting on Conferences for Peace, and giving Hoftages for Security. And when he could not perfuade the Deputies of the City to yield it up to him, he defired that they would admit him, with the Prelates who were with him, into the City, pretending that he would examine into the Faith of the Inhabitants ; and affirming with an Oath, that he put off the Siege of the City for no other Caufe, but to feek the Welfare of their Souls. He added, that the Cry of their Infidelity had afcended to the Pope ; and that he would en- quire whether they had done altogether according to the Cry which was come up unto him. The Citizens trufting to the Legate, and fufpecting nothing of Fraud, agreed under the forementioned Condition, and the Security of an Oath on both Sides, that he, with the Prelates and their Servants, fhou Id en- ter the City. But the French, as it had been privately agreed, perfidioufly followed them, and violently rufhed through the Gates as they were opened, and in Defiance of their Oath, took the Citizens, bound them in Chains, plun- dered ~o The History of the Inquisition, dered the City, killed many of the Inhabitants •, and having thus, by Trea- chery, obtained the Victory, broke down the Towers and Walls of that noble City. Thus Matthew Paris relates this Story. After Avignon was thus treacheroufly taken, they bent all their Forces againft tboloufe. That City fuftained the Siege for a long while, E. Ray- mond omitting nothing that became the molt valiant Commander : But at length it was forced to furrender. As for Raymond, after feveral Conferences, he wasforcedto go to Paris, where he obtain'd Peace upon thefe Conditions ; That lUynald. as tboloufe, and the Bifhoprick of "tboloufe was given to him only for his Life, a. in 8. he mould not leave them to any one of his Heirs ; that none of them, or his 0- 3- Daughters, mould, after him, claim any Right, excepting thofe only who de- Bzovms, f cen J ec i f rom his only Daughter Joan, and the Brother of King Lewis, Lord Al- *' z8 ' phonfus: That he mould abjure his Herefy, and promife to be ever after in Subjection to the See of Rome : That he mould expel all Hereticks, nor by any Means defend them : That he mould take the Crofs, and at his own Ex- pence war five Years againft the Saracens, and Gther Enemies of the Faith and Church : That he mould pay 20000 Marks of Silver, and yield up to the King and Church, all the Country beyond the Bifhoprick of tboloufe to the Eaft, on this Side and the other Side the Rhone. After this he furrender'd L'ifcr. de himfelf at the Louvre, to the King's Guards, till his Daughter, and five of his succef. cap. b e ft fortified Caftles were delivered up to his Meffengers, and the Walls of 10. §. S 8 « Tboloufe entirely demolimed. When all this was done, in the Prefence of two Cardinals of the Church of Rome, one Legate in France, and the other in Eng- land, he was led to the high Altar, in a Linen Garment, and with naked Feet, and abfolved from the Sentence of Excommunication. Bernard, in his Croni- con of the Roman Pontiffs, relating this Hiftory, fays, as Bzovius tells us ; How holy a Sight it was, to fee fo great a Man, who for a long while could reft ft fo many and great Nations, led naked in his Shirt and troufes, and with naked Feet, to the Altar. CHAP. XII. Several Councils held, and the Laws of the Emperor Frederick II. by which the Office of the Inqjjisition was greatly promoted. TH E Earl of tboloufe being thus fubdued, feverer Laws were enacted againft Hereticks. Raymond himfelf made many Laws againft them ; a 1218. ordered all the Hereticks in his Country to be apprehended ; and that the In- §• 6. habitants of every City or Caftle mould pay one Mark for every Heretick, to the Perfon who took him. Lewis alfo, the French King, put forth a Con- 2 ftitution The History of the Inquisition. j\ ftitution againft Hereticks, in which he commands the immediate Punifhment of all who mould be adjudged Hereticks by the Bifhop, or any other Ecclefi- aftical Perfon. He deprives all their Favourers of the Benefit of the Laws j commands their Goods to be confifcated, and never to be reftored to them or their Pofterity ; and that the Ballive fhould pay two Marks of Silver to any one that apprehended an Heretick. And now the Pope laboured with all his Might, to confer a greater Power on the Inquifitors, and to eftablifh for them a Tribunal, in which they might fit, and pronounce Sentence of Herefy and Hereticks, as Judges delegated from himfelf, andreprefentinghis Perfon. But to this there were in the Begin- ning great Obftacles, the People not eafily admitting that new Tribunal, right- ly judging that great Numbers would bedeftroyed by the Informations of the Inquifitors. So that they were very ill looked on by all, even before they had obtained the Power of Judging : For the Magiftrates and wifer Part of the People, forefaw what mult happen, upon their being inverted with fuch an- Authority ; and were far from thinking it fafe, that their Fortunes and Lives,, and thole of their Fellow-Citizens, fhould be expofed to the Pleafure of the" Popes EmifTaries, and that they fhould be made entirely obnoxious to their Tyranny. But upon the Conqueft of the Albigenfes, and the taking their Countries and Cities, the Pope caufed the Inquifition to proceed with greater Succefs. For in France, as Pegna obferves in John Calderin's Treatife about the Form of Proceeding againft Hereticks •, There were held federal Councils at diverfe Times and Places, of the French Archbifhops, about the Method of Proceeding againft, and punijhing Hereticks. In the Tear of our Lord, 1229. there was a Council at' Tholoufe, where many Statutes were made ; which were publifh*d there by Roma- nus, Cardinal Deacon of St. Angelus, Legate of the Apoflolick See. In the Tear 1235. another Council was held at Narbonne, of the French Prelates, in which this Affair was more fully difcuffed than at Tholoufe. Afterwards, An. 124.6. there was another Provincial Council at Biterre, when the fe Things were more par- ticularly fettled, than in the two former. The Atls ofthefe Councils were not difcover- ed for a long while, but found fome Time fine e in the Vatican Library, and in an old MSS. Parchment, which was brought to Rome from the Inquifition at Florence. Pegna adds, that he would foon publifh thefe Councils, with his Comments on them ; and fays they are very ufeful, and fuited to the Office of the Inquifitors of heretical Pravity, But I could never yet learn whether they have ieen the Light. Thefe were the Tranfaclions in France. In Rome, about the Year 123CV Raymond of Pegnaforte, who was a Dominican, compiled, by the Com- mand of Pope Gregory IX. the Books of Decretals, into which he collected all the Laws of the Councils and Popes againft Hereticks. Afterwards Boni- face VIII. ordered a Sixth Book of the Decretals to be wrote. After this were added the Clementines and the Extravagantes, made on various Occafions, that: the Inquifitors might want nothing for the full Exercife of their Office : And zstheValdenfes had ftolen into Arragon and Navarre, chiefly from the neigh-- •_ bouring. f% The History of the Inquisition. bouring Languedock, there was a Svnod held at Tarracona, about the Year 1240. in which there were many Things enacted concerning Hereticks and their Punifhments. Even the Emperor Frederickll. himfelf, put forth many Laws againft He- reticks, their Accomplices and Favourers, at Padua, by which he greatly- promoted the Inquilition. In the firft, which begins CommiJJi nobis, he or- dains, that thofe Hereticks who were committed by the Church to the fecu- lar Court, fhould be put to Death without Mercy : That Converts through Fear of Death, fhould be imprifoned : That Hereticks, with their Abettors, where-ever they were found, fhould be kept in Cuftody till they were punifhed according to the Sentence of the Church : That Perfons convict of Herefy, who had tied to other Places, mould be taken up : That fuch as were re- lapfed fhould be punifhed with Death : That Hereticks and their Favourers, fhould be deprived of the Benefit of Appeal ♦, that their Pofterity, to thefe- cond Generations, fhould be incapable of all Benefices and Offices; but that their Heirs fhould be indemnified if they difcovered their Parents Wickednefs. And laftly, he takes under his imperial and fpecial Protection, the predicant Friars, deputed for the Faith againft Hereticks, in all the Parts of the Em- pire, and all others who were fent for, and fhould come for the Judgment of Hereticks, commanding the Magiflrates feverely to punifh all convict He- reticks, after Condemnation, by the Ecclefiaftical Sentence. In his fecond Edict, which begins, Inconfutilem tunicam, after exprefling great Abhorrence of the Crime of Herefy, he commands all impenitent Hereticks to be burn'd with Fire, and the Favourers of the Patarenes to be banifhed. In his third, be- ginning Patarenorum receptatores, he deprives the Children of Hereticks of their Honours, unlefs any of them fhould difcover one of the Sect of the Patarenes; and puts Hereticks themfelves under the Ban, confifcating their Eftates. In his forth, beginning Catharos, he condemns all fufpected Perfons as Hereticks, if they do not purge themfelves within a Year •, commands his Officials to ex- terminate Hereticks from all Places fubject to them ; orders that the Lands of the Barons fhall be feized by the Catholicks, if they do not purge them from Hereticks, within a Year after proper Admonition, and ordains many Punifh- ments againft the Favourers of Hereticks, and the moft fevere ones againft all who apoftatife from the Faith : But as the Office of the Inquifition was very much promoted by thefe Laws, 'tis worth while to give them entire. The firft is this : Frederick, by the Grace of God, Emperor of the Romans, and always Auguft, King of Jerufalem, and Sicily, to bis beloved Princes, the venerable Archbifhops, Bfoops, and other Prelates of the Church ; to the Dukes, Marquijfes, Earls, Barons, Governors, Scultets, Burgraves, Advocates, Judges, Minijlers, Ojficials, and all other his faithful Subjects, throughout the whole Empire, to whom thefe Letters (ball come, Greeting and all Happinefs. The History of the Inquisition. The Care of the Imperial Government, commuted to us from Heaven, and over ■which we prejide, by the Gift of God, and the Height of our Dignity, demand the material Sword, which is given to us feparately from the Priefthood, againfl the Enemies of the Faith, and for the Extirpation of heretical Pravity, that we fhould purfue, with Judgment and Juflice, thofe Vipers and perfidious Children, zuho in- fult the Lord and his Church, as though they would tare out the very Bowels of their Mother. We /hall not fuffer thefe Wretches to live, who infect the World by their feducing Doctrines, and being themf elves corrupted, more grievoujly taint the Flock of the Faithful. We therefore appoint and ordain, that Hereticks, of whatfoever Name, throughout our Empire, being condemned by the Church, and delivered over to the fecidar Power, Jhallbe punifhed according to their Deferts. If any of them, after their being apprehended, /hall return to tfje Unity of the Faith, through the Fear of Death, let them fuffer perpetual lmprifonment, and do Penance according to the Canons. Farther, whatfoever Hereticks /hall be found in the Cities, Towns, or other Places of the E??ipire, by the Inquifitors appointed by the Apoflolick See, or other orthodox Perfons zealous for the Faith ; let thofe who have Jurifditlion there, feize their Perfons, at the Inflame of the Inquifitors and other Catholicks, and keep them in Jlrict Cuftody, till being condemned by the Cenfure of the Church, they perifh by an accurfed Death, for their denying the Sacraments of Faith, arid Life. We condemn alfo to the fame Puni/hment, all whom the Craft of the deceitful Enemy /hall employ as Advocates, unlawfully to defend the Error of thefe Hereticks, efpecial- ly fince thofe who are defiled with fuch Wickednefs, are equal in Guilt ; unlefs they de- fifi upon proper Admonition, and wifely confult the Prefervation of their Lives. Ws fubject alfo to the fame jufl Puni/hment, thofe, who being convicted of Herefy in any one Place, fly to another, that they may more fafely pour out the Poifon of their he- retical Pravity -, unlefs in this In/lance, they have a Teflimony in their Favour from thofe who have been converted to the Faith from the fame Error, or from thofe who have convinced them of their Herefy, which in this Cafe we allow may lawfully be done. We condemn alfo to Death, all fuch Hereticks, who being brought to Trial, (hall abjure their Herefy when in extreme Danger of Life, if afterwards convicted of having diffembled and taken afalfe Oath, and of having willingly relap fed into the fame Error, that thereby their vile Di/fwiulation may be more definitive to them- felves, and their Falfehood meet with its deferved Puni/hment . We farther deprive Hereticks, their Receivers and Favourers, of all Benefit of Proclamation and Ap- peal -, being willing that every Seed of this heretical Stain fhould, by all Means, be extirpated out of our Empire, in which the true Faith ought ever to be preferved. Moreover, as we have received greater Favours from the Divine Mercy, and are exalted to an higher Dignity than the Children of Men, we ought to pay the more [olemn Services of Gratitude. If then we manifeft our Difpleafure againfl thofe wh$ contemn us, and condemn Traxtors in their Perfons, and by flripping their Children of their Inheritance, howjuftly fhall we be more incenfed againfl thofe who blafphe?ne the Name of God, and revile the Catholick Faith, and deprive, by our Imperial Authority, all Hereticks, their Receivers, Abettors and Advocates, and their Heirs and Pofle- rity, even to the fecond Generation, of their temporal Eftates, publick Offices and Ho- nours, that they may continually mourn at the Remembrance of their Fathers Crimes, L and 74 The History of the Inquisition. and certainly know that God is a jealous God, punifhing the Iniquities of the Fa- thers upon their Children. Not that we would exclude from our Mercy thofe, who keeping themfelves free from the Herefy of their Fathers, fhall difcover their fecret Perfidioufnefs : For whatever Punifhmeut their Guilt may receive, we would not ii'.bjetl their innocent Children to it. We hereby alfo declare our Pleafure, that we appoint the Friars Predicant of the Order of Predicants, to take Care of the Faith againjl Hereticks, in all Parts of our Empire. We alfo take under our fpecial Imperial Protection, all others whatfoever, that fhall come to judge Hereticks, and grant them Leave to go, flay or return, except thofe who are under the Ban of the Empire ; and Will that none fhall injure them ; but that they fhall have the Afjijlance and Recommendation of all the Faithful in the Empire. We farther command all, and fingular of you, thai zvherefoever, and to whomfoever of you they fhall come > ye receive them kindly, and keep their Perfons fafe from all the Attempts of Here- ticks, who may lay in wait for them, and gr -ant them your Advice, fafe Condutl and Afjijlance in the Execution of Affairs, fo acceptable before God. And as to all He- reticks they fhall difcover to you in their Jurifdiclion, let them be apprehended, and kept in fafe Cuflody, till being ecclefiajlically condemned, they fhall Juffer the deferved Punifhment ; as knowing that info doing, their Obedience will be pleafing to God, and acceptable to us, viz. in affjling, with their utmofl Endeavours, the faid Friars to root out of all the Parts of our Empire, this new unheard of, and infamous heretical Pravity. And if any one fhall be negligent and remifs in this Matter, let him know that he fhall be unprofitable before God, andjuflly incur our higheft Dijpleafure. Dated at Padua, Feb. 22. The fecond Conftitution of the Emperor Frederick. Fr ederick, by the Grace of God, &c. The Hereticks are endeavouring to rent the feamlefs Coat of our God, and raging with deceitful Words, which declare their fchifmaiical Intention, Jlrive to divide the Unity of the indivifible Faith it felf, and to feparate the Sheep from the Care of Peter, to whom they were com- mitted, by the good Shepherd, to be fed. Thefe are the ravenous Wolves within*, who put on the Meeknefs of the Sheep, that they may the better enter into the Lord's Sheepfold. Thefe are the worft Angels : Thefe are Sons of Naughtinefs, of the Fa- ther of Wickednefs, and Author of Deceit, appointed to deceive fimple Souls : Thefe are Adders who deceive the Doves : Thefe are Serpents, which crawl in privately 5 and under the Sweetnefs of Honey, vomit out Poifon : So that whilfi they pretend to adminijler the Food of Life, they fling with their Tail, and ?ningle the mojl bitter Poifon into the Cup of Death. Thefe Seels are not now known by their ancient Names % eitioer that they may conceal themfelves, or what is yet more execrable, not content to be called by a Name from amongff themfelves, as the Arians were from Arius, and the Neftorians from Neftorius ; they call themfelves Patarenes, af- ter the Example of the Martyrs, who fuffered Martyrdom for the Catholick Faiths as though they themfelves were expofed to Sufferings. Thefe miferable Patarenes, who do not believe the eternal Trinity, by their complicated Wickednefs offend againjl Three^ viz. God, their Neighbours and Themfelves. Againjl God, becaufe they do not acknowledge the Son and the true Faith, They deceive their Neighbours -, whilfi under The History of the Inquisition, 75 under the Pretence of fpiritual Food, they minifter the Delights of heretical Pravity. But their Cruelty to them/elves is yet more Javage ; fence, beftdes the Lofs of their immortal Souls, they expofe their Bodies to a cruel Death -, being prodigal of their Lives, and fearlefs of Deftruclion, which by acknowledging the true Faith they might efcape, and which is horrible to exprefs, their Survivors are not terrified by their Example. Againft fuch Enemies to God and Man we cannot contain our Indignation, nor refufe to punijh them with the Sword of jujl Vengeance ; but fh all purfue them with fo much the greater Vigour, as they appear to fpread wider the Crimes of their Superftition, to the more evident Injury of the Chriflian Faith, and of the Church of Rome, which is adjudged to be the Head of all other Churches ; infomuch that they have propagated their Falfehood from the Bor- ders of Italy, and the Parts of Lombardy, where we are certainly informed their Wickednefs doth more efpecially abound, even to our Kingdom of Sicily. This being mojl highly offenfive to us, we ordain in the firft Place, that the Crime of Herefy, and of every condemned Seel, whatever be the Name of il 9 Jhall be reckoned amongst the publick Crimes, as the ancient Laws declare. Tea, let fuch know that they (hall be deemed guilty of High Treafon it felf For as the Crime of Rebellion reaches to the Lofs of the Life and Goods of the Perfons condemned, and after they are dead, makes their Memory infamous ; let the fame be obferved as to the aforefaid Crime, of which the Patarenes are guilty. And that the Wickednefs of thofe who walk in Darknefs, becaufe they are not Fol- lowers of God, may be difcover'd, we Will, that if there be none to acccufe them, ftricl Enquiry be made by our Officials after fuch who commit thefe Crimes, as well as after other Malefactors -, and that all who are informed againft, if there be but the leaft Sufpicion, be examined by the Ecclefiafticks and Prelates : And if they (hall find them to err in any one Point from the Catholick Faith, we, by this our prefent Edict, condemn the Patarenes, and all other Hereticks, of every Kind and Name, to fuffer Death, committing them to the Punifhment of the Flames that they may be burtfd alive in publick View ; if after being paftorally admonifhed to for fake the dark Snares of the Devil, they will not acknowledge the God of Light. Nor are we difpleafed that herein we gratify them, fence we are ajfured they can reap no other Fruit of their Error but Punijhment only. For fuch, let no one dare to inter reed with us ; if any (hall prefume to do it, let him know he Jhall juflly in- cur our Indignation. Dated at Padua, Feb. 22. The third Law is this : We condemn the Receivers, Accomplices, and Abettors of the Patarenes, to For- feiture of their Goods and perpetual Banifhment ; who by their Care to fave others from Punijhment, have no Fear or Regard for themfelves. Let not their Children, be in any wife admitted to Honours, but always accounted infamous ; nor let them be allowed as Witnejfes in any Caufes, in which infamous Perfons are refufed. But if the Children of thofe who favour the Patarenes Jhall difcover any one of them, fo that he Jhall be^ convicted, let them, as the Reward of their Acknowledgment of the Faith, be entirely reftored by our imperial Favour, to their forfeited Honour and Eft ate. L 2 The 76 The History of the Inquisition. The fourth Conftitution of the Emperor Frederick. We condemn to perpetual Infamy withdraw our Protection from, and put under cur Ban, * the Puritans, Patarenes, Speromiih, Leonifts, Arnaldifls, Circum- cifed, Paflagines, Jofepines, Garatenfes, Albanenfes, Francifci, Begardi, Com- miffi, Valdenfes, Romanuli, Communelli, Varini, Ortuleni, thofe of the black Water, and all other Hereticks of both Sexes, and of whatfoever Nam* ; and ordain that their Goods fhall be confiscated infuch Manner, that their Children may never inhe- rit them, fince 'tis much more heinous to offend the eternal, than the temporal Majejiy. But if any come under a bare Sufpicion, unlefs by a proper Purgation they fhall de- monjlrate their Innocence, at the Command of the Church, according to the Degree of their Sufpicion, and the Quality of their Perfon, let them be accounted infamous by all, and as under our Ban : And if they remain fuch by the Space of one Tear, we condemn them as Hereticks. We ordain alfo, by this our perpetual Edit!, that our Officers and Confuls, or Rectors, whatever be their Offices, fhall take a publick Oalb for the Defence of the Faith ; and that they will, bona fide, fiudy to their utmofr y to exterminate from all the Lands fubject to their Jurifdiclion, all Hereticks fpecified by the Church -, fx that who fo ever fhall at any Time henceforward be admitted into any Office, cither perpetual or temporary, he fhall be obliged to confirm this Edict by an Oath ; otherwife let them not be owned as our Officers or Confuls, or any Thing like it. We pronounce all their Sentences null and void. But if any temporal Lord, having been cited and admonifhed by the Church, fhall have neglecled to purge his Dominions from heretical Pravity, after a Tear elapfed from the Time of his Admo- jiition, let his Country be fieized by the Catholicks, .and let them.pojfefs it without Op- pofition,. and preferve it in the Purity of the Faith, by the Extirpation of Hereticks 3 fiavirg the Right of the principal Lord, provided that he gives no Impediment or Ob- J! ruction. But let thofe who have no principal Lord be fubjecl to the fame Law, Fur- thermore, we put under our Ban, thofe who believe, receive, defend, and favour Here- ticks \ ordaining, . that if any fuch Perfonfhallrefufe to give Satisfiaclion within a Tear after his Excommunication, he fhall be, ipfojure, infamous, and not admitted to any Kind of publick Offices, or the like, nor to chufe any Perfons to them, nor to be a Wit- ness. Let him alfo be f Intejlable -, and let him not have the Power of making a Will, * Certain Hereticks, whofe Opinions are now almoft equally unknown as the Reafon of thei$ Names. f Ir.tejlahlis or htejlatus. Let him be as a condemned and infamous Peribn. Some of the Councils had decreed, that every Man fhould diftribute a certain Part of his Goods, the Tyth for Inftance, to pious Ufes, for the Redemption of his Soul ; and whof -ever did not this, was efleem- ed a wicked Wretch, that had no Care for his Salvation. On this Account the Priefls were commanded to exhort dying Perfons to wafh away their Sins by facramental ConfeiTion, and to difpofe of feme Parr of their Effects in Favour of the Church cr Poor., for the Salvation of their Souls. This qrsw fo into Ufc, that the Abfolution and Viaticum were denied to fuch as did not obey the Pricits Orders in this Matter, as profligate Wretches, unmindful of their Salvation ; infomuch that they made no Difference between a Perfon who died without making any fuch Difpolition of his liflccts, and cne that flew himfelf, but accounted them both equally infamous. Dh Frefm in voce. And therefore I think the Meaning of the Word lntejiabilis y in this imperial Confiit, tion, is, That he fhail be deprived of the Liberty of making any fuch Difpofition of his Sfte&s to pious Ufes, by Will, cither to fave his Soul, or grevent his being infamous. nan The History of the Inquisition. 77 nor of receiving any Thing by Succeffwn or Inheritance. Furthermore, let no one an- fwer for him in any Affair , but let him be obliged to anfwer others. If he fhould be a Judge, let his Sentence be of no Effect, nor any Caufes be heard before him. If an Advocate, let him never be admitted to -plead in any ones Defence. If a No- tary, let no Inflruments made by him be valid. Moreover we add, that an Here- tick may be convicled by an Heretick •, and that the Houfes of the Patarenes, their Abettors and Favourers, either where they have taught, or where they have laid Hands on others, fhall be deflrofd, never to be rebuilt. Bated at Padua, Feb. 22. Paulus Servita tells us, in his Hiftory of the Venetian Inquifition, that thefc Laws were made in the Year of our Lord 1244. Bzovius and Raynald refer them to the Year 1225. But whatever was the Year of their Publication, 'tis certain that the Inquifition was greatly promoted by them •, and that they were approved and confirmed, by fome of the Popes Bulls, in which they were inferted,. CHAP. XIII. 'The Inqjjisition introduced into Aragon, France , Tholoufs and Italy» IN the Year of our Lord 123 1. in the Month of 'February, fome of the Raynald- Patarenes were difcovered in the City of Rome : Some of them who were-*. i*Ji~ impenitent were burn'd alive; others of them were fent to the Church of$- 1?< Monte Cafmo, and to Cava, to be there kept till they recanted. The Pope^ 14 ' '* and Ronian Senate made alio fevere Laws againft Hereticks ; and becaufe the Milaneze was mofl infected with Herefy, Frederick, by an imperial Edict, commanded all convicled of that Crime to be delivered over to the Flames, or their blafphemous Tongues to be cut out, if the keeping them alive would prove a Terror to others ; which Raynald affirms to be a fevere, but mofl juji Edicl. This very Year Pope Gregory IX. gave a famous Inftance of his Tyranny and Injuftice. Ezelinus, Lord of Padua, and VafTal of the Emperor Frede- rick, conftantly adhered to his Matter, and faithfully took the Emperors Part againft the Faction of the Pope. On this the Pope endeavoured to ren- der him infamous by the Charge of Herefy ; that: under this fpecious Pre- tence he might expel him his Dominions : But as he failed in this, he ftirred up his Children againft him this very Year, that being delivered by them into his Power, he might punifh him as he pleafed. In order to this, he fent $. ; o, Letters to Ezeline, befeeching him to take better Meafures, and admonilhed him to renounce his Errors. A Copy of thcfe Letters he lent to his rwo Sons, young Ezeline and Alterick, who pretended to abhor their Father's Wickednefs, and promifed Gregory of their own Accord, as Raynald relates, that they would deliver y§ The History of the Inquisition, deliver their miferable Father into the Hands of the Cenfors of the Faith, if he perfifted obftinately in his Wickednefs, that they might not lofe the Inhe- ritance of their Anceftors. Upon this the Pope gave them to underftand, that he had deferred coming to Extremities againft their Father for their Sake, whom he believed ftill to continue in the true Worlhip of God, that they fcnight not be involved in his Misfortune -, for, fays he, the Crime of He- refy like that of High Treafon, difinherits the Children. Then he befeeches and commands them, that they would ufe all poflible Means to deter their Fa- ther from Herefy, and the Protection of Hereticks, and that if he defpifed their Admonitions, they would confult their own Safety, by fending him, as they had promifed, before the Pope's Tribunal. Nor is it to be wonder* d at, adds Raynald, that this Advice Jhould be given to the Sons againft their own Fa- ther, fince the Caufe of the divine Being, of whom all Paternity is named, is to be preferred to all human Affeclions. Bzovius, The Year following, 1232. the Inquifition was brought into Aragon. The a. 1131. Bifhopof Hyefca in Aragon was reported to err in Matters of Faith. Upon $■ 8 ' this Gregory committed the Office of making Inquifition againft him to Friar Tcier Caderite, of the Predicant Order, and commanded James King of the ^f- ingons, that he mould not fuffer him, or thofe whofe Advice or Counfel he ihould think fit to make ufe of, to be injured by any Means vvhatfoever. And 6. 9. that he might entirely extirpate Herefy out of the Province of I'arracon, he gave Commifiion to the Archbifhop of Tarracon and his Suffragans, to confti- tute Inquifitors againft heretical Praviry of the Order of Predicants, by a Bull, in thefe Words : Since the Evening of the World is now declining, &c. we admonijb and befeech your Brotherhood, and ftriclly command you by our written Apoftolick Words, as you regard the divine Judgment, that with diligent Care you make Enquiry againft Hereticks, and render them infamous, by the AJJiftance of the Friars Predicants, and others whom you fh all judge fit for this Bufwefs ; and that you proceed againft all who are culpable and infamous, according to our Statutes lately publijhed againft Hereticks, unlefs they will from the Heart abfolutely obey the Commands of the Church \ which Statutes we fend you inclofed in our Bull ; and that ye alfo proceed againft the Receivers, Abettors, and Favourers of Hereticks, according to the fame Statutes. But if any will quite abjure the heretical Plague, and return to the Ecclefiaftical Unity, grant them the Benefit of Abfolution according to the Form of the Church, and enjoin them the ufual Penance. Amongft the Inquifitors appointed by them, Friar Raymond Pedafortius Barninonenfis was particularly famous, who wrote a Formulary, of the Manner of proceeding againft Hereticks, beginning, 1 be- lieve that Hereticks, &c. which was of fo great Authority, that Gregory en- joined Willi a?n Archbifhop Eled: of Tarracon to follow it in every thing. Bzovius gives us this Formulary entire, in his Annals, under the Year 1235. §. 5. a ,\il\ In France there were nor wanting fome, who ftirred up the Remains of the §. 8. Albigenfes, fo that, as Bzovius fays, they very grievoufly opprefted the Inqui- fitors and other Perlbns, appointed by the Apoftolick See for the Direction and Defence of the Catholick Faith *. Gregory IX. excited Lewis the King * uc Perhaps they flrove to prevent fb intolerable a Yoke being put on rheir Necks. againft The History of the Inquisition. 7 q aginft them, and advifed him to join with the Archbifhop ofFienne, fome Per- fon famous for his Wifdom and Jultice, who mightknow what pertained to the Ecclefiaftick Right, what to the Royal, and what to the Rights of others. He alfo exhorted Blanche the Queen to perfwade her Son to perfect fo righ- teous a Work. The fame Author tells- us, that the fame Year, after great $. t4 .. ftruggling, the Inquifition was brought into Tholoufe, upon the firft Day of the Feftival of Dominick, but not without a great Tumult of the People, raifed by a feditious Sermon of a filly Monk, upon Occafion of the Death of a certain Matron of Tholoufe, who lived near the Convent of the Predicants, and had been hereticated before fhe died. « When this came to be publick, Friar " William Amaldi, an Inquifitor, condemned her for an Heretick, and left " her to the fecular Court. After this the Prior of the Friars Predicants, " Fu Pontius, of Agde, explaining thofe Words of Ecclefiaftic. xlviii. Elias •* the Prophet roje as Fire, and his Word burnt like a Torch, to a vaft Companv " that had met together about Nine, and adapting his Words to the Feitival " and the prefent Bufinefs, turned himfelf, and bowed and bent to the Eafi " and Weft, to the North and South, and cried out towards every Part with as "■ loud a Voice as he could, repeating it oftentimes, In the Name of God, and " his Servant St. Dominick, / do from this Hour renounce all Faith with Here- " ticks, their Favourers, and Believers, Then he bawled out again : I adjure " the Caiholicks, in the Name of God, that laying afide all Fear, they would give " their Teftimony to the Truth : And thus left off. About feven Days after this " Meeting many came in, by whofe Means the Inquifitors found out a Way ** to the RecefTes of Darknefs. Many of them abjured their Herefy, fome dif- " covered others, and promifed that at a proper Opportunity they v/ould de- " tecl more." However, the Inquifitors were the Year following ejected from Tholoufe. But that they were reftored there again, we learn from Luke Wad- b 20 ,.j u , ding, who in his Hiftory of the Friars Minors, relates, that in the Year 1238. a. tijc there were at Tholoufe Friar William Amaldi of the Predicant Order, and Sera- §> 4. fhinus de S. Tiberio of the Minors, Inquifitors of Hereticks. The fame Author gives us alfo the Epiflle of Gregory IX. to the Deacon of the Order of Friars Minors in Navarre, and to Matter Peter deLeedegaria, a Predicant Friar, living, at Pampilona, which begins, Rumor, &c. in which, amongfl other Things, there is this : Since therefore, according to the Office enjoined us, we are bound 10 root out all Offences from the liingdom of God, and as much as in us lies to oppofa fuch Beafts, we deliver into your Hands the Sword of the Word of God, which, ac^ cording to the Words of the Prophet, Jer. xlviii. 10. ye ought not to keep back from Blood -, but, infpired with a Zeal for the Catholick Faith, like Phineas, make dili- Exod- gent Inquifition concerning thefe pejlilent Wretches, their Believers, Receivers, a;;d xx * Vu W* Abettors, and proceed again]} thofe who by fuch Inquifition fjall be found guilty, according to the canonical SancTwns, and our Statutes, which we have lately pub- lifhedto confound heretical Pravity, calling in againft them, if Need be, the Ajfifiance of the fecular Arm. Given at the Lateran, 8 Cal. Maii, An. 11. It can't be doubted thatrhe Office of the delegated Inquifition was in thefe Ezovius» Times introduced into haly, becaufe the Inhabitants of P. drove out*. 1134^ 2 from 9* i 5- 8o The History of the Inquisition, a. izj5. from their City Friar Rowland the Inquifitor in the Year 1234. The Year S- z - following the Pope committed the Office of the Inquifition to the Prior of St. Mary ad gradus, and to Friar Radulpb, a Predicant at Viterbo, com- miflioning them to enquire out all Hereticks coming from other Cities, and to abiblve from Cenfures fuch who abjured their Herefy, and recon- ciled themfelves to the Church. Upon this Affair he gave Letters to both of them at Pcroufe the fecond of the Ides of Augufl, and ninth Year of his Pontificate. But two Years after, 13 Cal. of June, and the eleventh of his Pontificate, zt Viterbo, he fent Letters to the Provincial of Lombardy, a Pre- dicant, by which he inverted him with the Power of making Inquifitors. The Letters begin thus : lllehumani, &c. I think it worth while to give you them entire, becaufe they very diftindtly reprefent the Office given to the Inquifi- tors. After beginning with the ufual Complaint of the Rife of Herefy, he Bzovius enjoins the Inquifitors their Office in thefe Words : We therefore being wil- a. 1135. ling to prevent the Danger of fo many Souls, entreat, admonifh, and befeecb your £• >' JVifdom, and fir icily command you by thefe Apofiolick Writings, as you have any Regard for the Divine Judgment, that you appoint fome of the Brethren committed io your Care, Men learned in the Law of the Lord, and fuch as you know to be fit for this Purpofe, according to the Limitations of your Order, to be Preachers General to the Clergy and People affembled, ivhere they can conveniently do it ; and in order the more effetlually to execute their Office, let them take into their AJfiflance fome difcreet Perfons, and carefully enquire out Hereticks, and fuch as are defamed for Herefy. And if they find out either any really culpable*, or fuch who are defame d* 'let them proceed againfl them according to our Statutes*, lately publifhed againft Here- ticks, anlefs upon Examination they will abfolutely obey the Commands of the Church. Let them alfo proceed againfl the Receivers, Defenders, and Abettors of Hereticks , according to the fame Statutes. But if any will abjure their heretical Defilement y and return to the Ecclefiaftical Unity, let them have the Favour of Abfolution ac- cording to the Form of the Church, and be enjoined the ufual Penance. But let them be more especially careful, that fuch who appear to return, don't commit Impiety under the fpecious Pretence of Piety, and the Angel of Satan thus transform himfelf into an Angel of Light Therefore let them perufe the Statutes which we have thought fit to publifh concerning this Affair, that they may beware of their Subtlety, according to the Difcretion given them of the Lord. And that they may more freely and effectually execute the Office avnmitted to them in all the Premiffes, we, con- fiding in the Mercy of Almighty God, and the Authority of the bleffed Apoftles Peter and Paul, remit for three Tears the Penance enjoined them, to all who fh all attend th^ir Preaching for twenty Da\s in their feveral Stations, and likewife to thofe who fij ill give them Affifiance, Counfel or Favour, in their Endeavours to fubdue Here- ticks, their Abettors, Receivers, and Defenders, in their fortified Places and Caflles. A d as for thofe who fhall happen to die in the Profecution of this Affair , we grant a plenary Pardon of all their Sins for which they are contrite in their Hearts, and which they confejs with their Mouths. And that nothing may be wanting to the /aid Friars in their profecuting the forefaid Bufinefs, we grant them, by theTe- nour of tbfe Prefents, full Power of involving, under the Eccleftajlical Cenfure, all 1 wbt The History of the Inquisition. 8f who contradict and rebel againfl them. We alfo grant them the Power to reflrain, under the fame Cenfure, from the Office of Preaching, which by no means belong to them, the quefluary Predicants, whofe Bufinefs it is /imply to afk only charitable Sup' ports, and to fell an Indulgence, if they Jhould happen to have one. In the fame Year 1235. 17 Cal. June, Pope Gregory commanded the Bifliop ofHuefca, the Prior of Barcelona, and Friar TVilliamBarbarano, a Predicant, that they mould not fuffer the Office by any Means to relax, but mould make In- quisition againfl Hereticks in the Province ofTarracon, and proceed according to the Canons. He alfo appointed Friar Robert, a Predicant, Inquifi tor Gene- ral againfl Hereticks in the whole Kingdom of France, and commanded him fo to proceed in the Caufes committed to him, as that the Innocent mould not pe- rifh, and that Iniquity mould not remain unpunifhed. The Bull of this Com- mifiion is extant, dated at Peroufe? 10 Cal. ot September, and 9th Year of his Pontificate •, in which he prefcribed the Form of Penance to fuch as abjured their Herefy, and Grdained many other Things againfl Hereticks, and com- manded the Provincial of the Teutonick Order of Predicants, that he mould chufe fit Perfons out of all Germany, to preach in every Place the Word of the Crofs againfl the Hereticks and Saracens, CHAP. XIV. Concerning the Jirfi Hindrances to the Progrefs of the Inquisition, ALtho* the Pope perpetually prefTed the Inquifition, yet it was with great Difficulty admitted. The Novelty of the Tribunal, by which the Laity were excluded wholly from all Judgment againfl Hereticks, greatly offended Men. They were indeed willing to leave to the Ecclefiaflicks the Affair of Doctrine, to judge what was orthodox and what heretical. But they con- tended that the Judgment of their Perfons belonged to them ; viz. to deter- mine whether any Perfon profefled any Opinion, condemned by the common Judgment of the Clergy, and fo became an Heretick ; and efpecially they be- lieved that it belonged to their Tribunal to pronounce Sentence againfl the guilty. Whereas they now found themfelves wholly excluded from all Share in it by this new Tribunal, which the Pope was endeavouring every where to erect. All the Power left to the fecular Magiflrate was only to put to Death thofe who were condemned for Hereticks by the Ecclefiaflicks, whereby he became a mere Slave to the Inquifitors, as being obliged to execute their Sen- tence wi - h a blind Obedience, without any Cognizance of the Crime. This was the Cafe even of fome, who otherwife were zealous Defenders of the Pa- pal Authority. Amongfl others, Lewis King of France made a Law, by Raynald,- which he commanded, that his Subjects, when cited before the Ecclefiaftical*. 1156. Tribunals, fhould not appear to plead their Caufe ; and that if they were cen-$« 3*> Qfy fured for Contumacy, the Goods of thofe who had pafTed the Cenfure fhould M be 82 The History of the Inouisition. be feized by the Civil Magiftrates, till it was recalled. The Pope thought this Law unjuit, r.nd injurious to the prelatical Authority. And therefore, that their Power might not be wholly fupprelTed by this Law, he fent Letters to the King, in which he fet before him the Examples of Charles the Great, Tbeo- dofius, and Valentine the Emperors, who had greatly enlarged the Power of the Bifhops, and yet had not obfcured the Glory of their own Majefty, but ra- ther increafed it, and admonifhed him to repeal thofe Laws, which were con- trary to the Ecclefiaftical Liberty. He then put him in Mind of the Sentence pronounced by Honorius, by which the Makers of fuch Laws expofed them- felves to Anathema's, unlefs they repealed them within two Months. The King, who was foliciting the Title of the obedient Son of the Church, yielded to the Papal Severity, and was entreated by Gregory, that he would finifh the Work of cutting off all the Remains of Herefy in the Province of Tboloufe, and compel Earl Raymond to perform his Promife. §. 39, &v. The Earl had bound himfelf by an Oath to extirpate Herefy, and to lead an Army into the Holy Land, when he was at Paris, and had made Peace with the French King and the Church. But as there happen'd a Tumult at Tboloufe again ft the Cenfors of the Faith, raifed by thofe who were faid to be infected with Herefy, and as there was not an immediate Stop put to it upon its firft Beg : nning, the Earl feem'd to have broke his Promife, and to cherifh Hereticks, becaufe he did not reftrain their Fury. Upon this the Pope fevere- ly rebuked him, and, amongft other Things, fays : That he had often hindered the Inquifition againft Hereticks, by commanding to be obferved in their Favour certain Forms y . injurious to the Statutes of the Pope himfelf, and contrary to the Laws rela- ting to the Inquifition of Hereticks ; that he had fuffered many Perfons condemned as Hereticks to dwell publickly in his Country ; that he had given Protection to others, who from other Places had fled to him ; that his Counfellors and Servants were fu- J "petled and defamed of Herefy, &c. So that he had not been afraid to declare him- felf a Favourer, . Receiver, and Defender of Hereticks,, and their Abettors ; and that tbo* he had been admonifhed on thefe Accounts, he had not been careful to amend. The Pope gave frefh Instructions to his Legate on this Affair, and ordered him to renew the Tboloufe Statutes, to reject all the Edicts and Laws, which in- fringed the Ecclefiaftical Liberty, to remove from the publick Counfels all fufpected or defamed of Herefy. And by other Letters he was order'd ta caufe all the Houfes of the Tboloufe Hereticks to be demolifhed. Raynald. He alfo moft earneftly entreated the French King, that he would ufe the a. ii 36. Power committed to him by God, to compel the Earl and Confuls of Tboloufe to $•45« amend the aforefaid Crimes, and do his utmoft to extirpate Herefy. Then he admonifhed him to force the Earl to go to Jerufalem the next March, and fend his own Brother Alphonfus, to whom Raymond's Daughter had been betrothed,, to adminifter the Affairs of the Earldom of Tboloufe. ButtheTribunal of the Inquifition was not only hateful to the People byreafon of its Novelty, but becaufe the Inquifitors themfelves render'd it hateful by Du Gang*, their excefTive Cruelty. Amongft thefe, one Friar Robert was not the leafL w . r f. 5/ ""He was furnamed Bukarus* becaufe he had cruelly perfecuted and deliver'd over. The History of the Tnquisition. over to the Fire the Valdenfes, then called Bulgarians •, or, according to others, Raynald. becaufe he himfelf had been a Bulgarian or Valdenfian, and upon his forfaking *■ lL ^~ them, had enter'd into the Order of the Dominicans. He was Inquifitor of the $• 6o ' Faith in the Netherlands, and France, a Man of an auflere Temper, fupported by the Royal Authority of Lewis, who commanded him to burn many who were infected with Herefy. But when afterwards the faid Friar, according to Mat. Paris, under the Year 1236. abufed the Authority given him, and tranf- greffed the Bounds of Modefty and Juftice, growing haughty, powerful and terrible, condemning to the fame Punifhment the Innocent as well as Guilty, he was put out of his Office by the Pope's Order, and fhut up in perpetual Imprifonment. Afterwards Fulco exercifed the fame Severity in Languedoc, Du Gange, upon Account of whofe excefiive Cruelty, Philip the Friar fent in the Year ib ' d ' 1 30 1. certain Perfons to enquire into his Mifmanagement, and ordered that for the future thofe who were fufpected of Herefy mould be put in the Royal Prifons at Tholoufe, and that the King's Subjects mould not be detained by the Inquifitor's Decree, without the Bifhop's Advice firft had, and the Affiftance of the Royal Senefchal. It would have been well if thefe two Perfons only had exceeded the Bounds of juft Judgment ; but in Reality this was the Fault of moft of them. And therefore, that the Minds of Men might not be too much exafperated, they added fome of the Order of the Friars Minors to the Predicants, by their Gentlenefs to temper the others Rigour. This was actu- ally done in the Year 1238. And indeed this Tribunal of the Inquifition was the fitteft Method in the "World for Perfons to opprefs their Enemies, under the Pretence that they were infected with Herefy, and was abufed to this Purpofe by political Men as well as Ecclefiafticks, if it be true what Raynald writes of the Emperor Frede- *' I233, rick) that he was greedy of Revenge, and ufed by various Pretences and Sub- ^ 5?J 34 ' ornation of Crimes, to rage againft thofe, whom he inwardly hated. To this Purpofe he pretended great Zeal to cut off Hereticks, and appointed that Apud in all the Provinces and Places of Note there mould be a Judge, together Gre g° r - with a Prelate, to take Cognizance of the Examination of Perfons by Torture -, E ^' 143 ' and for this pious Precaution, as it appeared, he was commended by Pope Gregory. But he improved this to gracify his Revenge, caufing many inno- cent Catholicks, who had incurred his Difpleafure, to be accufed of Herefy, and burnt alive, to the great Grief and Offence of all •, infomuch that Gre- Ep. 244- gory gravely admonifhed him, that he mould endeavour to extirpate Hereticks, and not deftroy the Catholicks. However, the Roman Pontiffs did much more infolently abufe their Power. For they were not afraid to brand with the Name of Herefy, and to proceed againft as Hereticks, Kings and Princes, and even the Emperor himfelf, if they would not own their unbounded Power, and do every thing according to their Beck. Of this we have a famous Inftance in the Emperor Frederick : He had made very fevere Laws againlt Hereticks, greatly increafed the Authority of the Inquifition, and in the Year 1236. having found fome Perfons at Palence Raynald. infected with Herefy s he ordered eternal Marks of Infamy to be imprinted on** l1 * 6 - M2 their M °' 84 The History of the Inquisition. their Faces with a red hot Iron. And yet he could not efcape the Pontiff's a. 1259. Thunder: For in the Year 1239. Pope Gregory pronounced the Sentence of f.ij&c Excommunication againft him, and abfolved all his Subjects from the Obli- gation of any Duty or Oath they were under to him. Frederick gave an abun- dant Anfvver, and purged himfelf of the Crimes objected to him in this Sen- tence, in which there was no mention of Herefy. But the Pope fent Letters to all the Prelates, and to the Chriftian Kings and Princes, in which he charged him with various Herefies i and, amidft others, with this : 'That he conflantly affirmed, that he could not be excommunicated by him as the Vicar of Chrijl -, thus affirming that the Power of Binding and hoofing was not in the Church, delivered by our Lord to Peter and his Succejfors. fVhilfi he thus ajjerts Herefy, his own Argument concludes againjl himfelf, Jhewing by Confequence that he hath wrong Sentiments concerning the other Articles of the orthodox Faith, as he en- deavours to take away that Privilege of Power granted by the Word of God to the Church, upon which the Faith is founded. Neither did the Pope reft till he had put in Execution the Sentence he had a. 114«;. pronounced againft the Emperor Frederick. For in the Year 1245. Innocent <). 1, &c. ca ]j s a Council in France, and therein condemns and excommunicates him, de- ^' ^* prives him of his Empire, and abfolves his Subjects from their Oath of Fide- lity, and by his Apoftolick Authority firmly and ftrictly forbids all Perfons to obey him any more as Emperor or King, and decrees that whofoever mould from henceforward yield him Counfel, or Aid, or Favour, as Emperor or King, mould be ipfo faclo excommunicated ; and that the Electors of the Em- pire might freely proceed to the Choice of another Emperor, to fucceed him in his Place. it. 1146. Innocent IV. procured Henry Landgrave of Thuringheim to be created King of §, j. §.17. the Romans, that by his Afiiftance he might drive Frederick from the Empire. Frederick, to purge himfelf of the Crime of Herefy, fent Letters to feveral Chriftian Princes, in which he defended himfelf againft the Charge. He alfo commanded the Archbifhop of 'Palermo, the Bifhops ofPavia, Monte Caffiino, and Cava, the Abbots of Cafanova, Roland, and Nicholas a Predicant, diligently to enquire and examine him concerning his Sentiments as to the Syftem of Chri- ftian Faith, and other Articles and Myfteries of Religion. This being done, and an Inftrument drawn up, he appointed them his Procurators, that they ihould make Oath before the Roman Pontiff, that Frederick having been exa- mined, rightly agreed with all Chriftians in every Article of Faith, and was at the fartheft Diftance from Herefy. They had a very unwelcome Reception, as being the Procurators of a Man expelled the Company of the Faithful, and for this Wickednefs were faid to deferve Punifhment rather than Audience. But when they affirmed themfelves to be the Meflengers of a pure Chriftian Man, the Affair was ordered to be examined by three Cardinals of the Roman Church, who pronounced that Purgation trifling and void, inafmuch as they had no • Authority to take his Examination. On this he commanded Frederick, that if he would regularly purge himfelf, and ftibmit to a right Examination, he Ihould repair to the Apoftolick See, without the Noife and Terror of Arms, attended The History of the Inquisition-. 3j attended only by a fmall Retinue ; and proper Security fhould be given, that no Injury and Disturbance fhould be offered to hire or his. After the Imperial Power was thus infulted, no one will wonder that the like Procefs mould be carried on againft Ezeline, Lord of Padua, and zealoufly at- tached to the Emperor's Party. For in the Year 1248. the lame Pope Inno- a > 1:48. cent, as we learn from his Letters to the Prelates of the Milaneze, the Mar-§- *h i6, quifate of Trevifo and Emilia *, pronounced the Ecclefiaftical Cenfures againft him on the Day of the Feftival of the holy Sacrament. He had appointed Inquifitors of the Faith againft him before, becaufe he had been afperied with the Report of Herefy. In order to refute the Charge, he fent MefTengers to Rome, who bound themfelves by a folemn Oath, in the Name of Cafar, to declare that his Sentiments were right concerning the Catholick Faith. But as that Purgation was not allowed of by the Bifhop of Sabine, who was ap- pointed to take the Report of the MefTengers, nor by the Pope himfelf •, be- caufe, as he pretended, the Importance of the Affair required the guilty Perfon to be prefent ; he fixed him the Calends of Auguft for the Day in which he was to clear himfelf; and according to the Papal Manner provided for his Security ; hereby demonftrating, that he muft entertain no Hopes of Re- conciliation, unlefs he would in all Things fubject himfelf to the Beck and Pleafure of the Pope, and own him as fupreme Judge in all Caufes what» foever. But as Ezeline did not appear, the Pope, in the Year 1251. deputed theRaynald, Bifliop of Trevifo, and the Prior of the Predicants at Mantua, tb let him know*- 1 - < > u that he mould be fubject to all the Punifhments ordain'd againft Hereticks,*' - 6 ' 37 ' unlefs he appeared before the holy See within the next Calends of Augufi, and fubmitted himfelf to receive his Commands : That if he refufed to ap- pear, they mould publickly declare, that he was to be avoided by all, as one defiled with Herefy, that his Body might be feized on, his Goods plundered ; and that an Army of Crofs-Bearers mould be fent againft him and his Fol- lowers. This Procefs iafted fome Time before the Pope pronounced the long intended Sentence. At length, in the Year 1254. on the Day of the Feftival *■ u ^, of the Sacrament, Ezeline was condemn'd for Herefy, and fubjected by the^'^ ,? Pope's Sentence, to all the Punifhments of Hereticks. Innocent publifh'd a moil bitter Sentence againft him, in which he charged him with the moft hor- rid Crimes. He commanded alfo all the Prelates, that they ihould publilh. the Condemnation of Ezeline, for Herefy ; and punifh all who adhered to him, with the Punifhments ordain'd againft the Followers of Hereticks. There are extant alfo the Pope's Letters upon the fame Subject, to Alberic his Brother *, by which he gave him all his Brother's Effects, whom he had condemned to the Punifhments of Hereticks, and confirmed the Sentence tf William, King of the Romans, by which he condemned him for Rebellion, and deprived him of all his Lands that were fubjed to the Empire, * Containing the Dutchics of Parma, Modern, Mlr.wcloU, and Part of'.Mfltf Ray 86 The History of the Inquisition, $.17. Raymond, alfo Earl of Ihohufe, quite oppreffed with the feveral Misfortunes we have before related, fubmitted his Neck to the Papal Yoke : "For he fig- nified to the Pope, that he defired that heretical Pravity might be quite de- ftroy'd, and wholly extirpated out of his Dominions. The Pope hignly ex- tolled him for fo pious a Zeal •, and to oblige him, as he fays, commanded the Bifhon of Agen, to make Inquifuion after, and punifh the Hereticks of Tholoufe. William de Podo Laurentii, as Raynald cites him, relates, that Ray- mom: order'd about eighty Perfons, who either confeffed, or were convicted of Herefy, in Judgment before him, to be burned with Fire in the City of Agen, in the Place called Berlaigas. But he did not long furvive it, dying a. 1149. in the Year 1249. and was the laft Earl of tholoufe of that Line. After his $.8,9. Death, the Earldom went to his Son- ;n law, the Earl of Pointers, and he dying without Iffue, it devolved to the Kings of France. Bzovius, The Office of the Inquifition was more than ten Years before this brought a, H47- j nto Lombardy. Innocent IV. An. 1247. willing to eftablifh it, commanded 9- 4j & ^* Friar John Vicentinus, a Predicant, that he mould conftantly oppofe the He- reticks in Lombardy, and gave him Power to abfolve thofe who would abjure their Herefy, and return to the Church, and of granting Indigencies to fuch who would attend upon his Sermons •, and forbid that any of the Superiors of the fame Order, the Provincial, or Mailer General, mould hinder him in the Office of the Inquifition, or remove him from it. a. 1148. From the neighbouring Province of Tholoufe the purer Doctrine had fpread §• >• it felf into the Province of Narbonne and Aragon .- Wherefore Innocent IV. in a Letter, fent to Raymond Penniafortius, Mafter of the Predicants, and to the Pro- vincial of Spain, commands that they mould depute, by the Pope's own Autho- rity, fome of the Friars of his Order in the Kingdom of Aragon, to be Inqui- fitors of heretical Pravity, in the Province of Narbonne, in that DifbricT only that was fubject to James, King of Aragon ; and enjoin them, that they ihould effectually proceed againft Hereticks, their Abettors, &c. fearing no one in this Affair, but God, according to the Form publifhed by Gregory, and renewed by himfelf. But Luke Wadding relates, That in the Year 1232. Inquifitors were ap- pointed in Aragon, by the Command of Pope Gregory IX. the King defiring them of the Pope, at the Inftigation of Raymond Penniafortius, his ConfefTor. Not long after a Synod was held at Tarracon, which made many Decrees againft Hereticks i and an Inquifition was there fee up, after the Manner of that at Tbolouje, which was carried on with the greatefl Rigour againft the Hereticks which arofe in that Time, and which lafted more than an whole Age. For in the Life of Nicholas Eymerick, a Predicant Monk, and Author of the Directory of the Inquifitors, 'tis related, that Eymerick flou- rished in the Times of Urban V, and Gregory XI. Popes, and of Peter IV. King of Aragon : That he was created Inquifitor General about the Year of our Lord 1358. and fucceeded Nicholas Rofell, An. 1356. and made a Cardinal: That he died the 4th of January, An. 1393. having ftrenuoufly kept up the Office of the Inquifition againft riereticks, 44 Years fuccefllvely. Upon his 1 Death The History of the Inquisition. 87 Death the Inquifition remained in Force in that Kingdom -, but gradually funk of itfelf, upon the entire Extinction of the Valdenjes. [About this Time alio, the Inquifition was introduced into Burgundy. For Des uh, about the Year 1223. the Friars Predicants, of the Order of Dominick, were/». iz^Scc. received in Befancon : For whereas fome of the Valdenfes had retired into the Country of Burgundy, John Earl of Burgundy, at the Inftigation of the Domi- nicans, obtained a Bull from Pope Innocent IV. beginning, Zelo magno zelantes, dated An. 1247. 12 Cal. Sep. by which the Inquifition was erected in the Ter- ritories of Befancon. The fame Pope had, in the preceding Year, by a Bull, dated 12 Cal. Dec. beginning, lllehumani generis, &c. admoniJhed the Prior and Convent of the Friars Predicants at Bifancon, that they fhould appoint In- quifitors in that Country ; and after an Exhortation to the whole Order, fhould make Inquifition againft Hereticks. But this Tribunal by degrees came alfo to nothing •. becauie, when the Valdenfes were extinguished, there were no others for the Inquifition to proceed againft. But in thefe laft Ages it was reftored again.] CHAP. XV. The more happy andfpeedy Progress of the In qjj i s i t i o n. THUS far the Pope had laboured hard in promoting the Affair of the Inquifition. But as there were perpetual Quarrels between the Popes and the Emperor, the Pope's Succefs was not anfwerable to his Wifhes, as being more intent upon promoting War, than enquiring into, and judging of Herefies. But after the Death of the Emperor Frederick, the Affairs q{ Ger- many being in great Diforder, and Italy without any Prince ; Pope Innocent IV. feeing all Things become fubject to his Power, in the Milaneze and other Parts of Italy, determined to extirpate all Herefies, which had greatly encreafcd in the preceding War : And becaufe the Dominican and Francifcan Friars had greatly affifted the Pope againft Hereticks, and were animated with a fiery Zeal, he committed this Affair to them, rather than to any others whatso- ever. He therefore erected a Tribunal, folely for the Bufinefs of the Faith s and gave to the Inquifitors perpetual Power to adminifter Judgment in his Name in thisCaufe. His firft and principal Care was to purge Italy from.Herefy,. which was near- eft to himfelf, and moftly fubject to his Power ; and therefore he erected fe- veral Tribunals of the Inquifition therein. In the Year 1251. he created Vivia- nus Bergpmenfis, and Peter of Verona, both Friars Predicant, Inquifitors of the Faith in Milan, and gave them thefe Letters, in which he taxes even the Emperor Frederick, as a Favourer of Herefy. Innocent, &c. TVhilft tbatKiy&iUl. perfidious. Tyrant lived, we could not fo freely proceed againft this Plague, especially *- llt > 1 -^ The History of the Inquisition. in Italy, through his Oppofition ; who, infiead of pitting any Check to it, rather encouraged it. IVhen he became evidently fufpecled of this, he was condemn' d by us in the Council of Lyons, as well as on Account of his many other enormous Excejfes : And therefore we fir icily command and enjoin your Difcretion, by thefe our apofiolick Writings, as you expect the Remiffion of your Sins, that ye profecute this Affair of the Faith, which lies principally upon our Heart, with all your Powers and with fervent Minds ; and that ye go perfonally to Cremona ; fince we have thought proper to depute for the fame Bufinefs other difcreet Per fins in the other Cities and Places of Lombardy •, and that after having called a Council in that Diocefe, ye do carefully and effectually labour to extirpate heretical Pravity out of that City and its Di- firitl -, and that if you find any Perfons culpable upon this Account, or infecled, or defamed, unlefs upon Examination they will abjolutely obey the Commands of the Church, ye proceed againfi them, their Receivers, Abettors and Favourers, by the apofiolick Authority, according to the canonical Sanctions, laying afide all Fear of Men ; and that if there be need, ye call into your Affifiance the fecular Arm. Dated the Ides of June, and eighth Tear of our Pontificate. Pegna h This Peter of Verona appointed, that amongft other Statutes of the Re- Eymeric. publick of Milan, many alfo mould be made and obferved againfi heretical p. i. com. p rav i t y. B u t as he was going from Como to Milan, An. 1252. to extirpate Herefy, a certain Bdiever of Hereticks attacked him in his Journey, and dif- patch'd him with many Wounds. He was canoniz'd after his Death by Alexan- der IV. and is worfhipped as a Martyr by the Dominicans, whom next to Do- minick they efteem as the Patron and Prince of the holy Office of the Inquifi- tion •, fince he was the firft who confecrated it by his Blood. The Minifters al- fo of the Inquifition, which they call in Italy, Crofs-Bearers, are from him called Co-Brothers of Peter the Martyr ; and in the very Eniigns of this Of- fice he is painted as a Martyr, and Protector of this facred Tribunal, with 2, filken Crofs, of a red Colour, interwoven with Gold, as the Emblem of his Martyrdom. But leaft the Pope mould feem wholly to deprive the Bifhops of the Power of Judging, concerning the Faith, which hitherto had been wholly lodged with them, he appointed that a Bifhop, with the Inquifitor, mould be Judges in this Tribunal : But the Bifhop was admitted only for Forms fake. The whole Power of Judging lay wholly in the Inquifitor. And that there might be fome fhew of Authority left to the civil Magiftrates, who by the laft Laws of Frederick had the Power of pronouncing Sentence upon Here- ticks, he allowed them to appoint Minifters of the Inquifition, but fuchonly as were nominated by the Inquifitors •, and to depute one of their Number, nominated alfo by the Inquifitor, to vifit with him the Territory commit- ted to him i and of claiming the third Part of the confifcated Goods ; toge- ther with fome other Things of the like Nature, by which the fecular Magi- ftrate feemed indeed to be admitted as a Companion of the Inquifitors, but was in reality render'd their Slave and Tool : For he was obliged, at the Command of the Inquifitor, to apprehend any one, and to imprifon him, wherever the Inquifitors pleafed. He was alfo under an Oath to expel from 2 his The History of the Inquisition. 89 his Family, and not to admit into any Office, any that mould be adjudged Hereticks by the Inquifitors Sentence ; and if any of his Number afilfted the Inquifitors, they were put under an Oath of Secrecy. From all which 'tis ma- nifeft, that the Magiftrates were not the Companions of the Inquifitors in that Tribunal, but only their Slaves and Tools. The Pope alfo ordained, that all Perfons fhould pay towards the Charges of the Jails, Imprifonments, and Sup- port of thofe who were confined. By this Means the Office of making Inquifition againft Hereticks, was in Wadding, diverfe Places of Italy committed both to the Minors and Predicant Friars. <*. 1154. But leaft their mutual Power, and the neighbouring Jurifdiction of the Places $ 7 « mould create Confufion, or raife Difputes about their refpective Bounds, the Pope recalled all the Commifiions that had been granted in the Affair of jhe Faith 1 and divided, in an exact Proportion, to each Order, the feveral Parts of Italy. The Friars Minors he appointed in the City of Rom?, throughout Tufcany, in the Patrimony of St. Peter, the Dutchy of Spoletto, Campania, Maretamo and Romania. To the Predicants he affigned Lombardy, Romaniola, the Marquifate of Tarvifino, and Genova. The Bull in which he commits the Office of the Inquifition to the Predicants, is in Bzovius, An. 1254. §.4. and that to the Minors, in Luke Wadding, An. 1254. §. 7. After this, the Pope pre- ferred thirty one Articles to the Magiftrates, Judges and People of the three Countries, which he had fubjected to the Jurifdiction of the Predicants, which he commanded to be exactly obferved, and regifter'd amongft the pub- lick Records ; and gave Power to the Inquifitors to put under Excommunica- tion and Interdict, all who refufed to obferve them. Armed with this Pow- er, they fometimes very infolently abufed it, and attempted to introduce into other Countries what the Pope had order'd only for thofe that he had put under their particular Jurifdiction. Upon this Account, in the Year 1255. Bzovius there was a great Quarrel between Anfebn, a. Predicant Friar in the Milaneze, a. utf. and the Magiftrate of Genova. The Friar endeavoured, that fome Conftitu-f- 7- tions made againft Hereticks, both by the Apoftolick See, and the Im- perial Power, fhould be publifhed, and repofited amongft the Laws of the City. But Philip Turrianus, Prefect of the City, refufed it, either becaufe he favoured Hereticks, or defpifed the Commands of the Inquifitor. Upon this the Friar, fupported by the Apoftolick Authority, proceeded againft Philip as fufpected of Herefy •, and becaufe he refufed to obey and appear, excommunicated him, and all his Companions in the Government, as Ac- complices in the Crime ; and interdicted the City from all holy Services. Philip, under that Cenfure, appealed to the Apoftolick See ; and fent Am- bafladors to the Pope, to entreat a Sufpenfion of the Cenfures, and to wait for the Determination of the whole Affair. The Pope fufpended the Curfes tf//7.0.»- Anfelm had pronounced to a certain Day ; but before that Day came, Philips Trid. obeyed the Commands of Anfelm, regifter'd according to his Order allP'4 8 *' thofe Conftitutions amongft the City Laws, and proceeded as they directed againft all Contraveners. N Thus 50 The History of the Inquisition. Thus the Civil Magiftrate was fometime forced to yield to the Papal Au- thority : And this undoubtedly was the Reafon, that the Laws of Frederick againft Hereticks, were, as Friar Bernard of Como relates in his Light of the Inquifitors, printed at Rome, An. 1584. regifter'd in the Records of the City Como, and accepted by the whole Council of that City, Sept. 10, 1255, Neverthelefs, upon Account of the exceffive Cruelty of the Inquifitors, and the Greatnefs of the Expence, the People were violently fet againft this Tri- bunal ; and fome of the Popes could fcarce extricate themfelves out of thefe Difficulties, till at length the People admitted it more eafily, being eafed of the Expenfes they had born to fupport the Inquifition, and becaufe the Epifcopal Authority in that Tribunal was greatly enlarged. Sometimes however they broke out into open Violence, which was with great Difficulty appeafed. Thus it happen'd in the Country of Parma, as *. 1285. Honorius IV. relates it, in his Letter to the Bifhop of that City * extant in §■ ii. Bzovius. Thefe Difficulties were indeed overcome by the Authority of the Pope, and Rigour of Punifhments ; but contrary to the Inclinations and En- deavours of the People, who curfed the Cruelty of the Inquifitors. From Hifi. iruj. fome Countries where the Inquifition had been brought in, it was driven out Venet. a crain ; becaufe it afiumed the Cognizance of thofe Affairs which did not e. 8. ibid. £\ on g t o it ; fo that the People could no longer bear the intolerable Yoke. In thefe latter Ages, viz. An. 1518. the molt violent Tumults were raifed in Brefcia, againft the Inquifitors, who exercifed the moft outragious Cruel- ties againft fome Perfons accufed of Magick, which were very difficultly appeafed, and not till the Ecclefiaftical Tribunal and Proceffes were abolifh- ed, and other Judges appointed in their Room. Upon the Death of Paul- IV. the Prifons of the Inquifition were broke open by the Mob at Rome \ and the whole Building, with all its Records, burnt to the Ground. At Mantua, An. 1568. there was, on the fame Account, a violent Sedition, which brought the City it felf into the extreameft Danger. As there occurred to thefe new Judges many Cafes, not determined by the Laws, fo that fometimes they were in doubt how to proceed •, they referred them to the Pope, by whom they were deputed, who by his Refcripts, gave them proper Directions, and declared how they were to pronounce in like Cafes. There are extant many fuch Anfwers of Innocent IV. Alexander IV. Urban IV. and Clement IV. to the Inquifitors, inftrucling them in the Affair of their Office againft Hereticks. And although thefe Refcripts were fent only to the Italian Inquifitors, yet we muft not think, as Pegna remarks, in Eymer. that thefe Decrees were to be obferved in Italy only : " For the Roman Pon- BireH. in- « t iflf s tranfmitted their Refcripts to the Inquifitors of Italy ; becaufe at that Vm * 2 " Time tnere were m any of them againft the prevailing Herefies of the 15 ' " Paiarenes, Puritans, Leonifis, and other Hereticks, who chiefly infected " the Parts of Italy ; the Herefies of the Valdenfes, or poor Men of Lyons, << being almoft buried and extinguilhed, the Apoftolick See having a little * &e Hid. Inquific. Book 3. Ca$ . 10. 2 " before The History of the Inquisition. 91 " before fupprefled them in Languedoc, Dauphiny, and Provence, by the " Preaching of many famous Men, and efpecially of St. Dominick. And " therefore the Refcripts fent by the Popes to thofe Inquifitors, they ordered < c to be obferved by the Tnquifitors of other Provinces, where there were any. " They were fent firft to thofe of Italy, becaufe they efpecially needed that " Provifion, and thofe Conftitutions." One may alio read in the Bulls the fame Laws often repeated, without any Alteration, by different Popes. For, DireB.inq. as the fame Pegna obferves, " it feems to have been an ancient Cuftom, when Pttr - 2 - «' the Matter required it, that every Pope, in the Beginning of his Pontifi- Commntt " cate, mould publifh Laws againft Hereticks, and Rebels againft the *« Church, to deter them from fo great a Crime by the Severity of Punifh- " ments and Penalties, and thus reduce them to the Bofom of the Church. 5. at Paris, Inquifitor over all that Kingdom, and County of Tholoufe, with the^ 33 '. 34 *' moft ample Powers, and exhorted him to advife with grave and prudent Men rf /°™ 5 '' in pronouncing Sentences. Thefe Things are faid to have been done at the $.8. w. 15; Defire of Lewis the French King. Raynald adds : The Kings afterwards for a long Time trod in the Steps of this moft holy Prince, in defending the Cenfors of the Faith all over the Kingdom of France •, till fame degenerating from his Piety, abo- lifhed the facred Tribunals, which had been appointed by the Defire of this religi- ous King, and thus unhappily gave the Reins to all Impiety. How terrible a Fire hath been raijed from hence , which at firft might have been extinguified by the N 2 Blood ^i The History of the Inquisition. Blood of a few, France is a Witnefs, which hath been thus long torn to Pieces by the Sword of Hereticks. So that all pious Men wifh and pray, that another Prince may rife up equal in Piety to St. Lewis, who may rejlore the Tribunals of the holy Faith in France. I cannot help remarking, that from thefe Words we may learn, not only what the Popes and their Devotees principally regard, viz. to re- ftore the Inquifition wherever 'tis loft, but who and what Sort of Perfons are their Saints, to whom they give fuch high Encomiums in their Writings -, not Men remarkable for their Sanctity of Life, nor for governing their Actions ac- cording to the Rule of the Chriftian Doctrine, but Perfons who have been the molt zealous Promoters of the Papal Authority, who have raoft advanced the Power of the Church, and heaped upon the Ecclefiafticks the moft ample Pof- feflions and Riches. Philip de Comines hath a pleafant Story of this kind, in his Commentaries of the Neapolitan War, Book i. John Galeacius, firflDuke of M-lan of that Name, had governed with great Cruelty and Pride, but had been very liberal in his Donations. I faw his Sepulchre in the Carthufians Church at Papia, and as I was looking on it, one of them fpoke to me of his Virtue, and extolled his Piety. Why, faid I, do you thus praife him as a Saint ? You fee there are drawn the Enfigns of many People, whom he fubdued without any Right. Oh, fays he, His our Cujfom to call them Saints, that have been our Benefaclors. Hence we may eafily learn who are in their Account wicked and impious Men : Not fuch whofe Manners are contrary to the Precepts ofjefus Chrift, but who oppofe the exorbitant Power of the Pope, and the intolerable Yoke of the Ecclefiafticks-, who affert the juft Liberties of Mankind, and fcorn to be the vile Slaves of the Pope. Thefe they point out to us as wicked Wretches, and accufe of the worft of Crimes, and the moft horrid Vices •, from whence it ap- pears of it k\i\ what Credit is to be given to thofe Hiftories, which are wTitten only by Monks, thofe fworn Slaves to the Pope. But to return : Ravn-Jd When the Inquifition was once brought into France, the Pope carefully en- «.1281. deavour'd to preferve it, and to cherifh and enlarge, by all Meafures, the §* 18. Jurifdiction of that Tribunal. Such who were defamed for Herefy, and afraid of being brought before the Tribunal of rhe Inquifition, fled to the Churches, for the Benefit of the Ecclefiaftical Immunity, and could not be brought from « i2'8. thence by Force before the Inquifitors. The Pope feeing that by this Means $.13, z8. many would efcape the Judgment of the Inquifition, decreed that this Privi- lege mould not be allow'd them. Farther, to prevent the Roman Catholick Faith and Worfhip from being loft in thofe Provinces of France, where lived many of the Valdenfes, he tranfmitted to the Magiftrates and Prefects of thofe Places the Laws made by the Emperor Frederick againft Hereticks, that they might proceed againft thofe who were infamous on this Account. About this Time alfo, the Office of the Inquifition was brought into the Kingdoms of Ca- file and Leon, altho' there is fcarce any mention of the Cafile Inquifition in the Acts of thofe Times. However, Lewis a Paramo proves its Introduction from the Letters of Pope Clement IV. dated at Viterbo, Calend. Feb. 1267. by which Power is given to the Provincial of the Predicant Friars in Spain, which then comprehended Cafile, Andalufia, Portugal, and Navarre, to nominate two of the The History of the Inquisition. ^j the aforefaid Order, to make Inquifition againft heretical Pravity \ which Let- ters are preferved at Barcelona, in the Archives of St. Catherine the Martyr. Another Bull of Pope Clement VI. is alfo kept there^ expedited the 4th of the Ides of April, 1350. directed to Father Nicholas Roffellis, Provincial of Aragon, by which he appoints, that the Inquifitors he had made in his Province fhould not be fubjecl to thofe who were chofe by the Provincial ofCaftilei From whence Paramus rightly gathers, that there had arifen fome Concroverfy be- tween the Inquifitors of Caftile and Aragon concerning their Jurifdiction, and that it had been ended by the Authority of the Pope. About this Time many Hereticks from the Countries of Italy, to efcape the Wadding. Hands of the Inquifitors deputed thither, tranfported themfclves into the Ifle of*- Iib> 5- Sardinia. And therefore, that they might not efcape Punifhment, nor infedt $ 9 ' the Sardinians, Pope Honorius,. An. 1585. commiffioned the Minorites, the In- Raynald. quifitorsof Tufcany, to exercife the Office of the Inquifition alfo in that Ifland. .*• Ii8 S- Likewife, An. 1288. the Pope commanded, that theMinifter of Provence fhould,^ 7 ••. by the Apoftolick Authority, appoint one of his Brethren, a wife and learned^' * %%*' Man, Inquifitor in the County of Venaifin in Dauphiny, and the neighbouring^ i 4 . Places, who fhould execute this Office according to the Laws formerly pre- ferred by Clement IV. And, that there might be no Impediment to the Exer- cife of it, he two Years afterwards, An. ago. commands the Governor of the a - 129 °* Venaifin, by Letters given to him, that the Expences of the Inquifitors fhould *" 6 * be defray 'd. Let him procure, at their Re qui fition, or any one of them, that the moderate Expences made or to be made by them, necejjary to the Support of the Of- fice of the Inquifition, be granted to them without any farther Obfiacle or Belay, ac- cording to the Pleafure of the Apoflolick See \ and that all and fingular the Goods, movable and immovable, which fh all be conffcaied by the Sentence of the faid Inqui- fitors, be applied to the Produce of the fame Diflritl, towards the Necefijities of the Court. Then he adds : For we intend that fuch Expences be defray* d by thefe Effetls ', and know, that it will be very difagreeable to cur Inclinations, that the faid Office receive any Detriment upon Account of the Charges attending it. In the fame Year 1290. the Inquifition was erected in Sxria and Palefline, be-<*. ugo. caufe fome Hereticks and Jews had crept in there, who' promifed themfelves?- : - Safety from the Diforders of the Wars. The Pope fent a large Bull to Ni- cholas Patriarch of Jerufalem, Legate of the Apoftolick, See, and commanded him to depute Inquifitors of heretical Pravity in all the Countries where his Legatefhip reached, by Advice of the Provincials of the Predicants in thofe. Parts, or their Vicegerents, The Inquifition lafled fome Years in this Coun- try, and was ftrenuoufly fupported by the Minorites. In the Year 1291. the Inquifition was brought into Servia, and the Pope Wadding, wrote Letters to Stephen King of that Country. This fame Year there was a*. i*9»«- great Quarrel in Italy between the Inquifitors of the Orders of the Minorir.es $• n > ** and Predicants. One Friar Pagan, a Predicant, Inquifitor in Lombardy, and Friar Vivian of the fame Order, fiercely oppofed the Inquifitor in theMarqui- htzofTrevifo. This proceeded to fuch an Height, that many Difturbances -were raifed in the City of Verona, infomueh that the Pope found it necefiary to ate. 94 The History of the Inquisition. cite them both before himfelf. After hearing what they alledged in their De- fence, he determined that they had been guilty of great Excefies; and therefore removed them for ever from the Office of the Inquifition, and added other Pu- nilhments, which he wrote an Account of to the Bifhop, Governor, and Citi- zens of Verona. *. ii9t. The following Year 1292. the Inquifition was erected in the Cities ofVienne §> 3. zndAlbona, after the fame manner as it had been appointed in thofe of Broviu?, Aries, /fix, and Ambrun. The fame Year James King of Aragon greatly pro- «. iz9f. moted the Inquifition in all his Kingdoms. For by a Law made the 10th of the §• S- Cal. of May he commands all the Officials of all his Kingdoms, already made, or hereafter to be made, that at the Notification orlnjunction of the Friars Pre- dicants, who now are, or hereafter fhall be Inquifitors of heretical Pravity, they do, fulfil, and execute, whatfoever they fhall command to be done, by themfelves or their Deputies, on the Part of the Pope, or the King himfelf, whether it be to apprehend, or imprifon Mens Perfons, or any other Thing relating to the Affair of the Inquifition. And he commands them to do this as often as, and wherefoever they fhall be required by them, or any one of them. And that there might be no Place of Refuge left for Hereticks, Tribunals of the Inquifition were erected up and down in various Countries : In Germany, Aiiftria, Hungary, Poland, Dahnatia, Bofnia, Ragufia, Croatia, IJlria, Walachia in Lower Germany, and other Places, to which the Power of the Pope could ex- tend it felf. The Aujlrian Inquifition was at firft very terrible •, for Paramus t. z. t. 3. relates from Tritkemius, that in the City of Crema many thoufand Hereticks c 4.». 17. were apprehended and burnt by the Inquifitors. CHAP. XVII. Of the Inqjjisition at Venice. THE Inquifition at Venice was under a different Management. The greateft Part of the Chriftian World being in Arms, upon Account of the fierce Contentions between the Pope, and Frederick the Emperor, Lombardy being torn in Pieces by its own Quarrels, and the Marquifate oftfrevifo and Romaniola divided between the Followers of the Pope and Emperor, there arofe amongft them various Opinions, different from the Roman Faith. And becaufe many Perfons had fled to Venice, to live there fecurely and quietly, the Magiftrates of that City, to prevent it from being polluted with foreign Doctrines, as many Ci- ties of Italy were, chofe certain Men, honeft, prudent, and zealous for the Ca- tholick Faith, who mould obferve and enquire out Hereticks. Full Power was alfo given to the Patriarch o(Grado, and other Venetian Bifhops, to judge of thofe Opinions > and it was decreed, that whofoever v/as pronounced an Heretick The History of the Inquisition. 95 Heretick by any one of the Bifhops, fhould be condemned to the Fire, by the Duke and Senators, or at leaft the major Part of them *. And leaft their fhould be any Hindrance to this Affair, by the Death of a fingle Bi- fhop, it was afterwards decreed, that fuch alfo fhould be condemned to the Fire, who were pronounced Hereticks by the Bifhops Vicars, upon theDe- mife of the Bifhop f. In this Procefs, the fecular Judges appointed by the Commonwealth, made Inquifition againfl Hereticks. The Bifhop judged con- cerning their Faith, whether it was agreeable to the Roman Faith, or here- tical. Then the Duke and Senators pronounced Sentence, not as meer Exe- cutors of the Bifhop's, but as Judges, properly fo called : But Nicholas IV. a mindr Friar, being exalted to the Pontificate, in order to execute the Pur- pofes of his Predeceffors, and exalt the Friars of his own Order, did not ceafe his Endeavours, till he had got the Office of the Inquifition received by a publick Decree at Venice ; but under this Limitation, to prevent Scandal, that the Duke alone fhould have Power to afiifl the Inquifitors in the Execu- tion of their Office ; that a Treafury fhould be appointed, and an Admini- ftrator fet over it, who fhould difburfe the neceffary Sums for the Office, and fhould receive and keep all the Profits accruing from it, to the Treafury. This was done in the Year 2289. The Pope acquiefced in this Decree; and thus the Office of the Inquifition at Venice confifted of Secular and Ecclefi- aftical Perfons, and doth fo to this Day ; three Inquifitors affifting at it in the Name of the Prince. The Ecclefiaflicks have been indeed endeavouring to bring it entirely into their own Hands, but could never prevail with the Venetian Senate to agree to it. In the Year 1301. Friar Anthony, an Inquifi- tor, would feign have perfuaded Duke Peter Gradenigo, to have bound himfelf by an Oath, to obferve the Pontifical and Imperial Laws againft Hereticks. But the Duke anfwered, by a publick Refcript, that he was no ways obliged to take a new Oath ; becaufe when he was raifed to the high Office of Duke, he confirmed by an Oath the Concordate with Nicholas IV. and therefore infifled that he was no ways bound, by any Pontifical or Imperial Laws, not agreeing with this Concordate. Upon this Anfwer, the Inquifitor defifted from his Attempt. From thefe Things 'tis evident, that the Venetian Inquifition is very diffe- rent from what it is in other Countries, where Ecclefiafticks, intirely devo- ted to the Pope of Rome, have the whole Management of it. For whereas in other Places the Cognizance of Herefy belongs only to the Ecclefiafticks ; and whereas all who bear any Part in that Judgment, as AfTeffors, Coun- fellors, Notaries, or WitnefTes, take an Oath of Secrecy to the Inquifitors, whereby the Magiftrate is no more than the blind Executor of the Inqui- fitor's Sentence ; the Venetian Senate, by a wife Diftinclion, confiders three Things feparately in this Affair : The Judgment concerning the Dodtrine for which any Perfon is to be pronounced an Heretick : The Judgment * This happened An. Horn. 1249. Father Vmd Hid, Tnquif. | An. Dom. I z 7 $ ,. Ibid. ©f The History of the Inquisition. of the Fact, viz. who embraces and profeffes that Doctrine : And laftly, the pronouncing the Sentence. The firft is acknowledged to belong to the Ecclefiaftical Court •, the two latter they contend belong to the Secular, and was always formerly adminiftred by Seculars, during the Roman Empire. And though fometimes, by the Indulgence of Princes, the two laft were al- lowed to the Ecclefiafticks, yet the Senate of Venice never gave up that Autho- rity, but always order'd their Deputies, and in other Cities of their Territories, the Magiftrate, to be prefent at all Actions of the Inquifitors. And fo great is their Caution, that if any one hath any Commerce with the Court of Rome, he cannot aflift at forming the Proceffes. The proper Bufinefs of thefe Af- fiftants is, only to be prefent j and if any Thing doubtful occurs, to inform the Prince; and therefore they make no Promife of Secrecy to the Inquifi- tors, but are obliged to let the Prince know what is done in the Inquifition. Yea, although one of the Clergy, of the fame Order with the Inquifitor himfelf, be accufed before the Inquifition, the Civil Magiftrate mud be pre- fent, nor fuffer the Inquifitor to proceed, unlefs he be with him, even after the Injunction made. And although the Inquifitor will communicate the whole Procefs to him, he muft neverthelefs be prefent at it: And if the Ecclefiafticks mould form the Procefs whilft the Civil Magiftrate is abfent, he will command it to be refumed before him, even although the Procefs be carried on without the Venetian Territories. The Senate hath efpecially taken Care that neither the Procefs, nor the Perfons taken up fhall be fent out of their Dominions, unlefs by the Advice and Confent of the Prince. That this Method is obferved in the Inquifition at Venice > Father Paul proves by a plain Example, in his Hiftory of the Venetian Inquifition. An. 1596. One Lewis Petruccius Senenfis, was thrown into Prifon at Padua. And where- as, according to the ufual Cuftom of the Inquifition, the Roman Inquifi- tor ought to have fent to Padua, the Facts and Proofs which he had againft him ; he on the contrary demanded that the Prilbner mould be fent to him j and urged this Matter at Rome to the Venetian Ambaffador, and at Venice by the Pope's Nuncio : But the Senate made Anfwer, That it was not proper that that laudable Inftitution of the Republick mould be altered, which orders the Prifoners to be tried in thofe Places where they are taken up and confined •, but that it was juft, and agreeable to the receiv'd Cuftom, that whatever Crimes the Prifoner was accufed of mould be tranfmitted to the Inquifitor at Padua, that fo he might fuffer the juft Punifhment of his Crime. And they thought this fo evident and manifeft a Piece of Juftice, that no Body could oppofe it. This Affair was controverted on both Sides by many Letters for five whole Years, Petruccius being all the while kept in Prifon. But at length the Romans finding they could not get the Prifoner into their Poffeffion, wrote, An. 1601. to the Inquifitor at Padua, to dif- mifs his Prifoner Petruccius ; which created no fmall Sufpicion what Sort of Crime it mult be, which they had rather mould go unpunifhed than difcover it to the Inquifitor at Padua. 1 The The History of the Inquisition. 07 The Venetian Senate hath alfo been particularly careful that the Inquifitors fhall not have the Power of prohibiting Books, becaufe they may cafily abufe it to the Detriment of the Commonwealth ; for they oftentimes for- bid, or adulterate good Books, and ufeful to the Publick •, fometimes they prohibit Books which have no Relation to their Affairs ; and fometimes be- caufe they arrogate to themfelves the Cenfure of all Books, they hinder the Civil Magiftrate from prohibiting and condemning Books highly injurious to the Government. From thefe Things and others, which might be mentioned from Father Paul, but which for Brevity I omit, 'tis evident that the Venetian Inquifition is not fo abfolutely fubjecl to the Pope as the other Italian Inquifitions are ; and that it is not entirely committed to Ecclefiafticks, but that the Civil Magiftrate hath a principal Share in the Management of it. [Thuanus relates the fame of the Venetian Inquifition, viz. That the Se-mfi.lib.< t nate, An. 1548. renewed the Edict that had been firft made, An. 1521. fe- veral Perfons fufpected as to their Religion, of being Sorcerers, and in a League with the Devil, being put to the fevereft Torture, at the Defire of the Pope's Legate in Brejcia ; but with this Caution, that Judgment mould not be committed only to the Inquifitors and Bifhops, but that there mould be always prefent the Governors of the Places, and fome Lawyers, who mould know and fee the Depofitions ; that none in their Territories, under the Pre- tence of Religion, might, through Injuftice and Covetouihefs, be oppreffed ; which Caution they obferved afterwards, when the Doctrine of Luther took deeper Footing, and do maintain even to this Day.] CHAP. XVIII. Hhe Inqjjisition againft the Apostolicks, Templars, and others, &c. ABOUT the Year of our Lord 1300. there was great Cruelty ex- ercifed upon certain Perfons called Apoftolicks, in Italy. They feem to have been the Offspring of the Albigenjes : Their Rife is' thus d tk r i bed DiteB by Eymericus. In the Times of Honorius IV. Boniface VIII. Nicholas IV. and >»?«'/ 'p. Clement V. about the Year of our Lord 1260. there appeared Geraltks Sagarelli, ~ »• in the Bifhoprick of Parma, and Dulcinus in that of Novara. They gathered a Congregation, which they called Apoftles, who lived in Subjection to none 5 but affirmed that they peculiarly imitated the Apoftles, and took on them a certain new Habit of Religion. An. 1285. March, Ides 5, they were con- demn'd by the Letters Patents of Honorius IV. beginning, Olim felicis recor- dahoms, and afterwards by Nicholas IV. An. 1 290. O Ac ^8 The History of the Inquisition. At length, after their Doctrine had prevailed near forty Years in Lombardy, Sagarett was condemned as an Arch-heretick by the Bifhop of Parma, and Friar Manfred the Inquifitor, a Predicant, in the Time of Boniface VIII. and burnt July the 18th, A. D. 1300. Dulcinus, with fix thoufand of his Followers of both Sexes, inhabited the Alps, who run into all manner of Luxury, as LireB. p. Pegna fays, and gained many Profelytes for the Space of two or three Years ; z.Cemm. anc j t h at w j t h mc h Succefs, as determined Clement N . to fend amongft them 37, Inquifitors of the Predicant Order, to put a Stop to fo great an Evil, either by recovering Dulcinus and his Accomplices from their Error, or by acquaint- in^ him whether thefe Things were fo or not, as he had been credibly inform'd, after they had made a ftrict and diligent Enquiry. Upon their Return they reported to the Pontiff what they had feen and heard, who upon being ac- quainted with their horrid Wickednefles and Impurities, published a Crufado againft fo heinous an Impiety, and promifed large and liberal Indulgences to all who fhould engage in fo pious a War againft fuch wicked Men. An Army was accordingly gathered, and fent againft them with an Apoftolick Legate ; who coming into the Places where thefe falfe Apoftles dwelt, and unexpect- edly attacking them, they were wholly opprefled by this Catholick Army of Crofs-bearers, partly by Hunger and Cold, and partly by Arms. Dulcinus himfelf was taken, and eight Years after the Punifhment of Geraldus, was, as an Arch-heretick, with Margaret his heretical Wife, his Partner in Wick- edneis and Error, publickly torn in Pieces, and afterwards burnt. The Opi- nions which Eymerick attributes to them agree for the moft Part with thofe which are afcribed to Peter Lucenfis, ^Spaniard, excepting that abominable Principle of promiicuous Luft, of which there is not the leaft mention in the Sentence of the faid Peter. From whence we may certainly conclude» that this is a mere Calumny upon thefe Apoftolicks, as well as upon the Vol- denfes. The Sentence of this Peter Lucenfis is as follows,, fbol rnq. " Piter Lucenfis, of the City of Lugo, in the Province of Gallicia, beyond fd. 183.' " Compoflella, the Son of Vivian of the City of Lugo, as legally appears by his " judicial Confefllon, hath acknowledged, that twenty Years fince he began 4 ' to obferve that Order and Life which is called the Life of the Apoftles in the «« Poverty of the Gofpel, and hath obferved it with all his Power, as far as «' his Frailty would allow him, ever fince he was firft informed by Richard " Lombard of Alexandria, who obferved the faid Life and Order, alrho' the *'• faid Peter had heard it reported and did believe that the Church of Rome had «' condemned and difallowed the Order of thofe Apoftles, and did believe that " fuch Apoftles were condemned and perfecuted by the Prelates and R ii- " gious, and Inquifitors of heretical Pravity, efpecially in Lombardy, and al- " tho' he had oftentimes and by many heard it faid, that they were excommu- " nicated, who obferved the faid Order and Life of thofe called Apoftles, all M which Things notwithstanding he did believe the faid Order of the Apoftles " to The History of the Inquisition. 99 to be good, and that they who obferved the faid Order and Life might be faved by obferving ir, if they did not commit other Sins contrary to the Commands of God. Being afked, if he believed that the Pope and Pre- lates of the Roman Church, and the Religious and Inquifitors, did Evil, and finned in perfecuting that Order, and thofe who obferved and adhered to the faid Order ; he, after many Words, anfwered finally, that he believed they did Evil and finned in this, that they perfecuted that Good. Being afked, if the Sentence of Excommunication pronounced by the Church of Rome, or its Authority, againft thofe who obferved the faid Order, did bind them ; he anfwered, that it did not, faying, that he had heard it faid, that the Sentence of Excommunication unlawfully or unjuftly pronounced by any one, did not excommunicate another, but condemned the Perfon him- felf, and he brought and applied to that Purpofe fome Authorities from Sr. Paul and the Gofpel, and concluded, that he did not think himfelf to be ex- communicated for holding the faid Order, notwithstanding any Sentence, altho' he had heard it faid oftentimes, and by many, that Gerard Sagarelli, who was the firft Inventor of the faid Order of Apoflles, and Dulcinus, who held the faid Order, and many others of the faid Order, were condemned by the Inquifitors and Prelates of the Roman Church, and left to the fecular Arm and burnt. Item, Being queftion'd, if he believed thofe to be faved who fuffered Death for the faid condemned Order, he would not at firft an- fwer directly that he believed them either to be laved or damned. But after many Days, being afked and re-examined upon this, he anfwered, that he did believe that the faid Gerard was unjuftly condemned, faying, that one Chriftian, efpecially if he be a learned Clerk, and underitands the Scripture, ought not to deliver another Chriftian to Death. Item, He expounded ma- ny Things out of the holy Scripture before the Inquifitor, according to his own Underftanding, to reproach the State of the Church, in which were contained many erroneous Things ; and amongft other Things, he faid and expounded, that when Poverty was changed from the Church by St. Sihefter, then Sanctity of Life was taken from the Church, and the Devil enter'd into the Companions of St. Silvejler into this World. Item, That there was a double Poverty, the one perfect:, which the Apoflles held, and all thofe who follow and imitate them, hereby meaning himfelf, and thofe like him, viz, to have nothing of one's own, or in common. Item, There is an im- perfect Poverty, fuch as that of the Religious who live according to the Rule of St. Auftin and St. Benedict, who have PofTefiions and Riches in com- mon, and that fuch Religious are not perfect in Poverty, becaufe they have Houfes to abide in, and all Neceflaries to eat and drink in common. Item, He faid that there is a double Church, viz. the Spiritual and the Carnal ; that the Spiritual Church is in thofe Men who live in perfect Poverty, and in Humility, and fpiritual Obedience to God, fuch as they are who imitate the Life of the Apoflles and Chrift : That the carnal Church is of thofe who live carnally, and in the Delights of the Flefh, and in Riches and in Honours, and in Pomp and Glory, fuch as are the Bifhops and Prelates of O 2 " the loo The History of the Inquisition. " the Church, of Rome, who don't renounce the Things that they poffefs, nor « give the Goods of the Church to their Parents, Kinsfolk, and Friends. This " Church he lays is that carnal Church of which John fpeaks in the Revelations, *' which he calls Babylon the great Whore. Item, It is that Beaft of which " John there fpeaks, which hath feven Heads and ten Horns, becaufe fhe hath " feven mortal Sins, and keeps not the ten Commandments. Item, It is that ?« Woman of which John there fpeaks, which had the Golden Cup in her Hand, " full of the Abomination of Sins. Item, He expounds the double State of " the Church, where, amongft other Things, he fays, that there can be no «' Sanctity where there is not true Poverty. So that from the Time that the i( State of Poverty of Chrift and his A pottles was changed under Pope Silvefter, " Sanctity was taken away. " Afterwards the aforefaid Peter being judicially required that he would «« fwear to fpeak the Truth, mowed himfelf very backward tofwear, faying " that he was afraid for his Confcience, and faying -to the Inquifitor, that he " fhould fee and beware of finning by making him fwear, becaufe God had " forbidden Swearing in theGofpel. Item, After fome Days the aforefaid Peter " being judicially required that he mould take an Oath to fpeak the Truth, «' would not, and wholly refufed to fwear, faying that he repented that he had " fworn before the Inquifitor, and believed that he finned by fwearing, faying " that his Confcience was confirmed that he ought not to fwear, and in this " Obftinacy he continued for a Month and more, faying that St. James in his " canonical Epiflle, and Chrift in the Gofpel, had forbidden us to fwear, and " he read ihe Words of St. James in his canonical Epiftle, and the Words of " theGofpel. And when it was laid and expounded to him that theApoftle " Paid i'wore, and the Angel, and that the Catholick Church had determined " that it was lawful to fwear for Affirmation of the Truth, and that it was " the Decree of the Church, that whofoever, thro* a damnable Superftition, *' fhould refufe an Oath, and will not fwear, mail for this alone be adjudged «' Hereticks, and fufter the juft Punifhment of fuch, notwithftanding the afore- " laid, he the faid Peter abfolutely refufed to fwear, faying that the making " fuch a Statute or Order feemed to him erroneous. Being interrogated, if " he believed that the Pope, the Vicar of Chrift, could make any Statute or " Order, by which he and other Chriftians fhould be obliged, fince the Pope " hath the Power of Binding and.Loofing on Earth, he anfwered that he <; heard a certain learned Parlor fay, that Come mifunderftood thefe Words of " theGofpel, Whatsoever ye ft) all bind on E&tb, Sec. becaufe they were fo to " be underftood, that as the Pontiff or Priefi in the Old Teftament was to " judge between Leprofy and Leprofy, fo the Pope and Bimops have no " other Power but to difcern between Sin and Sin, i. e. between thofe who «' are to be bound, and thofe who are to be loofed, becaufe otherwife *' they take upon them the Pride of the Pharifees, becaufe they mortify Souls *' they ought not to mortify, and enliven Souls they ought not to enliven. «' Some D.tys after this he oftentimes obitinately refufed tofwear, tho' at «' length, with great Difficulty, he confented to fwear the 7th of the Calends of " November, The History of the Inquisition. lot " November. Afterwards on the 4th of the Nones of 'Nov 'ember , the faid Pe- " ter, being judicially interrogated if he believed that the Lord the Pope could " forbid, under the Pain of Excommunication, any Perfon to hold the laid " Order of thofe that call themfelves Apoftles, which the before-named Ge- « rard Segarelli is faid.to have begun. Item, If he believed that they who acted " contrary to the ibrefaid Inhibition of our Lord the Pope under Pain of Fx- " communication, did incur the Sentence of Excommunication •, he anfwered, " that St. Gregory fays, that if any one excommunicates another unjuftly, he " doth not excommunicate that Perfon, but condemns himfelf. " Being interrogated, if he believed that the Pope, by reprobating and cc condemning the Order of thofe that call themfelves Apoftles, and excom- " municating them who will not forfake it, doth unjuftly ; he anfwered, that " he did believe that the Pope did unjuftly and againft God in fo doing, be- " caufe they who call themfelves Apoftles were approved of God the Father, " and that God had done feveral Miracles for them, as he heard fay, and be- " lieves to be true •, and faid, that he believed that the Inquifitors, and Reli- " gious and otherswho perfecute thofe who hold the faid Order of the Apoftles, " do fin •, and to prove this, alledged Words and Examples, according to his " own Underftanding, and would not fwear, faying he had fworn too much " already. Finally, the forefaid Peter being judicially required to abjure the " Seel: and Order of thofe falfe Apoftles, refufed to do it, faying, that if he " mould fwear, he mould act againft his Confcience, and perhaps not obferve " what he had fworn to, and fo mould fin ; and perfifted in his firft Opinion^ " that God hadabfolutely prohibited fwearing. However, at laft they made him folemnly abjure. In the mean while, the Inquifition raged with no lefs Cruelty againft the Al-Thi. bigenfes and Valdenfes in the Kingdom of France, efpecially in the County ofTbo- loufe. The Penitent were condemned either to wear Crofles, or to perpetual Imprifonment, and the Impenitent burnt without Mercy. At the fame Time the Order of the Templars was fupprefled by the Com- mand of Pope Clement V. Philip the Fair, King of France, had accufed this Order of various Herefies and Wickedneffes before Clement. And as it feemed very hard utterly to abolifh fo famous and rich an Order, and which had done fuch excellent Service for the Defence of the Faith, their Caufe was debated in feveral National Councils. At laft Clement held a General Council at Vienna, where the Affair being throughly examined, they were condemned for various Herefies and abominable Crimes ; which whether they were true, or whe- ther the People envied them for their immenfe Riches, or whether King, p thirfted after them, 'tis not eafily to be determined. After they had been thus condemned in the Council of Vienna, all that wereBzovius, in France were apprehended at once, as it were by a Signal, and before the.». 1,11. third Year on the 13th otOttober put to the Torture. Mod or all of them, J« s » either thro' the Love of Life, or Confcioufnefs of their Wickednefs, confeffed the ioi The History of the Inquisition. the Crimes they were accufed of. Many were condemned and burnt alive. Amongft thefe, John Mola, a Burgundian, chief Mafter of the Order, when after his Sentence he was carrying to Punifhment, declared, in the molt pa- thetick Manner, his own and his Order's Innocence, even tho' he was promifed Life and Impunity, if he would openly ami humbly afk Pardon, and retract every thing that he had confeffed againft that Order before, begging Forgive- §. 9. nefs for his falfe ConfefTion. The next Year Letters were fent by the Pope, in which he commiflion'd the Archbifhops of Compoftella and Toledo to make In- quifirion againft the Templars in Caftile, joining with them Eymerick the In- quifitor, a Predicant, and other Prelates. In A r agon the fame Affair was com- mitted to the Bifhops Rcymond Valentinus, and Somenus Cafar Auguftanus. The fame was done in all the other Provinces of the Cnriftian World, with this Expedient, that as this Inquifition was made concerning the moft weighty Af- fairs, they fhould be cognizable only in Provincial Councils. Many of them were put in Irons, and imprifoned in Aragon and Caftile. At Saja?nanca there was held a Council of the Fathers, where there being a Debate concerning the Petitioners in Bonds, and their Caufe throughly underftood, they were pro- nounced Innocent by the common Suffrage of the Fathers. Neverthelefs the Determination of the whole Affair was referred to the Pope, and the Council of Vienna. On this the Bifhops and Inquifitors of the Faith, from Spain, Italy, France, England, Germany, and other Kingdoms and Provinces, put the Informations into Publick Writing, and propofmg them at the firft Seflion of the Fathers at the Council of Vienna, demanded a Re-hearing of the whole Caufe of the Templars, and at length the Fathers decreed that that Or- der mould be fupprefied ; and by their Advice Pope Clement publifh'd an Edict a, 1 3 it. tne 6th Nones of May, An. 13 1 2. by which he fuppreffes and diffolves the Or- §, x, 3. der of the Templars, not by a definitive Sentence, but by an Apoftolick Pro- vifion or Ordination, and referves all their Effects to the Difpofal and Ap- pointment of the Apoftolick See. When this Edict came to the feveral Pro- vinces, the Effects of the Templars were every where feized, and they themfelves feverely punifhed. Raynald. In the fame Council large Power was given to the Inquifitors of heretical Pra- <*. 1311. vity and the Bifhops, of proceeding againft Hereticks. One, Walter, a Lol- «"'•j,, lard in the City of Crema, and Dutchy of Auftria, had many Followers, who, 4. 1 307'. according to fome, had their Rife from Dulcinus, who at the Command of Pope $. 9. Clement were burnt by the Inquifitors, in that City and other Places. Their s. 1 3 1 5. Number was large in Bohemia, Auftria, and the neighbouring Countries. Some S* "• affirm they were 80000. Many of them were burnt in feveral Places of Au- ftria, who all of them perfevered in their Opinions with great Chearfulnefs to their Death. And therefore, to extinguifh both the old Hereticks, and the new ones that might pofllbly arife, ample Power was given by the Vienna Council to the Inquifitors and Bifhops, to proceed againft thofe who were de- filed with that Impurity, and Prifons were order'd to be built to fecure them in Chains. In The History of the Inquisition* 103 In Bohemia the Office of the Inquifition was committed to Peregrine Oppo- RaynaM. Uenfis and Nicholas Hippodines, Predicants; and to Coldas and Herman, Mino-*- T 3 19. rites ; who were commanded to manifeft an holy Ardour againft the Guilty. ^ 43 '- The Pope exhorted John King of Bohemia, Uladiflaus Duke of Cracow, Bolef-^J™ 3 laus Duke of Wratiflaw, and the Marquis of Mifitia, that they mould not fuf- 4! 37. ? fer Religion to decay and be obfcured by new Errors, but that they fhould ' aflift the Cenfors of the holy Faith. Fourteen Men and Women were burnt in Bohemia. Walter, the Principal of the Seel: of the Lollards, was burnt at Co- lonne, An. 1322. About the fame Time Pope John, by a Letter, N q 190. renewed the Con- Bzovius, ilitutions of Clement IV. and other his Predeceflbrs, againft the Jews, and*- ^ 1 ?» confirmed by feverer Laws the Power given to the Inquifitors againft them, ^' 9 * and commanded the Book of the Talmud to be burnt, and fuch who were convicted of their execrable Blafphemies to be puniftied. Nor did he fhew lefs Severity againft the Valdenfes, reviving about that Time- §. 10. in France : For he ordered that many of them, who were convicted of Er- rors by the Inquifitors, who were Predicant Friars, Ihould be delivered to the Princes to be puniflied according to the Ecclefiaftical Law. There is extant in the Vatican Library a large Volume of the Tranfactions of thefe Pre- dicant Friars againft Hereticks in the Kingdom of France, this Year of our- Lord 13 19. CHAP. XIX. The Inqjjisition againft the Beguins. r ~|P H E fame John XXII. condemned the Beguins of Herefy, and com- Jl manded the Inquifitors of Heretical Pravity to proceed againft them, and to deliver over to the Secular Court all who continued obftinate in their * Error, to be punifhed with Death. Thefe Beguins were Monks of the Order of St. Francis : They are feveral Times called, of the third Rule of St. Francis. His Rule was, that the Friars of his Order mould have no particular Property of their own, neither Houfe, nor Place, nor any thing, but fhould live by begging : This he called Evan- gelick Poverty. This Rule was confirmed and approved by feveral Popes. But as many believed the Obfervanceof it to be above all human Strength, many Doubts arofe concerning it •, fome contending that they were to renounce the Property of allThings in particular, but not in common, and that it was noways contrary to the Frandfian Poverty to have the PofTeiiion of Things in common, fo that they poffefied nothing in particular. But Nicholas IIL condemned this sext. d.- Opinion by a Conftitution, beginning, Exiit qui feminat. However, tho' all"*/. * Property was taken from thefe Friars, as-well in common, as in fpcciaJ, yet were *•*/** 1 vhev • • io+ Xhf History of the Inquisition. they not deprived of the Uie of what they had. For Martin IV. publifheda Bull, Feb. Cal. 10.1282. by which he ordained that the Property, the Right and Dominion of every Thing which the Friars had by Donation or Lega- cy, mould be in the Church of Rome ; but that the Friars mould have the Uie. He alfo allowed the Minitkrs and Keepers of the Order, the Faculty of na- ming Adminiftrators, Stewards, Syndicks, who in the Name of the Church of Rome, and for the Advantage of the Friars, may receive and demand Alms and Legacies, and fue for the Recovery and Prefervation of them. Clement V. confirmed the fame in the Council of Vienna, by a Conftitution, beo-innino-, Exivi de paradizo, extant among the Clementines. However, Cle- ment allow'd, that when it appeared very likely, even from Experience, that they could not otherwife fecure the NecefTaries of Life, they might have Granaries or Storehoufes, in which they might repofit and keep whatever they could get by begging. He left, indeed, the Minifters and Keepers to judge of fuch Neccffity, and gave it in fpecial Charge to their Confciences. Ao-ainft this, thole who were called Beguins protefted, declaring they were of the third Rule of St. Francis. They contended that the Francifcans ou^ht in no Cafe to have Granaries or Storehoufes, becaufe this was con- trary to the Perfection of the Franciscan Poverty ; that the Pope had not Authority to difpenfe with the Rule of Francis, and that if he did, his Decrees were of no Force, and might juftly be difregarded. One of them who lived at this Time, Peter John Olivus, who wrote a Poftill on the Apoca- lypfe, applied to the Pope and Church of Rome the Things fpoken of the Beaft, and the Whore of Babylon, of which frequent Mention is made in the Collection of the Sentences of the Tboloufe Inquifition. John XXII. fucceeded Clement, who, by feveral Constitutions, condemn'd the Tenet of the Beguins, and allowed the Francifcans, that by the Judgment of the Heads of the Order they might lay up and preferve Corn, Bread and Wine in Granaries and Storehoufes. The Beguins believed that fuch a Con- cefllon derogated from the Sublimity and Perfection of their Rule and Po- verty, and therefore warmly oppofed it ; and in order to defend their own Rule, dared to deny the Authority of the Pope : Upon this Account they were declared Flereticks, and Commandment was given to the Inquifitors of heretical Pravity, to bring them before their Tribunal, and to proceed againft them as Hereticks. This was a bloody Decree, beginning, Gloriofam Ecclejiam, in which the Pope gave the Inquifitors thefe fpecial Commands : Call before you, by the Ecdefiajlical Cenfure, all and ftngular received by them to their Seel, especially fuch as are profeffed ; examine them concerning the Faith, and enquire carefully and diligently, by your fehes or others, without Noife and the Form of Judgment, concerning the Errors of the aforefaic, and fear ch after their Com' lie es and Abettors ; and if there be need, order them to be taken up and con- fined, making Ufe, when there is Occafion, of the Aff fiance of the fecular Arm. Compel G rs and rebellious Perfons, by the Ecclefiaflical Cenfure ; and by a like Cenfure oblige fuch Witnejfes as yon fball think proper to examine upon the Premifes, to give their T'eflimony to the Truth, without allowing to them the Liberty of Appeal. The History of the Inquisition. 105 Appeal. Furthermore we will, and by our Apoftolick Authority decree, that any one of you may profecute the Affair or Article, though begun by another, even al- though he who begun it, jhould be under no canonical Impediment ; and that from the Date of thefe Prefents, you, and every one of you, Jhall have perpetual Power and Jurifdiclion in all and fingular the Premifes, even though not begun, prefent, and future ; that ye may be able to proceed againfi the aforefaid with that Vigour and Firmnefs in the Premifes, though not begun, prefent and future, as though your, and every one of your Jurifdiclion, in all and fingular the Premifes, had been perpetu- ated by Citation or other lawful Manner ; notwithjlanding the Edicls concerning the two Days Journey, made in a general Council, and of Pope Boniface VIII. our Predeceffor of bleffed Memory, by which, as well the Judges as the Confervators, de- puted by the aforefaid See, are prohibited from proceeding themf elves, or putting jothers in their Room, without the Cities and Diocefes in which they were deputed, and from forcing any Perfons more than one Days Journey from the Bounds of fuch Diocefe ; and any other Conjlitutions to the contrary notwithjland'-ng. This Decree Eymer. was dated from Avignon, Feb. Cal. 10. 131 8. Soon after four Friars Minors, Direft. about the Year 13 18. were condemned and burnt as Hereticks at Marfeilles by Inc t- Par ' the Inquifitor of heretical Pravity, who was himfelf a Friar Minor, becaufe, z ' ^ 4 ^' as they fay, they were refolved to adhere and keep to the Purity, Truth and Poverty of the Rule of St. Francis, and becaufe they would not confent to make the Rule lefs ftrict, nor receive the Difpenfation of the Lord Pope John XXII. made concerning it, nor obey him nor others in this Affair. Others of the fame Order aflert, that thefe four were unjuftly condemned, and affirm them to be glorious Martyrs, and that the Pope, if he confented to their Condemnation, was an Heretick, and forfeited his Power. Upon this, the three next Years, viz. from the Year 13 18. or thereabouts, they were all condemned for Hereticks by the Judgment of the Prelates and Inquifitors of heretical Pravity in the Province of Narbonne, Beziers, Lodun in the Diocefe of Agde, and at Lunelle, and the Diocefe of Magalone, who believed that the aforefaid four Friars Minors were holy Martyrs, and who believed and held and thought as they did concerning Evangelical Poverty, and the Power of the Pope, viz. that he loft it, and was become an Heretick. Many however pri- vately gathered up the burnt Bones and Allies of thefe four Friars, who had been condemned as Hereticks, and kept them for Reliques, and killed and worfhipped them as the Reliques of Saints -, yea, fome marked their Names and the Days in which they fuffered in the Calendars. This Account of Eyme- rick agrees well with what we read of the Beguins in the Sentences of the Tholoufe Inquifition. Amongft other Things, we read Fol. 155. in the Sentence of Peter Morefius de Bello Podio, that he believed, that John XXII. who was then Pope, and whom he calls the Boar of the Forefl, had deflroyed the Inclofure of the Church, and done more harm to the Church of God, than all former Hereticks had done. In the 156th fol. 'tis afcribed to Bernard de na Jacina, that he faid twice or thrice, when he was fpeaking about the Pope*s Power to difpenfe with the Rule of St. Francis : Do you believe that if the Pope bound the 'Tail of an Afs upon Earth, the Tail of an Afs would be bound in Heaven ? P Thus, io6 The History of the Inquisition. Thus, from a Controverfy originally of no Moment, rofe up at length, thro' the Warmth of Men's Minds, a difmal Tragedy •, and after the Pope's Authority began to be called in queftion, a fevere Perfecution was raifed againft the Beguins. In the Book of Sentences of the 'Tboloufe Inquifition there are feveral Sentences pronounced againft the Begums, by which they are de- clared Hereticks, and delivered over as fuch to the fecular Court. One of thefe Sentences 1 will tranfcribe at large. " Peter Dominicus being examined, hath judicially confeffed all the Er- " rors of the Beguins. Item, He believes and afferts that the Lord Pope can- " not grant to the Friars Minors the Power of having Repofitories and Gra- 44 naries to keep Corn or Wine. Item, That he neither can nor could 44 make or caufe to be made fuch a Conftitution or Declaration, and that it " ought not to be obeyed if made, becaufe contrary to the Vow of the Friars " Minors. Item, That he can't grant to the Friars Minors, according to 44 God, to carry great Habits, large or died. Item, That he cannot, by " his Plenitude of Power, make it lawful for a Friar Minor to become a Friar cl of another Religion or Order, where he may have Poffeffions, or any " thing in common, and that a Friar Minor ought not to obey the Pope in " this, and that the Pope would fin in granting fuch a Difpenfation. Item,. 44 That the Pope can't give Leave, that a Friar Minor, when made a Bifhop, 44 may become Lord of the Temporalties of his Bifhoprick, or handle Money 44 with his Hand, becaufe he ought to difpenfe and adminifter all moveable 44 Effects by another to the Poor. Item, He believes and afferts, that the 44 Gofpel of Cbrift is the Rule of St. Francis in Chaflity, Poverty, and Obedi- 44 ence, and that the Pope can't difpenfe with thefe three, or any one of them ; " and that if he fhould grant a Difpenfation, he would act contrary to the 114 Life of Cbrift, and againft the Gofpel. Item, That the Pope can't dif- 44 penfe in any Cafe, that any Perfon under the Vow of Virginity or Chaftity, 44 whether that Vow be fingle or folemn, may marry ; and that if he mould 44 actually difpenfe, he would herein fin, and not do according to the Power 44 given him of God, which Power he fays is for the Nourishment of Virtue, 44 and to be a Remedy againft Sin. Item, That if the Pope fhould difpenfe in 44 the forefaid Cafe that fuch Perfon fhould marry, it would not be Marriage, 44 but Fornication or Adultery and Sin, and that the Children fo born would 44 be adulterous and illegitimate. Item, That the Pope cant make any De- 44 cretal or Conftitution which may difpenfe with the Vow of Virginity, or 44 Chaftity or Poverty, in any Cafe whatfoever, altho' fome very great Good 44 might hereby happen to the Community, fuch as the reftoring Peace to any " Kingdom or Province ; and that if the Pope fhould make fuch Decretal or 44 Conftitution, it ought not to be obeyed, neither would he obey it. Item, 44 He afferts that he believes and holds that the four Friars Minors who were 44 condemned as Hereticks about four Years ago at Marfeilles, by the 44 Judgment of the Inquifitor of heretical Pravity, after mature Advice ; ** and alfo that the Beguins or Friars of the third Order of Penitents, or 44 third The History of the Inquisition. 107 c third Rule of St. Francis, who were condemned as Hereticks by the Judg- ■ ment of the Prelates and Inquifitor of heretical Pravity of Carcajjon, for < three, two, and one Year paft, in the Province ofNarbonne, and in divers c Places and Cities, were and are Catholicks at the Time of their Condem- : nation, and were Martyrs, and fuffered for fupporting the Gofpel Truth. 1 Item, That all thofe who condemned them, viz. the Prelates and Inquifi- ; tors, and all who confented to the Condemnation of the aforefaid, and even ; the Lord the Pope, if he confented to it, did err, and are become Here- ticks, and will be damned unlefs they repent. Item, That our Lord Pope : John XXII. is a wicked Man and an Heretick, and is without the Church of God for this Reafon, becaufe he perfecuted the poor Beguins of the third Rule of St. Francis. Item, That he hath loft totally the Power of his Jurifdiction of Binding and Loofing, and that he doth not think him to be Pope, nor that he is fubject to him, becaufe he condemns, or con- fents to the Condemnation of the Beguins, as Hereticks. Item, That all thofe who agree and believe that the Pope did well in perfecuting the afore- faid Beguins, are wicked Men and Hereticks. Item, That he would not confefs his Sins to any Bifhop or Prelate, who confented in the Condemna- tion of the aforefaid Beguins ; and that if he mould confefs to any one of them, he doth not believe that they can abfolve him from his Sins. Item, That he would not receive any Sacrament from any Prelate, who obftinately oppofes the Deed of the aforefaid Beguins, faying, that every fuch Bifhop hath loft the Power of conferring the Sacraments. Item, ThaC all are Hereticks who obftinately believe and hold contrary to thofe Things which he hath confefled, and afferts that he believes and holds. Item, That all who believe and hold the Things which he believes and holds, and are under the Commands of God by keeping them, are faithful, and the Church of God. Item, That it is much greater Perfection for thefe Be- guins to live by Begging, than to live by Labour, or the Work of their Hands, altho' the faid Beguins do not labour in preaching the Gofpel. Item, That he would not obey the Pope, if he fhould command him not to beg, or otherwife to live by his own Labour ; and that he would not pare with the Habit of the Beguins, which he wears, at the Command of the Pope. Item, That he believes and holds and afTerts, that the Pope can't deftroy or abolifh any Order formerly confirmed by the Roman Church. Item, He af- ferts that he believes and holds, that the whole Doctrine and Scripture of Friar Peter John Olivi, of the Order of Friars Minor, is true and catholick, according to the Underftanding which he had therein, as he believes, that the Doctrine of St. John the Evangelift is faithful and catholick, according to the Underftanding which he had therein ; and adds, that he believes that as John the Evangelift is in Paradife, fo he believes that the aforefaid Friar Peter John is in Paradije, altho' St. John hath the greater Glory. Item, He afferts, That if the Pope fhould condemn the Doctrine or Scripture of the aforefaid Peter John, he fhould not think it to be condemned, tho' he mould con- demn it by a thoufand Bulls, and altho* he fhould condemn it with the P 2 " Advice io8 The History of the Inquisition. " Advice of the Cardinals, and all the Prelates, and even of a whole General " Council. Item, That he would not believe the Pope, faying to him, that " the Doctrine of the laid Friar Peter John contains Errors and Herefies,. f nor obey the Pope if he fhould command him to recal what he had faid " on this Head •, and that if for this he mould excommunicate him, he *' fhould not therefore think himfelf to be excommunicated. Item, He af- " ferts that he believes and holds thofe Things to be true, which Friar Pe- 44 terjohn wrote, in a Pofthil upon the Revelations, of Babylon the great Whore " fitting upon the Beaft, by which he under/lands and expounds it to be the " Church of Rome, which he fays is Babylon the great Whore and the carnai w Church. Item, He fays, that the faid Roman Church, under the Name of " Babylon, is to be damned, and rejected, and exterminated by Chrift, in " that fixth State of the Church, which now is ; and fays, that the fpiritual " Church is to be begun and reftored by the Rejection of the carnal Church, " even as the old Synagogue of the Jews was rejected by Chrift, when the Go- " fpel of Chrift and the primitive Church began. Therefore we the aforefaid " Inquifitors, fcfr. leave him, as relapfed, to the Arm and Judgment of the are ling to live perfectly, had nothing by Right of Property and Domain, no proper Right, whether fpecial or in common, is not heretical, but found, catholick, and faith- xxiv.q.u ful: Efpecially as the holy Roman Catholick Church, which is proved never to have are ^^^- .1 or erred from the Path of Apojiolick Tradition, fays this exprefly, affirms J. :''■"' Cal. 12. he was declared by the Pope to be a Favourer of Hereticks, an open Heretick, an Arch-heretick, and a Schifmatick, and degraded from all Offices, Dignities, and Honours whatfoever, and deprived of the Ecclefiafti- cal Privilege, and declared incapable of any, and fubjected to all the Pu- nifhments and Sentences, Spiritual and Temporal, to which the Favourers of Hereticks, Arcn-hereticks, and Schifmaticks, are liable, by Divine or Ecclefiaftical Law. The Friars Minors being gathered together in a Ge- neral Chapter at Paris, after they had pronounced Czfenas entirely degraded, and put GcrardOdoms into his Place, publifhed this Sentence of the Pope, and declared that both he and his Companions had incurred the Penalties of Ex- communication and Privation, as notorious and manifeft Apoftates, which by the Statutes of the Order are well known to be inflicted on thofe Friars who withdraw themfelves, and apoitatize from the Obedience of the Order. This Sentence of the Order being fent to the Pope, he again pronounced Cafenas guiltyof various Crimes and Herefies, and condemned him, December, CaL 16. of the fame Year. Corlarius, terrified with this dreadful Sentence, confeffed his Errors, and after having read his Confeflion and Abjura- tion of his Errors, and fworn to obey the Apoftolick Commands, he ob- tained the Benefi: of Abfolution from all Sentences, either of the Law or Men. C \ ' 1 no The History of the Inquisition. «.133;. Ccejenas however not terrified by thefe Denunciations, afferted notwith- M« {landing, that he was General of his Order, and a Catholick, and lived fafe from the Papal Violence with his Followers, under the Government ot Lewis of Bavaria. Upon which the Pope renewed his Curfes againft them, and cited them by a peremptory publick Edict, to appear perfonally be- fore him, before the Feaft of the Afcenfion of our Lord, to hear their a. 133L Sentence. But as they defended themfelves againft the Accufations and Pro- queftionably who were afraid that the like Cruelty would be practifed towards themfelves ; which when the Pope heard of, he endeavour'd to render the Murderers hateful to Count Amedceus, putting him in Mind, that he had given a mofl excellent Example of defending the Faith by his Victories over the lurks, and recovering Callipoli from them -, and that therefore he hoped he would not fuffer the Blood of thofe Orthodox Prelates, who were flain out of a real Hatred to Piety, to be fried with Impunity. * Some of the Followers of the Valdenfes; fo called, according to Popifh Writers, becaufe they inhabited only thofe Places which were expofed to Wolves, bit Vrefm in Voce. Q^ CHAP. ii4 The History of the Inquisition. chap. XXII. 0/"Wickleff, Huss, and the Inquisition againfi the Hussites. Bzovius, * BOUT thefe Times John Wickleff arofe in England, and not only op- ts s &? Jl\ pofed feveral of the Errors of the Church of Rome y but efpecially the ' C ' exorbitant Power of the Rofiian Pontiff, vindicating the Rights of the fecular Mao-iftrates, and teaching that the Clergy were not exempted from their Ju- rifdi&ion and Obedience. The Pope, by his Letters to the Univerfity of Ox- ford, commanded them by Virtue of their holy Obedience, and under the Penalty of being deprived of all Favours, Indigencies, and Privileges, that had been granted them by the Apojlolick See, that they fhould not fuffer any one to defend WicklefPi Proportions, but fhould order Wickleff himfelf to be feiz'd, and fend him in fafe Cujlody to the Archbijhop of Canterbury, and the Bifhop of London, or one of them. He alfo by Letters commanded the faid Archbifhop of Canterbury and Bifhop of London, that they fhould order Wickleff to be apprehended by the Papal Authority, and commit him to Jail, and put him in Irons under fafe Cuftody, till farther Orders from himfelf upon this Affair. And after mention of thefe Things out of his former Letters, he farther commands, 'That if the aforefaid John, apprehending his being feized and imprifoned, fhould abfcond, jo that they could not apprehend and confine him ; that then they fhould take Care peremptorily to admonifh and cite him, in the Pope's Name, by a publick Edit!, to be fet up in one of the Colleges of Oxford, then in the Diocefe of Lincoln, and all other publick Places, to appear and anfwer perfonally to his Propofitions before the Pope, where-ever he fhould be, within the Space of three Months, to be computed from the Day of this Citation \ adding, That whether the faid John fhould appear or not, within the faid Term, they fJoould proceed againfi him upon the Premifes, even to the Condemnation he had deferved, according as his Crimes fhould require, and as they faw fit for the Honour of God, and the Prefervation of the Faith. And in other Letters he com- mands them, That they fhould endeavour to take Wickleff'; Confeffton, and tranf- mit it to him by a faithful Mejfenger, fealed with their own Seals, without jhewing it to any one, and keep him in Irons till they fhould receive his farther Commands. He fent alfo other Letters to Edward King of England, by which he requires and earneftly befeeches him, That he would grant his Favour, Protection and Help to the Archbifhops and Bifhops, and others, employed in profecuting this Affair. All thefe Letters bare Date June, Cal. u. 1377. RaynaU. After the Death of Wickleff, Richard King of England, commanded by a a. 1388. folemn Ediel, all his Writings to be burn'd, together with thofe of Nicholas $' I2 " 6 Hereford, and John Afion. In the Year 1396. the Pope wrote to the King, «'. 9, &c. an d begged him to affift the Prelates of the Church in the Caufe of God, of the ihovius, King himfelf, and the Kingdom againft the Lollards, and earneftly befought $■ 6 - him that he would condemn thole whom the Prelates mould declare He- Raynald. rct i c k s< The f ame Year Thomas Arundel, Archbilhop of Canterbury, and *- lh 1 Apo, The History of the Inquisition. 115 Apoftolick Legate, held a Provincial Synod at London, to extirpate the He- refy of Wickleff; in which were condemned eighteen of his Articles. After this the Archbilhop ufed great Severity againit thole who maintained them, many of whom he condemned to the Flames. To fuch as abjured he appointed an wholefome Penance, that in the Time of publick Prayers, and in the open Market, they mould go in Procefiion, only with their Shirts on them, carry- ing in one Hand a burning Taper, and in the other a Crucifix, and that they fhould fall thrice on their Knees, and every Time devoutly kifs it. Soon after arofe John Hufs in Bohemia, and began publickly to reprove the difTolute Lives of all the Orders. Whilft he inveigh'd only againft the Seculars, all the Divines applauded him •, but when once he began openly to reproach them for their corrupt Manners and Vices, they abhorred and detefted him, and ufed their utmoft Endeavours to deftroy him. At that Time, An. 1400. Jerome of Prague returned from England, and brought with him Wickleff 5 Writings, which Hufs approved. And fince many others approved of them, out of Deference to the Doctrine and Authority of Hufs, and defended the Articles of Wickleff ; thofe Articles were again examined and condemned, May 24, 1408. by forty Matters, and an infinite Number of Batchelors, who prohibited, under the Penalty oftheBann, any Perfon to teach them. Hufs was very defirous to render all this ineffectual ; and therefore, as the Fo- reigners were divided into three ClafTes of Votes, and the Bohemians made the fourth, according to the Inftitution of the School, he fo order'd it, that the Bohemians mould be equal in Number of Votes to the other three : Upon which they left Prague with Indignation, and went into Mijnia, and there condemn- ed again Wickleff* s Books, and adjudged them to the Flames. Above 200 Vo- lumes were burn'd, according to JEneas Sylviur, fairly written out, and adorn- ed with golden Bofles and curious Binding. Not long after this, Hufs offer'd certain Thefes to be publickly difputed, by which he oppofed the Indigencies which John XXIII. had granted to thofe who mould engage in the Cruciad, which he had ordered againft the King of Naples. Jerome of Prague, alfo fhewed their Vanity. At length, after many Procefles formed againft the Memory of Wickleff, and againft Hufs, the Council of Conjlance aflembled, and ordered Hufs to appear before them, and give an Account of his Doctrine; and to prevent his not coming, Sigifmond the Emperor gave him Letters of fafe Conduct for his coming there, flay- ing, and departure thence. In this Synod the Doctrine of Wickleff and Hufs was condemned : Several learned Men were deputed to examine both their Doctrines, who when they had read their Books, pronounced that they had found forty five pernicious Articles in Wickleff, and thirty in Hufs ; which tho' they were not all of them equally impious, fome being worfe than others, yet all contained deadly Poifon, and were altogether, or at leaft, in fome Part, con- trary to the wholfome Doctrine of the Church : Upon this the Synod not on- ly condemn'd the Books, but pronounced Sentence againft Wickleff, though dead, by which they declared him an Heretick, excommunicated him, and ordered his Bones, if they could be found, to be taken out of their Grave and Q^2 burn'u. ii6 The History of the Inquisition. burn'd. They alfo not only condemn'd John Hufs, who came to the Coun- cil with Letters of Ufc Conduct from the Emperor -, but in Violation of the publick Faith, order'd him to be burn'd alive. The Emperor, that he might have fome Pretence thus to violate his Faith, made a Decree, that Inquifi- tion might be made by a proper Judge of heretical Pravity, notwithftanding the fa fe Conducts granted by Emperors and Kings, &c. The Words of the Decree are, Although they Jhould confide in their fafe Condutl, and thus come to the Place of Judgment, and would not otherwife have come ; and that he who Jhould make fuch a Promife, was not obligfd by it as to any one, becaufe he pro- mifed what was not in his Power. Afterwards alfo Jerome of Prague, terrifi- ed with the dreadful Punifhment of Hufs, renounced at firft, through hu- mane Infirmity, the Doctrine of Wicldeff and Hufs ; but foon recovered his Courage, and boldly afferted and defended it before the whole Synod ; upon which they condemned him as a Relapfe, and ordered him to be burn'd. But fince many of the Papifts endeavour to wipe off this Infamy of having violated the Faith, I (hall take this Occafion briefly to fhew that the publick Faith was violated in the Cafe of Hufs, by Command of the Synod. They de- ny that the Synod gave their Faith to Hufs, and that 'twas only the Empe- ror ; fo that the Synod , which was the legal Judge of the Faith, might pronounce Judgment concerning Hufs's Doctrine, although the Em- peror had given him Letters of fafe Conduct •, becaufe the Affair of Herefy is wholly Ecclefiaftical, and not within the Bounds of the fecular Power. But the Charge is not, that the Synod violated the Faith by condemning Hufs of Herefy, but becaufe they caufed him to be burn'd. The Power of the Synod, according to the Papifts themfelves, extends no farther than to their judging of the Faith, and pronouncing by their Sentence any one an Here- tick and Obftinate, and throwing him out of the Bofom of the Church •, af- ter Sentence they immediately deliver him over to the fecular Power, that he may inflict on him the Punifhments appointed by the Civil Laws. In this Manner the Synod proceeded in the Caufe of Hufs. After they had de- clared him an Heretick, and degraded him in the Council, they added this Decree to their Sentence : This holy Synod 0/Conftance, confidering, N. B. that the Church of God cannot proceed farther, decrees that John Hufs fkall be left to the fecular Judgment, and given up to the fecular Court. Thus far there- fore the Church performed her Duty : All the reft belonged to the fecular Jurifdidtion. But here the Emperor had taken Care for Hufs his Security, by living him Letters of fafe Conduct, and therefore could not condemn him to- be burn'd without violating his Faith : And therefore the Synod, to remove this Scruple from the Emperor, pronounced by their Decree, that he who bound himfelf by fuch a Promife was in no Manner obliged by it as to any one, becaufe he promifed what was not properly in his Power to grant. So that the Synod did not properly violate the Faith given by themfelves, but pronounced by their Decree, that Emperors, Kings and Princes were in no Manner obliged by their Prcmifes of fafe Conduct, and that therefore they i&ht with a fafe Ccnfcience break them, even when granted by publick Letters^, The History oj the Inquisition. \\n Letters, at the Beck of the Council : And this is fo manifeft from the Decree of the Council of Conftance, that Simanca, a Spaniard, proves from thence, that Faith is not to be kept with Hereticks : Therefore, fays he, Hereticks De Caikol, are juftly burn'd with righteous Flames, by the mofi grave Determination of the Doii > tlt - Council of Conftance, even though they had received the Promife of Safety. And 46, -'^ 1, farther, Bzovius relates, that Pope Martin endeavouring to diffuade Alexander, §] ^" General of Lithuania, from giving any Affiftance to the Bohemians, thus, amongft other Things, writes to him in his Letter : But if you have been any Ways engaged by Promife to undertake their Defence, know, that you could not give your Faith to Hereticks, who are Violators of the holy Faith, and that you will Jin 7?iortaUy if you keep it, becaufe a Believer can have no Communion with an Infidel. What can be clearer ? I fhall add nothing farther in fo evident a Matter. It is enough that I have fhewn that the Faith was violated by the Council of Conftance, the Papifts themfelves being Judges, and indeed ap- proving it. Wickleff, Hufs, and Jerome, and their Doctrine, being thus condemned, Martin V. fent Letters to the Archbifhops, Bifhops, and the Inquifitors of heretical Pravity every where, beginning, Inter cuntlas Paftoralis curs, in which he tells them, That in the Kingdom of Bohemia, the Marquifate of Mo- ravia, and the neighbouring Places, John Wickleff, John Hufs, and Jerome of Prague, Arch-hereticks, had rifenup, and that the Council of Conftance had con~ demned their Writings and Books. But whereas fome of their Followers were in Poj- feffion of them ; he commands, that all fuch Perfons, and ail who approved their Doclrines, and were their Abettors, fhould be delivered over as Hereticks to the fecular Courts : That fuch who received them, if it were only through common Af~ fetlion, or the like Caufes, fhould be ftrielly prohibited : That the Impenitent fhcidd be feverely punifhed. He commands Princes to banifh them their Dominions. He orders manifeft Hereticks, though not condemned, to be punifhed, and even fufpecled ones, if they would not canonically purge themfelves. He farther commands the Prin- ces to obey the Inquifitors. He orders fufpecled Perfons to be interrogated upon the A) ticks of Wickleff and Hufs, which he afterwards fubjoins withe he Interroga- tories, and to be cited for this Purpofe. He commands this Bull to bepubli/h'd, and that tf// Sundays and Feftivals it fnould be publickly declared, that all Hereticks and their Abettors were excommunicated. That all who held the Errors of the aforefaid Arch- hereticks, and their Abettors, even though confejjed, fhould be punifhed, if they re-' fufed to make a publick Abjuration, or to undergo the Penance enjoined them. Finaii . he repeals every Thing contrary hereto. By this Decree the Inquifition was reliored and cftabiifhed in the Kingdom of Bohemia, whereby many were condemn'd of Herefy, and put to Death by various Punifhments : Some were burn'd alive, others thrown into the River, ty'd Hands and Feet, and fo drowned j and others deftroy'd by different Me- thods of Cruelty j. L HA I x 1 8 The History of the Inquisition. CHAP. XXIII. Of the I n qjj i s i t i o n in Va lence, Flanders, and Artois, Bzoviu?, TTIcherto the Kingdom of Valence had no particular Inquifitor of the Faith. a. 1419. J~~ 'p ne Inquifitor at Rofes in Catalonia exercifed the Holy Office in that ^' i0 ' Kingdom by his Vicars and CommhTaries, fo that they could not make fo large a Progrefs in converting the Jews and Moors, of whom great Numbers Jived there. And therefore Pope Martin, at the Requeft of King Alphonjus, by Letters dated at Florence, Apr. Cal. 6. 141 9. decreed, that the Office of the Inquifition in the Kingdom of Valence, fhould, for the future, be governed and adminifter'd, without any Impediment, not by Commiflaries and Vicars, but by an Inquifitor deputed by the Prior, to whom that Affair belongs, who is to refide there perfonally himfelf, and act as Principal. Boxhorm. About the Year 1460. the Inquifition raged cruelly in Flanders and Artois, inft. Delg. againft certain Perfons, who were falfly accufed of Magick, and being in League ^ L^Ckrc w * tn t ^ ie Devil, who, to render the Valdenfes odious, were called Valdenfes, Dom. de a °d tne Place in which they were faid to have their nightly Meetings, Valdejia. Beauvoir. At Doway, Arras, and other Places, many of them were thrown into Pri- fon atfeveral Times, at the Demand of Peter Brufiard, Inquifitor, where be- ing overcome with Torments, they confeffed every thing they were charged with, and, araongft other Things, that they had given themfelves to the Devil, adored him, and known him carnally, and other incredible Things of the fame kind. When they were condemned to the Fire, they protefted them- felves innocent, and publickly declared with a loud Voice that they never were in Valdefia, as they called the Place of this nightly Meeting of Witches and Devils 3 but that they were deceived by their Judges, who by fair Promifes of faving their Lives and Eftates, if they would confefs the Crimes objected to them, drew from them a falfe Confefiion of Crimes they were never guilty of. Others faid, that they extorted a falfe Confeffion from them by Torments, finally befeeching the By-ftanders to pray for them to God, to whom they committed their Souls in the Midft of the Flames. But their Innocence after- wards appeared j for in the Year 1491. thefe miferable Creatures, with others thrown into Prifon on the fame Account, were declared innocent by the Sen- tence of the Parliament of Paris, and had their Effects reflored to them, and their unrighteous Judges were feverely fined. CHAP. The History of the Inquisition. iiq CHAP. XXIV. Of the Spanish Inqjjisition. IN the preceding Chapters we have feen how the Inquifition was brought into feveral Kingdoms of Spain, but as yet it had not been fixed mCaJlile and Leon, or was there grown into Difufe. Ferdinand and Ifabel having united the feveral Kingdoms of Spain by their Inter-marriage, after having obtain- ed fignal Victories over the Moors, order'd Tribunals of the Inquifition to be erected throughout all their Kingdoms, It is not eafy to be determined whe- ther they did this out of their blind Zeal for Religion, or that they might pof- fefs their Kingdoms in greater Peace and Security, after having expelled the Mahometan and Jewi/h Superftitions out of them, or, as fome believe, becaufe they affected the univerfal Monarchy of Europe, and therefore, by fome no- table Undertaking, to fhew their great Zeal for the Roman Religion, endea- vour'd to fecure the Good- Will and Favour of the Pope. However, as the Inquifition had flourifhed for many Years in Italy, France, Germany, Poland, and Aragon, they introduced' the Inquifition into all their Kingdoms by Au- thority of Pope Sixtus, with greater Pomp, Magnificence and Power, that they might not be exceeded by any Nation, but might rather exceed all others, in their Endeavours to maintain the Roman Faith againft all Oppofition. The Pretence was this : That by the Licentioufnefs of former Times great Corruptions had arifen B zovws 3 in the Kingdom, Moors, Jews, and Chrijlians promifcuoufly converfing, and*' I47S# having all Sort of Commerce with each other; That by fuch Commerce * 4 * and Familiarity fome Chriftians might be eafily infected, and others forfake the ChriftianWorfhip which they had received, after having renounced their na tive Superftition, being weak in the Faith, and having none to forbid them. The Infection was faid to have fpread moft at Seville, where many, after being privately put to the Queftion, fuffered the moft grievous Punifhments. The Occafion was this: Alphonfus Hojeda, Prior of the Convent of St. -PaulPanm, at Seville, a Predicant, had for many Years, in his Sermons to the People, bit- '• z - *• 2 « terly inveighed againft thofe, who, leaving the Profeflion of Chriftianity, c ' J ' * Sj apoftatized to Judaifm. This Man was informed by a certain Citizen of the Family of the Gufinans, that on a Thurfday, during the Feftival of the Sa- crament, the firft Vigil of the Night, feveral Jews and Apoltates had got together in fome Houfcs, and there performed the Jewi/h Ceremonies, and uttered execrable Blafphemies and Reproaches againft our Saviour. All thefe Things Gufman faw with his Eyes in a private Part of a Houfe, where he con- cealed himfeJf with a Girl. The Prior perfuaded Gufman to write all thefe Things down, and fign them with his Name, and then immediately went and difcover'd all to the King and Queen at Cordova. They ordered that the Af- fair mould be enquired into. Upon this the Prior put fix of this Number into • Irons, » no The History of the Inquisition. Irons in the Convent of 'St. Paul, afterwards feveral more of them, and at laft feverely punifhed all of them, according to the Nature of their Offence. They who were the mod guilty were burnt, after long Imprifonment and Torture ; iuch as were lefs guilty, had their Families render'd infamons •, great Num- bers had their Eftates confifcated, and were condemned to eternal Darknefs and Chains. A large red Crofs, with Crofs Rays, upon a yellow Garment, which they call San Benito, different from the reft, was put on moft of them, as an Example to others, and by the Severity of the Punifliment, to be a Ter- ror to them. All thefe Things feemed at firft grievous to the Provincials, but efpecially that the Children mould fuffer for the Parents Crimes, that Peo- ple fhould be render'd guilty by a private Accufer, and condemned without being confronted with the Informer, contrary to the ancient Cuftom, when Offences againft Religion were punifhed with Death. But what they looked on as the worft was, that the Inquifitors took away all Liberty of free Conver- fution, having their Spies in Cities, Towns, and Villages, which they thought to be the loweft Slavery. Amongft many different Judgments, fome were againft Death, tho' all thought very fevere Punifhments mould be inflicted. Amongft thefe was Ferdinand Pulgarius, a Man of a fharp and ready Wit, who wrote the Hiftory of King Ferdinand. Others thought they ought not to have the Benefit of Life and the common Air ; that they ought to be punifhed with Forfeiture of Goods, and with Infamy, without any Regard to their Children ; that this was wifely provided for by the Laws, that Parents fhould be render'd more cautious, by their Affection for their Children •, that dropping of Actions would be prevented, by allowing private Witneffes ; and that by this Means none would be punifhed but fuch as were plainly convicted, or confeffed : That the ancient Cuftoms of the Church were often changed, as Affairs and Times required •, and that greater Licentioufnefs ought to be reftrained with o-reater Severity. Judges were chofen out of every Province, to whofe Pleafure the Fortunes, Reputations, and Lives of all Perfons were com- mitted. Thefe Tranfactions at Seville were foon known all over Spain, upon which divers Intimations were given to their Catholick Majefties, that mod of the Jews lately converted to the Faith, whofe Parents had been perfwaded to be- lieve by the Sermons of St. Vincentius Ferrerius , ufed fecretly in their Houfes the Jewijh Rites, and taught Chriftians the old Law : That therefore they earncftly befought their Majefties, out of their Catholick Piety, to put a Stop to thefe growing Evils, leail the poifonous Contagion fhould every Day fpread farther •, for otherwife, unlefs a Remedy was immediately applied, great Inconveniences would accrew to the Church of God. Amongft thefe the Chief were Peter Gonzalez a Mendoza, Archbifhop of Seville, Friar Thomas a Turrecremata, a Predicant, the Prior of the Convent of the IToly Crofs at Sego- via, and their Majefties Confeffor. By his Inftigation principally Ferdinand and Elizabeth placed Gonzalez Mendoza, Archbifhop of Seville, over all Caufes of the Paith, joining in CoinmifTion with him Friar Thomas a Turrecramata, to recover the Office of the Inquifttion, which in Procefs of Time had very 2 much The History of the Inquisition. hi jauch declined in that Kingdom, to its former Vigour and Severity. They de- termined that the Office of the Inquifition ought to be reformed. Upon this their Catholick Majefties earneftly defired the Pope, that they might have Power of creating Inquifitors in the Kingdom of Caftile and Leon. Sixtus IV. granted it to them •, and altho* the Apoftolical Letters of this Grant are not extant, yet the famt Sixtus makes mention of them in two other Bulls, which Paramus; are preferred in the Books of Apoftolical Bulls, by the General Inquifitor at'- l - *- z - Madrid, fol. i. and 2. c - >'"• s - By Authority of this Bull they appointed only two Inquifitors at Seville^ Friar Michael a Morillo, and Friar John a S. Martino, the firft Doctor, the other Batchelor of Divinity, both Predicants. An. 1482. the Pope confirmed thefe two, who were chofen Inquifitors by their Majefties, upon this Condition, that they mould proceed in Caufes of Faith in Conjunction with the Ordina- ries of Places, according to the Order of the Law. But becaufe the Pope apprehended that the Inquifitors, which were fettled either by the General or the Provincials of the Dominican Order in the Provinces, were fufficient to ma- nage the Affairs of the Faith, he deprived their Majefties of the Power of making Inquifitors in other Places. An. 1482. the fame Sixtus IV. at the Re- queft of their faid Majefties, appointed by his Bull, bearing Date the 3d of the Ides of February, feven Dominicans Cenfors of the Faith, who might have Cognizance of Matters relating to the Faith in the Kingdoms of Caftile and Leon, becaufe the two Inquifitors at Seville were not fufficient. Thefe, by the Pope's Command, made a fevere Inquifition againft all who were fecretly guilty ofjudaifm. Within the Time fixed for Perfons voluntarily to confefs their Sins, with theszovius^ Hopes of Pardon, about 17000 of both Sexes appeared, who had their Lives*. 1481. granted them. Many however refufed to obey either the Papal Letters, or?- XI « Royal Edicts, but perfifted in their Herefy -, for which they were feized upon J^y* 1 * 1 *' the Teftimony of credible Witneffes, and, thro' the Violence of their Tor- ments, confeffing their Crimes, were thrown into the Fire ; of which fome are reported to have bewailed their Sins, and acknowledged Chrift, whilft others perfifted in their Errors, calling on the Name of Mofes. Within a few Years two thoufand of them of both Sexes were burnt. Others, profeffing Repen- tance, were condemned to perpetual Imprifonment, others wore CrofTes ; the Bones of others who were dead were taken out of their Graves and burnt to Afhes, their Effects confifcated, and their Children deprived of their Honours and Offices. Moft of the Jews being terrified with this Cruelty, left their Country and Houfes, and in this great Diftrefs of their Affairs, fled from the Kingdoms of their Catholick Majefties. Many went into Portugal, many into JSlavarre, others into Italy, others into France and other Countries, where they thought they could be fafe ; all whofe Goods and Effects, moveable and im- moveable, if they had any, their Catholick Majefties diltributed towards the War, which was then made againft the Moors and other Barbarians. Thefe Things amounted to a prodigious Sum. In Andalufia and Granada alone, thofe who fled with their Wives and Children left five thoufand naked and R empty 172 The History of the Inquisition. empty Houfes. Others, according to Paramus, affirm, that their Number was much greater ; this is certain, that in the City and Diocefe of Seville only, there were above iooooo Perfons alive or dead, prefent or abfent, who were condemned for Contumacy, or reconciled to the Church. And thus the different Opinions concerning the Year of appointing the In- quifition in Spain may be eafily reconciled. The general Opinion is, that 'twas iih. z, cap. brought in in the Year 1483 or 1484. Ribadineira, in the Life of Ignatius ?5 Loyola, fays, that it was fixed in the Kingdoms of Co/lite and Leon, An. 148 1. and in Aragon, Valencia, and Catalonia, An. 1483. Bzovius refers the Erection of it in the Kingdom of Caftile to the Year 1478. and fays that four Years after it pafTed into Aragon. They all agree, if we confider, that the Inquifition was firft introduced, An. i4yS. but that the firft Inquifi tor General, and the fu- preme Council of the Inquifition was not fixed till the Year 1483. The Method of this Tribunal, as now in ufe, is this : The King propofes to the Pope the fupreme Inquifitor of all his Kingdoms, whom the Pope con- firms in his Office. The Inquifitor thus confirmed by the Pope, is Head and Chief of the Inquifition in the whole Kingdom, and hath given him by his Holinefs full Power in all Cafes relating to Herefy. It belongs to his Office to name particular Inquifitors, in every Place where there is any Tribunal of the Inquifition, who neverthelefs cannot act unlefs approved by the King ; to fend Vifitors to the Provinces of the Inquifitors, to grant Difpenfations to Pe- nitents and their Children, and to deliberate concerning other very weighty Affairs. In the Royal City the King appoints the fupreme Council of the In- quifition, over which the fupreme Inquifitor of the Kingdom prefides. He hath joined with him five Counfellors, who have the Title of Apoftolical In- quifitors, who are chofe by the Inquifitor General upon the King's Nomina* Carena, tion. One of thefe muft always be a Dominican, according to the Conftitution W. 3. of Philip III. dated Dec. 16, 161 8. Befides thefe, there is an Advocate Fifcal, two Secretaries, and one of the King's, one Receiver, two Relators, feveral Qualificators, and Counfellors. There are alfo Officials deputed by thePre- fident, with the King's Advice. The fupreme Authority is in this Council of the Inquifition. They deliberate upon all Affairs with the Inquifitor General, determine the greater Cafes, make new Laws according to the Exigency of Af- fairs, determine Differences amongft particular Inquifitors, punifh the Offences of the Servants, receive Appeals from inferior Tribunals, and from them there- is no Appeal but to the King. In other Tribunals there are two or three Inqui- fitors : They have particularPlaces affigned them, Toledo, Cuenca, Valladolid, Calahorre, Seville, Cordoue, Granada, Ellerena, and in the Aragons, Valencia,- SaragoJJ'a, and Barcelona. Careha, Thefe are called Provincial Inquifitors. They cannot imprifon any Prieft, tit. 5.^ Knight, or Nobleman, nor hold any Publick Acts of Faith, without con- f * $7 &c fuiting the fupreme Council of the Inquifition. Sometimes this fupreme Coun- cil deputes one of their own Counfellors to them, in order to give the greater Solemnity to the Acts of Faith, Thefe The History of the Inquisition. 122 Thefe Provincial Inquifitors give all of them an Account of their Provin- cial Tribunal once every Year to the fupreme Council, and efpecially of the Caufes that have been determined within that Year, and of the State and Num- ber of their Prifoners in adlual Cuftody. They give alfo every Month an Ac- count of all Monies which they have received, either from the Revenues of the Holy Office, or pecuniary Punifhments and Fines. This Council meets every Day, except Holy-days, in the Palace-Royal, on Mondays, Wednefdays, and Fridays in the Morning, and on Tuefdays, Thurf- days, and Saturdays after Vefpers : In thefe three lalt Days two Counfellors of the fupreme Council of Caftile meet with them, who are alfo Counfellors of the fupreme Council of the Inquifition. This Tribunal is now arifen to fuch an Height in Spain, that the Kino- ofitij.f.im Caftile, before his Coronation, fubjecls himfelf and all his Dominions, by a ipecial Oath, to the moll holy Tribunal of this mod fevere Inquifition, This Office is not, as formerly, committed to the Predicant or DomimcanPegta i* Friars. They began to employ in it the fecular Clergy, who were Ikilful \n D ' re &' the Decrees and Laws, till at laft the whole Power gradually devolved on them, i> ^ , *' fo that now the Dominican Friars have no Part in it ; tho' the Inquifitors often- Cmm ' *^ times ufe their Affiftance, in judging of Propofitions, and they are employed as Counfellors in the Holy Office. The firlt Inquifnor General in the Kingdoms of Spain, was Friar Thomas Tur- recremata, a Predicant, Prior of the Monaftery of the Holy Crofs at Segovia^ who was in high Efteem with their Majefties, as having often expiated their Sins by Penance. Paramus relates, that he was created Inquifitor General of the Kingdoms of Caftile and Leon by Sixtus IV. An. 1483. and that the Pope gave him Power by his Letters of making fuch Inquifitors as he thought pro- per, and of recalling thofe who had been Inquifitors there before, and order- ed him to make ufe of the new Method appointed in managing Caufes of the Faith, which was much more proper than the old one. Afterwards the fame Pope made the Provinces of Aragon, Valencia, Catalonia and Sicily, fubject to the fupreme Inquifitor of Cajlik and Leon, by his Bull, expedited the fame Year 14S3. This Bull Innocent VIII. who fucceeded Sixtus in the Pontificate, confirmed, as far as it related to Caftile and Leon, An. 14S5. and the next Year as it related to Aragon, Valencia, and Catalonia. Alexander VI. did the fame. Innocent's, Bull runs thus : Innocent Bijhop, Servant of the Servants of God, to our beloved Son Thomat Turrecremata, of the Order of Predicant Friars, and Profeffor of Divinity^ Health and Apojlolical Benediction. Sixtus IV. our Predeceffor of happy Memory y in order to extirpate the Herefies, which through the Inftigation of the great Enemy of Mankind, had arifen in the Kingdoms of Caftile, Leon, and Aragon, and other Kingdoms and Dominions fubjeel to our mo fi dear Son in Chrift, King Ferdinand, and to our moft dear Daughter in Chrift, £>ueen Elizabeth, as we have been in- formed, to our great Grief, by diverfe Letters inftituted and deputed Thee Inquifitor General of heretical Pravity, in all the Kingdoms, Dominions, and Countries aforeftiid^ AS in the faid Letter sis more fully contained, the Tenor of which is hereby to be fully R 2 underjiood^ 124. The History of the Inquisition. underflood, as though they were inserted in thefe prefent, Word for Word. We therefore defiring, according to the Duty incumbent on us, that in our 'Time alfo the Office of the Inquifition may, as it ought, proceed in a due Manner, do by our Apo- Jiolick Authority, and by our own certain Knowledge, by Virtue of thefe prefenty approve and confirm fuch Injlitution and Deputation, and all and fingular the Let- ters for that End, and decree that they fh all remain in full Strength -, and we do now afrefh make, conftitute and depute Thee to be Inquijitor in the Kingdoms and Do- minions aforefaid, with the fame Powers which the faid Sixtus, our Predeceffor y had before granted you : We do alfo renew the aforefaid Letters in all and every Thing ; and grant unto you full, free and univerfal Power to take and fubflitute other Ecclefiaflical Perfons, fit, learned, and fearing God, provided they be Mafiers in Divinity, Doclors of the Civil or Canon Law, Licenciates, Canons of Cathedral Churches, or otherways in Pojfejfion of Ecclefiaflical Dignities, as often, and when- soever you fhall know there is need ; as alfo to remove any, and put others alike qualified in their room, who fhall enjoy the like Jurifdiclion, Power and Authority of Proceeding with the Ordinary in the faid Affair, that any other Perfons do. And becaufe Uisjuft, that thofe who labour info holy an Office, Affair, and neceffa- ry Work, fhould not be deprived of their Rights, by the fame Authority we grant to all and fingular Ecclefiaflical Perfons, who fhall be engaged in this Work, and fo long as they fhall labour in it, the Fruits, Returns and Profits of all Ecclefiaflical Be- nefices, with or without Cure, which they have, or hereafter Jhall have, of what Kind foever, in any Churches or Places, freely to enjoy them in the fame full Man- ner {all the Dues and Cufloms of fuch Benefices maintained) as they would have enjoyed them if they had perfonally refided in the faid Churches or Places ; and that they fhall not be obliged in the mean Time to refide in them, nor forced to it by any Perfon or Authority whatfoever ; notwithflanding ye have not made your firfi perfonal ufual Refidence in fuch Churches or Places, any Apoftolical, Provin- cial, Synodical, or other general Edicls to the contrary, or any fpecial Conftitutions, Appointments, Statutes or Cufloms of thofe Churches where fuch Benefices may be> 1 Strengthened by Oath, Apoftolical Confirmation^ or any other Security whatfoever ; and although the faid Perfons may have hitherto, or hereafter Jhall happen to fware by themfelves, or their Procurator, that they willferve in fuch Benefices, and not obtain Letters Apoftolical, to difpenfe with them, nor make Ufe of fuch Letters obtained by %ther or others, or granted to others upon any Account whatfoever, and all other Things to the contrary notwithflanding, mentioned by the faid Sixtus our Predeceffor, in his faid Letters Apoftolical, and all other Things to the contrary notwithflanding whatfoever. Given at Rome at St. PeterV, in the Tear of the Incarnation of our Lord 1484, (or 1485.) Feb. Ides 3. and fecond Tear of our Pontificate. In the Year 1484. as we may colled from the firft Inftru&ion of Seville, there was held by the Papal Authority, and at the Defire of their Catho- lick Majefties, a famous Afiembly of Men, moll learned in both Laws, and in Divinity, at Seville, Friar Thomas de Turrecremata, Inquifitor General of all Spain, being Prefident, in which the Method of Proceeding againil hereti- cal Pravity was agreed on, and feveral Laws and Conftitutions made and fettled, which the Inquifitors ufe to this Day, This Order was afterwards in- The History of the Inquisition. 125 inlawed by other Inftructions. In the fame AiTembly it was provided that»»- Jnfir. the Inquifitors fhould pubiifh an Edict in their Diocefes, by which it was or- l * '*}• ** dered, that whofoever, within forty, fifty, or more Days, as they fhould judge proper, fhould voluntarily and fully confefs their Errors and Herefies before the Inquifitors, and fhould difcover other Hereticks, fhould be admit- ted to wholfome Penance, and reconciled to the Church, without fuffering Death, Irons, or the Forfeiture and Con fifcation of their Effects. The Ob- *. 1478. fervation of Bzovius is here remarkable. From this Beginning the Inquifition grew $• *4» up into fuch an Authority and Power, as makes it the mojl terrible to bad Men throughout the whole Chrijiian World \ given by God for the unspeakable Benefit of the whole Commonwealth, and as a prefent Remedy againjl thofe threaining Evils with which other Provinces are afflicled : For no human Wifdom could ever have pro- vided againjl fuch fatal Dangers. Neither muft I omit what Slmancas fays : Be Caiti*. Spain was always mojl zealous for the Chrijiian Religion, and ever mofl fiucerely ln P L _ t;t ' reverenced the Catholick Faith, after it once received it ; and bare the greaieft Ha-* J ' ^ 41, tred to Hereticks. All in Spain who have Cognizance of the Affairs of Faith, ob- ferve the Duty of their Office with that Fidelity, that Integrity and Vigilance, that no one dares whifper any Thing againfl the holy Statutes of the Church. Fn other Places Vafxus Men are retrained from acling impioufly, but in Spain they are not permitted to c«wV. jpeak but according to Piety, hi other Places Errors are extirpated when they arife ; w "' tcrn * but in Spain the very Seeds of Herefy are dejlroy'd before they jpring up. [Ludovicus a Paramo relates, that in the Year 1485. there were famous Acts'-*- -• *■'?> of the Inquifition, by the Inquifitors of heretical Pravity, in the Town of Gua- '-• ca P M 4« dalup, held in a Pulpit and on a very large Scaffold, erected before the Doors of"',g' *' the Church, in the Church Yard, over againfl the Market Place, in which Acts of the Inquifition, which were feven or eight, Friar Didachus Marcheaa, an heretical Monk, and fifty two for judaifing, of both Sexes, weredeliver'd over to the Fire; forty fix Bodies of Hereticks were dug out of their Graves, and adjudged to the Flames ; the Images of twenty five abfent Perfons were burn'd ; fixteen condemned to perpetual Punifhment, befides innumerable others fent to the Gallies ; and others condemned to ware confecrated courfe Habits, as a Mark of perpetual Penance and Infamy. When thefe Acts were finifh'd, and the Fathers Inquifitors were departing from Guadalup, they publifh'd an Edict by the Common Cryer, that within one Month all Per- fons, of every Sex and Age, infected with the Jewijh Superftition, fhould leave that Town, under the Penalty of being punifhed as relapfed : And they made it a perpetual Law, that for the Honour of the Virgin Mother of God, and her facred Convent and People, no converted Perfon, or of the Race of the Jews, fhould from henceforth ever dwell there. Upon Occafion of this Edict, Care was taken in the firft general Chapter, that was afterwards cele- brated in the Convent of St. Jerome, the Prior of which, Friar Numinis ab Arevolo, with other Inquifitors, held thofe Acts, that no one of the laid Race fhould ever be admitted to the facred Order of St. Jerome. What Psramtti adds farther is ridiculous : That when the aforefaid Inquifitor of the holy Office eagerly dcfired fome Sign from the bleffed Virgin Mary, of Guadajuf^ ia ia6 The History of the Inquisition. in thofe Days of the Tnquifition, to exalt the Faith, and for theConfufion of He- refies and Errors, there were fo many evident Miracles wrought by pioufly invocating the holy Virgin, that Doctor Francis Sanolius de la Fuente, one of the faid Fathers, who had undertaken the Care of writing thofe Things, was quite tired out with writing them, through the Multitude of the Miracles. For there were fixty Miracles counted up for the Confirmation of the Faith, the Approbation of the Office of the holy Inquifition, the Edification of many, and the Difplay of the Divine Power. W. j. tit. The fame Perfon relates, that Pope Sixlus IV. at the Defire of Ferdinand *• ca P- 8. a nd Ifabell, extended the fupreme Power of the Inquifition, which he had * l ? *s/' g rante d t0 'Thomas a Turrecremata, in the Kingdom of Cajlile, to Aragon, Ca- C * talonia, Valencia, and Sicily. However, great Oppofition was made to this Tribunal in Aragon, many declaring that this new Form of the Inquifition was contrary to the Prerogatives and Liberties of the Kingdom, and was in it felf too fevere and unrighteous •, that the Depositions of the WitnefTes were not (hewn to the Criminals ; and that Perfons Eftates were confifcated be- caufe of fome heretical Mark •, which Things they affirmed were not only •contrary to the Ufage of the Kingdom, but to every Rule of Juftice. And that they might more eafily obtain the Abrogation of the Inquifition, they fent a large Sum of Money to the Courts of the Pope, and of the King. However, they obtained nothing-, fo that at laft the People broke out into an open Tumult, which Raynald and Ozovius principally attribute] to the new Converts, who from the Jewijh Superftition and Race were converted Jlaynald. to Chriftianity. Many of the principal Men joined themfelves to them, who a. 1485. complained that new Laws were introduced contrary to the Liberties of Aragon. $.11,2,1. D ur j n g this Sedition Peter Arbuefius, the Inquifitor, was killed at Saragojfa, as Ezovius, j je was f a yj n g hj s p ra y ers before the High Altar. The Murder was imputed 5.10,11. $.0 the Jews. [The Murderers, as Paramus relates, were not long after all taken up by -the Inquificors, delivered over to the fecular Arm, and fufFered moft dreadful Punifhments.] But all Attempts for the Liberty of Aragon were in vain •, and fo far was this Tribunal of the Inquifition in Matters of Religion from being abolifhed, that upon the Death of thofe who oppofed it, it was much more ftrongly confirmed than ever. For Ferdinand and Ifabel, to give the greater Authority to the Tribunal of the Inquifition, gave the Royal Pa- Jace at Saragojfa to the Judges of the Faith, and by many Provifions confirmed the Tribunal of the Faith. They alfo endeavoured to propagate the Office of the Inquifition in all Bzovius, their Kingdoms. Pope Innocent VIII. publifhed a Decree, An. 149 1. againft: a. 1491. thofe who fliould hinder any from appealing to the Apoftolick See. When $• 5* that Conftitution was publifhed, it happen'd that the Bifhops of Segovia and Calaborre in Spain, their Parents, Kindred, and fome other illuftrious Ecclefia- itical Perfons, powerful for their Riches and Intereft, were accufed of Herefy before the Inquifitor General of Aragon, Valencia, and Catalonia. They ap- pealed to Pope Innocent, that they might not be tried in the ordinary Court, but that their Caufe might be determined at the Court of Rome. Fnar Thomas Tur~ recremata The History of the Inquisitiok. 127 recremata was at that Time lnquifitor General. The King and Queen thought that that Appeal was made to eicape Juftice, and would occafion great Scan- dal and Danger, and therefore intimated to the Pope what was neceflary to preferve the Faith, and befought him that he would not fuffer any Perions r by frivolous Pretences, to bring the ordinary Jurisdiction of the Holy Office into Contempt. The Pope was not ignorant that the Caufes of the Bifhops, when guilty ofHerefy, belonged to the Apoftolick See, but however did not cite them to Rome, but appointed the Bifhcp of Tournay his Nuncio or Com- miliary in Spain, who mould examine the Caufe jointly with the lnquifitor, and report the whole Affair upon the Judiciary Procefs to the Apoftolick See, and wait for the Determination of his Holinefs thereupon, but ordered that the Jnquifitor mould proceed upon ail others, who were not Bifhops, accufed of Herefy, according to his Office. 'This -was granted, fays Surila, at that Time to the Piety of their Majeflies, whofe only and principal Care was to put a Stop to Impiety. Paramus adds, " That when it was afterwards found by Experience. . c . 4. B . 14 " and the Event of Things, that great Inconveniences arofe from that Me- " thod of Proceeding, the Pope ordered that the lnquifitor General mould deter- " mine in all Caufes of Appeal, which isobferved to this Day, the Pope ne- " ver fuffering fuch Affairs to be brought before the Apoftolick See upon any 8- Bzovius, a. 1496. $. 15,16, Raynald. a. 1496. ,$. z6,&c 17w History of the Inquisition. God. After this, he laid down the Crucifix before them, and departed. When the Time was elapfed, they who perfifted in their Religion were forced to depart, with their Wives, Children, Servants, Families, and Effects, and forbid ever to return into Spain, where if they were ever after found, they were to be immediately punifhed with Death and Confifcation of Goods. It was a!fo provided by the Pragmatick Laws, that 'no Jew mould ever enter Spain upon any Pretence whatfoever, under the fame Penalty of Death, and Confifcation of Goods, if ever found there ; and that it mould fignify no- thing tho' they declared they were willing to be converted to the Faith, unlefs they mould make publick Proteftation of it upon their firft Entrance into the Kingdom. And if any Chriflian was convicted of harbouring the Jews, all his Effects were to be forfeited. Pragm. 5. at Granada, 1492. and Pragm. 6. ibid. 1499. John Picus, Earl of Mirandola, gives a fine Account of this Expulfion, in his Book againft Attrologers, lib.. $ cap. 12. The Number of thofe who were thus banifhed from Spain were four hundred thoufand Jews, ac- cording to Reuchlin and others. Mariana fays, 'tis not eafy to reduce them to any certain Number. Moft Writers affirm, there were 170000 Families that departed ; others fay there were 800000 Perfons, a prodigious Number, al- moft exceeding Belief. Some of them, who were a little more dilatory in ga- thering together their Effects, and would not turn Chriftians, were fold for Slaves-, and of thofe who left their Country, Surita tells us many died of the Fatigues of Travelling, or the Plague. The Jews, thus driven from Spain, fled for the moft part into Portugal, and obtained from King John, under certain Conditions, that they might live there for a certain Seafon. The Conditions were chiefly thefe, That every one fhould pay to the King eight Pieces of Gold, and leave Portugal within a limit- ed Time, and forfeit their Liberty if they exceeded it ; and that the King fhould grant them free Liberty to fail away. Whilfl the King lived, Bzo- vius tells us he took great Care to perform his Promife to the Jews. He commanded his Officers in the Ports, that they fhould agree with the Matters of Ships, for tranfporting the Jews where they pleas'd for a reafonable Price ; and farther order'd, that no one fhould injure them. But it happen'd far o her- wife: For the Merchants and Matters, who had receiv'd the Jews on board their Ships, ufed them very cruelly at Sea. Not contented with the Price they had agreed for, they ufed all the Methods they could invent to exrort more from them, and befioVs this, even forced their Wives and Daughters. Thefe hor- rid Abu fes terrifying the Jews that yet remained in Portugal, and not being able through Poverty to purchafe within the Time the Neceffaries for their Voyage, fuffer'd it to elapfe, and thus loft their Liberty ; and he who wanted a Jew Servant, begged him of the King. In the mean while King John died. His Succeffor Emanuel, finding that the Jews could not help flaying longer in Portugal than the Time fixed them by John, gave them all their Liberty. Some Time after this he was advifed by the King and Queen of Caftile by Letters, not to fuffer that wicked Nation, hated by God and Man, to abide in Portugal. After mature Deliberation of the Affair, he commanded all the 2 Jews The History of the Inquisition. 129 Jews and Moors in Portugal, who would not profefs the Chriftian Religion, toRaynald,- depart the Kingdom, and fet them a Day, after which, if any of them were*- '49* ■ found there, they ihould forfeit their Liberty. The Moors immediately paffed ^ ^ 6 ' &c ' over into Africa. And as the Jews were preparing to depart, the King com- Bzovius, manded that all their Children, who were not above fourteen Years old, mould*- *497. be taken from their Parents, and educated in the Chriftian Religion. It was^' l7 ' a moll: affecting Thing, to fee Children fnatched from the Embraces of their Mothers, and Fathers embracing their Children violently torn from them, and even beat with Clubs, to hear the dreadful Cries they made, and every Place filled with the Lamentations and Yells of Women. Many through In- dignation threw their Sons into Pits, and others killed them with their own Hands. What added to their Mifery was, that thofe who would have gone over to Africa to avoid thefe Evils, were not fuffered ; for the King deferred giving them the Liberty of failing Day after Day. And although at firft he affigned them three Ports, where they might go on board, he afterwards forbid their failing from any other but that of Lisbon. This brought a vafl; Number of the Jews to that City. Bu in the mean while the appointed Day was pad, fo that fuch of them as could not get off were neceffarily made Slaves. Moftof them being overcoire with thefe Calamities, chofe rather either fincerely or feignediy, to male Profeffion of Chriftianity, than to live in fuch Miferies, and being baptized; recovered their Liberty and Chil- dren. No Violence however was offered to the Moors, leaft the Saracens in Afia and Africa mould make Reprifals on the Christians in thofe Countries. The Papifts ufually afcribe this Action of the King's to a pious Mind, and his Zeal to propagate the Chriftian Religion, and provide for the Salvation of Children, and yet in the mean while condemn it as wicked and unjuft, and contrary to the Laws and Conftitution of the Gofpel ; fince it is not law- ful to compel any one againft his Will to the Chriftian Worfhip, or to take Children from their Parents, unlefs the Parents forfeit their Right in them by their Crimes. In the Year 1500, Francis Ximenes, Archbifhop of Toledo, by the Pope's Bzovius, Perfuafion, took great Pains to convert the Moors of Granada to the Chriftian <*. 1500. Faith. He firft of all gained over their chief Priefts, which they call Alfa~%* l6, quins, by Gifts and Favours. A great Number followed their Example. However others vigoroufly oppofed Ximenes, and endeavoured to deter the Moors from Chriftianity. Ximenes ordered thefe to be pit in Irons in Prifon, and to be very cruelly ufed. Of this Number was one Zegri, who was the molt powerful amongft them, upon account of the Nobility of his Birth, and his excellent Qualifications of Mind- and Body. Ximenes laying ajide almofl all Humanity, determined to punifh him moft fever ely. Fie delivered him to onePeter Lyon, his Chaplain, a Man of a truly Lyon-like Mind, who foon brought him to Ximenes his Beck, and made him in a few Days defire to be carried before the Alfaquin of the Chriftians. Bound and dirty as he was, he came before Ximenes, and declared he would be a Chriftian, for that he had had a Vifion from Ala (as the Moors call God) that Night, admoniihing him to it. But S ty» 130 The History of the Inquisition. truly, fays he, laughing, / am a Fool to feek for Arguments any where elfe, hut from thy fierce Lyon, to whofe keeping, if any of us are committed, they will imme- diately become Chriftians. Upon this he declared himfelf a Chriftian, and was baptized, and experienced Ximenes his Bounty. He was afterwards of great Service, not only in promoting Chriftianity amongft his Country-men, but to the Common-wealth. Ximenes glorying in this Succefs, commanded all the Alcorans, andali other Books whatfoever that had any Thing in them of the Mahometan Superftition, to be brought publickly together. There were about 5000 Volumes, which were all openly burnt in one Heap to a fjngle Book, except fome few relating to Medicine, which for the Honour of fo ufeful an Art, were faved from the Flames, and laid up in the Com- plutenfian Library. Bzovius adds, 'There were however many who thought it un- jufi, and altogether contrary to the Nature of Chriftianity, to compel any. one by Force, and fitch like Arts, to profefs the Faith of Chrift, the entire Tendency of which is Gentlenefs, and which requires efpecially a ready and fincere Mind. Be- fides that in the Councils of Toledo, which are reckoned facred by all Chriftians, 'tis determined in the tnoft folemn Manner, that no onefhould be forced to believe in Chrift. But he followed his own Judgment, and in the Midft of Danger /hewed the Conftancy of his Mind, and declared, in this i?nportant Caje the invincible Refolution of his Soul. For in all human Affairs every great Undertaking is fur e to raife Envy,, which of ten- times overthrows the nobleft Defigns, and by a thoufand Difficulties renders them im- pracl'icalle. One of Ximenes's Family, called Salzedus, came with two Servants to the Al- laizinum. This is a Place in the City of Granada, craggy, and hanging over the reft of the City, and feparated from it by its own Walls. When they were come here, firft there arofe reproachful Words between them and the Inhabitants, at laft they came to Blows, and the two Companions of Salzedus were killed by the Multitude. Salzedus- fad for it, and with great Difficulty efcaped. However the Tumult encreafed, fo that the whole City was in an Uproar. Their Defign was to pull down the Houfe of Ximenes. The Tu- mult lafted ten Days, and was at laft fuppreffed by the Garrifon. The Albaizinenfes were condemned for High Treafon, and had the Choice given them of Death or Baptifm, upon which to a Man they embraced Chriftiani- ty. The Archbifhop of Granada took Care to have them daily inftrufted in the Chriftian Myfteries. He alfo ordered fome Leffons out of the Old and New Teftament to be read to the new Converts in the Moorifh Language,, and permitted the printing of fome Books, in which fome Parts of the Ser- vice of the Mafs, and fome Paflages of the Gofpel were tranflated into A- rabick. But Ximenes would not fuller it, faying, It. was a Sin to throw ~P earl before Swine. He allowed indeed the Ufe of fome Books written by piousMen in the vulgar Tongue; but faid, That the Old and New Teftament, in which there were many Things that required a learned and attentive Reader, a?id a chaftfr and pious Mind, fhould be kept in thofe three Languages only, which God, nok without the greateft Myftery, ordered to be placed over his moft dear Son's Head x vjhen he fuffered the Dea/h of the Crofs ; and affirmed. That then Chriftianity 3 would.. The History of the Inquisition. im would fuffer the greatefl Mi/chief, when the Bible Jhouldbe tr (inflated into the vul- gar Tongues. This Tumult fpread beyond the Kingdom of Granada. Ximenes, by the PermhTion of the Inquifitors, endeavoured to force certain Moors called Elches, who had embraced Chriftianity, and afterwards rejected it, to become Chri- ftians again, and commanded their Children to be violently taken from them and baptized. This was the Beginning of Troubles, which afterwards grew to fuch an height, that the Moors formed a Confpiracy, and rebelled in ma- ny Places. But as their Forces were inferior to the Spaniards, they were fubdued, and forced to turn Chriftians. The King granted, that as many as would mould go over to Africa, and provided them with Ships to tranf- port them at the Port of Ajlopa, demanding from every one that went over ten Pieces of Gold only, as the Price of their Liberty. They who would not leave their Country, he ordered to become fincere Chriftians. This Agreement being made, many went into Africa, though mofi of them remained in Spain, pretending themfelves to be Chriftians, but not a jot better than thofe who left it, being of a very obflinate and wicked Difpofition. An. 1 50 1. Ferdinand, King of Caflile, at the Inftigation of Pope Alexander, Bzovius; took great Pains in catechifing the Moors, and preventing their Apoftacy. *• Moi. He publifhed an Edict in Caflile, againft the Moors in that Province, and^ 1 *' efpecially againft thofe of Andalufia, Granada, and Aragon, commonly called Mudegiares, who lived and traded promifcuoufly with the Pious, that unlefs they wGuld become Chriftians, they mould depart his Dominions within a certain Day. Upon the Death of Ferdinand, Charles fucceeded him. The new Converts Param./.io offered him 800000 Pieces of Gold, if he would command, that the Witneffes «*• *• cap. at the Tribunal of the Inquifition mould be always made publick. The *• *■ 4». young King, who was about eighteen Years old, had a great Mind to the Money. But Cardinal Ximenes, Inquifitor General, fhewed him the great Danger of fuch a Method, and that the Church would receive great Injury by it, and by putting him in mind of his Grandfather Ferdinand, prevailed with the King to refufe the Offer. CHAP. XXV. Of the I n qjj 1 s 1 t 1 o n in Portugal. WE have related in the former Chapter, how that the Jews being drove out of Spain, were received under certain Conditions by the King of Portugal However, not many Years after, he erected the Tribu- nal of the Inquifition in his Kingdom, after the Model of that in Spain. Bzovius (peaks of this Affair, defcribing the Death of King John III M How*. M57. S 2 " great M«i 57. 120, The History of the Inquisition. " great his Zeal was to maintain the Faith in its ancient Splendor, his intro- " during the facred Tribunal of the Inquifitors of Herefy into Portugal, is " an abundant Proof, bravely over-coming thofe Difficulties and Obftru- " ctions, which the Devil had cunningly raifed in the City, to prevent or " retard his Majefty's Endeavours. For he learnt Experience from others, " and grew wife by the Misfortunes of many King ioms, which from the M moft flourifhing State were brought to Ruin and Deftruclion by monftrous *' and deadly Herefies. And it is very worthy Obfervation, that the Year in " which the Tribunal of the holy Inquifition agunft heretical Pravity was " brought into Portugal, the Kingdom laboured under the molt dreadful " Barrennefs and Famine. But when the Tribunal was once erected, the w following Year was remarkable for an incredible Plenty, commonly called *' the Year of St. Blafe, becaufe, before his Feftival, which was on the third " of the Nones of February, the Seed could not be fown in the Ground for ** want of Rain, whereas afterwards Provifion was fo very cheap, that a «« Bufhel of Corn fold for Two-pence." By what Means King John III. brought this Tribunal into Portugal, he no a. M35« where tells us. Only he gives us a Bull of Paul III. beginning, Illius vices in §• 3 3« terris. By which he approves of the Abfolution and Indigencies granted by his Prcdeceflbr Clement VII. to fuch as were already converted, in order to draw over the Hereticks and Unbelievers of the Kingdoms of Portugal and Algarve, to the true Faith. In this Bull it is related, that Clement VII. de- puted Didacus de Silva, a Minim Friar, Profeflbr of St. Francis de Paula, to be his and the Apoftolick Sees CommifTary, and Inquifitor over the new Chriftians, returning to the Jewijh Rites they had forfaken, and all others embracing Errors and Herefies, in the Kingdom and Dominions aforefaid, with full Power to make Inquifition againft all who were guilty, or fufpected of thefe Crimes, and to imprifon, corrrect and punifli them ; and that after- wards, for certain reafonable Caufes, he fufpends, by other Letters, during his Pleafure, the aforefaid, and all other his Letters whatfoever, and all Faculties and Commiflions granted in thePremiffes by the faid Letters, to the faid Didacus, and all Ordinaries of Places whatfoever, and by Friar Mark Bifhop of Senogaglia, Nuncio of the Apoftolick See to the King of Portugal, acquaints Didacus and the aforefaid Ordinaries, and the other Inquifitors in thofe Parts, of thefe laft Letters. Afterwards there is a long Detail of the Favours granted by Clement VII. his Predeceflbr, to the new Converts, or the Defcendants of the Jewijh Converts, all which he approves and confirms, decreeing that all fuch Perfons, though imprifoned, and their Crimes notorioufly proved in their Trials, and they themfelves condemned as Hereticks, fhall be forgiven all the Punifhments they were condemned to as fuch before the Date of the faid Letters •, that they fhall not be obliged to confefs, abjure or renounce ; that they fhall be freed from their Goals, Banifhments and Banns ; that they fhall enjoy all Privileges and Favours, which are enjoyed by any other of the Faithful of Chrift, their Children, and Grand-children, and that they fhall not be under any Mark of Incapacity and Infamy ; he makes void, cancels, 2 blots The History of the Inquisition. 133 blots out, and annuls all Proceffes and Sentences pronounced againft them, and other Tranfactions, though after the Date of the forefaid Letters •, he reftores to them and their Heirs all their confifcated Effects, if not already brought into the Treafury ; orders that no Inquifition fhall be made con- cerning any Crimes favouring of Herefy, Apoftacy and Blafphemy commit- ted by them any Ways, even to the Day of the Date of thele prefent •, that they mail not be accufed of them, or molefted for them, and that no Prejudice fhall accrue to them or their Children upon account of them •, that they mall not be looked on as reconciled and abfolved, and of Confequence not be accounted as relapfed, if they fhall afterwards fall into any of the aforefaid Errors. It is his Pleafure however that fuch as are in Prifon, or out on Bail, who have been condemned or convicted of Herefy, or Apo- ftacy from the Faith, or Blafphemy favouring of Herefy, or have made their Confeffion, fhall be obliged publickly to abjure them, before fome proper Perfon chofen by them ; and that having made fuch Abjuration, they fhall be releafed without any publick Penance enjoin'd them, according to the Form of the aforefaid Letters, duly fealed. Dated at Rome, Oclob. 12, 1535. This Decree abundantly fhews, that the Inquifition was brought into Portugal before this Year, and that the Courfe of it had been for fome time fufpended. But we cannot gather from it, when and by what Means it was firft introduced, and what was the Caufe of its Sufpenfion. This we muft learn from other Authors. Lewis Paramus relates, whom many others follow, " That one Sahavcdra oiDs Ong^ «* Corduba (Mendoza calls him John Perez de Sahavedra, by which Name **¥y m ** «* Paramus calls his Father, and one of his Brethren) a Forger of Apoftoli-^' ' ['' « e cal Writings, Briefs or Letters, appointed himfelf Cardinal Legate, A. D. mfm% 0. «« 1539. by forged Letters or Bulls, and declared that he was lent by the " chief Pontiff to erect the facred Tribunal of the Inquifition in this King- «« dom, which, fays Paramus, the Kings of Portugal refufed to receive. <« But that afterwards confidering the great Advantage that would arife H from the Appointment of the aforefaid Sahavedra, they demanded «< it from the Pope. Mendoza differs fomewhat from Paramus, and attefts f* that Cardinal Taveira, An. 1539. perfuaded the mofl ferene King of Por- tl iugal John III. to erect the facred Tribunal of the Inquifition in his King- " doms, after the Model of that in the Kingdom of Caflile, which, as he " fays, the aforenamed King endeavoured to obtain, An. 1535. However ** both thefe Authors agree in this, that Sahavedra erected the Tribunal of *' the Inquifition in Portugal, and was Inquifitor General there fix Months, " and that at laft he was difcovered and racked in Cajole, and condemned " to the Gallies. Paramus alfo adds, that Sahavedra left this Account of *« himfelf, written by his own Hand.'* This fhort Account is taken from the larger one of Paramus, by Anthony de Sou/a, a Predicant, Mailer of Divinity, Counfellor of the King, and of the fupream Tribunal of the holy Inquifition, in his Hiftory of the Portugal Inquifition prefixed to his Apho- rifms of the Inquifitors, where he endeavours to refute the Accounc of' Pa- 34. The History of the Inquisition. Paramns, and gives this different one himfelf of the Original of the Inquifition in Portugal. The Jews, as we have before obferved from Bzovius, were admitted by John II. King of Portugal, under certain Conditions, into his Dominion. " Ema- «.* nuel fucceeded K'mgjobn II. who in the Year of our Lord 1497. commanded ■ 9- tc Kingdom of Portugal, have often ufed this Method of Cure without any " Succefs. For from the Time of the doubled Indulgence, they are the Words w of Sou/a, they were not cured by Mildnefs. When afterwards, from the Year " 1535, to the Year 1548, fome Punifhmentswere inflicted on them, but not ac- " cording to the full Rigour of the Law, their Wickednefsflill encreafed. When " after this, to the Year 1606. the Law took Force in its full Severity, there yet 4 appeared no Sign of Repentance in them. And when again they had the " Eafe of a general Indulgence, and fome Favours were conferred on them, *- their Wickednefs grew to fuch an height, that they feemed almoft incurable." So that fince neither Mercy nor Jujlice hath any Effect upon them, greater Extre- mities muji be ufed, and they ought to be treated according to the fevere Santlions of the [acred Canons; and becaufe they ft ill remain addicted to the J ewifti Errors, the moft terrible PuniJJoments are to be infticled on them. For where the Procefs of the Inquifition hath not been interrupted by Jo many Indulgences, as in Spain, Judaifn is almoft extinguifhed. ibid, c 3.1. Sebaftian, King of Portugal, upon Occafion of his unfortunate and fatal Ex- „ t 4, 5. pedition into Africa, granted to the Defcendants of the Jews, for a large Sum of Money, that their Effects fhould not be connTcated for ten Years, much againft the Advice of his Uncle Philip II. King of Spain : This Indulgence he granted them by the Authority of Gregory XIII. by his Bull ex- pedited, Otlob. 6, IS79- But afterwards upon the Rout of the King's Army by the Saracens, Cardinal Henry, the King's great Uncle, fucceeded him in the royal Dignity, who immediately, Decern. 19, of the fame Year, recalled the faid Grant, with the Pope's Confent, alledging this Reafon in the De- cree of Revocation, 'That after the moft mature Confutation of learned Men, they all agreed that he was bound to make fuch Revocation, becaufe the Good of the Faith greatly required it, After Philip King of Portugal obtained the Crown, the The History of the Inquisition. 14.1 the new Chriftians offered him a large Sum of Money, and befought him, that he would procure in their Favour a general Indulgence from the Pope! But he contemned their Prayers, though he was at that Time at War with France and England, his Divines fuggefting to him, That God was greatly offended with fuch Money, and that he could expetf no prosperous Succefsfrom it. The following Years the new Chriftians in Portugal endeavoured by many Entreaties to procure the Abolition, or at leaft Mitigation of the Inqui- fition. For after that King Alpbonfus was expelled his Kingdom, and fuc- ceeded by his Brother Peter, he endeavoured to gain the Affections of his Subjects by Indulgence and Kindnefs, the better to eftabliih his new Power, which gave fome Hopes to the new Chriftians of being releafed from the Inquifition. Upon this they deputed certain Perfons, who on the 9th of June, An. 1676. prefented, in the Name of the whole Nation, their humble Petition to his Highnefs, in which they reprefent to him, that they had before offered their humble Petition to him, for Leave humbly to defire of the Pope feme Mitigation of the Inquifition •, putting him in mind, that after mature Ad- vice of many Divines, and Doctors of the Law, he had condefcended to their Requeft. They add, that for this End they had fent their Ambaffa- dor extraordinary to Rome, and that the Office of the Inquifition, and Col- lege of Bifhops, had alfo fent thither Deputies, who were both Inquifitors., furnifhed with the Letters of his Highnefs. But that they were certified by Letters from Rome, that his AmbafTador had not only refufed to procure them any AfTiftance, but joined his Endeavours with thofe of the Inquifi- tors Deputies, to prevent their Affair from being ever brought on the Car- pet, becaufe they did not care that the leaft Alteration mould ever be made in the Laws of the Inquifition. They therefore requefted from his High- nefs an authentick royal Instrument, to certify the Pope, and the fupreme Congregation of the Inquifition at Rome, that it was not his Highnefs's In- tention, that the Decifion of their Caufe mould be fufpended, but that it was his Defire that they fhould have Juftice. The fame Day alfo they pre- fented an humble Petition to the King's Confeffor, to befeech him, that he would difpofe his Highnefs to grant their Requeft. But as all this proved in vain, they prefented an humble Petition to the Pope, Jan. 10, i68o. % in which they acquaint him, that they were fent and deputed by the new Chriftians in the Kingdom of Portugal, and efpecially by thofe who were detained in the Prifon of the Inquifition, who were about 500 in Number, of all Sexes and Conditions, fome of them having been there twelve, others fourteen, and none of them Jefs than feven Years, and almoft deftroyed by Naftinefs and Filth. They farther relate the various Miferies of the new Chriftians, and how their Affair hath been prevented from being expedited by the Artifices of the Inquifitors. They therefore be- feech the Pope that he would gracioully regard and pity that rniferable Peo- ple, and renew his Commands to the Inquifitors to haften their Affair : And the more to move him, they give him Specimens, which they affirm they can prove by proper Witneffes, by which it plainly appears that the Inqui- 1 > i^i The History of the Inquisition. £tors, notwithstanding the Pope's Prohibition, continually proceed in the Ad- Kiiniftration of their Office, and Opprefiion of the Miferable. The fame Year, March n. they prefented another humbleSupplication to the Pope, in which they acquaint him, that after their having prefented their former Petition, they had received Letters from Lisbon, by which they are informed how many Things were tranfacted at Court, in Favour of the Inqui- fitors, and fuch, which in the prefent State of Things, were greatly contrary to their Expectations. They alfo give a large Account of what had happen'd upon Account of the Revolution in the Kingdom ♦, that the Papers and Wri- tings, which they had delivered to the Pope, as alfo the Writings of the Courts and Halls, were in the PofTefiion of the Portugueze Inquifitors, who publickly talk'd of them, and permitted every one to read them, by which they prejudiced others againft them : And therefore befeech the Pope, that he would regard them, and put an End to their Miferies. Finally, in the lame Year, Auguft 6. they prefented a third Petition, in which they tell him, that they had humbly petitioned the Apoftolick Nuncio at Lisbon, who had referred them to the Archbifliop of that See : That in Obedience to his Refcript, they went to the Archbifliop. That he had a Conference with the Inquifitor General ; and that after a long Confultation nothing was concluded on. That the Archbifhop indeed declared, he knew of a Remedy, and could point it out ; but that he would not contend with the Inquifitor about it, till he was fufpended and depofed from his Office by him, who had the legal Authority to fufpend and depofe him. And that therefore, lince they could not find Relief from his Nuncio, they apply themfelves to the Pope, and moft earneftly befeech him that he would expedite their Affair. From thefe Accounts 'tis plain that thefe Deputies had fome Hopes given xhem of Favour •, but that they were deluded with empty Words and flatter- ing Promifes : For they ftill groan as before, under the cruel Yoke of the Jn- quifition, without any Mitigation of their Punifhments 5 and to this Day are liable to all the Penalties ordain'd againft Hereticks. CHAP. XXVI. Of the Attempt to bring the Inqjjisition into the Kingdom of Naples. i'aram; A FTER Ferdinand and Elizabeth had brought the Inquifition into all the /.1. tit.i. J^\ Kingdoms of Spain, they would feign have introduced it into others, c*f. 10. t hat were under their Dominion. For as many of the Jewijh Race had fled out cf Spain for Fear of the Inquifition, into the Kingdom of Naples, and as that Kingdom had been again brought into Subjection to Ferdinand, Didacus Deza The History of the Inquisition. 14J Deza at that Time General Inquifitor of Spain, lent thither in the Year 1504. Peter Balforatus, Archbifhop of MeJJina, with the Power of Inquifitor. Per- dinand gave him Letters to the Governor, Nobles, and Univerfity of Naples, that they mould give him all Afllftance and Favour. He tells them that a great Number of Hereticks, having fled from the Kingdoms of Spain, through Fear of the holy Office of the Inquifuion, had fheltered themfelves there as in a Place of Safety, who had been burn'd in Effigy becaufe of their Abfence •, and that therefore, to purge that Kingdom from the Crime of Herefy, he had appointed Peter Balforatus, Inquifitor of heretical Pravity : He therefore com- mands them to receive him as fuch, to give him in all Things the Affiftance of the fecular Arm, and not to fuffer him, or any of his Family to be molelted. But as there arofe many Difficulties and Difcouragements, he could not finifh his Undertaking. In the Year 1547. Charles V. being Emperor, Peter of 'Toledo, Viceroy of Naples, endeavour'd to introduce the Inquifuion there, by the Command of Charles. But as he apprehended this would be a difficult Thing, he put thofe into the publick Offices, who he thought would be moft forward to promote it. After this he publickly declared, That it would greatly tend to the Efta- tiift. Con: blifhment of Divine Worfhip, would be ferviceable to the Commonwealth, Trid, /. 3, and be highly grateful to the Emperor ; if after the Example of the- Spa-t- 3 1 *» niards and Sicilians they would receive the holy Office. But the Neapolitans^' werefo moved with the Novelty of the Thing, that they publickly declared h ;jijX -, that they would rather loofe their Lives than fubmit to the Inquifuion •, and cry'd out, that the Extirpation of Herefies belonged to the Pope and the Ec- clefiaftical Judges, and not to the Temporal Prince. When Pope Paul III. underftood this, he declared by his Apoftolick Bull, That the Inquifition againft Hereticks belonged to him and his Judges, and not to any other. The King indeed would have had the Inquifition at Naples to be fubject to the fu- preme Council of the Spanijh Inquifition, as were thofe of Sicily, Sardinia., and the Indies ; whereas the Court of Rome would have had it fubjecl to them, becaufe not only the Ecclefiaftical but Secular Government of the Kingdom of Naples is under the Pope. However the Viceroy, that he might not feem to yield to popular Fury, appointed Inquifitors and Officials of the holy Of- fice ; with which the Neapolitans were fo enraged, that on a certain Day,, when two Perfons were leading, to Prifon, and crying out they were taken up by the Inquifition, they broke into open Sedition, ran immediately to Arms, and bound themfelves by mutual Oaths, infomuch that there was a Civil War, between the Citizens of Naples, and the Spanifi Garrifon, in which many on both Sides were (lain. At length the Spaniards, who held the FortrefTes, pre- vailing, and beating down their Houfes with their great Guns, the Tumult was appeafed, and the Principal were punihYd, Part with Death, and Part with Banifhment, However, the Viceroy gave over the Attempt of introdu- PauIu3 cing the Inquifition, not fo much for Fear of a new Tumult, as at the InterceP-Serv. * fion of the Pope and Cardinals, who oppofed the Inquifition, as not being inquif, r#* fubjeftto their Court. And becaufe the Spaniards are determined to bring iu"»'*- the 144 ^ D€ History of the Inquisition. the Inquifition to Naples fubject to their fupreme Council, and the Court of Rome is equally determined to oppofe thefe Attempts of the Spaniards ; hence it is that the Kingdom of Naples is to this Day free from this intolerable Yoke: And therefore, if any Matters of Faith are to be judged there, it is done either by the Bifhop, or fome other Prelate appointed by the Court of Rome, who neverthelefs dares not begin the Affair without Leave firft obtained from the Viceroy. CHAP. XXVII. Of the Inqjjisition in Sicily, Sardinia and Milan. .v. 3. lib. i. t. i. rnpHE Inquifition had been long before brought into Sicily. Paramus gives cap^n. J^ us a p r i v ii e ge of King Alphonfus, in the Year 1452. in which Mention is made of Friar Henry Lugardi, a Predicant of Palermo, and Inquifitor of he- retical Pravity in that Kingdom ; by which he confirmed the Privilege gi- ven to him by the forefaid Inquifitor, which Frederick the Emperor had granted to the Inquifition in Sicily, at Palermo, in the Year 1224. By this Privilege Frederick is faid to have ordained, That one third Part only of the con- fife ate d Goods Jhoidd be appropriated to the Treafury •, a third Part referved to the Apo- jlolick See, and the other third, without any Contraditlion, ajfigned to the lnquifitors, that the fpiritual Husbandman may not be defrauded of his Rezvard, nor fo wholfome an Inquifition come to nothing through want of Necefjaries to fupport it. From whence Paramus infers, that the Inquifition was brought into Sicily, An. 1224. But this Privilege is liable to juft Sufpicion, unlefs there be an Error as to the Year. For I have fhewn before, that the lnquifitors had no Tribunals granted them any where at that Time ; and I mail hereafter prove, that theDiftribution of the forfeited Effects into three Parts, didnot take Place tillfeveral Years after. But whatever becomes of this Privilege, 'tis certain that the Inquifition was eftablifh'd in Sicily, An. 1452. and whether this Privilege of Frederick was genuine or forged, it was confirmed by King Alphonfus. It was afterwards confirmed by Ferdinand and Elizabeth, An. 1477. at Seville, who took the Title of King and Queen of Sicily, though John, King of Ar agon, and Father of Ferdinand, was yet alive. This Inquifition the Emperor Charles V. favoured with many Privileges ; the Patents for which, Paramus gives us in a long Ca- talogue. In the Year 1535. an Official was fen t by the lnquifitors, to the Town of St. Mark, to apprehend certain Hereticks ; but he was aftaulted by Matthew Garruba, and a large Company with him, who killed many of his Attendants, and gave the Official himfelf many Wounds, and left him half dead on the Ground.. The Nobles alfo of Palermo, and the other Inhabitants of the King- dom forced the Inquifitor by Threats, to depart, and made him go on Board a The History of the Inquisition. 145 a Ship that was ready to fail from the Port ; and burn'd down the Office of the Inquifition, with all the Papers in it ; fo that the Inquifition was in- terrupted and fufpended during the Space often whole Years. After this the Emperor, by Decree of his Council, renewed it, An, 1543. and ordered it to be reftored to all its former Privileges, which were confirmed by Philip II. An. 1546. The Confequence of this was, that the Nobles, Barons, and mod illuftrious Perfons of the Kingdom, who before hated every Thing belong- ing to the Inquifition, and the very Name of its Minifters, now defired to become its Officials and Familiars ; and by their own Liberality caufed to be built convenient Prifons for the Guilty, which could not be done before by Reafon of the fmall Revenues and Returns of the holy Office. When ever there are any Edicts publifh'd, or Acts of Faith celebrated, they aflift at them in great State, and accompany the Inquifitors in their Progrefs through the Ifle, entertain them generoufly, and fecure them from every Infult •, fo that no Sedition of the People can poffibly overthrow it. For in the Year 1562. as the Inquifitor Horofius was publishing an Edict of the Faith at Pa- lermo, and was hinder'd by the Tumult of the People, the Sedition was eafily appeas'd by the Appearance of the Nobles and Barons, who were Familiars ; fo that the following Day the Edict: was publifh'd with univerfal Applaufe, and without the leaft Oppofition. And when afterwards there arofe fome Differences between the Viceroy and fecular Judges on one Hand, and the Inquifitors on the other, about their Jurifdiction, Philip II. with the Advice of two Counfellors of the Supreme General Council of the Inquifition, An. 1580. confirmed all the Prerogatives of the Inquifition •, and in the Year following decreed, that the Counfellors of the holy Office, and the Familiars thereof, fhould, in all Caufes, Civil and Criminal, enjoy the Pre-eminences and Court of the holy Office, as Perfons of the fame Rank with the Penfio- nary Officials. After this he commanded the Viceroys, by his Royal Letters, Septe??iber 18, 1587. that they fhould pay all that Honour and Obfervance to it, which fo holy a Service was worthy of. But in the Year 1592. Count Alva, Viceroy of that Kingdom, declared by a publick Edict, that the Pre- rogatives of the Nobles, Familiars of the Court of the holy Office, were fuf- pended i and from thence they have had no great Affection for the Inquifi- tion, nor any longer difcharge the Function of Familiars. The fame Princes brought the Inquifition into Majorca, Minorca, and Sar-cap.11 & dinia ; but not without fo great a Tumult of the People, as could hardly be**- fupprefTed. In the Dutchy of Milan, after it had flourifh'd there for many Years, Kingcap. ;o. Philip II. by the Perfuafion of Pius IV. would have formed it after the Mo- del of the Spanijh Inquifition. [During the Council of Trent, Philip mov'd Hifi. Con. Pius IV. that the Inquifition ac Milan fhould be under the fame Regu** y ' rf - /. S. lation as it was in Spain, and that he would place at the Head of it a^* 88i * Spanijh Prelate ; alledging that in regard of the Nearnefs of the Places infected, it was necefiary to ufe the molt exquifite Diligence for the Ser- vice of God and the Defence of Religion. It was loon known that the U Mat- i^6 The History of the Inquisition. Matter had been debated in a Confiftory, and that notwithftanding fome Car- dinals oppofed it, the Pope feemed inclin'd to grant it, at the Inflance of Cardinal Carpi, who a flu red him, that it was neceffary to keep the City of Milan in Devotion towards the Apoitolick See. This he did from a fecret Hope, cherifh'd by the Spanijh Ambaffador, that by this Means he would fe- cure the Favour of the King of Spain to make him Pope. Hereupon the Ci- ties of that State, fent Sforza Marone to his Holinefs, Cafar Taverna, and Princifuale Bifofto to the Catholick King, and Sforza Brhio to the Council of Trent. This Jaft they commiffioned to befeech the Prelates and Cardinals of thofe Places to have Compaflion on their Country, which being already ren- der'd miferable by excefiive Impofirions, would be wholly ruined by this which was worfe than all the other •, many Citizens already preparing to abandon their Country, well knowing that that Office did not always proceed in Spain, to heal the Confcience, but very often to empty the Purfe ; and for other lecular Ends alio. And if the Inquifitors, under the King's own Eyes, do (b rigidly dominere over their own Countrymen, what will they not do to the Citizens of Milan, who are fo far diftant from any Remedy, and have a much lefs Intereft in their Affections. Brivio alfo declared at Trent, how generally the Citizens were perplexed with this ill News, and befought the A Mi fiance of the Prelates. This Relation gave greater Uneafinefs to the Prelates, who had more to fear from the Inquifition, than it did to the Se- culars. The Prelates alio of Naples were afraid, that if this Yoke were put on the Milaneze, they could not keep it off from themfelves, as they had done for fome Years before. And therefore the Prelates of the Milaneze met together, and refolved to write Letters to the Pope, and Cardinal Borromeo, fubferibed by them all, fignifying how great a Prejudice it would be to him, to whom it belonged as Archbifhop, to prefide in that Office. They put the Pope in Mind, that there were not the fame Caufes and Refpects as there were in Spain, to put fo rigorous an Inquifition amongft them ; which befides the evident Ruin it would bring on that State, would be a great Prejudice to the holy See. Eor that he could not refufe to eftablifh it in Naples alfo, which would give Occafion to other Princes of Italy to defire it in their Do- minions •, and fince the Jurifdiction of the Inquifition extended over the Pre- lates, the holy See could not expect much Obedience from them, becaufethey would be forced to feek the Favour of fecular Princes, to whom by this Means they would become fubject : So that if there mould be any Occafion for a new Council, the Pope would find but few of the Prelates faithful to him, and fub- ject to his Commands. Neither ought he to believe what the Spaniards might poffibly alledge, that the Inquifition in Milan fhould be fubject to that at Rome, fince it appears by Experience, how they proceeded in the Caufe of the Archbifhop of Toledo, always refufing to tranfmit the Proceffes to Rome, though it had been often demanded from them, as is practifed alfo by the In- quifitors of the Kingdom of Sicily, who depend on Spain. The Prelates not content with thefe and other Reafons, aliedg'd to the Pope and Cardinals, and others in whom they had any Intereft at Rome, did farther propofe, that fome- The History of the Inquisition. 14.7 fomething might be inferted in the Decrees of the Council in Favour of the Bimops, either to exempt them from that Jurifdiction, or fecure them ; and that the Manner of forming Proceffes in that Affair might be determined, which though it could not be accomplifhed in the next Sefiion, might in that immediately following. Cardinal Morone, at that Time Prefident of the Council, gave them lbme Hopes of Satisfaction. This Accident gave the 1 '*"'"- Council much Trouble, becaufe of the great Number interefted in it. In'' 1 ***'!* the mean while this Attempt to introduce the Inquifition was looked on with fuch Indignation at Milan, that the City broke out into an open Sedition •, where the univerfal Cry was, that it was infufTerable Tyranny to impofe on a free City the Yoke of the Inquifition, which was introduced into Spain, to root out the Moors, and the wicked Nation of the Jews ; efpecially fince, ac- cording to the moft ancient Practice of the Apoftolick See, Inquifuors had been deputed into that Province. Upon this the Duke ofSeJfa, underftanding what general Offence it gave, and fearing from fome Reports which had been brought him, leaft the Citizens of Milan fhould take Example from the Low Countries, who univerfally agreed to take up Arms to make off the Yoke of the Inquifition, which was endeavoured to be put on them, and knowing it was not a proper Time to prefs this Affair ; flopped the Ambaffadors that had been deputed to the King, and promifed that he would take Care that the Senate ihould have Satisfaction. And thus ended {his Affair.] CHAP. XXVIII. The Return of the I n qjj i s i t i o n into Germany and France, at the Time of the Reformation. TX7HEN Luther bravely attempted the Reformation of the Church, V V and feverely cenfured the various and intolerable Abufes of the Church of Rome, perfevering with great Conflancy in the Work he had undertaken, in Spite of Threatnings, Anathema's, and the Papal Thunders i and whereas Suinglius, Oecolampadius, and others in Suijjerland, and elfewhere, oppofed the growing Superftition, and propagated the Reformation with great Succefs in many Places and Countries ; the Pope, to put a Scop to the Courfe of their Preaching did not only continually flir up the Emperor, the Kings and Princes againft Luther, and all who oppofed the Doctrines of the Church of Rome, but reftored alfo the Inquifition in many Places, which had grown into Decay in fe~ veral Countries, either through the Cruelty of the Inquifuors, or the Want of Hereticks to proceed againft, and commanded it to proceed with great Severity and Rigour againft what they called the new Herefies. So that now the Authority of the Inquifitors was encreafed in Germany, and many were condemned for Herefy by the Sentence of that holy Tribunal, and being deli- vered over to the iecular Magiftrate were burn'd to Death. U 2 Front 148 The History of the Inquisition. From Germany that bloody Tribunal was foon brought into the neighbour- ing Kingdom of France, where it had drop'd of it felf, for want of Herefies to proceed againft. Antonius a Prato, Presbyter Cardinal, by the Title of St. Anaftafia, Archbifhop of Sens, Primate and Chancellor of France, held a pro- Bzovius, vincial Council, in February, 1528. in which, after he had condemned the a. 1518. Doctrine of Luther, Melanclon, Suinglius, Oecolampadius and their Followers, $• 4 1 * he publifVd a general Decree, by which he declares and renews all the anci- ent Canons of the Lateran Council againft Hereticks, their Favourers and Defenders, Perfons fufpect of Herefy, and relapfed, as they are extant in the Decretals, and fometimes guards them by annexing a Punifriment. He more- over ordains, 'That the Suffragans, if theyfufpetl any Places of Herefy,. /hall imme- diately go themfelves, or fend other fit Perfons, and oblige thofe of the Neighbourhood, by an Oath, to difcover fuch Hereticks, who keep unlawful Conventicles. He alfo Jiriclly commands them, That they fhould proceed with all Diligence and Care in this Affair, and proceed fummarily and openly in the Bufinefs of fuch heretical Pra- vity. And if they be remifs or negligent in purging out this Leaven, let them know that they fhall incur the Punifhments ordained by the Sacred General La- teran Council. Let them alfo tremble at the Punifhments publifhed againft the Inquifitors, who offend in their Office, by the Sacred Council of Vienne. Let the Suf- fragans alfo diligently obferve the Constitutions of Urban V. Clement V. and Boniface VIII. He befeeches moreover the King, That he would. imme~ diately drive out all Hereticks fro?n every Part of his Dominions. Laftly, he ordains, That the Rulers and Confuls of Cities fhall take a corporal Oath, ac- cording to the Sacred General Lateran Council ; that they will, according to their Office, a fift r with all their Might, and lend their helping Hands, faithfully and effectually, to the Church in this Affair of Herefy, when it fhall be demanded of them. And whereas the Bifhops and Inquifitors, whilft they proceed in this Mat- ter, may poffibly require Afftftance from fecular fudges under Excommunication, he declares they fhall not incur Excommunication by fo doing. To thefe Things he adds, in the Conclufion, after having recounted various Errors that had been condemn'd, an Exhortation to Chriftian Princes, that they mould la- bour to extirpate Hereticks •, and fets before them the Examples of Con- ftantine, Valentinian, Tbeodofius, and others, who by their vigorous Endea- vours againft Hereticks, found Favour with God, and obtained immortal Honour amongft Men. And on the other hand, puts them in Mind of Licinius, Julian, Valens, and others, who experienced the Revenges of the Di- vine Anger, and received the juft Rewards of their Wickednefs ; becaufe, far from refilling heretical Errors, they fupported and propagated them. He earneftly befeeches and exhorts in the Lord, the Chriftian Princes, that as they would confult their Safety, as they would prefer ve unhurt their Rights of Sovereign* ty, and as they defire to preferve in Peace and Tranquility the Nations fubjetl to them, they would powerfully defend the Catholick Faith, and endeavour to their utmoft to fupprefs the Enemies of it. This will be eafy, when the antient Edicls of Chriftian Princes againft Hereticks, their Books and Favourers, are re- ftored. When once thefe are put in Execution with an wholefome Severity, there 2 will The History of the Inquisition. i\<$ . be no Remains of Hereticks, none of their Books or Writings in their Provinces. Their mifchievous Sermons will then be at an End, there will be no more clandejline Conventicles, in which Hereticks are wont to introduce jl range Cufloms, abhorrent from Chriftian Piety. This is what we defire with all our Soul, and ask in our con- front Prayers from the Lord, hoping that a Stop will be put to thefe Things, whiljl Chriflian Princes bravely fupprefs Hereticks, and we add our pious Labours to pre- vent the Wolves from deflroying the Sheep committed to our Care. And thus at length the Lord will grant us that Peace and Tranquility in this Life, which is fo much defired and fought after by the Faithful, and after this Life floall be at an End con- fumjnate Happinefs. But inafmuch as we know, that it is not fufficient to anfwer thefe Ends, merely to exhort the Faithful, anlejs the Rebellious are fupprejfed by pro- per Severity, we have decreed to provide a proper Antidote for this purpofe. And therefore by that Authority with which we are invejled, we by thefe Writings put un* der the Sentence of Excommunication, all Perfons whatfoever in our Province, who fhall prefume rafhly to afjert, teach or write fuch impious Tenets, as al- fo all fuch who by any Means fhall ajjsft, counfel or favour them. I cannot certainly affirm whither the Inquifition, which for many Years had been dropped in France, was by Mea,ns of this Synod reftored there. This is certain, that the Laws ufed in the Tribunal of the Inquifition were renewed by the Decree of this Synod, and that there is exprefs Mention of the Inquifitors in it ; and by- other Things it appears that about this Time thelnquifition was again brought into France. For Francis I. chofe Inquifitors of the Faith from the Predicant Friars. For in the Orders of that Prince, fol. 408. there is a Writ bearing Date May 30, 1536. by which he appoints Matthew Orry, D. D. a Predicant? Friar, Inquifitor of the Faith. Ribadineira alfo relates in the Life of Ignatius Yin Cange Loyola, Book II. Chap. II. and XIV. [and John Peter Maffeius, in his Life in voce irt- of the fame Loyola, I. 1. c. 20. p. 315.] that about this Time he was accufed? w 'i""" before Michael Orry, a Dominican Divine, and Inquifitor of the Faith at Pa- ris, and by him acquitted. There is alfo extant in the fecond Volume alike Writ of King Francis, fol. 247. dated April 10, 1540. by which Authority is granted to Jofeph Corregie, a Doctor of the fame Order, to execute the Of* £ce of Inquifitor of the Faith throughout the whole Kingdom. In the third Volume, fol. 482. there is a royal Statute, bearing Date July 23, 1543. by which Power is granted to the Ecclefiaftical Judges and Inquifitors of the Faith, to make Inquifition againft Lutherans and Hereticks, provided that Laicks, and fuch who had not received holy Orders, fhould be referred to the ordinary Judges. There is alfo another Statute of Henry II. dated at St, Germain en Laye, June 22, 1550. by which the Edict of Francis I. is recalled, and Matthew Orry, Inquifitor of the Faith, delivered from the Trouble cf communicating to the fupreme Courts, the Baillives and Senefchals, fuch Actions as he brought againft Hereticks, provided he communicated them to the ordinary Diocefans or their Vicars. At the fame Time that Power was confirmed to him, by which he was authorized to recover to a found Mind, either by Inftruction or Admonition, fuch as erred from the Faith, of grant- 5o The History of the Inquisition. granting Pardon and Mercy to the Penitent, and of punifhing and correcting the Obiiinate. This Statute was inferted into the Acts of Parliament, with this Condition added, That the faid Inquifitors, in all privileged Cafes, mould fhare die Procefs with the Royal Judges. [Father Paul, in his Hiftory of the Council of Trent, B. 5. p. 484, and 487. mentions Anthony Demohares, In- quifitor of the Faith ; and p. 494. fpeaks of other Inquifitors in France. And Thuanus, in his Hiftory, B. 8. p. 377. fays, that in the Year 155 1. 19th Cal. Febr. there was a royal Law rehearfed in the Senate, concerning the Power and Office of Matthew Orry, Inquifitor of heretical Pravity.] How long the Inquifition continued in France, and how and when it ended, I can't exactly affirm. I am apt to think, that when Liberty of Religion was granted by the Royal Edicts to DifTenters from the Church of Rome, that Tribunal immediately ceafed of it felf. CHAP. XXIX. Six Cardinals appointed at Rome Inqjjisitors Generals» 1 N Italy the Pope took all pofllble Meafures, that the Inquifition mould dif- charge its Office with the greateft Rigour. For when, in the Year 1530. the Vicar General of the Order of preaching Friars, fignified to Clement VII. that the Lutheran Herefy prevailed in Italy, to the great Detriment of the B»//*r/7w» Catholick Faith, this Pope publifhed a Bull, beginning, Cum ficut ex relatione. And leaft this Herefy mould fpread like that of Arms, he commanded the In- quifitors to proceed againft all, even the Regulars of every Order ; but that they mould abfolve the Penitent, difpenfe with them upon account of their Irregularity i and grant Indulgences to the Crofs-Bearers appointed for the Service of the holy Inquifition. He commands the Bifhops, that in this Affair they fhould favour the Inquifition, any Thing to the contrary notwithftanding. p And that the Inquifition might proceed without any Impediment, he ap- l i. r. z. pointed a new Council of Cardinals Inquifitors Generals. Before this the In- c. 1. ». 9, quifitors were often forced to go to Rome to confult the Pope upon more dif- iQ> » 1« ficult Affairs ; and therefore leaft the Office of the Inquifition mould be inter- rupted by the Abfence of the Inquifitors, Urban IV. in the Year 1263. crea- ted by a Refcript, beginning, Cupientes, John Caetanus Urfinus, Cardinal of St. Nicholas in carcere Tulliano, General and Protector of all the Inquifitors, that there might be no need of their going to the Pope in Matters of Difficulty, but that they might confult the Cardinal by Letters, who was himfelf to con- fult with the Pope in all Cafes of Importance. Among other Things he thus commands : Whatever great and dangerous Impediments have arifen in the before mentioned Affair, let them be fwnified to our beloved Son, John, Cardinal Deacon 1 of The History of the Inquisition. 151 of St. Nicholas in carcere Tulliano, whom we have appointed to take Care of this Matter. And as to any other Difficulties that may hereafter arife, either for want of AJp.flants, or from any other Caufe whatfoever, you may have Recourfe perfonalls to the faid Cardinal if there be Need, and fafely confult him by your Let* ters or Meffengers, that we being fufficiently inftrucled concerning the P rem: ffes, may provide Sufficient Remedies againft thefe Difficulties. This Cardinal, when railed to the Papacy, and called Nicholas III. honoured Cardinal Latinv.s Romanus, his Nephew by his Brother, brought up amongft the Friars Predicants, with the fame Office of Inquifitor General. After his Death, in the Time of Ce- leftine V. the Office was vacant, and fo continued till the Papacy of Clement VI. who conferred it on Tf / iliia?n of Tholoufe, Cardinal of St. Stephen in Mount Ccslius. He burnt fome Hereticks, and did feveral Things for the Inquifition. But becaufe this Dignity was not as yet fixed to the College of Cardinals, nor another primary Inquifitor immediately created by the Pope upon the Death of the former, as the Neceffities of the Church of Rome required, the Inquifuors were again involved in the fame Difficulties as before •, efpecially at the Time when the Doctrine of Luther, which had fpread it felf through all German-,, began to appear in Italy alfo. And therefore the Cardinals John Peter Caraffia, and John Alvarez Toledo, perfuaded Pope Paul III. to confer the Office of In- quifitor General upon fome certain Cardinals. Upon this, in the Year 1542. Pope Paul III. by a Conftitution beginning, B u iiar. Licet ab initio, deputed fix Cardinals, Inqui fi tors General of heretical Pravity, Bzovius,. in all Chriftian Nations whatfoever, as well on one Side as the other of the'?- M4*- Alps ; and gave them Authority to proceed without the Ordinaries, againft all?- "• Hereticks, and fufpected of Herefy, and their Accomplices and Abettors, of whatfoever State, Degree, Order, Condition and Pre-eminence, and to punifh them, and confifcate their Goods : To depute a Procurator Fifcal^ Notaries, and other Officials, neceffary to the aforefaid Affair: To degrade and deliver over to the Secular Court by any Prelate deputed by them, the Secular and Regular Clergy in holy Orders : To curb Oppofers, to call in the Affiftance of thefecular Arm, and to do every Thing die that fnould be neceffary : To fubftitute every where Inquifitors, with the fame, or a limi- ted Power : To take Cognizance of Appeals from other Inquifitors to them : To cite, forbid, and abfolve, in the Court, and out of it, fimply or con* ditionally, from all Ecclefiaftical Sentences, Cenfures, and Punifhments, all that mould appeal to them. In this Manner he ordains all Judgments to proceed, and annuls every Thing to the'eontrary •, adding withal a penal Sanction, that if anyone mail break this Decree, or prefume to dare to con- tradict it, let him know that he mail incur the Indignation of Almighty God, and of Sr. Peter and Paulhis Apoftles. Pius IV. afterwards enlarged the Power of thefe Cardinals, general Inquifi-Bullan. tors of heretical Pravity. For in the Year 1564. April, Id. 7. by a Confti- Bzoviu5 > tution which begins, Romanus Pontifex, he gave them Authority to pro-'*' ]< 64 ' ceed in a certain Form, againft ail manner of Perfons, whither Biffiopv ' Arch» i^i The History of the Inquisition. Archbifhops, Patriarchs, or Cardinals, that were Hereticks, their Abetters, and fufpefted of Herefy, and of referring it to the Pope in a fecret Con- fiftory, in order to his pronouncing Sentence. In this manner he ordains Judg- ment to proceed, annuls every Thing to the contrary, and adds the ordinary penal Sanftion. Agreeable hereto in the Year 1563. the Pope commanded the Cardinals In- quifitors General to proceed at Rome againft Odettus. [Coligni Cardinal de Cha- Bzovius, j\iii\ on<) St. Main Archbifhop of Aix, John de Muntluc Bimop of Valence, John t' l5 5 ' Anthony Caracciolus Bifhop of Troyes, John Barbanfon Bifhop of Apam, and in ft. Con. Charles Gilaz Bifhop of Chartres ; ] and at length, in a private Confiflory, he ind.l.-j. pronounced Sentence upon each of them, by which he pronounces, judges p. 808. a nd declares them to be Hereticks, Schifmaticks, Blafphemers, degraded L8.p. 9oS,f rom a ji Honour and Profit of the Cardinalate, Archiepifcopal, or Epifcopal Power, and Privilege of the Clergy, from the Day of their having commit- ted their Crimes •, deprived, and for ever incapable of all Offices, Honours, Dignities and Prelatures, and decrees that they fhall be lawfully punifhed as Hereticks, and as unfruitful Branches cut off from the Church, and orders the Faithful of Chrifl to apprehend and detain their Perfons, and deliver them over to the Minifters of Juflice, in order to their fuffering the deferved Pu- nifhments. [But the French King did not acquiefce in that Sentence. Before the pronouncing of it, the Cardinal of Lorain advertifed the Pope, that the Maxims which prevailed in France, were very different from thofe amongft the Romans. That in this Kingdom it was very ill taken, that the Caufes of the Bifhops mould, in the firft Inftance, be judged of at Rome. But when the Pope notwithftanding pronounced Sentence, the King commanded his Am- .baffador Henry Chain Orifelle, that he mould put the Pope in mind of former .Examples, and of the Liberties and Immunities of the GaUican Church, and of the Authority of the King in Ecclefiaftical Caufes, and defire him, that at prefent he would not be the Author of fo many Novelties. Orifelle execu- ted his Commiflion with Diligence and Vigour, and after many Treaties with the Pontiff about it, obtained that the Affair of the Bifhops mould be dropped.] Pius V. that there might be an univerfa] Obedience paid to the Decrees of the Cardinals Inquifitors General, and that none might be able to with- draw from their Authority, commanded the Princes, Judges, and Minifters of Juflice, that they mould fubmit to and obey the Commands of thefe Cardinals in Matters relating to the Office of the holy Inquifition, in a Con- Itituticn put forth, Ann. 1566. which, as being fhort, I fhall give entire. Bullar- Our mojl holy Lord, Pius V. by the Divine Providence, Pope, hath appointed, decreed, ordained and commanded, that Matters of Faith be preferred to all other Things whatfoever, fince Faith is the Subfiance and Foundation of the Chrijiian Religion ; and therefore, that all and every Perfon of this noble City, and its Di- ftritl, the Governor, Senator, Vicar, and Auditor of the Apojlolick Chamber, and all Legates, Vice-Legates, Governors of Provinces and Countries, mediately and imr The History of the Inquisition. 153 immediately fubjecl to his Holinefs, and the holy Roman Church, and their Depu- ties, the Officials, Barifells * and other Officers in thofe Places, and alfo all other Ordinaries of Places, and other Magijlrates and Officials, and all Perfons of ^hat- Jo ever State and Condition in all andfingular Countries, Towns and Cities throughout the whole Chrifiian Commonwealth, do fuhnit to and obey the f aid Cardinals Inquijitors, and their Orders and Commands in all Things concerning the holy Office of the Inqui- fition, under the Penalty of Excommunication, and the Difpleafure of his Holinefs, and cffuch other Punifhments as fhall be inflioled and executed at the Pleafure of his Holinefs, and the moft Illujlrious and moft Reverend Lords the Cardinals In- quifitors General. He befeeches alfo in the Name of God, That the Kings, Dukes, Earls, Barons> and all other fecular Princes, would favour the jaid Cardinals Inquifitors and their Officials, and afford them their Affiflance, and caufe the fever al Magijlrates fubjecl to them, to aid the?n in all Things concerning the faid Office: And that they would with- out Delay, fend all Perfons imprifoned for any Crimes, or heinous Offences, if they ftdould be accufed before the faid Office of the Inquifition, to the fame Cardinals and Prifons of the Inquifition, fufpending all Procefs for other leffer Crimes, that they might be kept therein, till through Cognifance and Trial fhould be ?nade of the Crime of Here fy \ and after this to remit them to the civil Officers, to proceed againfl them for other Faults. Supported by thefe Conftitutions and Papal Decrees, the Cardinals Inquifi- nijl. i>;q> tors extended their Power more and more. Paulus Servita, in his Time,^- 3* complains, that whereas formerly the Pope fent his Inquifitors to the Princes with Apoflolick Briefs, requiring them to protect and defend them by their Favour, as is even yet done in the Confirmation of a new Bifhop •, yet that now the Council of the Inquifition at Rome gave their Inquifitors fuch Orders, as tho' they fent them into their own Dominions and Territories, and will not fuffer any Contradiction to their Commands. At length Sixtus V. An. 1588. by a Conftitution beginning, Immenfa AL- terni Dei, &c. appointed 15 Congregations of the Cardinals of the holy Ro- man Church, and afllgned to each of them their proper Bufinefs. He ap- proves the firft Congregation held in the City for Inquifition of heretical Pravity, and confirms their Authority over all Prelates and Inquifitors, in Matters ofHerefy, whether manifeft or fufpect, and the Privileges of their Mi- nifters, and exhorts the Princes to fupport ir, but fo, that no Innovation fhould be introduced into the Office of the Inquifition, erected in the Kingdom of Spain, without confulting the Pope. To thefe Cardinals Inquifitors General were added, for the quicker Difpatch Catena. and Determination of criminal Caufes, a CommifTary General of the holy?- '■ u ;' 1 7 §• 4.- 5- 6, 7. * Barifelli. I cannot find any particular Account of thefe Officers. Barifa is genus pocnli, a fort of a Cup; and Barillagium is the Tribute paid for Wine VefTels; and Barillarius is thac Officer who hart the Care of the Royal Wines. Whither the Barifelli might not be fome Oihcen t© receive the Cuftoms, or rather fome OiEcers who had the Care of the Royal Provilion, 1 am no: able to determine. X. Office, S54- Tl je History of the Inquisition. Office, who is always a Dominican, and an Aflefibr General. [Befides thefe there is prefent the Mailer of the lacred Palace, who alfo always ufed to be of the Dominican Order. But becaufe his Power is very large, efpeci- ally in the Prohibition of Books, it is worth while todefcribe that Office a lit- tle more diftindtly. The Mailer therefore of the lacred Palace, when there is a Confiftory, ordinarily reads in the Pope's Palace fomething in Divinity. Ztes Lo!x They fay this Office was appointed by the Pope at the Advice of Domi- ante spec. nick. For feeing daily, that when the Cardinals were engaged with the Pope, biq. ci^y t h c i r Clergy and Attendance fpent their Time in idle Walks and Trifles, he went to the Pope, and faid, It was a Shame thatthofe Minifters, who profeffed all Virtue, mould do fuch fcandalous Things, and defile thole holy Walls with the moll unbecoming Scurrilities. That he thought it would be ve- ry ufeful, that whilft the Cardinals were attending him upon the Affairs of the univerfal Church, fome learned Man mould publickly interpret certain Places of the facred Scripture. Honorius was pleafed with the Motion, and appointed Dominick himfelf to the Office, ' who had advifed it. So that Domi- nick himfelf was the firft Mailer of the holy Palace, and it was appointed that fome Body mould be always chofen to that Office out of the Predicant Or- der, and called Mafter of the facred Palace •, and he hath thefe Prerogatives. Firft, That he always dwells in the very Apoflolick Palace, with his Atten- dance and Houfhold, and hath a Salary for his Support afligned him by the Popes. Secondly, He fits in the Pope's Chapel near his Hoiinefs's Feet, and preceeds all the Divines and Mailers in Place, Advice and Refolution. Third- ly, Without his Licence no Book can be printed at Rome •, nor any Oration or Sermon pronounced before the Pope, without his Revifing and Appro- bation. Fourthly, In all Conferences and Difputations, his Definition, Refolu- tion and Sentence prevails, and no one can reply after him. Lajlly, He is al- ways prefent in the Congregation of the moll holy Inquifition, with the Pope and Cardinals. He hath alfo the Title of the moll Reverend, and is the firfb of the Predicant Order, after the Mailer General •, and to conclude, he is chofen into the Office by the Election and Nomination of the Pope, and not by Vote. Thefe fupreme Inquifitors have alfo an Advocate Fifcal, feveral Coun- feliors, Prelates and Regulars, viz. the General of the Dominican Order, and the AlTillant of the CommiiTary of the holy Office •, as alfo one of the Religi- ous of the Francifcan Order. They have alfo feveral Qualificator Divines, who qualify Propofitions in any Cafes that occur.] Whatever the Majority of the Cardinals decree, Pius IV. by a Conftitution beginning, Cum nospernojlrum, &c. oidcrcd Ihould be looked on as the Decree of the whole Congregation •, yea, that what the major Part of the Inquifitors prefent mould appoint, ihould be efleem- ed as done by all, though fome were abfent ; that by the abfent Cardinals were to be underltood not fuch as were abfent from Rome, becaufe it might be very difficult to know this, but fuch Cardinals as were abfent from this Congregation, (j. 14. Thefe fupreme Inquifitors meet twice a Week, viz. on Wednefdays for- merly in the Houfe of the oldeft Cardinal fupreme Inquifitor, but now in St. The History of the Inquisition. 155 St. Marfs Church, fupra Minervam, except the Pope commands. otherwife ; and on Thurfdays'm che Pretence of the Pope. Thefe Congregations are held every Week, excepting only the holy Week, which preceeds Eafier. [Hbw-Ac«faM ever John de Loix relates, that there are held three Congregations of the holy inq. b. : - Office every Week, z.wtp^z. The firft is on Monday, in the Houfe of the holy Office, in which the Com- milTary General of the Inquifition, who is always a Predicant, and his Atten- dants dwell. Here are prefent the Counfellors of the holy Inquificion, the Fifcal, and other Officials, where the ProcelTes, Votes and Sentences of all of them are reported and regiftred. The Mailer General of the Predicants takes here the firft Place, the next the Mafter of the holy Palace, who is always a Dominican, out of Refpect to St.Dominick, the Author and firft Ma- fter of this Office ; then two or three Layers, next the Vicar General of the Predicants in the Abfence of the General, next the CommifTary General of the holy Office, who is always a Predicant •, next the AffefTor of the holy Of- fice ; next the Procurator General of the collegiate Friars Minors; next the Provincial Inquifitors, when they are at Rome ; next the Affiftantof the Com- mifTary General ; next the Abbreviator of the ProcefTes ; next the FifcaL We mult remark here, that the Mafter General of the Predicants, and the Mafter of the facred Palace, are alio Counfellors to the Inquifition, for this Reafon, becaufe they are promoted to their feveral Offices. The fecond Congregation is held on Wednefday, when the Cardinals meet in the Houfe of the oldeft, or the Dean of the Congregation, who have decifive Votes ; although regularly they confirm what hath been determined on Mondays by the Counfellors and Commiflary. The third Congregation is always held on Tburfday in the Prefence of the Pope, nor is it ever omitted, except on Tburfday in the Feftival Week of the holy Sacrament, and fometimes in the Feftival of Corpus Chrijli. In this Congregation his Holinefs decides or confirms the Votes of the Counfellors and Cardinals. The Cardinals only fit, all others {landing. The Pope makes a Prayer when the Congregation comes in, as the oldeft Cardinal doth on Wed- nefdays, and the firft Counfellor on Mondays. The Provincial Inquifitors, who fupport their Authority, tranfmit by Letter their Difficulties to thefe Cardinals.] Thefe Things, fays Paranuts, 1.2. t. 2. c. 1. n. 13. were not thus ordered in the Beginning. For at the firft the other Cardinals, the Pope's Vicar, and the Mafter of the facred Palace, were joined with Cardinal Caraffa, and ma- naged the Affairs of the Inquifition. But afterwards when Caraffa was elected Pope on May, Cal. 5. 1556. the aforefaid Congregations were held on certain Days in his Prefence •, which Cuftom continued in the Reign of Pius V. Gre- gory XIII. and Sixtus V. but was difufed in the Time of Pitis IV. who being taken up with Affairs of very great Confequence, could not be prefent with that Congregation. In the mean while, as the Popes were conferring all this Authority on the Inquifition, and the fupreme Council of the Inquifition by their Bulls, feveral Books were publifhed at Rome for the Inftru&ion of the Inquifitors, An. 1584. X 2 there 156 The HisTORf of the Inquisition. there was printed at Rome the Formulary of the Inquifition, and the fame Year, the Light of the lnqytifttion, by Friar Bernard of Como, with Annota- tions, by Francis Pcgna. In the Year following came out the Directory of the Inquifitors, by Nicholas Eymerick of the Friars Predicants, Inquifitor General of Aragon, with the Commentaries of Pegna. To this were fubjoined the Bulls and Refcriptsof the Popes to the Inquifitors and others concerning Mat- ters of Faith, by the Command of the Cardinals Inquifitors Generalthrough- out the whole Chriftian World. T CHAP. XXX. Of the I n qjj i s i t i o n in Spain againft Hereticks. H E Tribunal of the Inquifition in Spain, at firft erected to difcover Jews and Moors, now began to proceed againft Hereticks, and exercifed the fame Cruelty againft thefe, as they had hitherto againft the others. Charles V. King of Spain, who with great Difficulty had brought the Inqui- fition into the Netherlands againft the Lutherans and Reformed, recommended it to his Son Philip in his Will. We have the Claufe of the Will given us by Cot- far Carena, from Lewis Paramus, in his Treatife of the Office of the moft holy Inquifition, Pralud. §. 62. in which the Emperor thus fpeaks : Out of Regard to my Duty to Almighty God, and from my great Affetlion to the moft ferene Prince Philip II. my dear eft Son, and from the ftrong and earneft Be- fire I have, that he may be fafe under the Protection of Virtue, rather than the Greatnefs of his Riches, I charge him with the greateft Affetlion of Soul, that he take efpecial Care of all Things relating to the Honour and Glory of God, as becomes the moft Catholick King, and a Prince zealous for the divine Co?nmands ; and that he be always obedient to the Commands of our holy Mother the Church. And, amongft other Things, this I principally and moft ardently recommend to him, highly to honour and conftantlyfup port the Office of the holy Inquifition, as conftituted by God againft heretical Pravity, with its Minifters and Officials, becaufeby this fingfe Remedy the moft grievous Offences againft God can be remedied. Alfo I command him, that he would be careful to preferve to all Churches and ecclefiaftical Perfons their Immuni- ties. And again in his Codicil to his Will he thus enjoins his Son. I ardently defire, and with the greateft pojfible Earneft nefs befeech him, and command him by his Regards to me his moft affectionate Father, that in this Matter, in which the Welfare of all Spain is concerned, he be mosJ zealoufly careful, to punijh all in- fell cd with Herefy with the Severity due to their Crimes, and that to this Intent, he confer the greateft Honours on the Office of the holy Inquifition, by the Care of which the Catholick Faith will be encreafedin his Kingdoms ,andthe Chriftian Religion preferved. Be Bet. Philip gave full Proof of his Zeal to execute his Father's Commands. For Bet.Deci.2iS Famianus Strada teftifies of him, when he was requeued by many to grant t. 3. Liberty The History of the Inquisition. 157 Liberty of Religion in the Low Countries, he proftrated himfelf before a Crucifix, and uttered thefe Words : / befeech the Divine Majefly, that I may always continue in this Mind ; that I may never fuffer ?nyfeIfto be, or to be called the Lord of thofe any where, who deny 'Thee the Lord. Nor is this any Wonder : For the Popifh Divines endeavour'd to perfuade the King of Spain, that the Inqui- fition was the only Security of their Kingdom. Thus Leonardus Vellius, a Di- vine of the Jefuits College at Cremona, teftifies in his Letter to Cafar Carena % prefixed to his Treatiie of the Office of the moll holy Inquifition, where he lays : Since the Kings cf Spain came to that Government, which now almoft extends over the World, we read of no Seel prof effing it felf an Enemy to the Pope, and the Catholick Religion, which did not at the fame Time declare War againft them. So that the Catholick Kings, and the Catholick Religion 3 have one common Inter -eft and Caufe. And if Rope Paul V. ufedto acknowledge, that by Means of the Inquifition, the Pontiffs preferved their Triple Crown -, I doubt not but that the wifeft Kings have been taught by long Experience, that the Hereticks are dangerous Enemies to the Auftrian Power, and are abundantly perfuade d, that their Sceptre and King- dom can only be fupported by the Minifters of that facred Office. No one can wonder, that under this Perfuafion the Spanifh Kings have been violent Pro- moters of the Inquifition ; and that they have inflicted the moft cruel Punifh- ments upon the miferable Hereticks. Philip II. not only in the Low Countries, n>ft. Con. but alfo in Spain, fhew'd himfelf the Patron of it ; and that the moft outra-*W4. /. %: gious Cruelty was acceptable to him. He gave fome horrid Specimens of it^ 4 86 - in the Year 1559. in two Cities of Spain, when he came thither from the Lorn Countries : " Immediately on his Arrival, as Thuanus relates, he began to " chaftife the Sectaries. And whereas before this, one or more, juft as ic " happen'd, were deliver'd to the Executioner, after Condemnation for He- «« refy, all that were condemned throughout the whole Kingdom, were kept " againft his coming, and carried together to Seville, and Valladolid, where « they were brought forth in publick Pomp to their Punifhment. The firft " Aft of Faith was at Seville, the 8th of the Calends of October \ in which, " John Pontius of Leon, Son of Rhoderick Pontius, Earl of Villalon, was led " before the others, as in Triumph, and burn'd for an obftinate heretical " Lutheran. John Confalvus, a Preacher, as he had been his Companion in « Life, was forced to bear him Company in his Death -, after whom follow- " ed Ifabella Vcsnia, Maria Viroefia, Cornelia, and Bohorqiiia ; a Spectacle full " of Pity and Indignation, which was encreas*d, becaufe Bohorquia, the " youngeft of all of them, being fcarce twenty, fuffer'd Death with the e « greateft Conftancy. And becaufe the heretical AHemblies had pray'd in " the Houfe of Vania, it was concluded in her Sentence, and order*d to be " levelled with the Ground. After thefe came forth Ferdinand a Fanojohan- " nis, and Julian Ferdinand, commonly called the Little, from his fmall Sta- " ture, and John of Leon, who had been a Shoemaker at Mexico in New " Spain, and was afterwards admitted into the College of St. Ifadore, in which *' his Companions ftudied, as they boafted, the purer Doctrine privately. " Their Number was encreas'd by Frances Chavefi a, a Nun of the Convent « of ^8 The History of the Inquisition. " of St. Elizabeth, who had been inftructed by John AEgidius, a Preacher at&?- 44 ville, and fuffer'd Death with great Conflancy. From the fame School came 44 out Chrijiopher Lofada, a Phyfician, and Cbrijlopher Arelliamis, a Monk of St. 44 Ifidore, and Garfias Arias, who firit kindled thofe Sparks of the fame Religion 44 amongft the Friars of St. Ifidore, by his conftant Admonitions and Sermons, by 44 which the great Pile was afterwards fet on Fire, and the Convent it felf, and 44 good Part of that mod opulent City was almoft confumed. He was a Man of 44 uncommon Learning, but of an inconftant wavering Temper ; and being ex- 44 ceeding fubtle in difputing, he refuted the very Doctrines he had perfuaded 44 his Followers to receive, tho* he brought them into Danger on that Account * 4 from the Inquifitors. Having by thefe Arts expofed many, whom he had 44 deceived, to evident Hazard, and render'd himfelf guilty of the deteftible 44 Crime of breach of Faith j he was admonifhed by John JEgidius, Conftantine 44 Pontius, and Varqidus, that he had not dealt fincerely with his Friends, and 44 thofe who were in the fame Sentiments with himfelf; to which he replied, 4C That he forefaw, that in a little Time, they would be forc'd to behold the 44 Bulls brought forth for a lofty Spectacle ; meaning thereby the Theatre of 44 the Inquifitors. Conjiantine anfwer'd, You, if it pleafe God, fhall not behold 44 the Games from on high, but be your felf amongft the Combatants. Nor 44 was Conjiantine deceived in his Prediction. For afterwards Arias was called 44 on ; and whether Age had made him bolder, or whether by a fuddain Al- 44 teration his Timoroufnefs changed into Courage, he feverely rebuked the 44 Afleffors of the Inquifitory Tribunal, affirming they were more fit for the 44 vile Office of Mule Keepers, than impudently to take upon themfelves to 44 judge concerning the Faith, which they were fcandaloufly ignorant of. He 44 farther declared, That he bitterly repented, that he had knowingly and wil- 44 lingly oppofed, in their Prefence, that Truth he now maintained, againft 44 the pious Defenders of it, and that from his Soul he mould repent of it whilft 44 he liv'd. So at laft being led in Triumph, he was burn'd alive, and con- 44 firmed Conjiantine' 's Prophecy. There remained Mgidius and Conftantine, who 44 clofed the Scene, but Death prevented their being alive at the Shew. Mgidius 44 having been defigned by the Emperor, Philip's Father, for Bifhop of DrojJen y 44 upon the Fame of his Piety and Learning, being fummoned, publickly re- 44 canted his Error, wrought on either by Craft, or the Perfuafion of Sotus 9 44 a Dominican •, and hereupon was fufpended for a while from preaching, and 44 the facred Office, and died fome Time before this Act. The Inquifitors 44 thought he had been too gently dealt with, and therefore proceeded againft 44 his Body, and condemned him dead to Death, and placed his Effigies in *' Straw on high for a Spectacle. Conftantine, who had been a long while the 44 Emperor*s Confeffor, and had always accompanied him -in his Retirement, 44 after his Abdication from his Empire and Kingdoms, and was prefent with 14 him at his Death, was brought before this Tribunal, and died a little before 44 the Act, in a nafty Prifon. But that the Theatre might not want him, his 44 Effigies was carried about in a preaching Pofture. And thus this Shew, 44 terrible in it felf, which drew Tears from moft who were prefent ; when 2 " thefe The History of the Inquisition. 15^ « thefe Images were brought on the Scene, excited Laughter in many, and " at length Indignation. They proceeded with the fame Severity the follow- " ing October, at Valladolid, againft others condemned for the fame Crime, < £ where King Philip himfelf being prefent, twenty eight of the chief Nobi- " Jity of the Country were tied to Stakes and burn'd." Bartholomew Caranza, Archbifhop of Toledo, was alfo accufed •, who for his Learning, Probity of Life, and mod holy Converfation, was highly worthy of that Dignity, Bzoviuj. and caft into Prifon, and ftripp'd of all his large Revenues. His Caufe was*. 1559. brought before Pius V. at Rome, and Gregory XIII. pronounced Sentence^ 8 5> in it. Philip, not content to exercife his Cruelty by Land, eftablifhed the Inqui- Param. fition alfo in the Ships. For in the Year 1571. a large Fleet was drawn ! - z ■ t:t - : together under the Command of John of Aufiria, and manned with Soldiers^' I4 ' lifted out of various Nations. King Philip, to prevent any Corruption of the Faith, by fuch a Mixture of various Nations and Religions, after having con- fulted Pope Pius V. deputed one of the Inquifitors of Spain, fixed on by the In- quifitor General, to difcharge the Office of Inquifitor ; giving him Power to prefide in all Tribunals, and to celebrate Acts of Faith, in all Placer and Cities they failed to. This Erection of the Inquifition by Sea, Pius V. con- firmed by a Bull fent to the General Inquifitor of Spain, beginning, Our late mofl dear Son in Chrift. Jerome Manrique exercifed the Jurifdiction granted him, and held a publick Act of Faith in the Cicy of MeJJina, in which many underwent divers Punifhments. He alfo eftablifhed it beyond Europe, not only in the Canary Iflands, but in the new World of America ; conftituting two Tribunals of it, one in the City of Lima, in the Province of Peru ; the other in the Province and City of Mexico. The Inquifition at Mexico was erected in the Year 1571. and in a.cap. ni fhort Space gave large Proofs of its Cruelty. Parainus relates, that in the Year 1574. the third after its Erection, the firft Act of Faith was celebrated with a new and admirable Pomp, in the MarquilTes Market Place, where they built a large Theatre, which covered almoft the whole Area of the Market Place, and was clofe to the great Church, where were prefent, the Viceroy, the Senate, the Chapter, and the Religious. The Viceroy, the Senate, and a vaft Number of others, went with a large Guard, in folemn Procefilon, to the Market Place, where were about eighty Penitents ; and the Act fail- ed from fix in the Morning to five in the Evening. Two Hereticks, one an Englijhman, the other a Frenchman, were releafed. Some for Judaifing, fome for Polygamy, and others for Sorceries, were reconciled. The Solem- nity of this Act was fuch, that they who had feen that {lately one at VaU ladolid,^ held in the Year 1559. declared, That this was nothing inferior to it in Majefty, excepting only that they wanted thofe royal Perfonages here, which were prefent there. From this Time they celebrated yearly folemn Acts of the Faith, where they brought Portuguese Jews, Perfons guilty of inceftuous and wicked Marriages, and many convicted of Sorcery and Witch- craft, CHAP. 160 The History of the Inquisition. CHAP. XXXI. Of the I n qjj i s i t i o n in the Low Countries. THE Inquifition was introduced into the Low Countries in the Year 1522.. and Francis Hulftus, and Nicolas Egmondanus, a Carmelite Friar, were ap- EpJJt, lih. pointed Inquifitors, of whom Erafmus thus writes to John Carondilet, Archbifhop &*: of Palermo, in the Year 1524. And now the Sword is given to two violent Haters of gocd Learning, Hulftus, and Egmondanus, fcfr. If they have a Spite againft any Man, they throw him into Prifon ; here the Matter is tranfafted be-. tween a few, and the Innocent fuffers barbarous Ufage, that they may not lofe any 'Thing of their Authority ; and when they find they have done entirely wrong, they cry out, We muft take Care of the Faith. In the fame Year he writes to Bili- Mpift.lib. baldus Pirkheimerus. There (viz. in the Country of Erafmus) reigns Egmon- 5°' dan us, a furious Per fon, armed with the Sword, who hates me twice more than he doth Luther. His Collegue is Francis Hulft, a great Enemy of Learning. They firfi throw Men into Prifon, and then feek out for Crimes to accufe them of Thefe Things the Emperor is ignorant of, though it would be worth his while to know them. A great many were miferably ufed, and barbaroufly flain through their Cruelty. But in the Year 1549. Charles, created Emperor, endeavour'd to bring, the Inquifition more openly into- the Netherlands, after the Manner of that in Spain, by an Edict againft Herefy and Hereticks ; in which he com- mands all who had the Administration of Justice, and their Officials, when required by the Inquifitors, and at the joint Requeft of the Ordinaries or Bi- fhops, to proceed againft any one in the Affair of Herefy, to give them their utmoft Affiftance and Countenance, and to help them in the Execution of their Office, and in apprehending and detaining thofe, whom they mould difcover to. be infected with heretical Pravity, according to the Instructions which the aforefaid Inqu fnors had received from him. In the Conclufion 'tis added,, that they mould proceed againft TranfgrefTors by Execution, whatever Pri- vileges had been before granted contrary to this Decree. This Edict occa- fioned great Difturbances, efpecially at Antwerp, where when it was known for certain, and that is was foon to be publifh'd, a great Number of Mer- Wefen- chants determin'd to go into other Places. As this would occafion great bcc. da Lofs to the City, and ruin their Trade, the Magistrates called together the ^V.f' cmer " Merchants, and Citizens, and enquired what Lofs the City had already ^zo! S fuftained through Fear of the Inquifition, and what farther Damage it might fuffer if the Inquifition mould be actually introduced. This was fairly drawn out in Writing •, and the Magistrates prefented it to Queen Mary, Sifter of/ Charles V. then Governefs of the Netherlands, and largely fhewed, by many Arguments taken from the Edict, the Instructions of the Inquifitors, and the privileges of Brabant^ how many Evils threatned the City and the whole .1. Country j The History of the Inquisition.' 161 Country ; and befought her that fhe would intercede with the Emperor, her Brother, that fo rich and flourifhing a City might not be ruin'd by the Inqui- fition, from which, as well as from all Ecclefiaftical Jurifdi&ion, it had hither- to been free, and ought ever to remain.fo according to their Privileges. The feveral Orders of Brabant join'd themfelves to the Antwerpians, and by their Reafons and Prayers, the Queen was fo moved, jthat fhe^went ^.h^r,Bro- ther at Augsburg, and obtain'd another Edi(5l, r aj]|)wing Jhe Ecclefiaftical Judges a Power of demanding fome Perfon from^tne fupreme Courts If the Emperor, to be join'd with them, when they proceeded againft any one for the Crime of Herefy. As to the reft of the former Decree, there was no Abate- ment. It was received with great Difficulty and Reluctance, and published at Antwerp with this Proteftation, That this Edict fhould f derogate nothing from theirPrivileges and Statutes. But notwithftanding this Declaration of the Magistrates, the Inhabitants could not be eafy, fuch was their Dread of the Cruelty of the Inquifitors ; efpecially becaufe they faw, that thofe who were privately commiflioned by the Pope and the Emperor ^o, be Inquifitors, afted as fuch themfelves, as well as by their CommifTarieS,* in feveral Provinces and Cities. For feveral were condemn'd for Herefy by them, in many Cities,, and either beheaded, hanged, or burn'd, or tied up in Sacks and drowned. The States, in vain, humbly befought the King to be delivered from fo grievous a Bondage. He was deaf to all their Prayers, and determined to lofe his Dominions, rather than fuffer them to be infedted with Herefy. This occafioned ftill greater Difturbances ; and as the Cruelty of the Inquifitors every Day encreafed, they broke out at length into an open Revolt. The common People threv* down the Images from the Temples, and committed other Violences % on which the King, that he might have fome Shew : of Juftice to conquerf the Low Countries, and make Laws according to his abfolute Will, demanded the Judgment of the fupreme Office of the Inquifition in Spain, concerning thefe Revolters. After they had feen the feveral Informations and Proofs tranfmit- ted to them by the inferior Inquifitors •, they declared all the Inhabitants of the Low Countries, thofe only excepted whofe Names were fent to them; Hereticks and Favourers of Hereticks, and guilty of High Treafon, either for. what they had done, or omitted to do. The iting having received this Anfwer,; fent the Duke of Alva, with a great Army into the Netherlands ; who, as he was a cruel and bloody Man, enter'd the Country with his Forces, and meeting no Refi- ftance, aclied every where with the moft outragious Fury. One might have feen throughout all their Cities, old Men and young, Women and Girls, withouc any Diftinttion of Dignity, Age or Sex, differing by the Sword, Gallows, Fire, and other Punifhments •, till at length the miferable Nation, warmed with the Remembrance of their former Freedom, took Courage and Arms 5 and after they had recovered their Liberty, drove out the Inquifition from the whole Country. FINIS L 1 B R I P R I ML Y THE i6$ THE HISTOR O F T H E INQUISITION BOOK II. CHAP. H Of the Ministers of the Inqjji&ition in General C HUS far we have defcribed the Original of the Inquifition, and its' Propagation into feveral Kingdoms and Countries. There are three. Things yet remaining to be treated of. Ftrfl y The Minifters of the Inquifition* as well the Inquifitors themfelves, as others who ferve them in the holy Office, together with their Duties and Offices. Se- condly The Grimes fubject to the Cognizance of this Tribunal ; by what ways Guilt may be contracted \ and what Punifhments are annexed to the feveral Offences! tfbirdly, What is the Manner of Procefs obferved before the Tribu- nal of the Inquifition. Thefe (hall be difpatch'd in three feveral Books. As to the firft of thefe we need not repeat what hath been already faid in the former Book concerning the Cardinals, Inquifitors General in all Chri- ftian Countries, and of the fupreme Council of the Inquifition in the King- doms of Spain and Portugal. I fhall fpeak only of the Inquifitors and thofe who ferve them. For although the Erection of thofe Councils hath intro- duced nofmall Change in the Office of the Inquifition, yet it refpects rather the Manner of Procefs, than the Officers of the Inquifition ; which there- fore I fhall afterwards endeavour to explain according to the beft Affiftance I can gather from thofe Authors who have written of the Affair. The Offices in the Spanifh and Portugal Inquifition are fomewhat different from what ihey were anciently, and from thofe of the Italian Inquifition tc* a this IH * The History of the Inquisition. 165 this Day. And becaufe thefe two Inquifitions are now the principal and moft famous ones, wherein they differ from other Inquifitions, I fhall carefully de- fence, and give an Account of the feveral Offices in them, as they are de- livered by the Spanijb Doctors. Simancas gives us this Account of the Minifters of the Spani/h Inquifition.-D* CathoU << In every Province of Spain there ought to be two or three Inquifitors, one^- ""'• « Judge of the forfeited Effects, one Executor, three Notaries, two for 41, * J * " Secrecy, and the third for Sequeftrations, one Keeper of the Prifon, one " Meflenger, one Door-keper, and one Phyfician. Be fides thefe, Affeffors, Time, or as to any certain Articles or Perfons -, we Jlriclly prohibit all and fingular of you, by our Apoflolick Authority, from prefuming to obey, or in any manner to re- gard them in this Matter. For by the Tenor of thefe prefent, we recall all fuch Privileges and Indulgences relating to this Article, and decree that all Sentences of Ex 'communication, Inter die! and Sufpenfion, that may be pronounced again f you, or any of you upon this Occafwn, Jhall be altogether null and void. So that in the Of-,^ iz. fice of the Inquifition they are by no Means fubject to their Superiors, but on- ly to the Pope ; infomuch that if an Inquifitor fhould unjuftly profecute any one for Herefy, the Perfon apprehended can't appeal to the Superior of that Religion, but only to the Pope. Nor is the Inquifitor in any manner bound to obey the Superior of his Religion, interrogating him on any Affairs relating to his Office, but the Pope alone, whom he immediately reprefents. And leaft the Superiors of Orders mould claim to themfelves any Power over the Inquifitors, by reafon of their Inquifitorial Office, Urban IV. wrote to the Inquifitors in Privilege of the Catholick Faith. For if the afore faid See hath fometimes committed by their Letters, under a certain Form, to Jome Prelates of your Order, a Power to chufe certain Friars of their Orders to exercife the Office of the Inquifition againji heretical Pravity, and to remove and fubflitute others in their Room, as they Jhould think convenient -, as this was granted them only, becaufe it was- prefumed that they had a fuller Knowledge of the Fitnefs of fuch Friars, fo hereby no Faculty, Jurifditlion or Power is given them over any fuch Affair committed, and to be committed to you immediately by the aforefaid See. This is in Force only when the Inquifitors are of any particular Order,, whither Predicants or Friars Minor. It is now of no Ufe in Spain •, for, as Simancas tells us, 'tis found by Experience, that 'tis much more ufeful andr.V. 41. proper, that the Inquifitors fhould be Layers, and not Divines. $• ~> r In like Manner the Popes ordered, that in Favour of the Faith the Office of the Inquifitors fhould be perpetual, fo that it was not to ceafe at the Death of the Pope who conferred n, although the Jurifdiction delegated to them might not have been made ufe of. Thus 'tis ordained by Clement IV. and is to be found in the Sext. Decret. LeaJi any Perfons JJoould be in doubt, whither the Office of the Inquifition of heretical Pravity, committed by the Apoflolick See under certain Limitations to your Care, expires at the Death of the Pope who granted it, we by this prefent Edicl declare, that the faid Office fiaU loft, in Favour of the Faith, after the Deceafe of him who conferred it, not only wit* 1 66 The History of the Inquisition. with refpeft to Affairs begun during the Life of the Granter, but as to thofe which are untouched, and not begun, and what is more* even as to fuch as may not arife Slmanc. till afterwards. For this Reafon the Office of particular Inqirfuors continues Ae cuhol. in Spain, after the Death of the Inquifitor General, although they fhould be fnftit. ut. d e | e g a ted by him ; and the rather, becaule they arc chofen under this Form: 54- $• l 4- py e confiilute you our Vicegerents till we fhall fpecially recall the CommiJJion. In which Cafe the Jurifdietion of the delegated Judge continues after the Demife of him who deputed him. Cap. Si delegatus, de Ohio deleg. /. 6. This Office is accounted of fo great Dignity in the Church of Rome, that the Title of moft Reverend is given to the Inquifitors equally as to Bifhops, and becaule they are delegated by the Pope to their Jurifdiction, they are ad- vanced to the principal Part of the Epifcopal Office, and are therefore thought Caren./M. t0 deferve the Honour of an equal Title of Dignity with the Bifhops them- •*■ i**'1 7 '{ elves. From whence alio they infer, that the Inquifitors ought to take place of the Vicar General of the Bifhop, not only in Caufes of Herefy, but in other Acts and Caufes that do not belong to the holy Office. Simanc. In Spain oftentimes feveral Inquifitors are deputed together, and whenever *&i4. this happens, they take Care not to create two who are akin, in the fame $• "• Province, nor fuffer them to have any Official for their Servant, or of their Houfhold. §. 15. " If any Thing hard or difficult happens in any Province, the Inquifitors " muft refer it to the Council. 5. 16. " The Inquifitors fit on their Tribunal fix Hours every Day, and if any " Thing comes before them that belongs to the Inquifitors of another Pro- " vince, they refer it to them, and the Meffengers are to be paid the Ex- * c pences of the Journey by the Inquifitors to whom they are fent. 4 Injirucl. « Tolet. cap. 28. Gf 3 Injirucl. Valdolit. cap. 9. * , 7% " Farther, the Inquifitors are diligently to read thofe Books in which the " Teftimonies againit Hereticks are contained, that from hence they may Li know the Names and Offences of the guilty Perfons, and underftand di- " ftinctly their feveral Crimes. And of this Matter the Vifitors are particu- ** larly to enquire, and report it to the Inquifitor General, if the Inquifitors " Ihould happen to be negligent herein. 5 Inftruft. Hifpal.cap. 3. |. 18. " The Inquifitors muft takefpecial Care to agree with and be friendly to 44 each other. If any Difference fhould arife againft them, they muft con- ** ceal it, and refer it to the Inquifitor General, that after he underftands the ** Matter he may compromife it, and judge between them. 1 Injirucl. Hifpal. " cap. 26." Carena, The Office of the Inquifition ceafes upon the Inquifitors Advancement to any f.\.t.\- Dignity. If the Inquifitor, for Inftance, is made a Bifhop, thefe Dignities p. 102. arc incompatible, becaufe both require perfonal Refidence, and therefore the Office of the Inquifitor ceafes. Richer. [If the Inquifitors are negligent or remifs in their Office, the Synod of &'- iiifi.ccn. nigaglia, held An. 1423. hath decreed, That they (hall hereby incur the Pe- i. j..«. 1. na j t y f Sufpenfion from entring into the Church for the Space of four Years. The History of the Inquisition. \£f The fame Synod commands, 'That in Provincial or Synodical Councils, a proper Remedy Jhall be provided, befides the forementioned Penalty > r againjl fuch negligent Perfons, according to the Degree of fuch Fault or Negligence, all Privileges, Ex- emptions, Cujloms and Statutes whatsoever to the contrary notwithflanding. But I am perfuaded that few offend againft this Decree, or incur the Penalty of Sufpenfion by Negligence or Lenity ; fince all Companion is banifhed from this Tribunal, and fince all who are promoted to this Office of Inquifitor im- mediately diveft themfelves, I will not fay of all Pity only, but even of Hu- manity it felf.] If the Inquifitors offend, by unjuftly extorting Money, it was anciently p eqn3j iTT provided, in Clement, de hard. cap. Nolentes. that they mould be pu-part. \. nifhed by the Prelates of their Order. Which /aid Prelates are bound to remove v ire & ■ from their Offices fuch Inquifitors and Commifjaries as are found guilty, and when " 71 ' 6u removed, otherwife to punifh and cor reel them according to their Defer t. But now as the Prelates of the feveral Orders neither appoint or remove Inquifitors, fo neither do they punifh them ; but the Affair is referred to the Cardinals Inquifitors General in Chriftendom. In Spain the Prefident of the Inquifition, whom they call Inquifitor Major, punifhes the delinquent Inquifitors, which wasexprefsly granted him by a Bull of Leo X. But however notwithflanding, this, the Pope can, as often as he pleafes, call, cite, and punifh the Inquifitors of all Kingdoms at the Court of Rome ; for he is the Judge of all, and the In- quifitors are delegated by him, and becaufe it appertains to him to take Cognifance of their Caufes, and punifh their Offences. And if any others take Cognifance of thefe Affairs, they doit by a Power derived from the Pope, which he can- rcfume as often as he thinks fit, and bring the whole Affair before himfelf. "When any Inquifitor is to be punifhed for his Offence, they take Care not to leffenMens Opinion of the Dignity and Authority of the holy Office by his Condemnation or Punifhment, which they fay is more dangerous than to fuffer an Offender to go unpunifh'd ; unlefs it be fuch an Offence as gives Scandal, and therefore mufl not be paffed over with Impunity. And they alledge this Reafon ; That the Apoftolick Inquifitors are both dreaded and hated by many, and efpecially by wicked Men •, and therefore if they fhould be eafily or publickly punifhed, the foolifh and mad People would foon be drawn by their Crimes to hate and difhonour the holy Office. So that when there is a Neceffity to punifh the Inquifitors, it mufl be done with Cau- tion, to prevent greater Inconveniences. However, from thefe Laws it is very plain, that the Tribunal of the In- quifition is not fo very holy and blamelefs, as they would have them believe in Spain and Portugal ; but the Inquifitors punifh innocent Men fometimes ve- ry unjuftly, throwing them into Prifon, and treating them in a very barba- rous and unworthy Manner. Of this we have a frefh Inftance in the Inqui-Tavcm, fition at Goa, in relation to Father Ephraim, a Capucine, whom out of mere7v™,7. Hatred and Revenge they feized, by Craft and Subtlety, and carried* *•<**> away to Goa, and th<*e fhut him up in the Prifon- of the Inquifition. The Story • 1 68 The History of the Inquisition. Story is this : Father Ephraim having had an Invitation from fome EngUJh Merchants, built a Church in the City of Madrefpatan, which was near to the City of St. Thomas. To this Place feveral of the Portuguefe came from St. Thomas's, to have the Benefit of Epbraim's Inftrudlicn. By this he incurred the Hatred of the Portuguefe ; and upon fome Difturbance that was raifed, Father Ephraim was called to St. Thomas to appeafe it, where he was feized by the Officers of the Inquifition, and carried to Goa, bound Hands and Feet, and at Night coming from on Board the Ship, hurried into the Prifon of the Inquifition. All Men wondered that this Capucine mould be brought Prifo- ner before the Tribunal of the Inquifition as an Heretick, who was known to be a Perfon of great Probity and Zeal for the Roman Religion. Many were concerned for his Delivery, and efpecially Friar Zenon of tue fame Order, who tried every Method to effect it. When the News of his Imprifonment came to Europe, Perfons were very differently affected. His Brother the Lord Chateau des Bois, folicited the Portugal AmbafTador at Paris, till he pre- vailed with him to fend Letters to his Portuguefe .M.jefty, to defire his pe- remptory Orders to the Inquifitors at Goa, to difmifs Ephraim from his Pri- fon. The Pope alfo himfelf fent Letters to Goa, commanding him to be fet free, under the Penalty of Excommunication. The King alfo of Golconda % who had a Friendfhip for him, becaufe he had given him fome Knowledge of the Mathematicks, commanded the City of St. Thomas to be befieged, and to be put to Fire and Sword, unlefs Ephraim was immediately reftored to his Liberty. The Inquifitors not being able to furmount all thefe Dif- ficulties, fent him Word that the Prifon Gates were open, and that he might have his Liberty when he pleafed. But he would not leave his Jail, till he was brought out by a folemn Procelilon of the Ecclefiafticks of Goa. And although there are many Inftances of the like Injuftice, yet they very feldom publickly punifh'd the Injuftice and Cruelty of the Inquifitors, Jeaft their Authority, which they would have always accounted facred, mould be contemned. CHAP. III. Of the Vi c A R s and Assistants of the I n qv i s i t i o n. Eymer.41. T^7 HEN the Inquifition was firft appointed and delegated, there were V\ no Cardinals Inquifitors General over Chriftendom, whom they could confult by Letter, and from whom receive an Anfwer in Cafes of DifB- 43. culty, after their having firft advifed with the Pope. And therefore parti- cular Inquifitors were often forced to go to Rome, during whofe Abfence the Pegna, in Affairs of the Faith were at a ftand. To prevent this Inconvenience, the tvmcr. inquifuor may in fuch a Cafe appoint a Vicar General over the whole Pro- '• 45 '* vince, The History of the Inquisition. 169 vince, with a Power of proceeding to the definitive Sentences of the Impe- nitent and Relapfed. Urban IV. in order to remove this Difficulty, A.D. 1263. created by a Refcript, beginning, Gupientes, the Cardinal of St. Nicba- 1 'as in career -eTulliano, Inquifitor General, or, as it were, Protector of the In- quifitors, whom particular Inquifitors might confuk, cither in Perfon, or by propofing their Doubts to him by Letters. But now all thefe Inconveniences are over, fince the Appointment of the Cardinals Inquifitors General over Chriftendom, whom they may confult by Letters, and to whom all Princes are fubject in this Affair. This is plain from the Bull of PiusV. publifhed 1566. In Spain the Inquifitors of particular Cities confult the Inquifitor Ge- neral of thole Kingdoms, or Prefident of the Inquifition j and he with thole of other Provinces advifes with the Cardinals Inquifitors General. 'Tis however now the conftant daily Practice of" all Inquifitors to have their Vicars General, who, in their Abfence, may manage the Affairs of the Inquifi- tion. Thefe are ordinarily appointed by the Inquifitors themfelves ; for the In- quifitor hath Power of conftituting his Vicar or Commiffary, by the Bull of Clement VH. fen t to Paulus Bugitella, which begins, Cum ft 'cut, in which we£«. ij» read : Moreover we decree that you may have Authority to appoint your Vicars or Commifjaries, Perfons whom you /hall judge to be circmnfpecf, ft, and proper, pro- vided they are full thirty Tears of Age. This Power doth not extend only to the appointing one or two Vicars orPegna, Commiffaries, but feveral, if the Diocefe or Province be large, and contains Com ' 6 >' feveral Cities. For as the Inquifitor cannot be perfonally prefent at all of them, 'tis neceffary he fhould appoint CommifTaries in them. He muff create at leaft in every City one, a Man prudent and learned, an old Chriftian, pious, and fit for Bufinefs, a religious Perfon of his own, or fome other Order, or a fecular Clergyman, viz. one poffefled of fome Prefermentin the principal Church of that City, or a Canonift, whom he verily believes will take Care of the Matters of the Faith diligently, and according to the Canonical Sanctions. This Vicar General may be conftituted with fuch full Powers by thelnqui-Eymer. fitor, as to be able to receive Denunciations, Informations or Accufations from^ 3- 5t» and againft any Perfons whatsoever, and of proceeding, and of citing, arreftino-, and putting in Irons as well the Witneffes as the Guilty, of receiving their Confefllons or Depofitions, and of proving them, of examining and compel- ling to give Evidence, and of putting to the Queftion and Torture to force the Truth from them, jointly with the Lord Bifhop or his Vicar ; as alfo of imprifoning them by way of Punilriment rather than Safety, of calling toge- ther and advifing with skilful Men at his Pleafure ; and in general of doing every Thing, which the Inquifitor himfelf, if prefent, could do. Only the Inquifitor ufually referves to himfelf the definitive Sentence of all Impeni- tents and Relapfed, although he may alfo commit even this to his Vicar. In •?. die Seville Inftruction, A.D. 1484. cap. 17. 'tis provided, That the Inquifitors Peg*** /hall themfelves receive and examine Witneffes, and not commit the Ex nh 434« to a Notary, or any other Perfon -, unlefs the Witnefs be fo ill, as that he . appear before the Inquifitor ', and it be not reputable for the Inquifitor to go /. Z rjo The History of the Inquisition. nefs to receive his Depofition, or except he be otherwife kindred. In fuch a Cafe the Inquifitor may commit the Examination of the Witncfs to the ordinary Ecclefiajlical Judge of the Place, or to feme cautious and honejl Per fen, who under ft ands how to examine with the Notary and who Jhall report the Manner in which the Witnefe V. 41. g avs his Depofuion. But the Power of pronouncing definitive Sentences is very ieldom crivcn to the CommifTary or Vicar, without firft confulting the Inqui- fitor who in Decency is bound to defend the ProcefTes of his CommifTaries. He cannot however grant fuch CommifTary a Power of fubftituting a Vicar for himfelf. Sometimes they appoint two CommifTaries, who (hall equally and jointly proceed againft the Guilty. The Inquifitor only can depofe the Vicar thus appointed by himfelf, and 'tis not in the Power of the Prelates of the Religious. Sometimes the Pope himfelf appoints the CommifTary, fo that there are two forts of CommifTaries, fome appointed by the Inquifitor, others by the Pope. Their Power is unequal. The CommifTary appointed by the Inqui- fitor, neither takes Place of the Ordinary, nor pofTefTes all the other Privileges which the Inquifitor doth. Whereas he who is particularly appointed by the Papal Authority, is in all Things equal to the Inquifitor himfelf. Caren. 'T' s a Queftion amongft the Doctors, Whither upon the Death of the p. i.t.7. Inquifitor, the Jurifdidtion of the Vicar ceafes. But though this was con- 0. 15, \6. troverted heretofore, there feems to be no Doubt remaining about it now. For the Congregation of Cardinals Inquifitors General hath decreed, that the Vicars General of the Inquifitors fhall be nominated or chofen by the Inquifr- tors, and then confirmed by their Congregation. Whilft this Decree is in* Force, the Vicars have their Jurifdiction properly from the Congregation ; . and therefore as Acts derive their Validity from the Perfon confirming them, the Jurifdidtion of the Vicars fhall not expire upon the Death or Removal of the Inquifitors. And thus Carena tells us it was obferved in the City Pa- via, in which after the two Inquifitors that were dead, the Vicars General of the holy Office managed all the Affairs of the Inquifition. j>. i, /.ii. As to what regards the Vicars appointed in the feveral Cities, which they f' 5> 7. call Foraneous Vicars, they have feldom any Thing elfe granted to them, but only the Management of an offenfive Procefs, as to which they are often to inform the Inquifitor of the Tranfactions in reference to it. So that they can imprifon no Perfon, unlefs the Affair be firft communicated to the Inquifitor, or except there be a very great and unavoidable Neceflity. For Inftance, if the Matcer relate to a formal Heretick, and there mould be Danger in a Delay, that he might endeavour to efcape by Flight. Bymer. If the Inquifitor needs an Affiflant in his Office, the Priors of the Orders p. 3. cju. are commanded by a Bull of Clement IV. beginning, Ne Catholics Fideinegotiwn, *°« that to remove all Difficulty, they fhall take Care to affign to the feveral Friars chofen for Inquifitors, their feveral Affiflants, viz. F>iars of their Or- der, careful and difcreet Perfons, fit for the faid Bufinefs, and who are wor- thy to be joined with thofe whom they are to aflift. And as often as the In- quifitors fhall defire it, let them provide others of the fame Order befides thofe The History of the Inquisition. 171 thofe already provided. Gregory XI. by a Bull beginning, Catholics Fidel . gotium, gives the Inquifitors free Power of going to the Court of Rome, and abiding there, and of taking an Afllftant without the Licence of his Order» and of changing fuch an Afllftant, and of taking another out of his Province, and of keeping him with him as often as he mail judge fit, any Prohibition of Prelates or Chapters to the contrary notwithflanding. CHAP. IV. Of Assessors and Counsellors necejfary to the Office of the Inqjjisition. ryiHE Inquifitors were originally religious Friars, skilful only in Divini- Eymer. J^ ty, but ignorant of the Laws. And therefore becaufe they might btp.i.qu-Z' eafily deceived in a judiciary Procefs, and fo abfolve fuch as ihould be con- Pe S na > demned, and condemn fuch as mould be abfolved, they were commanded to Cm ' lz ' call in skilful Perfons, fuch as Divines, Canonifls and Layers, to confult them, and if there was need to compel them to give their Advice in Virtue of their Obedience ; as we find it, cap. Ut commiffi. §. Advocandi. de hasret. lib. 6. 'That you alfo call in as Occafion requires, any skilful Perfons to affifi you, and give you proper Advice in faffing fuch Sentences, and enjoin them by Virtue of their Obedience, that in this Matter they humbly obey you. And thus we often find ic in the Book of the Tholoufe Inquifition, in the Sentences pronounced : We the aforefaid Bi/hop and Inquifitor, with the Advice and Counfel of many good Men skilful as well in the Canon as Civil Law, and of many prudent religious Perfons, &c. I do not find that their Number is precifely determined by any certain Law. Carena fays, that in the Congregation at Cremona, there*. i.th.S. are regularly prefent, four Regular Divines, four Secular Clergymen, Ca-"« IJ> nonifts, and four Lay Counfellors ; and becaufe the Inquifitor there is always a Mafter in Divinity, they don't need fo many other Qualificators, as the In- ibid.n.i 5. quifitors of Spain do, who are Layers. *Tis to be wonder'd at, that the Office of making Inquifition againft He- reticks, and of judging them, mould be committed to Perfons entirely ig- norant of the Law. But if we confider the modern Inquifitors, and compare them with the more ancient ones, and judge of their Ignorance by what we find of the Ignorance of the other, it mull be owned that they know nothing either of Law, or of Divinity, or of any Theological Points. The Au-„. ;: j thor of the Hiftory of the Inquifition at Goa, was in doubt, whither theBap- tifm of the Breath * could be reconciled with thofe Words of our Lord, John iii. 5. Except a Man be bom again of the Water and the Spirit, he cannot enter in- to the Kingdom of Heaven. The Inquifitor who examined him as to his Faith, was aftonifhed at the citing of this Place, and asked where the Pafiage was * Baptifmus Flam wis is the Baptifm of the Holy Ghoft, founded on AUs i. $. and, I fuppofe, Co called from yob. xx, 22. He breathed on them, amifailb unto tl'em ) Receive ye the Uoly G>'.\• wife not heretical. As if any one mould reckon up the Inconveniences of " holy ConfefHon, or tell the Abufesof the Church of Rome before the com- " mon People ; or if any one mould fay, That an evil Prelate is truly a Thief " and a Robber •, The Univerfities and Colleges are introduced by human Van':. . ; " Pulfe and Fijh blow up the Belly, and incline Men to Veners. il Or it is fchifmatical, when tending to introduce Divifion into the Church. § '-}) Sec. " Orfeditious,when it becomes theCaufeor Occafion of Sedition in the Church. " Or blafphemous, when injurious to God and his Saints. Or favouring Here- " ticks, when it any ways favours the Perfons or Errors of Hereticks. This " for Inftance, Hereticks are not to be punifhed. Or it is injurious, when it de- " tracis from, or is injurious to the State of any one of the Faithful, fome il- M luftrious Perfon or Dignity. Such are thofe Things which mad and impious " Men blab out againft the Cardinals and Monks. " The fame Propofition may alfo have feveral Qualities. It may be er-§. in, *' roneous, and heretical, and fchifmatical, and feditious, rafh, and injurious, " and thus have one, two, or more Qualities. " Although doubtful Queftions concerning the Faith, are to be determined $ iz. " by the chief Pontiff or a general Council, yet as a doctrinal Matter, J tii " ufual for learned and prudent Men to explain and determine what Propofi- tion hath this or the other Quality. And this properly is the Bufinefs of the Divines. However fomctimes the Layers can eafily determine fuch Mat- ters from the Decrees of the Popes, Councils and hoiy Fathers. " And whereas many who. can't deny that they uttered fuch Propofitions, yet will fo endeavour to interpret them, as to prevent their being criminal, therefore there muft be careful Obfervation made as to the Nature of fuch Interpretations. If they are jult and probable, and do wholly, or for the " molt <. lyjj. The History of the Inquisition. " moft part, clear them of the Crimes objected to them, they are to be ad- " mitced. But if they are abfurd, incredible, or unlikely, and don't agree <<■ with what goes before, or comes after, nor with the Nature of juft fpeak- " ing, nor with the Circumftances ofPerfons, Times, and Places, they are " to be rejected i efpecially when under the Pretence of an Interpretation ■" the true Senfe of a Proportion is deftroyed and corrupted. Part i. <■<■ John Rows affirms, That the adjudging of Propofitions partly be- $.4oo,&c.vc« Jongs jo the Canonists, and gives us a fliort Account of the Office « Zar.ch.feys, " It may happen, that by the Intreaties of others, they may give cap. is. " wrong Advice, not to fay unjuft. For the Love of Chrift is grown fo " cold, that few are to be found who have God only before their Eyes, in or in an Interlocutory Sentence, the Caufe muft be referred to the Council. But if the Inquifitors and Ordinary agree, their Decree mufl be executed, though the Counfellors differ, and Jhould be more in Number. There is alio a Letter of the Counfel in Poffefiion of the Inquifitors of Corduba ; by which it is decreed, That if simanc. the Inquifitors and Ordinary Judge do agree, their Sentence is to be prefer-//'/. 41, . red, although the Advice of all the Counfellors differ from it. For the Jurif- $• »4- diction properly belongs to the Inquifitors and Ordinary Judge •, and when they have heard the Opinion of the Learned, and thoroughly confidered the Procefs of the Caufes, and fully weighed all Circumftances, they can much better determine, and with greater Certainty. But as to the Inquifitors of Val- ladolid, unlefs the Majority of them agree in the fame Sentence, the Caufe muft be referred to the Council, although the aforenamed Judges fhould be unani- mous. In Portugal the Counfellors have a decifive Vote, and fubfcribe their Names together with the Inquifitors in the Determination of Caufes, and the Sentences •, and they are chofen under the fame Conditions as the Inquifitors Souza, are, excepting only that of being forty Years old, which is required by the'; lt c ' w common Law. '" 14 * But although this Power is granted to the Inquifitors, yet 'tis fafer to follow Pegna, the Advice of the Skilful. To this End they ought fully to communicate/"""' 3« the whole Procefs of Criminals to them. Per cap. Statuta. §. Jubemus, com ' I1? ' Jib. 6. When the Bifiop proceeds before the Inquifitors, or whether the Bifhops or Inquifitors proceed, if there can be conveniently had a Number of Witneffes, let their Names be declared to certain other wife and honefi Perfons, whom we order to be called to this Service, and to whom the whole Procefs under Confideration muft be ferioufly opened, and fully explained, and by whofe Advice they muft proceed to Sentence or Condemnation, And thus, notimthftanding the Names of the Witneffes be not declared to the Perfons accufed, let all Credit be given to the Depofition of the faid Witneffes, and the Judge proceed upon fucb Information. 'Tis however a re- ceived Cuftom amongft the Inquifitors, never to tell the Names of the Wit- neffes to. the Counfellors. 'Tis however the Duty of the Inquifitor to remark the Qualities of the Witneffes ; as whether they be religious, fkilful, grave, and approved, or whether lefs approved, common Perfons, poor, young, un- fkilful, and the like ; that their Qualities being thus known, the Skilful may more eafily underfland what Credit is to be given to what they feverally fay, and what not. If there be Reafon to fear that the Witneffes are Enemies to the Criminal, the Inquifitors may in fuch a Cafe declare the Names both of the Witneffes and Criminals ; becaufe poffibly the Counfellors may know them both •, and whether they are, or have been Enemies. But to prevent any rafli Publication of this Matter, they may bind them by Oath, or under the Sen- tence of Excommunication, to keep it a Secret •, becaufe Secrecy, as they hy y is the principal Nerve of the Caufes of the holy Office. Cap. eod. M« ef* fecluoXly to prevent any Danger to the Accufers and Witneffes, and for the more ijG The History of the Inquisition. cautious- Proceeding in the Affair of the Inquifilion, by Authority of this pre/em Conftitution, we permit, That the Bijhop or hquifitors may enjoin Secrecy to tbofe y whom they entruft with the Knowledge of fuch Procefs ; and if they think fit, fublifh againft them the Sentence of Excommunication, which they, ipio fa do, incur, by dif- covering the Secret, if they /ball reveal the Secrets of the Council, or Proceffes, com- mitted to them in Secrecy, by the Bi/hop or Inquijitors, to any Perfon, without their Carena, Leave. The CounfelJors alfo generally fwear that they will keep Secrecy, and p. \. t. 8. not reveal the Affairs treated of in the Congregation, under the Penalty of r ' 65# Excommunication, to be ipfo faclo incurred, from which they cannot be ab- folved, but by the Cardinals, fupreme Inquifuors. They likewife fwear un- der the fame Penalty, that they will not fpeak of, or debate, either by Word or Writing, or any other Way, of thofe Things which concern the Caufes of the holy Office, unlefs it be with the Counfellors, and o.her Officials of the faid Office. And although they fhould not exprefly fware ; yet there are many Laws that oblige them to keep it, enjoining them not to dif- cover the Caufes of Faith, becaufe of the great Danger that may arife from it. And if they fhould make fuch Difcovery, though not fworn to Secrecy, they may be punifhed by the Inquifuors without the ufual Way of Proceeding. But if they have malicioufly done ir, and efpecially to thofe who may obflruci the Affair of the Faith, or otherwile hinder the Caufe, they may be punifh- ed as Obuructors of the holy Office, more or l.efs, according to the Na- ture of the Offence, by which the Meafure of the Punifhment is to be regulated. If Bifhops or Inquifuors difcover the Secrets of the holy Office, they would indeed incur no Cenfure, but be guilty of mortal Sin'; unlefs they alfo fhould have taken an Oath of Secrecy in the Congregation of their Counfellors, according as the Congregation of the Cardinal, fupreme Inquifuors, hath decreed they ought to do. For they alfo take themfelves the like Oath of Secrecy. m Zanch. Camillus Campegius contends, " That the whole entire Procefs, with the €ap. 1 5. " Names and Circumftances, is not to be publifhed to the Counfellors -, becaufe " they have their Factions and Paffions, fince they are Fellow Citizens, or " otherwife allied to the Criminals, their Friends and Relations, whereby «' the Safety of the Witneffes will not be fufficiently provided for, according " to the Decree of the Canon. Nor doth it fignify, though the Inquifitor or " Bifhop fhould enjoin them to Secrecy under the Sentence of Excommuni- " cation, to be ipfo faclo incurred upon their diiclofing the Secrets : For they " would think this "as a very great Injury done them. Befides, this would be «« a Snare laid for their Souls •, for they would foon fall under Excommunica- " tion, through the importunate Inftances of inquifitive Perfons. Nor will " this derogate any Thing from the Procefs of the Faith, or the Depofuion " of the Witneffes : Yea, rather the imminent Danger apprehended by the " Judges, is a fufficient Reafon for not making a Difcovery to the Counfellors, " any more than to the Criminals. So that 'tis fafer to obferve the ancient " Cuflom, and not to difcover the Witneffes Names to the Counfellors. The " fame Campegius fays, undoubtedly, for the better keeping the Secret, that 1 " there The History of the Inquisition. 177 " there is no need of calling in many, and that a few of the better Sort is " abundantly fufficient." 'Tis enquired by the Canonifts, whether the Inquifitors are obliged to call/', i. *• 9. for the Vote of the Counfellors before Sentence ; fo that without it the Sen- "• 55> 5<5. tence fhall be void. Carena doth not think them oblig'd to it ; and fays, that in the Inquifition at Cremona, he hath oftentimes feen Caufes determined by the Bifhops and Inquifitors together, without afking the Votes of the Counfellors *, and adds, that they ought not fo to truft to their Counfellors, as to think themfelves excufed from reconfidering the Procefs and Books, and examining the Caufe j becaufe as they are Judges, it is their Duty to examine the Merits of the Procefs. " Hence it is that if the Inquifitors of heretical Royas, " Pravity err in determining the Caufes of the Faith, whether from their own^-^MM* " or their Counfellors Judgment, they are worthy of Punifhment, and the " Votes of their Counfellors will not excufe them, becaufe they ought to ** have examined whether their Advice was proper or not. But if the " Queftion is too difficult and hard, either through the Nature of the Fact, " or the various Opinions of the Doctors, the Inquifitors are in fome Mea- " fure excufed through their Ignorance of an obfcure Law. However, §. 435, " the Advice of the Counfellors, though wrong, hath this wonderful Effect, ** that though the Inquifitors are faulty, yet their Error is not to be imputed " to Corruption. But to avoid all Blame, in all difficult and doubtful Cafes ; w fuch as the Seifure of noble and religious Perfons, and the Releafe of Cri- " jninals ; the Affair, with all the Merits and Votes, is to be laid before " their Superiors, who are to be confulted, before it is put in Execution." InftrucJ. Granat. a. 1499. cap, 13. Injlrucl. Hi/pal. a. 1500. & Injlrucl. Ma- dr'il. a. 1 56 1. c. 5. and 66. Although thefe Counfellors or AiTefTors of the holy Office may lawfully be Carena, chofen by the Inquifitors, and are in Fact deputed by them in feveral Cities,/'* *•*• s - as at Pavia, and the other Cities of that Territory •, yet at Cremona and Mi-"' *> 4> ** Ian, the Counfellors, Advocate Fifcal, and Chancellor, are chofen by the Cardinals, Inquifitors General at the Nomination of the Inquifitors. So that thefe Counfellors depend on that Congregation, and cannot be removed but by it i becaufe the Act is his who confirms it. The Father and Son muft not be chofen together Counfellors of the holy?/. 32: Office. However, the Congregation of the fupreme Inquifitors General, for the Merits of Francis Caucius a Lawyer, deputed John Baptijl a Lawyer, his Son, as a Counfellorof the holy Office, or rather as an Afliftant to his Father, who had been a Counfellor of the laid Office above thirty Years-, but upon this Condition, That they fhould not be prefent together in the Congregations •, be- caufe the Counfellors Votes ought to be altogether free. The proper Place of thefe Congregations is the Hall of the holy Office. „. ^. Carena fays, that he heard from fome worthy Perfons, that there are Letters of the Inquifitors General upon this Affair, commanding that fuch Congrega- tions, when held before the Bifliop, fhall meet in the Epifcopal Palace. But when the Bifliop will not, or cannot be prefent, they lhall meet in the holy A a Office ; 178 The History of the Inquisition. Office •, and that the Vicar General of the Biffiop muft be there. And though he himfelf did not fee thofe Letters, yet he fays this is exactly the Method in the Inquifition at Cremona. ».44,45. In voting they obferve this Order in the Congregation at Rome. The junior Counfellors vote firft, that they may not be afraid to differ from the Opinion of the Elder. In the Congregation at Cremona 'tis quite contrary, where the more Worthy vote firft. «.48. The Method of voting is this : When the Merits of the Procefs are pro- pofed, the Counfellor firft examines, whether the Intention of the Fifcal is fully proved, and how. Then he confiders, whether the Intention of the Fif- cal is drawn from the Proofs and Exceptions of the Matter ; and after ha- ving confidered thefe Things, he gives his Vote. CHAP. V. Of the Promotor Fiscal. Simanc. " HpHEY ufually call that Official of the Inquifition the Promotor Fifcal, tit. 53.' " who acts the Part of the Accufer. He muft be an honeft, dili- $ 1,2. te g e nt and induftrious Perfon, fkilful in the Law. He is prohibited from " exercifing this Fifcal Office in the Province where he was born, that he " may not be thought to act out of Favour or Hatred. f. 3, &c " I 1 belongs to this Office to examine the Depofitions of the WitnefTes, to " give Information of Criminals to the Inquifitors, or Notice of them to the " Judges, and to demand their Apprehenfion and Imprifonment •, and finally, Carena, " when apprehended and admonifhed to accufe them." In the holy Office in p- 1. 1. 9. spjpijj^ t he Fifcals do not form their Accufation againft the Criminal, till the Way is clear for the Inquifitors to proceed againft him. " And although " the Criminals, upon Admonition, fhould confefs all their Herefies, yet the " Promotor Fifcal muft accufe them of the fame Things, that Judgment " may be formed from the Accufer, Criminal and Judge. The Charge is, " to be drawn up and prefented to the Judges by the Promotor, to which he 4 ' is to add an Oath, that none of the Heads of it proceed from a malicious " Defign -, but only that he may the better profecute his Suit, and that he " intends to prove them all. $,7. " If the Judges mall allow any Time to receieve the Proofs, he muft " produce the WitnefTes againft the Criminal, and demand their Examina- " tion i and that their Depofitions be allowed and publifhed. If after this " other WitnefTes fhall appear to prove other Herefies, this alfo fhall be ad- cc ded to the Accufation, and the Promotor Fifcal fhall accufe the Criminal " of thefe. He muft alfo take particular Care to obferve all the Confeflions, " Sayings and Anfwers A of the Criminals, that^he may be able to gather what " relates The History of the Inquisition. 179 " relates particularly to their Cafe, and what to other Hereticks. And when $• 10. " the Depofitions of the Witneffes are written down and allow'd ; and when the " Judges and Counfellors debate about the Sentence to be palled, the Promotor " Fifcal mult be abfent. But he may be prefent when the Procefs of the Caufe " is reported, and from Factor Law alledge what he thinks convenient." In the Cremona Inquifition the Fifcal is not prefent at the Examination ofthecarena, Witneffes, unlefs the Inquifitor calls for him. He is however prefent at the?- i. t. 9, Examination of the Witneffes, by Way of Defence, and at the rehearing oF- 4 1 - the Witneffes, and mult be prefent in the Congregations when they vote in the Caufe, and always at the Torture, together with the Inquifitor, who fits between the Vicar General on the Right, and the Advocate Fifcal on the Left. " Heretofore the Promotor Fifcal was bound to defend the Caufes of thes „, Treafury before the Judge of the forfeited Effects, which is to this Day in Ufe in fome Provinces. But generally ipeaking, this Affair belongs now to the Advocate of the Treafury. " Befides this, in Spain they chufe a Perfon for Procurator General of the^ 52< " holy Inquifition there, that he may manage the Affair of this molt holy §,<$. aln- " Office at the Court of Rome, who is to have a proper Salary paid him out ofttrutf.Hif- " the forfeited Effects. Into this Office a fkilful and honeft Man muft beP aLr ^- 2> " chofen. CHAP. VI. O/^Notaries of the Inqjjisition. THE Office of the Regifters, whom they alfo call Notaries and Secreta- sj man • ries, is to writedown the Injunctions, Accufations, and all the Plead-///, A j' ings of the Caufes. The Judge ought not only to take Care that the Notary § 7. writes down the Depofitions of the Witneffes, or the Anfwers of the Crimi- Campeg. nals, but alfo that he diligently explains, and particularly remarks, during tn Zanch * the Procefs, the feveral Circumftances relating to the Witnefs, the Infor- °' 9 * mer, and the Perfon againlt whom Inquifition is made, viz. Whether the Co- lour of his Face changes ; whether he trembles or hefitates in fpeaking ; whe- ther he frequently endeavours to interrupt the Interrogatories, by hauking or fpitting •, or whether his Voice trembles, and the like. All thefe Circum- ftances the Judge ought to take Care to have particularly fpecified in the Procefs, that it may not be faid, that the Perfon inquired againlt is put to the Torture without Proofs. Whatfoever the Notary writes down from the Mouth of the Criminals, orp C g na ,. Witneffes, mult be in the fame Language in which the Witnefs or Criminal prax. inq. fpeaks, without altering, adding, diminifhing, tranfpofing or inverting any 7 2 - c - *°« of the Words. If the Criminal or Witnefs doth not underitand Latin > and"' :2 > &c * A a 2 if i8o The History of the Inquisition. if the Notary or Inquifitor doth not underftand the Language of the one or other, the Inquifitor muft have a fkilful Interpreter. For it may hap- pen that a Frenchman, a Spaniard, an Englifhman, or a German may be exa- min'd before an Italian Inquifitor. The Depofitions of the WitnefTes and the Confeffions of the Criminals, are to be written down by the Notaries, in the fame Words in which they are deliver'd. And when there are feveral Wit- nefTes, 'tis not fufficient that the Notary, when he hath particularly wrote down the Depofitions of the firft Witnefs, fays, that the fecond or third fays entirely the fame as the firft -, but he muft write down the particular Words of the feveral WitnefTes, becaufe oftentimes the Cafe before this Tribunal is the Proof of formal Herefy. Clement VIII. in a general Congregation of the In- quifition, November 9, 1600. hath particularly commanded the Inquifition not to omit any of the Interrogatories which are made by the Judge, in the Examination of the WitnefTes and Criminals, but to write them down at large. [Yea, fo favourable are they to this Affair of the Faith, that though the No- taries mould make one falfe Libel, yet all their others are valid, whilft they Ex Gbf. are kept in Office •, although when the Author is condemned, the Book is comr- in cap. ^ monly condemned too. Ibid.'] Fmerni- tt Thefe Notaries are to be chofen of the Laity ; but in Caufes of Herefy, the ** Clergy and Monks, and alfo others in holy Orders may difcharge this Office. 44 And although in Spain they ufually take them from amongft the Laity, yet tit. 41. « Simancas fays, thatpofllbly it would be better, that they fhould be chofen §. 7- a from the Clergy, becaufe they would wantlefs than thofe who have Wives and 44 Children ; for the Salary is fear ce fufficient for one. They are alfo obliged 44 to regifter in a certain Book, all the Commands of the Inquifitors, given- ** to the Executors and Receivers, againft Hereticks, and their Effects ; 46 that if any Queftion fhould arife concerning thefe Things, they may be 44 able, from thofe Regifters, to determine it. Befides, they muft be con- 44 tent with their Salary, and receive nothing for their writing, except the 44 Notary of the forfeited Effects, who may demand his lawful Dues, becaufe 44 he hath no Salary. They muft alfo travel at their own Expences within 44 their proper Province, to ratify the Depofitions of the WitnefTes, the Proof 41 of the Defences, and the Exceptions againft the WitnefTes, as it is contain'd 44 in a certain Decree of the Council." C. ut Officium. §. ad confer ibendum. de hasret. lib. 6. 2 Inftrucl.Hifpal c. 13. and 4 Inflrutl. Tolet. c. 18. Pegna, in Heretofore the Roman Pontiffs made feveral Provifions to fupport Perfons dire ft. par. t0 re gifter the Acts of the Inquifition, becaufe the Inquifitors were poor, and 3. cm - zo ' COU \d no t maintain a certain Notary, who fhould be appropriated to this Bufi- nefs •, fometimes difpenfing with the Clergy and Religious, who were Notaries before, that they might exercife the Office of Notaries in the Caufe of the Faith ; fometimes allowing that two proper Perfons fhould regifter the Tranfactions, to whom full Credit fhould be given» This was decreed by the Council of Biterre. Cap. IV. Take Oaths from thofe, who being thus cited before you, Jhall appear within the Time of Grace affigned, that they fhallfpeak as far as tJyey know, the whole Truth, and nothing but the Truth, concerning the Fail of heretical 2 Pravity, The History of the Inquisition. iSi Pravity, either relating to themfelves, or others, the living or dead : and after having interrogated the?n carefully concerning all and fingular the Matters worthy of Enquiry, either by your felves, or by the Writers, fee that their Confeffions and Bepofit'wns be faithfully written down, and placed in the Acls of the Inquifition ; either by fame pub- "lick Per fan, if you can get one, or by any other that is proper and favor n, to whom let another fit andfworn Perfon be added, that thus fuch Writings, whither by a publick Hand, or by two fit Per fans, as we have mentioned, being thus repofited and written in the Acls, and recited to him who confefjes and dspofes before the Inquifitor and No- tary, or the [aid two proper Perfons, may obtain full Confirmation and Validity. At that Time the Inquifitors themfelves could not make Notaries, but were obli- Eymcr, ged to take the publick Notaries of the Bifhops, or of the temporal Lords of?- 5- qu. thofe Places, in which the Office of the Inquifition was committed to them, lS - who were to make the Proceffes, and to execute other Things pertainino- to the Affair of the Faith. Or they might defire the Pope to create for them two or three Perfons for Notaries of their own Nomination. As to thofe who had been Notaries, the Inquifitor could compel them to execute that Office, although they were become Religious, by a Bull of Urban IV. beginning, Licet ex omnibus. %. adconfiribendas. But now by a Refcript of Pius IV. be-Pegna, ginning, Pafloralis officii cura, given An. 1561. Cal. 6th Septe?nber, it is prov!- c " w - 67 - ded, that the Inquifitors and their CommifTaries, in all Caufes of Faith, may, when they think it neceffary, by the Apoftolick Authority, chufe, affumej and create Notaries, one or more, either all Clergymen, or Regulars of any Order. However a Religious or Clergyman is not immediately created a Notary, when he is commanded by the Inquifitor to write the Ads of the fa* cred Office •, but that all Things may be valid, he muft create this Religious a Notary before fome other Notary, before proper WitnefTes, Pen and Ink being regularly delivered to him, and a folemn Oath adminiftred to him, with the cuftomary Words, Be thou a Notary and Faithful : And of all thefe Things Com _ 68 the Notary, who is prefent at this Creation, muft draw up a publick Inftru- Camped ment. And although when they are firft created Notaries, they take an Oath^ zamh to do all Things faithfully, yet neverthelefs as often as the Inquifitors fend for c - 9 ' any Notaries afrefh, to write down the Acls of the holy Office, they muft take a new Oath of them faithfully to execute their Office, and to preferve the Secrets, which is peculiar in this Caufe of Faith. So that if a Notary, or any other Minifter of the Inquifition difcovers the Secret committed to him, he may not only be punifhed, but condemned as guilty of Perjury, and fall into fome Sufpicion of favouring Herefy. [When the Notaries are thus created, the Prelates of the Orders can't remove or change them, fince they are created by the delegated Authority of the Apoftolick See •, nor can the Delegates of the Apoftolick See excommunicate them, by the Bull of Ur- ban IV. beginning, Ne Inquifitionis.~] " In Spain, even now, the Inquifitors may, if there be Occafion, createsimanc w another Notary, and pay him a juft Salary, as is provided for by one of$. s. c the Letters of the Council. If he be fvvorn to Secrecy, he is obliged " to give Security to the Promotor Fifcal, and to the other Parties concerned, anc tfyi The History of the Inquisition. " and to deliver in a written Account, of the Time of Condemnation, and " CommifTion of the Crime. For they will not fuffer the whole Procefs to be " Ihewn, leaft Suits fhould arife from Suits, and the Secrets ot the whole Caufe " fhould be difcovered. For the Confequence of this would be, that the " Names of the WitnelTcs would be known by ail, whereby their Safety would " be endangered, and many Exceptions would be urged againft them by Slan- " derers. Provifion was made againft thefe Inconveniences, by a certain Let- " ter of the Inquifitor General. Fanner, all thefe Notaries mnft attend the " Tribunal of the Inquifitors fix Hours every Day. Ii any one offends in " his Ofrice, he is to be punifhed according to the Nature of his Crime by a " Fine, Sufpenfi on of Office, Deprivation, or Banifhment, to be moderated " at the Pleafure of the Inquifitor General and Council. Epijl. dat. Granat. " Sept. 4, 1499. and ^Inftrucl. Told. cap. 28, and 13. " The Writings of the holy Inquifition are to be kept under three Keys, *' which are to be in the Hands of the Promotor Fifcal, and Notaries, nor " muft they be read or fhewn to any one, but in the Prefence of all. Befides " thefe written Acts are to be carefully kept in the publick Hall of the Inqui- " fitors, that they may be prefent, as often as there is need, nor may the " Notaries fhew them to any one, nor remove them into another Place ; and " if they are convicted of doing the contrary, they are to be removed from " their Ofrice, without Hope of Pardon. However, the Inquifitors, when . 4 1 * " nals, whom he is obliged to purfue, if they are at a Diftance, and to put^ *" M in Irons, and to be content with his appointed Salary. But if it be needful for " the Familiars to attend him, they muft have a Salary appointed by the " Inquifitors, to be paid by the Receiver out of the Treafury. And as he is " a mere Executor of a Command, he muft carefully keep within his Bounds, " and punctually execute the Order of the Judges. Thefe they alfo call Ap- " paritors and Purfevants. 4 Injlrucl. Tolet. cap. 26." Their Office is the fame with theirs who are otherwife called Officials, Bzovius, concerning whom Innocent IV. hath ordained thefe Things, by a Conftitu-^ Vi- rion, beginning, Ad extirpanda, as they are all placed in Order, in a Book^' 3 * entitled, The Manner of proceeding againfi Hereticks, afcribed to John Cal- derine. Let the Governor or Ruler be obliged, within three Days after his Entrance into his Government, to appoint twelve honeft and Catholick Men, and two Notaries, and two Servitors, or as many as fhallbe neceffary, whom the Diocefan, if prefent, and willing to be concerned, and two Friars Predicants, and two Minorites deputed to this Service by their Priors, if there fhould be there Convents of the [aid Order, /hail think proper to be chofen. Such Perfons, when appointed and chofen, may and ought to take up heretical Men and Women, to feize on their Ejfecls, and to caufe them to befeized on by others, and to caufe that thefe Things be fully done y as well in the City, B b as j86 The History of the Inquisition. as in his whole Jurifdiclion and Diftricl, and to bring them, and caufe them to he brought into the Power of the Diocefan, or his Vicar}. Let their Office continue only during fix Months, after which let the Governor be obliged to fubflitute fo many other Officials according to the prefcribed Form, who may execute the forefaid Office according to the f aid Form for the fix Months next fol- lowing. But let them not be compelled to any other Office or Employment, that doth- or may in any manner hinder the faid Office, nor let any Statute made, or to be made, hinder by any Means their Office. Let full Credit be given to thefe afore faid Officials concerning all Things which are known to belong to their Office, without requiring from them any fpecial Oath, or adinittmg any Proof to the contrary, when two or more ofthemfhall be prefent. Far- ther, when thefe Officials are chofen, let them fwear to execute all thefe Things faith- fully, and according to their Power, and to fpeak nothing but the Truth concerning all thefe Things, fo that they may be more fully obefd in all Things appertaining to their Office, and let the faid twelve and their Servitors, and the before appointed Notaries, together, or feparately, have full Power of commanding, upon Pain of Puni/hment and the Ban, all Things appertaining to their Office, and let the Governor or Ruler be obliged to confirm and ratify -all their Commands- which they fh all give relating to their Office, and punifh thofe who don't obferve them. Farther, let the Governor be obliged to fend with their Officials, one of his Soldiers, or Jo'me other AJJiftant, if the Diocefan, or his Vicar, or the Inquifitors deputed by the Ap- fiolick See, or the faid Officials fh all demand it ; and let fuch Soldier faithfully execute their Office with them. Let every one alfo, if he be prefent, or required, whither in the City Jurifdiclion or Difiricl, be obliged to grant to thefe Officials, or their Compa- nions, Counfel and Affi fiance, when they will apprehend, feize the Effects of, or make In- quiry concerning any heretical Man or Woman, or enter into any Houfe or Place, or Paffage, to take Here ticks, under the Punijhment of 25 Imperial Pounds, or the Ban, Let every corporate Town be obliged to it under the Penalty of an 1 00 Pounds and Ban, and a Village under the Penalty of fifty ^ to be paid every time in ready Money. Alexander IV. An. 1255. wrote to the Inquifitors of Liguria *, and Infubria f, That the aforefaid Officials may command any City, Borough or Village, under the Penalty and Ban of 1200 Marks of Silver and more, at the Pleafure of the Gover- nor of juch Place, that they fhall prefent, within a competent Time fixed, to the Go- vernor, or Diocefan, or his Vicar, or the Inquifitors of HereUcks, all heretical Men and Women, which the faid Officials Jhallfignify to them. And the Governor of fuch Place (hall be obliged to exacl this Pumfhment from all who do not obferve this Order. Innocent IV. adds in the fame Ball, That if any Lofsfhall at any Time happen to the faid Officials in their Per fons and Efifetls, in executing their Office, they fh all be indemnified with full Rejlitution by fuch City or Place, and that the faid Officials, or * Containing the Towns of Genova, Hizza, vintimilia, Albenga, Polenta, -Alba, Afie, Aid, Tirtona, and Voghera. j Containing Milan, Lodi, Qrema and Mopza.. their The History of the Inquisition. 187 ibeir Heirs, Jhallnot at any time befued for any Thing they have done, or belonging to their Office, any farther than as the faid Diocefan and Friars think ft. And if the aforefaid Diocefan or Friars Jhall think fit to remove any one of the faid Officials for being unskilful or improper, or for any Engagement, or Excefs, the Gover- nor or chief Officer Jhall be obliged to remove him at their Command and Appointment ', and to fubfiitute another in his Place, according to the prefcribed Form. But if any one of them flj all, contrary to his Oath, or Duty of his Office, be found to have favoured Herefy ; bejides the Mark of perpetual Infamy which he /hall incur as a Favourer of Hereticks, let him be punifhed by the Governor or chief Officer, at the Pleafure of the Diocefan of the Place and the faid Friars. CHAP. IX. Of the Familiars, or Attendants. INnocent III. granted large Indulgences and Privileges to thofe, who fhould accompany or aflift the Inquifitor in his making Inquifition againft and pu- nifhing Hereticks, that this newly appointed Office might have the more hap- py Succefs. Hence the Soldiers, who were Afiiftants and Helpers to the In- quifitor, were commonly called Familiars*, as belonging to the Inquifitor's Family. In fome Provinces of Italy they are called Crofs- bearers, and in others the Scholars of St. Peter the Martyr, and they ware a Crofs before them upon the outfide Garment. -f- Anciently certain Perfons were appointed,whofe Office it was to ufe all Di- Pcgna, ligence in fearching out Hereticks, and to this Purpofe they applied the De-^** ^ 9 ' creeof the Council of Biterre, cap. 34. In allPariJhes, as well within Cities as c '^'*' l% without them, let one Prieft, or two or three of the Laity of good Reputation, or more if need be, be bound by Oath to remove and change, as often as it Jhall fe em good to * The Familiars are the Bailiffs of the Inquifition, which, tho' a vile Office in all other Cri- minal Courts, is efteemed fo honourable in this of the Inquifition, that there is not a Nobleman, in the Kingdom of Portugal that is not in it, and fuch are commonly employed by the Inquifitors to apprehend People. Neither is it any wonder that Perfons of the higheft Quality defire to be thus employed, fince the fame plenary Indulgence is granted by the Pope to every fingle Exercife of this Office, as was granted by the Lateran Council to thofe who fuccoured the Holy Land. Dr. Geddes TraBs, Vol. I. p. 415, 416. f When the Familiar is Tent for to apprehend any Perfon, he hath the following Order put in- to his Hand. By the Command of the Reverend Father N. an Inquifitor of heretical Pravity, let N. be apprehended and committed to the Prifons of this holy Office, and not be releafed out of them, but by the exprefs Order of the faid Reverend Inquifitor. And if feveral Perfons are to betaken up at the fame time, the Familiars are commanded fo to order Things, that they may know nothing of one another's being apprehended. And at this the Familiars are fo expert, that a Father and his three Sons, and three Daughters, who lived together in the fame Houfe, were all carried Prifoncrs to the Inquifition, wichout knowing any Thing of one another's being there until feven Year* after- wards, when they that were alive came forth in an Aft of Faith. Geddes, Vol. I p. 419. B b 2 yout 1 88 The History of the Inquisition, you, (the Inquifi tors ) who diligently faithfully and frequently may fearch out Here- ticks in Villages, and find them when out of their Houfes, their fubt err aneous Shelters, Huts and Faftneffes, and all other their hiding Places, all which let them caufe to be $. 4j 5. flopped up or deftroyed. " The Familiars or Crofs-bearers are now in their ** Room ; and they are then efpecially in Service, when the Bifhops or In- " quifitors have Diocefes bordering upon and near to the Lands of Hereticks, " or Perfons fufpe&ed of Herefy, fo that a mutual Commerce can fcarce be " avoided amongft them. For as then they may more realbnably be afraid, ce left thofe who are fubject to them, and belong to their Jurifdiction, mould n be infected and corrupted by Hereticks, they ought to ufe the ftricteft Di- " ligence to know with whom Hereticks lodge, and into whofe Houfes they " are received ; and whither any fubject to them go to the neighbouring " And firft as to the Number of Inquifitors, 'tis appointed, that in the City ' c< of Toledo there fhall be 50 Familiars chofen by the Inquifitors, as many at " Seville, and 50 in Granada, and no more ; 40 in Corduba, Cuenca, and Val~ " ladolid -, ztCalahorre and Ilerena 25 ; in the City of Murcia 30 ; in every * Town where there were 3000 Burgeffes, fix, in all others of 500 Burgeffes, 2 " fc> Lir » The History of the Inquisition. 189 four j in other lefTer Towns two only in each. But in every Sea-port or Frontier Town four may be chofen. If more are chofen they have no Privilege. " By the fame Constitution 'tis provided, that in every Province there$. x s, mould be given in to the Confiftories of thefeveral Cities a Lift of the Fa- miliars, that the Governors and Magiftrates may know them, and fee that they don't exceed the Number j and that if they are quarrellbme,or unworthy their Office, they may report it to the Inquifitor General and Council ; which is alfo to be done when any one is put into the Room of another Fa- miliar. 'Tis farther appointed, that in all Civil Caufes the Familiars fhall be cited before the fecular Judges as much as if they were not Familiars. " But in Criminal Caufes the Familiars are exempted from the Jurifdiction §. 19, of the fecular Judges, and are to be punifhed by the Inquifitors, except in the Cafe of Treafon, and the Crime againft Nature, Rebellion and open Sedition. Likewife the Familiars are to be punifhed by lay Judges, if they offend againft Letters of Safety granted by the Prince, if they obftinately oppofe the Royal Commands, if they betray and ravifh Women, if they are publick Thieves, Breakers open of Churches, Monafteries, or other Houfes, or if they fet them on fire, or commit any other greater and more heinous Crimes thin thefe, or if they infolently and obftinately contemn the royal Judges, or if they refill them, or if being themfelves in fecular Offices they commit any Offence therein. " Farther, the fecular Judges may take up the Familiars for thofe Crimes, §, lo . the Cognifance of which belongs to the Inquifitors, but muft immediately fend them to their proper Judges, with a fummary Proof of their Offences, at the Coft of the criminal Familiar. 'Tis likewife provided by the fame Conftitution, that as often as the Familiars offend in any City or Place where no Inquificors refide, they fhall be fo often obliged to fhew to the Judges of the Place, where the Familiar hath committed his Offence, a Copy of the Sentence pronounced by the Inquifitors againft him, with a publick Teftimony that he hath fatisfied the Sentence pronounced againft him for his Crime. " But if any Difference arifes between the Inquifitors and fecular Judges $. zi. concerning the Cognizance of any Offence committed by a Familiar, the Caufe muft be referred to the Royal Court, with a fummary Proof of the Crime, that upon hearing the Cafe by two royal Counfellors, and two others of the Senate of the holy Inquifition, the Caufe may be remitted to thofe Judges to whom the Cognizance of it fhall appear to belong, limply, with- out Noife and Form of Judgment. And from this Sentence there muft be no Appeal. Farther, if thefe fupreme Judges fhall dilagree to whom to fend thePrifoner, and three of them fhould not be of the fame Opinion, the King muft be confulted. In the mean while the Familiar muft be kept in Cuftody by that Judge who took him up j but his Trial muft be deferred till he is fent to his proper Judge, to whom, upon a Declaration made, he muft be immediately reftored, though he fhould happen to have been i^o The History of the Inquisition. " put in Chains by another Judge. Thus far the royal Conftitution, dated " the 10th, and confirmed the 19th of March, 1553. We read of a famous Cafe of this Nature, concerning Jurifdiction between the Inquifitors and fecular Judge in Nicholas Rodrigues Fermofino, which is added to his Treatifes of Judgments, &c. This Fermojino was in the Office of Counfel- lor of the Trealury, in the Inquifuion of Valladolid, and created Inquifitor, and by King Philip IV. made Judge of the confifcated Effects of the faid In- quifition. The Cafe was this : The Magiftrates of Valladolid order'd rough Walls to be built, to prevent Travellers coming into the City for Fear of the Plague. Antonius Moreno, Governor of the Houfe of Penance, in that City, and his Aunt Mariana de Pareda, formerly Wife of a certain Secre- tary of the Inquifuion at Ilerena, obftructed this Building. And therefore Jerom Antony deTorefillas, Mayor of the City, took both of them out of the Houfe of Penance, An. 1648. 3d Cal. of Augujl, and put them in the com- mon Tail, and laid them in Irons. The Inquifuion demanded of him three Times, that he would releafe the Prifoners, and fend them back to the Tri- bunal of the Inquifition, as their competent Judge, with all the original Ads and Procefs. The Mayor firft faid he would reftore them, but after- wards declared that he would not deliver them over, but under this Condition, that the Tribunal mould proceed to no other Procefs. The Inquifition was not fatisfy'd with this, and the Affair was greatly contefted on both Sides. The I quifition fent their Orders to the Mayor, and the Mayor, by his An- fwers, oppofed the Orders and Commands of the Inquifition. At Jaft, the Difputeranfo high, that the Inquifition, after a declaratory Injunction, laid him under Excommunication and the Anathema *, and becaufe he continu'd to exercife every Act of Jurifdiction, they put him under a general local In- terdict. But this made no Impreflion on him ; for he anfwer'd, That the Tribunal of the Inquifition had no Jurifdi&ion over him ; and that whilft the Difpute was to whom the Cognizance of the Prifoners belonged, their Excommunication could not touch him, efpecially as he had appealed from all Cenfures of the Inquifition. At length the Inquifition prepared topublifh the Order for Ceffation of divine Services. But the Royal Court, to put an End to this troublefome Difference, commanded the Mayor to difmifs his Pri- foners •, and the Tribunal of the Inquifition, todeftroy all the Acts and Pro- cefs againft the Mayor, to grant him Abfolution, and remove the Interdict. But the Inquifition was not fatisfy'd in this ; but by Fermofino, their Fifcal Advocate, prayed the King, That the Mayor might be feverely punifhed, adding this Reafon, lead a Way mould be opened to infinite Contentions and Extorfions of the like Nature ; efpecially fince the other Judges will every Day, confidering thefe Things went unpunifhed, urge many frivolous Reafons for not acknowledging any of the Cenfures of this Tribunal, in Con- tempt of Juftice. CHAP. The) History of the Inquisition. i^i CHAP, X. Of the C r oss-Bearers. BESIDES thefe Familiars, there is another Sort of them, calJed Crofs- Campeg. Bearers, inftituted by Dominick, to whom he gave fuch Conftitutions and'» Zanch. Laws for their Direction, as obliges them vigoroufly to profecute Hereticks/^- 9 * and when there is Need, to endeavour, with the greateft Violence, their^J 41 * Deftruction. " They make a Vow between the Hands of the Inquifitors to " defend the Catholick Faith, though with the Lofs of Fortune and Life -, cc and may be compelled to perform their Vow. The Popes have honoured " this Fraternity with many Graces, Indigencies and Favours," which may be feen at large in Campegius. Bernard Comenjis gives us the Main of them in his Light of the Inquifitors. " Their Indulgence is, (i.) Their having a plenary Remiflion of all their in voce- ■** Sins. This was granted by Alexander IY, .in a Privilege beginning, p r(B Jndnhen- " cunclis, and by Gregory IX. and Clement IV. and alio by the Extravagants 11 / 1 cruce " de hatret. Cap. Excommun. §. Catholici vero. But upon this Condition, \t™!°~ " that they vigoroufly profecute their Vow in aid of the Inquifition, even to " Death. (2.) Every fuch Crofs-Bearer may beabiblved by the Inquifition, " from every Sentence of Excommunication, Sufpenfion and Interdict of a <{ Canon ; and from thofe efpecially which he may have incurred for the " burning of Churches, or laying violent Hands on Ecclefiaftical Perfons, « r and from all other Sentences generally promulgated by the Apoltolick See. " (3.) The Inquifition may difpenfe with thefe Crofs Bearers, if of the Cler- 44 gy, for all Irregularities they may have contracted by celebrating divine 44 Service, when under any canonical Sentence. (4..) All their Vows may be 44 commuted for by the Inquifitors ; thofe only excepted of the holy Land, 44 and which are perpetual. (5.) The Inquifitors may allow them to be pre 41 fent at Divine Services, and to receive the Ecclefiaftical Sacraments in fuch 44 Places where, by the Apoftolick Indulgence, they are allow'd to be ad- 44 miniftred, in the Time of a general Interdict. All thefe Things appear by " a Privilege granted by Innocent IV. which, begins, Malitia hujus temperis" Thefe Privileges were confirmed by Pius V. by his Conftitution, beginning, Sacrofanclcs Romanes &? univerfali EccleficB^ dated October 13, 1570. fo far as they are not repugnant to the Decrees of the Council of Trent. From thefe Privileges it appears, that when the Faithful are to take the Can Crofs, their Vow muft be made only before the Inquifitors or their Vicars j and that they receive no Advantage from them, unlels they have the Inquifitors/" :J ' Leave. Thefe Things and the like, Campegius thinks, mould be preach'd to : ' the Crofs-Bearers, leaft they mould pretend Ignorance. 44 For lie faith, That M he dilcovered many Errors and Abufes of thefe Crofs-Bearers, in a City, 44 within his Province of thelnquifition \ for he found a large Number of 1 hem, 1 " \yi The History of the Inquisition. " who did not enter into this Warfare by the Door, nor receive the Crofs «' from any Inquifitor or Vicar-, but that the very Laicks, the Minifters of * { this fame Fraternity, whom they call Officials or MafTaries *, wrote the " Names of others that came to them in the Book of the Crofs- Bearers ; and " thus unjuftly invaded the Province of the Inquifition. He adds moreover, tc Not being able to bear this, I made a Sermon on the Crofs, in the Cathedral, ac- «< cording to the ancient Stile of the Inquifitors, granting the nfual Indulgence to *< the Auditors •, and publickly admonifhed them of their publick Error, and par ti- *« cularly explain* d 'what they ought hereafter to do ; who upon difcovery of the " 'Truth, fuhmtted, after many Dilutes, and the Advice of Advocates. For they *' would have had, even againfl my Will, that fome of thefe Jhould have affified " at the Examinations, as though it belonged to them of right. Whereas 1 declared, " That the Inquifitor was the Head and Captain of the Cr of s-B carers, and there- " fore would not have them pre fide over the Inquifitor s, but according to Equity " befubjecl to it. Lucerna « The Office of thofe Crofs-Bearers is to provide the Inquifitor. with biquif. a Neceffaries ; fo that they are excommunicated if they refufe to give JVloney " to the Inquifitor, when he afks and wants it for the Service of the OfHce of " the Inquifition ; becaufe private Perfons, who have bound themfeives by " Oath or Vow, are even by Omiffion faid to be Favourers, viz. if they e< do not manifeft, or perform what they have promifed by Vow. The Ceremonies they ufe when they take the Crofs on them, are accurate- ly defcribed by Campegius. 'The Injlrnblion of Campegius concerning the Marnier of Signing with the Crofs. Tr. tr. < t \y\7 Hoever from his Affection to the Catholick Faith, will take the Crofs, P™i. X fol V V " let him be diligently inftructed by the Inquifitor, or his Vicar, 2.69.verfo. " concerning the Bond of his Vow, and the Weight of his Obligation. Let it " be efpecially declared to him that he fhall be bound not only to part with all " his outward Eftate, but even to give up his Life for the molt holy Faith, at Ci the Command of the Inquifitor or his Vicar ; and that having once taken " the Crofs by Vow, he fhall not lay it down without the fpecial Difpen- " fation of the Pope. If he be found ready to obferve all thefe Things, the " Inquifitor or his Vicar may admit him to the Vow of the Crofs. And " becaufe the Crofles given are firft to be bleffed, therefore we appoint this M Form of Benediction. Verf. Our Help is in the Name of thctLord. Anfw. Who made the Heavens. Verf Lord fhew us thy Mercy ; Anfw. And grant us thy Salvation. * A Sort of Houie-kcepcrs, who looked after the Goods and P'lirniture of the Monaflents. Verf. The History of the Inquisition. 193 Verf. The Lord be with you, Anfw. And with thy Sprit. Let us pray. ALmighty and everlafling God, who haft confecrated the Sign of the Crofs with the precious Blood of thy Son, and by the [ame Crofs and Death of thy Son Jefus Chrift haft redeemed the World, and by the Virtue of the fame venerable Crofs, haft delivered Mankind from the tyranny of the old Enemy ; we humbly befeech thee, that thou wilt vouch fafe to blfefs this Crofs, and grant unto it an heavenly Virtue and Grace, that whofoever fhall bear it on him may merit a Plenitude of heavenly Grace, and to have Chrift for his Protector, againft all the Enemies of his Soul and Body, who with thee lives and reigns, World without End. Amen. " The Crofs thus blefTed, he who is to be figned with it, kneeling before -< the Inquifitor or his Vicar, thus reverently declares his Vow. 1 N. Vow to God, and the blejfed Mary, and the bleffed Peter the Martyr, that I will receive and carry the Crofs, to the Honour of Jefus Chrift our Lord, the Ad- vancement of the Catholick Faith, and to the Extirpation of Hereticks and their Fa- vourers, throughout all the Diocefe ofF. And I promife to expofe my temporal Sub- fiance, and my proper Life, for the Defence of the Faith, when there fhall be needy and I fhall be fo required to do ; and that I will be obedient to the Reverend Father Inquijitor, bis Succeffors or Vicars, in all Things appertaining to the Office of the Inquifition. " This done, the Inquifitor or his Vicar gives him a red Crofs blefTed, " faying," Receive the Sign of the Crofs of our Lord Jefus Chrift, in the Name of the -f- Father, and the -f- Son, and the Holy -f- Ghoft, as the Figure and Memorial of the Crofs, Paffion and Death of Jefus Chrift our Saviour, for the Salvation of thy Soul and Body, and the Defence of the Catholick Faith, that the Favour of the Di- vine Goodnefs may bring you to the heavenly Kingdom. Amen. A Prayer to be faid over him that takes the Crofs. Verf. Lord fhew us thy Mercy •, Anfw. And grant us thy Salvation. Verf. The Lord be with you, Anfw. And with thy Spirit. Verf. Lord hear my Prayer •, Anfw. And let my Cry come up unto thee. Cc Lee 194 Th e History of the Inquisition. Let us pray. GRant the Right-hand of thy heavenly Aid, Lord, to thy Servant, whom, for the Glory of thy Name, thou wouldft have mark 9 d with the Sign of the moft holy Crofs, and be a Defender of the holy Faith againjl perfidious Hereticks, that he may feek thee with his whole Heart, manfully defend the Catholick Faith, and may attain what he worthily feeks after -, fo that when he hath finijhed his Warfare, he may merit to be a Co-heir of the Kingdom of thy Son, through the fame Lord Jefus Chrifi, &c. The Manner and Form of abfohing thefe Crofs-Bearers in the Article- of Death. f?td-jo. T~J^HE Lord Jefus Chrifi, who faid to his Difciples, Whatfoever Things ye fhall bind on Earth, fhall be bound in Heaven ; and whatfoever Things ye fhall loofe on Earth fhall be loofed in Heaven, of which Number, though unworthy, he hath made me one ; he abfolve th thee, by my Minijlry, from all thy Sins, whatfoever thou haft committed, in Thought, Word, or Deed ; and as far as 'tis permitted to wv Weahiefs, by the Authority of the fame, our Lord Jefus Chrifi \ and of the bleffed Apoftles, Peter and Paul, as alfo of our Lord Pope Urban III. and according to the Privileges which the Roman Pontiffs have granted to the Of- fee of the Inquifition, and by Virtue of the Privilege of Pope Innocent IV. of which this is the Tenor ; That you, and fuch faithful Perfons, who have ta- ken the Crofs for the Sake of this Vow, may receive a large Recompenfe of Reward •, we give you that Indulgence and that Privilege, which are gi- ven by a general Council to fuch who go for the Recovery of the Holy Land, by Virtue of this Indulgence and Privilege, which Clement IV. and Cle- ment VII. or any other Roman Pontiffs have vouchfafed to all Crofs- Bearers, who perfevere to the End of Life, in the Vow of the Crofs which they have taken, and give their Affiflance to the Inquifttors, for the Defence of the Catholick Faith, by which is granted to them, in the Article of Death, plenary Indulgence and Remif- fion of all Sins : I abfolve thee from every Sentence of Excommunication, Sufpen- /ton and Interdicl, and refiore thee to the Sacraments of the holy Roman Church.. By the fame Authority I abfolve thee from all andfmgular thy Sins, for which thou art contrite in Heart, and which thou haft confeffed with thy Mouth ; and I grant thee full Remiffwn of thy Sins, as far as 'tis agreeable to the Divine Majefiy, that thou fnayeft be abfolved before the Tribunal of our Lord Jefus Chrifi, and re- ceive eternal Life, and live for ever. Amen.. In the Name of the f Father \ and the f Son, and the Holy + Ghoft, Amen. Param. Thefe Crofs-Bearers were heretofore of great Ufe to the Inquifitors. But /. 2. t. 3. j n p roC cfs of Time, as there was no need of Arms to fubdue Hereticks, f ' 5 ' "' 7 ' the Name of this Warfare grew into difufe ; and with the Change offome of their Constitutions, they were called, Of the Penance of St. Dominick, in ho- nour The History of the Inquisition. 195 nour of their Founder. This Religion is the Third of thofe inftituted by Domimck, the Conftirutions of which have been confirmed by the Roman Pontiffs. CHAP. XI. Of the Visitors of the Inqjjisitors. * A S the Offices of the Inquifitors and other Miniflers were perpetual, simanc; jf\ " it was neceflary, that fometimes they mould give an Account of tit 41. " their Behaviour. Therefore there was a Magiftrate created to vifu the§- z 7,i%,* (f Inquifitors, and all the other Minifters, who was called the Vifitor. His " Office was to vifit all the Provinces of the Inquifitors, and report to the " Inquifitor General and Council whatever was proper to be amended. He " was ftriclly tokeep to his Inftruc~f,ions,not to be the Gueft of thofe hevifited, " Inquifitors and Bifhop, or his Vicar, that they will faithfully difcharge the jj] ^ " Truft committed to them. The Inquifitors, Counfellors, and others alfo ' u fwear, that they will faithfully conceal all Secrets, which if any one dares rc to difcover, he is to be deprived of his Office, and to fuffer other Punifh- c< ments, according to the Nature of his Crime. " *Tis alfo part of their Inftru&ions, that the Inquifitors, and all other J. 5 J» q 2 The History of the Inquisition. " dian, together with the Diocefan, or by the Inquifitors or Inquifitor of heretical ct Pravity, concerning all Things contained in the [aid Statutes, or Confiitutions, and " Laws, againft Hereticks and their Complices, and to punifh them if they have been " faulty, for all andfingular Matters which they have omitted, and force them to u make Satisfaction out of their own Eftates, notwithftanding they fhall have been " abfolved from fuch Examination by any Licenfe of Counjel, or any other Perfon " whatfoever. And the aforefaid three Perfons fhall fincerely fivare that they will " examine the before mentioned Perfons concerning the before recited Matters. Boniface VIII. touches upon all thefe Things, faying briefly, " That the . 1. /. ^ on Occafion of any Confefiion made before fuch Inquifitor. See cap. Tuam. de«- 9 r >< ordi. cogni. Lucern. Whofoever by himfelf or others fhall kill, or beat, or ftrike any one of the^j^ Inquifitors or Officials of the holy Office, he is to be delivered over to the fe-^oy^. cular Court without any Charge of Irregularity, according to the Grant 0^.1.5.419. Pope Leo X. dated at Florence, Jan. 28, 1515. The aforefaid Grant is now extended to thofe who damage the Effects of the Inquifitors, or Officials, by the proper Motion of PiusV. dated at Rome 1569. Likewife the Inquifitors receive the entire Fruits of their Benefices, toge- 410. ther with the daily Diftributions, when abfent 5 as appears in the Letters of Paul III. and Pius V. which are in the firft Volume of the Letters of this In- quifition in Valentia, fol. 308. The Penfions referved by the-Apoftolick Authority to the holy Office, arec arcnaj free from the Payment of the fifteenth, as the fupreme Congregation of the/». 1. t. $» holy Office hath declared, Jan. 4, 1622. for the Inquifitor at Pavia againft*» 97* the Chapter of the Metropolitan Church at Milan. The Pope hath alfo often declared that the Benefices united to the Inquifitions are free from Payment of the Tenths. They are alfo free from all real and perfonal Offices, and even from the 411» Law ol the Generality, by a fpecial Royal Privilege, which is alfo extended to fome of the Officials, as is more fully contained in the laid firft Volume, fol, 2.88, Lodgr 2o6 The History of the Inquisition. 4x4. Lodgings, Provifions, and other NecefTaries, are to be provided for the Inquifitors and their Officials a: a juft Price, according to the Tenor of the Privilege of Queen Joan. 440. The Inquifitors may make Statutes againft Hereticks, and encreafe the Pu- nishments againft them. They may alio carry WitnefTes above two Days Journey. Eymer. Farther, Urban IV. hath granted another Privilege to the Inquifitors, that p. 3- ?«. they may abfolve themfelves and their Afliitants, and difpenle with them- 1 *' felves as to their Irregularity. That you may the more freely promote the Affair of the Faith, we grant you by the Authority ofthefe prefent, that if it Jhould happen that you, and the Friars of your Order, your AJJiftants, fhould in any Cafes, by human Frailty, incur the Sentence of Excommunication and Irregularity, or remember that you have incur ced it ; fince you cannot eafily, on this Account, have Recourfe to your Priors, becaufe of the Office enjoin* d you, you may mutually abfolve one another upon thefe Accounts, according to the Form of the Church, and by our Authority may dif- penfe with your felves, in Cafes in which the faid Priors can do it by Grant of the A- poftolick See. They can likewife abfolve their Servants and Familiars from Excommunication for apprehending any one upon Account of their Office, as Innocent IV. fays in a Bull, beginning, Devotionis veftrcd. But there are three Cafes in which the Inquifitors cannot mutually abfolve themfelves. The firft is, when they have omitted to proceed againft any one they ought to have proceeded againft. The fecond, when they have falfely charged any one with Herefy, or faid that they have hindred the holy Office, Clement, who in Reality have not. But becaufe 'tis very heinous not to all for the Extirpa- te Uret. tion of the afore faid Pravity, when fuch infeclious Wickednefs requires it •, 'tis cap. Mul- a jj~ Q ver y fcifiQus^ a nd moft worthy of Condemnation, malicioujly to charge innocent Tvc' m Perfons with fuch Pravity. We therefore command the aforefaid Bifhop and Inquifi- miia. tor, and others fubjlituted by them to execute the faid Office, in Virtue of their holy O- bedience, and under the Threatning of eternal Damnation, that they proceed fo dif- creetly and readily againft Perfons fufpetled or defamed for fuch Pravity, that they do not malicioujly or fraudulently, falfely charge any one with fo great a Crime, or with hindring them in the Execution of the Office of the Jnquifition. But if through Hatred, Favour or hove, or with a View of any temporal Gain or Profit, the Bifhop or Superior JIj all omit to proceed againft any one , contrary to Juftice and their Con- fcience, when they ought to proceed upon fuch Pravity -, or with the fame View fh all charge any one with fuch Pravity, or hindring the Office, and upon this Account /hall by any Means prefume to trouble him, befides other Punifloments to be infilled on them according to the Quality of the Fault, fuch Bifhop or Superior f)j all hereby incur the Sen- tence of ' Sufpenfion from his Office for three Tears, and others the Sentence of Excommu- nication. From which Sentence of Excommunication thofe who incur it, fhallnot obtain the Benefit of Abfolution from any one but the Pope himfelf, except in the Article of Death, and not then without Satisfaction made, any Privilege whatfoever to the con- trary notwithftanding. But the Inquifitors are not fubject. to this Penalty, if they omit to proceed through Ignorance, but only when they know they ought to have proceeded, and have then omitted to proceed through Hatred, Favour, Love» The History of the Inquisition. 207 Love, Money or Entreaty, contrary to Juftice and their own Confcience •, or, on the other Hand, have proceeded when they ought not. The third Cafe is when they have unlawfully extorted Money, under Pretence of their Office, or have confiscated the Effects of the Church for the Offences of the Clergy. Clement, de haeret. cap. Nolentes. We alfo do more Jlriffly" enjoin all their Commiffa- ries whatfoever, as well as thofe of Bijhops and Chapters, during the Vacancy of the See, deputed for this Affair, that they /hall not extort Money from any Perfons, by any unlawful Means whatfoever, under Pretence of the Office of the Inqu'tfition ; and that they fh all not knowingly attempt to confifcate to the Church the Churches Effetls for any Offence of the Clergy. And if any act contrary to thefe 'Things, or any one of them, we decree that they fhall be actually excommunicated, frotn which they fh all not be ab- folved, unlefs in the Article of Death, till they have made full Satisfaction to thofe from whom they have extorted Money : All Privileges, Agreements, or Remiffions whatfoever to the contrary notwithjl anding. Amongft the Privileges of the Inquifitors 'tis not theleaft, that the Inqui- E >' mer « fitor hath Power of granting an Indulgence of twenty or forty Days, as he 5 ' P art# fhall fee fit, to all that are truly penitent, and confeffed, and who attend on^/ 2 .^ his Sermon made for the Faith r according to the Refcript of Innocent, Clement^ Alexander, and Urban IV. Pra cunflis. They can alfo releafe from the Pe- nances enjoin'd them, for three Years, all the Companions and Friars of the Inquifitor, and alfo hisNotaries, who have laboured together with them in the Profecution of this Affair, and who have, from their Hearts, perfonally afforded Affiftance, Counfel and Favour againft Hereticks, their Favourers, Receivers and Defenders. And if any of them mould happen to die in the Profecution of this Bufinefs, they grant them full Pardon of all their Sins, for which they are contrite in Heart, and confefs with their Mouth. Gregory IX. plainly de-aw. 17$; clares thus, in his Refcript, beginning, Ille humani Generis, in thefe Words. Add to thefe Things, In order to their more freely and effectually executing the Office committed to them in all the Premiffes, we confiding in the Mercy of Ahnighty God, and in the Authority of the blefjed Peter and Paul his Apojlles, do releafe for three Tears from the Penance enjoin d them all who ff all attend on their (the Inquifitors ) preaching, twenty Days in their fever al Stations ; and all thofe who fhall, from their Heart afford Affiftance, Counfel and Favour to the fubduing of Hereticks, and their Fa- vourers, Receivers and Defenders, in their fortified Places and Caftles, or any other that rebel againft the Church. And if any fuch fhould happen to die in the Profecution of this Affair, we grant them full Pardon of all their Sins, for which they are contrite in their Heart, and which they confefs with their Mouths. Pegna tells us that the Crofs- bearers enjoy this Privilege to this Day, and they are the fame with the Familiars in Spain, who are at the Beck of the Inquifitors, and execute all Things they order them, to promote this holy Office, the Propagation of the Faith, and the Extirpation of heretical Pravity. But as there are extant theLuc.-m. Bulls of five Popes, who every one of them grant thefe three Years oi Indul-^' •■•■-■•• gences, fome infer from hence, that thefe Years of Indulgences are to be added »*■&*»" together, and therefore that Indulgences of fifteen Years are granted to all who ""i*"™"* promote the Office of the Inquifition, for every Time and Inftance, And Pcgna, 1 whc* io8 The History of the Inquisition. who believed once -that the Indulgences of the former Popes were only con- firmed by the Bulls of the latter, fays there is Reafon to add them to one another. But to the Inquifitors themfelves is granted a plenary Indulgence in Life and Death, by a Refcript of Alexander IV. beginning, Firmiffime teneat, in which we read thus : B\ the Mercy of Almighty God, and confiding in the Authority of his Heffed Apofiles, Peter and Paul, we grant unto you, being truly penitent, and con- feffedy full Pardon of your Sins. And by a Refcript of Urban IV. and Clement IV. beginning, Pro: cuntlis. And to you who labour in this Affair, we grant you that Pardon of Sins which was granted in a general Council, to thofe who fuccour the holy Land. This Indulgence was granted by Innocent 111. in the Lateran Coun- cil at Rome, Anno 1215. and runs thus : In order to recover the holy Land, &c. we, trufiing in the Mercy of Almighty God, and in the Authority of the bleffed A- pflles, Peter and Paul, by that Power of binding andloofing, which God hath con- ferred upon us, the? unworthy, do grant to all who undertake this Labour in their own Perfons % and at their own proper Expence, full JPardon of all their Sins, for which theyfhall be truly contrite in Heart, and confefs with their Mouths, and do pro- wife them an Encreafe of eternal Salvation at the Retribution of the Juft. And as to thofe zvhofhall not go thither in their own Perfons, but only (hall appoint proper Perfons, according to their Ability and Faculty, maintaining them at their own Ex- pences 5 and as to thofe alfo who go thither in their own Perfons, tho* at the Expence of others, we grant them full Pardon of all their Sins. We alfo will and grant, that allfiall be Partakers of the fame Remiffion, according to the Nature of their Af- fiflance, and the Affection of their Devotion, who Jhall agreeably minifler of their Subjlance towards the Relief of thefaid holy Land, or fh all give proper Counfel or Ad- vice in the aforefaid Matters. 'The holy and univerfal Synod alfo doth unanimoujly beftow the Affiflance of their Prayers and Blejfmgs upon all in common, who pioufly proceed in this Work, that it may worthily profit them to Salvation. In verb. " This plenary Indulgence the Repertory of the Inquifition extends fo far, as mAtilg. tnat t he Inquifitors fhall not only obtain it once in their Lives, but by all \i **Mto- P er feft A^ s whatfoever, that are celebrated againft Hereticks, in Favour and r J to the Praife of the Faith. CHAP. XIV. Of the Amplitude of the Jurisdiction o/V^Inqjjisitors. BEcaufe the Inquifitors are Judges delegated by the Pope in the Caufe of Faith, that all Herefy may be wholly extirpated according to the Pope's Pleafure, Power is given them in Favour of the Faith, of proceeding againft all forts of Perfons whatfoever. Few only are excepted. The Inquifitor can't proceed againft the Officials and Legates of the Apoftolick See, nor againft Bifhops i but he may give Notice of their Crimes to the Apoftolick See. Ex- trav. The History of the Inquisition. 209 trav. dehceret. c. 3. and cap. Inquift tores, de hcsret.^ lib. 6. John XXII. ordained the fame, when Matthew de Pontiniano, a Predicant, Inquifuor of heretical Bzovius, Pravity in the Kingdom of Sicily, pronounced Sentence of Excommunication'*- l 5 l6 ^ againft G. de Bale to, Archdeacon of Forli, and Chaplain to the Pope. But^ 9 ' Pius IV. by an Extravagant, beginning, Romanus P ontifex , in the Year 1563. ordained, that the Cardinals Inquifitors General over all Chriftendom, might proceed againft Bifhops, and all other Prelates whatlbever, and admonifh and cite them, and require their perfonal Appearance within a certain Term, and that under grievous Penalties; that fo when the Procefs is formed, it may be reported to the moil holy Lord, and that the deferved and juft Puniihment may bepublifhed againft them. As to fuch Religious as were exempt, there was formerly a great Variety Dbefr. about the Power of proceeding againft them. For Alexander IV. by a czx-Par. 3. tain Refcript, beginning, Ne commijfa vobis, Anno 1260. ordained, that the $?' zS ' Inquifitors mould proceed, without Diftinction, againft all manner of reli- Cww " 7 ^" gious and exempt Perfons whatfoever. The fame alfo was ordained by others. But Pius II. about the Year 1460. granted to the Vicar of the Order of the Friars Minors, that he mould make Inquifition, and punifh his own Friars fufpected concerning the Faith, or of Herefy. A few Years after Sixtus or- dained by a golden Bull, beginning, Sacri Prcedicatorum -, which may be Ceen in the Book of the Privileges of the Predicant Order, fol. 163. that the Pre- dicants fhall not proceed againft the Friars Minors, nor the Minors againft the Predicants, in thofe Places where they exercife the Office of the Inquifi- tion. A few Years after this, Innocent VIII. forbid all the Inquifitors to pro- ceed in any Manner, or make Inquifition againft the Friars Minors, as ap- pears from the Apoftolick Letters written about this Affair, contain'd in a Book entitled, Fundamentum trium Ordinum beati Francifci. But whereas thefe Immunities were fometimes manifeftly dangerous to the Faith, the later Popes have fubjected all religious or otherwife exempted Perfons, in the Caufe of Faith, as formerly, to the Inquifitors of heretical Pravity. Thus Clement VII. by a Refcript, beginning, Cum ficut ; and P^iSimane, 5 IV. by another beginning, P aft oris aterni ; for which Reafon it was declared*/*. 34. by Charles V. Emperor in Spain, That the Soldiers of St. James, if they$- J 2 » mould happen to be Hereticks, are not exempted from the ordinary Jurifdi- ction, nor from that of the Inquifitors. The lame Rule alfo is entirely to be obferved as to the Soldiers of St. John, and as to all others whatfoever. In fome particular Religions, the Order is prefcribed, which muft be ob- ferved in denouncing heretical or fufpeded Friars ; whereby the Prior of the Convent muft make the Denunciation to the Provincial, the Provincial to the General, and the General to the Office of the Inquifition. But that this round about Way may be avoided, when this Method cannot be fo con- veniently obferved, the Prior alone may make the Denunciation, or any other in his Room upon his Abfence, that the Caufe of Faith may not be delay'd. Ee But 3io The History of the Inquisition. But although the Inquifitors may thus proceed againft all religious and ex- empt Perfons, yet there are fome religious againft whom private Inquifitors are not eafily allow'd to proceed, becaufe of the Prerogative of their Dignity. Such are the Mafters General of Orders, of the Predicants, Minors, and the like ; and alfo the Mafters General of the Military Religions. When fuch are to be proceeded againft, the proper Way is, firft to inform the Inquifi- tors General, who, upon taking Cognizance of the Caufe, muft decree what is neceilary to be done, unlefs the Criminal attempts to efcape, and their ap- pears Danger in Delay. r> reff. Farther, the Inquifitor hath Power to proceed againft Priefts. Moreover, J*' *" the Priefts and others of the Clergy, who Jh all be found to hinder the Office of the In- per'cap.' quifition, either by inftrufting Hereticks and their 'Believers, when cited, to conceal Auufaius. the 'Truth, or /peak Falfehood, or by endeavouring unlawfully to deliver them, may § sacer- fo ji lc fo Cafes, ft nee 'tis certain they aft in Favour of heretical Pravity, be re- e "' a finned by the Inquifitors, and chaftifed with deferved Punijhment, either by feizing hceret.' their P erf ons, or otherwife, as the Fault of the Criminal Jhall require. Qu. 31. And finally, they may proceed againft all Laicks whatsoever, without Di- ftinction, infected, fufpe&ed, or defamed of Herefy, of every Condition, not excepting Princes and Kings. In the latter Cafe they think it fafer, when they proceed againft Princes and Nobles that are Hereticks, or fufpecled of Herefy, to confult the Pope, according to whofe Will, and Manner prefcrib'd by him, they muft proceed againft them : Not for that they think any De- ference is due to Nobility, which is forfeited by Herefy, but to prevent Scan- dal. For if the Inquifitors mould publickly animadvert, on Nobles, Confuls, and Magistrates, they might eafily be hinder'd, efpecially in fufpected Places, and where the Inquifitors are poor and weak. Moreover, they may proceed againft all Perfons whatfoever, of every Condition ; and whatfoever Privileges they enjoy, if they any ways obftrucl the Office of the Inquifition. Thus Alexander IV. commands in his Bull, be- ginning, Cupientes. Let all Contraveners be punijh'd by the Ecclefiaftical Cenfure, without any Regard to their appeal : Any Privileges or Indulgences whatfoever, granted by the faid See, or hereafter to be granted, fpecially or generally, under what- foever Expteffion or Form of Words, to any Perfons of whatfoever Condition, Dig- nity, or Degree, Religion or Order, or to any Communities or Univerfities of Cities or Places, to the contrary wtwitbftanding. For by thefe or any other Privileges or In- dulgences , we would not have an Affair of fo great Piety obftrutled. The fame Pope, in his Bull, beginning, Ne commiffum vobis, commands, That if the Clergy and Religious do not affift the Inquifitors according to their Office and Power, they may be proceeded againft according to the Canonical Sanctions, anv Privileges to the contrary notwithstanding. Cap. */ The Inquifitors may alfo proceed againft thofe, who have offended in tommrjfi their Province, and remove themfelves to another •, as alfo againft thofe, who tl h rt Ut * nav ^ n g offended any where elfe, are found in their Province. This is deter- mined by the Council of Narbonne, cap. 19,20,21. If there be any Criminal or Suf- feffed Perfons belonging to your Inquifition, you may freely proceed againft them as if pre- fent> The History of the Inquisition. 211 fent, though they are and have been abfent, if within a competent Time, perempto- rily affgned by you to them, and published in the Churches, they do not take Care to appear, or lawfully excufe themfelves. For we judge that all belong to your In- quifition, who have offended within the Bounds of the faid Inquifition, or who have or had any Dwelling there, when the Inquifition was began -, or who abide there up- on Occafion of any publick or private Office, or fhall be found there, though they have not any certain Dwelling, when cited by you, whether you laid them under any Secu- rity or not, if you have begun to make any Inquifition againjl them, or have com- manded them to purge themfelves : For againjl fuch you may and ought to proceed* whether prefent or abfent ; unlefs any other Inquifitors have already began to proceed againjl them, upon Account of fome greater or leffer Fault, committed elfewhere, or becaufe they have an Houfe, or for any other of the afore faid Reafons. For fince the Inquifition, of which God is the Author, is celebrated in different Places, and by different Inquifitors, His fafer and better that every Criminal, in whatjoever Places he hath offended, (hould be fubjeff to one, viz. to the Inquijitor of Juch Place, by whom he may have been firjl apprehended, for any of the aforefaid Caufes, without Fraud, and Danger of the Affair of Souls. Neverihelefs, let the other Inquifitors make Inquifition as to every Thing they can difcover concerning him, and acquaint thoje Inquifitors with it, to whom the faid Criminal is engaged. Thus will you fiqht as it were as one Man, and fhall overcome. See alfo lnjlrutl. Valadolit. A. 1488, Cap. 8. In like Manner, when they want the Teftimony of other Perfons, they may Dire&. cite Witneffes from one Diocefe to another, notwithftanding the Conftitution p «* ?• of the two Days Journey made in a General Council*. But they fay t\\\s Co . m ' Ia & muft be done with Prudence. For Perfons of Diftinction are not eafily to be^l m t nc * thus removed ; and therefore they muft be fo dealt with, that it may feem they g. '^ 4 ' are rather entreated than compelled. And leaft they mould refufe to fubmic to the Power of the Inquifitors, they fay 'tis more decent and modeft for the Judges to wait on them, or at leaft, to fend others to them to receive their De- pofitions. The fame muft be obferved as to all other illuftrious Perfons, Nuns, and other honourable Women. But then the Inquifitor muft deter- mine what Decency and Modefty muft be ufed towards each of thefe, and how the Caufes of Faith may receive the greateft Advantage, from the Dig- * The Form of the Citation is thus : To all and lingular Chriflians, as well Ecclefiafticks as Laicks of both Sexes, of whatfbevet* Degree, Order, Condition, Pre-eminence, Dignity, or Authority, the higheft not excepted. Know yc,^That we, by the Scries and Tenor of thefe Prefents, and by our Authority, and by that of the Omce we execute here, do Charge and Command, That within twelve Days after the Publication hereof (the firft four of which, are to be as the firft, and the next four as the fecond, and the laft four as a peremptory and third Canonical Admonition) all that do know or fufpect. any of Herefy, do come and inform againft them, upon Pain of the greater Excommunication lata SententU, which fhall be itfo fafio incurred, and from which they cannot be abfolved by any, but by our Lord the Pope, or by us. And wc do further Certify, That whofoever, defpi- fing the Penalty of this Excommunication, fhall forbear to inform us, fhall moreover be proceeded againft as a Favourer of Hereticks. Geddei Tra&s, Vol. I. p. 417, 4:^. E e 2 ftity„ its The History of the Inquisition. nity, Authority, Honourablenefs, and other Qualities of the Witnefles. We Lud.par. have a famous Inftance how infolently the Inquifitors fometimes abufe this- deOrig. Power, in Joan, Daughter of the Emperor Charles V. whom they cited be- s. iTjqwf. f ore t h e i r Tribunal, to interrogate her concerning a certain Perfon, in fome 5 ' *\J' Matters relating to the Faith. The Emperor himfelf was fo afraid of this 6»« 140°.' Power, that he commanded his Daughter not to put off the Affair, but make her Depofition without delay, to avoid the Sentence of Excommunication, as well againft others as againft himfelf, if fhe believed him culpable in the fmallett Matter. Upon which the moft ferene Joan gave in immediately her Depofition before Fernand Valdez, Archbifhop of Seville, at that Time Inqui^ fitor General. But if the Bifhop or Inquifi tor fends for Witnefles from any* other Dioceie, he is not obliged to fend the Procefs to the Bifhop of fuch Diocefe •, nor can fuch Bifhop juftly demand it. On the contrary, he is obli- ged and bound to fend the Witnefles, after having read the Letters of the Bi- fhop who requires it, and fays he hath Need of this or the other Witnefs, to give his Teftimony in the Caufe of Faith. The necefiary Witnefs muft therefore be lent, and Care taken, if it can be done, that he may not know that he is called to bear Witnefs againft any one in the Caufe of Faith, leaft he mould difcover the Affair, and fo obftruct it-.; unlefs for other Rea- sons it ought to be done upon full Knowledge of the Probity and Fidelity of the Witnefs. In this Age the Spanijh Inquifition endeavoured, under a fpecious Pretence, to extend its Jurifdiction over the Subjects of other Kings. According to the Conventions and Treaties between the Kings of England and Spain, the EngliJJ:,- who the Spaniards call Hereticks, were allow'd, upon the Account of Com- merce and Trade, to dwell in the Countries of the Catholicks, upon this Con- dition, That they mould not be molefted for any Matters relating to Religion and Faith, unlefs they gave publick Offence ; in which Cafe they were to be jphr J;;;, punifh'd in Proportion to the Scandal given, according to Law. Antonins de h '•'• S l -Soufa, Counfellor of the Tribunal of the fupreme Inquifition in Portugal, en- quires when the Inquifitors may proceed againft them, and gives many Limi- tations concerning fuch Hereticks, as they call them, whereby he- fuhjedh them en'.irely to the Power of the Inquifitors^ " And firft, he afferts, that the Condition that Hereticks mall not be in- " terrogated concerning the Faith, unlefs upon Account of Scandal, is of no «■ Validity, if it is only fupported by the King's Authority •, but the Inqui- *' fitors have full Power to proceed againft them according to Law : Bccaufe " Lay Jurifdiction doth not extend to Matters Ecclefiaftical, and relating to " the Faith. And therefore, unlefs that Condition be confirmed by the Pope, " the Inquifitors may proceed againft any Perfonj as foon as ever it appears * that he is an Heretick, whether he difcovers his Herefy in their Diftrict, or ,c in any other •, becaufe an Heretick fins every where, and therefore may " be taken and punifh'd any where. In this Cafe, if fuch Heretick. hath re- rt ceived Inftruiftion, he may be compelled to keep the Faith ; if he hath not u been inft rutted, he may be oblig'd to receive it ; and if he refutes to accept f« \% he may be punifh'd as an Hereiick.. " But The History of the Inquisition. 215 " But if this Condition mould be approv'd by the Pope, the Inquifitors may proceed againft Hereticks giving Scandal, and punifh them according to the Nature of it. And firft, he fays 'tis probable, that the Inquifitors may interrogate concerning the Faith, and oblige Hereticks that give Scandal, to receive Inftruttion, or if inftru&ed, to forfake their Herefy : Becaufe the Condition ceafes by the Offence, and the Obftruction is remov'd, and the forefaid Hereticks remain within the Bounds of the Law. But that the Inquifitors may proceed thus far, they ought fully to prove that Here- ticks have given Scandal i fince the giving this is the Condition that confers Jurifdiction. He thinks it however more probable, that when the Scandal is prov'd, the Inquifitors can punifh fuch Hereticks only for Scandal, and not for Herefy ; becaufe this feems to be excepted by Virtue of the Condition which the Pope hath approved. So that the Offence of Scandal gives no Jurifdict.ion over any other Offence that is excepted. ct As to Scandal, he faith, That any one who gives it* not only in Spain s but to any Catholick on the Spanifh Sea, may be punifhed as well as if he had given it by Land •, but not if it was given in his own Country, or elfewhere without the Bounds of Spain. " But if any of the aforefaid Hereticks mail be accufed to the Inquifitors for any foreign heretical Acl, before fuch Treaty of Commerce, and after- wards comes to Spain, notwithstanding fuch Treaty, he may be apprehend- ed, and obliged to receive the Faith. For the Inquifitors, by the preceed- ing Denunciation, have acquired a Power againft fuch Hereticks, which Power is not taken away by the Treaty of Commerce. If any one removes his Dwelling from Spain into England, to efcape the Judgment of the Inqui* fitors, although.he fhould not be accufed before, but after the Treaty, of an heretical Acl: committed before it, he cannot enjoy any Benefit by it, becaufe he ought not to be countenanced in his Fraud. " As to the Sorts of Scandal for which fuch an Heretick may be punim'd, they are thefe, viz. If by Reafons, Perfuafions, or any other Way, he en- deavours to perfuade any Catholick to embrace his Seel:, or any Error againft the Faith, or to turn him afide from the Catholick Doftrine or Purity of Faith j if he profenes the^ Sacraments, or doth any Injury to them, or to holy Images, if he doth not rife in Prefence of the Hoft, or covers his Head before it, with other Things of the like Nature. " The Punifhment of fuch Perfons upon thefe Accounts is arbitrary, greater or lefs, according to the Nature of the Scandal. If it be very heinous, they may be turned over to the fecular Court. They may not be forced to make that Abjuration, which, according to Law, is enjoyn'd to Hereticks or fufpe&ed Perfons •, becaufe even fufpecled Perfons are not judged for He- refy only, nor do they return to the Catholick Faith. But they may be obliged to fwear, that as long as they remain in that Kingdom, or in any Places fubjecl to it, they will not commit any. Fault whatfoevsr againft the Catholick Faith, a 1 4- Tt> e History of the Inquisition. One may eafily infer from this Doctrine of Sou/a, what the Subjects of Great Britain, and other Kingdoms and States muft expect, if all Things are to be done according to the Pleafure of the Inquifitors, and how little Safety they will find by fuch Treaties againft the Violence of the Inquifitors, unlefs they are protected by the Authority of their King, againft thefe their vile and unrighteous Practices. . [Of this we have a noble Initance given us by Oliver Cromivel, Protector of England. Thomas Maynard, Conful of the Englifh Na- tion at Lisbon, was thrown into the Prifon of the Inquifition, under Pretence that he had laid or done fomething againft the Roman Religion. M. Mea- dows, who was then Refident, and took Care of the Englijh Affairs at Lisbon, advifed Cromwel of the Affair •, and after having received an Exprefs from him, went to the King of Portugal, and in the Name of Cromwel, demand- ed the Liberty of Conful Maynard. The King told him, 'twas not in his .Power, that the Conful was detained by the Inquifition, over which he had no Authority. The Refident fent this Anfwer to Cromzvel, and having foon after received new Inftructions from him, had again Audience of the King, and told him, That fince his Majefty had declared he had no Power over the Inquifition, he was commanded by Cromwel, to declare War againft the Inquifition. This unexpected Declaration fo terrified the King and the Inqui- fition, that they immediately determined to free the Conful from Prifon ; and immediately opened the Prifon Doors, and gave him Leave to go out. The Conful refufed to accept a private DifmifTion, but in order to repair the Ho- nour of his Character, demanded to be honourably brought forth by the In- quifition. The fame Maynard continu'd many Years after under the fame Character, in the Reigns of Charles and James II. and liv'd at Lisbon till he was about eighty Years old, without any Moleftation from the Inquifition. This Story was well known to all foreign Merchants, who lived at that Time, and many Years after at Lisbon.'] CHAP. XV. Of the Power of the I n qjj i s i t o r s. DireB. HpHAT the Inquifitor may difcharge his Duty without any Hindrance, Par. 3. Power is given him to compel the Governors of Cities to fware that •§?• ?r * they will defend the Church againft Hereticks. We ordain moreover, that )enj,m ° ^e ^ ar ^ s -> Barons, Governors and Consuls of Cities and other Places, (ball take their §.st.tu'.- corporal Oath at the Admonition of the Bifhop, and fwear that they will faithfully, mus, de effectually andfincerely affifi the Church, according to their Office and utmofi Power, hsrer. againft Hereticks and their Accomplices, when required by the Bijhops : And if they refufe to do this, let them be deprived of that Honour which they poffefs, and never be raifed to any other. Let tbcm farther be excommunicated, and their Countries The History of the Inquisition. 215 Countries put under the biterdicl of the Church. If any City /hall think fit to op- pose thefe Injunclions, or negletl to puni/h ihofe who do, at the Admonition of the Bi- fljop, let their Commerce with other Cities be cut off, and let them know that they are deprived of the Epifcopal Dignity. We ordain moreover, that the Chief Ma-dy. vt Pt/lrate, Head Officer, Ruler or Confuls, cr any others who prefide over any City or officium. other Place, either now, or who /hall prefide over it hereafter, /hall, at the Command*^ at £f cf the Diocefan, or his Vicars, or the Inquifitors of heretical Pravity, fware that h xr ' a% lib, they will precijely regard, and inviolably obferve, and caufe to be obferved by their t. Subjetls, during the whole Time of their Government, in the Countries fubjecl to their Jurifdiclion or Government, the Conftitutions promulgated and approved by the Apoftolick See, againft Hereticks, their Believers, Receivers, Favourers and Defen- ders, and againft their Children and Grand-children. And whofoever will not fware, and obferve them, let him be deprived of the Office and Honour of his Government, as infamous, and as a Favourer of Hereticks, and fufpetled concerning the Faith \ and let him no longer be accounted as a Chief Magiftrate, Head Officer, Conful or Ruler in any Place, nor ever after be advanced to any Dignity or publick Office. And whatever he doth as Chief Magiftrate, Ballive, Conful or Ruler, let it be null and void. To this there is another Oath annexed, viz. to extirpate with all their gu. 35. Power, from their Countries, thofe who are noted for Hereticks by the Church, which the Inquifitor may compel all temporal Lords, having perpetual or temporal Jurifdiclion, to take. Let all fecular Powers, whatever be their Offices, Cap. Ex- be admoni/hed and perfuaded, and, ifitbeneceffary, compelled by the Church, that ammuni - as they defire to be accounted and held as faithful, they publickly take an Oath for ™ mus Defence of the Faith,, that they will endeavour with all their Might, in good Faith'^ \j/^ x . to root out of all Countries fubjecl to their fur if diction, all Perfons declared Hereticks §. Move- by the Church. And at the Time that any Perfon is advanced to any perpetual or aiJtlir > temporary Dignity, let him be obliged to confirm this Article by an Oath. Thus alfo the Council of Biterre, cap. 32. Let the Earls, Barons, Rulers, Confuls and Bal-^ r - 3- lives of Cities, and other Places, [wear, that they will faithfully and effeclually, m * 4 * when required by them, affift the Church againft Hereticks and their Accomplices, according to their Office, and the utmoft of their Power ; and that they will in good Faith endeavour with all their Might, to exterminate out of all Countries fubjecl to their Jurifdiclion, all Perfons declared Hereticks by the Church. Thus alio the Council of Tljoloufe. We forbid alfo the Prelates, Barons, Gentlemen, and all Pa '-Cap. 16 . . fans of Eftates, to give the Steward/hip and Management of their Lands to Here- ticks and their Believers. Neither let them pre fume to have or keep in their Family or their Counfel, fuch Perfons, nor any defa?nedfor Herefy, or who they believe to be fufpetled of it. And finally the Council of 'Biterre commands, that Hereticks fhall Q ^' z8 '- not be entrufted with Stewardfhips, or Adminift rations, nor fuffered to be in the Coun- feh or Families of the Great. Pegna remarks here, that in the 6th Council of Toledo, held 686. there is a Paffage concerning the Kings of Sp ain, That when cap. 3. they come to the Kingdom, they /hall not afcend the Royal Throne, till amongft other Stipulations by Oath, they have promifed that they will not fuffer any Perfons who . not Catholicks to remain in their Kingdom. This, lays he, I.wijh was every where Hcalled.into Ufe, and inviolably maintained. The ii 6 The History of the Inquisition. d- 3 ?. Thelnquifitors may alfo compel the temporal Lords to revoke all Statutes Cap. s^-that hinder the Office of the Inquifition. Let not any Statute of any City, Caftle, tutum, dc Tb«;«, or other Place, by which the Affair of the Inquifition of heretical Pravityis XK "' ' ' dire oily or indireclly kindred, or any ways retarded, fo that ye cannot freely -proceed therein, be of any Force whatfoever. And we decree, that the Lord, chief Magi- fir ate, Head Ojfcer, Confuls or Rulers of fitch City and Place, by whom the faid City or Place is governed, under whatfoever Name, fhall be compelled by Ecclefiafti- cal Cenfure, to "difcover fuch Statute to the Diocefan of the Place, or his Vicars, or the Inquifitor or Inquifilors of heretical Prnvity, without Delay. And if it JIj all be found fuch, let it be entirely repealed ? or at leaft fo far moderated, that the Procejfes of the Inquifition be not hindred thereby, or in any wife retarded. P. 3. Farther, the fecular Magiftrates are exprefsly commanded to feize and keep Com. 1. in Cuftody Hereticks ar. thelnquifitors Demand, and to carry them wherefo- Cap. vt ever they order. 'Th at the Affair of the Inquifition againft Hereticks may go on Inquiftti- p ro rp erou ji,- i n our Times, to the Glory of God, and the Encreafe of the Faith, we Jwret. 6 app'ove and order to be obferved certain Laws publifhed by Frederick, formerly Em- lib. 6. peror of the Romans, then remaining in his Devotion to the Church of Rome, as far as they promote the Honour of God, and his holy Church, We therefore require and admonifh all fecular Magiftrates and temporal Lords, and the Governors of Pro- vinces, Lands, Cities, and other Places, by whatfoever Dignities, Offices or Names they may be diftinguifhed, that as they defire to be efteemed and held as faithful, they obey the Diocefan Bifhops, and Inquifitor s of heretical Pravity, deputed, or hereafter to be deputed by the Apoftolick See, in all Things relating to the Defence of the Faith ; .and that when required by them, they endeavour to feize, and keep in fafe Cuftody Hereticks, their Believers, Favourers, Receivers, and Defenders •, and that without Delay they carry or order to be carried the aforefaid Perfons into the Power or Jail of the Bifiops, or the faid Inquifitor s, or to any other Place which they or any of them Jhall command within the Power of the faid Lords, or the Diftricl of fuch Rulers, where they Jhall be kept in dofe and fafe Cuftody by Catholick Perfons, deputed by the aforejaid Bifhops, or Inquifitors, or any one of them, till their Affair is determined by the Judgment of the Church. The Law of the Emperor Frederick here refer- red to, begins, Commiffi vobis ; the third Section of which is this : Furthermore, whatfoever Hereticks fhall be found in Cities, Towns, or other Places of the Em- pire, by the Inquifitors deputed by the Apoftolick See, and other Orthodox Perfons y zea- lous for the Faith, let fuch as have Authority there, be obliged to apprehend them at the Notice of the Inquifitors, and other Catholick Perfons, and when apprehended, to keep them in ftricl Cuftody, till being condemned by Ecclefiaftical Cenfure, they pe- rifh by an accurfed Death, who have condemned the Sacraments of Faith and Life. Thus alfo Innocent IV. by a Refcript, beginning, Ad extirpanda, commands, Lei every Magiftrate or Ruler, caufe the [aid Hereticks, when taken, to be carried, at the Ex pence of the Place where he prefides, where foever the Diocefan or his Vicars fhall order, within the Jurifditlion or Diftricl of fuch Diocefan, Bifhop, City, or Place. And that thefe Words relate to the Inquifitors alfo, the Beginning and whole Subftance of that Refcript (hews, which Cle?nentlV. hath alfo declared by another Relcript, beginning, Ad extirpanda. And The History of the Inquisition. -217 And finally, the Emperor Frederick hath commanded by the fame Law, all Governors, as well Ecclefiaftical as Secular, kindly to receive the Inquifitors, and defend them againft the Incurfions of Hereticks, §. 10. We hereby declare, that we take under our /fecial and Imperial Protection the preaching Friars of the Predicant Order, deputed for the Affair of the Faith againft Hereticks in the fede- ral Parts of our Empire ; as alfo all others fent for, and who come to judge Hereticks^ unlefs any of them be profcribed by the Empire, where -ever they go, abide, or re- turn \ and Wis our Pleafure that they receive no Offence from any, but that they re- ceive the Affiftance, and have the Recommendation of all the Faithful of the Empire. We therefore command you, and all of you, that wherejoever, and to whomfoever of you they come, ye receive them kindly, and preferve their Perfons free from the In- curfions of Hereticks that lie in wait for them, and that ye grant them all Counfel y fafe Condutl, and Affiftance, in their Execution of Affairs fo acceptable before God. The Inquifitors may alfo exact an Oath from the Magift rates, for their obferving not only the Laws of the Emperor Frederick againft Hereticks, but^, *, all other Statutes as well Ecclefiaftical as Secular, as appears from twoRefcripts of Innocent IY. beginning, Orthodox 'a fidei. The fame hach been particular- ly decreed by the Council of Biterre, cap. 31. And that by the Help of the Lord Herefy may be the better and more fpeedily extirpated, and the Faith planted in the Earth, fee that the Statutes and Laws made concerning thefe Things by the Apoftolick See, and its Legates, and the Princes, be moft exatlly obferved. As there are many Difficulties that daily arife in the Punifliment of Here- DireS. ticks, and the Caufes of Faith, which are not fully and plainly determined byP artn >• the Laws, for this Reafon, and to prevent the Neceflity of consulting the Pope?*' 85 * in all doubtful Cafes, Innocent IV. by a Refcript, beginning, Cum negotium : and Alexander IV. by another, beginning, Prcs cuntlis, gave to the Inquifi- tors free Power of interpreting the Ecclefiaftical and Secular Statutes againft Hereticks, their Believers, Favourers, &c. as often as there appears in them any Thing ambiguous or obfcure. This is certainly a very large Power, which the Seville Inftru&ions have alfo granted to the Inquifitors. Inft. 1. cap. 28. Simancas obferves here, " Thatfmaller Matters only, and fuch as 'tis im-ivv. 34. " poflible to bring within the Laws, are left to the Determination of the i 34> 55« " Inquifitors, and that they cannot of themfelves decide Matters of greater " Moment, which the Laws have not, but that they muft confult the Inqui- " fitor General and Senate about them. He adds, that even as to thofe I2 -not, if any Thing doubtful occurs, but that " when the-re are feverally equal- " ly probable Opinions in any Cafe, they may follow which they will, and " when there is no Scandal, judge fometimes according to one, and fometimes " to another. He adds, that 'tis more likely, that the Inquifitor cannot fol- " low the lefs probable Opinion, unlefs it happens to be more eftablifhed " by Cuftom, and he knows that the Sentence will be repealed by the fu- " pream Council." e«, 56. 'Tis alio further granted to thelnquifitors, ever fince the Beginning of the delegated Inquifition, that for the Defence of their Perfon and Family, and the better to apprehend Hereticks, their Receivers, Favourers, &c. they may have their Officials, and an armed Attendance, and bear Arms them- Om, io^.felves. But becaufe it often happens, that Abufes creep in under the Pretence of Privilege, unlefs fuch Privilege be wifely ufed, Clement V. in the Council of Vienne, about the Year 13 10. confirmed this Privilege to the Inquifitors, but took away the Abufe that had crept in. Cap. Nolenies in Clement. %.porro. Moreover, we fir icily forbid the Inquifitors, in any manner to abufe their Privilege of wearing Arms, and to have any other Officials but fuch as are necejfary to help them in the Execution of their Office. And this Privilege is fo peculiar to thelnquifitors in Favour of the Faith, and from the Hatred of heretical Pravity, that their Officials, who in Italy are called Crofs -bearers, and in Spain Familiars, and who are commanded by the Holy Office to denounce or appre- hend Hereticks, or to wait on the Inquifitor whenever he commands it, may carry Arms either by Night or by Day, any civil or municipal Law made, or to be made, to the contrary notwithftanding. If indeed any one fhould make a Law The History of the Inquisition. 119 Law to prohibit the Officials of the Inquifitors to wear Arms, he might be $u. 57. punifhed as an Hinderer of the Holy Office. If the Inquifitorsown Servants are c - ut <>ffi- not fufficient, he may call in the Aid of thefecular Arm. Finally, that you and C J"?'. every one of you may have immediate and inviolable Power of apprehending Perfons m ^" e concerning the aforefaid, we will, that in order to the more ufefully executing all thefe Things, you may, when there is Need, call in the Aff fiance of the fecular Arm, and put all Contraveners under Ecclefiaftical Cenfure, without Benefit of Appeal. The Inquifitors may alfo punifh thofe, who prefume to injure them in Word Simanc. or Deed -, and fo much the rather, becaule they think that their Office ***• 34» ought to beefteemed more holy and venerable than that of all other Judges ^' a8 ° whatfoever. They may compel any Witnefs, even tho' a Perfon of Diftinction, to ap- pear before them, and to give Evidence in a Caufe of theCatholick Faith. But this is fo explained by Campegius y " As that the Inquifitor can only compel i» Zanch " the Witnefs to give his Evidence, when it doth not expofe him to any c< ^' f 3 ,rf 11 imminent Danger ; if it doth, he cannot be compelled. The Judge may " alfo force them to appear, by forming a Procefs againft them, that they " refufe to appear and bear Witnefs, becaufe corrupted by the Criminal c< and becaufe fome Things were obfeure, and needed Explication, they made " certain Rules, to provide, as well as they could, for the Advantage and " Studies of learned Men, without any detriment to Truth and Religion.'* Hence Sixtus V. order'd it to be enlarged with many Rules ; but died before* he had brought it to Perfection. Clement VIII. commanded it to be retained, and enlarged it, and thus encreafed and enlarged, he confirmed it, and rhe Rules prefixed to it ; and commanded it to be publiflied, An. 1595. The firft of thefe Rules is this : All thofe Books, which either the Popes, or General Councils have condemned, before the Tear 15 15. and which are not in this Index, are to be looked on as really condemned here, even as they were condemned before. By the fourth Rule, the common reading of the Holy Scripture is forbid, in thefe Words : Since it is plain by Experience, thai if the facred Writings are permitted every inhere, and without Difference, to be read in the Vulgar Tongue, Men, through their Rajhnefs, will receive more Harm than Good ; let the Bifhop or Inquifitor determine, with the Advice of the Parifh Priejl or Confeffor, to whom to permit the reading of the Bible, tranflated by Catholick Authors, in the Vulgar Tongue j ■according as they floall judge whether it be moft likely that fuch reading the Scripture may do harm, or tend to the Encreafe of Faith and Piety. Let them alfo have the fame Power as to all other Writings, But if any without fuch Leave, Jhall pre- fume to read or have them y without firft fhewing the Bible to the Ordinaries, he Jhall not receive the Abfolution of his Sins. And as to all Bookfellers, who Jhall fell the Bible tranflated into the Vulgar Tongue, without fuch Leave, or by any other Method fbailpublijh them \ let them forfeit the Price of the Books , and let the Money be given to pious Ufes by the Bifhop -, and let them be fubjeft to other Punijhments at the Plea- fire The History of the Inquisition. hj Sure of the faid 1 Bifhop, according to Ihe Nature of the Offence, As to Regul i they /hall not read or buy them, without Leave firji had from their Prelates. To this Rule there is added in the Index this Observation. // muft he remarked concerning this fourth Rule of the Index of Pope Pius IV. of blejfed Memory', ~ that no new Power is given by this Impreffion or Edition to the Bifhops or Inquifitor s t or the Superiors of the Regulars, to grant Licenfe of buying, reading and keeping the Bible publifhed in the Vulgar Tongue. Since hitherto, according to the Command and Ufe of the holy Roman and Univerfal Inquifition, this Power of granting fuch Licenfes to read and keep the Bible, and other Parts of the facred Scripture, as well of the New as the Old Teftament, publifhed in any Vulgar Language, is taken from them -, as aljo all Summaries, and bijiorical Abridgments of the faid Bible or Books of the holy Scripture, written in any Vulgar Language whatfoever. And this muft be inviolably obferved. In the tenth Rule there are feveral Things to be obferved about the print- ing of Books, viz. that no Books mail be publifhed at Rome, unlefs firfl: examined by the Vicar of the Pope, and the Mailer of the holy Palace, or Perfons deputed by the Pope. And as to other Places, unlefs it be ap- proved by the Bifhop, or fome one deputed by the Bifhop, or the Inquifitor of heretical Pravity, and fuch Approbation fubfcribed with their Hand. If any publifh Manufcript Books without Approbation, they are fubject to the fame Penalties as the Printers. The Shops of Bookfellers are order'd to be often fearched, and they themfelves are commanded to keep a Catalogue of all the Books they fell, and to keep no other, nor to deliver them upon any Ac- count, without Leave of fuch as are deputed, under Penalty of lofing their Books, and other Punifhments to be inflicted at Pleafure of the Bifhops and Inquifitors. All Buyers, Readers, or Printers, are alfo punifhable at their Pleafure. If any one brings any Books into a City, he muft acquaint the faid Deputies with it, and not give or lend them to be read to any Perfon with- out mewing the Books to them, and having their Leave, Finally, in the Inftruction given to thofe who are intrufted with the Care Cap. de of prohibiting, purging and printing Books, this Oath is ordered to bt Im P re I taken by Printers and Bookfellers. Let Printers and Bookfellers promife upon uhroi * Oath, before the Bifhop or Inquifitor, and at Rome, before the Majler of the Holy ^ ' Palace, that they will p erf or ?n their Service in a Catholick, fine ere and faithful Manner ; and that they will obey the Decrees and Rules of this Index, and the Editls of the Bifiops and Inquifitors, as far as relates to their Arts, and will not knowingly fuffer any one to ferve under them, who is defiled with heretical Pravity. After this Trent Index was publifhed, Philip II. King of Spain, command- ed another larger one to be printed at Antwerp, An. 157 1. at the Houfe of Chriftopher Plantin, with this Title : The expurgatory Index of Books, publifhed in this Age, either mixed with Errors contrary to found Doclrine, or with the Gall of unprofitable and offenfive Scandal, according to the Decree of the holy Council of Trent, drawn up in the Netherlands, by the Co??unand of his Catholick Majejfy, Philip II. and with the Advice and Affiflance of the Duke of Alva, An. 1571. This Book was printed by Plantin, the King's Printer, and at his Majefty's G g 2 J own aaS The History of the Inquisition. - j- ?47- may cite and arreft, or apprehend and deliver any one to fafe Cuftody, and put them in Irons, if they think proper, and make Inquifition againft fuch as are accufed. But neither without the other can deliver any Perfons to hard or clofe Imprifonment, which hath more of the Nature of Punifhment than of . Cuftody, or put them to the Torture, or force them in Irons by Hunger to difcover the Truth, which is one fort of very grievous Torment, or proceed Cap. Mul- to Sentence againft them. This appears from the Clementines. Therefore topro- torttm. de raote the Glory of God, and for the Encreafe of the fame Faith, and that the Affair of hx-rec. fy e inqujjltion may go on mere profperoufly, and that the fe arching out of heretical Pra- . vity may proceed more folemnly, diligently, and cautiously, we decree that it /hall be carried on as well by the Diocefan Bijhops, as by the Inquifitors deputed' by the Apofto- lick See, laying afide all carnal Love, Hatred and Fear, and every Regard to tem- poral Interefi. So that every one of the aforenamed may without the other cite, ar- reft or take up, or commit to fafe Cuftody, and alfo put Criminals into Irons, if they Jhall think proper. And this we lay upon their Consciences, 'They may alfo make In- quifition againft them, as they foall think it in this Cafe moft agreeable to God and Juftice. But neither the Bifhop without the Inquifitor, nor the Inquifitor without the Diocefan Bifhop, or his Official, or during the Vacancy of the Epifcopal See, fuch Per- fon as Jhall be deputed by the Chapter, if they (an each of them refpetlively obtain a Copy, within eight Days after they have given Notice to each other, Jhall be able to commit am one to hard and clofe Imprifonment, which looks more like Punifhment than Cuftody, or put them to the Torture, or proceed to Sentence againft them. And if any one fiyall prefume to do otherwife, it Jhall be ipfo jure, null and void. In like man- ner the Inquifitor without the Bifhop cannot deprive, nor declare to be depri- ved of their Benefices and Ecciefiaftical Dignities heretical Clergymen, unlefs it fhall legally appear that the Diocefans have conferred fuch Benefices know- ingly upon fuch Perfons ; for we declare that their Confent in fuch Cafes Jhall not Pegna; be required, but rather that they Jhould be punijhed by their Judge. Decret. 6. de Lucem. hseret. cap. Ut commiffi. §. ult. But whatfoever was the antient Law, 'tis now inq.tnvoce ^ vcr y ffom and clear Cafe, by the Refcript of Pius V. beginning, Cum ex A- Wv ■"*' pffoiatus, that the Benefices of the heretical Clergy, are vacant from the Day of their committing their Crime, and referved to the Difpofal of the A- poftolick See. From whence it appears that the Inquifitor may declare them deprived of them. 'Tis The History of the Inquisition. 223 'Tis controverted amongft the Doctors, whether theBifhop without the Inqui- £><>*-?-4*- folution. 'Tis the Cuftom in Spain, for the Inquifitors to abfolve without C f m ' p 97 ' the Bifhops. But if there is an Abjuration to be made, the Confent of both*, ^% is neceffary, according to the Refcript of Innocent YV. beginning, Tunc potijfime. 4. $'. 11, But if any ft) all wholly abjure heretical Pravity, and will return to the Ecclefii- aflical Unity, let the Diocefan be confiulted, and grant them the Benefit of Abjolution, according to the Form of the Church, and enjoin them the u final Penance. But if fuch Abjuration or Purgation be made before one of them only, it is to be account- ed valid. From hence they draw this Inference ; That if any one mail have abjured, as an Heretick, or vehemently fufpecled, before either one of the a- forefaid, and fhall afterward be found to have fallen into Herefy j he may be delivered over to the fecular Court as a Relapfe ; and that he cannot defend himfelf by urging the Nullity or Invalidity of the Abjuration, as having been made only before one of them. TheBifhop and Inquifitor may conftitute each other their Vicegerents, inQu. 49 „ thofe Cafes in which neither can adtfeparately. But if the Bifijop, or the Per-com.92. fion delegated by the Chapter during the Vacancy of the See, cannot for the afiorefiaid Ca P' ml ~ Reafons, or will not perfionally meet with the Inquifitor, or the Inquifitor with either torltm ' of them ; the Bifhop, or his Delegate, or the Delegate of the Chapter, during the Vacancy of the See, may appoint the Inquifitor in his Room, and the Inquifitor or his Delegate may thus appoint the Bifihop, orfiignifiy their Advice and Confent by Let- ters. If they will not meet together, the one muft require the other ; nor can either of them proceed till eight Days after they have thus mutually de- manded each others Attendance. The Bifhop and the Inquifitor may proceed by a delegated Authority, andQu. 5. then they are equal. When the Bifhop proceeds by his ordinary Authority, and the Inquifitor by a delegated one, the Inquifitor is the greater. If thesimanc. Bifhop and Inquifitor cite the fame Perfon before them, to anfwer concerning tit. 44. the Faith, he muft, when cited, appear before both, if the Times of the 5- 1 3* Citation are different : if they are the fame, he muft appear before the In- quifitor. For the Inquifitors are fpecially delegated for the Affairs of the Faith. But in this Cafe they may oblige each other. But in Spain the Inqui-x)/ w ff. fitors are always preferred in thefe Caufes, and the Bifhop cannot hinder the/». 3. qu. Procefs of the Inquifitor. 5°« When the Bifhop and Inquifitor differ, they can't proceed to a definitive Sentence, but muft refer the whole Caufe drawn up to the Pope, or to the fupream Tribunal of the Inquifuion. In Spain this muft be done even when they differ in Cafes of no great Importance. This is prefcribed by the Mi- drid Inftru&ion, An. 1561. cap. 66. In all Cafes where there fhall happen a Difi- am. 99* ference of Opinion between the Inquifitors or Ordinary, or any one of them, in determi- ning a Caufe, or in any other Ail, or in an interlocutory Sentence, the Caufe muft be referred to the fupream Senate of the Inquifuion. But if the Bifhop and Inquifitors agree, although the Learned in the Law and the Counfellors differ, even though they may be-more in Number, the Sentence of the Bifhop anil Inquifitors muft be executed, H h II. 234- The History of the Inquisition. However, in very important Cafes, the Sentence of the Inquifitors, Ordinary and Counfellors, though they all agree, Jhall not be put in Execution, without confulting the Senate, according to Cujlom and Order. Qu. jr. When theBifhop and Inquifitor proceed feparately, fo that there are two Proceffes carried on for the fame Fact, one by the Bifhop, and the other by the Inquifitor, they ought to communicate their Procefles to one another. Cap./w But that the J aid Affair of the Inquifition may proceed better, more effectually and pro- hoc §. ve-fjably, we grant, that the Bifhops and Inquifitors may make Inquifition concerning MMB.de the fame Fart, either together or apart. If they proceed feparately, they (hall be ob- ' liged mutually to communicate the Proceffes, that hereby the Truth may be the better found out. And unlefs in this Cafe the Inquifitors Jhall think fit to refer the pronouncing Sentence to the Diocefans, or the Diocefans to the Inquifitors, let them both join in paffing it. If they cannot agree in pronouncing it, let them draw up a full Account of the Cafe, and refer it to the Apojtolick See. q Ui ,. , § This Communication of the Proceffes is to be made only once, and that when Ex'.eo!' the Procefs is finifhed. By an Extravagant of Beneditl. XI. which fays : Wljen they both proceed feparately, they muff at the End of the Procefs, when nothing remains but only to pronounce Sentence, communicate it to each other. One Cafe how- ever we except, viz. if either of them cannot conveniently proceed, without feeing what the other hath done. Iu this Cafe let a Copy of the whole Proceedure be grant- ed, though but one, to prevent any Fraud. Caren. But m Spain and Portugal the Inquifitors only form the Proceffes, and ap- p. i. th./\. prehend Criminals in Caufes of the Faith, and if the Bifhops have any Infor- &*i« mations againft fuch Criminals, they muft tranfmit them to the Inquifitors.. But it is uncertain whether thefe Spanifh Inquifitors claim this by any legal Cuftom and Prefcription, or by the Pope's Privilege. Thefe are the Things to be obferved, when the Ordinary and Inquifitor concur in -he Judgment of the Faith. But becaufe oftentimes in Spain fe- veral Inquifitors are deputed together, it will be proper to confider how far. each of them may feparately proceed. Qu. 46. As often therefore as it happens that two Inquifitors are conftituted in the Com. 95- fame Province, they may both together, or each of them feparately, proceed againft Hereticks throughout the whole Province committed to them, fit in Judgment in any Part of it, and when the Executor is abfent create another, becaufe they have entire Jurifdifbion. However, a Criminal can be punifhed only by one of them. But if there be any fpecial Inquifitor deputed againft any Perfon by the Pope, the Inquifitors of Provinces and Diocefes, who, as general Judges, feem to have univerfal Jurifdiction, at leaft with refpecl to Perfons, cannot proceed againft him, though they have actually began the Procefs •, becaufe their JurifdicYion is fufpended by a fpecial Commifllon grant- ed by the Pope. He who is thus conftituted fpecial Inquifitor, may make ufeof every Thing that hath been done and difcovered by the other Inquiftr tors, whom if it beneceffary he may compel to deliver to him all the Pro- ceffes, Writings, Inquifitions, Depofitions of Witneffes, and all other Things they have difcovered againft any Criminal Although 'tis reckoned more hand- The History of the Inquisition. 335 handfome to do this by the Authority of their Superior, when this Power is not fpecially given him in the Letters of his Commiffion. But although each of the Inquifitors hath entire JurifdicYion, yet neither of Simanc. them can proceed wi'.hout the other to the Publication of Teftimonies, nor to ***' ? 4* grant a Copy of the Procefs to the Criminal. This Rule holds only when^' J7 ' both the Inquifitors are prefent. For when either of them is abfent, the other can do every Thing that is needful, calling in the Affiftance of skilful Perfons. 4 Inftrutl. Tolet. c. i. When the fame Hereticks may be proceeded againft by different Judges, tit. 44. that Inquifitor who firft began the Procefs, is to be preferred to the other in §• 79« the fame Caufe. For which Reafon the Inquifitors of other Provinces muil fend their Teftimonies, and all Things they have difcovered againft the Criminals, to that Inquifitor who firft began the Procefs. ; The elder Inquifitor is to be preferred, although tranflated from one Pro-*/*. 34, vince to another, unlefs he may have been deprived of his Office, and after- $. io. wards reftored, or laid down the Office of his own Accord for any certain Time. This is fully contained in one of the Letters of the Inquifitor Ge- neral. J. Royas hath fully explained this Matter, viz. how feveral Inquifitors in one Part t. Province, and how the Inquifitors and Ordinary muft aft, and given in the$. 439* Reafons why. " The Jurifdiction of the Inquifitors is mutual and entire, " where one of them only prefides over the JurifdicYion for determining the " Caufes of the Faith ; for a Colleague in any City or Territory hath no " Power in Caufes already decided, 4 Inftrutl. Tolet. c. 1. But if they are all " prefent, neither of them without the other can proceed to apprehend Cri- " minals, to the Publication of Witnefies, to the Torture, to enjoin canoni- " cal Purgation, or to pronounce any definitive Sentence. And as to the Or- " dinaries, fuch of them as are Inquifitors have a cumulative Jurifdiction, and " not a privative one, in thefe Articles only ; viz. in pronouncing Sentences " of Torture, and in other definitive Sentences, as well as in thofe which arife 444. " from the Judgment it felf. But in all other Articles the Inquifitors have priva- " tive and not cumulative Jurifdiction. For as to other civil and criminal Caufes " not touching the Faith, the Inquifitors may proceed without the Bifhop, be- " caufe the Cognifance of them belongs to them rather by the Royal than the * Apoftolick Authority 5 or elfe by daily Cuftom, as particularly in the King- " doms of Valencia, Aragon, and Principality of Catalonia, which Cuftom gives «*< ved before the Inquifitors, but cannot be fo well kept before the Bifhops. This the Inquifitor Cantera attefts, whilft he was Vicar General ofPampilona ; H h 2 viz. ag6 The History of the Inquisition. viz. that he could never procure Secrecy to be kept in that Ecclefiaftical' Court j and though he oftentimes punifhed the Notaries, it fignified nothing at all. Carena alio relates, that Cardinal Camporeus, Bifhop of Cremona, and one of the fupream Inquifitors, in all Caufes in which Lay Perfons had a Right to decide and give Judgment, did for fourteen Years always remit all Caufes of Herefy, andSufpicion of Herefy, immediately to the Inquifitors •, be- caufe he well knew, how great Inconveniences would arife, if the Ordinaries,, who have neither fecret nor fafe Jayland Minifters, fhould incereft themfelves. in forming ProceiTes. CHAP. XVIII. Of the Jayl of the Inquisitors, WK£epe rs of the ] ay -l. TA YLS were formerly appointed to keep Men in Cuftody, and not to pu- nifh them. But by the Canon Law they may be ufed for Punimment. Qu. $8. Cap. Quamvis. de pcenis. lib. 6. Although it be well known that the Jayl is par- com. 107. ft CU i ar iy defigned to keep Criminals in Cuftody, and not to punijh them, yet we do not DireB. P- 5 difapprove that convict Perfons Jhoidd be delivered over to Prifon to do Penance either forever, or for a Time, as you fh all judge mo ft convenient, their Crimes, Perfons; and other Circumftances, being carefully confidered. Simancas gives this Reafon Cathl. Ik- for it : For fince the f acred Canons, through the Ecclefiaftical Lenity, cannot inflift pit. tit. 16. the Punifbment of Death, the Confequence is, that left Critnes fhould go unpunifhed, $■ IJ - thisy may inflitl the Penalty of Perpetual Imprifomnent for more grievous Offences, 'which is indeed very grievous, and equal to Death. Heretofore the Bifhop andln- quifitor might have their feparate Jayls, to hold Perfons in Cuftody, but not to punifh them ; for as they cannot condemn any one to Imprifonment without theConfentof both, 'tis therefore required that the Jayl for Punifhment fhall be common to both. But now they have not ufually feparate Prifons ; the fame that belongs to the Inquifitor, in which Criminals are kept in Cuftody, being common to the Bifhop. Here are two Things to be explained. Firft, what muft be done before- any Perfon can be thrown into Jayl. Secondly, what Method muft be ob- ferved in keeping and placing the Prifoners. jjtrtt. As to the firft, Roy as gives this large Account cf it. In all Caufes, as well jjftrt. 1. civil as criminal, Criminals muft not be apprehended, without afummaryln- quifition againft them concerning their Crime firft had. This is particularly tobeobfervcd in the Crime of Herefy. For though in other Crimes no one fuffers much in.his Reputation merely for his being thrown into Prifon, yet u> be taken up for the Crime of Herefy is greatly infamous, which muft there- fore be proceeded in with great Caution. For fince the Reafon of proceeding in the Crime of Herefy is much more important than in other Offences, there The History ^//& Inquisition. 557 is N«ed of a greater Inquifition, and of a fummary Cognifance, before Cri- minals are apprehended. So that no one is lightly to be fhut up in dole Pri- fonforfmall Offences, for Propofitions that found ill, or that are fcandalous, or blafphemous, or others which do not contain real Herefy ; but is to be confined either in fome Monastery, or in his own Houfe or City. The Inquifitors may indeed proceed in the Crime of Herefy againfb any Perfon, efpecially if he be otherwife vile, upon alight and moderate Sufpi- cion, fo far as to afk fuch fufpected Perfon, what he thinks of the Faith. But in order to apprehend any one for Herefy, two credible WknefTes are re- quired, although they fay that the Teflimony of a fingle one, if beyond all Exception, is fufficient, who depofes what he faw or heard •, yea, if he be not beyond all Exception, yet is otherwife fit, provided he agrees with the Informer •, for in this Cafe they fay there are two WknefTes, and confequent- ly more than half Proof, which is fufficient for any ones being apprehended. But that one Witnefs above all Exception, is enough in this Cafe, they prove from the Madrid Inftruction, An. 1561. Cap. 4. which fays, If the 'Teftimony be not fufficient for the apprehending. This InftrucTion is in the fin- gular Number, and therefore intimates, that one lawful Witnefs againft any one is fufficient for his being taken up \ efpecially if the Perfon be fcandalous, and vile, and fufpected j as are all the new Converts of the Mahometan Sect in the Kingdom of Valencia \ and as Royas fays, the French and Germans of the Lutheran. But if the Perfon accufed be noble, and of good Reputation and Fame, he is not to be apprehended upon a fingle Teftimony. How- ever, this is left to the Pleafure of the Judge, after having considered the Quality of the Perfon and his Offence ; not that the Inquifitors of the Faith, fhould appear eager to take up Criminals ; for they are always to ufe great Circumfpection. This is efpecially neceffary in the receiving and examining WitnefTes. They muft in the firft Place admonifh them, how horrible and dreadful a Wickednefs it is to give falfe Witnefs in any Caufes, and efpeci- ally in the holy Office of the Inquifition, and that they fhould have God and his awful and tremendous Judgment before their Eyes, that they may not,, for Prayer, or Price, or Entreaty, or any other wicked Affection, defame an innocent Perfon with fo great a Crime. Then the WitnefTes are to be inter- rogated concerning the Place, and Time, what they faw or heard ; whether the Perfon afted, or pronounced heretical Words, once or oftner ; with what Obftinacy or Eagernefs he affirmed them -, and what other Perfons were pre- fent ; and for what Caufes, Reafons, and Occafions they were prefent -, and concerning all other Circumflances neceffary to difcover the Truth or Falfe- hood. Thefe Things premifed, the WitnefTes received, and the Propofitions qua- lified, the Promotor Fifcal demands before the Inquifitors, that the Criminals be apprehended and imprifoned, that they may iuffer the deferved Puniffi- tnent. When the Offence thus appears, and 'tis proper to apprehend the Crirninal, Pegn»j the Inquifitor may then order him. to be taken up. Y/hen they have deter, "»! 1C ~' mined o^8 The History of the Inquisition. mined upon his being apprehended, they give out the Order to that Officer., who, according to the Cuftom of the holy Office, is to take up Criminals \ and his Order is fubferibed by the Inquifitors. If feveral Perfons are to be taken up the fame Day and Time, they give an Order for each Perfon, which is inlerted in their refpective Proceffes, that fuch Alts, which are of great Weight, may appear openly. As to the fecond. All Criminals have not alike Places of Imprifonment. their Cells being either more terrible and dark, or more eafy and chearful, ac- cording to the Quality of the Perfons and their Offences. In Reality there is no Place in the Prifon of the Inquifition, that can be called pleafant or chear- ful, the whole Jayl is fo horrible and nafty. Thefe Jay Is are called in Spain and Portugal, Santa Cafa, i. e. the holy Houfe, Every Thing it feems in this Office muft be holy. The Prifons are fo built, as the Author of the Hiftory of the Inquifition at Goa defcribes them, that they will hold a great Number of Perfons. They confift of feveral Porticoes, every one of which is divided into feveral fmall Cells of a fquare Form, each Side being about ten Foot. There are two Rows of them, one being built over the other, and all of them vaulted. The upper ones are enlightned by Iron Grates, placed above the Height of a tall Man. The lower ones are under Ground, dark, without any Window, and narrower than the upper ones. The Walls are five Foot thick. Each Cell is faftned with two Doors, the inner one thick, and covered over with Iron, and in the lower Part of it there is an Iron Grate. In the upper Part of it is a little fmall Window, through which they reach to the Prifoner his Meat, Linnen, and other Neceffaries, which is fhut with two Iron Bolts. The outer Door is entire without any opening at all. They generally open it in the Morning, from fix a Clock till eleven, in order to refrefh the Air of the Prifon. In Portugal all the Prifoners, Men and Women,without any Regard to Birth or Dignity, are fhaved the firft or fecond Day of their Imprifonment. Every Prifoner hath two Pots of Water every Day, one to warn, and the other to drink, and a Befom to cleanfe his Cell, and a Mat made of Ruflies to lie upon, and a larger Veffel to eafe Nature, with a Cover to put over it, which is changed once every four Days. The Provifions which are given to the Pri- foners, are rated according to the Seafon, and the Dearnefs or Plenty of Eata- bles. But if any rich Peribn is imprifoned, and will live and eat beyond the ordinary Rare of Provifions, and according to his own Manner, he may be indulged, and have what is decent, and fit for him, his Servant, or Servants, if he hath any, with him in the Jayl. If there are any Provifions left, the Jayl- Keeper, and no other, mult take them, and give them to the Poor. But Reginald Confahius obferves, f. 106. that this Indulgence is not allowed to Prifoners of all forts, but to fuch only as are taken up for fmall Offences, who are to be condemned to a Fine. But if they find by the very Accufation that any Perfons are to be punifhed with Forfeiture of all their Effects, they do not fuffer them to live fo plentifully, but order them a fmall Penfion for their Subfiftence, viz. about thirty Maravedis, of the Value of ten Dutch Stivers. The History of the Inquisition. 229 Stivers. This agrees with the Account of Ifaack Orobio, who had a plentiful Fortune at Seville, and was neverthelefs ufed very hardly in the Prifon of the Inquifition there. Although his Eftate was very large, yet he was allowed a very fmall Penfion to provide himfelf Provifion. This was Flefh, which they made him fometimes drefs and prepare for himfelf, without allowing him the Help of any Servant. In this Manner are the richer Prifoners treated. As to the poorer, and fuch who have not enough to fupply themfelves in Jayl, their Allowance is fixed by the King, viz. the Half of a filver Piece of Mo- ney, called a Real *, every Day ; and out of this fmall Sum, the Buyer of their Provifion, whom they call the Difpenfer, and their Waflier muft be paid, and all other Expences that are neceffary for the common Supports of Life. Befides, this very royal Allowance for the Prifoners doth not come to them but through the Hands of feveral Perfons, and thofe none of the moft honeft j firft by the Receiver, then the Difpenfer, then the Cook, then the Jayl-Keeper, who, according to his Office, diftributes the Provifion amongft the Prifoners. Ghnfalvius adds, that he gave this particular Account of this Matter, becaufe all thefe Perfons live, and have their cer- tain Profits out of this fmall Allowance of the King to the Prifoners, which coming to them through the crooked Hands of thefe Harpies, they cannot receive it till every one of them hath taken out more than a tenth Part of it. The Author of the Hiftory of the Inquifition at Goa tells us, this Order is obferved in diftributing the Provifions. The Prifoners have Meat given them three times every Day ; and even thofe who have the Misfortune to be in this Cafe, and they have Money, are not treated much better than o- thers, becaufe their Riches are employ'd to make Provifion for the Poorer. I was informed by Ifaack Orobio, that in Spain they fometimes give the Pri- foners Coals, which they muft light, and then drefs their own Food. Some- times they allow them a Candle. Thofe who are confined in the lower Cells- generally fit in Darknefs, and are fometimes kept there for feveral Years, without any one's being fuffered to go or fpeak to them, except their Keepers, and they only at certain Hours, when they give them their Provifion, They are not allowed any Books of Devotion, but are fhut up in Darknefs and So- litude, that they may be broke with the Horrors of fo dreadful a Confine- ment, and by the Miferies of it forced to confefs Things which oftentimes they have never done. And how dreadful the Miferies of this Prifon are, we have a famous ln-p. 119, ftance given us by Reginald Gonfalvius Montanus. In the Age before the iafl, a certain Engli/h Ship put in at the Port of Cadiz,, which the Familiars of the Inquifition, according to Cuftom, fearched upon the Account of Religion, before they fuffered any Perfon to come a-fhore. They feized on feveral * Dr. Geddes tells us of one in the Inquifition at Lisbon, who was allowed no more than chree Vinteros a Day ; a Vintem is about an Epglifi Penny Fai thing. Engli/h 3i.o The History of the Inquisition. Englijh Perfons who were on board, obferving in them certain Marks of Evangelical Piety, and of their having received the beft Inftru&ion, and threw them into Jayl. In that Ship there was a Child, tenor twelve Years, at moll, old, the Son of a very rich Englijh Gentleman, to whom, as was reported, the Ship and principal Part of her Loading belonged. Amongft others they took up alfo this Child. The Pretence was, that he had in his Hands the Pfalmsof David in Englijh. But as Gonfalvius tells us, thofe who knew their Avarice and curfed Arts, may well believe, without do- ino- any Injury to the Holy Inquifition, that they had got the Scent of his Father's Wealth, and that this was the true Caufe of the Child's Impri- fbnment, and of all that Calamity that followed after it. However, the Ship with all its Cargo was confifcated, and the Child, with the other Prifoners, were carried to the Jayl of the Inquifition at Seville, where he lay fix or eight Months. Being kept in fo ftrait Confinement for fo long a while, the Child, who had been brought up tenderly at home, fell into a very dangerous Illnefs, through the Dampnefs of the Prifon, and the Badnefs of his Diet. When the Lords Inquifitors were informed of this, they ordered him to be taken out of the Jayl, and carried, for the Reco- very of his Health, to the Hofpital, which they call the Cardinal. Here they generally bring all who happen to fall ill in the Prifon of the In- quifition, where, befides the Medicines, of which, according to the pious Inftitution of the Hofpital, there is Plenty, and a little better Care, upon account of the Diftemper, nothing is abated of the Severity of the for- mer Jayl •, no Perfon befides the Phyfician, and the Servants of the Ho- fpital, being allowed to vifit the fick Perfon •, and as foon as ever he be- gins to grow better, before he is fully recovered, he is put again into his former Jayl. The Child, who had contracted a very grievous Illnefs from that long and barbarous Confinement, was carried into the Hofpi- tal, where he loft the Ufe of both his Legs •, nor was it ever known what became of him afterwards. In the mean while 'twas wonderful, that the Child, in fo tender an Age, gave noble Proofs how firmly the Doctrine of Piety was rooted in his Mind ; oftentimes, but efpecially Morning and Evening, lifting up his Eyes to Heaven, and praying to him, from whom he had been inftructed by his Parents, to defire and hope for certain Help •, which the Jayl-Keeper having often obferved, faid, He was already grown a great little Heretick. p. m. About the fame Time a certain Perfon was taken up and thrown into the fame Jayl, who had voluntarily abjured the Mahometan Impiety, and came but a little before from Morocco, a famous City of Mauritania, and Capital of the Kingdom, into that Part of Spain which lies directly over againft it, with a Defign to turn Chriftian. When he had obferved that the Chriftians were more vicious and corrupt than the Moors he had left, he happened to fay, that the Mahometan Law feem'd to him better than the Chriftian. For this the good Fathers of the Faith laid hold of him, thurft him into Jayl, and ufed him fo cruelly, that he faid publickly even when in The History of the Inquisition. 1 24.1 in Confinement, that he never repented of his Chriftianity from the Day he was baptized, till after his having been in the Inquifition, where he was forced againft his Will to behold all manner of Violences and Injuries whatfoever. The Complaint of Conflantine, the Preacher of Seville, was not lefs grievous* I0A j concerning the Barbarities of this Prifon ; who, although he had not as yet ' taftedof the Tortures, yet often bewailed his Mifery in this Jayl, and cried out : my God, were there 720 Scythians in the World, no Cannibals more fierce and cruel than Scythians, into whofe Hands thou couldjl carry me, fo that I might but efcape the Paws of thefe Wretches. Olmedus alfo, another Perfon famous for Piety and Learning, fell into thelnquifitors Hands at Seville, and thro' the Inhumanity of his Treatment, which had alfo proved fatal to Conflantine, contracted a grievous Ulnefs, and at laft died in the Midft of the Naftinefs and S:ench. He was ufed to fay, I'hrow me any where, my God, fo that I may but efcape the Hands of thefe Wretches. The Author of the Hiftory of Goa agrees in this Account, who frankly Cap Ig owns, that through the Cruelty and Length of his Imprifonment, he fell into 2 o,'n/ Defpair, and thereby often attempted to deflroy himfelf ; firft by ftarving himfelf, and becaufe that did notfucceed, he feigned himfelf fick *, and when rhe Phyfician of the Inquifition found his Pulfe unequal, and that he wasfe- vourifh, he ordered him to be let Blood, which was done again five Days after. When the Dodor was gone, he unbound his Arm every Day, that fo by the large Effufion of Blood, he might continually grow weaker and weaker. In the mean while he eat very little, that by Hunger and Lofs of Blood, he might put an End to his miferable Life. Whilft he was in this fad Condition, he had fent him a ConfefTor of the Francifcan Order, who, by various Arguments of Comfort, endeavoured to recover him from his Defpair. They alfo gave him a Companion in his Jayl, which was fome Comfort to him in his Confinement. But growing well again after about five Months, they took his Companion from him. The Lonefomenefs of his Jayl brought on again his Melancholy and Defpair, which made him invent another Me- thod to deflroy himfelf. He had a Piece of Gold Money, which he had con- cealed in his Cloaths, which he broke into two Parts ; and making it fharp, he opened with it a Vein in each Arm, and loft fo much Blood, that he fell into a Swoon, the Blood running about the Jayl. But fome of the Ser- vants happening to come before the ufual Time to bring him fomething, found him in this Condition. The Inquifitor hereupon ordered him to be loaded with Irons upon his Arms and Hands, and ftriclly watched. This Cruelty pro- voked him to that Degree, that he endeavoured to beat his Brains out againfl the Pavement and the Walls -, and undoubtedly the Ligaments upon his Arms would have been torn off, had he continued any longer in that State. Upon this they took off his Chains, gave him good Words, encouraged him, and fent him a Companion, by whofe Converfation he was refrefhed, and bore his Mifery with a little more Eafinefs of Mind. But after two Months they took him from him again, fo that the Solitude of his Jayl was more diftreflins to him than before. I i The 212 The History of the Inquisition. inquif. The Prifoners, as foon as ever they are thrown into Jayl, are commanded conn. to <*ive an Account of their Name and Bufinefs. Then they enquire after cap. 13. t h e j r Wealth, and to induce them to give in an exact Account, the Inquifi- tion promifes them, that if they are innocent, all that they difcover to them fhall be faithfully kept for, and reftored to them -, but that if they conceal any Thing, it fhall be confifcated, though they mould be found not guilty. And as in Spain and Portugal moft Perfons are fully perfuaded of the Sanctity and Sincerity of this Tribunal, they willingly difcover all their Poffeffions, even the moft concealed Things of their Houfes, being certainly perfuaded, that when their Innocence fhall appear, they fhall foon recover their Liberty and Effects together. But thefe miferable Creatures are deceived ; for he that once falls into the Hands of thefe Judges, is ftripped at once of all he was pofTefTed of. For if any one denies his Crime, and is convicted by a fuffi- cient Number of Witneffes, he is condemned as a negative Convict, and all his Effects confifcated. If to efcape the jayl, he confeffes his Crime, he is guilty by his own Confeffion, and in the Judgment of all juflly ftripped of his Effects. When he is difmhTed from Prifon as a Convert and Penitent, he dares not defend his Innocence, unlefs he defires to be thrown again into Jayl, and condemned, and, as a feigned Penitent, to be delivered over to the fecu- lar Arm. a. Part. Of thefe Things J. Roy as gives us an Account. 4C When any Criminal is jjfert.z. " apprehended, and put into the Jayls of the Holy Office, his Effects muft " be immediately fequeftred, that they may not be conveyed away, or con- " cealed, and put into the Hands of fome proper Perfon before the Notary . to enquire whether they have NecefTaries allowed them, and whether they are well or not. In this Vifit they ufually ask him in thefe very Words, How he is ? How he hath his Health ? Whether he wants any Thing ? Whether his Warder is civil to him ? i. e. Whether he fpeaks to him in a reproachful and fevere Manner ? Whether he gives him his appointed Provifion,. and clean inw'l. Linen ? and the like. Thefe are exactly the Sentences and Words they ufe in go.iti. thefe Vifits, to which they neither add any Thing, nor act agreeable •, for they ufe them only for Forms fake, and when the Inquifitor hath fpoken them, he immediately goes away, fcarce flaying for an Anfwcr. And al- though any one of the Prifoners complains that he is not well ufed, 'tis of no Advantage to him, nor is he better treated for the future. If there be Oc- cafion or NecefTity, it will be convenient for them to vifit the Prifoners three or four times every Month, yea, as often as they think proper, viz. when the Criminal bears with Impatience the Misfortune and Infamy of his Imprifon- ment, in fuch Cafe the Inquifitor muft endeavour to comLrt him very often, not only by himfelf, but by others, and to tell him, that if he makes a free Confefiion, his whole Affair fhall be quickly and kindly ended. The (. n. The History of the Inquisition. 245 . The Inquifitors muft take Care not to talk with the Criminals, when they are examined or vifited, upon any other Affairs but fuch as relate to their Bufinefs. Nor muft the Inquifitor be alone when he vifits, or otherwife gives them Audience ; but muft have with him his Collegue, or at leaft a Notary, or fome other faithful Servant of the Holy Office. According to the Madrid Inftruction, An. 1561. cap. 17. This alfo they are particularly careful of, that the Criminals may not be removed from one Cell to another, nor affociate with any other. If any Pri- foners have been fhut up together at once in the fame Cell, when they are re- moved, they muft be removed together, that hereby they may be prevented from communicating any Thing that hath been tranfacted in the Prifon. This is more efpecially to be obferved, in cafe any of them recall their Con- feflion, after they have been removed from one Cell and Company to another. But if a Criminal confeffes, and is truly converted, he may more eafily be re- moved from one Cell to another, becaufe the Inquifitor is in no Pain for fear of his retracting, but may oftentimes make ufe of him to draw out the Truth from other Prifoners, according to the Advice of Eymerkk, in his Directory of the Inquifition, ^.3. n. 107. and Pegna's Commentary 23. Things of this Nature, fays he, are to be learned rather from Experience than Art, or Precept, efpecially as there are fome Things which muft neither be revealed or taught, and are well known in themj elves to the Inquifitors. If Women are imprifoned, they muft each of them have, according top C gna, their Quality, one honeft Woman at leaft for a Companion, who muft never Prax. r»f. be abfent from her, to prevent all Sufpicion of Evil. This Companion muft 7, z,c - I5 * be antknt, of a good Life, pious and faithful. Sometimes when Women are"' to be imprifoned, they do not carry them to the Jayl of the Inquifitors, efpe- cially if they are Regulars, if the Jay Is be within the Walls of the Monaste- ries, but to the Convents of the Nuns. When this happens, they command the Abbefs or Priorefs to admit no Body to difcourfe with the Prifoner with- out exprefs Leave of the Inquifitor, but diligently to obferve the Order gi- ven her. But when the Cauie is of Importance, and full of Danger, and fuch they efteem all that relate to the Faith, they think itfafer that Women fhould be imprifoned in the Jayls of the Inquifitors. But the Cardinals Inquifitors General are to be confulted in this Affair, who, after mature Conlideration, are to determine whether it be moft expedient that fuch Criminals fhould be kept in the Jayls of the Bifhops, or Inquifitors Regulars, efpecially if they are young and handfome, as is often the Cafe of thole who are taken up for telling Peoples Fortunes about their Sweethearts. 'Tis farther the Cuftom and received Ufe of this holy Tribunal, that fuch who are imprifoned for Herefy, are not admitted to hear Mafs, and other Prayers which are laid within the Jayl, till their Caufe is determined. Their principal Pretence for this Cuftom is, that it may pofllbly happen, when there is a great Number of Criminals, that the feveral Accomplices, Companions and Partakers of the Crime, may at leaft by Nods and Signs difcover to one another, how they may efcape Judgment, or conceal the Truth. But 34-6 The History of the Inquisition. But the true and genuine Reafon is, that the Prifoner may have nothing to contemplate befides his prefent Misfortune, that fo being broken with the Miferies of his Confinement, he may confefs whatfoever the Inquifitors would have him. For this Reafon they deny them Books, and all other Things that would be any Relief to them in their tedious Imprifonment. If any one of the Prifoners whatfoever prays the Inquifitor when he vifits him, that he may have fome good Book, or the Holy Bible, he is anfwered, that the true Book is to difcover the Truth, and to exonerate his Confcience before that holy Tribunal ; and that this is the Book which he mult diligently ftu- dy, viz. to recover the Remembrance of every Thing faithfully, and de- clare it to their Lordlhips, who will immediately prefcribe a Remedy to his languifhing Soul. If the Prifoner in the fame or next Vifit is importunate about it, he will be commanded Silence, becaufe if he asks to p'eafe himfelf, they may grant or deny him according to their Pleafure. Simanc. The keeping the Jayl antiently belonged to the Executors Office, and as tit. 41. often as he was abfent, he was obliged to provide another Keeper at his own §• 5- Charge. But now the Jayl-Keeper is created by the Inquifitor General, and is different from the Execuror. Thofe who keep the Jay Is for the Crime of Herefy, mufl fwear before the Bifhop and Inq nfitor, that they will faithfully keep their Prifoners, and ob- ferve all other Things prefcribed them by Clement. I. de hasret. §. Porro. Simanc. There mult be two Keepers to every Jayl, induftrious and faithful Men, de catlol. one appointed by the Bifhop, the other by the Inquifitor. Each of them may ivftit.tit. h 1V Q their proper Servant. Befides this, to every Cell there mufl be two dif- g $-7> ferent Keys, each Keeper to have one, which they may give to their Ser- vants, to fupply the Prifoners with Neceflaries. The Biihop and Inquifitor have no Power to agree that there fhall be but one Keeper, becaufe it doth not feem fife enough, neither is it allowed them by Law, nor appointed in their Caufe or Favour. Clem. i. §.Sane. de haeret. But now there is only one Jayl-Keeper appointed in every Province, chofen by the Inquifitor General, who is not allowed to give the Prifoners their Food. But the Inqu.fitors chufe fome proper Perfon to this Office, who is common- ly called the Difpenfer. The Provifions they give the Criminals are gene- rally prepared and dreffed in the Houfe of the Inquifition ; becaufe if they were to be prepared in the Houfes of the Criminals themfelves, or any where elfe, fomething might eafily be hid under them, that might furnifh them with the Means to conceal the Truth, or to elude or efcape Judgment. This how- ever is to be left to the Prudence and Pleafure of the Inquifitors, whether and when the Criminals may without Danger prepare their Provifion in their own Houfes. But upon account of the Hazard attending it, the Inquifitors but feldom, and not without exquifite Care, gratify them in this Particular. If any Things are lent them by their Friends or Relations, or Domefticks, the Jayl-Keeper and Difpenfer never fuffer them to have it, without firft con- fulting the Inquifitors. hjlntct. Tokt. c. 26. As The History of the Inquisition. 247 As thefe Keepers have it in their Power greatly to injure or ferve their Pri- foners, they muft promife by an Oath, before the Bifhop and Inquifitors, that they will exercife a faithful Care and Concern in keeping them, and that neither of them will fpeak to any of them but in Prefence of the other, and that they will not defraud them of their Provifion, nor of thofe Things which are brought to them. Their Servants alfo are obliged to take this Oath. But notwithftanding this Law, a great Part of the Provifion appointed for the Prifoners is with-held from them by their covetous Keepers •, and if they are accufed for this to the Inquifitors, they are much more gently punifhed, than if they had ufed any Mercy towards them. Reginald Gonfalve relates, that in his Time, Gafpar Bennavidius was Keeper of a Jayl. " He was a Man of mon-/>. in; " ftrous Covetoufnefs and Cruelty, who defrauded his miferable Prifoners of a & c > " great Part of their Provifion, which were ill drefTed, and fcarce the tenth " Part of what was allowed them, and fold it fecretly, for no great Price, at " the Triana. Befides, he wholly kept from them the little Money allowed " them to pay for the warning of their Linen, thus fufTering them to abide tf many Days together in a nafty Condition, deceiving, the Inquifitor and " Treafurer, who put that Money to the Keepers Account, as though it had *' been expended every Week for the Ufe of the Prifoners, for whom it is ap- ,c pointed. Neither was it very difficult to deceive them, becaufe they took " but little Pains to enquire out the Truth. If any one of the Prifoners " complained, muttered, or opened his Mouth upon account of this intole- « rable Ufage. the cruel Wretch, who had diverted himfelf of ail Humanity, ** had a Remedy at hand. He brought the Prifoner immediately out of his " Apartment, and put him down into a Place they call Mazmorra, a deep (t Cittern that had no Water in it. There he left him for feveral Days toge- ,c ther, without any Thing to lie on, not fo much as Straw. His Provifion 11 there was fo very rotten, that it was more proper to dcftroy his Health " bySicknefs, than to preferve ir, or fupport him in Life. All this he did M without ever confulting the Inquifitors, and yet fraudulently and villanouQy iC pretended their Command to his Prifoner. If any one befought him to " complain to the Inquifitors for fo injurious a Treatment, for they could " not do it by any other Perfon, and to defire an Audience, the cunning * £ Wretch knowing that the whole Blame muft lie upon himfelf, pretend- " ed that he had afked, but could not obtain it. By fuch forged Anfwers, " he kept the miferable Prifoner in that deep Pit twelve or fifteen Days, " moreorlefs, till he had fully gratified his Anger and Cruelty. After this " he brought him out, and threw him into his former Jayl, perfuading him " that this Favour was owing to his Humanity and Care, having made Inter- " ceffion fcr him with their Lordfhips. In fliort, his Thefts and Injuries with " which he plagued his Prifoners, who were otherwise miferable enough, " were fo numerous, that fome Perfons of Intereft with the Inquifitors at 1 length accufed him before them. Upon this he was imprilbned himfelf; " and being found guilty of many falfe Accufations, he received this Sen- " tencc : 3±$ The History of the Inquisition. " tence : That he mould come out at a publick Act of the Faith, carrying " a wax Candle in his Hand, be banifh'd five Years from the City, and for- " feit the whole Sum of Money, which by Virtue of his Office he was to " have received from the holy Tribunal. p. 114. " This very Man, whilft he was Keeper, had in his Family, an ancient " Servant Maid, who obferving the Diftrefs of the Prifoners, labouring un- " der intolerable Hunger and Naftinefs, through the Wickednefs and Bar- " barity of her Matter, was fo moved with pity towards them, being her felf " well inclined to the Evangelical Piety, that fhe often fpoke to them through " the Doors of their Cells, comforted them, and as well as fhe could ex- tc hortedthem to Patience, many Times putting them in Meat under their " Doors, in Proportion to the mean and low Abilities of her Condition. " And when fhe had nothing of her own, by which to (hew her Liberality " to the Prifoners of Chrift, me dole good Part of that Provifion from " the wicked Thief her M.ifter, which he had ftolen from the Prifoners, and " reftored it to them. And that we may the more wonder at the Providence " of God, who fo orders it that the worft of Parents (hall not have al- , 108. markablelnftance of this. " A few Years ago, viz. before Gonfahius wrote " this Account, one Peter ab Herera, a Man not altogether vile, but offome " Humanity, and not very old, was appointed Keeper of the Tower ofTriana, " which is the Prifon of the Inquifition. It happened, as it often doth in fuch. " numerous and promifoious Imprifonments, that amongft other Prifoners u committed to his Cuftody, there was a certain good Matron, with her two " Daughters, who were put in different Cells, and earneftly defired the Li- " berty of feeing one another, and comforting each other in fo great a Cala- €t mity. They therefore earneftly entreated the Keeper, that he would fuffer " them to be together for one quarter of an Hour, that they might have the " Satisfaction of embracing each other. He being moved with Humanity " and Companion, allowed them to be together, and talk with one another " for half an Hour, and after they had indulged their mutual Affections, he " put them, as they were before, in their feparate Prifons. A few Days af- - ftles that (hall be deflroyed on the Account of Herefy -, and alfo all the moveable and immoveable Effects that /hall be confifcated on the fame Account, as that one Part, &c. Boniface VIII. An. 1 295. by a Conftitution of his to be found, Cap. Cum fe~ cundum leges, de haeret. lib. 6. declared likewife, that the Effeds of Hereticks were ipfo jure confifcated. But he prohibited the temporal Lords to lay hold of, or feize on them, before the lawful Ecclefiaftical Judges had pronounced concerning the Crime of Herefy. Benedicl. XI. by an Extravagant beginning, Exeo. An. 1303. orders ; The faid Diocefans fhall not demand any Account of t'fx Profits arifingfrom the Office of the Inquifition > anx Conftitution, Cuftom, or Com~ 554 The History of the Inquisition. mand to the contrary notwithjlanding. * But you /hall give it to our Chamber, or to any Per/on, whom we or the Roman Pontiffs our Succeffors /ball appoint for this Purpofe. And this we command to be generally obferved. From thefe Conflitutions they infer, that if any temporal Lord, in Favour of the Faith, actually doth thefe Things, or other Things equivalent, or greater, or of like Nature, to what the laid Conflitutions require, he ought to have a third Part of the confiscated Effects ; or more, if the Pope aliows, and knowingly permits it. And therefore in Spain the Effects of fuch as are condemned for Herefy are rightly applied to the Royal Treafury ; becaufe the King hath not only the Care of conitituting the Senate, which manages in the Royal Palace all the Caufes of the whole Kingdom of Spain relating to the Punifhment of this Crime, and of which one of the principal Prelates is Prefident; but alfo liberally fupplies the Inquifitors, which the faid Pre- late appoints by the Papal Authority, and fends throughout the whole Kingdom, to extirpate heretical Pravity, with all their Expences, and every Thing elfe neceffary to their Office. But as in many Places the temporal Lords do not grant the Inquifitors their Expences, nor fubmit to thofe Burthens and Labours, which Innocent, Alexander, and Clement. I V. have commanded, Ptgna doth not underftand by what Right they can appropriate to themfelves the third Part of fuch confifcated Effects •, and therefore thinks that they ought all to be applied to promote and advance the Holy Office. Efpecially as the Inquifitors have now their proper Jayls, their neceffary At- tendance, and their own Notaries and Minifters, to the greateft Part of whom the temporal Lords give neither Subfiflence or Salary •, and when defired, of- tentimes refufe to do it. Yea, if the Inquifitor fomerimes asks the Guards, Apparitors, or Soldiers of the fecular Lord, to execute any Affairs of the Faith, to take up Hereticks, or carry them to Jayl, he will not fuffer them to go, without firft receiving the Satisfaction and agreed Price from the Inquifitors. This Camillus Campegius efpecially urges with Reference to the Inquifitors of m Zan- Italy, " Who, he fays, are generally Mendicant Regulars, who fcarce re- chin, cap. « ceive enough from rheir Monafteries to fupport them, or cloath themfelves s 9' " decently ; who in Juftice ought to have their Provifion and Cloathing, and " other Neceilaries, not from the Monafteries, but from the Office it felf in " which they ferve. For that thefe Inquifitors are fo entirely devoted to the " Affairs of the Office, that they cannot ferve Religion or the Monaftery, " which is fuch a Detriment to Religion as ought not to be fuffered. Add to cc this that Religion, and the very Monafteries are greatly damaged upon " Account of the faid Office, becaufe thefe Religious are hated, and are for " this Reafon deprived of much Alms, and expofed alfo to many Dangers of " Life." Hence he infers, that the Inquifitors may receive not only their Expences, but alfo a Salary or Fees. And as to the Objection that the confifcated Goocis •of Hereticks are appropriated to maintain the Inquifitors, he anlv/ers: *' That fuch Confutation feldom happens, fince the Effects are reflored to fuch " as return, few being found who are obftinate or relapfed, and thefe, gene- " rally The History of the Inquisition. 255 * rally fpeaking, fo very poor, that they are not able to defray the Expen- H ces of the Notaries, nor maintain themfelves whilft they are kept in Jayl. u As to the other Objection, That the Inquifitors ought to be content with " the Subfidy exacted from, or given them by the Crofs-bearers, he an- . 10. That the Inquiffors are fometimes prevailed with to ufe their Prifoners a little more kindly, by fome pretty Prefents made by their Friends and Relation'.. But this Matter mutt be dextroufly managed, that fo the Inquifitor may not refufe the Offer. The fir ft Thing therefore is, to bribe one of his Servants, in which there is no Difficulty, provided it be done privately. When the In- quifitors themlelves are tampered with, they generally anfwer, That holy Tribunal is incorrupt, and fuffers no Manner of Gifts whatsoever to be re- ceived. But they have generally, amongft their Attendance, fome Child of their Brother or Sifter, or, at leaft, a Servant that they greatly efteem, and who is to be highly refpected, and who only fees the Inquifitor refufe the Pre- fents offered to him. This Servant comes to the Prifoners Friend, and pri- vately points out to him the Relation of the Lord Inquifitor. This is giving him to underftand, unlefs the Perfon be a Stock, that though before he in vain attempted to corrupt the Integrity of this holy Tribunal, he may by this Conveyance prevail upon the Inquifitor, though he would refufe to accept the fame Prefent when more openly offered him. The End of the First Volume^ THE HISTORY O F T H E INQUISITION- THE HISTORY O F T H E INQUISITION- By PHILIP a L1MB0RCH, Profeflbr of Divinity amongft the Remonstrant s* Tranflated into Englijh By SAMUEL CHANDLER. VOL. II. To which is prefixed, A large Introduction concerning the Rife and Progrefs of Persecution, and the real and pretended Caufes of it. 'Their tender Mercies are Cruelty. Their Throat is an open Sepulchre ; with their Tongues they have- ufed Deceit ; the Poifon of ' Afps is under their Lips : Whofe Mouth is full of Curfmg and Bitter nefs. lon ryo Ni Sold by J. Gray, at the Crofs-Keys la the Poultry, MDCCXXXt The History of the Inquisition. 2 and Ecclefiaftical Offices. Some are Civil, which the Civil Laws have enacted, fuch as the depriving Men of the Privileges and Benefits of Law, pecuniary Mulcts, Baniihment, Death, and the Bann. Some are mixed, ordained both by the facred Canons, and the imperial Laws ; fuch as Confifcation of Goods, ab- folving Subjects from cheir Allegiance, Infamy, and the Ecclefiaftical Interdict. I choofe rather to diftinguifh Punifhments only into Ecclefiaftical and Civil. By Ecclefiaftical, I mean thofe which are inflicted on .any one confidered as a Member of the Church, and which are fuppofed to derive on him fome fpiri- tual Evil. By Civil, I underftand fuch Punifhments as refer to the Body or Eftate of any one, and are inflicted on him as a Member of Civil Society, whether they are appointed by the Civil or Canon Law, or by both. Simancas gives a merry Reafon why they punifh Hereticks fo feverely, \n-catkol.in- ftead of convincing them by Scripture of their Error and falfe Doctrine. Weft**-™^- muft not contend with Hereticks by Scripture, becaufe by that our Victory will be un- ^ mSl ' certain and doubtful. So that 'tis no wonder they fhould defend Doctrines, which have no Foundation in Scripture, by Force, and dreadful Punifhments, and extort that Confeffion by the Fear of Punifhment, which they can never per- fuade the Mind of the Truth of, as being deftitute of the Weight of Reafon, and the clear Teftimony of Scripture. But 'tis time to return to our Subject. The firft Punifhment ordained againft Hereticks by the Canon Law, is Ex- C3 P- c » >,; ' communication. This was in ufe amongft the Chriftians in former Times. chrl l in \- For ever fince that Councils were held for the Extirpation of Herefy, thefj"^'. Cuftom of excommunicating Hereticks was introduced. By this ExcoiiWaw. munication Hereticks were driven from the Sacraments, deprived of the Excommu- common Suffrages of the Church, and expelled the Company of the Pious a,nd nicamus ' Faithful. Thus the Synod of Vernon determined in the Year 755. Chap. 9. et# That ye may underftand the Nature of this Excommunication, he muft not enter into Du c the Church, nor eat and drink with any Chriftian ; let none receive his Gifts, nor of-j„ voce fer him a Kifs, nor pin with him in Prayer, nor falute him. Excom. The Ceremony of Excommunication is thus : When the Bifhop pronounces Brunus, the Anathema, twelve Priefts muft ftand round him, and hold lighted Candles'- 5- * h in their Hands, which they muft throw down on the Ground, and tread under $* 6, their Feet at the Conclufion of the Anathema, or Excommunication. Then a Letter is fent about to the Parifhes, containing the Names of the excommuni- cated Pcrfons, and the Reafon of their Sentence. Excommunication is either the greater or the lefs. Of both the Synod of Nimes hath thus decreed, An. 1284. The greater Excommunication is, when the Prelate fays, I excommunicate thee. This Excommunication fe par ate s a Per- fon from the Communion of the faithful, and the Participation and Perception of the Sacraments. The lefter Excommunication is, when any one communicates with a Per fon under the greater Excommunication ; by thus partaking with him he is removed from the Perception of the Sacraments, fo that he ought not to receive the Eucharijl or other Sacraments, till he is abfolved. An Interdict is, when the Prelate fays, I in- terdict thee ; or, I put thee under the Ecclefiaftical Interdict ; or, I interdict or prohibit thee from encring the Church. Such mi interditled Perfon, and be B 2 who a The History of the Inquisition. who is under the greater Excommunication mufl not enter the Church, nor fland near it, when divine Service is performing, as long as they are under the Sentence. An Interdict is a general Excommunication, pronounced againft a Pro- vince, a Town, or City, Cap. jy. deverbor. Signif. Brunus defcribes it as ap. plied to Ecclefiaftical Affairs. Brunus, "An Ecclefiaftical Interdict is one of the principal Ecclefiaftical Cenfures, Li.ci6.et as - lt ^1^ a Perfon all divine Services, which is it felf the greateft Pu- * nilhment, as it deprives a Man of the Benefit of divine Services and Sacra- " ments, and affects the Soul, even as a Civil Interdict doth the Body. It is " pronounced fometimes againft a Perfon, viz. a Community or Chapter. " Sometimes againft a Place, viz. a Church or City. And there is this Dif- " ference : When a Community is interdicted, the Clergy may perform di- a vine Service with a loud Voice, the Gates being fhut, and the Bells rung, " provided the excommunicate and interdicted Perfons be excluded, which u. in- vers and Defenders. Hereticks are ipfo jure, deprived of their Ecclefiaftical Pegna, Benefices from the Day of their committing their Crime, by a Refcript of Com i i p.^ y beginning, Cum ex Apojlolatus, in which he referves all Benefices ofwhat- foever fort, and where-ever they are, vacant for the Crime of Herefy com- mitted by any one, to the Nomination and Appointment of the Apoftolick See •, whereas the Receivers, Favourers and Defenders of Hereticks are not ipfo jure, deprived of their Benefices, but muft be deprived by Sentence. Cap. ■Mxcom. i. §. Credente>. de hasret. 3u. 114. This is extended to their Pofterity, to the fecond Generation by the Fa- o>m. lather's Side, and the firft by the Mother's. Cap. Quicwiqy %. Heret. de haeret. 1<5 4* 1. 6. and Cap. Statutum de hseret. lib. 6. So that if the Father be an Here- tick, his Son and Daughter, and Grandfon by his Son, is judged incapable, but the Grandfon by the Daughter is not incapable, becaufe he is reckoned of his own Father's Family. If the Mother be an Heretick, the Son or Daugh- ter only in the firft Degree is incapable, and no farther. The Sons of thofe alfo fufpefted of Herefy are incapable. But when the Receivers and Abettors of Hereticks and the like are dead, there can be no Procefs againft them, becaufe their Crime is extinguifhed by Death. As for thofe Children who accufe their heretical Parents to°the Judges of the Faith, the Punifhments appointed by Law don't affect them. Amongft the Ecclefiaftical Punifhments is alfo reckoned, that no Offering is to be made for thofe who die in Herefy, nor are they to receive Chriftian Burial. Cap. Sicut ait B. Leo de haeret. And this Innocent IV. efpecially or- dained by a perpetual Conftitution, induced thereto by that folemn Sentence, Biovius, cpfog B di es f excommunicated Perfons ought not to be buried in the /acred Places of the j. 1147. faithful becaufe as the Church had no Communion with them when alive, /he will 15 1 n have no Communion with them when dead. CHAP. The History of the Inquisition. 15 CHAP. II. Of the Civil Punifhments o/Hereticks. Political Punifhments appointed by the Canon and Civil Laws againft He- reticks, are various. The firft is what is commonly called, the Confifcation of their Goods. Cap. Vergentis in Senium, de hseret. We ordain that the Goods ofHereticks be con- fiscated in all Countries fubj eel to our temporal Jurifdifiion, and in other Places alfo by the Powers and fecular Princes of them % and if they Jhould prove negligent in this Af- fair, we will and command that they be compelled to it, by an Ecclefiaflical Cenfure, without Benefit of Appeal. [" This Confifcation of Effects, Lewis a Paramo derives from the Example l. i. /. z. " of God, who, not contented with the Sentence of Death pronounced againft c - 7- P- 45« c< our firft Parents, drove Man from the Place of his Deligfrs, ftript of all " his Goods, wounded in Naturals, and fpoil'd of thofe Gifts that had been " freely granted him, his original Integrity efpecially being irreparably loft, " and adjudged him to hard and continual Labours, and out of his Hured to &c * Hereticks, alrho' fecretly made, are null and void. Even Portions given to Daughters, to fupport the Burthens of Matrimony, tho* it be the Duty of a Father to portion them out, or given to fuch as have taken on them the holy id The History of the Inquisition. holy Vow of a Monaftick Life, are to be revoked and confifcate. Zanchinus gives this Reafon, Cap. 27. Becaufe his Goods are confifcate from the very Day of his committing the Crime, and therefore he can have no right of Ad- miniftration. But as for the Goods of fuch, who can't purge themfelves, or are condemned for Contumacy, they are not forfeited but from the Day they are prefumed to be Hereticks, not from the Day that the WitneiTes declare them to have been Hereticks. § 9, &c. If any one gives a Legacy upon account of Death, and falls into Herefy, and his Goods become confifcate, the Legacy fhall be recovered as void, and belongs to the Treafury equally with all the other Goods of the Heretick. If an Husband bequeaths any Thing to his Wife, and his Memory be con- demned for Herefy after his Death, fuch Donation fhall be revoked, altho' his Legacies to others fhall It and good. If any Thing be owing to an Heretick by a conditional Contract, it belongs to the Treafury under that Condition, who muft perform it, if they conveniently can. All the Goods of a Wife condemned for Herefy and Impiety are forfeited, whether they be her Dowry, or any other Things befides, which fne brought to her Husband, or fuch Donations as the Spaniards call Arrhce * ; or fuch Profits as belong to Wives by the Royal Laws. But the Hufband hath all his Actions good againft the Treafury. In like manner the Goods of an heretical Son gotten in Zanch. "War are confifcated, becaufe that is the Son's private Property, in which the c. 17. Father hath no Right. If he mail happen to have fold any of his Goods, and the Money be in his Poffeflion, or any Thing equivalent, let it be reftored to the orthodox Buyer, but if it be confumed, it fhall not be reftored. Hence it is, that in every Sentence, the Time of the Perfon's falling into Herefy is particularly expreffed, and thefe or the like Words inferted in it, c. 41. And by this our Sentence we declare ', That all and fingular his Goods were brought into our Treafury from the [aid Time of committing the Crime, and we do folemnly de- clare all and every of them to be confifcated to the Treafury of the Church of Rome, and our Office of the Inauifition. A Perfon however muft be declared an Heretick by the Judge, before his /.4. r. n. Goods are actually confifcate. For as Brunus fays, " The Law hath taken $• 3- u Care, that if any one falls into an Herefy already condemned, he fhall nei- " ther be accounted or punifhed as an Heretick, unlefs the Judge fhall have " pronounced by his Sentence, that he is under the principal Condemnation. " So that the Hereticks do, ipfojure, lofe all Property in their Eftates, yet " they can't be confifcated till after the declaratory Sentence is pronounced. " But however, this muft be underftood of fuch a Crime as hath not been ct certified to the Judge, either by ConfefTion, or legal Proof, or the Evidence " of the Thing it felf. For in notorious Crimes, which need no Declaration, " there feems no need of a declaratory Sentence, according to Dominick ; & c ' called Capellus de Chia. The Pope commanded, that all the Faithful, both Ecclefiaftical and Secular, mould grant their Afliftance, that they mould mufter an Army againft him, and proceed in an hoftile Manner to wafte and deftroy his Lands. Capellus, knowing himfelfprofcribed, made a pretended Sale of the Caftle ofCafal. Peter James Surdus, a Citizen of Rome, obtained from the Senators of the City an Order, that the Inhabitants of Viterbo, who had ta- ken Arms in Obedience to the Church and the Inquifitors, mould not attack ft, falfely pretending that it belonged to him. The Pope chid him feverely, ad- ding thefe amongft other Words. We therefore will^ and by thefe Prefents JlricJly command you, that asfoon as ever you receive them, and as you regard the divine Fa- vour and ours, you defifi fro?n fo impious and pernicious an Undertaking, as the De- fence of thefaid Caftle, and that you don*t enter it by any Means whatfoever ; but that you do procure, that the Inhibition given thro* your Injligation by the aforefaid Senators of Viterbo, be totally revoked. Otherwife we will have you to know, andcer- Vol. II. D ^inly i8 The History of the Inquisition. tainly to under ft an d, that we ffjall proceed againfi you,, by Authority of the Lord, both spiritually and temporally, as a Defender and Favourer of Hereticks» Anagni, 2 May, and fixth Tear of our Pontificate. Moreover he exhorts the Inhabitant of Vitcrbo, that notwithftanding the contrary Orders of the Sena- tors of the City, they fhould proceed in an hoftile Manner, to watte the Lands cf the aforefaid Capellus de Chi a. But in our own Time the Spanifh Inquifitors are endeavouring to extend their Power and Jurifdiction further, and under the Pretence of Confutation of Goods, to feizeon theirs alio, who have any Commerce with the Spaniards, though they live in other Countries not fubject to them, and have feparated from the Communion of the Church of Rome, becaufe they have in their Poffeflion fo me of the Effects of thofe who are in the Prifon of the Inquifition, or con- demned by the Inquifitors, according to the daily Practice of Traders and Merchants. Of this the Inquifition of Madrid gave a remarkable Inftance a few Years ago. Feb. 1 63 7. Many Perfons were thrown into the Inquifition at Madrid, accufed of be ng concealed Jews. Amongft thefe were Diego and An- thony Diaz, and Don Damianus de Lucena. About the End of Auguft 168 8« Sentence was pronounced againft them, by which all their Effects were con- fifcated, and they themfelves fent to Toledo, there to perform wholefome Pe- nance. Thefe Perfons traded with Peter Poulle, a Merchant of Amjlerdam, who was neither a. Jew nor a Spaniard, but a Chriflian, and a Dutchman, who had in his Hands feveral of the Effects of thefe Spaniards. The Inquifition, in order to polTefs themfelves of thofe Effects, which were not fubject to their Power, difcovered by private Enquiry, that this Dutch Merchant traded with feveral Spanifh Merchants, and that he had a great many Effects in their Hands, and therefore ordered them all to be feized by -the Receiver of the for- feited Goods, till they had the Value of thofe Effects, which the Amflerdam Merchant had in his Cuftody •, and gave this Reafon for the forcible Seizure, that the imprifoned Perfons had a Claim upon the Eftate of the Dutchman, and that their Claim was devolved upon the Inquifition, and that therefore they had the fame Right as the Priforers themfelves to attach the others Effects, where- ever they could be found in Spain : However, this Endeavour was in vain, be* caufe no Confifcation can be juff, of fuch Ejects which are in the PolTeffion of another Perfon, who lives out of the Territories of the Judge, and is not ftfb ^ect to his Jurifdiction •, and therefore the Lords of the united Provinces, at the Information and Requeft of the Amflerdam Merchant, obtained that thofe Effects fhould be reftored to him. This Punifhment of Confifcation is inflicted upon all who are convict of Herefy,or confefs, whether they repent, or perfift in their Herefy, becaufe they are declared to incur the Punifhment, ipfojure, as foon as they fall into Herefy. Pegna, But if any return of their own Accord to the Church, before they are ac- Com. i^.cufedor denounced, or immediately after their being feized give a full and in 3 Part, genuine ConfelTion of themfelves, and of all others whom they know to beHe- •Bw#« reticks, and who return with a pure Heart, before the Depositions of the Wit- nefies are made publick, as they may be gracioufly faved from Imprifonment, fo The History of the Inquisition. S q fo for the fame Reafon it feems equitable, not to confifcate their Goods. In Italy 'tis rather owing to Cuftom, than to any Right given by the Popes, not to confifcate the Eftates of penitent Hereticks. But in Spain this Confifcationsiaancas of the Effects of Hereticks takes place, even tho' they are penitent, by the tit. 41. Papal Authority, and the Laws of their own Kings ; for there they believe ?• "7»8f that the Inquificion ought not to reftore the forfeited Goods even of Penitents, '* 47 ' to the Damage of the Treafury, when once it hath a Right to confifcate them. But if any return to the Church within the Time fixed by the Inquifitors, $.170 the Catholick Kings have ordained, that they may recover and difpofe of their own Effecls, as tho' they had never fallen into Herefy, except they attempt to alienate their immoveable Effects ; for this they are prohibited to do, with- out a Decree of the Prince, left they fhould difpofe of all their Effects, and fly over to the Enemies of the Catholick Religion. 2 Injlrutt. Cap. 5. In the Conditions of Peace prefcribed to Raymond Earl of Tholottfe, it is far- ther provided, That the Goods of fuch as are heretically cloathed, Jhall be confifcatcd, Bzoviu», even tho* they have of their own Accord for faken the Manners of the Hereticks, unlefs*- f "3, they can produce Letters tefimonial of their Reconciliation, or can make it appear, and§' 6 '- prove it by other Catholick and reputable Perfons. And altho* there be good Proof of their Reconciliation, yet they are fubjetl to the fame Punifhment, unlefs they wear Crojfes according to the Admonition of their Bifhop, or if they lay them afede by their own Authority, or if they are found to conceal them within their Garments, when they ought to wear them upon the Outfide of their Cloaths, hanging down upon the Fore- part of their Breafts. But whereas the Children of the condemned Perfons are by this Punifhment reduced to the extreameft Want, being thus ftripped of every Thing that be- longed to their Fathers, to make it appear that they don't wholly abandon thePegna in Care of them, 'tis order'd, that the Inquifitors, out of the Dictates of Mercy, Dire &' may make fome Provifion for the poor Children of condemned Hereticks, ac-^' I03 ' cording to their refpective Sexes and Ages. Lufly Boys they order out to fome mechanick Trade. The Girls they put to Service to fome honefl Ma- trons of the City, that they may be inftructed in the Faith. As for thofe who can't work, either thro' their Age, or bad Health, their Pity reaches no far- ther than to give them a mere Suftenance out of their Fathers Effects, fome- times intreating the Ecclefiaftical and Secular Princes to exercife a little Libe- rality towards them •, which they efpecially ought to do, who receive thefe forfeited Effects. In relation to which 'tis thus provided in the Seville Inftrufl. c. 22. a. 1484. In like manner they have decreed, that if there be any unmarried Sons or Daughters of Perfons delivered over to the fecular Court, or condemned to per- petual Imprifonment for their Crimes, the Inquifitors JbaU provide and order, that the aforefaid Orphans Jhall be recommended to fome honeft Perfons, and Catholick Chri- fiians, to be bred up, and diet with them, and to be inftructed in the Catholick Faith ; and let them draw up an humble P etition for the aforefaid Orphans, in Reference to their Condition, what they want, and whether they are good Chriftians, efpecially for the poor Girls, that they may either marry, or profefs. In our own Time they D 2 leave lo The History of the Inquisition. leave nothing for the Children of Hereticks, tho' they prove Catholicks, no not fo much as feems due to them by the Law of Nature. The next Punifhment that follows this Confifcation of Goods, is the difinhe- riting the Children, infomuch that tho' they are Catholicks, they can never inher it the Eftates of their Fathers who died in Herefy. Cap. Vcrgentis in Jeni- #;# de hasret. Neither ought any Pretence of Compajfton to prevent this fever e Cen- fire of difinheriting even their orthodox Children, fince in many Cafes the Judgment of God fo proceeds , as that the Children are temporally punifhed for their Fathers, and becaufe, according to the Canonical Sanctions, Crimes are revenged not only upon the Cap 18. Authors of them, but upon their Pofterity. Zanchinus adds, that the Children of § i part Hereticks are incapable of fucceeding to any of their Kin, or to other Per- 2. Ajfen. nSi whither they die with a Will or intejiate. John Royas adds, that' the Chil- ■4'** dren of Hereticks, tho* born before the Commiffion of the Crime, are com- prehended under the canonical Penalties and Prohibitions, and fays this is the common Opin on of the Doctors. The Reafon is, becaufe Herefy is afpiritual Crime, and doth not derive its Original from the Flefh ; and therefore it figni- fies nothing whether the Children be of the infected Root or not. But if a Son accufes his heretical Father, as his Reward, he is freed from the Penalties or- dained 'againft the Children of Hereticks, according to the Law of the Emperor Frederick. We don't exclude from the Bounds of our Mercy fuch who , far from follow- ing the Herefy of their Fathers, [hall difcover their Wickednefs \ fo that to whatever Punifhment the Fathers Guilt is fubjetl, let their innocent Children be freed from it. The third Punifhment is, their being rendred infamous. Cap. Excom??iuni- camus. i §>. Credentes. de haeret. There, amongft other Things, 'tis faid, Let him be ipiojure, infamous ; let him not be admitted to any publick Offices, or Coun- feis, nor to chufe any into them, or to bear Witnefs ; let him alfo be Inteflable *, fo that he can have no P'ower to make a Will, or to inherit by Virtue of one. Farthermore, let no one be forced to anfwer him upon any Affair, but let him be forced to anfwer others. If he Jhould happen to be a Judge, let his Sentence be void, and m Caufe be referred to his Hearing. If he be an Advocate, let him not be admitted to plead. If a Notary, let no Inftruments, drawn by him, be valid, but condemned with their con- demned Author. And in alllike Cafes we command the fame to be obferved,. DireB.p.i. The fourth Punifhment is, that they are deprived of all Dominion, natir- ,§«. 1 16. ra ]^ c j V jj^ anc j t hat which is introduced by the Law of Nations. Firft, they Sim'aic 5 ' are deprived of that natural Power they have over their Children. Cap. gui- m. 46. cunq; §. ult. de haeret. 1.6. Being thus deprivedof thenatural Power of Parents, $. 74. they lofe all Authority over their Children, who, becoming as it were Strangers and Foreigners from their Fathers Family, are under no Obligation to obey them as before. This Crime of Herefy in the Father, even before 'tis decla- red by the Church, frees the Son from his Father's Power, according to the Glofs in Cap. Quictmp §. ult. verbo defter int, de hasret. !. 6. Farther, they are deprived of that civil Power which they have over their 1>m8$.%. Servants, and of that political Power, which they have over any others fub- $?• II9 ' iect to them. Cap. ult. Extrav. de hceret. So that Slaves, Freed-men and Ser- % gee Marginal Note, Vol, I. Pag. 76.. vants The History of the Inquisition. ai vants zrzipfo faclo, freed from Servitude, and every Inftance of Duty, the Moment their Matter fails into Herefy. Jn Spain, if the Slaves are Believers, or profefs the Chriftian Religion, when their Mailer falls into Herefy, they recover their Freedom, according to the Seville I njini ft ion, An. 1484. cap. 24, Our Lords the King and Queen, out of their Goodnefs and Clemency, will and ordain 7 that the Servants of all Here ticks fhall be made free, provided that 'if whilft they lived with them they were Chrijiians. But if they had not profeffed the Chriftian Re- ligion, they are forfeited with the other Effects. And tho' fuch Slaves fhould have been made free by their Mailers, yet if it was after their becoming He- reticks, 'tis for that Reafon null and void. Subjects, when the Prince or Magiflrate is an Heretick, are freed from their Obedience. Thus it hath often happened, that Kings pronounced He- reticks by the Pope, have, with all their Poflerity, been deprived of all their Dignities, J urifdictions and Rights, their Subje&s abfolved from their Oaths of Allegiance and Fidelity, and their Dominions given as a Prey to others. And finally, they are deprived of that Power, which is introduced by the Law of Nations, whereby they loie all Property in every Thing they have. Cap. cumfecundum leges, de hasret J. 6. infomuch, that every one is at once wholly freed ^n. t 19. from every Obligation he can be under to Perfons fallen into manifeft Here- <"<»"• * 6S - fy. Cap. abfolutos, de hasret. Let all know that they are freed from the Debt of Fide- lity, Dominion, and all Service, to manifeji Here ticks, how Jlrongfoever the Obligations may be which they are under. Thefe Things are thus inferred : " Firfl, ifanSimanc." ct Heretick depofues any of his Effects with any Perfon, fuch Perfon is not f ;4 6 - obliged to reflore them to the Heretick, after his Herefy is manifeft, but^* 75 * to the Treafury. Farther, a Catholick Wife is not obliged to any Du- ty, to her heretical Hufband, becaufe by the Hufband's Herefy fhe is freed from her Duty. In like manner a Catholick Hufband is freed from all Du- ty to his Wife, if fhe be an Heretick. Neverthelefs they can't marry with others, becaufe the Band of Matrimony is not diflblved. An Hufband can^tRoyas^.y. be forced to cohabit with his Wife if fhe is fallen into Herefy, even tho'^ r M°« fhe is reconciled ; nor is he bound to maintain her, becaufe her Dowry is^ 5i<5 ' confiscated by Herefy •, and as fhe is ftripped of her Dowry by her own Fault, the Hufband is not obliged to maintain an unindowed Wife. Zan- C . 18. §.z» chinus Ugolinus explains this Matter more largely. The very Children, Brothers and Sifters of Hereticks, ought to forfake them. Yea, the very Band of Matrimony with fuch is diflblved. For if any one departs from the Orthodox Faith, and falls into Herefy, his Wife is not obliged to cohabit with him, but may feek to be feparated from him by the Judgment of the Church, fuch Separation of the Bed being as reafonable upon account of fpiritual FornicatLon, as for carnal. And if "any Heretick mail, after his Fall, return to the Unity of the Church, the other married Perfon fhall be obliged to return to him, . if they were not before parted by the Sentence of the Church. But if they were parted bv Sentence, it fhall be at the Op- tion of the other Party who continued in the Faith, whether to. return, or become Religious -, becaufe fuch Party can't remain in the World, and take " another minifter their Revenues ; or by which the Proceffes of Churches againft He- reticks or Schifmaticks, that are or may be moved in Judgment, are wholly put off, or fufpended for a Time, or for ever ; or finally, by which Hereticks and Schifmaticks are permitted to exercife any Jurifdiction or Administration, either by themfelves or with Catholicks, or to enjoy any publick Offices. Moreover, all Places of Refuge, which are open to Malefactors and the worfl of Villains, are denied to Hereticks, as tho' they were the very Off- fcouring of the Earth, and had put off the very human Nature at the lame time they did the Roman Religion. Thus Simancas : " An Heretick flying totit. 46. " a Church, mail not be protected by the Sanctity of the Place, i. e. the Im-§. 65. " munity of the Churches. And therefore Gundemir, King of the Gctbs, who " granted this Immunity to the Churches of Spain more than 900 Years ago, rit. 46, " excepted three Sorts of Men from it, viz. Thieves, Traytors and Here- §• 65. " ticks, as Peter Medina relates in his Life. " Simancas adds, That altho' in almoft all Crimes nobler Perfons are fubject £• 6 7> " to one fort of Punifhment, and the meaner to another, yet in the Crime of " Herefy the fame Punifhment is appointed for all, without Refpect of Per- " fons. So that a noble Perfon filling into Herefy is infamous and vile, and " muff fuffe.r the Punifhment due to the meaneft. For there is no Difference in *' Matters of Faith and Religion between the Great and the Small, the No- " ble and Ignoble. The Law of Honorius and Tbeodofius fays, They are all $.68* " equal to one another, who are equal in the Pravity of Doctrine. And ano- M ther Law fays, They who are alike defiled, and made equal by their »' Wickednefs, are equally fubject to the fame Punifhment, /. 49. tit. 4. lib. 16. 11 C. Theod. and /. 1, tit. 27. lib. 9. Finally, they teach, that heretical Kings are to be deprived of their King- doms for Herefy. Thus Simancas: " 'Tis enquired whither the Kingdom §.75» " of an heretical King, who hath no Superior, can be confifcated ? The Rea- " fon of the Doubt arifes from this, becaufe the Goods of Hereticks are for- " feited to the fuperior Lord. And therefore Alpbonfus Caflrenfis is of Opi- « { nion, That fuch Kingdom belongs to the Catholick Son of an heretical " King, in the fame Manner as it would if the Heretick were dead. But if tl the Son and next of Kin be alfo Hereticks, a Catholick Kingdom may il chufe themfelves an Orthodox King. But if the Kingdom be heretical, the " Election oFa Catholick King belongs to the chief Pontiff." This Opinion is not difpleafmg to Simancas, tho' he adds, that it may juftly be feized on by the Catholicks. The fifth Punifhment is Imprifonment. For altho' by the Civil Law theBrunus, Prifon is only to detain Men, yet by the Canon Law it may be ufed as a Pu- A 5 * c ' I2 ' nifhment. C. Quamvisdc pcenis, lib. 6. So that an Heretick either conf f- fed or convict, may either be delivered to the fecular Court, or condcmred to perpetual Imprifonment. In which Cafe the condemned Perfon ihall be punifhed at the Option of the Judge. The a^ The History of the Inquisition. Brunus, The fixth Punifhment is the Bann and Diffidation *. Aiuhent. Gararos. c. /. 5. c. 14. f l e hacrer. The Bann is that Sentence, by which any Perfon is call out of the Commonwealth, fo that he can't enjoy the publick Prote£tion,_ or difcharge any publick Offices, or receive any Benefit of Law, and hath fome Likenefs with Excommunication. For as by Excommunication a Perfon is caft out from the Converfe of the Faithful, fo by the Bann he is excluded from the common Gooi Diffidation declares Hereticks to be Enemies of their Country D ; re 3 and the Empire. Its Effect is this : When any one is declared an Heretick 3 part, by the Sentence of the Judge, any Man, by his own private Authority, may com. 36. feize, plunder and kill him, as an Enemy or Robber, even tho' he be a Cler- gyman. He may be capitally puniflied as a Deferter, and attacked with Im- punity where-ever he is found. That Hereticks may thus be feized on, and plundered by the private Authority of any Man, Innocent IV. openly deter- mines by a Refcript, beginning, Ad extirpanda, in which, amongft other Things, there are thefe. Alfo the fame Governor or Ruler of any City or Place, in the Beginning of his Government, /hall hold a publick Affembly as ufual, and put un- der the Bann of that City or Place all Hereticks of both Sexes, and of whatfoever Name or Degree, even as he would the vilefl Offenders, and /hall be bound to confirm the Bann they were put under by his Predeceffors ; efpecially that no Heretick, Man or Woman, may any longer inhabit, abide, or dwell in the City, in any Part of its Jurifdiclion, orDiftriftofthefame. And who fo ever fo all difcover him or her, he may freely andfafely apprehend and feize them, and lawfully flrip him or them of all their Effefis, which they who take them fh all have full Right to, unlefs they happen to be De htret. in Office. And this Plunder of Hereticks Brunus tells us is by divine Right. I. <,.'.<>. Hereticks, by divine Right, may be ft ripped of all their Effecls, as unworthy their $ 2, 4, I'Poffeffions. For the J ujl fh all devour the Labours of the Wicked ; and therefore Ca- tholicks may claim the Places of Hereticks. 'Thefe Things are permitted againfl Here- ticks, becaufe Religion and the Chriftian Faith is endangered by their Impiety. Auftin Epift. 48. Brun.J. 5. " But if an whole City or Community favours and defends Herefies, or f. 16. « nojrifhes Schifm againft the Catholick Church, let it be out-lawed, and §- »3. « put under the Imperial Bann. The Confequence of this will be, that a City " thus banned and out-lawed will become an Enemy of the Empire, and all " its Citizens, as Enemies, may be with Impunity hurt in their Perfons and " Goods, and be all of them expelled, by the Prince, from fuch Cities where " they dwell. Such a City may bealfo fubject to fuch a Punimment as is pro- " portionable to Death it felf j i. e. by the Civil Law it may be erafed " from its very Foundations, and by the Canon Law burnt to Afhes. " This Punifhment the Canonifts derive from Deut. xiii. where the Ifraelites " are commanded to burn that City which mould ferve other Gods, and de- " ftroy it utterly, and all that is therein, and the Cattle thereof, with the ct Edge of the Sword. And there are fome who think this is allowed to every * Diffidare is properly to withdraw by Letters or Writing, that Protection, which one owes to another or hath promifed him. one, The History of the Inquisition. 25 " one, and that the Church hath granted Authority to all to extirminate He- " reticles ; tho* others are of Opinion this can't be done but by the Authority w and Command of their Superiors ; which Opinion, according to Brums, is " the fafeft, if not more agreeable to Law, as Dominick apprehended it was. c ' But the mod neceffary Thing of all is, that no Injury be done to heretical " Univerfities or Communities, before they are pronounced guilty of this u Crime by a declaratory Sentence." But if Hereticks are apprehended, 'tis not lawful for any one to undertake their Defence *. All Advocates or Notaries, who give Afiiitance or Favour to Hereticks or their Abettors, or who plead for them when under Examina- tion, or draw any Inftruments for them, are pronounced infamous, and fuf- pended from their Office f. Hence they infer, " That no one muft defend, " or be an Advocate for any who are known to be Hereticks. As often in- " deed as this is doubtful, and it is not yet certain whether the" Words or Deeds " objected againft any Perfon as heretical, do favour of manifeft Herefy; or li whilft the Charge of Herefy is not confirmed by WitneiTes, or other" le^alpegna in " Proofs, any one may be Advocate for him, and plead in his Defence ; i.e. ffDireff. * thelnquifitors allow him, and provided he take an Oath before-hand to make^* 10 4* " a juft Defence, an J to defift from it as foon as ever it fliall be known that the " Perfon he defends is an Heretick. And this is always the Method obferved." The laft Punifhment of Hereticks is that of Death, and that not the com- mon one, but the moft terrible that can be inflicted ; viz. to be burnt alive. This they infer from 2 King* xxiii. where Ozias commanded the Bones of the heretical Priefts to be burnt ; and from the Words of our Lord, John xv. 6. If a Man abide not in me, he is c aft forth as a Branch, and is withered, and Men 1 - *• c 15. gather them, and caft them into the Fire, and they are burned. Here Brunus obferves $• J 4« fome think that this Punimment was introduced only by Cuftom, and can be proved by no other Right, whither divine or human. This is his Opinion, for, lays he, this Punijhment can't be inferred from that Pajfage of the Gojpel, of throw- ing the Branch into the Fire^ For thisfpeaks of the eternal Fire of Hell, and not of the temporary Punijhment of Fire. Nor do the Civil Laws prove this Punijhment. For tho* they fix that Punijhment againft Hereticks, which we call Deaths yet they don*t exprefs this kind of Death, viz. the Puniftiment of Fire -, which undoubted- ly the Lawgivers would have done, if they had determined to appoint it againft Here- ticks ; efpecially as the Punijhment is Jo terrible, that they exprejsly mention it, when ever they think the Heinoufnefs of the Crime deferves it ; as may be made appear from other •Conftilutions, where this Punijhment is particularly fpecified. [However, £#« dovicusa Paramo finds out this Punimment of Fire in many Places of the New Teftament. " James and John thought that the Samaritans, who would not f receive our Lord, fhould be deftroyed with Fire from Heaven, according to c St. Luke. Cap. 9. See here now the Punifhment of Hereticks, viz. Fire. For " the Samaritans were the Hereticks of thole Times, Mat. xxi. and xxii. { Mark xii. and Luke xx. Chrift adds three Parables. One of the two Sons. * Cap. Si adverfus nos terra covjurgeret. dc hxret. j- Sec cap. Excommmicamus. £. OeJuntes. & cap. i. (j. 1. de h 140, < c Opinion of the Divines, and determine that an altogether concealed Here- " tick is excommunicated, becaufe there is no Need of the Service of Men in Penal ties, which are ipjbjure, contracted. For as a Man falls into Herefy by a mere Act of his Will, fo for the fame Reafon, becaufe he by his Will alone believes heretical Errors, he actually falls into Excommunication; efpecially becaufe Excommunication neceiTarily draws along with it imme- ** diare Execution, and cleaves to Herefy as a Leprofy to a Leper, and a Shadow to a Man. He adds : If any one contracts Heref;- in his Mind and Understanding, believing God was not incarnate, or that holy Mary was not a Virgin, and cloth not proceed to the external Act, by openly declaring it to himfelf or another, but contains his Error and aforeiaid Flerefy entirely in his Heart, but afterwards, through the Influence of better Counfels, for- fakes and repents of it, and then comes, as hath been often done, to the In- quirers of heretical Pravity, confelTing that he received and believed the fa id Errors, defiring from them Abfolution and wholefome Penance, is not fuch an one an Heretick, even though altogether and entirely concealed and mental, and by Confequence excommunicated, and therefore to be abfol- ved ? And whereas 'tis objected, that the Church doth not judge of fecret Things, he adds, this is meant only of that Court, which confifts of the Actor, the Criminal, the Judge and WitneiTes •, whereas the Crime of He- refy, tho' altogether concealed, requires nothing external, becaufe 'tis a mental Offence, and is committed by the mere Thought of the Mind, and I u ■•■ c therefore the Church may well judge of this without the Judgment of a Court, and by a Parity of Reafon of Excommunication which cleaves to Herefy. Befides the Church forbids the inward Acts of the Mind, and declares a Perfon an Heretick, tho' fecret or mental, and therefore it judges of fecret Things,, and therefore why not of Excommunication, which ad- heres to Herefy. This is a Decifion of great Moment. For an excom- municate Perfon needs Reconciliation, and tho' the Reconciliation granted te a Penitent be favourable, yet as 'tis the Abfolution of Excommunication, fuch Reconciliation is attended with Forfeiture of Goods and perpetual Im- priibnment. "But ei if li- ft if H If M u at M U «t « u The History of the Inquisition. 29 tc But a Perfon may be called a concealed Heretick in another Senfe, viz. Simanc. tc who by Word or Writing hath brought forth that Herefy which he hath*'* 5* " conceived in his Heart, tho' with Secrecy and Craft ; fo that 'tis called " concealed Herefy, becaufe 'tis not notorious, and can't be proved. Such a " one incurs the Sentence of Excommunication, and is liable to the other " Punifhments of Hereticks, becaufe he hath declared his Herefy, tho' pri- u vately ; and if he confeiTes his Herefy before the Inquifitor, and repents, " he is to be privately abfolved. Thus in the Seville Inftrutlions, i Cap. 5.5. 11. " where we have the general Form of publick Abjuration laid down, with " this Exception : Unlefs the Crime be fo fecret, that the Penitent only knows it, " and it can't be difcoveredby another, infttch Cafe he is to be fecrelly reconciled and " abfolved'," which they thus explain, When an Heretick hath declared or written down his intellectual Herefy, and yet no one hath heard or read it, tho' others underfland this of an Herefy purely mental. Altho' an Heretick be thus concealed, yet if he infects or perverts others, j. u, he is immediately to be difcovered to his Judges without any preceeding Ad- monition. But yet they don't affirm that a concealed Heretick is obliged to betray himfelf, when he is asked by the Judge in a general Inqu'.fition, Whe- ther he knows any Heretick. In like manner, when an Heretick purely men- tal confeiTes his intellectual Herefy in the facred Court of Penance, he doth not incur Excommunication by this ex:ernal Act, becaufe fuch an Action is §■ 9. good and pious, and not liable to human Judgment. CHAP. IV. Of Affir?native and Negative Hereticks. HEreticks are farther diftingui fried into Affirmative and Negative. Affir- Eymer. mative are fuch, who err in their Mind in Matters of Faith, and who/"*' 7 - -• fhew by Word or Deed, that they are thus obftinate in their Will, and open-?* 34% ly confefs it before the Inquifitor. Negative Hereticks are thofe, who, ac- cording to the Laws of the Inquifition, are rightly and iuftly convicted of fome Herefy before a Judge of the Faith, by fome lawful Witneffes, whom either they cannot or will not refute, but yet who will not confefs, conftantly per- lifting in the Negative, and that they profefs the Catholick. Faith, and deteil heretical Pravity. They except indeed againft Facts committed many Years before, which are prefumed to be forgotten. But even this is not to be pre- fumed in Facts of Importance and Weight, according to the Seville Instru- ctions, An. 1484. cap. 13. Such are, If any hath wilfully preached up he- retical Propofitions, or broken the Images of the Saints. Neither is this to be underftood of Perfons of good Memories, but only of light Facts, and of Per- fons naturally dull and forgetful. Who are to be efteemed fuch, and what Time is to be fuppofed fufficient to fuch Forgetfulnefs, is entirely left to the EccleH- aftical Judges, after they have weighed the Circumftances of Perfons and Things. He alio is efteemed by many a negative Heretick, and, as it were, dimi? nute, confefied,. and obftinate, who doth not difcover either all the Heyeftes of which» -»o The History of the Inquisition, which he is convicted, or the whole Time of his Offence, or all his Acconv plices, if the Things are fo frefh, as that he can't be fuppofed to have forgot- ten them. Amongft thefe fort of Negatives are alio reckoned by fome, fuch who contefs before the Inquifitor heretical Facls or Words, but who deny any Pravity of Intention, altho' others, as we fhall foon fee, call them Impenitent. Catbol.ix- What their Punilhment ought to be, the Doctors differ. Simancas fays, fit. tit. 6. That he who confeffes heretical Words, but denies the Pravity of Intention, $■ l9t may be condemned as Impenitent, except the Matter be doubtful. In fuch Cafe he ought to be purged, or abjure, becaufe of his being fufpected, or put to the Torture, which is generally the Cuitom. But becaufe this Cale often happens in Spain, becaufe of their new Con- Deharet verts from the Jews and Moors, John Royas handles this Matter largely, of part. i. ' which I fhall here give you the Subftance ; from whence we fhall know what fort of Chriftians they are, which the Spanijh Kings have converted to their Church by the Fear of Punifhment from amongft the Jews and Moors, n. i &c We know by Experience, how many there are who are detained for heretical Pravity in the Prifons of the Office of the holy Inquifition, who ingenuoufly con- fefs heretical Deeds and Words, but who abfokuely deny all rafh Belief, and 3. Pravity of Intention. Thus a Man may confefs that he hath faid, as of- ten happens in examining Caufes of Faith, that every one may be fa- ved in his own Se£t and Opinion, a Jew by the Jewijh Law, a Saracen by >. the Mahometan, and a Lutheran in the Lutheran Sect. For the guilty Perfon fometimes confefTes in his Difcourfe, that he pronounced the aforefaid Words inadvertently, and thro' the Error of his Tongue, and being asked by the In- quifitors of heretical Pravity, Whether he believes fuch Things, he fays he never did, but that he ever held what the holy Roman Church preaches and teaches. Thus he denies the Intention, and only confefTes the Words, which without doubt are heretical. Another Inftance is of one who confeiTes that he faid fimple Fornication is not a mortal Sin, and yet denies all rafh Belief and Error of Underftanding, alTerting that, fpeaking for Wantonnefs fake, he pronounced the aforefaid Words to fome Wenches, which are in Reality heretical Words. An Inftance of an heretical Fact fhall be in him, who being baptized, is af- terwards circumcifed, and obferves the Faft called Ramadan, and the PalTover, I0# after the Mahometan Manner, and makes the Zalah, i. e. his Adoration or Prayer in his own Home or in the Mofques, waffling firft his Body, and efpecially his Privities, bending his Knees, bowing down, and lifting up his Head, and who feeds on Flefhes killed from the * Keblah. The new Converts in the King- doms of Valencia, Aragon and Granada, publickly obferve many other facrile- gious and impious Rites. Another Example is of him, who efpecially if he be of the Jewijh Race, obferves the Sabbath by refraining from all Labour, and 33. obferves the other Feftivals of the Jews, and who confefles fuch Facts and Words, but affirms that he faid or did them inadvertently and ignorantly, and that he is ready to fubmit to the Correction of the Church. 'Tis queried, * The Mahometans call that Part of the World, where Mecca is ficuated, by the Name of Kebla, to- wards which they are obliged to turn themfelves when they fay their Prayers. Mecca is fituated to- wards the South. whether The History of the Inquisition. 31 whether fuch a one is to be accounted an Heretick, even tho' not convicted by lawful Wicneffes. On the negative Side 'tis urged, that Herefy fuppofes an Error in the Un- 4°« derftanding, and Obftinacy in the Will in adhereing to thofe Things which are contrary to the Determination of the Church. Hence they infer that that 64. of Innocent is reafonable and true, who faid, That if any one believes what the Cap. Fir- Church believes, but thro' the Influence of natural Reafon falfely fuppofes that""'"""'*' the Father is either greater than the Son, or before him, or that the three^"? w f Perfons are three Things diflinct from each other, he is not an Heretick, and/^ doth not offend, becaufe he believes this is the Churches Belief, and fuppofes his own Opinion to be the Faith of the Church. Therefore he thinks 'tis but 66, 67. reafonable, that in the Defences of the Criminals, regard ought to be had to their Simplicity and Imprudence, fo that the Punifbment may be mitigated, and that the Judges, efpecially the Inquifitors of heretical Pravity, according to their Office, mould be very folicitous and diligent in examining and fearchino- into their Defences, becaufe of the partial and maimed Defence of the Crimi-(j, 60. nals, tho' the Party doth not feek it, or even refufe it. But he adds, that 'cis antiently decided by the Rota 875 in C. Accufatus de bereft in tit. de hceret. that if any one be accufed of Herefy, and legally convicted by Witneffes or other- wife, and yet denies that he faid or believed fuch heretical Things, yet that he ought neverthelefs to be condemned as a negative and impenitent Heretick, and delivered over to the fecular Arm, altho' he afferts that he believes, and hath believed as the Church believes. However, the Doctors generally maintain the Affirmative, becaufe the$. 276. Nature of Facts demonftrate the Intention, Mind and Will of the Doers. For Inftance, If any one mould do a properly Jewijh Action, fuch as obferving 2 ^' " been an Heretick, if he can prove his Innocence, ought not to neglect his " Reputation, but to have the Caufe heard over again by the Inquifitors. But tl if he can't refute the WitnefTes, norjuftly retract his Confeffion, he ought L 416. In the fame Council, towards the End, there is very flrict Command, con- yerfo. cerning the giving this pecuniary Caution. As tofuch who return of themf elves, without being accufed by others let the Inquifitor take diligent Care, that they give Money Security, after they havefworn toflandprecifely by the Commands of the Church,., and to obferve and obey them. Afterwards let a private Penance be enjoined them at the Pleafure of the Inquifitor, and thus returning, let them be abfolved and difpenfed with. Clement IV. in his Bull, Licet ex omnibus, commands the Inquifitors to look to it very carefully, that they be not deceived by a feigned Converfion. But if any of the afore faid Perfons will wholly abjure their heretical Pravity, and re- turn to the Ecclefiaftical Unity, grant them the Benefit of Abfolulion according to the Form of the Church, and enjoin them the ufual Penance, being particularly careful, that they do not fraudulently return by a feigned Converfion, and thus deceiving you, or rather the?nfelves,. wear the Wolf under the Appearance of the Lamb. As to thofe who do not voluntarily return, the Penance enjoin'd them is more fevere, for they are accounted convict, and in fome Meafure forced. There is no particular Account to be given of their Penances, which are left to the Piea- The History of the Inquisition. 27 Pleafure of the Inquifitors. The Manner they are herein to obferve, we have in the Council of Narbonne, cap. 5. in thcfe Words. This we ftrifily enjoin in this Manner, becaufe we would not have you enjoin all the Penances afore/aid every where, or fubjetl all Perfons to all of them, but that you Jbould cautioufy and wifely difpenfe them according to the Difcretion given you by the Lord -, according to the Nature of the Offences, Perfons, Places, Times, and other Circumjlances, fo that whether you punifh or pardon, the Life of Offenders may be amended ; or at leaf: that it may appear who walks in Darknefs and who in Light, and who is truly penitent^ and who a pretended Convert, that from hence there may be no Scandal to true Catbo- licks, nor under Pretence of Scandal, nor any other Way, as far as lies in your Power , by which Herefy may either be defended or nourifhed. But if there be a great Number of Penitents, the Council of Tar aeon hath decreed, that a prudent Judge may ufe fomewhat of Moderation, Likewife ifBzov. the Number of Her eticks, or their Believers be large, and they are ready to abjure a ' I2 4 a ' their Herefy, a prudent Judge may infill Canonical Punifhrnents on them, whether^ 4 * greater or lefs, according to the Provijion of the Apofiolick See, and thus avoid the Piqiifhrnent of Intrufion * Or if the Number be notfo very large, a prudent fudge ?nay life Moderation according to his Difcretion, as to the Believers in Hereticks, after ha- ving confidered Circumflances. Provided always, that perfetl Hereticks, or thofe who dogmatically affirm their Herefies, or Believers of them being relapfed into fuch Belief \ after having abjured or renounced Herefy, (hall be perpetually imprifoned, after having fully abjured their Herefy, and Abfolution from Excommunication, that there they may fave their Souls, and may not corrupt others. . Finally, alfo the Council of Narbonne hath provided, c. 18. that none re- covered from Herefy, if they had been greatly culpable, fhould be admitted to any Religion ; in thefe Words : And leaf fuch Perfons fhould corrupt the Sim- plicity of Religion, let none of the aforefaid Criminals enter into any Religion whatfo- ever, without the Leave of the Lord Pope, or his Legate. And if any fuch Jhall have entered without their or your Leave, after the Inquifition againf them batb been begun, or even before, without having confeffed, and being canoni'cally abfolved, recal them. Laftly, 'tis required that fuch as are reconciled, mall confefs the fame Crimes to their own Parifh Pried, after they have been judicially abfol- ved by the Inquifitors •, which is alfo provided by the Madrid Inftru&ion : After a . i$6ii the Penitent Jhall have been judicially abfolved, let the Priefl facramentally abfolve him. cap. 71* But they will by no Means allow fuch to be received, who, after a long Time, and frequent Admonitions and Exhortations, fcarce feem capable of Converfion, and efpecially if they appear fo, at that Infhntof Time, when they are to be delivered over to the fecular Court ; becaufe the Fear of Death feems rather to induce them to feek Mercy, than the Love of Truth. Nor fuch who by Commands, Threatnings, Punifhrnents, Rewards, fworn Promifes, or any other the like Ways, endeavour to perfuade any to Herefy, or obftinate- ly to defend any Herefy they may have embraced. Nor finally fuch, who have perfuaded, or endeavoured to perfuade, Kings, Princes, the Queen, or * intrufio is a Pufon's rimifting himfelf into the Poflcflion of fomcthing to which he hath no legal Right, thfc ■„8 The History of the Inquisition. the Sons and Daughters of Kings, to embrace Herefy. Simancas gives the Cathol Reafon : " Becaufe fuch a one is to be left to the fecular Judge without Mer- injtit'tit. " cy, as having added High Treafon to Herefy, by endeavouring to deftroy, 47- §■ 68, « w j t h t he molt aggravated Crime, the Soul of the Prince, and thereby in & c ' " Confequence of the whole Common-wealth. Kings alfo themfelves may ea- u fily be perverted by Means of fuch Women •, and if fuch are guilty of u Hi°h Treafon, who violate their Chaflity,much morethofe who caufe their " Souls to commit Adultery." Ty. fr. As to the Heirs of penitent Hereticks, there is a Decree of the Council of fii. 4*i7' Biterre, determining what they are obliged to. Tou ought to require a fuitaUe Satisfaction from the Heirs of fuch, who having confcffed and being reconciled, have died without Penance, that fo great a Crime, publickly confejfed in Judgment, may not go unpunijhed in any. Let the fame be done to thofe who having received Pe- nance, have died without performing it, or delay* d to do it, or who have obliged .themfelves to fulfil it, under Forfeiture of their Effecls, or who have been command- ed to tranfport themfelves. Alexander IV. in his Confutations agrees with this, faying, Moreover, fo?ne, as you add, have bound themfelves to the Inquifitors, un- der Forfeiture of all their Effefls, to receive Penance from them, and fulfil it for their heretical Offences, who, after being enjoined it, have died without performing it, or rather having neglecied it wholly, or in part. 'Tis therefore asked, Whether the Inquifitors themfelves, or thofe who fucceed them, ?)iay force the Heirs or the Pcffeffors of the Goods of fuch deceafed Perfons, to ?nake Satisfaction for them ? ¥0 which we anfwer, That if by fuch Penance, any Obligation profitable to Salva- tion, Jh all have been laid, for which the temporal Effects are to be anfwer able, the In- quifitors may force the Heirs to fulfil it, or fuch other Perfons to whom the Effecls may come under fuch Obligation. But they can by no Means be forced to under- go thofe perfonal Punifhments that Hereticks themfelves mutt fuffer if they return. Hence Guido Fulcodius, in his Confutations, anfwers, That he believes fuch as are abfolved by the Inquifitors, and die before they have performed their Pe- nance, are referved for Purgatory, and that nothing farther is to be laid upon their Heirs. Alexander iV. alfo anfwers : There are others alfo who have confeffed in Judgment their Herefy, before the Inquifitors of heretical Pravity, and died be- fore they have been enjoined Penance. We anfwer, That inafmuch as they did not die "Hereticks, but rather incorporated into the Unity of the Church, we do not fee that Sa- tisfatlion for a Crime extinbl is to be required from them after Death, or from their Heirs who fucceed to their Eflate. But in the Cafe where Heirs are not admitted to inherit for the Fault of their Predeceffors, if Death fhould happen between the Sen- tence declared, and the Confifcation of their Effecls, fuch Confiscation muft . take place after Death, notwithfianding it did not whilft the Criminals lived. Vtp.iS.i. Zancbinus explains thefe Things more diftin&ly and briefly. " A three- " fold Punifhment defcends to the Children of a Perfon condemned as an He- " retick. The firft is the Forfeiture of Effects, becaufe they are abfolutely (l deprived of paternal Succefllon. The fecond is, their Incapacity to fucceed 4^ Dogmatifts or Dogmatifers, and antiently perfect Hereticks. If fuch as thefe will be converted, the Council of Biterre hath thus determined concerning them. Cap. 1 6. Let perfect Hereticks, or convicled ones, be fecretly examined before certain difcreet and faithful Men, perfuading them, according to their Duty, to Converfion^ and to fuch as are willing to turn approve themfelves favourable and kind, becauf by ^.q The History of the Inquisition. fuchmuch Light will be fpread, and great Advantage will accrue ; and mitigate their Penances according to the Nature of their Converfion and Merit, or Jhew them Regard, as you Jh all think proper and convenient. Thus alfo the Council ofTarracon: But let per/eel Hereticks, and Dogmatifers, if they will be converted, after Abfolution and Abjuration, be flout up in perpetual Impnfonment. Hence in the Sentence of Pe- L'b.Sent. ter Auterius, a Doctor of the Albigenfes, we read : Saving however, and retain- inquif.rho- j ^^ [f thou wilt tumfrom this Seel and Herefy, and be converted, and return oj.jo . 40.^ ^ Ecclefiaflical Unity, thy Life /hall be faved: referving however to our felves full and free Power of enjoining thee a Punifhment and wholefo?ne Penance for the Things ihou haft done in thy former Seel and Herefy. The Reafonsthey affign, why they receive to Penance penitent Arch He- reticks, or Dogmatifts, are thefe. Becaufe, if they are converted, and preach to thofe they have deceived, they may eafily convert many of them. Add to this, that as they beft underftand the Errors and Deceits of Deceivers, which they themfelves have taught, they can more eafily refute them by Wri- ting or Talking. And finally, becaufe Dogmatifts, truly converted, and openly penitent, are as it were a clear Mirror of Repentance and Humility, into which Sinners may look and be converted, and be preferved in their Duty. This is efpecially to be obferved, when an Arch Heretick is of great Authori- ty, for his Doctrine and Dignity, and who therefore, it may be hoped, will convert many by his Authority. And thus Berengarius was heretofore recei- ved. However, the Doctors now think, that confidering the moft miferable Condition of thefe Times, in which Hereticks dare every Thing that is im- pious, all Arch Hereticks are to be delivered over, without Mercy, to the fe- tit. 47. cular Court, becaufe, as Simancas fays, They deferve to die not one Death only, %■ 54« but many \ and therefore he is for punilhing them not as other Hereticks, but with fj 1, feverer Puniflments, without any Companion. He farther fays, That the Mafters of the Lutheran Herefy are by no Means tobefpared ; as being tainted with many Vices and Crimes, viz. Enemies to the Church, Haters of the Saints, Violators of the divine Law, facrilegious Perfons, Corrupters of good Works, and therefore of all good Manners, and Subverters of Nations. And therefore he adds, they mufi not be for- given, who commit fuch wicked , abominable, and heinous Crimes. Thus alfo, ac- cording toPegna, " No Arch Heretick, though he mould give Proofs of a " real Conversion, ought to efcape the Punifhment of Death. But becaufe " the Church is kind and merciful, there is no Papal Law by which 'tis pro- " vided, that Dogmatifts fhall, without Diftinction, be delivered over to the " fecular Court. Yea, the contrary may be gathered from Cap. adabolendum. " de hasret. But then efpecially are Arch Hereticks to be received, when " they come, without any Inquifition after them, or being cited or called by n Name, but of their own Accord, to confefs their Sin, and implore Mercy. *« " dience of the chief Pontiff. Thefe differ but little from Hereticks. For " they believe that there may be Salvation and true Sacraments without the " true Church, and many other fchifmatical Things. Thefe are to be pu- '< nifhed with almoft the fame Punifhments as Hereticks themfelves. " Others are without Blame, andhaveajuft Excufe ; viz. they who, thro' §. 9. 14» lt ticks are driven out of Spain, who rejecting all that antient Difcipline, tc which the holy Spirit taught, which fo many Ages, theConfent of foma- " ny Nations, fo many great Men, famous for their Piety and Learning, have i, The Defenders of Hereticks, according to the Definition of the Council ofTarracon, are fuch who knowingly defend Hereticks by Word or Deed, or any Method in their own Lands, or anywhere elfe, whereby the Church is prevented from executing its Office in the Extirpation of heretical Pravity. Now there are different Ways of defending. An Heretick may be defended with Arms, or without them, or by giving him Notice for his Efcape. He may alfo be defended, when under Trial, or when he is not. They may alio be faid to be Defenders of Plereticks by Confequence, who hinder in any Manner the Office of the Inquifition. Befides this, there is another Cafe by which a Man may be laid to be a Defender of Hereticks, when he puts another Perfon or himfelf in the Room of the Heretick to be apprehended. Concerning which, Innocent IV. fent this Refcript. Ad extirpanda. If at any Time, any Men or Women not Hereticks, fhall, with their Confent, be taken and put in the Place of Hereticks, or themfelves perfonate Hereticks, let them fuffer perpetual Impri- fonment, and at the fame time let the Hereticks themfelves be compelled to return and deliver up themfelves. And as for thofe who contrived the Deceit, let them, ac- cording to the aforefaid Law, fuffer Confifcation of their Goods, and perpetual Banifhment, In the fame Bull there are other Sorts of Punifnments ap- pointed The History of the Inquisition. 45 pointed againft the Defenders of Hereticks. Whofoever Jhall dare to rescue an heretical Man or Woman, when taken, from him or thofe who have apprehended them, or to prevent their being taken, or to hinder any one's Entrance into any Houfe or Tower, in order to feize or fear ch for them, let fuch an one, according to the Padua Law of Frederick the Emperor, fuffer Confifcation of Goods, and perpetual Ba- nifhment, and let the Houfe from which they were excluded be rafed to the Ground, and never rebuilt ; and let the Effetis found there be his who can feize them, as if Hereticks had been atlually found there. Moreover, he makes their Sons infamous, and excludes them from all Honours, unlefs they difcover Hereticks. But if they difcover them, they are delivered from thefe Penalties. Pius V. alfo by a certain Refcript, beginning, Si de protegendis, ordained the moft fevere Pu- nifhments againft the Defenders of Hereticks, which they incur in many Cafes therein mentioned. CHAP. IX. Of the Favourers o/Hereticks. ^""^ H E Favourers of Hereticks, as the Name mews, are thofe who fhew^.53. Favour to Hereticks, and are in all Things equal to the Defenders of them. They are either Magiftrates or private Perfons, and they may all fa- vour Hereticks by Omiflion or Negligence, by Deed or Affiftance, and finally by Counfel or Words. The Magiftrates Office is to extirpate Hereticks, and expel them from his Kingdoms and Dominions, and to give all Counfel and Favour to the Inquifitors of heretical Pravity, for the punifhing and reftraining of Hereticks, and the Suppreffion of all rifing Herefies, becaufe the Inquifitors without the Magiftrates Help are weak, and cannot drive away Hereticks ; and therefore they muft bend all their Endeavours to this, that the Wicked- nefs of Hereticks may noc encreafe under their Government, and the Security and Religion of the Catholicks be not diminifhed or difturbed. The Favou- rers therefore of Hereticks are fucn : Firft, who omit to do thofe Things con- cerning Hereticks, or Perfons fufpected and defamed for Herefy, or thofe who believe, receive, defend, and favour them, which they are obliged to do by Office, when required to do it by the Inquifitors or Bifhops, or one of them, viz. if they do not take them up, keep them in fafe Cuftody, fend them to the appointed Place, or if they don't readily punifh them, when con- demned and delivered over to them. For they are obliged to all thefe Things. Cap. Ut Inquijitionis, de haeret. lib. 6. and efpecially by a Refcript of Inncr-Souzz, cent IV. and Clement. IV. beginning, Ad extirpanda. In like Manner the Pre- /; ^- 1 - lates or Inquifitors, who neglect to make fafe Prifons, to fet over them faith- c ' ful Keepers, to apprehend, torture, or punifh Hereticks, or to keep them in fafe Cuftody, in order to favour Hereticks, are judged to be themfelves Fa- vourers a^ The History of the Inquisition. vourersof them •, but not if thefe Omiflions proceed from Negligence, or any other Caufe. Secondly, the Magiftrate is a Favourer of Hereticks by Commiffion. If, when taken, he delivers them from Jayl without the Leave or Command of the Bifhop and Inquifnor, or one of them -, or if he doth directly or indirectly hinder their Procefs, Judgment, or Sentence, or do other Things like them. As appears from the Chapter before mentioned, Ut Inquifitionis. §. prohibemus. All thefe are ipfo jure, excommunicated, as Fa- vourers of Hereticks ; and if they obftinately remain under this Excommuni- cation for the Space of a Year, are to be punifhed as Hereticks. The Coun- cil of Tboloufe hath appointed other Punifhments for them. Chap. 3,4. We likewise ordain, that whofoeverJhalL knowingly permit any Heretick to dwell in his Ju- rifdittion, either for Money, or any other Caufe whatfoever, and fh all confefs, or be convicledofthis, he fhall loje his EJiate for ever, and his Body fh all be in the Power of his Lor d^ to do with it as he ought to do. And if he be not convicled of having done this knowingly, and his Negligence be not proved to be fcandalous, and yet He- reticks are frequently found in his Country ; or if he be defamed upon this Account, let him fuffer the legal Punifhments. See alfo the Bull of Paul IV. beginning, Cum ex Apoflolatus officio. Bzovius alfo relates, in his Account of the Year 12 15. §. 10. that by the Command of the Apoflolical Legate the Walls ofNarbonne were thrown down ; and alfo of 'Tboloufe, the greateft Part of them, becaufe they had been the Receptacles of Hereticks. The fame Council of Tboloufe deter- mines what fhall be the Punifhment of inferior Magiftrates, in their feveral Diftricts, if they are found negligent in apprehending Hereticks. Cap. 6. As to the Battive of any Place as to which there is any Prefumption, who is always Refident, unlefs he be found very diligent and careful againft Hereticks, let him for- feit all his Effetts, and never more be fuffered to be a Ballive there, or any where elfe. Private Perfons are faid to be Favourers of Hereticks, when out of their own Rafhnefs they free from Prifon Hereticks, or Perfons apprehended for Herefy, or give any Afiiftance, Council or Favour towards their Delive- rance, or fo accompany them, when freed, as not to feize them ; or refift thofe who would apprehend them, or prefume directly or indirectly to hinder Procefs, Judgment, or Sentence, in a Caufe of Faith, or give Council, Af- fiftance or Favour to fuch Hindrance. Private Perfons indeed are not faid to be Favourers of Hereticks by mere Omiflion, viz. for not apprehending or not taking them into Cuftody, as not being obliged to ir. Neverthelefs they will be Favourers, if they fhall omit to difcover and apprehend them, when obliged to it by Office : Such, for Inftance, are the Crofs-bearers, who in Spain are called Familiars -, or if when called on by the Magiftrate, to af- fift in apprehending Hereticks, they refufe to do it without Reafon, and when they have nothing to prevent them. Laftly, both Magiftrates and private Perfons may be faid to be Favourers of Hetciieks, by omitting to difcover them, becaufe all Perfons are obliged under Pain of Excommunication, to difcover all Hereticks, even concealed ones, to the Bifhopsand Inquifitors, and, if it be necefiary, to accufe them. So The History of the Inquisition. 47 So Gregory IX. ordained in one of his Extravagants againft the Patarenes, be- ginning, Excommunicamus, inierted aroongft the Apoitolical Letters for the Office of the Inquifition. Likewife if any Per/on knows any Hereticks, or fucb who hold private Conventicles ', or who differ in their Life and Manners from the Con- verfation of the Faithful, let him endeavour to dijaver them to his Confeffor, or fome one elfe, who he believes may give Notice to the Prelate, otherwife let him be excom- municated. And this Obligation of informing againft Hereticks is fo ftrict, that it takes place notwithilanding any Oath, Covenant, or Promife to the contrary. But if the Wife only mould happen to know that her Husband eats Flefh on forbidden Days, and knows him to be fo rurious, as that probably he would murther or abufe her, if fhe informed againft him, fome think her Fear may excufe her from the Sufpicion of Herefy. But we fhall fpeak more fully of the Obligation to inform in the following Book. The Council of Narbonne hatlx determined the feveral Ways, by which any one may befaidto be a Favourer of Hereticks. Cap. 14, 15, 16. We account thofe equally Favourers of Hereticks, who objtrutl the Extirpation or Correction of Hereticks or their Believers, and thofe who don't give that Affiftance to it, which they can't omit without a manifefl Fault. But fucb Perfons may be more or lefs guilty in thefe Matters, from a careful Confideration of Circumftances. He, for Inftance, greatly favours Hereticks or their Believers who conceals them, when he may, and ought to difcover them. He favours them more, who by concealing them, or other- wife malicioujly endeavour s to prevent their Examination or Imprifonment , or Puni/h- ment. He ?noft of all, who releafes thofe who are apprehended or imprifoned, with- out the Churches Leave ; or if fucb 'Things are done by his Counfel, Help, Com- mand or Care. But he is above all others to be accounted guilty of this Crime, who having temporal Jurifditlion, defers to perfecute thefe aforefaid pefliferous Hereticks, or Perfons declared to be Rebels againft the Church, or to extirminate them out of his Country or Province, or to animadvert againft them without Delay. Such a one is juftly to be fufpetled of being joined in wicked Society with them, who negletls to put a Stop to fo great a Wickednefs, after having received the proper Information by the Church or otherwife ; fince he both may do it, and is bound to it •, efpecially if he is under the Obligation of an Oath to do it. But neither are they free from this Crime, who, when they have the Opportunity of Time and Place, and Leave to apprehend Hereticks, or the aforefaid Rebels, and to affijl thofe who are to take them up, wicked- ly negletl it ; efpecially if required by thofe who apprehend thetn, or are willing to do it* And fince there are many, and almofi unfearchable Methods of doing Harm, by which Hereticks, their Believers and Favourers endeavour to dejlroy the Vineyard of the Lord of Sabaoth, which ought to be prudently and vigoroufly oppofed, let your Piety take Care, according to the Grace given you of the Lord, to find out thefe Evils, and apply the wbolefome Remedy ; and let your Prudence makeup what can't fo eajily be committed to fVriting. Laftly, Friar Ivonetus defcribes the Marks and Signs, by which Perfons may be known to be Favourers of Hereticks. There is extant a Volume of his, the Fragment of which is in a Parchment Book of the Vatican Library, inti- tled, How the Favourers of Hereticks ?nay be difcovered. And he there reckons up five /j.S The History of the Inquisition. five Si^ns in thefe Words. The Favourers of Hereticks may eafiy be known by theft five very probable Marks, Firft, Whoever privately vi fit them, wh'ilfl in CuJiody t and whifper with them, and gives them Victuals , are fufpecled of being their Difci- ples and Favourers. Secondly, Whoever greatly lament their Apprehenfion or Death, feem to have been their fpiritual Friends whilfi they lived ; for His fear ce credible that any Perfon can be a long while intimate with an Heretick, and not know his Secrets. 'Thirdly, Such who co?nplain that they are unjujlly condemned, after they have been openly convitled, or have confeffed their Herefy, it appears that they ap- prove their Seel, and think the Church hath erred in condemning them. Fourthly, Such who look with a bitter Countenance upon thofe who perfecute Hereticks, or preach vigoroufly againjl Herefy ; for he who diligently obferves, may fee by their Eyes and Nofe, and Jfpecl, that they do not look with a favourable Countenance, and are therefore greatly to be fufpecled, that they hate thofe againjl whom their Heart appears to be fo bitter, as their Countenance betrays, and love thofe for whofe Defiruclion they fo much orieve. Fifthly, If any are found to have by Stealth gathered together in the Night the Bones of Hereticks burnt, as Reliques, 'tis not to be doubted but that they reverence them as Saints, whofe Bones they lay up as a kind of ' Sancluary, and are therefore equally ■Hereticks with them. Becaufe no one accounts an Heretick for a Saint, but he who believes his Seel to be holy, and is equally an Heretick with him. Thefe Things give vreat Prefumption of Herefy againfi him, altho* it be not fufficient Proof to condetnn him, unlefs there concur other Arguments, by which it manifejlly appears they did the aforefaid Things in Favour of Herefy. CExcom- The Favourers of Herefy arc. ipfo jure, excommunicated. If they are mere munica- Favourers, but not publickly excommunicated, they don't incur any other muSm . Penalties. But if they are publickly declared excommunicate, and don't te f Cre '"gut Satisfaction within a Year, they fuffer other Penalties, which are ihid.de largely defcribed. buret. T CHAP. X. Of the Hinder ers of the Office of the Inqjjisition. H E Hinderers of the Office of the Inquifition come neareft to the Fa- vourers of Hereticks, and areufually reckoned amongft them. That this Office may be vigoroufly exercifed, and that no Hereticks may efcape the Rigour of it, all are ftriclly commanded, of whatfoever Dignity or Condition, efpecially Arch Bifhops, Bifhops, and other Prelates, to favour the Bufinefs of the Inquifition, and yield all Countenance and Help to the f. 410. Inquifitors. Thus Alexander IV. in his Bull, beginning, Orthodox*? fidei Chri- Tr.tr. fiiance, commands all Arch Bifhops, Bifhops, and other Prelates. Since there- fore there are certain Predicant Friars appointed by the Apoflclick See, Inquifitors againft Hereticks in the aforefaid Provinces^ that they may carry on the Bufinefs of the Faith The History of the Inquisition. ±q Faith, with a fervent Mind, and conftant Heart, through many Tribulations and Perfections, we admonifh and exhort all of you in our Lord J ejus Chrift, ft r icily commanding you by thefe Apoftolical Writings, in Virtue of your Obedience, and en- joining you, that you favourably affifi thefe Inquifitors in carrying on thefaid Affair \ and that laying afide the Fear of Man, you effectually give them your Counjel and Help : Knowing, that thofe who hitherto have done, and fh all do thefe Things, fall always obtain thefpecial Favour of the Apojlolick See, and find us favourable and kind in all their Occaftons. But as for thofe whom we fhall know to be Contemners, befides the divine Judgment that hangs over them, they fhall not efcape the Ecclefi- aftical Vengeance. The fame Pope, in the Bull beginning, Ne commiffum vobis, fays, That if the Clergy and Religious fhall not aflift the Inquifitors, according to their Duty and Ability, they fhall be proceeded againft according to the Canonical Sanctions, notwithstanding any Privileges. And in the Decretals V. in the Chapter Excommunicamus, at the End, the Bifhops are commanded, under the Penalty of Depofition, to perform all thefe Things. But Innocent IV. in his Bull to the Provincial of Lombardy, beginning, Tunc potijfime, hath threatned with all imaginable Curfes, and the mod ter- rible Deftruction, Magiftrates, unlefs they promote the Affair of the Inquifl- tion, and much more if they prefume by any Means to hinder it. InafmuchBzov'ms, as we defire above all Things to promote this whole ftome Affair, we intend, with the a - **5*« Help of God, wholly to remove all manner of Obftruclions from it. And therefore^' ^ % if it fiouldfo happen, which however we do not believe, that any City or Communi- ty, any Princes or Nobles, or others in Power, fhall prefume to oppofe this Bufinefs, or by any Means to obftrucl it, fo that thofe who are deputed by us for this Affair cannot freely proceed therein ', yea, unless they cherifh it, and fludioufy affifi it, we fhall fever ely reach forth againft them the Sword of the Ecclefiaftical Power, tofup- prefs fo audacious and pernicious Infolence, and wholly to confound it ; and we will call in againft them the Kings and Princes, and other Faithful of Chrift, who have taken on them the Sign of the Croft, whether for the Succour of the holy Land, or othcrwife for Chrift' s Service, as alfo the reft of the Catholicks, that Heaven and Earth may be moved up together againft this deteftable Rafhnefs -, fence 'tis no left expe- dient, but rather more fo to defend the Faith in Places near us, than in thofe which are farther diftant. The fame Things are almoft to a Word extant in the Bull of Urban IV. beginning, Licet ex omnibus mundi partibus. Publifhed An. 1262. April 19th. Perfons are faid to hinder the Office of the Inquifition, either directly or Direct. indirectly. Directly, fuch who deliver from Prifon by their own Rafhnefs 1 "?-/'- z ' Perfons taken up for the Crime of Herefy, or who deftroy the Proceffes of the?"' 54 ' Inquifition, or who wound theWitneffes in a Caufe of Faith for their Tefti- mony. Or if a temporal Lord ordains, that no one ought to take Cogni- zance of the Crime of Herefy but himfelf, and that no one fhall be accufed, or give Teftimony but before himfelf. As alfo all fuch, who ufe only ThreatningsCarena, and terrifying Words •, and who directly hinder Procefs, Judgment, and Sen-/ *•*. 4. tence in a Caufe of Faith, or give Counfel, Help and Favour in doing thus. M2 > Vol. II. H They g-o The History of the Inquisition. They are faid indirectly to obftruct, who ufe any Infinuation or other Means, from whence confequentially any Impediment may arife to the Of- fice of the Inquifition. Such for Example, who order that no one mail bear Arms, unlefs of the Houfhold of the temporal Lord, and that no one fhall ap- prehend, or caufe to be apprehended any Perfon, but the temporal Lord. For from thence it follows, that thole who belong to the Inquifitors can't wear Arms, nor take up any Perfon. Thefe are lefs criminal than the former ; but are all excommunicated ; and if they lie under that Excommunication for a whole Year, they rnuft, in order to their Reconciliation, abjure fuch Impediment and Favouring, otherwife they are delivered over as impenitent Hereticks to the fecular Arm. The Power of proceeding againft fuch Perfons, was given to the Inquifi- tors by Urban IV. and other Popes, in a Rcfcript to the Inquifuors of here- tical Pravity, beginning, Pr was angry, and bad the Inquifitor's Servant reftore the Reed to him. And upon his Refufal, and infolently contemning the Countryman, lie matched it away, and as the Boy held it faff, the Gardener flighcly hurt his Hand Vol. II. I by r8 The History of the Inquisition. by the fliarp Hufk of the Reed, in pulling it from him. The Wound was far from being mortal, or from endangering the Lofs of any Part, and fo could not deferve a fevere Punifhment. 'Twas no more than a Scratch of the Skin, a mere childilh Wound, as one may imagine by the Caufe of it. However, the Inquifitor's Boy came to his Mailer , who was walking near the Place, to complain about his Wound, upon which the Inquifitor orders the Gardener to be taken up, and thrown into the Inquifitory Jayl, and kept him there for nine Months in very heavy Irons, by which he recei- ved fuch Damage in his Circumftances, which were at beft but mean, as the poor Man could not eafily recover •, his Children and Wife, in the mean while, being ready to perifh for Hunger. And all becaufe he did not pay Defe- rence enough to the Inquifitor's Boy, as a Member of the holy Tribunal. At nine Months End they difmifled him from Jayl, and would have perfuaded him, that they dealt much more mercifully with him, than his Crime de- ferved. CHAP. XL Of Ferfons fufpeBed of Heresy. DireEt A Lthough, in other Cafes, *tis ufual to diflinguifh between a Sufpicion part. i. u\. an d a Prefumption, a Sufpicion being no other than a Man's Opinion ^a. 55, concerning a Crime, feveral of which Sufpicions muft concur to form a Pre- .56. fumption of it, yet in the Caufe of Herefy they are-taken for the fame. A Prefumption or Sufpicion therefore in this Affair is, a probable Guefs of a doubtful Matter, proceeding from the Nature of the Thing, or the Circum- Simanc. ftances of Affairs or Perfons. Prefumptions arife from a Perfon's Country t. 50. §.8, and Parents ; but theie are too general. Others arife from his Education, &c. §. 1 7- and the Manners of thofe with whom he converfes. This is the Reafon that the Inquifitors, in their firft Examinations, fo diligently afk the Criminals of what Nation, Country, Family and Kindred they are, amongft whom they have been educated, who were their Mafters, Inftructors, Companions and Friends. For thefe Things, and a thoufand other fuch are ufually confider- ed in doubtful Cafes, that from hence they may draw more probable Proofs, They alfo confider the Sex. A Man may more eafily be prefumed guilty of Robbery. A Woman of Witchcraft. And farther, they confider the. Age, Fortune, Difference of Condition, Nature of Mind, and Inclinations. In the Caufe of Herefy Sufpicion is threefold ; Light, Vehement and Violent : A light Sufpicion is that which arifes from the external Signs of Actions and Words, by which fuch a Guefs may be made, as may imply, not indeed frequently, but feldom, and by Accident, that he who fays or does fuch Things is an Heretick, This is inferred by a fmall Confequence. As The History of the Inquisition. 5$iman~ ccis teaches. " Becaufe 'tis dangerous to difpute about Matters of Faith andr//. 55. M Religion, even though the Truth be fpoken, therefore learned Men, wife and §• i« " pious, when they treat of thefe Things, do with Prudence ufually make a ct folemn Proteftation, that they would not by any Means deviate from the " Catholick Faith, but in all Things, and always embrace the Doctrine of " the Univerfal Church, and willingly fubject themfelvesto her Cenfure. Afcer " this they add a conditional Revocation, to this Senfe : That if it fhall hap- " pen that they have faid or written any Thing againft the Catholick Faith, " they do from henceforth retract it, and would have all underftand that it was " faid or written through Unfkilfulnefs or Imprudence, and not through Ma- " lice or Obftinacy." But lead any one fhould eafily efcape the Cenfure of the Inquifitor by fuch kind of Protections, Simancas adds thefe Limications. §. 6. tc That fuch Proteftation, though repeated a thoufand times, doth not ex-$. &. " cufe, when any one willingly errs againft the Catholick Faith ; or when " through Ignorance he errs in thofe Things, which he is explicitely re- " quired to know, unlefs poflibly he is able to prove his Ignorance, or fome " Caufe of his Error. But it will be of great Advantage to him when he errs §. 9. cc in thofe Things, which are fo difficult, obfcure and doubtful, that may " fometimes efcape the moft learned Men. Becaufefuch an Error is fuppo- " fed to arife more from Ignorance than Malice." Sufpicion alfo arifes, that a Perfon thinks ill of fome Doctrine or Inftkution,/ur. 3. or Order of the Church, or fome other Thing concerning which he muft« m -M' believe as the Church believes, viz. concerning the Power of the Pope, and^" 47 1 - Prelates, the holy Religions of the Monks, the Rites of the Sacraments, and other Things, if he treat them unworthily, injurioufly and difgracefully ; or if he defiles thefe excommunicatory Libels, which are commonly called CV- dulones, by drawing nafty Figures upon them. Such Perfons Columna Mar fi- lms, Arch-Bifhop of Salerno , in a certain Anfwer contends, do belong to the holy Office, becaufe, by this Action, they feem to think wrong of the Power of the Prelates, and to contemn the Cenfures of the Church, and to feoff at and difgrace the Church which ufesfuch Cenfures. Farther, if any one per- Lucent. lifts in his Excommunication for two Years, or for one, he is fufpected of He-'^f 1 "/ <» refy. For then 'tis prefumeci that he thinks ill of the Sacraments of the : " S *JP*~ Church, and its Power, becaufe hedefpifes its Excommunication. But if any' 1 one be excommunicated for Contumacy committed, in a Caufe of Herefy, after a Year he is looked on as an Heretick, and may be punifhed as fuch. Such alfo are fufpected who converfe with Hereticks, and from fuch Con- verfation there arife Signs fufficienc to put fuch an one to the Torture, as Carena teaches, p. 2. L 4. §.7. n. 69. A violent Sufpicion, which is alfo called Juris and de Jure, is a certain D.fpofition of the Law, prefuming fomething, and determining upon fuch Prefumption, as though it were certain and known. Nor can any Proof to the contrary be regularly and directly admitted againft fuch Prefumption; becaufe, as it proceeds from open and violent Marks, it is taken for a mani- feft fa The History of the Inquisition. fed Truth. It arifes from external Signs of Actions or Words, by which , may be concluded effectually, and almoft always, that he who fays or doth thefe Things is an Heretick. As if heretofore any one mould adore Here- ticks, or reverence them after their Manner •, or receive the Conlblation or Communion from them, or do the like Things belonging to their Cuftom. Cap. Filii & Accufatus. Extra, de hasret. lib. 6. Such are laid to be violent- ly fufpedted. A Perfon lightly fufpected, is enjoined Canonical Purgation, or even a light Abjuration. In this Cafe however the Proceeding muft be cautious -, becaufe if any one falls into the like Sufpicion af.er Abjuration, he muft be more grie- voufly punifhed. Cap. Accufatus. In princip. A Perfon accufed or fufpecled of Here- fy, againjl whom there is arifen great and vehement Sufpicion of this Crime, if in Judg- ment he abjures his Herefy, and afterwards falls into the fame Sufpicion, ought to be looked on as a Relapfe by a certain Conjlruclion of Law, although before bis Ab- juration the Cri?ne of Herefy hath not been proved. But iffuch Sufpicion fh all be light and moderate, although on this Account he is to be more grievoufly punifhed, yet he is not to be punifhed as thofe who relapfe into Herefy. A Perfon vehemently fufpedted is not an Heretick, nor can he be punifhed as an Heretick. Extra, de prasfumpt. c liter as. §. Quocirca. where 'tis exprefs- •ly faid, Becaufe for the mere Sufpicion, though vehement^ we would not have him condemned for fo grievous a Crime. But he muft be commanded to abjure ge- nerally every Herefy, and efpecially that in which he offended, as a Perfon vehemently fufpected. And this is no light Punifhment. Becaufe if he af- terwards relapfes either into his former Herefy, or any other, or afibcrates with thofe whom he knows to be Hereticks, or affords them fuch Favour as is capable of no Excufe, he incurs the Penalty of the Relapfed. Cap. Accufatus. where we have thefe Words. But as to the Perfon who offends in one Sort or Seel of Herefy, or errs in one Article of Faith or Sacrament of the Church, and afterwards /hall abjure jimply or generally his Herefy ; if after this he offends by falling into another Sort or Seel of Herefy, or errs in any other Article or Sacra- ment, we will that he fhallbe judged as one relapfed into Herefy. He alfo, concern- ing whofe Fall into Herefy before Abjuration, there hath been, or now is a Certainty, who, after fuch Abjuration, fhall receive, accompany, vifit, or affociate himfelf with Hereticks, or Jhall make or fend them Prefents or Gifts, or grant them fuch Favour as cannot be excufed, even though he doth not adore them, to ufe your Words, is defer- vedly to be judged as a Relapfe ; fince 'tis not to be doubted that thefe Aclions are the Confequence of the for?ner Error he approved. If he doth not confent immedi- ately to abjure at the Command of his Judge, he is excommunicated ; and if he continues under Excommunication for a Year, he muft be condemned as an Heretick, and delivered over to the fecular Arm ; and may in the mean while be punifhed with fome leffer Punifhment, at the Pleafure of his Judge, as particularly with a Fine. Simanc. " But this only takes Place, when the Criminal is vehemently fufpected, t. 46. « anc l upon account of his Age, or State of Health, or any other Caufe, can- ^' ?6 ' " not be tortured or purged. In fuch a Cafe he is carried out in publick, " cloathed The History of the Inquisition» \% H cloathed with the penitential Habit, and is folemnly to abjure, and to for- * c feit the third Part of his Effects, more or lefs, at the Pleafure of the Judcr e . " But thefe Penalties muft be applied to the Expences of the Office of the Lucerrt. Inq. in voce Info mia. tiid. CHAP. XII. Of Perfons defamed for Heresy. w H O they are that are defamed for Herefy, we are taught by the Council of Tholoufe. Cap. 16. Such ought to be accounted defamed, who are cried out againjl by publick Report, or of whofe Defamation among ft good and grave Perfons there is legal Proof before the Bifhop of the Place. So that to the perfect Proof of fuch Defamation or Infamy for Herefy, two good and grave Witneffes fuffice. But if they are vile and infamous, although they are not to be defpifed on this Account, fo as to flop proceeding to an Inquifition from what they depofe, yet fuch Defamation is not fully proved by them. They fay alio, that 'tis not neceflary that the Witneffes fhould hear this Infamy from the fame prudent and difcreet Perfons •, but 'tis fufficient, though they hear it from different. And they give this Reafon for it -, becaufe as they are only to prove Infamy, 'tis fufficient if the Witneffes agree in and concern- ing this Matter. Yea, they teach farther, that 'tis not neceflary that the Witneffes fhould agree as to the Caufes of their own Knowledge. So that if the Witneffes fhould fay, they know this Infamy, becaufe they have heard of it, they are not bound to prove they have heard it ; nor is it required that one Witnefs mould agree with the other as to Time and Place, and the Cau- fes of their Knowledge. Becaufe the Queflion is not about thefe Things, but only concerning the Fame and Infamy. So that tho' they appear Angular in what they fay, their Affertion fhall be abided by. When once this Infamy is proved by Witneffes, they enquire, whether the Perfon inquifited can prove himfelf to be of good Reputation, and thus put a Stop to the Inquifition concerning the Truth of the Crime, and take away the Proof of h.s bad Character. Here the Popiih Doctors greatly differ. Some fay, that the Proof concerning his good Character, ought not to be ad- mitted, becaufe it feems to be elufive. For if an hundred Perfons fhould fay fuch an one hath a bad Character, and a thoufand that he is of a good one, the Proof of the good one doth not difcharge him, becaufe he frill remains infamous in the Account of others, and the Inquifition is to be made in regard of them. Others fay, that the Report of the greateft Number is to be itood to. O- thers, that the Proof is to be admitted, but whether it affects the contrary Proof depends upon confidering wherein the publick Report agrees, what is the Quality of the Witneffes and Perfons, according to which the Judge is to The History of the Inquisition. 65 to determine which of the Proofs is valid. Others fay, that either the Witneffes on both Sides depofe concerning the Perfon's Character, as to the fame Place and Time, and then the moft credible Witneffes are to be be- lieved ; or the Witneffes on both Sides are equally credible, and then the greateft Number mull determine •, or the Number of them is equal, and then the moft probable Proof is to take Place, and that Proof is to be accounted the moft probable, which adds Weight to the Caufe by any like Pre- lum ption. The Punifhment of one thus defamed is Canonical Purgation, and fome other ordinary Penalty. Cap. Excommunicamus xtaqy Extra, de hasret. §. Ad~ jicimus, when the Defamat/'on is fully proved. But if it is not fully proved, the Perfon cannot be compelled to a Canonical Purgation, unlefs there be fuller Proof, and other Signs and Tokens concur with the Defamation. They fay 'tis the fame, if the Infamy arifes from Rivals and Enemies. This is fufficient to give a Beginning to the Inquifition, but not to enjoin Canoni- cal Purgation, unlefs what they fay be probable. Sometimes alfo Perfons are defamed for Herefy upon this Account, that they have lived in Places defa- med or fufpected of Herefy, and from thence have come amongft the Pa- pifts. In this Cafe the Synod of Saltzbourg, held two Ages ago, hath de- creed : The Parijh Priejls ought alfo to obferve thofe who come from the Countries ofConftit. 6. Hereticks, or Places fufpdtled of Herefy, and to confeder the Words and Deeds of all ca P- *• fuch, and to take Cognizance of their Life, Behaviour and Manners ; and if there be any Ground of Sufpicion, to acquaint the Ordinary with it. Finally, the Council ofTholoufe hath provided, That the Prelates, Barons, and all other Lords Cap. 16. of Countries, (hall not have in their Families or Counfel, Perfons defamed or fufpected of Herefy, in thefe Words : Neither let them prefume to have or re- tain in their Family or Counfel, fuch Perfons, viz. Hereticks, or Believers of He- reticks, or any other defamed of Herefy, or whom they believe to be fufpetled con- cerning it. This they explain, not only of Perfons condemned, and judicial- ly and legally proved to be infamous and fufpected, but of fuch Perfons be- fore they have received Sentence. CHAP. XIII. Of Perfons Relapfed. A Perfon is faid to be relapfed, upon a double Account, either into Here- 2>; r# £. fy, or the favouring of Herefy. One relapfed into Herefy is he, who/>.2.?«.58. after he hath been convicted either by the Evidence of the Fact, or his own ConfefTion, or by a legal Production of Witneffes, hath publickly abjured his Herefy, and is convicted of falling into it again. So that though a Per- fon who falls into the fame Error again and again, without any folemn Pe- Vo l. II. K nance 6£ The History of the Inquisition. nance intervening, or making an Abjuration or Canonical Purgation, may- be truly faid to be a Relapfe, yet he cannot be punifh'd as fuch, To as to be delivered over to the fecular Court, iffobe he will repent. Of thefe relap- Carena, f e d Perfons there are four Sorts. The firft, when any one falls into the lame p. i. 1. 1. jq[ ere fy he hath abjured. Here the Doctors difpute, whether or no a Per- §.6. w '3 6 'f on wno aD j ures as an Heretick before the Inquifitors Subdelegate, and after- wards falls into the fame or any other Herefy, is to be accounted as a Re- lapfe, if there be no Certainty of the Subdelegation of that Judge before whom he abjures. However, in the City of Como, a certain Woman, who had thus abjured, was given over as a Relapfe to the fecular Arm, and burnt, by the Advice of the whole College of Counfellors in that City, and of the Bi- fhop, and of John 'Thomas Odefchalcus, a Senator. It was determined alfo after Cap. Accu- the fame Manner at Mantua in a like Cafe. The fecond, when any one falls jr.tus. dc into an Herefy which he abjured as vehemently fufpe&ed, but not if he only h k\T * 6 ^ a ^ s a g a ' n ' nt0 a vehement Sufpicion of Herefy. The third, when after a Crmvero general Abjuration of Herefy, he fills into an Herefy different from the par- §. ilk quo-ucuhr one he abjured. The fourth, when after having abjured as an Heretick, que. he accompanies, vifics, £sV. Hereticks, fends them Prefents, or grants them Favour. Carena, The Glofs on theaforefaid cited Chapter only excepts the Cafe of Hunger, p. i. 1. 1. which excufes, provided it be violent. But this Exception was not allowed by §■ 5- w^-the fupream Council of the Spanifh Inquifition, in which a certain Perfon was delivered over to the fecular Arm as a Relapfe, who having been reconciled as a Moor, returned afterwards to fome of that fort, and would have excufed himfelf by this Glofs, that he went to them upon account of Hunger. p.z.ajfert. So that in order to a Man's being accounted as a Relapfe, J. Royas fays 41. §331. 'tis necelTary, that it be proved that the Criminal did fall into Herefy, and is now fallen again into it. The Proof, as to the firft, muft be true or pre- fumptive, as to the fecond Legal : He therefore advifes, that the Promoter Fifcal mould be cautious in accufing the Criminal of his firft Lapfe, that he may not be obliged only to exhibit the firft Senrence pronounced againft fuch a Relapfe, but that it may appear by the Confefiion of the Criminal, and the Inftrument of his Sentence, that he was fallen into Herefy, and hath ab- jured. But even then the Criminal is to be heard, defiring to alledge and 6 „, prove his Innocence. The fame Royas fays, that in the Inquifition of Valence, there is an Apoftolick Indult, which provides, that Perfons relapfed, if Moors, and truly penitent, may be again reconciled to the Inquifitors, becaufe new (worn to obey toe Commands of the Church, and have fallen again into the Crime* ™' 11 ' 'they have abjured, or obflinately refufe to receive and fulfil their Penances ; if being P *" ^° 1, afterwards adtnonifhed, or not admonifhed, they will humbly acknowledge their Guilt* 11 and amend, after receiving from them fuch andfi great Securities, befides the Caution of an Oath, as may refrain them by the Fear of temporal Punifhment, enjoin them fuch Penance as may be a Terror to others. But otherwife proceed againji them as far as ye can by Law. CHAP. XIV. Of fuch who read and keep prohibited Books. BEfides thefe there are others, whofe Crimes may be thought more pro- perly to belong to another Court. But it fometimes happens that they arefaid to be fprinkled with the Plague of Herefy, becaufe they'are fufpe&ed of it, and therefore muft be inquifited upon account of their Intention. A- mongft thefe firft occur thofe who read and retain Books prohibited upon ac- count of Herefy. Thefe are numbered amongft fufpected Perfons, and there are feveral fevere Edicts of the Roman Pontiffs againft them. Pius V. publifhed a Bull upon the Feftival of Coena Domini. In the firftCompeg, Chapter are excommunicated all Hereticks and Shifmaticks, of whatfoeveri n Zanch,- Name or Sect, and all Favourers, Receivers, and Believers of Hereticks,' 1 34 ' and thofe who any wife knowingly read, keep in their Houfes, print, or in any wife defend, for any Caufe, publickly or privately, under any Pretence or Colour, and in general all who defend their Books, without the Authority of the Apoftolick See. Pius IV. recalled all Licences of reading and keeping fuch Books, by his Conftitution, which begins, Cum pro munere, March 24. 3564. By thefe Letters he commands, that all Perfons fhall deliver and confign over all condemned Books to the Inquifitors of the Cities where fuch Books are. In like manner thofe who retain them cannot be excufed, even though they keep them locked up in a Chcft, fo that no one can fee or read them, becaufe all fuch Excufes are cut off by this Sentence, and by the al- ledged Conftitution of Pius IV. Again, thofe who print them are excommu^ nicated ; and alfo thofe who in any wife, or for any Caufe, publickly or pri- vately defend heretical Books, &c. and the Abfolution of all fuch Perfons is referved to the Pope. And that all manner of Leave of reading even the leaft Thing in a Bookso-jfa^- condemned for Herefy, may be cut off, they declare that they underftand/'**»'- 1"~ not only printed Books, but even Manufcripts and Parts of them, which ***/• *'• they thus expound. He who reads that Part of the Books of Herecicks^ 21, that 70 The History of the Inquisition. that are divided into Tomes, which doth not profeffedly contain Herefy, is not accounted to read a Book prohibited by the Ball Ccona, even tho' the o:her Tomes mould be heretical. But if a Tome contains Herefy, or treats of Religion, and it be divided into feveral Books, he who reads one of the Books of fuch a Tome, is fiid to read a Book prohibited by this Bull, even though the particular Book doth not contain Herefy, nor treat of Religion, and is bound up feparately from the others. Yea, 'tis enough to fay that a Perfon hath read a prohibited Book, if he only juft runs it over with his Eyes, adverting to the Things written in it, though he doth not mention one Word of it with his Mouth. And yet, which is ftrange, they add, that he who by Memory recites a prohibited Book, though he doth it with an evil Inten- tion, is not accounted fo to read it, as to incur the Cenfure pronounced againft fuch who do i fo obfervant are they of the Letter of the Law ; though at the fame time he incurs the Cenfure of the Bull, who reads a Book prohibi- ted by it, though he doth not do it with an ill Defign, but out of pure Cu- 21. riofity, or to confute the Errors of Hereticks. But to a Man's incurring the *3- Penalty of Excommunication, 'tis necellary that he fhould knowingly read it. So that Ignorance excufes, but not when 'tis grofs and affected, viz. when a Perfon pretends not to know that the Author of a Book was an Heretick, although he knew the Book treated of Religion, or that the Book treated of 28. Religion, although he knew the Author to be an Heretick. He who keeps the aforefaid Books either in his own, or another's Houfe, whether he under- ftands the Book or not, whether it be the whole or a part, even fo much as a 33. fmgle Leaf, whether he keeps it to read, or only for Curiofity and Orna- H- ment's fake, or to exchange for other Books, or to wrap up what he fells with the Leaves of it, incurs the Excommunication of the Bull. Likewife he who caufes it to be printed, defends it, praifes it, fays 'tis not fit to be burnt or prohibited, or hinders its corning to the Inquifitors Hands. 36. Thefe are all fufpecled concerning the Faith, and may be punifhed by the ?o. Inquifitors as fufpecled. But if any one doth not deliver an heretical Book to the Inquifitors, but burns it by his own Authority, he is not fufpecled of Herefy, though he falls into Excommunication ; becaufe Julius III. by a Con- Carena, ftitution, beginning, Cum meaitatio cordis^ commands, that fuch Books fhall f. i. t. 10.be really and effectually delivered up to the Inquifitors. "When any one de- *' 4<5, livers up a Book to the Inquifitors, he muft be interrogated by them whence he had it. He who keeps an heretical Book, which hath not the Author's Name, is himielf reputed the Author, unlefs he difcovers his Name, and qi. whence he had the Book. If any bring the Bo: ks of Hereticks, prohibited either for Herefy, or falfe and fufpecled Doctrine, to any Country of the Faithful, they are Favourers of Hereticks, incur Excommunication, have all their Goods confifcated, and if they are mean Perfons, are whipped ; but if they are of the better Sort, they are banifhed at the Pleafure of the Inquifitors. But thefe are not the only Punifhments ufed. Tyranny prepares the Way 4:. for greater Cruelty. If there arifes a vehement Prefumption of Herefy, up- on account of any one's reading, retaining, defending, or printing the Books of The History of the Inquisition. r\ ofHereticks, and other additional Circumftances, they can make ufe of the Torture to find out the Truth. The Circumftances are fuch as thefe. If the Perfons inquifited are learned. Carena, Secondly, If the Books contain Herefies. Thirdly, If they have kept andP- 7 -*' 10 '' read them a confiderable Time, and with Care, and have imported them"* 4 *' from diftant Countries. Thefe Things render the Perfon vehemently fufpected, and he may be tortured concerning his Intention and Belief of heretical Pro- positions, and his Accomplices, from whom he had the Books, and may be forced to abjure upon account of the vehement Suipicion, and be banifhed at the Pleafureof the Inquifitors. Such who write out the Books of Here-Soufa43. ticks, in order to print and publifh them, and fuch who fell Paper and Ink for fuch Writing and Printing, if it be knowingly, are Favourers of Hereticks, and may be arbitrarily punifhed. Nor is he free from Punifhment who Carena, reads and retains the Book of an Heretick, profefledly containing Herefy, w - zS > 2 °* or treating of Religion, although he doth it with a Defign to confute the Errors of it, and the holy Office is apprifed of fuch Defign. For Inftance, if an Houfe be fearched, and prohibited Books are found in it, and at the fame time fuch Writings as recite the PafTages of fuch Books, and confute the Errors of them ; although fuch a Perfon is free from all Sufpicion of He- refy, and muft not therefore be tortured or made to abjure, yet he is to be punifhed, and falls into the Excommunication of the Bull de Ciena, becaufe he keeps the faid Books without Leave, and by his own Authority, but mull therefore be abfolved from it again. This Interdict of reading prohibited Books is fo univerfal, that it compre- hends even the Clergy themfelves, and as moft contend, the Bifhops and very Cardinals, who cannot read the faid Books without the Pope's Licence ; be- caufe all Licences and Privileges were revoked by Julius III. in a Conftitution, beginning, Cum meditatio •, and afterwards by a Conftitution of Paul IV. be- ginning, Cumfuturum ; and of Pius IV. Cum pro munere ; and by a Conftitution of Gregory XV. published Dec. 30. 1623. beginning, Apojlolatus officium ', and finally by a Conftitution of Urban VIII. publifhed Ap. 11. 1631. this Revo- cation was often confirmed. Hence it is that this Penalty is appointed againft the Clergy who retain and read prohibited Books, that they are vehemently fufpected, may be deprived of the active and paffive Voice, fufpended from divine Services, deprived of the Offices of Reading, Preaching, csv. and farther be enjoined Fallings, Pilgrimages, &c. As to the Inquifitors, fome will have them not to be comprehended in the u 3 1$, Bull ; others, that they are as well as others, unlefs they have particular Leave from the Pope himfelf, or the Congregation of the Cardinals of the holy Office, who alone have the Power of giving this Licence, and not this unlefs it be in full Congregation, or at leaft not without the major Part of the 9- Cardinals be prefent. And even this their Power fome fo far reftrain, as to contend that the College of Cardinals cannot grant it during the Vacancy of the See. But whatever the Power of the Cardinals Inquifitors General in thissoufa,!. i, Cafe is, 'tis limited by an exprefs Exception of the Books of Charles Moli-e. »1. 72 The History oj the Inquisition. vauu the reading of which the Pope only can allow -, according to the Con- $. 6.4» ftitution of Clement. VIII. beginning, Apoftolictf fidis autoritaii, publifned An. 1602. But in Portugal the Inquifitors General may, by the Conceffionof Paul IV. to Cardinal Henry, Dec. 10. 1560. grant Leave to the Inquifitors and orher Perfons of approved Life and Religion, if they are proper, and {kilful and learned in Diviniry, and not at all fufpecled, to read any prohibited Books whatfoever, for this Reafon only, to enable them to oppofe and refute Here- f. 57. ticks. The fame Power that is granted to the Inquifuors, is alio underftood to be granted to the Deputies of the Inquifition in the Kingdom of Portugal. Becaufe, as they enjoy the Privileges of Inquifitors, and have a decifive Vote in Caufes, and are Judges in Caufes of Herefy, and can punifh Here- ticks, as well as burn their Books, they may read the fame prohibited Books, which the Inquifitors themfelves are permitted to read. This they may with much greater Reafon do, who are of the Council of the fupream Se- nate of the Inquifition. trena » p> z. t. S §> 1. § 10. n. 55. CHAP. XV. Of POLYGAMISTS. POlygamifts are thofe who marry feveral Wives at once. The Tribunal of the Inquifitors takes Cognizance of their Caufe, becaufe they are fufpecled of Herefy, and are prefumed to think wrong concerning the Sacra- ment of Matrimony, and to hold it lawful to have feveral Wives at once. When a Polygamift is in the Jayls of the holy Office, and he is known to be the felf fame Perfon, either by his Confeffion, or by Witnefies, and when his Crime is proved, he is afked, Whether he truly believes that it is, and hath been lawful for a Chriftian Man, after the Evangelick Law, to marry feveral Wives at once ? If he anfwers affirmatively, he is taken for a formal Heretick, and is to be punifhed as fuch. But if he anfwers negative- ly, and like a Catholick, denying that he had any heretical Intention, but was rather enticed to a fecond Matrimony by the Luft and Concupifcence oftheFlefh, he muft be put to the Torture concerning his Intention, that the Judges of the Faith may certify themfelves what the Polygamift truly thinks concerning the Faith, becaufe the Crime of Herefy is fecret, and lies hid in the Mind. This is peculiar to this holy Office ; though, according to the Laws of it, they rightly apply the Torture. For fince the Fact which •the Criminal confefles, or of which he is convicted, may be committed with- out any Error of the Mind, but for fome other Caufe, for Inftance, Con- cupifcence, the Criminal is tortured concerning his Intention and Belief of thofe Things which he hath done. And thus we fee, that 'tis a fmaller Crime in the Church of Rome to marry two Wives thro' Luft and carnal Concu- pifcence, The History of the Inquisition^ 75 cupifcence, contrary to the Dictates of Confcience, than from fome Error of the Mind, and with a Confcience that doth not condemn the Fact. Polygamies are fufpected of Herefy. In Spain they are only lightly ^ n.' fufpected, and therefore, according to the general Cuftom of Spain, they mull: abjure only as lightly fufpected. But in the fupream Tribunal of the Roman Inquifition, they are vehemently fufpected, and muft abjure as fuch. Yea, fuch who marry a fecond Wife, being ignorant that the firft is dead, »• 5Sf- but yet bring WitnefTes to prove that they had no Wife, although their actual Polygamy is not certain, yet they muft abjure as vehemently fufpected, and be condemned to the Gallies. Carena gives us an Inftance of a certain Perfon of Bologna, who had married his firft Wife there, and afterwards, having examined WitnefTes, to prove he never had a Wife, married a fe- cond at Naples, being ignorant v/hether the firft was dead. This Man was brought before the Pope by the facred Congregation, Ocfob. 19. 1620. and being firft put to the Torture concerning his Intention, he was forced to ab- jure as vehemently fufpected, and condemned to the Gallies for five Years. Becaufe, though his actual Polygamy was not certainly proved, yet, as to himfelf, he had confummated the Crime. But if any one, during the Life of his firft Wife, betroths another, he is only lightly fufpected, and muft therefore only abjure as fuch. And they give this Reafon of rhe Difference j becaufe, in this Cafe, there is no actual Abufe of the Sacrament, but only an evil Difpofition of Mind to abufe it. After Abjuration thefePolygamifts are enjoined various falutary Penances by $• *?• the Inquifitors, fuch as Fallings, Prayers, and the like, after which, he who* 7,61 * hath married two Wives, is condemned to the Gallies for five Years ; and if he hath produced falfe WitnefTes to prove the Death of his former Wife, for feven Years and more, at the Pleafure of the Inquifitors, and is commanded to return to his firft Wife. If they are of the ordinary fort of People they are generally beat, and half their Effects confifcated. And in fome Pla- ces they have an infamous fort of a Mitre put on their Heads, and are after- wards beaten. In Spain they are condemned to the Gallies for ten Years, if any one hath married thrice or more, he is more grievoufly punifhed, and condemned for a longer while to the Gallies. Thus z.\.Rome, May 18. An. 1597. four Polygamifts were condemned to the Gallies in the Church of St. Mary fupra Miner-uam, by the fupream Tribunal of the Roman Inquifition, two of them for feven Years, who had married three Wives, and the other two for five Years, who had married two. Vol. II. L CHAP. 74. The History of the Inquisition. CHAP. XVI. Of thofe who celebrate and adminifler the Sacrament of Penance, not being Pr lefts. Soufa,/.i.T T E who celebrates Mafs, not: being in Presbyters Orders, is iubjecl: to. t. 31.«. 7. JJ~j[ the Judgment of the Inquifitors, and oppofes in Fact the Catholick Verity, according to the Conftitution of Gregory XIII. beginning, Officii noftri. The Evil of this Crime, according to Sou/a, reaches to Idolatry, becaufe thofe who thus celebrate, make the Faithful of Chrifl to adore Bread and Wine, as though it were the true Body and Biood of our Lord. In like manner he who is no Prieft, and yet hears Confefilons, and gives Abfolution, is laid to abufe the Sacrament, and greatly to injure his Neigh- bour. Catena, Such are vehemently fufpected of Herefy, becaufe they think, at leaft as }. z. 1. 1 1. to the very Fad, that other Perfons befides Priefts may be the Minifters *» l * of thofe Sacraments. Such Criminals are to abjure as vehemently fufpefted, and are then delivered over to the fecular Arm to be punifhed with Death ; but are firft degraded g, 6. ?j,3o.from their Orders if they are in any. Thus An. 1636. and the following, two of thefe Criminals were delivered over to the lecular Court at Naples, and by Order of the holy Council firft hanged, and then burnt. sfl Urban VIII. commanded by a Letter of Cardinal Mellinus, to the Inquifi- tor General of Portugal, March 5. 1622. that Criminals confeffing, or con- victed of this Crime, mould be abfolutely delivered over to the fecular Arm. and punifhed with Death. But in as much as before thefe Letters they were not punifhed with Death in Spain, according to the Constitutions of Gregory and Clement, i'o Sou/a affirms, that he never faw this Punifnment inflicted in S \- 7 1 the Kingdoms of Spain, after the faid Letters of Cardinal Mellinus. But this (.3.2.. ».13* was the Method of Punifhment there generally made ufe of, viz. that if the pretended Prieft was a Layman, or vile Perfon, he was beat, and fent to the Gallies, and enjoined fome fpiritual Penances. Or if he was a Perfon oi Credit, or a Religious, he was fent to the Gallies. Ifoffuch Quality as that he could not be fent to the Gallies, he was banifhed ; and, if in any Order, fufpended from it the whole Time of his Banifhment. If the Of- fence was attended with any aggravating Circumftances, they add other Punifhments according to their Quality. We have an Inftance to this Purpofe in the Book of Sentences of the T'bo- hufe Inquifition, fol. 122. A certain Countryman called Rolland, believed he had a Power from the Lord to celebrate Mais, and to confecrate the true Body of Chrift from common Bread, and the true Blood from Wine mixed with Oyl and Salt, in a v/ooden Bowl that had a Foot to it, which he ufed read of a Chalice, And thus lie every Day facrifked fecretly in his own Houfe, The History of the Inquisition. Houfe, ugon a Coffer covered over with a Linnen Cloth, and often commu- nicated of that Bread, believing it to be the true Body of Chrift. After four Years he was thrown into Prifon, and was very difficultly prevailed with to abjure his Error. But whilft he was in his Imprifonment, he was found to have relapfed into the fame Error, and to have repeated this Ceremony. But: before he was punifhed as a Relapfe, he died in Jayl, without a Confeffion of his Sins, and the Sacrament of the Eucharift. The Inquifitors commanded his Body to be taken up and burnt. Raynald gives us another Inftance of one, who did not indeed celebrate or adminiiler the Sacrament of Penance as a Priefl, though he really was none, but who faid he was a Bifhop, though he had not the Pope's Bull, and as fuch confecrated Priefts. And becaufe he was made an Example of extream Cruelty, I will here relate the Matter exactly as I find it in his Annals. " James the Prieft, a falfe, Minorite, born in the Dutchy of Juliers, forced " the Pope's Bull, and declared in the Netherlands that he was a Bifhop ; " and although he had not been ordained a Bifhop, he confecrated Priefts " by a falfe Ceremony in feveral Diocefes of Germany and the Low Countries. tc At length he was convicted of his Wickednefs, and the Magiftrates of Utrecht tc thought fit, not to condemn him to the Flames, that he might be quickly IC confumed, but to be gradually burnt by boiling Water, that fo they ci might conquer his Obftinacy, becaufe he moft impudently refufed to <£ acknowledge his Crime. But being gradually let down into the boiling " Cauldron, and overcome with the Extremity of the Pain, he detefted his Wickednefs, and pray'd that he might receive a milder Punifhment. His " Judges being moved with CompafTion, ordered him to be taken out of the " boiling Cauldron, and then to be beheaded." Heda tells the fame Story in fewer Words, in the Life of Florentius, the fiftieth Bifhop of Utrecht. " A cer- own Will isfcattered, and the criminal Appetite of the Wicked, without Refpecl of Perfons, is limited under the Rule of the Law. For this hath been taken Care of by the Judge, from whofe Countenance right Judgment proceeds, that Judges Jhoidd be appointed in the World, who fhould love Right eoufnefs, judge the Children of Men, and punifj Offenders, according to the Meafure of their Fault . Attending therefore with great Grief of Heart to thy heinous Wickednefs, unheard of in all Ages, which thou haft committed, who art the Head of Scandal, and Rock of Offence, and with frequent Sighs and Groans recounting the mofl unhappy Boldnefs of thy Rafhnefs, which even diflurbs the Heaven, and makes the very Earth to tremble, we are forced, Jujlice de?nanding it, to proceed againfl thee, to that jufl Punifhment and Revenge which thou haft deferved. Having therefore called on the Name of Chrift, fitting on our Tribunal, and having God only before our Eyes, and having taken the Counfel of prudent and skilful Perfons ; whereas by thy Confeffwn, and by othtr Proof, it evidently ajid legally appears to us, that thou hafl forged Apoflolical Let? * TKe chief Magiflrates and Oiocers of the City, tors The History of the Inquisition. 77 ters, and baft impudently and damnably prefumed to ufurp and afcribe to thy felf rajhh and fallacioufty the Title of the Pontifical Dignity, and to confer on great Numbers of Perfom the greater andlcjfer Orders, to perform Cbrifmsf, to confer ate Churches Chapels and Altars, to reconcile Perfons, and confirm them, by anointing them on the Forehead, and to exercife other Offices incumbent on the Miniftry of the Pontifical Dignity, under a falfe and feigned Epifcopal Title, in the Diocefes of Treves, May- ence, Strafburgh and Utrcchr, and in other Places, for the Space of ten Tears and more, although thou waft not a Bi/hop, and in Facl art not, to the great Danger of thy own Soul, and the Souls of many others, and to the Injury and Contempt of the whole Catholick and Univerfal Church ; even although we Florencius Bi/hop of Utrecht, out of the Motion of our Clemency, have thought fit to indulge thee for a long while with Space for Repentance, wbilft thou haft been kept in Cuftody in our Jayl, that thou migbteft ftudy to appeafe the Anger of the moft High, whom thou haft grievoufly offended with thy horrible Impieties t and with devout and frequent Prayers and Tears migbteft endeavour to obtain his Mercy. But thou being ignorant to return to a found Mind, and to bring forth ihofe Fruits meet for Repentance, which we have long expelled, with an hardened Heart, and obftinate Mind, haft not been afraid, we /peak it with Grief, to defpife the Space tnercifully granted by us to thee for thy Repentance, even to this prefent Time, to the Lofs of thy own Salvation. Therefore we FJorentius, and the other Bifhops above named, being fpecially and prefentially called, and met together to this prefent Aft, upon account of thofe Things which we have feen, heard and known, and do know and underftand, do perpetually degrade, depofe and deprive thee, being legally cited to the /aid Acl, from all Ed fiaftical Orders, and the Prieftly Office, as a Falfifier of Apoftolick Letters, an A- bufer of the Ecclefiaftical Sacraments, an Emmy of Souls, a Deftroyer of the Faiio- ful, and a Tranfgreffor ofthefacred Canons, and we fententially condemn thee thus actually to be degraded, and at length degraded, to be left to the fecular Court t and then to be punifhed without danger of Death. " After the aforefaid Sentence pronounced on him, being prefent, the de- " graded Perfon was carried down, and cloathed with the facerdotal Veft- " ments, carrying the Chalice, &c." After this follows a long Account of the Degradation in the fa id Book. But as I Hi all profeiledly treat of this Degradation in the following Book, I fhall there together and at once give an Account of this whole Affair, and fay nothing of it here, that I may not repeat the fame Thing. f Crifmata conficere, h to confecrate the holy Oils which were ufed in the Church of Rome. Thefe were principally two. One that was made of Oil and Balfom, which is the principal Sort. Thofe who were baptized were anointed with it on the Top of the Head ; thofe who were confirmed on the Forehead, as were alfo thofe who were ordained. The other is Oil without any Mixture, confecrated by the Bifhop, with which the Catechumer.s were anoir.ted upon their Breaft, Shoulders and Forehead, before their Baptifm, Sick and poifefled Ptrfons alfo were. anointed with the fame Oil, C H A P, • he History of the Inquisition, CHAP. XVII. Of Soliciting Confessors. Y thefe are underflood fuch ConfeiTors, who, in the Sacramental Confeffion, folicite and provoke, or attempt to foliciteand provoke Women to dif- Carena, honourable Actions. PaulIV. An. 1561. Ap. 16. publifhed a Bull againft p.z t.6. f U ch Perfons, directed to the Arch-Bifhop of 'Seville, beginning, Cum ficut fit- §' *' per, and PiuslY. another, Ap. 6. 1564. and the fupream Inquifitors General an Edict, approved by Clement. VIII. But thofe Bulls, and that Decree feem only to take place in Spain, becaufe the Bulls were directed to the Arch- Bimcp of Seville, and the Decree of the facred Congregation exprefsly re- trained to the Places of Spain. But in the Year 1612. in the Month of A- pril, it was decreed by Paul V. that all the Inquifitors fhould be admonifhed to command the ConfeiTors, to abftain from all and every fort of Solicitation, and to proceed rigoroufly againft all thofe who did not. And finally, there is extant a Conftitution of Gregory XV. publifhed Aug. 30, 1622, beginning, 'Univerfi dcminici, in which he confirms the Letters or Bull of Paul IV. and commands it to be firmly and inviolably obferved, not only in the Kingdoms of Spain, but in all other Parts of the Chriftian World. And becaufe the Words of that Bull about the Middle of it, Whatsoever Persons, and whofoevcr they /hall be which they folicite, are general, from this Generality of the Words they conclude that they extend alfo to ConfeiTors, who folicite Boys in the Sacramental Confeflion. The Incontinence of the Pricfts »ave Occafion to thefe Edicts and Bulls, viz. becaufe, as the Words are in the Bull of PaulIV. Certain Priejls in the Kingdom of Spain, and in the Cities and Diocefes thereof, having Cure of Souls, or ex ercifing fuch Cure for others, or other wife deputed to hear the Confeffions of Peni- tents, have broken out into fo heinous an Iniquity, as to abufe the Sacrament of Pe- nance in the very AtJ of hearing Confeffions, and thus are not afraid to injure this Sacrament itfelf, and him who hath appointed it, the Lord God and oar Saviour Jefus Chrift , by enticing and provoking, or trying and procuring to entice and pro- voke penitent Women to lewd Aclions, whiljl they are hearing their Confeffion. Gonfalw When this Bull was firft brought into Spain, all Perfons were commanded h l8 5- by a publick Edict, folemnly publifhed throughout all the Churches of the Arch-Bifhoprick of Seville, that whofoever knew or had heard of any Monks or Clergymen who had abufed the Sacrament of Confeffion to thefe Crimes, or had in any manner acted in this vile Manner at Confeflion with their Daugh- ter or Daughters, they fhould difcover him within thirty Days to the holy Tribunal •, and very grievous Cenfures were annexed to fuch as fhould neglect or contemn it. When the Decree was publifhed, fo large a Number of Wo- men went to the Palace of the Inquifitors in the City of Seville only, to make their Dilcoveries of thefe moft wicked ConfeiTors, that twenty Secretaries, with The History of the Inquisition. 79 with as many Inquifitors, were not fufficient to take the Depofitions of the Witneffes. The Lords Inquifitors being thus overwhelmed with the Multi- tude of Affairs, affigned another thirty Days for the Witneffes; and when this was not fufficient, they were forced to appoint the fame Number a third and a fourth time. For as to Women of Reputation, and others of higher Condition, every Time was not proper for them to apply to the Inquifi- tors. On one hand their Confcience forced them to a Difcovery through a fuperftitious Fear of the Cenfures and Excommunication ; and on the other hand, their Regard to their Hufbands, whom they were afraid to offend, by giving them any ill Sufpicion of their Chaftity, kept them at home ; and therefore veiling their Faces after iheSpanifi Cuftom, they went to the Lords Inquifitors, when, and as privately as they could. Very few, however, with all their Prudence and Craft, could efcape the diligent Obfervation of their Husbands at the Time of Difcovery, and hereby poffeffed their Minds with the deepeft Jealoufy. However, after fo many had been informed againft before the Inquifitors, that holy Tribunal, contrary to all Mens Ex- pectations, put a Stop to the Affair, and commanded all thofe Crimes which were proved by legal Evidence, to be buried in eternal Oblivion. In the mean while this Crime, according to the Bulls and Edicts of the Popes, ought to be judged and punifhed before the Tribunal of the Inquifitors. Thefe Edicts are generally fo interpreted by the Doctors, as to comprehend*). ;. thofe who folicite by other Perfons, viz. when they folicite a Woman to be Procurefs. For the Words of the Bull are, To be committed either by themfelves, or with others : As alfo to comprehend all lewd Actions, whether compleat or not. As for Inftance, when a Prieft doth not folicite a Woman, but a Wo-soufa /.t. man her Confeffor, and he not only yields to the Perfuafions of the Woman, c. 34. but at her Perfuafion doth any difhonourable Action in the Confeffion § '" it felf. It is required however, that the Solicitation be made in the Act of Sa- >*> cramental Confeflion, or immediately before cr after it, i.e. that no Act in- tervene between the Solicitation and Confeffion. Hence they do not count it r " an immediate Act, if a W r oman coming to confefs is prevented by her Con- feffor, and perfuaded to put off her Confeflion to another Time, and when (he hath changed her Intentionof Confeffing, is folicited by her Confeffor. Such a one however, is comprehended in the Conftitution of Gregory, becaufe he foliches under the Pretence of Confeffion. Nor is an Act immediate, if a Woman defifls from her Purpofe of Confeffion after the Confeffion is actually begun, and fays to her Confeffor, fhe will not confefs any more, but talk with him, and the Solicitation immediately follows in a long Difcourfe, pro- vided there be no Pretence of Confeffion, if the Solicitation be made by the Confefiionary ; or if when the Confeffion is ended, the Confeffor follows the Woman to her own Home, and there at any intervening Time folicites her. 'Tis therefore neceffary to constitute an immediate Act, that it include Confeffion by fome depending Circumftance or other. Sou/a enumerates fix jc Cafes, which include Confeffion. ' c Firft, If a Woman, not intending to fo- " He ice- So The History of the Inquisition. C£ licite her Confefibr, but to make a full Confefllon, accufes her felf, by by which the Crime of Herefy is fuf- ficiemly proved, But The History of the Inquisition. 82 But that fuch a one may be condemned as an Heretick, he mud not fail to», ar. be cited, in order to purge himfelf from the Sufpicion of Herefy, becaufe he continued for a Year in Excommunication. If fuch an excommunicated Perfon appears when the Year is elapfed, and», jj. defires to prove his Innocence, before he is declared an Heretick, he muft m* be admitted to Trial. Yea, as fome affirm, he muft be heard even after he is declared an Heretick, and his Effigies burnt. If when he appears, and doth not prove any legal Impediment, but only* g his Innocence as to the Herefy for Sufpicion of which he was cited, alcho' he is to be abfolved from the Herefy, yet he is to be tortured to difcover his Intention, upon account of a vehement Sufpicion of his Contempt of the Keys of the Church, and muft abjure as one vehemently fufpected. If neither a legal Impediment nor his Innocence appear, he is to be dealt with as one vehemently fufpecled of Herefy, and of the Contempt of the Keys. If he proves nothing, and is impenitent, or relapfed, he is to be left to the fecular Court. If he is penitent he muft abjure, according to fome, as vehemently fufpecled ; according to others, formally. Befides, whole- fome Penances are to be enjoined him, and he may be condemned, according to the Nature of his Crime, to more grievous Punifhments, and efpecially pecuniary ones. CHAP. XIX. O/Blasphemers, THere are two Sorts of Blafphemers. Some who do not utter heretical Eymer. Blafphemies, who do not belong to our Hiftory •, and others who/'-*- & -l*» throw out Blafphemies that are heretical, and who are therefore fubject to the Judgment of the Inquifitors. J. Royas argues concerning them in this man-Royas, ner. " 'Tis very often a Matter of Doubt in the Court of the Inquifition,P- *• " what Blafphemies may be faid to be heretical, to make the Cognifance of^ r/ ' I2, " them belong to the Inquifitors. But, according to the common Cuftom, " and agreeable to Law and Reafon, thefe Words are heretical, I deny God, " J do not believe in God. In Spanijh, Difcreo de Dios, reniego de Dios, o reniego " de la fe, o de la cruz, o Crifma a que teng o en la trente, o reniego de la pit " ridad de nueftra fenora, i. e. 1 do not believe in God y I deny God, or I deny " the Faith, or the Crofs, or the Chrifm, which I have received in my Forehead, " or I deny the Virginity of our Lady. Thefe Words are faid to be heretical " Blafphemies, and the Inquifitors have Cognifance of them, becaufe they ** have an Infidel Signification, and Denial of the Faith, and are d redly " oppofed to a Confefllon of the Faith. But other Blafphemies, viz. Pefe a M 2 " Dios 3 84. The History of the Inquisition. li Dios, por vida de Dios, voto a Dios, malgrado ay a Dios, defpecbo de Dios, tf and the like, i. e. let it trouble God, by the Life of God, I vow to God, God's tc Curfe on you, or God fpite you, are not heretical, becaufe not oppofed to a " Confeffion of the Faith, although they are abfolutely Blafphemies. The Carena, « Punilhment of thefe belongs to the ordinary Judges." In Italy alfo 'tis p. a. t. ?. cj noc reckoned Blafphemy : if any one fays, Al corpo di Dio, dira vel pu- " tana di Dio becco \ vel al difpetto di Chrijiophero, or put an a della virgine Gio- " vanna; i. e. Body of God, or he will fay, &c. or in fpite of St. Chriftopher ; or the Whore of the Virgin Joan. 'Tis diiputed amongft the Doctors whether this be Blafphemy, Al difpetto, che non vo dir di dio, or, put ana, che no vo dir della V. M. In fpite, not meaning God ; or Whore, not meaning the Virgin Mary •, which fome deny, and others affirm. But thefe are accounted heretical Blafphemies : Dio partefano, £s? put ana della Virgine, i. e. The Whore of the Virgin, akho' the Word Mary is not pronounced -, as is alfo this •, Dio becco diavolo, if pronounced by any one who is accuftomed to utter heinous Blafphemies againft God. A According to Royas, " Heretical Blafphemy, though fpoken conditional- " ly, is to be punifhed by the Inquifitors of the Faith ; as for Inflance, 11 I do not believe in God unlefs I will Jlrike you. Becaufe this conditional " Blafphemy contains in it a pure affirmative Implicitenefs, viz. that if he " could not kill him without not believing in God, he was prepared wil- £ I79 , " lingly to do fo. They alio proceed very feverely againft an execrable li Cuitom that hath crept into the Kingdoms of Arragon and Valencia, viz. " of fwearing by the Members of God, which is greatly blafphemous ; and " by the Members of Chrift, which is great Irreverence, and from both " thefe there arifes great Sufpicion of Herefy." To thefe may be added that execrable Species of Blafphemy, related by Arnold Aibertinus, in his Bcok de Agnos. Ajjert. haret. §>u. 6. §. 21. Thefe Blafphemies, according to the Quality of the Words and Perfons, and the Circumftances of Times and Places, are efteemed more or lefs wicked and horrible. Pegna " thinks thole are to be reckoned amongft the greateft, " which are uttered againft the moft holy Mary, Virgin Mother of God. " And altho' Blafphemers regularly think differen ly in their Mind from st what they fay, yet they belong to the Judgment of the Inquifitors, be- " caufe by'blafpheming they are thought to put on the Perfon of one who lt thinks agreeable ro what he himfelf had fpoken ; and fince by the exter- " nal A<51 they give fome Token of Infidelity, therefore certain Blafphe- iC mies are fubjeft to the Jurifdiclion of the Judges of the Faith, that they *' may underftand, whether Blafphemers do really think as they fpeak." Heretical Blafphemers are punifhed in this Manner by the Inquifitors. If the Blafphemy be very heinous, and the Blafphemer a mean Perfon, he is made to wear an infamous Mitre, hath his Tongue tied, and pinched with an Iron or Wooden Gag, is carried forth as a publick Spectacle without his Cloak, whipt with Scourges, and banifhed. But if he be a Perfon of better Condition, or Noble, he is brought forth without the Mitre, thruft for a Time The History of the Inquisition. 8<> Time into a Monaftery, and punifhed with a Fine. In fmaller Blafphcmies they are dealt with more gently at the Pleafure of the Inquifitors, viz. the Blaiphemer is condemned to Hand, during divine Service, upon ibme Holy- day or other, with his Head naked, without his Cloak, and Shoes, his Feet naked, a Cord tied round him, and holding a burning Wax-Taper in his Hands. Sometimes alfo they fqueeze his Tongue with a Piece of Wood. After divine Service is over his Sentence is read, by which he is enjoined Fa- itings and a Fine. This Punifhment however doth not take place as to a Clergyman, as Ca-p. z . t . 7 rena obferves. For if a Clergyman was to appear without his Shoes, and$- 17.' with an Halter about his Neck, and thus Hand at the Gates of the Church"- 88 « before the People, the Clerical Order, and the Miniftry of the Clergy would fuffer Difgrace, and it would become the Wonder and evil Example to the Laity, if the blafpheming Clergy were thus expofed. He adds, that he ne- ver faw this Punifhment inflicted by this Tribunal on noble Perfons, who, altho* they are not to be more mildly punifhed for their Nobility, yet may be excufed from fuch Punifhments which do of themfelves render Perfons in- famous, and receive other Punifhments in the room of them. And becaufe fuch who accuftom themfelves to blafpheme, though they do it in PafTion, are vehemently fufpecied of Herefy, they are forced to abjure as thus fufpecied. Thus Diana relates, that in the Inquifition in Sicily, two Re f ; mt y- Blafphcmers were made publickly to abjure, as vehemently fufpecied, Dec.mLPar^. 16. 1633. in the Prefence of the Judge himfelf. But in fmaller Blafphe- traii. 7. mics, becaufe they are but lightly fufpecied, they only abjure as fuch. re f oL 8 - But in thefe Cafes the Inquifitors moftly acl according to their own Plea- fure, who have an ample Power of judging according to the Nature and Heinoufnefs of the Crimes. Gonfitfoius tells 113 of a certain Perfon who had ft iq<„ a Quarrel with a Clergyman of Ecya, a City in Spam, who accidently fud/ in the Hearing of others, that he could not believe that God would come down into the Hands of fo profligate an Adulterer. . The Vicar of the Or- dinary fined him for the Speech. But the Clergyman not contented with this Revenge, afterwards accufed him of Blafphemy at the Tribunal of the Inquifitors at Smile. Nor did the Fine to which he was before condemned by the Ordinary, prevent his being taken up by Command of the Inquifi- tors, imprilbned for a whole Year, brought cut in Triumph without Cloak or Hat, carrying a Wax-Candle in his Hand, his Tongue gagged with a wooden Gag, thus to punifh his Blafphemy -, and being forced to abjure as lightly fufpecied, he was fined a feeond time. C II A P. 86 The History of the Inquisition. CHAP. XX. OfD iviners, Fortune-Tellers, and Astrologers. Eymer. TpOrtune-Tellers and Diviners are diftinguifhed. For there are fome who pi.att^.J^ act merely by the Arc of Divination, fuch as tell Fortunes, by looking Com.67. j nto t j ie p a ] m s of the Hand, and judiciary Aftrologers. Others who exer- ciie Divination by Lots, with the Addition of fome heretical Word or Fact : As if any one in telling Fortunes about Sweethearts mould deny God and the Sacraments of the Church •, orfhould mingle any of the Sacraments of the Church with his Fortune-telling, or thofe Things which the Divines call Sa- cramental •, as if he mould baptize Images, rebaptize a Child, or only anoint him with holy Oil, or incenfe the Head of a Perfon dead, or do any of the like Things to divine future Things, or ufe a Candle and holy Water to dif- cover ftolen Goods. All thefe Things render the Doer fufpected ; for unlefs he had believed fuch Sacraments or Sacramentals had fome Virtue to effect fuch evil Operations, he would not have ufed them for this Purpofe. So that the Inquifitors take diligent Care to interrogate them concerning their Belief, and if they deny the Intention they are tortured ; and if they do not confefs, they may be made to abjure as vehemently fufpected. They may alio be pu- nifhed with Excommunication, Sufpenfion of Dignities, Whipping, Banifh- ment, Imprifonment in Monafteries, and other Punifhments, according to the Quality of the Perfons. They may alfo be publickly brought forth wearing the infamous Mitre, or be difgracefully tied to a Ladder near the Gates of the Church, and be banifhed from the Diocefe. Carena. As to Judiciary Aftrologers, their Art is generally condemned as fuperfti- p. i.t. 12. tious. But there is one Species of it, which the Doctors pronounce erroneous S' l2 " and heretical, viz. that which profeffes to foretel the Myfteries of our Faith by the Stars. In like manner they are condemned as rafh Aftrologers, who pretend they are able to foretel by the Stars certain Things concerning the State of the Church, Life or Death, or the Aflumption of the chief Pontiff. Pope Urban VIII. by a Conftitution, beginning, Infcrutabilis, publifhed Ap. I. 163 1. hath appointed, that Judiciary Aftrologers, who make Judgments concerning the State of the Chriftian Republick, or Apoftolick See, or the Life of the Roman Pontiff, or his Kindred, or who, when made, keep them in their own PoffefTion, or fhew them to others, or fpeak of them by Words, befides the Punishment of Excommunication which they fhall, ipfo jure, in- cur, fhall be punifhed with Death as guilty of High-Treafon, Confifcation of Effects, and that if they are of the Clergy, they fhall be punifhed with Deprivation of their Benefices and Offices. We have alio Inftances of very grievous Punifhments inflicted on thefe judiciary Aftrologers, one of which may be feen in Bzovius, under the Year 1327. Bzovius his Words are, " Francis Afculanus was thrown into Jayl at Florence, " and The History of the Inquisition. S7 * and burnt, being by Name convicted of Blafphemies, Herefy and judici- " ary Aftrology, as alfo of other damned Arts, and was condemned by the " Inquifitors of the Faith." After this he fubjoins a Catalogue of the Crimes objected to him, from which it appears that mod of them were taken from Judicial Aftrology. CHAP. XXI. Of Witches. WITH thefe Fortune-Tellers are properly joined Witches or Hags, which in Italy they commonly call Strigia, from their Refemblance to the Scritch-Owl, a Night and troublefome Bird, becaufe they are reported to deal in their Witchcraft principally at Night, and to fuck the Blood of Infants. Others call them Sorcerefles, Charmers, and the like. They areBemard. faid to have been a Seel; of People, principally Women, who arofe in Italy in 0>m fJ' t ' the Year 1400. They gather together in certain Places near Towns a.nd? ms " s Villages, at particular Times, and efpecially the Night preceding Friday, when the Devil appears to them in a vifible human Shape. When they en- ter into this Gang, they firft, and before all Things, do, by the Devil's Command, deny their holy Faith and Baptifm, the Lord God, and the blelTed Virgin Mary, and after this trample under their Feet on the Ground,- a Crofs made by one of the Witches. After this they promife Allegiance be- tween the Hands of the Devil, taking him for their Lord, and promife Obe- dience to him in all Things. As a Token of all this, they put their left Hand behind their Back, and touch the Devil's Hand, and offer him fomewhat as a Mark of their Subjection. From henceforth they are faid to believe the De- vil to be their true Lord and God ; and as often as they go to their nightly AfTemblies, which they call the Play of good Fellowship, they worfhip the Devil appearing in human Shape, and by bowing their Head profoundly down, adore him as their true God. 'Tis reported of them, that they go to this AlTembly or Play, truly and corporally, when awake and in thei? perfect Senfes : If the Place be near they go on Foot 5 if diflant, they are carried by the Devil through the Air. Many Authors have written largely of thefe Witches or Hags, James Spren- ger, Syhejler de Prierio, Bartholomew Spineiis, and others, who warmly con- tend that they are alt corporally carried to thefe Night-Plays or Dances» Francis Ponzinibius is the only one amongfl the Papifts of former Ages, who oppofes their common Opinion, and affirms that they are not corporally car- ried, but only deluded by Dreams and Phantafm3. They who contend for their being carried corporally, ufe thefe Arguments: Becaufe all thefe Perfons, whether Men or Women,- confefs as with one Mouth 88 The History of the Inquisition. and Tongue, that they every where obferve uniformly the fame Manner in every Thing, in the Denial of their Faith, Baptifm, God, the blefled Vir- gin, trampling on the Crofs, and Promife of Obedience, by turning the left Hand behind their Back, and that this appears by the Confefilons of all of them made before the Inquifuors, every where throughout Italy, and by the written ProcefTes formed againft them. That this Conformity argues they are not deluded by Dreams, becaufe thefe would vary as to Time and Place, according to the Variety of Caufes, and the Quality of Perfons. They add, That thefe Perfons have been feen and known by feveral Ca- tholick People, as they have been going to, or returning from thefe Affem- blies. Yea, that fome who have been carried by the Devil to fome diltant Place, have, God fo ordering it, been let down, and then found themfelves at a great Diltance from their own Country. And farther, when thefe Witches confefs before the Inquifitors, and are converted to the Bofom of the- Church, abjuring their Herefy and Apoftacy, they never after return to their Play ; which could not be, if thefe Things were prefented to them only in Dreams or Imaginations, becaufe Dreams are not in the Power of Men. To which they add as a Conclufion, That many of thefe Perfons have for many Years pail been delivered over by the Inquifitors of heretical Prav.ty to the fecular Arm, and burnt ; which would never have been done, nor fuffered by the Popes, unlefs thefe Things did really happen, and they were found to be in this Herefy and Apoftacy. And although it may fomeiimes happen that thefe Th'ings may appear to them only in Dreams and Fancy, and that they are not really carried to this Play, being found at Home at the fame time they thought themfelves pre- lent at it, they think it doth not at all follow from hence, that they are never corporally carried through the Air. And indeed although they never mould have been fo carried, yet becaufe after they have been thus deluded by Dreams, they do not only firmly believe that they did thefe Things when they are awake, and in their Senfes, but do confirm and approve them, and ftrongly believe that they have denied the Catholick Faith, adored the De- vil as God, and do take him for their God, and that by doing fo, they do not fin, but do well, and perfevere in all thefe Things before the Inquifuors, they therefore think them truly Hereticks, Idolaters and Apoftates ; becaufe thofe who believe thefe Things do depart from the Faith. I have no Inclination tofpend any great Time or Labour in examining and refuting thefe Things, and enquiring what Truth there is in fuch Accounts, and whether fome Parts of them may not be admitted as true, whilft others ought to be rejected as fabulous ; nor how far credulous, fearful and fuper- ftitious Perfons may be deluded by vain Imaginations and Dreams, and what may be truly performed by Devils. Others have done this abundantly, and the doing it is foreign to my Hiftory. And therefore I refer my Reader to •ffwl. I 3 Simon EjJifcopius, who hath very learnedly and folidly treated of this Matter. 1 '*'q> c I fhall only fay in a few Words, that this Contract with the Devil, which is c afcribed to the Witches, is fo horrible, that one would think it could never enter The History of the Inquisition. 89 enter into the Mind of any Perfon whatfoever. Moft of the Things they are laid to do, deferve no Belief, becaufe they don'c feem pofiible to be done. Their Confeffions are often extorted by the Violence of their Torture, and conceived in fuch Words, that any confiderate Perfon (nay fee they are form- ed by the Inquifitors themfelves, viz. to encreafe the Honour of the blef- fed Mary, and of the Sacraments, as though the Devil had a particular Spight to the Worfhip of them. And this is fo evident and manifelt, that many of the Papifts themfelves are perfuaded, that moft of thofe are innocent, whom, on this Account, they have feen condemned to the Fire. Yea, a certain Popiffi Divine publifhed an entire Book, entitled, Gautionis criminalis, in which he tells us that many innocent Perfons were burnr ; and this he affirms, not only from the Reports of others, but fays that he accompanied feveral Wo- men who were lead to Death, of whofe Innocence no one now makes any doubt. But to difmifs this Argument, I will now fhew by what Method the Tri- bunal of the Inquifition proceeds againft them. •" They prove that it belongs to the Inquifitors of heretical Pravity to takePegna, ait Cognizance of the Sect of Witches, to proceed againft them, and punifh them''*'.* as other Hereticks, becaufe they are themfelves Hereticks, Idolaters and strl s- ^. Apoftates. 'Tis alfo appointed by many Sanctions of the Roman Pontiffs, omer '^ i% - and particularly by that of Innocent VIII. writing to the Inquifitors of Germa- ny. Innocent, Bifhop, Servant of the Servants of God, for the future Remem- brance of the 'Thing. As we defire^ with our Jlrongejl Affection, according to the Duty and Care of our Pajloral Office, that the Catholick Faith may every where en- creafe and flourifh, efpecially in our Times, and that all heretical Pravity may be driven away far from the Borders of the Faithful, we willingly declare, and grant a new thofe Things, by which this our pious Defire may obtain its wifhed for Effecl ; that all Errors being extirpated by the Miniflry of our Operation, as by the weeding Hook of a careful Workman, a Zeal and Obfervance of the fame Faith may be more firongly impreffed on the Hearts of the Faithful. We have indeed lately heard, to our great Grief that in feme Parts of Upper Germany, as alfo in the Provinces, Ci- ties, Places and Diocefes of Mayence, Cologne, Treves, Saltzburg, and Bre- men, many Perfons of both Sexes, unmindful of their own Salvation, and devia- ting from the Catholick Faith, abufe themfelves with he and floe Devils, and by their Incantations, Charms, and Conjurations, and by other horrid Superftitions, Sorce- ries, and Exceffes, Crimes and Offences, do caufe, and procure to per i/b> blajl, and be dejlroyed, the Conceptions of Women, the young ones of Animals, ' the Fruits of the Earth, the Grapes of Vineyards, and Fruits of Trees \ moreover, Men, Women, Beajls, Cattle, Sheep, and other Animals of divers Sorts, as alfo Vineyards, Or- chards, Meadows, Paftures, Grain, Corn, and other Pulfe of the Earth, and do affetl and torture Men, Women, Beafts, Cattle, Sheep, with cruel Pains and Tor- ments, inwardly and outwardly, and do hinder the faid Men from begetting Chil- dren, and the Women from conceiving them •, Husbands from rendring due Benevo- lence to their Wives \ and Wives from performing conjugal Aclions towards their Husbands ; and farther, do with an impious Mouth deny the Faith it felf, which Vol, II. N tbey ao The History of the Inquisition. they took on them when they received holy Baptifm, and at the lnftigation of the Ene- my of Mankind, are not afraid to commit and perpetrate many other Enormities, Excejfes and Crimes, to the Hazard of their own Souls, the Offence of the divine Ma- jefty, and to the evil Example and Scandal of many. And a little after, We there- fore, as inDutybmnd, being compelled hereto by our Zeal for the Faith, being wil- ling, by feafonable Remedies, to provide againfi and remove all Impediments, by which the Execution of the Office of the Inquifitors may be in any manner retarded^ and that the Infetlion of heretical Pravity, and other fuch like Excejfes, may not fpread their Poifon to the Defirutlion of other Innocents, and that the Provinces, Ci- ties, Diocefes,. and Countries, and other the aforefaid Places, in the Parts of Up- per Germany, may not want the neceffary Office of the Inquifitton. do by the 'Tenor of thefe prefentj by our Apofiolick Authority appoint, &c. that itfhall be lawful for the faid Inquifitor s to execute the Office of fuch Inquifition in thefe Cafes, and that they ought to be admitted to corretl, imprifon and punifh the aforefaid Perfons con- cerning the aforefaid Excejfes and Crimes, in all and every Thing, as though fuch Provinces, Cities, Diocefes, Countries, and Places, Perfons, and Excejfes, were by Name, and fpecific ally exprejfed in thefe Letters. Thefe Letters were confirmed as to the greater Part of them, and fent to Mafter George de Cafali, heretofore Inquifitor at Cremona, by Julius II. ' and were afterwards ex r ended to all thelnquifitorsof the Congregation of Lombardy, of the Older of Prediran s, by thefe Letters of Alexander VI. Alexander, Pip 3 , to our b 'loved Son Angel us de Verona, of the Order of Pre- dicants, Dotlor cf Divinity, Inquifitor of heretical Pravity in the Province of Lom- bardy, and to his Sv.cceffors. Beloved Son, Health and Apoftolical Benediclion. Having received Advice that divers Perfons of both Sexes, in the Province of Lom- bard y, make ufe of divers Incantations and diabolical Super/litions, and by their Witchcrafts and numerous Obfervations perpetrate many horrid Crimes, defiroy Men 9 Cattle and Fields, bring in divers Errors, and caufe many Scandals to arife. We have decreed, according to the Minijlry of the pafioral Office, committed to us from on high, to check fuch Wickedneffes, and to prevent, as far as with the Help of God we can, the aforefaid Scandals and Errors, for this Reafon give in Charge, and command you, as alfo your Succeffors, to be appointed throughout Lombardy, concerning whom in thefe and other Things, we have full Confidence in the Lord, that you of your J "elves, affociating hozveverfuch worthy Perfons as you /ball think fit to chofe, pall diligently make Inquifition againfi the faid Perfons of both Sexes, and pu- nifh and check them according to Juftice. And that you may the better execute this Commiffion, we grant you full and entire Power againfi them, all Apofiolick Conftitu- tions and Ordinations, as alfo Grants and ordinary Conceffions made poffibly for a time, and* all other Things whatfoever to the contrary nolwithftanding. Although it be more fafe and decent in ProcefTes againfi Witches for the Inquifitors to proceed,, as in Caufes of Hereticks, and to form their Procef- fes with the Afliftance of the Diocefans, according to the Difpofition of the Law, Cap. per hoc. de haeret. lib. 6. Extrav. ex eo. de hceret. Clement. I. de hareU yet neverthelefs 'tis manifeft from thefe Conftitutions, that they may, if The History of the Inquisition. q\ if they will, proceed by themfelves, and that what they do or decree when they proceed alone, either in condemning or abfolving, is valid. Here 'tis enquired, whether Witches, if they have confefTed the Murthers of Children or Men, or any other Crimes to which the Punifhment of Death 4s annexed by the Civil Laws, may be delivered over to the fecular Court by the Inquifitors and other Judges, although they repent ? Some think, that notwithstanding their Repentance, they ought not to be perpetually impri- foned as other Hercticks, but put to Death. But the greater Number are of Opinion, that fuch of them who are willing with a pure Heart to return to the Bofom of the Church, are to be received. Becaufe the Caufe of Herefy hath nothing to do with murthering Children, or other Crimes committed by Witches, the Cognifance of which doth not at all belong to the Inquifitors. And therefore they believe the Judges of the Faith would do unjuftly, if they mould deny to thefe Wretches, when willing to repent, the Benefit of Mercy and Absolution. But if thefe Witches are firft taken up by the fecular Judges for the Mur- ther of Infants, or any other fecular Crime, and when they are interrogated confefs Herefy, or any Thing that favours of Herefy, of which the fecular Judges have no Cognifance, and, upon account of this Confeffion, are deli- vered over to the Inquifitors, in this Cafe when the Judgment concerning Herefy is rimmed, they teach that the W 7 itch muft be turned back to the {?- cular Judge, that he may finifli the Procefs begun for other Crimes by the Civil Laws. For in fuch a Cafe the Perfon is not fo properly faid to be left to the fecular Court, as to be reftored to his former Judge, who upon account of the fecular Crime, hath legal JurifdicTtion over fuch Witch. And this Obfer- vation is, as they fay, according to the Conftitution of Pius V. whofe Words are thefe. Moreover, let them, without any Delay, tranfmit all Perfons wbatfoever im- prifonedfor any Offences, or by any Means wbatfoever accufed or denounced of any hei- nous Crimes, before the faid Office of the Jnquifition, fuj 'pending the Cognifance of all other inferior Crimes, to the faid Cardinals and Prifons of the Inquifition, and there let them be kept till the full Cognifance and Dif patch of the Crime of Herefy, and afterwards let them be fent back to the faid Officials to expedite the Affair of their other Crimes. Yea farther, the Ecclefiaftical Judges, if they have any legal Evidence, that one of thefe Witches, imprifoned by the fecular Judge, is an Heretick, or fufpected of Herefy, may compel the fecular Magiftrate to deliver her over to them to be judged for the Caufe of Herefy, and alfo to exhibit the Proceffes and any other Writings, in order to their Underftanding, whether there beany Thing contained in them relating to the Faith, and which may help the Judgment of the Inquifitors. If the Magiftrate refufes it, they may compel him to all this by the Ecclefiaftical Cenfure, viz. Excommunication, Sufpenfion and Interdict. Whereas the fecular Magiftrate cannot compel the Judge of the Faith to deliver up to him Criminals of either Sex, who have committed fecular Offences, in order to punifh them according to the Civil Laws, becaufe he hath no Jurifdidlion over the Ecclefiaftical Judge» But when the Ecclefiaftical Judge hath puniftied Offenders in his Tribunal, N 2 then a<2 The History of the Inquisition. then the fecular Jadge may punifh the fame Perfons for Crimes cognifable fa his C urt. They fay there are two Ways of difcovering thefe Witches. The firft is the Con fe (ft on, and Accufation of their Companions. For as thefe Women know one another when they are met at their AfTemblies, they are able to detect each other. But that fuch Accuiations may gain Credit, 'tis necefiary that feveral of them feparately, each making a Confeflion without the other's Knowledge > do agree in the feveral Circumstances of the Accufation, viz. as to the fame Perfon, Time and Place, and that they do feverally affirm the fame Thing before the Perfon accufed, one after the other feparately, with- out the other's knowing of it. And yet at the fame time they confefs themfelves, that this fort of Prool is very uncertain, becaufe it may happen that the Devil may fometimes a flu me another Perfon's Shape, and appear in thefe Afferm blies under that Form, in order to render her infamous, though at the fame time (lie may be entirely innocent, and far from being concerned in fuch a. Crime. For which realon they make ufe of another Way, viz. Conjectures and Prefumptions to detect anddifcover them. And of thefe they have feve- ral, viz. their bewitching Children, caufing Diflempers and other Harms to Men and Women, to Cattle, and the Fruits of the Earth, the Grapes of Vineyards, and the Fruits of Trees. When therefore skilful Phyficians by any Conjectures or Circumftances judge, that a Damage of this fort doth not happen from any natural Defect, nor from any natural intrinfick Caufe, but from fomething external, and yet not from any venemous Infection •, or when they fee any Difeafe to be incurable, fo that the fick Perfon cannot be relieved by any Medicines or Remedies, but rather grows every Day worfe and worfe, this they think is a fufficient Proof that 'tis the Effect of Witchcraft. In like manner, when any Men or Women, who are ignorant of the Art of Phyfick, prevent the Effects of fuch Witchcrafts, and heal Difeafes, they fay 'tis a Sign that thefe Things are done by the Co-operation of the Devil. Tq this they add another Sign, which is greatly uncertain. When, fay they, any Perfon, whether in a Quarrel or not, threatens another, and fiys, Becaufe you have done to me fo and fo, I will do fomething to you that fhall make you know whether you have done well by me or not ; or I will make you repent it ; or you fhall fee the ill Effects of if, or any Thing to the like Purpofe. If the Thing comes to pafs, 'tis a S'gn that fuch an Effect is pro- duced by the Afliftance of the Devil, efpecially if it can't be known how fuch an Effect could otherwife follow. And therefore when fuch Threatnings are attended with their Effects, 'tis a very great Prefumption and Reafon to con- clude, that the Perfon who utters fuch Threatnings is a Witch, and dedicated to the Devil by a Denial of the Faith. This is a fufficient Proof to proceed to Torture. But certainly if fuch Signs be fufficient to put Perfons to the Torture, what Innocence can be fafe ? 'lis eafy to extort a Confeffion from fuch who are xnoft innocent, by the Cruelty of thefe Tortures, with which they punifh ■without End or Meafure, thole whom they fufpect, as the very Plagues of human The History of the Inquisition. 92 human Nature, even of Crimes they have never thought of, and of which they have never heard fo much as the Defcription. And therefore 'tis not to be wondered at, that the Inquifitors, within the Space of 150 Years, fhould have burnt 30000 Witches, as Ludovicus a Paramo fays they have •, adding : De Orig. " The Inquifitors have molt feverely profecuted thefe moft outragious Furies, **?« '• *. 14 who have thrown off all Humanity, efpecially in the Kingdom ofSicily,*' *■ c - 4« " where, when I my felf, a few Years paft, executed the Office of Inqulfi-'" ~ 9t ' " tor, many of this kind of Apoftate Witches were difcovered and pu- *' nifhed." But as by this Method of Proceeding many notorious and manifeft Acts of Injuftice were commited, a certain Inftruction was put into the Hands of the Inquifitors in Italy, which Carena hath publifhed, in which 'tis affirmed : 44 That it hath for a long time been obferved in the Congregation of the " Univerfal Inquifition at Rome, that fcarce any Procefs hath been ever 44 found to be rightly and juridically formed ; that it hath been generally " found neceffary to cenfure moft of the Judges, and oftentimes to punifli " them for illegal Vexations, Inquifitions, Imprifonments, as alio for feveral " evil and impertinent Methods ufed in forming Proceffes, interrogating " Criminals, inflicting exceffive Tortures ; infomuch that fometimes unjuit <4 and unrighteous Sentences have been pronounced, even of Death, or de- 44 livering Perfons over to the fecular Arm. And it hath been found in 44 Fact, that many Judges have been too eafy and ready to believe a Wo- 44 man to be a Witch for a light Proof, or rather none at all, upon which 44 Account they have omitted nothing, no not unlawful Methods, to extorr 44 fuch a Confeffion from thefe Women, notwithstanding there have been io* 44 many Improbabilities, Differences and Contrarieties, that one would think 44 there could be little or no Debate about the Matter." This Carena confirms by feveral Inftances. In the City of Logronno in Spain, many Perfons were condemned for Witchcraft, and yet afterwar 'twas difcovered that there were many Deceits in the Affair of their Condem- nation, upon which Account the Effects of the condemned Perfons were noc confifcated, nor their Sentences fixed upon the Churches, but they were re- conciled, and moreover declared capable of any Office of the Inquifition; He gives another Inftance of four Women, accufed before the Ordinary by fome others who had been condemned to Death, and hanged, who appealed to the Royal Council, to whom the Preemptions againft them appeared fo very flight, that upon finding Sureties they were difmiffed, and never called into Queftion afterwards. He reports in the fame Place the Words of Fer- rerius, who calls thofe Judges, AffaJJmes, Judges that have no Fear of God, and lefs Love for Truth, For this Reafon certain Rules are prefcribed to the In- quifitors, that they may proceed n this Affair with more Caution. And firft, before they begin the Procefs, there mult be fome Certainty as to the Reality of the Crime, whether the Offence be of that fort which leaves the proper Traces behind it. For it hath been obferved, that fome Judges have ordered certain Women to be puniflied with Death, iov con- ing 94. The History of the Inquisition, fefllng a Crime which had never been committed. Thus Ferrerius reports, that a Woman confeffed, that in the Night fhe took a certain Infant r rom the Breafts of its Mother, and carried it into the Affembly of the Witches, where it was killed by her and her Companions. But upon examining the Mother of the Infant, fhe declared that no fuch Accident had ever happened to it. Now the Reality of the Offence is proved by the Judgment of skil- ful Phyficians, if they do clearly determine that the Difeafe is not natural, but poflibly and probably a Witchcraft, and there be legal Proofs that the Witchcraft is committed by the Woman. After this the Inquificor may proceed to Imprisonment, firft taking Advice of the Counfellors. After Impriforimenc he fearches her Houfe with a Notary, to fee what Things they can find in the Coffers and Beds, both for the Affiftance of the PerforTinqui'- fited, as whether there be Crowns*, Divine Services, Books of Devotion and the like \ and for the Affillance alio of the Fifcal j as whether there be any Images of Wax run through with Needles, Powders, Ointments, Papers with Croffet,, Books containing Witchcrafts, Bones under Ground' Poylbns, Bones of dead Perfons, and all extraordinary Things found un ler the Threfhold, and in the Beds. This Search muft be made by the Mini- ftersof the holy Office, in the Prefence of the Notary before the Inquifitor. None of the Family of the Perfon accufed of Witchcraft muft be prcfent. And here they advile that all unufual Things found in Beds are not to be looked on as a Token of Witchcraft ; for fome fuch Things may naturally happen •, and therefore fuch Things can caufe but a very light Sufpicion, un- lefs what .they find in the faid Places arc in themfelves, and, according to the common Ufe of Witches, fit to perform magical Operations. As for Inftance, if half of an human Skull is found in the Bed or on the Pillow of the Witch, and another half exactly anfwering to the former, is found in her Cheft, a very conGderable Sufpicion would from hence arife againft fuch Perfon, as the prudent Judge fhall determine, and certainly greater than if no fuch half Skull had been found at all. Thefe and other Things, too tedious to mention, the Inqu'fitor is commanded to take prudent Notice of,, leaft he fhould proceed againft any Perfon as a Witch, rafhly, and without juft Caufe. CHAP. XXII. Of Jews, and fuch as return to Jewifh Rites. TH E Nation of the Jews, after the Deftruction of the City and Tem- ple of Jerufalem, were brought into miferable Bondage and Captivity and difperfed throughout the whole World. But being impatient of their * Confccrated Bread made like a Crown, or in a round Form. Miferies, The History of the Inquisition. 95 Miferies, they have often taken up Arms, and endeavoured to affert their Liberties. But having been fubdued by moft grievous Slaughters, they have at length laid down their Fiercenefs, and are forced to bear the Yoke. The Chriftians, partly through Fear of the Rage of the Jews, and partly- through an intemperate Zeal for Chriftianity, have endeavoured either whol- ly to deftroy by various Miferies this difperfed People, or to tire them out by the Grievoufnefs and Length of their Miferies, and thus to compel them to proiefs the Chriftian Faith. Upon this account various Edicts have at different Times proceeded againfl the Jews. Some have profcribed them in the Countries where they have lived, others have deprived them of their Liber- ties, and reduced them to Slavery ; others have ftripped them of thofe Ad- vantages and Privileges which their other Subjects have enjoyed, that by thefe Means they might at length be wholly extinguifhed, or wearied out by the Miferies they endured for their Judaifm, renounce it, and embrace the Chriftian Religion. Very fevere Edicts have been made againfl them, efpecially in Spain, where a very large Number of them dwelt, and were thought to endanger the Safety of the Kingdom. In the Sixth Council of Toledo this Decree was publifhed againfl the Jews.Sxminctiu We the holy Council, with the Confent of the moft Chriftian Prince, and his No- 55. ^.9. hies, and moft llluftrious Perfons, publifh this Sentence, pleafing to God, that who- Jbever (hall enjoy the Kingdom for Time to come, /ball not afcend the Royal Throne^ before he hath promifed upon the holy Sacraments, that he will fuffer no Perfons but Catholicks to dwell in his Kingdom. And if any one, after his Acceffion to the King* dom, fhallrafhly violate this Promife, let him be Anathema Maranatha before the eternal God, and become Fewel for the everlafling Fire, and alfo all fuch who a?ree with him, Can. 3. Baronius, under the Year 638, fays this was principally decreed out of Hatred to the Jews, and beflows great Praifes on it, and from hence concludes, *Tis not without Reafon that the Kings of Spain have had the Title of Catholick bejlowed on them, being worthy of fo high a Title, becaufe they not only [wear that they will be Catholick themfelves, but that they will not fuffer any one that is not a Catholick to dwell in their large Dominions. But not- withstanding this Decree, a great many Jews remained in Spain, and foon encreafed to fuch a Number, that they began to appear formidable to the Kings, and they v/ere accufed, whether right or wrong, of a Defign to raife a Rebellion. Upon which account another Edict was made againfl: them in the Seventeenth Counc 1 of Toledo, Can. 8. Since the Perfidioufnefs of the Jews hath not only defiled the Coat of facred Chriftian Baptifm which they have received? but alfo attempted to confpire againfl the King and Kingdom ; let them be deprived of all their Effetls and thofe perfidious Wretches themfelves, their Wives and Chil- dren, and the reft of their Pofterity, throughout all the Provinces of Spain, be fnb- jetl to perpetual Slavery, and remain every where difperfed ; and let fuch who have made Slaves of them, by no Means permit them to celebrate their Ceremonies, Yet flill the Pofterity of the Jews greatly multiplied in Spain. In the mean while the Romanifls contend that the Jews ought not to be com- pelled by Force to embrace the Chriftian Religion againfl their Will, becaufe Religion ^6 The History of the Inquisition. Religion ought to be voluntary, yea fometimes they have been protected by the Papal Authority againft the Injuries of ibme intemperately zealous Chriftians. ^zovius, Thus Pope Innocent III. publifhed a Confticution for not opprefling the A. izov. Jews, in which there are thefe Things. We ordain that no Chrijiian fh all by § ,l l' Violence compel them {the Jcvr>) againjt their Inclination and Will to come to Bap- tijm. But if any of them /had, of their own accord, come over to the Chriftians upon account of the Faith, after he fh all have difcovered his Intention, let him be- come a Chrijiian without any Reproach. Such a one cannot be fuppofed to have the true Faith of Chrijlianity , who is known to come to Chrijiian Baptijm not volunta- rily but unwillingly. Farther, let no Chrijiian without the Order of the fecular Power, wickedly hurt their Perfons, or prefume by Violence to take away their Ef- fects, or to change the good Cujloms which they have hitherto, ufed in the Countries where they dwell. Moreover, let no one dijlurb them with Sticks or Stones in the Celebration of their Fejlivals ; nor let any one jlrive to exacl or extort from them undue Services, nor any but thofe which they have, been accujlomed to yield in Times Pajl. And that we may prevent the Wickednefs and Covetoufnefs of evil Men, we decree that no one jh all dare to mangle or leffen the Burial-place of the Jews, or with a View to get Money, to dig up their Bodies when buried. But if any one, which God forbid, knowing the Tenor of this Decree, /hall attempt to contradicl it, and jh all not make Amends for his Prcfutnption by condign Satisfaction, his Crime fhall be avenged by the Punijhment of Excommunication. It is our Pleafure how- ever that fuch only jhall enjoy the Defence of this our Protection, who fhall not pre- fume to attempt any Thing to the Subverfwn of the Chrijiian Faith. The Papiils alfo farther contend, that al hough they oblige the Jews in Spain and Portugal to depart thence, unlefs they embrace the Chriftian Reli- gion, yet they do by no Means force them to become Chriftians ; and there- fore Ojorius and Mariana blame King Emanuel, who kept the younger Chil- dren of the Jews againft their Parents Will, and compelled the Jews by a fevere Bondage to receive Baptifm j and they fay that this Action is neither & 17. agreeable to Law or Religion. The Words of Bzovius, by which he blames this Action, under the Year 1497. are not to be omitted here. What is this? Wouldjl thou force rebellious Minds, not bound by any Obligations of Religion, to believe thofe Things, which they do fo vehemently defpife and rejeel ? Woat^ do you affume this to your f elf , to reftain the Liberty of the Will, and throw Chains upon fuch unbridled Minds ? This is an bnpoffibility, nor doth the mojl holy Deity of Chrifl approve it. What he defires is a voluntary Sacrifice, and not fuch a one as is for- ced from Men by an unlawful Violence ; nor doth he command that the Mind fhould he compelled, but that the Willjhould be allured and invited to the Study of true Re- ligion. Be fides, how can any one arrogate that to himjelf, which the holy Spirit only can effetl in their Minds, who do not go on to oppofe his Goodnefs to the End of Life ? For *tis he only who illuminates their Minds, and allures and invites them, and brings thofe who do not rejeel fo great a Gift with an obflinate and ungrateful He art, to confejs and have Communion with Chrijl. Finally, who doth not fee how unwor- thy y tis to commit to Men of different Perfuafions in Religion Jo many Myfteries, fo many The History of the Inquisition. 97 many /acred Things, fo great an Affair of divine Matters, and thus inconfiderateh to afford an Occafwn of Wkkednefs to thoje who defpife the Discipline of Chrijl, and by this Means moft unworthily to projlitute Religion it felf under a Pretence of Re~ ligion ? Can any one believe that thefe People fpeak ferioufly, who by fo ma- ny Methods cruelly diitrefs the Jews, that they may force them, thus broken by Miferies, of which they fee no End, to embrace the Christian Religion ? For 'tis owing to this that fo many amongft the new Converts are found to be Jews in their Hearts. Hence 'tis that they themfelves always fufpecl the new Chriftians, viz. fuch who are converted from the Jews and Saracens, and defire that their Pofterity may be always feparated from the Pofterity of the old Chriftians. Sometimes alfo they have openly perfecuted the Jews, and compelled them to become Chriftians. Sethus Calvifius relates from Cedrenus, under the Year 722. that Leo the Emperor forced the Jews to embrace Christianity -, but that they afterwards either renounced their Baptifm, or fhut themfelves up in their Houfes, and burnt themfelves with all their Families. But what fhall we fay to thefe Perfons, who, though they teach that the Jews are not to be compelled to the Faith, yet plead for forcing, and actu- ally force thofe who in their Judgment err concerning fome Principles of Religion, whom they call by the infamous Name of Hereticks, to renounce their Errors, or rather the very Truth it felf, by all manner of Methods, and every kind of Cruelties. Conrad Brunus refolves this Qiieftion, reciting a De-de H^ree. cree of one of the Councils of Toledo concerning the Jews. As to the Jews, the&$ chi f- holy Synod commands, that no one of them /hall be henceforwards compelled: For the mat ' '■ ** hordfheweth Mercy on whom he will have Mercy, and whom he will he hardens ; i" ? t lS ' for fuch are not to be faved againfi their Co?ifent, but willingly, that the Form ofJud^At Juftice may be compleaL For as every one obeying the Serpent by his own free Difi. Will perifhes, fo every one who is called by the Grace of God, believing thro* the Con- verfion of his own Mind,, is faved. So that Perfons are to be perjuaded, that by their own free Will and Power they may be converted, and are not rather to be com- pelled. " Since this is determined concerning the Jews, why is it, fays Bru- u nm, that we compel Hereticks to return to the Unity of the Catholick " Church, and do not rather leave them to their Will ? There is a Reafon " to force the one, and not the others, as the fame Council of Toledo de- " clares; becaufe Hereticks have been once Partakers of the Divine Sacra- " ments, and received the Grace of Baptifm, and been anointed with Oil, " and partaken of the Lord's Body •, and therefore they are to be compelled " to hold the Faith they once received, that the Name of the Lord may «* not be iblafphemed, and the Faith which they have received become vile " and contemptible." Bellarmine explains this Matter more fully in Anfwer to the Objection,^ I-nV/x, that Faith is free. He diftinguifhes Freedom, and fays, 'tis capable of a double^ **• Senfe. The frft is a Freedom from Obligation, as when we fay 'tis a Matter of Freedom to vow Chaftity, to enter into Religion, but 'tis not Matter of Freedom to break one's Vow, or to go out of Religion. And in this Senfe Faith is a Matter of Free- Vo l, II, O dom The History of the Inquisition. dom as to thofe who have never received it, as to any Obligation of human Law, though not as to the Divine, and therefore fuch Men ought not to be compelled. God will punijh them. But as to fuch who have prof effed Faith in Baptifm, Faith is not free from Obligation either of the divine or human haw, and therefore ibey compel Men to preferve it. Again, Liberty is fo taken as to difinguijlo it from Neceffity, and in this Senfe 'tis free whether a Man will believe or no, Sec. But that I may by the way refute this Foundation of Popifh Perfecution, I would obferve that neither Bellarm'uie nor any of the Popifh Crew will ever be able to fhew, that by receiving Baptifm, there is any Obligation whatfoever to human Laws con- tracted. The Vow is made to God, and the Perfon baptized obliges himfelf by Baptifm to God only, and not to any Man, and therefore he receives Bap- tifm id the Name of the Father, Son and Holy. Ghofl -, and as our Saviour commands this Form of Bapiifm to be obferved, he evidently mews that a Perfon hereby becomes devoted only to God ; nor doth the baptized Perfon make any, either < xprefs or tacit Promife, by which he lays himfelf under Ob- ligation to any Man. He profeffes himfelf a Difciple of Jefus Chrift, binds himfelf to obferve his Commands, and acquires a Right to thofe fpiritual Blef- fings which God feals his Title to by Baptifm. So that here is nothing to belound by which a Perfon binds himfelf to any Man, or renders himfelf ob- noxious to human Punifhment if he departs from the Faith, and from an holy Life. All Things in this Tranfociion are divine and fpiritual. 'Tis from God he expects the Remittor, of Sins and eternal Life, if he obferves thofe Thincrs to which he binds himfelf in Baptifm. If he breaks his baptifmal Vow by Apoftacy and Profanenefs of Life, he will experience the divine Punifh- ment. So that herein there is no Change made as to any human Obligation ; nor is he by Baptifm more bound to an, Man whatfoever than he was be- fore. It may be faid perhaps, that by Baptifm he is made a Member cf the Church. He is io ; but doth not on this Account come under any human Obligation, and cannot therefore be obnoxious to the Decrees of any Man, but to thofe only of God ; which if he departs from, he immediately ceafe* to be a Member of the Church, and therefore the Church may declare that he is no longer a Member of her Bcdy, and that therefore he hath no Hopes remaining of the Remiffion of Sins, and eternal Life. And the Church may pronounce juft the fame of thofe who have never been baptized, nor profef- ied theChriftian Faith. And therefore I conclude, that if any one fails from the Faith into an Herefy truly fuch, he doth not depart from any Obliga- tion he is under to the Church, or to any Man, but from that which he is under to God, whofe Word only he is bound to obey as the fole Rule of his Faith ; and that therefore he is to be punifhed by God only with a fpi-~ ritual and eternal Punifhment, and not by any Man with a corporal Puniih-. ment. This by the way. To return therefore to our Purpofe. The Inquifition was not introduced to compel the Jews to the Chriftian Religion •, becaufe, fay they, as they are not baptized, and have noc profeffed the Faith of Chrift, they cannot fee faid to» be Heretickscr Apoftates, and therefore are not fubjed to the Ju- rifdidioB 99 The History of the Inquisition. rifdi&icn of the Inquifitors. For the Church doth not judge of thofc that are without, and the Jurifdi&ion of the Inquifitors is only granted them ao-ainft heretical Pravity and Apoftacy. The Inquifition indeed in Spain is in- troduced againft rhofe, who being converted from the Jews or Mahometans^ to the Chriftian Religion, return again to Judaijm or Mahometanifm, and oive fuch Marks of that Apoftacy as are capable to convict them. Such a one, as well as a Chriftian, that goes over to the Jewifh Rites, may be pu- nifhed by the Inquifitors as any other Heretick or Apofiate. And in order to prove this Crime, they admit the Teftimony of Jews ; and when it is legally proved, they are by the royal Laws of Spain delivered over, as Re- lapfed and Impenitent, to the Fire. Befides this there are other Cafes in which the Jews are fubject to the In- quifition, concerning which Zanchinus de h$reticis, and Campegius difcourfe, AdJ.it. ai and which I mail here mention. '« Becaufe the Church doth not judge of Zanch »"» « thofe who are without, fome, without making any Difference, believe/- 5<5, " that the Inquifitors can't proceed againft the Jews, nor punifh them. O- 66 thers indeed grant, that the Jews are not againft their Wills to be com- " pelled to receive the Chriftian Faith, or Baptifm, but yet that in certain 6C Cafes they are fubjefb to the Inquifitors. And to prove it they ufe this Di- " ftinclion. A Jew either offends by Contempt of the Orthodox Faith, or " hindring the Office of the Inquifition. Or elfe as to their own Faith, or *< otherwife not relating to the PremifTes. In the two latter Cafes this is " nothing to the Inquifitor. But if he offends as to the Contempt of the ** Faith, by reproaching the Churches or Altars, or even the facred Orna- " ments of the Church, and the like, or hinders the Inquifitor in the Di- c< fpatch of his Office, the Inquifitor may proceed againft him, becaufe the " Nature of his Offence is fuch as fubjecls it to the Court of the Church. ncnts. And to give Credit to theft Things, we have written this Edift, and figned it with our own proper Hand. Bated at the Holy Office at Cre- mona, October 26, 1639. P. Cardinal Camporeus Bijhop of Cremona. F. Vincent Peter, Inquifitor of Cremona. . Jerom Calcinous, Chancellor. Vol. II. Q The ii4 ^° e History of the Inq»u*sition. The Form of an Edict of Faith ufed in Spain. Param." \KJ E the Inquifitors of heretical Pravity and Apoflacy, by that Apoftolick Au~ J. 3. 7. 5. y y tbority wepoffefs, efpecially delegated on this Account to us in the Diocefes of * 45 ' N. or N. &jV. to all andfingular, as well Clergy as Laity ,. Regulars as Seculars, of every State, Condition, Quality, Degree, Order, Religion, Dignity or Pre-emi- nence, exempt, or not exempt, to all and every one of you, , to whom this our general Editl fhall be known, Salvation in our Lord Jefus Ghrifl, who is the true Salvation r and to our Commands, which are more truly Apoflolick Words, firm Obedience, Sub- miffwn and Obfervance. We make known to you, that the Licentiate or Doclor N. . Promoter and Advocate Fi/cal of this holy Office, hath appeared before us, and de- clared that it hath been long fince known to us, and is very certain, that in many Places of this Diftritl and Territory, . there hath not been held a general Vifitation and ' Iuquifition; and that for this Reafon many Offences committed and perpetrated againji our mojl holy Catholick Faith, which it is fit and right Jhould be punifhed and cha- ffed, have not come to our Knowledge and Notice, the Conference of which hath been grievous Offence to God, and great Damage and Prejudice to the Chriflian Religion, For which Reafons we have commanded and appointed the aforefaid In- quifition, and general Vifitation to be made and executed, and have caufed the pub' lick Editls to be publi/hed and read, defigning that all who fij all be found guilty of thefe Wickedneffes and Crimes fhall be chaflifed, that fo our Catholick- Faith may eve- ry Day more flour ifh y and be exalted high, and greatly encreafe. Affenting therefore to his. mofl juft Petition, and earnejl Requeft, even as we ought, and de firing to ufe the bejl Remedy in thofe Things which relate to the Honour of God, and our bleffed Lord, we have commanded and ordained this prefent Command, and publick and ge- neral Editl to be made and publifhed a?nongft all and ftngular, and every one of you > for the fame mentioned Caiife and Reafon, that if you know, underftand, or have feen,. or previoujly found out, that any living Man or Woman, prefent or abfent? or already dead, hath made, publijhed, faid or fpoken any or more Opinions or Words heretical, fufpetled, erroneous, rf,Jh, ill-founding, favouring of Scandal, or any heretical Blafphemy againji God, and his holy Catholick Faith, and againft that 'which our holy Mother the Church of Rome embraces, teaches, preaches, and holds , you. declare, /peak and manifefl it to us. Andfirfty if you know, or have heard that any Men or Women have kept or ob- ferved any Sabbath, according to the Rites y Ceremonies, and Obfervance of the Law of Mofes, and on the faid Days have put on a clean andfrefh Shirt or Shift, and other Garments, or better, handfomer and Holy day Cloaths ', or have laid clean Nap- ■ kins on the Table, and clean Sheets on the Bed, in Honour of the faid Sabbath ; or have not blown up, nor kindled their Fire ; or have abftainedfrom all other Work on the faid Sabbath, and begun to keep thetnfrom Friday Evening ; or have wafhed their Meat -, or drawn out and taken away the Sewet from that Flefh they zvere about to • e at, foaking it in Water to fuck and draw out the Blood ; or have cut the Nerve sr Gland out of the Leg or Thigh of a Sheep or Goat, or any other Animal \ or have killed Animals by flicking them, and as it were muttering out certain and deter- minate The History of the Inquisition. 115 minate Words, trying firjl of all their Knife upon their Nail, to fee whether it be Jfjarp, or notched* or blunt, afterward covering the Ground with the Blood ; or who have eat Fle/h in Lent, and other Days forbidden by the holy Mother Church, with- out any Neceffity to urge or require it, certainly thinking and believing that they may lawfully eat them, and without Sin; or who have kept the greater and folemnFaft, which they call the Faft of Kemiffion and Indulgence, going that Day without Shoes, and with their Feet naked ; or have prayed after the Manner of the Jews, and at Night have asked Pardon one of another ; or Fathers have laid their Hands on their Childrens Heads, without pronouncing any Words, or giving them any Bleffmg ; or faying, Be ye bleffed by God and us, according as the Law of Mofes direcls, and the Tradition thereof. Or who have kept theFaft of Queen Efther, or the Faft commonly called Rama- dan, upon account of the Lofs and Dejlruclion of the Holy Land and Houfe, or other Fajls of the Jews, within the Week, viz. by abftaining from Meat Monday or Thurfday, till the Evening, when the Stars begin to fhine, and from Flejh during thofe Nights, cutting their Nails and Ends of their Hair $ keeping -all thofe Things, or burning them ; reciting Jewifh Prayers ; lifting up, or bowing down their Heads % turning their Face to the Wall ; and before thefe Things wafhing their Hands in Water or Earth ; putting on Garments of Sackcloth, with twijled Fringes, hanging down at the End of the Girdle, made with little Threads or Thongs of Leather, ^and formed into Tofifels. Or who have celebrated the Paffover of unleavened Bread, beginning this fort of Food with Lettice, Parfley, or other green Herbs -, or have obferved the Paffover of Tabernacles, by fixing up green Boughs, or rich Tapeftry ; Feajling, and ac- cepting each others Invitations to eat and drink together ; or the Paffover of Candles ; lighting up Candles gradually, and one after another, till they come to the Tenth, after which they extinguifh them, and recite Jewifh Prayers onfuch Days. Or if they fay Grace after the Manner of the Jews, drinking Wins made at home, and celebrate what they call the Baraka, i. e. receiving with one Hand a Cup or Vejfel of Wine, and pronouncing over it certain Words ; after which they give a Draught of Wine to all that fit down. Or if they eat Flefh killed or (lain by the Hands of the Jews ; or fit at their Table 5 or tajle their Meats ; or recite the Pfalms of David without the Gloria Patri ; or if they expecl the Meffiah promifed in the Law ; or have faid that the Meffiah promifed in the Law is not yet come, but is to come ; and that they yet expecl him to deliver them from that Bondage, which they fay they are under, and to lead them into the Land of Promife. Or if any Wo- man, after Child-bearing, delays going to the Temple forty Days, according 'to the Rite of the Law of Mofes, and is purified, according to the Ceremony thereof. Or if they circumcife new-born Infants, and give them Jewifh Names, calling them thereby. Or if they havefhaved, or caufed to be Jhaved the Chrifm, or the Parts of thofe newly baptized, which have been anointed with Oil and Chrifm ; or if they have taken a Bafonfull of Water thefeventh Night after the Birth of a Child, throw- ing into it Gold, Silver, Jewels, Wheat, Barley, and the like ; to wa/h the new- born Infant with the faid Water, pronouncing certain Words •> or have recommended their Children either to Witches or Magicians, Or if any have been married after Q^2 'the ji6 The History of the Inquisition. the Jewifh Manner, or have celebrated the Ruaia when they go a Journey *, or if they have born Jewifh Names ; or if at any time they have baked leavened Bread, and taken out the heaven from it, and thrown it into the Fire after the Manner and Rule of a Sacrifice ; or if any one about to die, turns to the Wall to breathe out his Spirit -, or if they wafh any dead Corpfe with warm Water, {having the Hairs un- der his Armpit, and the other hairy Parts of his Body, covering the dead Bo- iy with new Linnen Breeches, and a Shrowd, with a Veil thrown over it, -putting a Pillow under the Head, and fome new or Virgin Earth \ or putting into the Mouth a Piece of Money, or a Jewel, or any Thing elfe. Or have wafh'd with Water the Houfeof a dead Per fon out of the Pitchers and Tubs of the Houfe, and other Houfes of the Neighbours, after the Jewifh Ceremony j eating on the Ground behind the Doors, Fifh and Olives, not Flefh -, in token of Mourning for the Deceafed i not going out of their Houfe for a-whole- Tear, according to the Obfervation of the faid Law -, or if they bury them in new and Virgin Earth, or in the Burial-Place of the Jews \ or if any return and become converted to Judaifin ; or if any one fh all fay that the haw of Mofes is equally holy with that which is given by our Lord and Saviour Jefus Chrift. Or if ye know or have heard that any Men or Women have faid and affirmed that the Seel of Mahomet is good, and that there is no other by which any one can enter into Heaven, and afcend into Paradife -, and that Jefus Chrift is not Cod, but a Prophet -, nor born of our Lady the Virgin Mary, a Virgin before, in and after his Birth ; cr hath done any of the Rites and Ceremonies- of the Mahometan Seft, with an Intention to ohferve and keep them. For Infiance, If they eat Flefh on Fridays- as thd* they were Holydays, or on other Days forbidden by our holy Mother Churchy affirming it to be no Sin, putting on the faid Fridays new and clean Shirts andShifts 9 and other Holiday Garments or Cloaths ; or if they have killed Birds, or cut off the Heads of Cattle, or any Thing elfe, by flicking it with a Knife, leaving the Epiglottis to the Head, and turning the Face to the Alkibla, i. e. towards the Eaft, faying, Vizmila, binding the Feet of Cattle ; or if they abftain from eating of Birds, whofe Heads are not cut off by the Hands of Women, and the Women will not cut off their Heads, becaufe 'tis prohibited them in the Mahometan Seel. Or if they cir- cumcife their Sons giving them Names of the faid Seel, or calling them by the Names of the Moors and Saracens •, they who name them fo, or they who have caufed themfelves to be called by Names belonging to the Agarenes, or when- they are fo called, giving a Sign of Joy •, or who have faid that there are no other in Heaven but God tftfd Mahomet his Meffenger and Legate \ or who have fwom by Alquibla, &r Alayminfula, i.e. according to them by all that is facred ; or who have kept the Faft of Ramadam, by ohferving the Paffover thereof, and giving Alms the fame Day to the Poor, and abflaining from nil, Meat and Drink from Morning to Evening, till the rifing of the Star, and then indulge to Flefh and other Meats ; or who- have celebrated Zohor, rifing before Day-break, and fluffing themfelves with Meat - before y tis light, after this wafhing their Mouths, and returning to Bed ; or have celebrated Guadoc, wafhing their Arms from the Wrift to the Elbow, their Cheeks, Mouths, Nofes, Ears, Legs, and Privy Parts ; or after having done thefe Things kave celebrated Zala, turning the'w Face towards Alquibla, being on a Spartan- Carpet* The History of the Inquisition. 117 Carpet, or Tapeflry, raifing up and bowing down the Neck, pronouncing certain and determinate Arabic k Words, and reciting the Prayer which they call Allanda lu ley and colhua and guohat, and the like Arabick Prayers j eating no Swines Flejh r nor drinking Wine according to the Ride and Obfervalion of the Saracen Seel -, or who have celebrated the Pajfover of the Lamb or Ram, and killed him, making and celebrating firjl of all Guadoc ; or if any have married after the Mahometan Man- ner, andfung the Arabian Songs of Moors, or have celebrated Zambras •, or Le- leylas, with prohibited and forbidden mufical Inflruments, obferving the Jive Precepts and Commands of Mahomet. Or if any one hath tied up for himfelf or his Children, or other Per fons, Lian- cas, i..e. one Hand in Memory of the five Precepts ; or hath wafhed the Dead, buried the Corpje wrapped up in new Linnen, putting it into new, pure, or Virgin Earth ', or who have ordered thefe Things in their hollow Sepulchres, putting a Stone at the Head of it, and putting into the Sepulchres green Boughs, Milk, Honey, and other Meats ; or who have cried out, and called upon Mahomet in all their Events and Actions, Jaying, that he is a Prophet, the Mejfenger of God, and that the firft Temple of God was in Mecca, where they believe Mahomet was buried', or who have faid that they did not receive Baptifm with the Intention and Faith of the holy Mother the Catholick Church ; or who have faid that their Fathers who died in the Mahometan or Jewifh Seel, and that a Saracen or Jew, each tenacious of his own Seel, may be faved\ or if any Perfon hath fed over to the Turks, or Infidels, and denied the Catholick Faith, and departed from it ; or gone to other Parts and- Places without thefe Kingdoms, to profefs the Jewifh or Mahometan Seel ; or have done, held, or faid any other Rites or Ceremonies of the Saracens. Or if you know, or have heard that any Men or Women have faid, held, or belie- ved the falfe and condemned Seel ^/"Martin Luther and his Followers to be true, holy, and approved ', or have believed or approved his other Opinions, by afiferting that Confeffwn to a Prieft is not necejfary ; that 'tis fufficient to confefs to God only ; that the Pope and Priejls have not Power to abfolve Sins ; that in the Hofi there is not truly contained the Body of our Lord Jefus Chriji ; that Saints are not to be invocated \ that Images are to be taken out of Churches ; that there is no Purgatory \ that the v Dead are not to be prayed for ; that good Works are not necejfary ; that Faith only with Baptifm is fufficient to Salvation ', that any one may hear another's Confejfion^ and give the Communion under both Kinds of Bread and Wine \ that the Pope hath no Power to confer Indulgences, Graces, Indults, and Bulls', that the Clergy, Re- ligious, Monks, and Nuns, may contrail Matrimony ; or who have faid that the Religious, Monks, Monafteries, and Ceremonies of Religion ought to be taken away ? or have f aid that God hath not inflituted the Religions, and that a Marriage State is more perf eel than the Religious State ojthe Clergy and Monks ; and that there arena Holidays befides the Lord's Days 5 that 'tis no Sin to eat Flejh on Fridays, Vigils- and Lent ; becaufe eating Flejh is not forbidden and limited to certain Days ; or who- have believed any one or more of the Opinions of M. Luther or his Followers , or fled over to other Provinces to profefs Lutheranifm. Or if you know, or have heard that any Men or Woman, living or dead, have faid or affirmed that the Seel of the Illuminated, or Relicls is approved j particular! y that nS The History of the Inquisition. that menial Prayer is of divine Appointment ; and that all other Duties are fulfilled in it ; and that Prayer is a Sacrament under Accidents ; and that mental Prayer is of great Weight and Ejjicacy, and vocal Prayer of but fin all Moment ; that the Ser- vants of God are not to be difi railed by bodily Exercifes ; that the Prelate, Father, or Superior are not to be obeyed, if they command Things that call Perfons off from Contemplation and mental Prayer •, or if by Words they have derogated from the Sa- crament of Matrimony ; and [aid that no one can get the Secret of Virtue, unlejs he become the Difciple of thofe Mafters who leach the aforefaid perverfe Dotlrine \ and that no one can be faved, who is not taught by fuck Mafters, and generally confefifed to them-, and that certain fecret and inward Ardors, Tremors, Extafies, Shiverings and Faintings, which they undergo, are Signs of a vehement Love towards God ; and that from hence it may be certainly difcerned that they are in a State of Grace, and have the holy Spirit within them ; and that being thus perfetl, they want no other Helps, and ought not to be obliged to laborious Alls •, and that when they attain to a, certain prefixed Term of Perfeclion, the divine EJfence, and the My ft tries of the Tri- nity may be beheld in this Life, and are aclually beheld ; and that the Holy Spirit doth immediately govern thofe who thus live ; and that the internal Motion and In- spiration of the Holy Ghoft is only to be followed in what they do, or refufe to do ; or who fay that when the mofi Holy Hofi, in the Sacrifice of the Mafs, is held out to View, the necejfary Rite and Ceremony, during the Elevation, is to Jhut the Eyes \ or that any Perfons have faid and affirmed, that when they are come to a certain determinate Point of Perfeclion, 'tis a Sin to look on the Images of the Saints, to beprefent at Sermons, pious Conferences, and other Exercifes of the faid Seel, and abfurd Dotlrine. Or if ye know or have heard of any other Herefies, and efpecially thefe. That there is no Paradife, nor heavenly Glory for the Good, nor Hell for the Wicked, but that the Soulperifhes together with the Body, with other heretical Blafphemies, fucb as, I do not believe, but disbelieve, defy and deny our Lord God, the Virgin Purity of our Lady, the Virgin Mary, or the He and She Saints of Heaven. Or who have, or have had familiar Spirits, calling upon them , making Circles, and asking them con- cerning certain Matters, or waiting for their Anfwers, Or whether they have been Fortune-Tellers or Gypfies ; or have made a tacit or exprefs Covenant with the De- vil, mixing facred Tilings with profane, in Confirmation of it ; attributing to the Creature that which belongs to the Creator only ; or that any Perfon, being a Clergy- man, or in holy Orders, or a profeffed Religious, hath contracted Matrimony ; or that any one, not being invefted with the facer dotal Char abler, hath faid or celebra- ted Mafs, or adminifired any Sacrament of our holy Mother the Church. Or that any Confeffor, or Priefts being Confeffors, or Religious or Seculars, of whatfoever State or Dignity, hath enticed the Daughters of Penance in the Acl of Confeffion, or imme- diately after it, by provoking or inducing them, by Deeds or Words, to filthy, carnal and immodeft Ails. Or if any Perfon whatfoever hath married twice, or oftener, the former Wife or Husband being living. Or that any one hath [aid or afferted that fimple Fornication, Ufury or exceffive Inter eft or Perjury, are not mortal Sins ; or that it is better to live in a State of Concubinage than in lawful Wedlock ; or hath d'Jgracefully ujed and done Defpite to the Images of Saints and Croffes , or that any Man The History of the Inquisition. ug Man or Woman hath not believed the Articles of the Catholick Faith , or called any of them into Queftion *, or bathftaid and continued for a Tear or longer under Excommu- nication ; or hath defpifed the Cenfures of our holy Mother the Churchy by faying or doing any Thing agaitijl them. Or if ye know, or have heard cf any Perfons, Men or Women, that under Pre. tence of ' Aflrological Science ', or Looks or AJpetls of the Stars, or by the Lines and Tokens of the Hands, or any fuch Things, do by this Knowledge, Facultv, or any other Way, anfwer or fore t el future Things depending on the Liberty and Free-will of Man, or accidental Things that may co?ne to pafs, or Things already p aft that arefe- cret andfree, faying and affirming that there is a certain Art, Science, and certain Rules whereby to know thefe Things, in order to perfuade People to feek after and confult the aforefaid Diviners concerning the J aid Matters, when, on the contrary, the faid Science is falfe, vain andfuperftitious, and turns to the great Damage and Pre» judice of Religion and the Chriftian Faith. Likewife if ye know, or have heard that any Men or Women have had, or have Books of the Set! and Opinion of Martin Luther, or other Hereticks or the Alcoran of Mahomet, and other Books of the faid Seel, or Bibles in the Spanilh Tongue, or any other Books or Writings condemned and prohibited. by the Cenfures, Catalogues and Edicls of the holy Office of the Inquifition , or any Men or Women who have not fulfilled that to which they were obliged ; or who have omitted to detetl, difcover and fay what they know in thefe Affairs ; or who have faid to, or perfuade d other Perfons not to declare thefe Things, and give Infor- mation to the Inquifitors ; or who have fuborned or corrupted Witneffes to give Evi- dence againfl thofe who have depofedin the Court of the holy Office , or that any Men or Women have depofed and given falfe Witnefs againft others to their Damage and Infamy ; or who have cherifhed, 'received, concealed and hid Hereticks, by giving them Favour and Affiftance, in order to conceal and preferve their Perfons and Ef- fecls ; or who have been any Hindrance by themfelves, or by the Interpofition of other Perfons,. to the free and right Ad?ninift ration of 'the holy Office of the Inquifition^ . their Minifters and Officials, and Family ; or who have taken down, or caufed to be taken down the Habits or Sanbenito's/>w» thofe Places, in which they were put up by the holy Office, or have put up others in their Room ; or that thofe who have been reconciled and enjoin* d Penance by the Office of the holy Inquifition, have not fulfilled the fixed Times of their Imprifonment, or the Penance enjoin' d them , or if they refufed publickly to wear the Habit of Reconciliation , or that any Perfons reconciled publickly or privately, being enjoined the Toke of Penance by the holy Office, have faid or affirmed, that what they confeffed before the holy Office, either of then- f elves or others, was falfe, that they did, and faid it thro* the Influence of Fear, or for any other Reafin , or have revealed the Secret committed and commended to them by the holy Office , or that any Perfons have faid that thofe who were delivered over by the holy Office of the Inquifition, were condemned without any previous Fault, or fuffered as Martyrs , or that any Men or Women reconciled, or the Children or Grandchildren of Perfons condemned for the Crime of Herefy, have admin if red, or do adminifter publick and honourable Offices, which are prohibited them by divine Law, and by the Laws and Pragmaticks cf thefe Kingdoms, and the Inftitutions of the holy Office - 3 or have been promoted to facred Orders 5 or have any Ecclefiafticai oit 120 The History of the Inquisition. or Secular Gift or Dignity ; or the Enfigns of fuch Dignity ; or have worn prohi- bited Things, fucb as Arms, Silk, Gold, Silver, Blood -ftone, Jewels, Corrals, fine Cloth ; or have got on Ilorfsback, or rid as Horfemen v or that there are any Pro- ceffes, Ads, Denunciations, Informations or Proofs concerning the Crimes contained, in" this Edict, in the Hands of any Notary, Attorney, or any other Perfon whatfoever. By Virtue of thefe Prefents therefore we admomjh, exhort and require, and com- viand \ou, and every one of you, in Virtue of your holy Obedience, and under the Pe- nalty of Excommunication, latae fententiae, after three Canonical Admonitions, that if you have known, done, feen or heard any Man or Woman, or Perfons, to have committed, faid, held, or affirmed any of the Things aforefaid and declared, or other Things, whatfoever they be, againft our holy Catholick Faith, and againft what our holy Mother the Catholick Church of Rome holds, teaches and preaches, as well concerning Perfons living, prefent or abfent, as dead, you do, with- out mentioning it to any other Perfon, for thus *tis convenient and becoming, come and appear pcrfonally before us, to declare and manifeft it within fix Days immediately following the Day of the Publication of this our Edift, altho* you may by any Means have had a Part in, or Knowledge of this Matter -, giving you previous Admonition, which we now do, thai after the faid Term is lapfed, and Obedience not paid to the aforefaid, befides that you incur the faid Cenfures and Penalties, we /Jjall proceed againft them who fhall have been found contumacious, difobedient, and 'rebellious, as againft Perfons who fraudulently cover and conceal thefe Things, and who have wrong Sentiments concerning Matters of the hoh Catholick Faith, and the Ecclefiaftical Cenfures, And becaufe the Abfolution of the Crime and Offence of He- re fy is fpe daily refervedtous, we forbid and prohibit, under the aforefaid Penalty, all Confeffors whatfoever, Clergy or Religious, that they do not abfolve any Man or Woman int angled in, or guilty of this Crime, or who have not faid or difcovered to the holy Office whatfoever they have known of thefe Things, or heard others fay, 2~ea, who have not fent it to us, that the Truth being known and found out, evil Men may be punifhed, and good and faithful Chriftians may be known and honoured, and our holy Catholick Faith may be happily fpread. And that all the afore- faid Matters may come to the Knowledge of all, and no one may excufe him- felf by pretending Ignorance, we command them to be publifhed this Day. p e „ na j. In many Places, but efpecially in Spain, 'tis the Cuftom, that when the fart, com Sermon of the Catholick Faith is ended, all promife upon Oath, before the «■• Crucifix and Gofpels, that they will give Favour, Help and Counfel to the Simanc. holy Inquifition, and the Minifters of it j and that they will by no Means di- 'i'"„ 44 ' re&ly or indirect y hinder them. This Oath the Magistrates of Cities muft particularly take, which muft be regiftred amongft the Acts by the Nota- ries of the Inquifition, i Inftrucl. Hifpal. cap. i, 2. This Oath the Inquifitor may force them to take, and will do it when he chinks fit. In all other Ca- fes he muft follow the received Cuftom of the City, where he is, to prevent, Innovations, an ! that there may be no Hindrance in this Caufe. The Form of the Oath they are obliged to take is this. We the Viceroy, or Pretor, &c. of fuch a Province, or City, or Place ; and fucb Confuls or Jurats of fuch a City, &c. at the Requeft and Admonition of the Reverend Lord Inqu'fetor, Doclor or Licentiate N. as true, faithful and obedient to the holy Church The History of the Inquisition. !2i Church of God, dopromife and [wear by thefe holy four Gofpels placed before «j and by us corporally touched, that we will hold, and caufe to be held, obferve, and order to be obferved, the Faith of our Lord Jefus Chrijl, and of the holy Roman Church and defend it to our utmofl againfi all Perfons -, alfo that we will profecute and ap- prebend, or caufe to be apprehended, whenfoever we can, Hereticks, their Belie- vers, Favourers and Receivers, and their Defenders, and thofc who are defamed or fufpecledof Herefy, and we will accufe and denounce them to the Church or Inquifi- tors, when we know them to be any where, or any one of them, efpecially when we /hall be required hereto. Likewife that we will not grant Ballives, Saionies *, or any publick Offices, of any Na?ne whatfoever, to any one of the aforefaid pernicious Perfons, or to fuch as are fufpecled or defamed of Herefy, nor to any other Per [on who /hall have been judged unworthy of it upon account of Herefy, or otherwife pro- hibited by the Inquifitors or the Law, from enjoying publick Offices ; nor will we per- mit them to enjoy the aforefaid, or to hold publick Offices. Likewife that we will re- ceive none of the aforefaid Perfons, nor entertain them knowingly in our Family , Converfation, Service or Counfel. And if the contrary Jhould happen, thro' Igno- rance, ive will immediately expel them, after itfhall come to our Knowledge by the Church, or Inquifitors of heretical Pravity, or their Commiffaries : And that in thefe Things and all others which belong to the Office of the Inquifition of heretical Pra- vity, we will be obedient to God, and the Church of Rome, and the Inquifitors of the faid heretical Pravity, according to our Duty and Ability. So help us God, and thefe holy Gofpels of God, upon which wefwear, and which we touch with our own Hands. This Form of Swearing was drawn from the Conftitution of the Emperor Frederickll. publifhed at Padua, Feb. 22. 1239. Inditl. 12. and is annexed to it, with four other Conftitutions of the fame Day, of which mention is made in the firft Book, which were afterwards inferted in the Refcripts of feveral Popes. After the Sentence of Excommunication is read, the Inquifitor explains it Direff* more diftinclly, and reduces it to feveral Heads. Then he publifhes an In-p.3-n.Ut dulgence of forty Days to all who come to his Sermon, and promifes, in the 5 5- Name of the Pope, Indulgent for three Years, to all who give him Counfel or Favour in his Office of reducing Hereticks. He alfo adds three other Years of Indulgences to thofe who difcover to him any Heretick, or Perfon defamed for Herefy, or fufpe&ed, or who in any other Cafe bear true Witnefs before him in a Caufe of Faith, according to the Privilege oWrban IV. Finally, he affigns a Time of Grace to all Hereticks, and their Favou- 56. rers, and Perfons fufpe&ed of Herefy, viz. the entire Month following, and promifes, that if within that Space they come to him freely, or not admo- mfh'd, by Name, and don't wait till they are denounced, accufed or appre- hended, and voluntarily difcover their Guilt, and ask Pardon, they fhall ob- tain large Pardon and Mercy, viz. Freedom from Death, Imprifonment, Banifhment, and Confifcation of Effects, according to the Determination of the Council of Biterre, cap. 2. Farther, do you command that all, who know them- /elves or others to have offended in the Crime of heretical Pravity, do appear before * Sallivit and Saionid are a fore of Melfengers attending on Princes and Magiflratcs. R fit 122 The History of the Inquisition.' you to /peak the Truth, affigning them a competent Term, which you ufually call the Time of Grace, who otherwise would not have hadfuch Grace /hewn them. Andfuch who appear within this Term, and are penitent, and [peak the whole Truth of them- felves and others, let them be free from the Punifhment of Death, Imprifonment, Ba- nijhment, and Confifcation of Effects. However, this Power of granting Par- fegna, don j s allowed the Inquifitors only when they are fent to a City or Diocefe, in Com. 12. wn j cn the Inquifition is firft erected. Inftrucl. Hifpal. A. 1484. cap. 1, 2, 3. but not when upon the Death or Removal of an Inquifitor, another is put into his Place. In Spain alfo the Letters Patent of fuch Grace muft be inferted in the Edict. CHAP. III. Of the Obligation to denounce every Heretick A? /&?Inqjiisitor$; TH E Publication of the Edict of Faith is repeated every Year, and all are obliged, under Penalty of Excommunication, to be prefent at the publifhing of it, and at the general Sermon concerning the Faith, unlefs they are prevented by Sicknefs, Age, or any other Hindrance, and can make a legal Excufe. The Oath which all Perfons, not only private, but Magiftrates, are com- pelled by the Inquifitors to take, obliges them not to obftruct the Office of the Inquifition, either directly or indirectly. Such are believed to obftruct it indirectly, who do not reveal the Truth they know, i. e> do not accufe to the Inquifitor every one they know to be an Heretick, or fufpected of He- refy. So that in Spain they are doubly obliged to accufe to the Inquifitor every Heretick, firft under Penalty of Excommunication, which they incur if they are wanting in their Duty; and fecondly, by their own Oath. In order therefore to excite all Perfons to turn Accufers, the Popifh Doctors lay the greateft Strefs they can upon this Obligation to accufe, >; Zan- Camillus Campegius, after laying together the Teftimonies of feveral Doctors, »hin. teaches, that every one is obliged to accufe and tettify, and that according M3« d - to Cajetan, he is bound to it as necefiary to Salvation •, if there be no other way of preventing the general Danger but by this Method, and then con- cludes in thefe Words : Thefe Things ought fo to excite every faithful and Catbo- lick Perfon, as to engage them willingly to accufe or denounce and bear Witnejs, for the common Good of the Chriftian Religion, without the Admonition, Citation or Pu- nifhment of the Judge. Tho* this ought to be obferved in all Cafes, yet it ought to be., done with greater Ardency in the Affair of the Chriftian Faith, fince hereby we not only avoid the moft fevere Punifhments, but fecure incomparable Rewards, thro* the Bounty of the fupream God^ and the Favour of his holy Church. Nor The History of the Inquisition. itj Nor is there any Regard to Kindred in this Affair. For the Brother is bound under the fame Penalty to accufe his Brother, yea, the Wife her Huf- band, and the Husband his Wife, if guilty, or fufpected of Herefy. PegnaDmB. however thinks, that the Wife is to be excufed, if fhe doth not accufe her/w. *.' Hufband for eating Flefh on prohibited Days ; if the Hufband be a terrible com >7%' Fellow, and fhe is afraid of ill Ufage from him. In all other Cafes he thinks the Wife is obliged to accufe her Hufband. [Ludovicus a Paramo tells us, that Lewis de Carvajal, altho' Governor and /. a. #. t t Captain General of the Province of Tampico and Pamico, was forced to walk c - Zl - out in publick Penance, becaufe he did not denounce four Women, who"* 1 ^ were fecretly Jews, and to whom he was Uncle ; and that tho' a little be- fore he had the honourable Title of Prefident, he was forced to hear his ignominious Sentence publickly, was for ever deprived of all Offices underthe King, reduced to the loweft Mifery, and thro' Grief and Wearinefs of hl§ Life, foon went the W^ay of all Flefn.] 'Tis difputed amongft the Popifh Doctors, whether a Son be obliged toSimanc. accufe his Father, who is a fecret Heretick, or at leaft to difcover him to^ e Cathoi. the Judges. The general Opinion is, that he is obliged to it. But others Ifl ^' ut ' think differently, becaufe there is no Law, natural, divine, or human, that^ r lays fuch a Burthen on the Shoulders of Children. And yet even fuch who are of this Opinion, confefs the Son may do it, efpecially if the Father be incorrigible. Yea, think fuch a Son ought to be commended who conquers his natural Love, and overcomes this moft ftrong Affection, from an ardenc Love to divine Religion. He muft however try every Method before he ac- cufes his Father to the Judge. But yet they teach, that there are two Cafes in which the Son is obliged to betray his heretical Father to the Judges, The firft, when the Son is legally interrogated by the Apoflolick Inquifitors j the fecond, when the Father's Herefy is dangerous to the Common-wealth. Pegna however affirms, that the Son ought to accufe and denounce before in EymerJ the Inquifitors, his Father, whom he knows to be an Heretick. The Re-/"*"- *• ward of fuch Accufation is, that the Son who thus acts, is freed from the"""' **• Penalties ordained againft the Children of Hereticks, according to the Law of the Emperor Frederick Nor do we think proper to exclude from the Bounds of Mercy fuch, who not following the Herefy of their Fathers, Jhall difcover their fecret Wickednefs ; fo that in what manner foever the Father's Guilt be punifad^ let not the Innocence of their Children be fubjetl to the aforefaid Punifhment. Carena adds, that not only an heretical Father, but even one only fufpected of Herefy, muft be accufed by the Son to the Inquifitors, becaufe the fame Reafons hold good as to Hereticks, and thofe fufpected of Herefy. An Heretick alfo reformed, according to Royas, ought neceMirily to be Arf/ 2 . accufed before the Inquifitors of the Faith ; becaufe they often feign them- Ajj'ert. 3, felves to be corrected and amended, and in the mean while infect with their Doctrine unwary Catholicks, And altho' fuch Hereticks fhould be really reformed, 'tis neverthelefs ufeful and neceffary to accufe them, that the In- quifitors of the Faith may interrogate them from what Mafters they learnt R 2 their 124. The History of the Inquisition. their Errors •, what Difciples they taught before their Converfion ; or if any of their Friends and Acquaintance have been corrupted by their perverfe Do- ctrine. He faith this may be gathered from the Madrid Inftruction, A. 1561. c. 53. in fin. Ll ?t And from this Obligation to accufe, no one is freed, of whatfoever Order 9 *' *' and Dignity they may be. For the Edict of Faith obliges all. So that they will have neither Princes nor Kings themfelves exempted. Ludovicus a Pa- ramo proves this by a famous Inftance. Joan the Daughter of the Emperor Charles V. was cited by the Inquifitorsto be interrogated before them, againft a certain Perfon concerning fome Things relating to the Faith. She confult- ed her Father, who advifed her to make her Depofition without any Delay, Jeafl fhe ihould incur Excommunication, not only againft others, but even againft himfelf, if fhe knew him to be blameable in the leaft Matter. Joan obeyed this Command of her Father, and immediately depofed before Fer- dinand Valdez, Arch-Bifhop of Seville ■, at that Time Bifhop and Inquifito: General. CHAP. IV. Offuch who voluntarily appear, and the Grace Jhewn them, Simanc. v i. vea ^ to thelnquificor certain Matters relating to the Faith, fuch * De- nunciations muft be received judicially. If fo great a Number appear, that the Denunciation of all cannot be taken judicially, the Inquiflror muft provide himfelf with a diftinct Book in every Diocefe, to write down in it all the De- nunciations brought to him, the Names of the Denouncers and Witneffes, and the Town and Place where they dwell ; which Book he keeps privately to himfelf, that the Names of the Denouncers may not be difcovered, and they thereby come into any Danger. 6<. When the Time of Grace is elapfed, the Inquifitor muft carefully examine the Informations, viz. which have the greater Appearance of Truth, and which Crimes are more heinous and prejudicial to the Faith. "Where this appears he begins to make Inquifition, by citing the Informer, giving him his Oath, and taking the beft Information from him that he can. If he finds no Appearance of Truth, he over-rules it, but however muft not cancel the Information out of his Book, becaufe what may not be difcovered at one time, may at another. If he finds an Appearance of Truth, he makes farther Inquifition. Now there are three Ways of Proceeding and beginning the Procefs. Firft, Simanc by Accufation, which muft be preceded by -f Infcription. Secondly, by Denun- *' l 9-§- 16 ' ciation, which muft be preceded by a charitative Admonition. But 'tis now the Cuftom in Spain, that Hereticks, altho' concealed, muft be immediately difco- vered to the Judges, without any brotherly Correction. So that thofe who, under pretence of brotherly Correction, do not difcover fecret Hereticks to the In- quifitors, and thofe who advife them not to do it, are punifhed as Concealers of flereticks, and as Hinderers of the Office of the holy Inquifition. Thirdly, Pcgna in by Inquifition, which muft be preceded by notorious Sufpicion. This Inqui- Direft. fnion is either General or Special. The General is whenfoever the Inquifitors t' ? * g vifit their Province, or when being newly created, they go to the Provinces decreed to them, and begin to exercife their Inquifitory Office. For then they publifh general Edicts, to enquire out fecret and uncertain Hereticks, for the Exercife of which there is no Need of preceding Infamy. But the In- quifitors are obliged, ex officio, thus to act at certain ftated Times. * There is this Difference between a Denunciation and an Accufation. A Denunciation doth not difable the l'crfon that makes it to be a Witnefs, as an Accufation doth. f Infcription is a certain Iniirumcnt, by which the Accuflr, if he fails in his Prcof, binds him- felf to undergo the fame Punilkmcnt, which the accufed l'erfon mufr, if the Crime he is accufed ef be fully pi ovtd. In The History of the Inquisition. 129 In feveral Inquifitions 'tis cuftomary to publifh fuch Edicts for the Difcove-Pcgna, ry of Hereticks every Year, the fecond Sunday in Lent, in the Cathedral^"*' Ire ?- Church during the Celebration of Mafs, and therefore on that Day there is no 7 ' lmC ' lc ' Sermon, that all may more attentively regard the Things contained in that *" "' ^ Edict of the Faith. This Method of Inquifition is prefcribed by the Coun- cil of Tholoufe, cap. 2. We ordain that the Arch- Bifhops f hall oblige by Oath one Prieft, and two or three, or more, if Need be, of the Laity, of good Reputation, in every Parijh, as well in Cities as out of them, who may diligently, faithfully and frequently inquire out Hereticks in the faid Parifhes, by fearching every Houfe, and under-ground Rooms that are remarkably fufpicwus, and all Buildings leaning upon and joining to fuch Buildings, and any other hiding Places, all which we command to be dejlroyed ; and that if they find any Hereticks, their Believers, Favourers and Receivers, or Defenders, they /ball take fpecial Care that they do not efcape ; and they /hall difcover them to the Arch-Bifhop or Bifhop, or Lords of fuch Pla- ces, or to their Ballives, with all Speed, that they may fuffer the deferved Puni/b- ment. Let alfo Juch Abbots as are exempt do the fame in fuch Places which are not fubjeel by Diocefan Right to the Ordinaries. Let alfo all Lords of Places be careful to inquire out Hereticks in their Villages, Houfes and Woods, and to deflroy fuch ad- joining Buildings and under-ground hiding Places. A fpecial Inquifition is a certain Right of proceeding by Office to Con- demnation and Punifhment againft certain Perfons inquifited by Name, defa- med for particular Crimes, to which the Judge cannot proceed without pre- ceding Infamy, which fupplies the Place of an Accufer. However, in the Crime of Herefy, the Inquifitor may act upon Signs and probable Suspicions, where there is no preceding Infamy, and even where he is not fure of the Bo- dy of the Offence, becaufe Herefy is a Crime that leaves no Traces after it. But in this Cafe he muft proceed cautioufly, and very privately, that no Per- fon's Reputation and Honour may be injured. Butofthefe three Methods of Proceeding, the firft, by way of Accufa- f. '£ n. 6. tion, is not ufed ; the fecond, by Formation, altho' common and ufual, yet feems rather to be the Beginning than the Completion of the whole Pro- cefs ; becaufe upon Information given againft thofe who are guilty of High Treafon againft the Divine Majefty, to the Judges of the Faith, they begin to inquire and to proceed, and in this whole Affair the Inquifition claims to it felf what is otherwife done chiefly by WitneiTes. And therefore the Judges are called Inquifitors, and the Tribunal and Minifters are faid to be of the Office of the molt holy Inquifition, from this third Method of Proceeding by Inquifition. Vol. II. S CHAP. ijo The History of the Inquisition, W CHAP. VI. How the Procefs begins by way o/'Inqjjisition. HEN the Procefs is made by Inquifition, he who goes to the Inquifi- tor fays, that he doth not appear as an Accufer or Denouncer, but only relates to him that there is fuch a Report, and that it hath frequently come to the Ears of the Inquifitor from grave and reputable Perfons, that fuch a one hath done or faid fome Things againft the Faith, and the publick Report plainly difcovers the common Insinuation. And by this Means the Procefs is carried on. 2,; w #. Then the Inquifitor caufes certain WitneiTes to be cited, efpecially grave and />. 3.V.79. reputable Perfons, and in the Prefence of a Notary, and two Religious, or otherwife reputable Perfons, inquires of them only concerning the Report. Whether 'tis the common Report of fuch a one, that he did or faid fuch Things againft the Faith ? How they know there was fuch a Report ? How long fuch Report hath been ? "Whether they know fuch Perfon to be defamed ? "Whether they know whence the Report arofe ? Whether from ill difpofed Perfons or others ? And the like. This is the Command of Innocent, Cap. Qualiter & quando, de Accufat. Hence we may gather how Infamy is proved. For the Witnefs muft fay, that the Perfon under Confideration is defamed of fuch a Crime. And when 'tis inquired of him, in whofe Account he is infamous, he muft anfwer with fuch and fuch ; and unlefs he affignsthem, he doth not appear to give a good Reafon of what he fays. Befides, it can't be known whether they are ferious or ill difpofed People. Brunusrfe When the Report is thus proved, the Inquifitor proceeds to inquire out i>*ret. the Truth of the Affair. For this Purpofe he caufes the Witneffes to be ci- /. 4. c 7. te( 3 } anc j e fp e cially fuch as have been intimate with the Perfon accufed, and *' I0, other reputable Men, and zealous for the Faith ; and after giving them their Oath, he inquires of them, not concerning the Report, but the Thing it felf, in Prefence of the Notaries, and two religious or reputable Perfons. After this he proceeds to draw out a Confefllon from the Criminal himfelf. And firft he goes to the Place of the Inquifition, where, when the Crimi- nal appears before him, he tells him that he is excited and moved by the Fame and frequent Reports, that he the Criminal appearing and ftanding before him, hath taught, written, or publickly declared certain Things againft the Truth of the Catholick Faith, or that he hath believed and fa- voured fuch who teach thefe Things, or received or defended them. That therefore he, according to his Office, cannot diffemble that there is fuch a. Report •, however, that he will not condemn him, till thefe Crimes are legal- ly and plainly pioved before him. If The History of the Inquisition. im If the Criminal be not defamed of the Crimes laid in the Articles of the Inquifition, and he makes this Exception, the Promoter Fifcal and the De- nouncer muft neceffarily prove the Defamation. If this cannot be done, the Criminal is abfolved from all farther ConcernBrun. he muft S ive hls Accufation in Writing, which muft be written by the Notary, in order to begin the Procefs. But others contend, that in the Crime of Herefy 'tis not neceffary that a Perfon mould oblige himfelf to the Law of Retaliation. And as they now feldom admit the Perfon of an Accufer, they have conftituted a publick. Minifter, whom they call the Fifcal, who fuftains the Perfon of the Accufer, and accufes the Criminals, who doth not oblige himfelf to the Punifhment of Retaliation, nor any others which falfe Accu- fers ufually fuffer. ?i. Formerly, when the Procefs was carried on at the Inftance of the Accufer^ after the Accufation was made before the Inquifitor, the Inquifitor command^ ed the Accufer to produce the Names of his Witneffes, who being cited by the Inquifitor, areftri&ly examined upon Oath. If what they depofe doth no- thing concern the Fact, the Inquifitor muft advife the Accufer, to withdraw the Word Accufation, and put in the Room of it Denunciation, that fo the Inquifitor may proceed Ex officio, and not at the Inftance of the Party, be^ caufe fo very dangerous to the Accufer. But if the Proof of the Witneffes be full, the Inquifitor produces them, and giving them their Oaths upon the four Gofpels to declare the Truth, which he can oblige them to take if they refufeit, ftriftly examines them in a judicial Manner before the Notary and two religious Perfons, or otherwife reputable. Then he interrogates them con- 7*< The History of the Inquisition. j^ concerning fundry Things, as, Whether they know fuch a one ? As to the Occafion and Time of their knowing him ? Concerning his Character ? Whe- ther they have feen, or heard him fay, or do any Thing againft the Faith and what that was ? Where they faw him, how often, and who prefent? In what manner he faid thofe Things, whether in Jeft, or by way of Recital or whether with a deliberate Mind, and by way of AfTertion ? And finally* whether they depofe thefe Things thro' Hatred or Rancour ? Or whether they omit any Thing thro' Love or Favour ? The Anfwers of the WitnefTes to all thefe Queftions are taken down by the Notary. Thefe Interrogatories of the WitnefTes may be oftentimes repeated at the Pleafure of the Jnquifitors thac what was omitted in the former Interrogatories may be fuppJied. e H A P. VIII. How the Process begins by Denunciation. mier. c. i, BU T if the Accufer fays, as is commonly the Cafe, that he will not ac- Eyr.„. cufe, but denounce ; and that he doth this thro' Fear of incurring the*. 3~*$k Penalty of Excommunication, ordered by the Inquifitor fordifcovering Things pertaining to the Faith within the prefcribed Term, then, the Inquifitor pre- pares himfelf to make Inquifition. And becaufe this is the ordinary and moll generally ufed Method of the Inquifition, I will defcribe it more largely and diftinctly, that hereby the whole Method cf making Inquifition may be more fully underflood. When the Denouncer, who is alfo called the appearing Witnefs, comes toPegna, the Bifhops or Inquisitors, before the Notary takes his Denunciation in a ju-*™*- Ir,r * ridical Manner, he is ufually asked, what he hath co propofe ? that they may l z ' " know, whether what he is determined to denounce belongs to the holy Office. Becaufe fometimes Country ignorant People, or thofe who are troubled with Scruples, bring fuch Matters before them, the Cognifance of which doth not belong to the Inquifitors. When they find that the Crime brought before them iscognifable by the holy Office, they make the Denouncer i'wear that he will relate the Truth. After this the Notary receives the whole Denunci- ation before the Bifhop or Inquifitor, or their Vicar, taking down the Denun- ciation, or the Report of the Denouncer in the firft Perfon. And that there may no Doubt arife as to the Validity of the Oath, to fpoil the Credit of the Denunciation, as the Inquifitor doth not only take an Oath from the Denoun- cer, or Witnefs voluntarily appearing, but alfo from the Witnefs who is cited, upon the holy Scriptures touched with their Hands, fo 'tis farther requifite, that the Notary mould write at length, that fuch a one took his Oath tout the Scriptures, and not only write down, touching with an &c. that there may be no Difficulty in defending fuch Ads upon account of this Defect. The 12^, The History of the Inquisition. "op. 1. The Oath being taken, the Denouncer is interrogated concerning various Things by the Inquifitor. " Firft, if he be not a well known Perfon, he is " interrogated concerning his own Name, Surname, Country, Employment, " and Place of Abode. Then, how long he hath known N. againft whom et he denounces? Likewife how he came to know him ? Again, whether he " obferved that the aforefaid N. was fufpected of Matters relating to the " Faith from his Words, or his Actions ? Likewife, how often he had feen the " faid N. do or fay thofe Things for which he thought him an Heretick, or . 3. com, «ven threatned to kill the Kinfman of that Perfon againft whom he would 116, bear Witnefs, if he hath laid Snares for his Life, or accufed him of a Crime, which, if proved, would be puniflied with Death, Lofs of a Member, Ba- nifhment, or the Forfeiture of all, or the greateft Part of his Eflate. To thefe Pegna adds fome other Things, which, however, are not determined by ibid. that Law, viz. if any one depofes againft him in a criminal Caufe ; or if the Party accufed hath at any time put his Accufer in Chains ; or even if he hath fpoken very reproachfully of him, viz. if he hath called him Cuckold, or his Wife a Whore ; or called a fobcr Man a Drunkard, fcfr. In thefe Cafes» however, he fays the Circumftances of the Perfons, reproaching each other, mould be confidered •, as whether they are vile and infamous Perfons, who have little Regard to their Honour, and are given to reproachful Language, and fo eafily forget what they fay •, or whether they are noble, and well born : Befides this, the Cuftom of the Provinces and Cities are alio to be re- garded. Farther, he fays that mortal Enmity may arife from one Man's Vol. II. T keeping 128 The History of the Inquisition. keeping another's Wife, contrary to his Confent and Demand, or his Sifter, or any other Women related to him, the very Attempt upon whofe Chaftity is an Injury to him. Or if any one goes to Law with another concerning his Condition, to prove him only a Freedman, not Free-born, or about his Eftate, or greatelt Part of it, or for a large Sum of Money, or for robbing him of, or deftroying a Thing of great Value, or when any one injures another in his Perfon or Effects. Farther, he cannot be a Witnefs, if having been an Enemy a long while he is newly reconciled, or who defcends from a mortal E- nemy ; nor one who lives with another's Enemies, or contracts Friendship with them. Finally, nor they who are of a Family or Faction contrary to another Family or Faction. However, if the Witnefles are Perfons of tried Virtue and Probity, they would not be liable to fuch a bad Sufpicion. This Suf- picion alfo ceafes, when the Enmity is procured by Fraud and Deceit, and with this View, to prevent any one's being a Witnefs •, or when there hath been a long and well-grounded Reconciliation between the Perfons who were Enemies, as to which, 'tis left to the Pleafure of the Judge to determine. And becaufe the Names of the Witnefles are not difcovered to the Perfon accufed, as fhall be fully fhewn hereafter, becaufe of the Danger that might accrue to them, the Inquifitors are ordered to enquire concerning the Enmity of the Witnefles, and to fearch out if there are any Caufes, from which it may be probably gathered that there is mortal Enmity between the Criminal and them, the whole of which is left to the Prudence and Pleafure of the Inquifitor. But if an Enemy be reconciled, he may be a Witnefs, provided the Recon- ciliation be not new, but of long ftanding. Whether it be one or the other, the Inquifitor is to determine. Lucem. Here they enquire, whether Credit is to be given to a Witnefs, who fays inq.?nvoc.}\t is the Enemy of that Perfon againft whom he is interrogated ? And they Teftes. ufually anfwer with this Diftinction. Either the Witnefs fays he is his Enemy $" ** before he fwore, or was produced as a Witnefs ; and thus he is prefumed to have faid it fraudulently, and mufl therefore be received ; but if it doth not ap- pear that he faid it fraudulently, he muft not be received, efpecially if it be mortal Enmity. But if it be not, or there be any Doubt about it, the Judge muft not defift for the bear Affirmation of fuch Witnefs, but muft enquire into the Nature of the Enmity, becaufe, as was faid before, every fort of En- mity doth not difable a Perfon to be a Witnefs. But if he declares himfelf a mortal Enemy, he muft not be received. But if the Enmity is not mortal, he muft be allowed, and the Judge muft determine what Credit is to be given to him. Or he declares himfelf an Enemy after he is fworn, but before he depo- fes, and then he is not to be credited ; or after he hath fworn and made Depofition; and if he declares himfelf an Enemy immediately after he hath finifhed his Depofition, he is credited as to the general Interrogatories ; but if he declares himfelf an Enemy fome Diftance of Time after, he is not regarded, but his former Depofition muft be abided by. Pe2na?« B ut except thefe mortal Enmities, almoft all kind of Perfons may be ad- p. i. «OT.mitted as Witnefles by the Inquifitor. Firft, Perfons excommunicated, and 115. guilty The History of the Inquisition. 129 guilty of the fame Crime, Cap. In Fidei favorem, de hasret. lib. 6. We grant in Favour of the Faith, that in the Affair of the Inquifition of heretical Pravity, Perfons excommunicated, and Partakers, and Perfons guilty of the fame Crime, Jhall be admitted to bear Witnefs, ejpecially when there is a Deficiency of other Proofs againjl Hereticks, their Believers, Favourers, Receivers, and Defenders, if it may be pre fumed from probable Conjetlures, and the Number of Witneffes, or Quality of the Perfons, as well thofe who depofe, as thofe who are depofed againjl, that fuch Witnef- fes do not fpeakfalfely. In this the Council of Biterre agrees, Cap. 12. Altbo' in this Crime all Criminals and infamous Per Jons, and thofe who are Partakers of their Guilt, may be admitted as Accufers and Witneffes. The Decree of Alexander IV. is to the lame Purpofe, An. 1261. Feb. 1. beginning, Confulv.it nos. Next to Perfons excommunicated are joined Hereticks, Jews, and Infidels, Pcgna, ih. who, in the Crime of Herefy, are admitted as Witneffes againft Hereticks. ««•»• II 7- But becaufe'tis provided by the Laws, that Hereticks fhall not be admitted as WitnefTes, an Heretick is not allowed as a Witnefs for one of the Faithful. But if an Heretick, whether in Prifon or elfewhere, charges one of the Faith- ful, or one who is efteemed as fuch, with the Crime of Herefy, or as a Par- taker of his Crime, tho' this doth not amount to half Proof, fo as to occafion his being apprehended, yet it is Difcovery enough to proceed to a fecret Inqui- fition againft him. But, as was faid, the Teftimony of an Heretick againft an Heretick, is admitted, but not for an Heretick. They affirm the fame of a Jew and an Infidel, who, when they are admitted as WitnelTes, muft not fwear upon the Gofpels as Chriftians do, but according to their own Laws. In like manner the Teftimony of a Wife, Sons and Daughters, or Dome- flicks, againft Perfons accufed of Herefy, is allowed, but by no Means in their Favour and Behalf. C. Filii, de hasret. Jib. 6. The Reafon SimancasTU.64; gives, why Kindred are admitted as Witneffes againft Kindred, is, becaufe $• 47- they can't poffibly be fufpected. Yea, fome add, that when other Proofs Ca [ ena » are wanting, the Judge may compel not only a Brother, but even a Wife, or^J' x /' . Son, to witnefs againft a Father. Servants alfo may be tortured againft their Mafters. Even perjured Perfons, who having taken an Oath before the Inqui- fitors to fpeak the Truth, have forfworn themfelves by concealing it, and would afterwards correal themfelves, and fwear back again againft themfelves and others, are to be admitted, if it plainly appears that they aft not from Levity of Mind, nor the Inftigation of Enmity, nor from being corrupted by Money, but from their Zeal for the Orthodox Faith, and that on this Account they would difcover in Favour of the Faith what they had concealed before, according as Alexander IV. hath decreed, and as may- be found in the VI. of the Decretals. And altho' perjured Perfons are not allowed as Witneffes even after Repentance, yet 'tis quite different in a Caufe of the Faith; and the Dodors obferve, that fuch a one's fecond Depofition muft be flood to, when hereby he difcovers the Crime of Herefy. But if when he takes his fecond Oath, he denies what he depofed concerning He- refy when he took his firft, the firft Depofition muft be flood to, and not T 2 the 140 The History of the Inquisition» the fecond •, for which they give this Reafon, becaufe he may have fpokerr with the Criminal, and fo is prefumed to be corrupted and fuborned, and therefore his firft Depofition {lands firm. Carena, Farther, infamous Perfons may be admitted as WitnefTes in this Tribunal, p. 3. *■ 5- fuch as Whores and Bawds, when they teftify of Things done in the Bawdy- §. 12. Houfe. Such alfo as are under the Ban, whom rhe Inquifitors may cite be- fore their Tribunal, and grant a fafe Conduct, that they may be examined aa "WitnefTes in the Tribunal of the Inquifition, altho' the fecular Prince hath put them under the Ban, becaufe the Inquifitor is greater than any fupream, fecular Judge, and may proceed in Caufes of the Faith freely, and without: any Impediment whatfoever of Law or Fact. Ufurers alfo, Baftards, com- mon Blafphemers, common Gamefters, Perfons quite drunk, and not only ex- hilarated by Wine, Stage- Players, and Prize Fighters, Apoftates from Re* ligion, Perfons baftinadoed, Bankrupts, Traitors, Backbiters and Spendthrifts. But they add, that thefe are not WitnefTes above all Exception, and that they a- mount only to half Proof ; that they may be admitted to prove Herefy, and the fubftantial Circumftances that prove it, fuch as Familiarity with Hereticks, fecret Conventicles, and the like, but not the external Circumftances necefTary to it, Baptifm for Inftance, which is pre-requifue in the Cafe of Herefy. Befides the Number of WitnefTes may make good their Incapacity, though every one fingly mould be incapable of being a Witnefs, yea if the Number be large, 'tis fufficient to inflict the ordinary Punifhment. This Number they fix, and fay that four are fufficient to condemn the Criminal to the or- dinary Punifhment. Others leave it to the Inquifitor to determine the Number. Xucern. Here 'tis to be obferved, that a Witnefs, whatfoever he is, faying one iricj.in voce Thing out of the Trial, is not allowed to fay the contrary in the Trial, fo that they ftand to what he firft fays, unlefs 'tis to be prefumed that he fpoke fraudulently. As if a Witnefs of mean Fortune fhould fay in the Prefence of fome great Perfon fomewhat in his Favour, and afterwards ihould fay upon Oath the contrary, what he firft fays muftnot ftandgood, becaufe 'tis prefumed he faid it to pleafe the Party, but what he afterwards fays at the Trial muft be allowed, becaufe 'tis fuppofed he fpeaks Truch through Fear of his Oath. 'Tis otherwife where there is no fuch Preemp- tion. Teftes C HA?. The History of the Inquisition". 141 CHAP. X. Of the Number of the Wi tnesses. S to the Number of the WitnefTes, 'tis generally believed that two Wit- E vnicr. fons, andthofe guilty of the fame Crimes, are not abfolutely rejected from/i*. 64. being WitnefTes againft Hereticks, their Defenders, Receivers, and all other 5- 36. fufpedted Perfons, yet full Credit is not to be given to them, unlefs it appears that they fpeak Truth, from probable Conjectures, the Number and Qua- lity of the Perfons, and other Circumftances. C. In Fidci favcrem. de h;cret lib. 6. The Informer or Denouncer is now alfo reckoned amongfl the WitnefTes. Simanc. For altho' no Man can be Accufer and Witnefs in the fame Caufe, yet he who'- r 9- §-17* difcovers an Heretick to the Judges is a legal Witnefs. For, as they fay, &,/,6 4^ fucha Witnefs is not influenced by any private Advantage, but by a Zeal for ^ 5 * the mofl holy Religion, and for the publick Benefit of the Catholick Church, and with a View to the Amendment of the Heretick. Nor can he have any private Intereft to difcover an Heretick, but only as being of the Number of the Chriftian People, in which Cafe they affirm the Teftimony of the Infor- mer to be compleat. Several fingle and entirely different WitnefTes have no more Weight than§. 6, r one Witnefs. There are fome who fay that a Man may be proved to be an Heretick by §. 68,- fmgle WitnefTes, as if one mould witnefs againft him for one Herefy, another for another, and others likewife for other Herefies. In fuch a Cafe they af- fert it will be proved in general, that the Man is an Heretick. But as par- J. 70. ticular Herefy can't be proved by fingle and feparate WitnefTes, fo neither can it be proved that any one is an Heretick in general by the fame WitnefTes ; for by the fame way it might be proved that a Man was a Catamite in gene- §. 73, ral, upon which Occafion Simancas gives us a pleafant Story. A certain Per- fon, a Year ago, cried out, andfaid, it was proved in general by fingle Wit- nefTes, that fuch a one was a Catamite. I remember, fays he, I anfwered, if this wicked Crime is proved in general, let the Punimment likewife be in- fli&edin general. Let the Individual be fafe, and, if you pleafe, let the Cata- mite in general be burnt. Yet there are two Cafes, in which Herefy may be proved, by fingle Wit-f, 7 •;,- nefTes. The firft is, when the WitnefTes teftify of the fame Species of Here- fy, but are different as to the Place and Time. For they agree in the Proof of the fame Herefy, whereas the Place and Time are quite foreign Tilings, and are notneceffary Circumftances to the Proof of Herefy, The fecond is, 0; :; . when i^3 The History of the Inquisition. when fingle Witneffes aim at the fame End 3 are many in Number, and wor- thy of Credit. DireB. But Pegna fays, if there are many fingle Witneffes, and one depofes as to p*rt.$. the Fact, another as to the common Fame, one as to what he faw, another V\ 71, com ' as to what he heard, the Criminal cannot be condemned, no not altho' the common Fame, legally proved, ftrengthens the Teftimony of the fingle Witnefs. However, the Inquifitor may at Pleafure enjoin fuch Criminals Purgation, or any other Penance. If feveral Witneffes teftify feparately of different Herefies, and a different Time and Place, this will not prove a Man an Heretick ; no, nor is it full Proof if they teftify of the fame Here- fy, but differ as to Time and Place. But if any one is convicted by more than two proper Witneffes, and will not confefs, fome fay they muft wait for fome time, and fee if they can find out Witneffes agreeing in all Things ; but firft the Criminal is to be tortured, that if it can be they may draw the Truth from his Mouth. If he confeffes nothing he may be mod juftly compelled to abjure as one vehemently fufpected, or to undergo canonical Purgation, becaufe, in this Cafe, he cannot be thought to have purged away the Evidence by Torture, fince the Proofs againft him are many and ftrong. part. 3 However, in fuch a Cafe, 'tis left to the Inquifitors Pleafure to proceed as com. in. £h e y think fit, as 'tis exprefsly commanded in the Conftitutions of the Bifhop of Albano, Legate of the Apoftolick See, who, 'tis probable, was ap- pointed Legate, and publifhed by the Pope's Commifiion many Conftitutions, relating to the Punifhment of Hereticks, and the Order of proceeding againft them, about the Time when the poor Men of Lions, or the Albigenfes and other Hereticks infefted the Countries of France and Lombardy. Thefe Con- ftitutions are very ufeful to private Inquifitors, to enable them to determine rightly and profitably Caufes and Controverfies of the Faith, and are ex- tant in an old Parchment Manufcript in the Vatican Library, and in a very old one at Florence. Amongft other Things in it 'tis thus determined. But when the Witneffes or Informers differ in what they depofe, but yet agree in the Subftance and Nature of the Thing, we leave it to the Pleafure of the Inquifitors fo to proceed, as, in the Sight of God, theyjhall think ft, efpecially if common Fame, and the Fitnefs and Credit of the Depofers agree and make againft him, who is to undergo the Inquifition. CHAP. XL Of the Examination of the Wi tnesses. Pcc-na A ^ ter h av ' n g tmjs fpoken of the Witneffes themfelves, I now come to Prax. \nq. J~\ their Examination. When therefore the Witneffes named by the In- \. z. c $. former are found out, the Inquifitor orders them to be cited by his fpiritual Meffenger, The History of the Inquisition. 143 MefTenger, to the Office of the Inquifition, where, when they come, they are legally examined. Firfl, they take an Oath upon the Scriptures to fpeak the Truth. After this he is asked by the Inquifitor, whether he knows, or can guefs the Caufe of his Citation and prefent Examination ? If he fays yes, he is interrogated how he knew it ? If he fays no, he is interrogated, whether he hath known, or doth now know any one or more Hereticks, or Peribns fufpecled of Herefy, or at leaft is able to name any fuch ? Whether he knows N ? What was the Occafion of his Acquaintance with him ? How lono- he hath known him? Whether he hath been ufed to converfe with him? Whether he hath heard at any time any Thing from the laid A 7 , concerning the Catholick Religion ? ^Whether ever he was in fuch a Place with the laid N. and whether thefaid A r . did or faid there fuch and fuch heretical Things, or favouring of Herefy ? Who were prefent when N. did or faid the aforefaid Things? How often hefaw them faid or done, and on what Occafion, and how ? Whether the faid N. fpoke the aforefaid Things in Jeft, or without thinking, or thro' a Slip of his Tongue, or as relating the Herefies of fome other Perfon or Perfons ? Whether he faid any Thing which ought not to have been faid thro' Hatred or Love, or omitted and concealed fomewhat that ought to have been explained ? He is farther admonilhed to tell the fingle Truth, becaufe, if he is detected of fpeaking falfely, he will be made to fuffer the Penalties, not only of Perjury, but of favouring Herefy, and that therefore he ought to tell the Truth, and beware of Les. Becaufe, if it ap- pears to the holy Office, by Witneffes worthy of Credit, that the Witnefs himfelf is confcious to the Things concerning which he is interrogated, and conceals and hides them, he may be confined, and compelled to give Securi- ty, and to oblige himfelf not to depart from that City and Place where he is examined, and under a Penalty, fixed by the Inquifitor, to make his Ap- pearance as often as and wherefoever the Inquifitor fhall command him. When the Truth cannot be found out from the Mouth of the Witnefs andCarena, thefe general Interrogatories, the Italian Inquifitors come to particular Inter- fonoidtiJU rogatories concerning the Place and Perfon denounced, that fo the Truth may be difcovered, after which the Witnefs is difmiffed, being firfl: injoined Secrecy upon Oath, and figning what he hath faid. All thefe Things are taken down by a Notary, and inferted into the Ads of the Procefs. Simon- cas gives a fhort Account of this Matter, Tit. 44. §. 1 1. " When the Witneffes come to the Inquifitors, to teftify againft Here- " ticks or fufpected Perfons, they are to be exhorted and admonimed, that " they don't dare to give falfe Witnefs thro' Hatred, Enmity, or other evil " Affection. And befides, it mult be declared to them, how heinous a " Wickednefs ail falfe Witneffes commit, but efpecially thofe who defame " innocent Perfons with the Crime of Herefy. But if they affirm that they " are moved only by a Zeal for the Catholick Faith, their Teitimonies are " to be written down." 'Tis the Cuftom in fome Inquifitions, that before the Criminal is appre- hended, the Witneffes named by the Denouncer mould, after two or three Days, *44 The History of the Inquisition. Days, be cited again, ana 1 interrogated upon Oath, laying their Hand on the Scriptures, whether they have any farther Truth to communicate befides what they depofed in their former Examination. And whatsoever is the An- fwer, the Notary takes it from his Mouth. If there be Reafon to apprehend from the Circumftances of the Witnefs, that he will difcover the Caufe, he is enjoined Silence, under the Penalty of Excommunication, lata fententia, after a fingle Admonition, and other Pe- nalties, at the Pleafureof the holy Office. Sometimes alfo, for juft Rea- fons, they take Care and command the Witnefs or Witnefles not to depart from the Palace or Houfe of the Inquifitor, without the exprefs Leave of the Inquifitor, written under his Hand. After the fame Manner all other Witnefles named by the Informer in his Information, are examined. But if the Informer be alfo a Partaker and Partner in the Crime, and when informing againft his heretical Companions, depofes nothing againfl himfelf, and any Thing appears againfl him from the Examination of the Witnefles or Accomplices, he is cited by the Inquifitor, and proceeded againft as a Cri- minal, but punifhed in a milder Manner, becaufe of his having informed a- gairrft others. In the Examination of Witnefles, in many Places, there muft be five Per- Eymer. f ons p re f enti The firft is the Judge, i. e. the Inquifitor or his Commiflary, whofe Bufinefs is to examine the Witnefles and Perfons accufed, by forming Articles and Interrogatories upon them. The fecond is the Witnefs. Every- one of thefe muft firft fwear to fpeak the Truth, otherwife their Depofition will be invalid, according to the Precept of the Council of Biterre, Cap. 4. Give to ail tbofe, who being cited before you, appear within the Time ajfigned them y their Oath, to tell the entire and whole Truth concerning the Fail of heretical Pravi- /v, which they know of themfelves, or of others, living or dead. The Form of the Oath is commonly this: I fwear by God and the Crofs, and the four mofl holy Gofpels, now touched with my Hands, that I will fpeak the Truth. If I do, fo help me God *, if I do not, fo God condemn me. The third Perfon is the Writer, who writes down the Interrogatories of the Inquifitor, and the Anfwers of the Perfon accufed, and the Witnefs. He muft be a publick Perfon, viz. a Notary that hath Authority, either a Layman or Clergyman, or a Religious. But when the Inquifitor cannot have fuch a publick Perfon, or Notary, he may chufe two proper Perfons, Secular, or Ecclefiaftical, who jointly have the Power and Authority of one publick Perfon, and thefe two act by the Apoftolick Au- 84. thority in Writing. The fourth and fifth Perfons are two who a fli ft the In- quifitor, and are Witnefles to the whole Examination, and they muft be two dil'creet Men, religious, or otherwife reputable. But when the Inquifitor cannot conveniently have thefe two Perfons prefent at the whole Examination of the Witnefs or Perfon informed againft, he muft, at leaft, have them at the End oftheDepofition, when the Depofition is read over by the Notary to the Witnefs that depofes, or the Informer, in the Prefence of the Inquifitor, and ■the two aforefaid difcreet Pedbns, and then the Witnefs is asked if he ftands to Si. Sj. v The History of the Inquisition. 145 to and perfeveres in that Depofition. If he doth, 'tis written in the A£ts, how that in the Prefence of fuch Perfons the Depofition was read to him, and he flood to it, and perfevered in it. And this Eymerick thinks is fufficient. But as Pegna teUs us, Comment. 1 12. the Proceffes are now carried on in the holy Tribunal generally without the Prefence or Intervention of thefe Perfons, and the fupream Senate of the Roman and general Inquifition allows the Pro- cefTes thus formed. And indeed thefe two Perfons are of no Ufe. The Pre- tence for their being prefent is, that there may be no Sufpicion of foul Play, when the Things tranfafted are feen by fo many Eyes, and open to fo many Senfes-, and that they may know the Witneffes in the Stead of the abfent Criminal, as Simancas declares, tit. 64. §. 8. £5? 21. But how doth it make any thing to the Defence of the Criminal, that his Accufers are known to Perfons that he himfelf knows nothing of, and who are forbidden to difcover any Thing to him ? The Witneffes muft be examined by the Inquifitors themfelves, nor muftsfmanc: their Examination be committed by any Means to any one dfe, unlefs the"'* 68# "Witneffes are juftly hundred, and the Judges cannot eafily go to them, or^' lI * ought not. In this Cafe the Inquifitors may commit the Examination of the Witneffes to the Bifhop's Vicar, or other Ecclefiaftical Judge, or to fome skilful and prudent Man, who, with a Notary or Secretary to write down the Depofitions in the Caufe, muft diligently examine the Witneffes, and fend the Manner and Conftancy, and other Circumftances of the Witneffes and their Depofitions to the Inquifitors. 1 Injlrucl. Hi/pal. cap. ij. and 4 Injlrucl. Tolet. c. 14. CHAP. XII. How /^Criminals, when informed againft, are fen t to Jayl. WHEN the skilful Men or Counfellors are called together to give pro- Pe na per Advice, either as to the Quality of the Propofitions, or the p lax\*. Weight of the Proofs and Difcoveries, or as to the Procefs or giving Sen- 1. 2. c 9. tence, or any doubtful Article of the Caufe, that nothing may appear In the whole Affair but a burning and ferious Zeal for the divine Glory, they make folemn Prayers to the Holy Ghoft, which are ufually faid over in all the Con- gregations. The Inquifitor and Counfellors fay them on their bended Knees. The Form is this : We are here prefent, O God, the Holy Ghoft, we are here detained with the Greatnefs of Sin, but gathered together fpecially in thy Name. Come to us, be pre- fent with us, vouchfafe to enter into our Hearts, teach us what we fhould do, where wefhould walk, and /hew us what we ought to perform, that we may be able to pleafe thee, aff fling us in all "Things. Be thou the Health, the Suggeftor and Maker of our Vol. II. U Judg- i/j.6 The History of the Inquisition, Judgments, who alone wish God the Father and his Son, poffeffefi a glorious Name, Suffer us not to be Perverters of Juflice, O thou who loveft the jlriciejt Equity. Let not Ignorance draw us to the left, let not Favour bend us, nor Regard to Office or Per (on corrupt us, but join us to thy j elf effectually by the Gift of thy only Grace, that we may be one in thee, and in nothing deviate from the Truth -, and as we are gather- ed together in thy Name, fo let us in all Things preferve Jufiice moderated by Piety, that our Sentence here may in nothing differ from thee, and that here- after -we may obtain everlafling Rewards for our good Deeds. When the Prayer is ended, all anfwer Amen. This Prayer, in the Time of Carena, was recited in the Inquifuion at Cre- mona, by Cardinal Campcreus, Bifhop of that City, the Inquifitor on his right Hand at a Corner of the Table, and the Vicar General at his left at ano- ther Corner, and the other Counfellors in their Order, all on their Knees> But if a fingle Bifhop only is prefent, then the Bifhop and Inquifitor fit at the Head of the Table, their Seats being equal, in all thelnquifiuons in Italy. But the Bifhop fits by Virtue of his Epifcopal Dignity in the Seat placed on the right Hand, and the Inquifitor in the other. p o Thefe Prayers being over, the Inquifitor confults whether the Cognifance of ikfd. -. 7. the Crimes which are denounced and proved by the Witneffes, belongs to the holy Office. If there be any Doubt of this, he muft call in the Qualificator Divines, who muft give their Opinion written and fubfcribed with their own Hand, that it may be inferted in the Procefs, as the Foundation of the Jurif- diction of the Inquifitor. If the Crimes are fmall, or the Propositions only founding ill, fcandalous or blafphemous, or which do not include formal He- refy,no one upon account of thefe is immediately ordered to fecretlmprifonment, but muft rather be confined in fome Monaftery, or in his own Houfe, or Ci- ty. If thefe Things were omitted, the Inquifitors might poflibly ufurp to "A-.not. <*rf. themfelves Caufes belonging to other Tribunals. Thus Carena relates, that sty. 7. on the firft of Auguft, Anno 1630. two Portugnefe Women at Placentia recei- ved the Eucharift twice ; and being interrogated why they did it, they an- fwered, becaufe they apprehended, that as often as they communicated, they obtained the Jubilee of a Part, as they call it. On this they were kept in the Prifons of tbs Inquifition, and their Effects fequeftred. But when the Lords Inquifitors found that the Caufe did not belong to the Tribunal of the Faith, they difmifled them from Jay J, and caufed their Effects to be reftored to them. This Confutation with the Counfellors is recommended by the Ma- drid Inftruction, An. 1561. cap. 3. IVhenthe Inquifitors have feen the Informa- tion together, if they are prefent, let them confult as to the taking them up, which would appear morejuft if done with the Advice of the Counfellors of the Inquifition, if it conveniently can be, and it appears to the Inquifitors convenient and neceffarx ; and whatfoever is determined, let it be inferted in the Acls. Carena No one can De taken up without half full Proof at leaft, or fuch Evidence as lib. 3. ///.is fufficient to put to the Torture, becaufe the Imprifonment made by the In- z.§.6. quifitors always renders the Prifoners infamous. But if the Perfon be other- wife fufpected, for Inftance, if he be of the Moorifh Race, and hath been denounced The History of the Inquisition. 14.7 denounced before thelnquifitors, upon account of fome Ceremonies of that Na- tion, he may poflibly be imprifoned upon the Affirmation of one Witnefs, even tho' Jiabletofome Exception, according toCafena, becaufe the Preemption a- rifino- from his Birth, joined to the Depofition of fuch a Witnefs would amount to an half Proof. And he gives an Inftance, that in the fupream Council of the Spanifh Inquifition, two Men were taken up for Herefy, at the Information of one Woman, under eighteen Years old, becaufe they were both of Mooriflo Extract, and becaufe the Ceremonies witneffed to by the Woman were Mahometan. And thus the Preemption was againft them, becaufe they were of that Race. Ztf/z-Zanch. chinus enumerates more particularly feveral Caufes for which Perfons may be^ 10. §. r, imprifoned. " If Inquifition be made againlt any one, he is imprifoned, if, tho' the Crime ■ be fo fmall as that Bail may be taken for it, he doth not give the necefiary " Bail. Or if Inquifition be made againft him for fome deteftable and grie- ** vous Crime, and there are Proofs againft him, or if he himfelf hath confefled " fuch a Crime as renders him liable to the Punifhment of an Heretick." The Confultations which are held on thefe Affairs, are ufually called De-Simane. liberations concerning the Citation of the Criminal, and this Citation is verbal^- 44« or real. Verbal Citation is that which is made by Letters or a Meflenger, $• I2 " which is ufed when the Qiieftion is about a lefTer Crime, or if the Criminal be but flightly fufpected. For if it be an heinous Crime, and fully proved, there is need of a real Citation, that the Criminal may not efcape. This verbal Citation muft not contain in it the Caufe for which the Criminal is cited, and therefore 'tis not necefiary to infert in it the Place, Time, or Offence, but he is commanded in general to come before the Inquifitors, becaufe they want to know of him certain Matters. Clement. §. de hceret. But this Method of Citation is not to be frequently ufed, according to the Toledo Inftruction 4. An. 1561. becaufe if fuch a one be examined, 'tis often found, that being free, and in Poffeffion of his Liberty, he will not eafily confefs himfelf to be a Criminal. And fuch Citations and Examinations do rather tend to warn the denounced Criminals to take Care of themfelves, and conceal their Crime, than to produce any other good Effect. They therefore think it fafer to wait, till new Proofs and fufficient Difcoveries arife. In the mean while they employ a careful Spy, one friendly and faithful to the holy Office, to confider and fearch into fuch a one's Life, Manners, and Converfation. A real Citation, or the actual apprehending any one, is ufually decreed after this twofold Manner. In fome Inquifitions, that the Profecution may appear to be according to Jurifdiction, as comprehending in it the Accufer, Criminal and Judge, the Procurator Fifcal, who is acquainted with every Thing in the Procefs that lies againft the denounced Criminal, exhibits an Inftrument, de- manding that the denounced Criminal may be taken up, and duly punifhed, and in that Inftrument he inferts and exhibits the Depofitions againft him, and the Qualification of the Propofitions, that it may appear that he may legally be apprehended. This Demand of the Fifcal is ufually inferted in the Procefs of the Perfon to be taken up. But in other Inquifitions 'cis ufual for the In- U 2 quifitors. The History of the Inquisition. quifitors, after confidering the Acts, to confult about apprehending the Per- fon, without any Inftance of the Fifcal, and to command what they refolve on to be put in Execution. And this Decree for the Apprehenfion is alfo ufually inferted in the Procefs, with the Day, Month and Year. But if the Party accufed be fome illuftrious Perfon, or in any Poft of great Authority, Pegna, the Senate of the Spanifh Inquifition muft be confulted before he is to be appre- Ccm. io?. n ended, to whom that their Deliberations may be right, they muft fend a m i Part. Summary of the Proofs, and the Information of the Crimes. This is ga- thered from the Madrid Inftruction, An. 1561. cap. 5. If the Inquifitors agree as to the Apprehenfion, let them command what they have decreed to be executed. But if it be a Matter of great Moment, by rcafon of the Quality of the Perfons, or for other Caufes, let them firft confult the Senate before they put their Decree in Exe- cution. But if they don't agree in their Judgments, let the Matter be referred to the Senate, that they may confider what is proper to be done. But this very great and exquifue Caution muft not be obferved, when there is any Fear of the Efcape of the Perfon accufed, or if he is a manifeft Heretick. For in fuch Cafe they think it would be imprudent and dangerous to wait for the Anfwer of a Su- perior. After 'tis determined that the Criminal fhall be fent to Jay], the Inquifitor fubfcribes an Order for his Apprehenfion, and gives it to the Executor, who is to take up the Criminal. The Form of the Order is this : By Co7nmand of the Reverend Father N. an Inquifitor of heretical Pravity, let N. be apprehended and committed to the Prifons of the holy Office, and not be releafed but by the exprefs Order of the Jaid Lord Inquifitor. If feveral Criminals are to be taken up at the fame time, a feparate Order for each Perfon muft be given to the Executor, that if it mould beneceflary to acquaint any Perfon, who is not one of the Minifters or Officials of the holy Office, with the apprehending of one or another Criminal, he may know nothing of the taking up of the reft. This Order muft be inferted in the Criminals Procefs by the Notary, in the very "Words in which 'tis given to the Executor. If the Inquifitors have an armed Attendance of their own, they give this Order to their own Executor. If they have not fuch an armed Attendance, but find it necefTary to call in the Help of the fecular Judge, the Inquifitor muft take Care, that fuch Orders be given to a trufty Executor, and who knows how faithfully to keep the Se- cret he is intrufted with, becaufe, if the Perfon to be apprehended fhould re- ceive any private Information, he would eafily efcape. In a City, where any noble Perfons, Doctors, or Religious, or others of il- luftrious Birth or Dignity are to be fent to Jayl, the Commifiary of the In- quifition, or fome other Officer, ufually goes to the Houfes of fuch Perfons, and takes them in a Coach and carries them to Jayl. But if there is no Fear of their Efcape, they are commanded to come to the holy Office by a fpecial MefTenger. When the Criminal is apprehended, he muft be well guarded, and if there be Need, put in Irons, and thus carried by the Executor to the Jayls of the Inquifition, and delivered into the Hands of the Jajl-Keeper. The Keeper muft The History of the Inquisition. i±q muft take him into his Cuftody, and ufe him according to the Laws made about Prifoners. If any one is to be brought from very diftant Places, they don't think it fafe for him to lodge in Inns, or private Houfes, becaufe by this Means he might eafily make his Efcape ; and therefore the Executor is ufually charged, to go to the Bifhops of the Place, if there be any, or to the fecular Judges, that the Criminal may be placed and kept in their Jayls. And this the Inquificor fignifies by his Letters given to the Executor to the Ma^i- ftrates, through whofe Territories the Criminal is to be carried, and exhorts them to give the neceffary and convenient Affiftance to the Executor. And that no one may dare to oppofe him, and that the Criminal may be kept in fure and fafe Cuftody, they defire he may be attended with a proper Guard. But this Caution is not neceffary in the Cities of Spain. For as foon as ever the Executor fhews, that he is to apprehend any one by Command of the ho- ly Office, no one dares oppofe him. And if any one mould, the Mob would immediately run together to iend an helping Hand to the holy Office, and fo over-power him, that unlefs he would undergo the fevered: Treatment, he would, of his own Accord, offer himfelf to be taken up by the Executor. All thefe Thingsare largely fettled by theToledo InftrucTion, An. 1561. Cap. 10, I2,&i3. CHAP. XIII. Of the Examination of the Prisoners, WHEN the Criminal is put in Jay], he is brought before the Inquifi- mquf. dt tor. The Place where he appears before the Inquifitor, is called by Goa.ca$.$. the Portugueze the Table of the holy Office. At the farther End of it there is placed a Crucifix, raifed upalmoft as high as the Cieling. In the Middle of the Room there is a Table. At that End which is neareft the Cruci- fix fits the Secretary or Notary of the Inquifuion. The Criminal is brought^. 18. in by the Beadle, with his Head, Arms and Feet naked, and is followed by one of the Keepers. When they come to the Chamber of Audience, the Beadle enters firft, makes a profound Reverence before the Inquifitor, and then withdraws. After this the Criminal enters alone, who is ordered to fit down on a Bench at the other End of the Table over againft the Secretary. The Inquifitor fits on his right Hand. On the Table near the Criminal lies a Miffal, or Book of the Gofpels, and he is ordered to lay his Eland on one of them, and to fwear that he will declare the Truth, and keep Secrecy. After taking this Oath of declaring the Truth both of himfelf and others, Pcpna, the Inquifitor interrogates him of divers Matters. As, whether he knows \\'hyP r,xx - 1,: 7- he was taken up, or hath been informed of it by any one or more Perfons r ' ' 1Jf " Where, when, and how he was apprehended ? If he fays that he knows no- thing of it, he is asked, whether he can't guefs at the Reafon ? Whether he know j j. t-he Inquifitor muft not hinder, difturb, or interrupt him, nor break off his . Confeflion, tho' other Affairs call for him, or the Time be elapfed ; be- caufs. The History of the Inquisition. 155 catife, they fay, 'tis often found, thatthofe whofe Confeffions have been once interrupted, will not afterwards confefs any more, or will retrad what they have begun to confefs. If there arifes any Thing doubtful, worthy of Confideration, from the Cap. iff. Criminals Anfwers, which 'tis proper to know how the Denouncer and Wit- nefTes underftood it, they are to be called again and re-examined. For In- fiance, whether the Prifoner fpoke what he faid in jeft, or earneft ? Or as re- peating the Words of other Perfons, or afferting it as his own Mind and Opi- nion ? But here the Inquifuor muft be cautious, that he doth not by re-ex- amining the Depofition or WitnefTes difcover any Thing, from whence the Depofer or WitnefTes may gather what the Criminal hath confefTed ; but muft fo interrogate him, as tho' 'twas only for his own Information. Thefe are the principal Cautions which they are commanded to obferve in the Examination of Criminals, all which the Inquifitors do very carefully and exactly keep to, as far as they find any of them of any Service to draw Confeffions from the Prifoners own Mouths, but which they eafily omit, when they think proper, and it will ferve their Turn, efpecially when they would be of any Ufe and Affiflance to the Criminals. That they may draw from them a Confeffion, they are at firft kind, and pretend the fincereft Affection, and 'tis recommended to the Inquifitors to treat the Criminals ten- derly, whilft they are heard, interrogated and examined, and to remember that they themfelves are Men, who might have fallen into the fame or like Crimes, unlefs they had been guarded by the Grace of God, and not to fuffer the Criminals, altho' common and mean Perfons, to ftand whilft they are hearing, but to command them to fit down. If in their Confeffion, or in the Beginning or Progrefs of their Examination they are fo moved with Grief, or affected with Repentance, as to fhed Tears, or to implore the Mercy of the Judges, and ask Pardon for their Offence upon their bended Knees, or holding up their Hands, or beating their Breafts, all thefe Circumftances muft be inferted by the Notary in the Acts of the Procefs. But if the Prifoners don't confefs thofe Things of which they are accufed, as it may often happen, either becaufe the Accufations are falfe, or becaufe they don't remember Things, efpecially if at the Diftance of feveral Years, and what was faid was not in the leaft premeditated, but inadvertently and in common Difcourfe, they make ufe of a quite different Method oflnquifi- tion, and try every Art to catch and infnare thefe miferable Criminals, al- ready tired out by their vile Imprifonment, Arts not always wholly agreeable to the Admonitions juft now mentioned. This is well defcribed by Eymerick, DireB. and therefore I fhall give it here, that the Manner of proceeding againft the Iw ?M''5« Prifoners ; n the Jayl of the Inquifition, may be more diftinctly and fully underftood. - According therefore to the Directory of Eymerick, the Inquifitors don't in-». 86. terrogate all Perfons of the fame Things, nor in the fame Order, but begin and carry on their Inquifition, either from what the Accufers and Denouncers fay, or from the Anfwers of the WitnefTes, or from what X z they 1 56 T\oe History of the Inquisition. they learn by Experience, or from what their own Judgment dictates to them •, fo that they often vary the Manner of their Examination, leaft if the Cri- minals mould forefee the ordinary Manner and general Rule, they mould take the proper Precaution and Care to evade it. 71. 87. If any openly confefs their Errors, and perfift in them, and defire to de- fend them, they are convicted by learned Men of the Crime of Herefy ; for 'tis (hewn that their Opinions are condemned by the Church of Ro??ie, and are therefore heretical, and becaufe they obftinately defend their Opinions before the Inquifitors, they are judged to be Hereticks. But if they will not declare their Errors, but rather cover them by ambi- Com. n. «hious Anfwers, the Inquifitor ufes various Arts to difcover them. For as far as it can be done he openly interrogates them, and propofes a fwgle Thing, in each Interrogatory, and not feveral together, and compels the Criminal to anfwer directly to each of them. If he gives obfcure and doubtful Anfwers, he is commanded to explain them, before he proceeds farther. If he will dif- pute, the Inquifitor enters into no Difpute with him, but only interrogates and examines him. Sometimes he fpeaks kindly to him, pretends that he pi- ties his Misfortune, advifeshim to fpeak the Truth, which he gives him to un-v derftand he is acquainted with, and intimates to him fome Hope of Favour and Freedom if he confeffes, becaufe the holy Office of the Inquifition ufes to fhew Mercy to fuch who voluntarily confefs their Crimes, how grievous and hei-, 100. nous foever they may be, and in a friendly Manner fpeaks to him thus. Cm», ij. " Don't be afraid openly to confefs, if you did happen to believe thefe fort of " Perfons, who taught fuch and fuch Things, to be good Men. You be- " lieved them, and willingly heard them, and gave them fomewhat of your " Subftance, or received them fometimes into your Houfe, or, made Con- " feflion to them, becaufe you were a fimple Man, and loved them, thinking icH The History of the Inquisition. merits, if they omit the letter •, for if one or another be remitted, they think they abundantly fatisfy their Promife. And by thefe flattering Aflurances they fometimes overcome the Minds of more unwary Perfons, and when they have obtained the defigned End, im- mediately forget them all. Of this Gonfalvias gives us a remarkable Inftance» vag 8z, " In the firft Fire that was blown up at Seville, An. 1558, or 1559, c*v. " amongft many others who were taken up, there was a certain pious Ma- " tron, with her two Virgin Daughters, and her Niece by her Sifter who fc was married. As they endured thofe Tortures of ail Kinds, with a truly " manlike Conftancy, by which they endeavoured to make them perfidi- • " oufly betray their Brethren in Chrift, and efpeciaily to accufeone another, " the Inquifitor at length commanded one of the Daughters to be fent for to ' bellow Prifoners, prays the Jayl-keeper, when, according to Cuftom, he is vifiting his Prifoners, to defire that he may have an Audience. For this is the Method the Prifoners take. And when he goes out of his Jayl to give an ■ Account of his Office, hedifcovers not only what he heard from any of the Prifoners, but alfo how they received the Doctrine propofed to them, whe- ther with a chearful or angry Countenance, and the like, if they refufed to give them an Anfwer, and what they themfelves think of them. And the Accufations of fuch a Wretch they look on as the beft and moft unexception- able Evidence, altho' the Perfon be otherwife one of no manner of Worth, Credit or Regard. Thefe.fortof Perfons they call Flies-, and, as Gonfalvius tells us, they may- be known and found out by this one Thing, that for the moil: part they thruft themfelves into fuch fort of Conventions, without any one's askincr them, and begin very impertinently fuch Difcourfes concerning DocTr;neT And therefore he advifes, that if the Prifoners act prudently, they will let them talk themfelves weary, without giving them any Anfwer. They who have been lately in the Prilbn of the Inquifition in Spain and Portugal, tell us of another Method they make ufe of to draw a Confeffion from the Prifoners, viz. The Inquifitor fuborns a certain Perfon, to go and fpeak to the Prifoner, and to tell him he comes of himfelf, and of his°own Accord, and to exhort him to tell thelnquifitor the Truth, becaufe he is a merciful, Man, and fuch fine Tales. This is now part?cutarly the Cuftom inSpain and Portugal, as to thofe they call the new Chriilians, If the Prifwier affirms himfdfc 160 The History of the Inquisition. himfelf to be a Cathoiick, and denies that he is a Jew, and is not convicted by a fufficient Number of Witneffes, they fuborn one to perfuade him to confefs. If he protefts himfelf innocent, the other replies, that he alfo hath been in Jay', and that his protefting his Innocence fignified nothing. What, had yo.i rather dwell for ever in Jay], and render your Life miferable, by being ever parted from your Wife and Children, than redeem your Freedom, by confefling the Crime ? By this and other .-like Things the Prifoners are of- tentimes perfuaded to confefs not only real but fictitious Crimes. And when their Conftancy is thus al moil overcome, the Inquifitor commands them to be brought" before him, that they may make him a Confefiion of their Faults. p t7 g. 95. Here Gonfah iu s juflly wonders, how Men can be offo devilifh a Temper, as voluntarily to hire themfelves out to fuch Offices, and at fo great an Ex- pence to themfelves, who, in order to obtain their Defire, don't refufe to be Prifoners with others, even for two or three Months together, in a vile narrow Jay], but bear willingly what the Prifoners themfelves bear with the greateft Uneafinefs, all the Inconveniencies of it, Hunger, Naftinefs and Stench ; and what is -more wonderful, go out of one Jayl into another, and then into a third, twice, thrice, four tunes, always experiencing the fame Inconveniencies, and pafling their whole Lives in fuch a Circle of Delights. After thefe Examinations, if the Prifoner confeffes nothing, he is carried back to Jayl, and there kept fometimes for a whole Year, before he is again brought up to the Inquifitor. In the mean while, if he defires an Audience, to confefs certain Matters, he may gently rap at the Door of his Jayl. The Keeper being acquainted herewith by his Officers, immediately comes to him, and is defired by him to ask the Favour of the Inquifitor of being brought before him. If the Criminal will not anfwer to the Interrogatories judicially put to him, or anfwers uncertainly and doubtfully, as, I don't know, I don't remember, I have forgot •, or when he anfwers as to the main Fact, but refufes to an- fwer concerning the principal Circumflances of the Crime, if the Circumftan- ces are fuch, which 'tis probable he may remember, he may be put to the Torture to make him precifely anfwer affirmatively or negatively : Becaufe Criminals are not apprehended for the Crime of Herefy without legal Proofs, i. e. more than half full Proof. 'Tis the fame Cafe if they pretend Mad- nefs. Sometimes alfo they are humbled by Imprifonment and Faft- r And to fhew that they deal more mildly in their Tribunal than in others, }yax. '/.2. they add, that in other Tribunals, when the Criminal is accufed of any cer- c. ir. tain Fact, he hath not Time allowed him to deliberate whether he will con- "■ 5- fefs, or be tried, but is immediately compelled to anfwer. But that in this Tribunal, where Criminals are dealt with more mildly and gently, they not on- ly give them Time to anfwer when they ask it, but oftentimes admonifh, and even invite them, to think better of the Matter, and carefully to recall to their Remembrance their Actions and Words, that they may anfwer truly, and The History of the Inquisition. 161 and that for this Reafon they are often examined and interrogated. But in Truth this Pretence of Mercy is ufed only for this End, that the Criminal who if convicted by two agreeing WitnefTes, and ftill perfifling in the Nega' tive, is fure to be condemned as a Negative without Mercy, and delivered over to the fecular Courr, may, through Fear of this horrible Punifhment, confefs the Crime he is accufed of, and fo be reconciled as a Penitent, by certain Penances laid on him by way of Punifhment, or delivered over as im- penitent to the fecular Court, and burnt alive. But if he revokes his Con- fefTion when made, and be not legally and fully convicted by WitnefTes, he is molt cruelly tortured, becaufe by his own ConfefTion he hath o-iven Proof a- gainft himfelf fufficient for the Torture. If he is overcome by the Torture, and renews his ConfefTion, he is punifhed as an Heretick ; if he overcomes the Torture, he is enjoined falutary Penances at the Pleafure of the Inquifi- tor, as one fufpected of Herefy. As often as the Criminals or WitnefTes are examined, either in their firftPegna, or after Audiences, when the Examination is ended, before they go from c - "• Audience, the Inquifitors order the Notary clearly and diftinctly, to read over to them their Depofitions, that fo the Criminals or WitnefTes may add, di- minifh, correct or change what they pleafe, that, if there be any Miftake, it may be rectified, which otherwife fcarce could be. For if after the Criminal or Witnefs goes from Audience, or if at any Diftance of Time after, they would amend or alter what they have faid, it would not be allowed 'them. And therefore the Notary, at the End of the Examination, writes down,' that the Depofition was read over to the Criminals or WitnefTes, and adds whatever either of them added, diminifhed, altered or amended. If, befidesthe Depofition of the Informer, and the WitnefTes named by Cap. x\ him, they have any other Matters, the Inquifitors inquire farther, that the Evidence may be more fully confirmed. This they particularly ob- ferve, when the WitnefTes or Criminal name any other Perfons in their Examination on one Side or the other. If fuch Perfons are prefent, the Inquifitor orders them to be called and interrogated. If they are abfent, and it be not fafe or eafy to come at them, he writes to the Inquifitor or Bifhop, in whofe Diocefe they are, that he fhould cite and interrogate them privately, and find out the Truth, and to tranfmit the Matter to him faithfully and fecretly as he difcovers it. Thus 'tis determined by the Council of Narbonne, Cap. 22. Tet fo, that the other Inquifitors may never thelefs inquire out what they are able to difcover, and write to thofe Inquifitors in what Things juch Perfon is culpable. y oL. b. y chap. 162 The History of the Inquisition* CHAP. XV. How the Pr if oners are allowed an Advocate > Procurator and Guardian. w HEN the Procefs hath gone thus far, and all the Informations and Proofs relating to the Caufe, are taken in a fummary Manner, and the Criminal fully examined, if he confeffes his Crime, there is no room for a Defence, nor do they proceed to the re-examining of the WitnefTes. But if he perfifts in the Negative,, and demands the Depofitions to be given him, whether he is prefumed to be innocent or obftinate, he is admitted to his Defence, and all Matters are prepared to form the Procefs. And therefore becaufe the Criminal muft be convicted by WitnefTes, the WitnefTes muft be re-examined, And that the Criminal may not feem to be denied his Defence, he hath an Advocate and Procurator allowed him. He is not however at Liberty to chufe the one or other as he pleafes, nor is it lawful for any Ad- vocate to defend an Heretick under Pain of Infamy. Cap. Si adverjus nos. de haeret. The Inquifitors appoint him his Advocate, and he is bound to them by Oath. The Criminal may alfo fometimes, if he demaads it, have a fecond Advocate. The Qualifications neceflary in fuch an Advocate are d.W?. thefe : That he be a good Man, not fufpected as to his Honefty, skilful in the p. 5, com. Canon and Civil Law, zealous for the Faith, and not in the leaft tinctu- 1 ' red with Herefy, and he is allowed to the Criminal, according to the prefent , Cuflom in Spain, after he hath received three Admonitions, freely to con- fefs the Truth. The Manner to be obferved in thefe Things, and how the Advocate muft act in defending the Criminal, is provided by one of the Ma- ■JW^Inftructions, A. 1561. c. 23. The Inquifitor or Inquifitors /ball admoni/h the Criminal how much it concerns him to confers the 'Truth, after which they /hall nomi- nate him an Advocate or Advocates, appointed by the holy Office for this Purpofe, in order to his Defence •, and in the Prefence of every one of the Inquifitors, the Cri?ni~ 71 al /hall confer with his. Advocate, and> as he counfels, /hall anfwer to his Accufa- tion by Word or Writing. But before the Advocate undertakes his Defence, he jhall - (ware that he will truly and faithfully defend him, and objerve Secrefy in every Thing hefhall hear or fee, even altho* he took his Oath when he wasfr/i appointed by the holy Of ice to this Employment. The Bufinefs of the Advocate is to admoni/h the Criminal to confefs the Truth, and to ask Pardon for his Fault, if he be guilty of any. The Anjwer /hall be notified or intimated to the Fifcal. De catlol. The fourth Instruction of Toledo, cap. 4. as Simancas relates it, gives a fome- mftit. what fuller Account of this Matter. The Advocate muft not defend any . *•'• ")' ^Criminals, unlefs he be allowed it by the Inquifitor. He muft fwear, that he will faithfully defend the Caufe, and ufe only juft Exceptions, and that as foon as ever he knows the Caufe to be unjuft, he will inform firft the Criminal •*f itj and then the Inquifitors, and immediately throw it up, After this he muft The History of the Inquisition. 165 muft fwear to obferve Secrefy, and not to make any Difcoveries to anyone. The Form of the Oath adminiftred to the Advocate, is this. I N. Doffarof both Laws, being here before yo'u, Reverend Fathers, Inquifitors of the holy Inquifition againfl heretical Pravity, touching thefe mofl holy Gofpels of God now before me, do fwear, and promife, that I will fincerely and faithfully, without any Cavilling or Fraud, defend N. whofe Defence was committed to me, now imprifoned as a Criminal, and under Inquifition, in the Jayls of this holy Office, for fuch Caufes as appear in the Aels of the faid holy Office, and that I will maintain his Caufe, and that I will not inflrutl this my faid Principal to conceal the 'Truth in his Trial, and that as far as 1 Jh all know this my faid Principal to be guilty, convitled of the Crime, or criminal, in the Matter or Matters for which he is inqui filed, I will throw up his Defence : And moreover, as foon as I fhall have Knowledge in the Ma- nagement of this Caufe of any Accomplice, orPerfon culpable in this Caufe, I pro- mife and engage to difcover it immediately to the faid Office, under Penally of Per- jury and Excommunication, from which I cannot be abfolved, but by this holy Office. So help me God, and thefe holy Gofpels of God. This Oath is written down by the Notary, and inferted in the Acts of the Procefs. The Advocates received 6 > 7> *• their Stipend from the Treafury, when they defend the Caufes of the Poor, •which is ufually very fmall, but honourable. But if the Criminals are not poor, the Advocates receive their Pay out of their Effects. Inflrutl. i. c. 16. Whatever the Advocates alledge, in the Prefence of the Criminal, is taken, as if it had been alledged by the Criminal himfelf, unlefs the Advocate hath been miftaken, and the Prifoner contradicts it within three Days. But in the Caufe of Herefy, if after three Days it fhall appear that the Advo- cates have been miftaken, or imprudent, it fhall not prejudice the Criminal, -becaufe it feems, in this Judgment, they act with Simplicity and the higheft Equity, and reject the Rigour of the Law. If the Criminal fays the Crimes objected to him are forged, his Advocate advifes him either to chal- lenge the falfe WitnefTes, or to find out fome juft Exception and Defence, and fays he is prepared to defend his Caufe as far as juft. The Criminal alfo had formerly allowed him a Procurator. But thefe Pro-Peqna, curators are now feldom allowed, becaufe the Advocates are fuffiiient, and cdW,iS; * exercife the Office of Procurators. Yea, they fay that the Inq ufitors ap- pear more truly to be the Procurators of the Criminals, fince by Office they are to take Care of the Criminals Defences. Concerning thefe we tiius read in the Madrid lnftru£t\on, An. 1561. c. 35. Altho* the Inflrutlion provides that Procurators flail be allowed the Criminals, yet they ought not to be granted them y he caufe Experience teaches that many Inconveniencies arife from thence ; and bt caufe of the little Advantage which the Criminals obtain by it, they fhall not be any longer allowed them : Altho* fomstimes when the Cafe is urgent, y tis allowed the Advo- cate to defend the Criminals. If the Criminals are under twenty- five Years of Age, they are allowed Curators fa fort of Guardians) by whofe Authority they are defended, leafr, thro' Unskilfulnefs or Youth, they mould conceal, or fay any Thing, which if fpoken or concealed, might be of Advantage to them. The fame In- Y 2 ilruction 164 The History of the Inquisition. ftru&ion thus provides, cap. 25. J f the Criminal be not of the Age of 25 before he* anfwers to his Accufation, let him be allowed a Curator, by whofe Authority the Con- feffions made /hall be ratified, and the whole Procefs formed. But let not fuch Cura- tor be of the Officials of the holy Office ; but he may be either his Advocate, or any other grave, faithful and conscientious Perfon. He muft alfo take an Oath, before the Inqu:fitor, laying his Hand upon the Gofpels, not to defend the- Prifoner falfely, not to injlrutl him to conceal the Truth in Judgment ; but to protect him according to the Form of the {acred Canons, and the Manner of the holy Office •,. and that as- foon as ever he Jhall know him to be an Heretick, and obflinate, he will defifl from the Profecution of his Caufe and his Defence. But in cafe he will, reconcile himfelf to holy Mother Church, that he will affiifl him ; and that if it- jhall happen that he knows any Perfon or Perfons in the Profecution of fuch Caufe y . to be an Accomplice, or culpable, he will difcover him or them, and that he will, not difcourfe of his Procefs, nor of any Thing contained in it, tnuch lefs of the Me- rits of fuch Caufe, direclly or indireilly, with any Perfon except Ins Principal, or his Procurator or Advocate, under Pain of Perjury and Excommunication, latae fententiae, from which he cannot be abfolved but by this holy Office, nor even by, this, unlefs he exprejfes the Caufe that induced him thus to falfify his Oath. CHAP. XVI. How the Prifoners are interrogated by the I n qjj isitor, whether they allow the JVitneJfes to be rightly ex amine d y and re-heard. Pegnaj t I "* H E Advocate being thus granted, and fometimes, if the Criminal de- * a h 4« mands it, the Procurator alfo, the Inquifitor ufually asks the Criminal whether he allows the WitneiTes examined againft him, to be well and truly examined, and legally re-heard. If he anfwers, that he would have the Wit- neiTes heard over again, and examined with his Interrogatories, and thus con- vi&them of Falfhood, the Inquifitor orders him a Copy of the Articles formed by the Procurator of the Exchequer, to the End that he may form his Interro- gatories, and allows him three Days to give them in. If he anfwers, that he will confider, and confulc his Advocate or Procurator, the Copy of the Articles form- ed by the Promotor of the Exchequer is given him, to aflift him the better how to refolve. If he refers himfelf to the Difpofition of the Law, 'tis the fame Thing as if he had anfwered, he would have the Witneffes re-examined. Becaufe, according to Law, the Proof of WitneiTes received in a luminary Manner is not regular, unlefs they be fully re-produced when the Party is cited, and re- examined upon the Interrogatories of the Criminals, that they may thus con- firm their Evidence and Depofitions. If he anfwers, that he refers himfeif to the Pleafure of the Inquifitor, the Inquifitor muft not accept it, leaft ic fhould be afecrwards objected to him that he, hindered the Criminal from making The History of the Inquisition. 165 making a legal Defence, and therefore he refers him to his Advocate or Pro- curator. If he anfwers, that he allows the WitnefTes, who have depofed a- gainft him, to be well and truly examined, and legally re-heard, but faves to himfelf the Liberty of making Exceptions againit Perfons and their De- pofitions in drawing out his Defences, this is wrote down by the Notary in the Acts. But altho' the Criminal mould thus allow the WitnefTes as legally examined, the Inquifitors muft however take Care, that they be formally j%-examined, efpecially when there is any Fear of their Death, or long Ab- fence. In fiich a Cafe the WitnefTes muft be admitted,, before the Trial com- mences. Simancas more fully defcribes this Matter: " In the Caufe ofHe-$. 15, zi, " refy, in which Inquifition is made by Virtue of the Judges Office, the Wit- " nefles are to be admitted before the Commencement of the Trial. The Pro- tc motor of the Exchequer ought however to be careful, and to infift, that the " WitnefTes repeat what they have faid, and give in again their Evidence, be- ,c fore fome Religious Perfons, leaftpoflibly they fhould die before the Trial z $; this, he was brought before the Inquifitor again, and the Promoter of the Ex- chequer repeated the fame Accufation, they would not open to him the whole Series and Connection of the Difcourfe, nor was this Accufation afterwards repeated, nor any Mention made of it in his Procefs, when his Sentence was publickly read at the Act of Faith. From hence he infers, that this Accu- fation was falfe, and only brought againft him to fee if they could filh any Thing out of him. A Copy of the Accufation is ufually given to the Criminal, to which heSimanc. muft anfwer Article by Article, and his Reply muft be immediately written tlt - 44« down by the Secretary before the Inquifnors. But if he continues to deny^' 11 ' «very Thing, he hath an Advocate allowed him, who generally doth nothing more, than deny the Matters contained in the Accufation, and affirms that the Criminal is and always was a Catholick, and that this is plain from his m;i- .. ny pious and good Wprks, and that his Character hath been always very good and unblemifhed amongft all Perfons. Then they come to a Conclufion, and Vol, II. Z a 170 The History of the Inquisition. a certain Term is fixed by the Judges to prove the Matters alledged on each Side, within which the Promotor of the Exchequer produces his WitneiTes again, and the Criminal proves his Defences. CHAP. XVIII. How the Interrogatories given in by the Criminals are formed and exhibited. i N Order to prepare his Defence, the Criminal alfo puts in his Interroga- tories, and defires of the Inquifitor that the WitneiTes may be interroga- ted upon them. But if they are impertinent, or deceitful, or tending to dif- cover the Informers, or to intangle and puzzle the Witnels, or to conceal the Truth, or to difcover fuch Circumftances by which he might come to the Knowledge of the Informer or WitneiTes, the Inquifitor hath Power to fet them afide. "Cathol. But asSimancas tells us, this is not the Method in the Spanijh Inquifitions, where Inftit. the Criminals are not allowed to put Interrogatories to the WitneiTes of the t, 4- w - IO 'p romoLor f tne Exchequer, but the Judge is obliged by Office diligently to examine into the Credit, Life and Manners of the WitneiTes. But the contra- ry is obferved in all the Inquifitions in 7/o/y, as Carena informs us, and that it /• 3- *■ 7- ought to be thus, he proves by this Reafon. That by not giving the Names of the 2M 1 ' Witneffes, the Defence of the Criminals at this Tribunal is imperfetl and maimed enough, without introducing any other Novelty ; but that the Defences of the Cri- minal would be neceffarily much more imperfetl and maimed 9 if the Witneffes againjl him fhould not be fuffered to be interrogated by him. pe S na > In Italy 'tis ufual for the Criminals Advocate, to demand that the Wirnef- c ' 3I 'fes may be examined and interrogated, concerning their Country, Age, Condition, S:ate, Employment. As, whether he is rich or poor, Clergy- man or Layman, a Religious, Regular or Secular, married or unmarried, a Father or a Son ? Whether he be a Citizen or Inhabitant of that City where the Caufe is carried on ? When he came to the Place ? Whether he always lived in it ? Whether he lives at his own or other Perfon's Charge? Whether in no Trial or Cafe he never depofed upon Oath Things which were not true, either for or againft any Perfon ? Whether he was ever excommunicated, and on what Account, and in what Place ? Whether he, or his Parents, were not declared infamous, interdicted, excommunicated, and incapable to bear Witnefs ? Whether he confefled his Sins this Year at Eajler, to what ConfefTor, and in what Church? Likewife whether he hath taken the Sacrament of the Eucharift, from what Prieft, and whom prefent? Whether he was ever under Inquifition, accufed or procelTed, for any Crime or Crimes, what they were ? Whether he was abfolvedor condemned, and by wha t Judge ? Whether any Thing was faid, promifed, forgiven, or granted to The History of the Inquisition. 171 to him on this Account, that he mould bear Witnefs againft any one, or that he mould fay in his Examination any Thing general or particular, and whe- ther he doth or hath expected any Advantage, and what, by his Depofition ? Whether he hath or doth know N. what was the firft Time, Place, and Oc- cafion of his knowing him ? Whether he hath often converfed with him, and concerning what Matters, and whether when he firft knew him, the fa id N. was accounted a good and Catholick Chriftian, a Man of a good Confcience, and fearing God? Then they proceed to the Articles, and interrogate the WitnelTes concerning the Year, Month, Day, Place and Hour, where and when the aforefaid N. difcovered Herefy ? Whether he fpoke it as the Senti- ment of his Mind, deliberately and ferioufly, or only as repeating anocher's Words ? What the precife Words were which he fpoke ? And the like with regard to the other Articles. CHAP. XIX. Of the re-examining the Wi tnesses, and the PuniJJoment of falfe Wl TNESSES. TH E WitnefTes cited by the Judges mufl be carefully examined and in-Simanc terrogated. And firft they are asked, Whether they know why they *- 44« are fummoned? If they fay they do know or guefs that they are fummoned $' iJ * in the fame Caufe in which they have already given Witnefs before the fame Judge, tney are afked, if they remember what they depofed in the faid Caufe? And whether it be true? And whether they will add, take away, change or correct any Thing ? Whatfoever they anfwer mult be faithfully written down by the Notary. Then they are examined again without feeing their former Depofitions, that the Truth or Falfhood may more evidently appear from their Confiftency or Inconfiftency. Finally, this Confirmation of their Teftimony muft be made before the Judges and Se- cretary, and two religious and difcreet Perfons. For as the Party concerned is not allowed to be prefent, two Perfons of Reputation muft be prefent in his Stead. If the latter Depofitions do not agree with the former, the former muft beg. 14. read over to the Wkneffes, and they interrogated what is the Meaning of this Difference in what they fay, and gently admonifhed to perfift in the Truth. Laftly, whatfoever they fay muft be written down, and if they contradict themfelves, or faulter, they muft be fent into Cuftody, and if the Cafe re- quires it, be tortured and punifhed. When a Witnefs fwears that he will conceal his Evidence, and is afterwards tit. 64, convicted of difcovering it before the Publication of it, he may be condemned &• 8 3* by the Judges at their Pleafure, either to do publick Penance, or to pay a Z 2 Fine, 172 The History of the Inquisition. Fine, or to Banifhment, or the Pillory, or to be whipped, and, if the Na- ture of the Crime requires it, to the Gallies. If the Witneffesare evidently caught in a Falfhood, they may be punifhed by the Inquifitor, according to their Merits. He is accounted a falfe Wit- nefs who tells a Lie, by depofing a Falfhood, and who fupprefTes or conceals the Truth. And if the Inquifitor finds any Witnefs to be manifeflly falfe, DireX. he, together with the Bifhop, may punifli him. Thus 'tis provided by a p. ^.ccm. certa j n Refcript otLeoX. An. 1520. in which there are many Rules for the IZ2, Obfervation of the Inquifitors of the Kingdom of Arragon, and, amongft others, this which I have mentioned. And that if any Witness fh all depofe a Faljhood in the faid Office of the Inquifition, he /hall be punifhed by the Ecclefiajiical Judges, the Ordinaries of the Diocefe in which fuch Falfhood fhall be committed, and #y the Inquifitor s of the faid Pravity, deputed together, for the Time being, in the fame Diocefe, fo that the one pall not be able to proceed without the other. DireSf. Eymerick mentions a Cafe, which happened at Tholoufe, An. 13 12. that a p. 3. §■ 7 3- Father accufed his Son of the Crime of heretical Pravity, and afterwards re- com. iz2. reacted it. His Sentence may be feen in the Book of the Sentences of the- Tholoufe Inquihuon, fol. 42. The Doctors however think, that as there is no Law extant concerning this Matter, fuch a one ought not to be delivered to the fecular Court, but that his Life ought in Mercy to be granted to him. But Leo X. by a Bull directed to Cardinal Adrian, Inquifitor General of Spain, An. 151 8. granted full Power of condemning to whatever Punifhments the Inquifitor mould think proper, and of delivering or turning over to the fecu- lar Court, without any Fear of any Ecclefiaftical Punilhment or Cenfure, or Mark of Irregularity, all and fingular Perfons of every State, Degree, Order 9 Dignity and Condition, who, in the Crime of Herefy, fhall be legally proved to have knowingly given falfe Witnefs, or to have induced any other to do fo, or to conceal the Truth, or to have killed any one for giving true Evidence, or falfe Evidence not pro- ved fo, or to have maimedhim in any Member, or to have deprived him, or caufed him to be deprived of all, or the greatefl Part of his Effetls ; which they believe ought to be done in this Cafe only, when the Witneffes have charged any one with formal Herefy, and the Criminal is delivered over to the fecular Court* and punifhed with Death, as a Negative and Impenitent, upon account of their Evidence. But when any falfe Witnefs voluntarily accufes himfelf, and asks for Mercy before the Perfon he gave Evidence againfl is delivered over to the fecular Court, and put to Death, they think he ought to be fpared, and his Life given him, but that he ought to fufFer fome very grievous Penance. Thus they acted in that Inftance of Tholoufe, with Pontius Arnaldi, a. falfe Witnefs againft his Son, in the Crime of Herefy, acknowledging his Fault, and craving the Mercy of the Inquifitor, who was condemned to perpetual; Imprifonment, in which, during Life, he was to do wholefome Penance, with the Bread of Grief, and the Water of Affliction •, and befides this, to Hand publickly, fo as to be openly ken and known by all By-ftanders, upon an high Ladder, before the Door of the Cathedral Church of St. Stephen, the fame Day., and the following, from the Beginning of the Morning till the ninth The History of the Inquisition. ninth Hour, in an open Place, without any Covering on his Head, in his Shirt, or Girdle, wearing two red Tongues, a Span and a half long, and three Finders broad, before on his Breaft, and two hanging down between his Shoulders, and his Hands tied together ; and to be placed alfo in the fame Manner, and to Hand before the Gates of the Church of St. Satunmus the Lord's Day following, and the Lord's Day after before the Gate of the gilded Church ; and to wear always upon every outward Garment the faid Tongues, and never to go in or out of his Prifon without the faid Tongues hanging down or appearing, and to mend them when ever they were torn, and to make new ones whenever the old ones mould be worn out ; and \ Moment he came down from the Ladder, to be carried and fhut up, withou Delay, in the Jayl near the Caftle of Narbonne, there to remain for ever. The fame Sentence was pronounced againft John de Salvetate, a falfe Wi rds*, fol 83, 84. Sentence is pronounced openly againft falfe WitnefTes, becaufe the) brought into publick View, and their heinous Wickednels is declared . the People, and their Defign and Villany is difcovered in exprefs Word the Reafon given and made known to all why they are thus punifhed. But if fuch falfe WitnefTes have done but little Mifchief, they receive a leffer Pun £h- ment •, for they are brought forth, wearing an infamous Mitre, with return- ing Hereticks, and other Penitents at the publick Act of the Faith, or pub- lick Proceffion, when their Crimes are read openly, and they themfelves bafti- nadoed or whipped, banifhed, or fent to the Gallies, or puniflied with fome other extraordinary Puniffiment. However, fuch falfe WitnefTes are feldom puniihed in a manner propor- tioned to the Heinoufnefs of their Crime, for this Reafon undoubtedly, that they may not deter Perfons too much from giving Evidence. The Author of c , the Hiftory of the Inquifition at Goa, gives us a memorable Inftance of Jofepb Pere'ira de Meneles, accufed to the Inquifition as a Sodomite, by a certain Ene- my of his, who pretended himfelf to be reconciled. This Perfon had bribed five of Percira's Servants, who all, with one Mouth, teftified, that they few their Mafter committing this Crime with fuch a Servant. P'ereira denied the Crime, but the Servant, who was young, thro' Fear of being put to Death, confeiTed it, tho' never committed. Pereira, as a convicted Perfon, was condemned to be burnt. When he was brought forth in Proceflion at the Act of Faith, he continued to proteft his Innocence. Upon which the Judges remanded him to Prifon, and ordered him to be kept to the next Act of Faith, in order, if poffible, to find out more exactly the Truth. In the mean while the WitnefTes were often interrogated, and being each of th?m feparately asked, whether or no the Moon fhone that Night in which they faw Pereira committing that deteftable Crime, their Anfwers were found con- tradictory, and the Falihood of the Accufation difcovered-, and being put 10 the Queftion, they confefied their Crime, and declared their Mailer innocent, But what wns the Punifhment inflicted upon the Author of (o villaoous a Crime ? Trifling, in.Comparifcn of the Heinoufnefs of the QiJcnce. P Enemy j 73 174 The History of the Inquisition. Enemy, who had bribed his Servants, was condemned to a nine Years Banifh- ment in Africa, and the fuborned Witneffes to the Gallies for five. Carena alfo relates from Diana, that in the Inquifition in Sicily, a certain Regular, who was a falfe Witnefs, and who had fuborned others to give falfe Evidence in the holy Office, was condemned to the Gallies for ten Years, and the Wo- men, his Accomplices, to be whipped, and to fix Years Banifhment. From thefe flight Punifhments, which, if compared with the Heinoufnefs of the Offence, bear no Proportion with it, 'tis evident that the Inquifitors are not willing to deter any one from giving Evidence. And indeed here is a great Inequality between the Offence and Punifhment. If any one grievoufly wounds a Witnefs, who hath born Witnefs againfl him, altho' he hath not killed him, he is punifhed with Death •, and if the Wound be flight, he is condemned for ever, or at leaft for ten Years, to the Gallies. Whereas he who gives falfe Witnefs, and fuborns and bribes others to fix by falfe Evidence a Crime upon another, which being proved by the Agreement of the Witnefles, the Crimi- nal muft fuffer the cruel Punifhment of being burnt, is only banifhed, and the falfe Witnefles condemned to nothing more than the Gallies for ten or five Years, or to be baftinadoed, and banifhed for fix. Now who doth not fee, that the Inquifitors are careful only to provide for the Security of the Witnef- fes, and had rather condemn Perfons loaded with falfe Accufations, than deter any one by the Severity of Punifhment from giving a falfe Evidence, which, in this Cafe, ought efpecially to be regarded, becaufe the Witneffes are not difcovered to the Criminal. Hoofdii, A much more exemplary Punifhment was inflicted upon a Woman, con- Hift. Belg. . victed of giving falfe Evidence, at the Hague, by the Command of the Court of Holland, An. 1561. William Bar defius, Praetor of Amjlerdam, and M. Hen- ry Theodoras, Conful of the fame City, were at mortal Enmity with each other, upon Account of fome political Differences. The Conful burnt with a Defire of Revenge, and that he might have a fpecious Pretence for destroying his E- nemy, determined to accufe him of the Anabaptiftical Herefy, at that Time univerfally hated for the late Disturbances which had been raifed on that Ac- count at Munfti r and Amjlerdam. He joined with him in this Defign, Florentius Egberti, Parifh-Prieit of the Old Church, and Commiffary of Ruardus Tappe- rus the Inquifitor, that the Fraud being thus covered over with an Ecclefiafti- cal Varnifh, might be carried on with greater Succefs. They could not find out a more proper Inftrument to execute this vile Defign, than a certain old Woman named Sophy, nick-named Yellow Sophy, upon account of the execrable Colour of her Body, a Widow, burthened with a great many Children, who made it her Bufinefs to betray the Reformed, who held their private Meetings, not being allowed the Ufe of the publick Churches, and maintained her wretch- ed Family with the accurfed Wages fhe earned, by informing againit them. Th ; s Woman, with two others of the fame Stamp, and two Men, one of which was a Notary, they prevailed with, by a little Money, and large Pro- mifes, to bear falfe Witnefs againfl the Praetor. Their feveral Evidences, which were fuggelted to them by the Conful and the Parfon, they confirmed The History of the Inquisition. 175 by Oath, in which they declared that the Prsetor, who with his Wife were both re-baptized, had a Meeting of the Anabaptifts in his Houfe, and that his Wife was prefent at the Meeting. This Evidence the Parfon fent in Writing to Ruardus Tapperus, Inquifitor of Lovain. But altho' this Matter was car- ried on very privately, the Praetor was too quick not to fmell it out ; and therefore to prevent his being deftroyed fuddenlv, and without beino- able to make his Defence, he goes immediately to Erujfels, and applies himfelf to Ma- ry Queen Dowager of Hungary then Governels, and in whom he had a very confiderable Interefl, and managed his Caufe with fo much Dexterity and Succefs, that the Senator Cornelius Monk, and with him the Secretary of the fupream Council of Mechlin, were fent to Amjlerdam to enquire into the Af- fair. And they found it no difficult Matter, upon examining the WitnefTes, to detect the Falfhood and Perjury. But as it was neceffary to proceed flowly to make a full Difcovery, the Caufe was committed to the Court of Holland, who deputed fome of their Members to make Inquifition concerning it. The two W r omen were imprifoned at the Hague, and being interrogated about the Prastor's Anabaptifm, and the Circumflances of it, they faid that he was re- bapiized in a Chapel that lay near his Garden, and that they faw it thro' the Window {landing upon a Bench. Upon this two of the Senators were fent to infpeft the Place, and found the Window fo very high, that tho' they flood upon the Bench, they could not reach it with their Hand, fo that 'twas im- poffible the Women could look thro' it, to fee what was rranfacted within. ^\nd thus the Falfhood was difcovered. The Authority of the City, and the Favour of the Ecclefiaflicks, for fome time protected the Conful and the Par- fon. But the Crime was too enormous to efcape unpunifhed, and therefore both of them were apprehended by Order of the Court of Holland, May 3, 1557. tne P ar f° n > as he was {landing before the Altar, and in fo hafty a man- ner, that they would no: fuffer him to go home, and change his Garments. After this they were both carried to the Hague. The Notary and the other Evidence had the fime Fate. And though it was difficult to cover over a Falfhood, proved by fo many Perfons, who agreed in their Confeffions, yet it was a long while, yea, feveral Years before the whole was openly difcovered. But at laft the falfe WitnefTes feeing no Poffibility of efcaping, asked Pardon for their OrFence of the Royal Clemency, and publickly confefTed their Falfe- hood and Perjury. One of the WitnefTes was publickly whipped. The No- tary deprived of hi? Office, and banifhed. The Parfon optnly confeifed that the Accufations he had written againft the Pranor an• nefTes, Accufers, or Informers, he would aft, according to P^/w'sMind, very DlreSm imprudently, and, for what he knows, fall into mortal Sin ; becaufe he would ad againft fo many Decrees of Popes, and againft the received Cuftom of the holy Office, which, though not fupported by any Law, yet being a com- mendable, approved, and legally prescribed Cuftom, hath the Force of a Law. And tho' the Criminal infifts, and demands, that he be allowed to make his Defence, according to the Courfe of the Law, and by Confequence that the Names of the WitnefTes be fhewn him as well as their Depofitions, he is not to be heard. Thofe who are called new Chriftians in Spain, never could obtain it, tho' they ufed their utmoft Endeavours for it. Ludovicus a Para- 1 1. K u mo tells us, that in the Reign of Charles, who fucceeded his Grandfather Fer- C > 5- **4^ dinand, the new Converts offered 800000 Pieces of Gold to the King, if he would order the WitnefTes to be made known in the Tribunal of the Inquifition. And when the young King, who was but 18 Years old, was greatly tempted by fo vaft a Sum of Money, Cardinal Ximenes, Inquifitor General, by fetting be- fore him the great Danger of fuch WitnefTes, and the Damage that would hereby accrue to the Church, wrought upon him to defpife that Offer. But when the Perfon accufed cannot particularly defend himfelf upon ac- count of the fuppreffing the Names of the WitnefTes, but can only conjecture in general, not being able to make any tolerable Guefs, 'tis recommended to the Prudence of the Inquifitor, to take fuch proper Meafures, as that he may know, whether the faid Deponents and WitnefTes are the mortal E- nemies of the Perfons accufed or not. Eymerick, in the third Part of his Directory of the Inquifitors, defcribes to us fix Ways of giving a Copy of the Procefs to Perfons accufed of Herefy, fup- preffing the Names of the Accufers, by which 'tis evident, that this one Thing is determined by the Inquifitors, viz. to condemn the Prifoners as guilty, right or wrong, by ufing various Arts and Impoftures, and efpecially by denying them the principal Means of their Defence. The firft Method is, to exhibit the Names of the Informers, not in the ix9&>/Sf Copy of the Procefs, but in a feparate Paper, nor in the Order in which they depofe •, but in fuch a Manner as that he who is the firft Informer in the Copy, fhall be the fixth or feventh in the feparate Paper j that by thus changing the Order of the Names, the Perfon accufed may not know what every one depofes. A a 2 The iSo The History of the Inquisition. The fecond is, to give a Copy of the Procefs to the Perfon accufed, and in another Paper the Names of the Deponents, mixing with them the Names of fome other Perfons, who have never depofed againlt him in that Affair, that fo he may object againft this and the other, and yet never know who hath de- pofed againft him. But thefe ways are greatly difapproved of, and but feldom practifed, becaufe they can't be of much Service to him that is accufed, be- caufe he can't hereby know who depofed this and the other Thing againft him i and may be greatly hurtful to the Accufers •, becaufe the Paper it felf makes it certain that the Criminal is accufed by fome one of them, and being un- certain by whom, he may form a Refolution againft thofe who have never de- pofed againft him, or whofe Depofitions againft him are true, or who have depofed in his Favour. And thus he may lay Snares for them, and bring them into very great Danger, which they carefully provide againft. The third Way is, that the Perfon accufed is interrogated when he is ex- amined, at the End of his Confeffion, and before the Copy of the Procefs is granted him, whether he remembers that he hath any mortal Enemies, who, laying afi'de the Fear of God, may charge him falfely with heretical Pravity ; fo that without farther thinking, and before he fees the Depofitions of the WitnefTes, he may anfwer either that he doth not remember that he hath any fuch Enemies, or that if he doth call any fuch to mind, he may name, them as they occur to him. Campeg. jf ne f a y S ne h atn n0 f ucn Enemies, the Inquifi'tor may charge him to think swZanch. we jj U p 0n tne Matter, and allow him aconvenient Space of Time to confider of it, and to writedown their Names if he remembers any, and thus defcribed, to exhibit them to the Judge with the Notary and WitnefTes. The Judge mud caufe all thefe Things to be inferted in the Acts, viz. that fuch a one, &c. appeared fuch a Day, &c. before the Inquifitor, &V. and gave in a certain written Paper, containing as underwritten, which mu-ft be inferted at length. After which the Judge gives him his Oath, and asks him whether that be his Writing, and written with his own Hand ? Likewife, whether he affirms that all and fingu 1 ar the Matters contained in it are true ? Likewife, whether all and fmgular the Perfons, there defcribed by Name, are his mortal Ene- mies ? Likewife, concerning the Time, Rife, Caufe or Occafion of the En- mity ? Likewife, whether bcfides the before-named, he hath any other Ene- mies, and whom, and what the Caufe and Time of the Enmity ? Again, whether after fuch Enmity contracted or arifen, he hath ever- made ufe of them as Evidences for him in any Civil or Criminal Caufe ? Ta thefe other In- terrogatories may be added at Pleafure, as the prudent Judge fha.ll think, proper, from the Anfwers given to the Premifes, and other reafonable Circum- ftances ; which being well confidered, and diligently examined, it will beeaiy to difoQver whether the Enmity pretended be real or not. But even here they are particularly cautious, that whilft they are thinking of Methods to Snd out the Enmity of the WitnefTes, the Criminals may not come to the Knowledge of them. Thefe Things almoft agree with the Words of the Bi- fkopof AlbatW) in which he prefcribes what the Inquifitors muft do in fuch a. Cafe*. The History of the Inquisition. 181 Cafe. Moreover ; let the Inquifitor s inquire from the Per [on againft whom they an to proceed, whether he hath any mortal Enemies, or certainly fufpetled to be fo, who, thro* Hatred, might /wear againjl him, and let bim -put down their Names in Wri- ting, whom he fays he hath Reafon legally to fufpeel \ and let them proceed and re- ceive other TVitneJJes againjl him, and yet nevertheless they may receive fuch fufpefied Witnejfes if they judge it proper. And a little after he adds, And ahhd* the Witnef- fes, who are faid to be fufpetled, or found to be Enemies, are not to be believed } un- lefs there be any 'Thing that may legally fupport their Evidence. The fourth is, that the Perfon accufed, in the End of his Confefiion, be- fore he is allowed to make his Defence, mould be interrogated concerning thofe Witneffes who have depofed the molt heinous Things againft him, as tho' they were accufed themfelves, after this Manner. Do you know fuch a one, naming one of the moft confiderable Witneffes ? If he faith he doth nor, he can't reject him in his Defence as a mortal Enemy, having declared upon Oath he did not know him. If he anfwers, that he doth know him, he is interrogated, whether he knows, or hath heard that he hath faid or done any Thing againft the Faith ? Then he is asked, whether he is his Friend or Ene- my, and prefuming that he will anfwer, His Friend, that his Evidence for him may be admitted, he can't after he hath faid fo, reject him as a mortal Enemy. Eymerick is for ufing thefe two Methods but feldom, becaufe, tho? not at all dangerous to the Deponents, they are prejudicial to the Accufed. But yet he approves that the latter mould be ufed againft cavilling and cun- ning Perfons, and fays that he himfelf hath fometimes, tho' feldom, taken this Method againft fuch Perfons, whereby, as the Apoftie fays, being cunning, he caught them by Guile. Camillus Campegius adds, if he anfwers, that he doth not know that he hath In Zanch faid any Thing againft the Faith, the Inquifitor muft not omit to ask him} c " ' 3 * whether he be his Friend or Enemy ? If he anfwers, his Friend, but that he would not be filent even on this Account, but would come in Evidence a» gainft him, if he knew that he had offended againft the Faith, he can't object againft him any more in this Caufe as a mortal Enemy. For this is to be re- marked, that he who once allows a Witnefs, can never after reject him. The fame Campegius adds another Way, viz. the Inquifitor asks the accu- fed Perfon in his firft Examination, what he thinks to be the Reafon of his being apprehended or imprifoned? Likewife, who he fufpects to be his Accu* fers ? And if he particularly names any, he is asked, why he fufpects them rather than others ? To which Queftion perhaps he will anfwer, by aihgning, as the Reafon or Caufe, Hatred, a Law-Suit, or Quarrel, or fome like Mat- ter. After this the Inquifitor asks- him again, whether he hath any other E- nemies, and who they are, and of the Time, and Occafion of their Enmity> as above. He asks him again, who were prefent, when the Perfons he re- jects as Enemies, affaultedor wounded him, and the like, and by whom he can be informed of the Reality of fuch mortal Enmity. After this the Inqui- fitor diligently ccnfiders his Anfwers and Affertions, and receives Informations from religions Perfons concerning the Credit of the Witneffes, in order to find out 8i The History of the Inquisition. out the Truth, and if he finds that the WitneiTes are juftly charged with mor- tal Enmity, he muft confult the Laws, Doctors and Counfeilors, and then a etas he fees fit. The fifth is, to give the Perfon accufed a Copy of the Procefs, fupprefilng the Names of the Deponents, fo that when he fees the Depofitions, he may conjecture who it was that depofed fo and fo againft him. On this fometimes he names feveral as his mortal Enemies, affigning the Reafons of it, and pro- ducing his Witneffes. If he gueffes at any, the Inquifitor enquires the Caufes of the Enmity •, if they are not fufficient, he rejects them ; if they are, he examines the WitneiTes privately, who, upon not giving legal Proof are re- jected. This is performed with the Advice of the Learned. And this Me- thod is generally obferved. The fixth is, that when the Perfon accufed fays, upon giving him a Copy of the Procefs, that he hath many mortal Enemies, names them, and afligns the Reafons of fuch Enmity, the Diocefan and Inquifitor hold a Council of Divines and Lawyers, cauie the whole Procefs to be read over by the Notary, difcover to them the Names of the Witneffes and Deponents, and oblige them by Oath, or under Penalty of Excommunication, not only to give found Ad- vice, but alfo to obferve perfect Secrefy. After this 'tis debated amongft them, whether they fully know the Perfon accufed, and the Witneffes, and whether there is mortal Enmity between them? If they fully know them, their Counfel and Advice is flood to, and whofoever are adjudged by them to be mortal Enemies, are rejected from giving Evidence ; and thofe who are adjudged not to be fo, are admitted. If the Counfeilors do not fully know the Perfon accufed and the Witneffes, two, three or four Perfons of Reputa- tion, well acquainted with the Criminal, are chofen by their Advice, out of the City, where the accufed Perfon dwelt. One of thefe at leaft, or two, muft be Parifh-Priefts, and another, if it can conveniently be, a Religious, and the others Layicks, reputable Men, zealous for the Truth. Thefe are fecretly called together by the Bifhop and Inquifitor, and being obliged to fpeak the Truth by Oath, or under Penalty of Excommunication, are interrogated, con- cerning the mortal Enmity or Friendfhip of the Perfon accufed, and the Wit- neffes. The Bilhopand Inquifitor entirely acquiefce in their Judgment, fo that after they have well and carefully confidered the Matter amongft themfelves, they reject, from being Evidences fuch as thefe Perfons fay and prove to be the Accufeds mortal Enemies, and admit thefe which they fay are not. This is the ufual Method, and feems to agree with the Determination of the Council of Biterre, Cap. 10. But let Care be taken of this, as the ApoftolickSee hath carefully determined, that the Names of the Witneffes he not difcovered by any J5i or Word. But if the Perfon, under Inquifition, infiftsonit, and fays thai pofjibly he may have Enemies , or that fome Perfons have con/pi red againft bi?n> let the Namss of fuch E- nemies or Confpirators y and the Occafion and Truth of fuch Enmities and Confpiracfes befo drawn out of him, as that the Safety of the Witneffes, and the Perfons alfo to be convicled, may be provided for, And The History of the Inquisition. 183 And in order the more effectually to prevent all Danger to the WitnefTes which may arife from their being known, Camillus Cmnpegius advifes, not only to fupprefs their Names, but: even all Circumftances that may tend to point out or difcover them. For he fays he hath oftentimes ieen that the ^rantino- fuch a Copy hath given Rife to Enmities, Hatreds, Wounds and Deadi ; and fometimes, that thofe under Inquifition, falfely imagining a Pcrfon to have depofed againft them, who hath not, nor faid or did any Thing againft them, have notwithstanding, thro* fuch a falfe Perfuafion, contrived not only Great- ly to injure him, but even his Deftruction. Thus it happened at Ferrara, and at other Places, as he fays he was credibly informed. And therefore he ad- vifes the Inquifitors, to proceed very cautioufly in this Affair, and fo to de- fend the Catholick Faith, as to fecure the Lives of the WitnefTes. For he fays there are few to be found, who are willing to inform or depofe in this Caufe of Hereticks, and that if the Safety of the WitnefTes mould be endan- gered by the World, he imagines there would not be fo much as a Tingle In- former. When any juft Exceptions are objected againft the WitnefTes, the Crimi- nal is admitted to prove them. But his WitnefTes are fo cautioufly examined, as if poffible to prevent their knowing who the WitnefTes againft the Criminal are. And, in order to this, they are interrogated not only concerning the Enmity or Confpiracy of the real WitnefTes againft the Criminal, but of others alfo who are not Evidences againft him. But here I cannot omit, what J. Royas fays, c - 4 s * him to exhibit the Articles by which he would pro^ e his Innocence. This Term is not fixed to any precife Day, but left to the Pleafure of the Judge, who can grant him more or fewer Days, as he thinks fit. And becaufe the Defence of the Criminal confifts of three Parts, viz. in denying the Fact, or diiabiing the WitnefTes, or proving his good Life and Behaviour, his being a good Chriflian or Catholick, the Articles to be proved are difpofcd into Me- thod, according to the aforefaid Diviiion. But yet the prudent and Catho- Jick Procurator or Advocate muft confider his Oath, and both infert in the Articles the Things which he believes to be true, juft as they have been fug- gefted to him by the Criminal, he is to defend, and continually admonifh him fimply to confels the Truth. At the End of the Articles produced by the Criminal, the Names of thee. 49. WitnefTes by which he would prove his Innocence, are put down, and the particular Article upon which he would have each Witnefs examined, fpeci- fied. For as it can't eafily happen that any fingle Witnefs mould know all the Matters contained in all the Articles, therefore to prevent the Inquifitor, or he to whom the Inquifitor commits the Examination, the Trouble of being forced to guefs who knows the Contents of fuch and fuch an Article, or of examining all the WitnefTes upon every Article, 'tis particulary fhewn, that fuch a Witnefs muft be examined upon fuch and fuch an Article, and fo of the reft. By fome he endeavours to prove, that the Perfon who he imagines hath depofed againft him, is his mortal Enemy ; by others, that he hath lived a good Life, and fo on. If after the Articles have been produced and admitted, the Criminal will add one or more additional Articles to them, the Inquifitor may admit them as well as the firft, becaufe 'tis not exprefsly prohibited by Law. In forming thefe Articles, a fkilful Advocate or Procurator muft confider thofe Things, which may either remove or extenuate the Crime, i. e. prove the Falfhood of the Accufation, or extenuate the Guilt by proper Circumftances *, as, whether the Perfon was mad or drunk when he faid it, of which more hereafter. After the Criminal hath once produced and named his WitnefTes, the In- quifitor may, if he fees fit, and knows there is no Fraud or Deceit, allow the Criminal to name others afterwards, and admit them. Vol. II. Bb When i86 T)je History of the Inquisition. dp, so. When the Witneffes thus produced by the Criminal have depofed before the Inquiiitor, a Copy of their Depofitions is given to the Procurator of the Exche- quer, who, in his Turn, exhibits his Interrogatories upon them, that the WitneflTes brought by the Prifoner in his Defence, may be examined upon them. And here, juft as the Criminals Advocate doth, he asks abundance of Queftions about the Witneffes Perfon, Condition of Life, and whether they know the Criminal, or are any ways a-kin to him ? and the like. Befides this he is asked, How he came to put himfelf upon this prefent Ex- amination ? Whether any Body defired him to do it ? And who ? With what Words ? And what he the faid Witnefs anfwered ? Whether the Articles upon which he was to be examined, were fhewn him ? Or whether he hath been otherwife inftructed what to depofe ? Whether any Thing hath been given, promifed, or forgiven him, and what ? Whether he expects any Advantage, by his prefent Depofition, or by the Delivery of the Prifoner out of the Jayl of the holy Office, and what? To thefe he adds others fuitable to the Affair, and thus running over every Article produced by the Criminal, he demands that his Witneffes be interrogated upon each of them. fyp. 52. The Procurator of the Exchequer of the fupream Senate of the general Ro~ man Inquifition, ufually demands at the End of his Interrogatories, that the In- quifnor, who is to examine the Witneffes, will form other proper Interroga- tories, as the Matter fhall require, and the Anfwers of the Witneffes mail make neceffary. For it often happens, that as the Witneffes are examining, fuch Things are faid by them, as give Occafion to new Interrogatories, fo neceffary and fuitable to the Cafe as tends very much to difcover the Truth. 'Tis fometimes the Cuftom, as Ptgna tells us, for the Procurator of the Ex- chequer of the holy Inquifition, at the End of his Interrogatories, to put fuch an Interrogatory as thisagainft a Criminal to his Witnefs. Whether he knows,, or hath heard it faid, that-the faid N. in the faid City of N. was accounted as one fufpected of Herefy, and a Man of an ill Character, Opinion and Fame, in Matters relating to the holy Catholick Faith? If he anfwers Yes, he is afked how he came to know this, and muft name the Errors and Herefies, who were Witneffes with him, at what Time, what the particular Place, all which he muft particularly relate. If he anfwers No, he is interrogated, . How 'tis poffible that the faid N. fhould be accounted as one fufpected of He- refy, and otherwife of evil Life, Condition and Fame, in Matters appertain- ing to the holy Catholick Faith, and yet he the faid Witnefs fhould be igno- rant of it ? Pegna adds, that the fecond Part of -this Interrogatory feems to him very dangerous, and proper only to invalidate the Evidence of the Wit- nefsfor the Criminal. For if fuch Witnefs fhould anfwer, 'tis poffible that N. may have been fufpected of Herefy, and yet that he might be ignorant of it, his Evidence would be weakned. And alrho' fome Doctors greatly ad- mire fuch an Interrogatory, and fay that 'tis amoft excellent and admirable one, and what will invalidate the Depofitions of almofl all Witneffes for the Criminal, yet he is rather of Opinion, that if fuch an Interrogatory fhould, be put The History of the Inquisition. 187 put by the Procurator of the Exchequer, it ought not to be allowed by the Jnquifitor ; leaft if an ignorant Witnefs, which al mod all the common and vulgar People are, fhould anfwer, it was poffible, and really is fo, the fame Procurator of the Exchequer, after the Procels is ended, and the Proofs ex- amined, mould by fuch a Caution fhake the Credit of all the Proofs urged in Behalf of the Criminals. If there is any Reafon to doubt of the Faithfulnefs, Conftancy or Silence of any one of the WitnefTes, viz. that, if difmiffed after his Examination was •ended, he would confer with any other WitneiTes to be examined, he is ufu- ally kept in the holy Office till after their Examination. But if he be an ho- neft Man, of good Condition and Reputation, and in no Danger of difcover- ing any Thing he hath acknowledged, he is immediately difmifled after his Examination. No Copy of the Depofitions is or ought to be given before the Examina- tion is finifned. But if after the Examination of fome, the Criminal declares that he renounces any farther Examination, a Copy may be given him. Altho', after the Publication of the Evidence, WitneiTes are not to be ad-Simanc. mitted upon the fame Articles, or others contrary to them, yet in the Caufe "'*• 6 4« of Herefy they are always to be allowed, whether it be for or againft the$' * 0, Criminal *, becaufe, as this Publication is done in private, there can be no Sufpicion of the WitnefTes being corrupted in thefe Caufes. It often happens that theWitnefTesto be re-produced, or otherwife examined, Pegna, are abfent from the Place in which the Action is carried on againft the Crimi-C^p. $4* nal, and therefore there muft be a Commiffion to examine them, or their Ex- amination muft be committed to fome proper Perfon. And altho' in Cri- minal Caufes fuch Commiffion for examining diftant Perfons is not allowed, the Judge himfelf being to interrogate the WitnefTes, and to confider with what Steadinefs, Trembling, or Countenance they fpeak, yet fuch Commif- fion is granted in the Crime of Herefy, and efpecially when the WitnefTes are in remote Places, and in other Diocefes, and can't come to the Inquifitors without great Expence. With thefe Letters of Commiffion there muft alfo be Tent to the Judge or Inquifitor, to whom the Examination of WitneiTes in Behalf of the Criminal is committed, Articles and Interrogatories, upon which the faid WitneiTes muft be examined, in the fame Manner as if they were examined by the In- quifitor before whom the Caufe is tried. But the Inquifitor or Bifhop, who delegates the Examination to another, muft not allow the Party to give Articles for the WitnefTes, before the Judge to whom they direct the Ex- amination, but they are to be given to the Judge of the Caufe. When the Examination is ended, the Judge, who receives thefe remifTory Letters, muft take Care to tranfmit to the Inquifitor who delegates him, an authentick Copy of the original Procefs, faithfully extracted, compared with the Original, and fubfcrib'd by the Judge and Notary. But if it can be done without Dan- ger of lofing it, the original Copy it felf muft be fent to him, and the dele- gated Judge keep the authentick Copy by him* Bb 2 If 1 88 The History of the Inquisition. If whilft the Caufe is depending there arife new Proofs againft the Criminal, or he commits a new Offence, or if there appears any Thing favourable in his Behalf j if, for Inftance, the Informer or Witnefs, upon recollecting himfelf, comes to depofe any Circumftance that may extenuate the Crime; or if any other comes to difcover any Thing that may make the CriminaPs Innocence appear, they are to he received. This is efpecially to be obferved, in cafe any Difcovery can be made of a Confpiracy againft the Criminal, or of the Subornation of the Witnefs or Witneffes to give Evidence againft him. CHAP. XXII. Of the Defence of the Criminals. $*%• $7« AFTER the Parties have prepared their Proofs, Pegna fays, a Copy of jf"\ the defenfive Procefs mult be delivered to the Criminal. But Carena obferves, that for the Space of twenty Years, during which he acted in the Inquifition at Cremona^ he never faw a Copy of the defenfive Procefs given to the Criminals in that Court, and he advifes all the Inquifitors, to act in the fame Manner ■> becaufe fometimes the Criminal produces in his De- fence Witneffes of a tender Confcience, who rather make againft him, and for this Reafon Inconveniencies may arife from the Grant of this Procefs. And this he fays is the Practice of the Spanijh Inquifition. But whatever the Copy is which is granted him, he hath a Term fixed him for making his Defence, within which, if he thinks fit, he gives in his Informations as to Fact and Law, to prove his Innocence. Simanc. Obftinate Hereticks are denied a Defence, but Criminals, not yet con- cath. inft, victed, are allowed to make the beft they can. The firft and principal *• i7« Defence of thofe who are innocent, is to deny the Crimes which are falfely objected to them. Such a one muft conftantly perfift in his Denial of them, that he may not unjuftly condemn, and give falfe Evidence againft him- felf. Such a one however can't prove d.rectly by WknefTes that he did not fay or do fuch a Thing ; but when the Place and Time of the Crime, faid to be committed, is affigned, he may prove that he was not then and there prefent, and that therefore he did not fay or do any Thing of which he is accufed. And when he hath proved this by feveral reputable Witneffes, he is to beabfolved. Another kind of Defence is, if he can refute the Witneffes, i.e. if he can prove they are his Enemies, or fuborned with Money by his Enemies, or have confpired againft him. But 'tis not an eafy Matter to fet afide the W T itneifes in a Caufe of the Faith, becaufe, as we have faid, in favour of this, infamous Perfons, fuch as are privy to and Accomplices in the Crime, excommunicated Perfons, and thofe The History of the Inquisition. 189 thofe guilty of any other Crimes whatfoever, are here admitted as Witneffes, efpecially when other Proofs are wanting. Nothing legally lets afide any one Eymer. from being a Witnefs but Enmity only, and that neither unlefs it be mortal. lj Leffer Enmities will fomewhat weaken the Evidence of the Witneffes, but not ^>- w - IlS * abfolutely fet them afide. This is determined by the Councils of Bilerre, cap. 1-2,- 13. and Narbonne, cap. 24, 25. Altho' in this Crime all Criminals, infamous Perfons, and Accomplices in the Crime, are to be admitted as Accufers and Witneffes, fuch Ex- ceptions only Jhall wholly deftroy the Credit of the Witneffes, which can be made appear to proceed not from a Zeal for Jujlice, but the Infligation of Malice, fuch as Confpira- exes and mortal Enmities. Altho* other Crimes weaken, they don't deflroy the Evi- dence, efpecially if the Witneffes have re-pented of their Crime. Befides this Exception againft the Witneffes, there is another kind of De- Simanc; fence, which the Advocates make ufe of to wipe off and break the Force of Cath - In fi % the Accufation, viz. to prove that the Criminal is, and always was a Catho- *-44«&*** lick, and that this evidently appears from a great Number of pious and good Works that he hath done, and that he always had an entire good Reputation amongft all Perfons. But Royas mews that all this is trifl ng, and of no Weight, de htret. Allhd > fever alWitnejfes depofe in general that fuch a one is of good Reputation, their Pu fuch aged Perfon hath his Judgment cath. i,f>. entire. Likewife if it be pronouns in a Dream, or by one fo drunk as to t. 17. be quite out of hisSenfes ; or if by one, who, without any ill Defign, relates the Herefies of others ; or who, by a Slip of his Tongue, drops any Thing heretical, and immediately retracts n. Or if any one errs againft any Article of the Catholick Faith without Obftinacy, which he is not obliged explicitly to know, and efpecially if drawn into this Error by one whom he was obliged to believe. Very great Simplicity alfo may excufe ; alfo a Joak or Jeft, if thoughtlefsly pronounced, and in hafte, upon a particular Occafion, and with- out Deliberation, may fometimos excufe from Herefy, tho* fuch Perfons may- be punifhed as rafh and evil Speakers. Add to this, any one's fiying or do- ing any Thing heretical, thro' Fear of Death or Tortures. Such a one indeed grievoufly offends, but yet is not an Heretick. For, as Brunus fays, as a ; r c ^ forced ConfcMion of the true Faith doth not make a Catholick, fo neither is §. lo , the afferting a forced Error to be imputed for Herefy. Finally, fuch Things as are uttered thro' any vehement Commotion of Mind, fuch as Love, Jea- loufy, Anger, fuddain Grief, and the like. There is alfo a kind of Defence taken from the Command of a Superior. As when a Servant by his Ma- iler's Command breaks Images, or commies any fuch Thing, he is to be more 6. i -: i$o The History of the Inquisition. 4.^8. more gently punifhed. Brums adds, that an Heretick may object, that the Caufe hath been already judged, and the Affair determined, which is allowed, whether Cognizance hath been taken of the Crime either by Accufacion or In- quifition. There is alfo another kind of Defence, viz. when any Perfon confelTes fome heretical Word, or Fact, but denies the evil Intention, and thus fhews him- felf to be clear of Herefy, becaule Herefy confifts properly in the Mind. "When this Defence is urged, the Criminals are tortured to difcover their In- tention, and to make them fully and entirely confefs. But this they limit in certain Cafes, and don't proceed to the Torture to find out the Intention, if there be no confiderable Proof of the Crime befides the Criminal's Confef- Jion, and when there is juft Ground to conclude by the Circumftances of the Fact and other Preemptions, that the Criminal offended with a quite different jb-t. 5. /.8. View, and not thro' an heretical Mind. Carena relates a memorable Inftance 9- *• of this decided before the Tribunal of the holy Office at Granada, by Francis Marin de Rodezno, Inquifitor at Granada. In the Year 1640. Apr. 5. on Tburfday in the Week before Eajler, there was a Writing fixed upon the Gates of the Senate -houfe at Granada. In this Paper the Law of Mofes was greatly extolled, and the Seel; of Calvin commended, and the mod holy Faith of Chrifl accurfed with the mod terrible Impreca- tions. The Virginity and Chaftity of the Mother of God was denied in fo very obfeene a Manner, as would fcarce become a common Whore proftitu- ting her felf in a Bawdy-houfe. He alfo, with a Shew of Companion, advi- fed all Perfons, that they would not thoughtlefsly fuffer themfelves to be drawn away by a falfe Religion. And finally lie threatned, that he would caufe to be deflroyed all thofe Regards of Worfhip and Piety, which the ^ City of Granada payed to a marble Image of the Virgin, erected as a Token of Victory, and placed in an open Field over-againft the Gate of Elvira, at the Entrance into the City, and commonly called, Our Lady of Triumph. This Writing was feen by two Men after the Dead of Night was over, by Twilight, and as the Paper and Character was very extraordinary, it eafily excited their Curiofity, and altho' they were ignorant of the Contents, they took it down from the Gates. But after they had read it, and perceived the Wickednefs and Blafphemy of it, they carried it the next Day to the facred Tribunal of the Inquifition. The Report of this Wickednefs immediately took Air, and the Enormity and Greatnefsof the Crime alarmed the whole City of Granada. One Friar Francis Alexander was appointed by the Senate of Granada, to take Care of the Worfhip of the faid Lady of 'triumph, who, upon this Ac- count, was, after the Spanifh Cuftom, called, The Hermit, and whofe Habit was very agreeable to his Office. He pretended to his Neighbours that he was injured above all others by this Offence done againft the Mother of God, and in his private Converfation in the City oftentimes inveighed againft the Heinoufnefs of the Crime, and at laftdepofed in a legal Manner what he had Reafon to fufpect, and what he himfelf had obferved in that facred Night. .But as nothing came of the molt diligent Inquifitions that had been made into The History of the Inquisition 191 into the Affair, there arofe at laft great Sufpicions and Preemptions againft the Hermit himfelf, after his own Depofitions had been privately, and ac Leifureconfidered. His Depofitions were found inconfiftent and contradicto- ry, tho' he made them voluntarily and freely, without any one's askin^ or calling upon him, and in fome of them he was openly convicted of Falfhood. Several times he repeated feveral of the very Expreffions of the faid Paper, foexprefsly and particularly, as could not poffibly be done by any one who was not the Author of it, or at leaft privy to it ; whereas he himfelf confefled, after he had been informed againft before the Tribunal, that he had neither feen nor read it. And when a certain Perfon faid before him, that it was com- monly reported thro' the City that he was the Author of the Paper, when the Sufpicion was infinuated, he immediately turned pale, and dextroufly lhifted the Difcourfe to fomething eKe, without mentioning a Word of the Affair, tho' his Countenance was obferved to fall. The Circumftancesof the- Perfon added to the Sufpicion, as he was a Man of an ill Life and Behaviour, remarkable for Hypocrify, and guilty of many Crimes. And finally the common People were univerfally perfuaded, and all affirmed, as with one- Voice, that no one elfe could be guilty of fo heinous a Crime. Upon this the Hermit was ordered to Jayl, and after three Admonitions made on three feveral Days, and upon comparing other Writings of his with the Letters of this Paper, finding that they were exactly fimilar and perfect- ly alike, and that therefore the Hand and Author muft be the fame, he was cited by the Fifcal of the Inquifition, and arraigned for the Crime, and im- mediately ingenuoufiy confefled it, and began to give an Account of the paft Courfe and Manner of his Life, faying that he was a Religious of a certain very venerable Religion and Fraternity, a Lay Brother, and Profeffed ; but that on the Account of certain Differences and Quarrels therein he fled, and had forfaken his Religion feveral Years. Btitinafmuch as he had not loft his Regard to Piety and Religion, tho' he had changed his Habit, he travelled to Jerufalem, and there vifited the holy Places, where, thro' a peculiar ftrono- Affection to the Mother of God, he had received certain Marks on his Arm^ as a conftant Monument of his Devotion. From Jerufalem he came to the lower Pannonia, and in the City of Vienna built and dedicated a Temple to our La- dy of Conception. After this he returned back to the City of Granada, where he had confecrated his Life to our Lady of Triumph, and the Care of her Wor- fhip. And that when he had found that there was nothing done towards rinifh- ing her Temple, and that the Devotion of the Faithful grew cool, he was excited by thefe Motives to endeavour to encreafe the Worfhip and Venera-. tion of that facred Place, and that with this View he fixed up the Paper filled with Reproaches and outrageous Affronts againft the Mother of God, and particularly directed againft our Lady of Triumph. And that he might pre- vent himfelf from being fufpected of the Crime, and throw it upon one of the Jfwijh Race, who are more liable to Sufpicion, he wrote in the Paper an h-gh Encomium of the Law of Mo fa, and an Abjuration of Christianity. And ri- raiiy> that no Port ttgueze might be thought guilty of this Wickcdnefs, and that *9i The History of the Inquisition. that that Nation might not come hereby into Difcredit, he added a very great Commendation of the Calviniflick Seel, to which, as he now thinks, he was moved by the Inft'gation of the Devil. For he thought that by this Means he fhould more eafily bring the People into a more fervent Devotion, in order to expiate the Wickednefs of that Paper, and perfuade them to celebrate the molt venerable, pompous, and magnificent Ceremonies in Honour of the Virgin, to finifh her Church, and to encreafe the Veneration and Worfhip paid her, and finally to render that facred Place famous for its bei g reforted to by great Multitudes from that City and the neighbouring Towns. And therefore that he was fo far from fixing up the aforefaid Paper out of an he- retical Mind, and from believing the Errors contained in it, that he did it with a quite contrary Defign, and always intended hereby to encreafe the Ho- nour and Worfhip of the Virgin, as became a Man faithful to the Mother of God, a Chriftian, and alfo a Catholick, and one born of pious and Catholick Parents. When they had heard his Confeflion, and examined and finifhed his Caufe, they did not think proper to put him to the Torture, for difcovering his Com- panions or Accomplices, and whether or no he acted with an heretical Inten- tion ; becaufe m my Circumftances and Preemptions concurred, which not only gave Reafon to think, but notorioufly proved that the Criminal had no heretical Intention, but that his only Defign was to caufe greater Veneration to be paid to our Lady of Triumph, that he himfelf might be held in greater Efteem, and fo obtain more liberal Alms. Nor did they think proper to de- liver him over to the fecular Arm, becaufe he had fixed up the Paper to bring the greater Honour to the Virgin, and becaufe as foon as ever his Accufation was read over, he ingenuoufly confefs'd his Crime ; and finally, becaufe he had implored Mercy with many Tears and Signs of Repentance, and, during the Time of his Imprifonment, had undergone many voluntary Penances, macerating his Body by Whipping, Failings, and other Chaftifements, and was a Monk of a raoft venerable Religion, which had produced many Saints, whofe Merits were fufficient to fupply and excufe the Errors of others, at leaft fo far as to fave them from Puniinment. It was therefore decreed, that the Criminal fhould come forth at a publick Act of the Faith, if there was any one near at hand •, or if not, that he mould appear in fome publick Church with the Marks of a Blafphemer, with his Tongue in a Gag, that he mould, as one vehemently fufpected, be condemned to the Gallies for ten Years, and without any Stipend fuffer perpetual Banifhment from the City, the whole Kingdom of Granada, the Royal Court, and five Leagues around it ; and that he mould be expofed in the Habit in which he was apprehend- ed, and whilft his Sentence was reading with the Merits of the Caufe, fhould lift up his right Hand, fattened into an Iron Collar, and efcape Whipping, becaufe he was a Religious. Thus we fee that this Hermit came off with a lefler Punifhment, becaufe by a pious Fraud he intended to promote the Glory of our Lady of Triumph. But if they believe that any Thing is done to the Prejudice of the Roman Religion, The History of the Inquisition. 192 Religion, altho' the Criminal mould deny his Intention, he will find his Judges to be cruel, and void of Mercy, and that they will put him to the Torture at Pleafure, that by the Severity of his Torments they may force from him a Confefllon of his Intention. CHAP. XXIII. How tbelx qu isitor may be rejeBed. THERE are other Exceptions againft the Judge himfelf, and thofe arez>*Ve#. principally two, the firfb is the Refufal of the Inquifitor. This Refufal /'•5- n - I1 9' is fometimes reafonable and juft, fometimes frivolous and void. But in this Tribunal many Caufes, which are fufficient to fet afide other Judges, are not admitted, but only thefe, Enmities, Confpiracy againft the Criminals, or fomething like it, as a grievous Contention, whence Enmity may eafily arife. Lefifer Caufes are never allowed. Or if the Inquifitor hath dealt hardly by the Criminal, contrary to the common Courfe of the Law. If the Inquifitor ap- prehends that the accufed Perfon will refufe him upon this latter Account, he may give a full Deputation to fome other Perfon before he is acquainted with his being rejected, after which fuch Rejection is void, and the Deputation made ftands good. If fuch Rejection be prefented to the Inquifitor, he may amend his Miftake, and reduce the Procefs to the Condition it was in, before the Injury complained of ; and thus the Grievance being removed, the Reafon of Sufpicion ceafes, and the Refufal of the Inquifitor becomes void. If he rejects him as an Enemy, or as a Friend of his Enemy or Accufer, Com. 30» Eymerick is of Opinion, that the Matter muft be left to Arbitrators to deter- mine it. But now the Reafon of fuch Refufal muft be remitted to the fu- pream Senate of the Inquifition, that the Affair being fummarily taken Cogni- fance of, the Inquifitor refufed may be rejected, or prohibited to judge in that Caufe, or on the contrary may be commanded to proceed. This is determi- ned by the Madrid Inftruction, An. 1561. c. 52. If anyone of the Inquifitors jhall be refufed by any Criminal, if fuch Inquifitor hath a Colleague on the Spot, he muft then abftain from the Cognifance of fuch Caufe, and certify the Senate of the Mat- ter, and in the mean while let his Colleague proceed. If he hath no Colleague, let him in like manner certify the Senate, and not proceed in the Caufe, 'till the Senate Jhall decree what ought to be done, after having feen and examined the Reafons of the Sufpicion, 'The fame muft be done when all the Inquifitor s are rejecled. Vol. II. Cc CHAP. iq^. The History of the Inquisition, CHAP. XXIV. Of the Appeal from the I n qjj i s i t o r. n.\ it, &c. \ Nother Exception againft the Judge is, to appeal from the Inquifitor. com.\\, /\ For altho' the Emperor Frederick, in 1. Commiffi nobis, §.7. decrees, *Ibat all Benefit of Proclamation and Appeal flail be wholly denied to Hereticks, their Receivers and Favourers, yet fometimes fuch Appeal is allowed to the Perfon accufed. However, Hereticks are allowed no Appeal from a defini- tive Senrence, becaufe no one is definitively condemned for Herefy, unlefs one that hath confeffed it, or who hath been legally convicted, according to the Laws of the Inquifition ; and from fuch definitive Sentences there can be no Appeal, in Favour of the Faith, and out of Hatred to Hereticks, lead Judg- ment mould be protracted. Cap. Ut Inqidfiiionis, de hasret. 1. 6. But an inter- locutory Sentence is a quite different Thing, and from this Criminals are al- lowed to appeal, when they think they have been unjuftly dealt with. Be cnthd Simancas confirms the fame. " Hereticks can't appeal from a definitive infi. tit.6. (t Sentence, tho' they may from all interlocutory Sentences, if it doth not yet $" 3 * " appear that the Criminals are Hereticks. So that if a Criminal be condemn- " ed to the Torture, or to Purgation, or to be baftinadoed, or to a Fine, tC he may appeal, becaufe it doth not appear that he is an Heretick, but only " fufpected •, nor doth he appeal from the Law, but from the Judges, who " have pronounced Sentence according to their Pleafure." This Appeal muft confift of two Parts. The Grievance which the Crimi- nal affirms he lies under, and the Plea by which fuch Grievance is proved. Xotab. 18, But here Bernard Comenfis, in his Light of the Inquifitor s, obferves, Voc. 19. Appellatio. " That he who offers a probable Reafon, muff be prepared to " prove it, to name the Witneffes by which he intends to prove it, and to " have them ready •, becaufe otherwife thofe who make thefe Exceptions, " would have it in their Power to act fraudulently, which would be the Cafe " of all who would not have their Exceptions rejected, to give needlefs Trou- Notahio." ble to the Accuilr. He adds, that when fuch an Appeal from an interlo- " cutory Sentence is put in, with the Reafon fpecified, and a Proteftation for totab. 15.« t he Affigningof other Reafons, fuch an Appeal cannot be afterwards fup- " ported by fuch Reafons in Referve, becaufe the very Proteftation it felf of " affigning them, would be of no Strength or Obligation. Nor can it be excepting only, if other Inquifitors have begun to proceed againft them, upon ac- count The History of the Inquisition. i^a count of fome greater or leffer Crime committed elfewhere, or by Reafon of their dwelling unde'r their Jurifdiclion, or for any of the aforefaid Caufes. For as the In- quifition is carried on, under God, indifferent Places, and by different Inquifitors, 'lis more wholefome andfafe, that every Criminal in the Place where he hath offended fhouldftand accountable to that Inquifitor wholly and only, by whom he was fir ft be- gun with, for any of the aforefaid Caufes, without Deceit, and Danger of the Affair and of Souls. But fo however, that the other Inquifitors Jhall inquire out whatever they can know concerning him, and write an Account hereof to thofe Inquifitors to whom the J aid Criminal ft ands accountable. For thus youfhall all fight as one Man, and overcome. But that fuch Efcape may not go unpunifhed, in the Perfon who being inPegna t» Cuftody for Herefy, breaks out of Jay], 'tis a Matter of Cuftom rather than Dire &- Law, efpecially in Spain, that if he who makes his Efcape, be of any confi-^' 3 " com ' derable Reputation, and apprehended again, for Inftance, a Nobleman, Doctor, religious Perfon, or otherwife a Citizen of Account, he fhall be kept in ftricter Cuftody, and punifhed more feverely. But if he is a mean Perfon, he is publickly whipped, and his Caufe is to remain, and be carried on in the State it was before, but he is not to be treated for his Efcape as one con- victed of Herefy ; becaufe the breaking out of Jayl, or an Efcape, hath no- thing common with Herefy, and 'tis rather to be prefumed that he fled be- caufe tired out with his Imprifonment, or thro' Fear of falfe Witneffes, or the Severity of his Torments, rather than from any Error of his Underftanding. However, Zanchinus fays, that a Prifoner who efcapes, or attempts to breaks ro.0 $. Prifon, ought to be efteemed as a Convict, and condemned as an Heretick. Simancas on the other hand fays, this cannot be proved by common Law, t - t and tho' it be more plainly ordained by the royal Laws, yet in his Judg-j, z , * ment 'tis extreamly fevere. 'Tis ufual alfo with the Inquifitors, as foon as ever they underftand the Criminals have efcaped, to write to the neigh- bouring Inquifitors or Bifhops, or other Perfons whom they judge proper, to find out whether the Perfon efcaped hath fled to their City, that they may take Care to apprehend him, adding in their Letter his Name, Surname, Country, Stature, Colour, and other Circumftances, by which the fugitive Criminal may be eafily known. But if fuch Fugitive fhall be found guilty of Herefy, not only by Witnef-w. i?6» fes, but by his own Confeffion, and hath declared himfelf ready to abjure it, and yet efcapes before his Abjuration, efpecially if he be a religious Perfon, who hath himfelf preached Herefies, he is cited perfonally to appear before the Inquifitor at a certain Place, and within a certain Day, to abjure his He- refy, and threatned with Excommunication unlefs he obeys. And if with an obftinate Mind he lies under the Sentence of Excommunication for a Year, and doth not make his Abjuration, he is to be judged as an obftinate Here- tick, and delivered over to the fecular Court. If being thus cited they never- thelefs refufe to appear, but fuffer themfelves to continue under Excommuni- cation, they are declared publickly to be excommunicated in all thole Churches and Places in which they have been cited, and all are commanded under soo The History of the Inquisition. under the Penalty of Excommunication, to avoid them as excommunicated Perfons, and to difcover them to the Inquifition, if they know where they have concealed themfelves. Thus the Council of Tholoufe hath decreed, cap. 2. And if they find any Herelicks, their Believers, Favourers, and Receivers, or Abettors* let them take due Care that they don't efcape, and be fure to difcover them to the Arch- bijhop, or Bijhop, or Lords of the Places, or their Ballives, with all Speed, that they may receive their due Punifhment. Conrad Brunus gives a fuller Account of this Matter. " He is guilty of Contumacy, who being cited before a Judge by ** three Edicts, or by one peremptory one, once for all, will not appear be- " fore the Judge by whom he is cited, and that in full Procefs. He may be " proceeded againlt either of thefe ways. He may be either pronounced " guilty of Contumacy, or elfe legal Proofs may be taken to make out " his Crime. In the former Cafe the Perfon cited, and guilty of Obftinacy, is z« ct many Inquifitors have often practifed it, viz. the deferring and fufpending " the Caufes of many Perfons which have been a long while concluded, thac ** they may punifh feveral Criminals together. The Confequence of this is, " defcending from Jews and Moors, becaufe they could hurt only themfelves, tc or thofe of the fame Race with themfelves ; for during the Space of 800 " Vears, none of the noble or antient Chriftians were infected by them. But D d 2 " after 204 The History of the Inquisition. " after that the pernicious Hereticksof our Time are found to have infected" " not only antient, but even fome noble Chriftians with their Impiety, they " are not admitted to be reconciled at the laft Moment when Sentence is to " be pronounced, becaufe then they afk Pardon rather thro' Fear of immedi- " ate Death, than willingly and from the Heart, and being thus but feigned *' Converts, may do a great deal of Mifchief. H CHAP. XXVII. How the Process is ended by Abfolution. 'Aving faid thefe Things in general, it now remains, that we diftinctty explain how every Procefs is finifhed. The firft Manner of ending a Procefs in Caufes of the Faith, is by Abfo- Jution, when the Criminal is not found guilty. And this may happen two ways, either becaufe he was really found innocent, the Informers and Wit- nefTes being found guilty of Falfhood, or becaufe the Accufation againft him was not fully proved. If he is found innocent after the firft Manner, efpecially if the WitnefTes have retracted their Depofitions, then he may be pronounced innocent. And hi. t. %• in this Cafe, as Paramus tells us, the accufed Perfon, whofe Innocence ap- c i. n. n. pears, rides upon an Horfe, amidft the Applaufe of the People, crowned with Laurel and Palm-Branches, after the Manner of a Triumph. D ; w #. If he is not found guilty, after the fecond Manner, becaufe he is not con* f. 3.0.141. victed neither by his own Confefli on, nor the Evidence of Fact:, nor by the legal producing of WitnefTes, and is not otherwife found to be fufpecled, nor publickly defamed for the aforefa id Crime, he is abfolved by the. Bifhopand Inquifuor together, or by either of them feparately. torn, mi For that the Prifoner cannot be condemned in fuch a Cafe, is exprefsly de- termined by the Council of Biterre, c. 11. and by that of Narbonne, c. 23-. But proceed to the Condemnation of no Perfon, without his own Confeffwn, or clear ' and open Proofs ; for 'tis better to fuffcr a Crime to go unpunifhed y . than to condemn the Innocent. In fuch a Sentence of Abfolution there is no mention made of the Herefies or Crimes, for which fuch Perfon is accufed or informed againft, becaufe they are not proved. This hath been provided for by the Madrid Inftruction;, An. 1561. c. 62. whether it be pronounced upon a Perfon dead or alive. When he who defends the Memory and Reputation of a Perfon deceafed,. bath legally main- tained his Caufe, and the deceafed Perfon is to be abfolved from any farther Trial, his Sentence Jh all be pronounced in the publick A51, becaufe the Editls were publijhed againft him. However, in this Cafe, the Statue of fuch deceafed Perfon who is ab- folved in the publick Ad, fhall not be brought for lb y nor fhall the particular Errors 4 The History of the Inquisition. 20^. of- which he was accufed, be recited, becaufe they are not proved. The fame mufi be obferved with refpeef to thofe, who are personally apprehended and accufed, and abfolvedfrom farther Trial, if they /hall demand it. Not that they are wont to pronounce fuch Criminal free from Hercfy, but only to declare that nothing is legally done againfl: him, on Account of which he may, or ought to be pronounced an Heretick, or any ways be fufpecled of heretical Pravity ; and that therefore he is wholly releafed from his pre- sent Trial, Inquifition and Judgment. But they carefully avoid puttino- into his Sentence that he was innocenc, or not guilty, that if fo be he mould after- wards be informed againfl, and the Crime legally proved, he may be con- demned notwithstanding the aforefaid Sentence of Abfolution. But if it mould happen that any one is pronounced wholly innocent, and is afterwards accu- fed of the fame Crime, their Doctrine is, that notwithstanding his Sentence of Abfolution, he may be again judged and condemned i becaufe, in this Crime no Sentences whatfoever can ever be accounted as an adjudged Cafe, in Favour of the Faith. This Pius V. hath determined by a certain Refcript, which I fhall here give intire, Of our own proper Motion, &c. Pope Pius V. AMongjl the manifold Cares which continually imploy our Mind, this, as it ought to be, is the Principal, that the Church of God committed to us from on high, mayfafely carry on its Warfare, and as a Ship in a calm Sea, when the tem- pefiuous Waves and Storms are all ajfuaged, may fecurely fail,, and come to the defi- T£d Port of Safety, by purging out of it, yea as far as we can, by wholly extermi- nating all Herefies, and the evil Principles of erroneous Opinions. Since therefore* even when in a lower Station we managed the Affairs of the mojl holy Office of the Roman andUniverfal Inquifition againfl heretical Praviiv, we have' a: by longUfe, and that Experience which leads into the true Underjlanding of Things, known, that many Perfons accufed, and proceffedin the aforefaid tnoji holy .. :, or elfewhere, before the Ordinaries of Places, and the Inquifitors of heretical Pravity* and againft whom Inquifition hath been made on the Accoimt of heretical Pravity* have, by caufingfalfe Witneffes to be examined in their Defence, and by the Affifia of the Endeavours and Evidence of Compurgators, not at all informed of their L Doclrine, and by deluding and deceiving with divers other unlawful Methods, a the Invention of deceitful Excufes andWickedneffes, the aforefaid holy Office of the v: holy Inquifition, and the other fudges, and even the Roman Pontiffs the mfelves, oh- iained and extorted many definitive Sentences of Abfolution from the aforefaid Pro- ceffes and Inquifitors, as tbo* they were innocent, and alfo upon a preceding c an Purgation of their attefted, good, and Catbdick Faith, Life and Do&rine, tory Sentences or Decrees from the faid mofl holy Office,, and other O, Unaries of P. ces, or Delegates, and even from the Roman Pontiffs our Predecejfors ; which & fences and Decrees the aforefaid Roman Pontiffs have confirms ■.', ing perpetual Silence, and prohibiting the faid mofl holy Office, or other Inquifitors, f proceeding to any farther Matters, and partly by removing Caufes the Roman i Protection the fiiid Office was Jubjt. De* - c6 The History of the Inquisition. rogatories of Derogatories, and by mofl effeclual Claufes, even fuch as made the Pro- ccjfs void) and by other Decrees even in Form of Grace, by fever al of their own proper Motions, and by fever al Letters expedited under the Seal or Fifier*s Ring, if- filing in confifiory, or conjiftorially ; from whence it came to pafs that the afore- laid inqiiifted Criminals, under the Veil and Protection of the aforefaid declaratory "Sentences, and Letters Apofiolick, and efpecially confiding in the Strength of the in- hibitory Claufe made againfl the Inquifitors, have by fecrctly and fometimes openly ■per fevering in their old Errors againfl the Catholick Faith, never truly returned to the Bofom of the Church, but by converfing fecurely with others, and as tho* they were Catholicks, have corrupted and infecled the Minds of others, and have been enabled eafily to feduce them into their heretical Opinions, to the no fmall Scandal and Pre- judice of the whole Chriflian Common-wealth, and to the Deflruclion and Lofs of the Souls of the aforefaid accufed Perfons : We therefore, being willing to obviate fo per* riicious and infectious a Scandal, and to con full and provide for the Salvation of the faid Souls, and to remove all Doubt and Altercation from Lawyers, and all Impedi- ments and Hindrances, by which the holy Inquifition of heretical Pravity, may by any Manner or Means be obflrulled or kindred, from a like Motion, and of our certain Knowledge, and by the Fulnefs of our Apofiolick Power, reducing, in the fir ft Place, all and fingular fuch Letters Apofiolick whatfoever, under any Form of Words whatfoever, even in the aforefaid, or any other Caufes of Here fy, even fuch as wen iffued out of -proper Motion, &c. and alfo conjiftorially, &c. or any other way how- foever, as likewife the above-mentioned Schedules of proper Motions, and any others, to Law and Jujtice, and the Bounds of Law, and wholly and perpetually revoking the Inhibitions by the Fifcal of the abovefaid holy Office of the Inquifition , and other ordinary and delegated Judges, againfl the aforefaid Letters, and alfo the Deroga- tories of Derogatories, and all other Claufes whatfoever that open their Mouth, and as far as they are contrary to the Difpofition of Jurifdiclion, or the Style of the faid Office, do, by this our perpetual and univerfal Conftitution, to be in Force for ever, declare, decree, appoint and ordain, by our Apofiolick Authority, that all and fin- gular Sentences of Abfolution whatfoever, even upon the Head of afferted Innocence, or declaratory Sentences, under any Form of Words, even tho* canonical Purgation may have preceded, and tho* fuch Sentences be definitive, and all Decrees pronounced in Favour of the faid Criminals and accufed Perfons, by the aforefaid mojl holy Office, and other ordinary and delegated Judges, and even by the Roman Pontiffs, or here- after to be pronounced even by us, and our Succeffors the Roman Pontiffs, for the Time being, never have, and for the future never fhall be efleemed as an adjudged Cafe ; but that all the aforefaid Sentences and Decrees whatfoever, even tbo* by Let- ters Apofiolick, or in Form of Grace, or fever al times repeated, or tho* ifjuing from, confirmed, or to be confirmed by feveral Roman Pontiffs, together with the aforefaid, or any others whatfoever, even Derogatories of Derogatories, and even fuch as make void, and all other Claufes and Decrees, as alfo Inhibitions, and even canonical Sanctions, {the Tenors of all and fingular of which, and of the other Premiffes, and fuch as follow them, we order to be looked upon as expreffed, and wholly inferted, as tho* they were inferted Word for Word in thefe Prefents) to the contrary notwithfl anding, we do, by the fame Apofiolick Authority, will and command, that it fhall and may be lawful for our aforefaid holy Office of tht holy Inquifition, and our beloved Sons, who The History of the Inquisition. ioj who now are, or jhall be, for the Time being, Cardinals of the holy Roman Church, Inquifitors of heretical Pravity, and deputed for the fald Office, now, or for the Time being, againfi the faid accufed Criminals under Inquifition, even thd* they have been, or are Bifhops, Arch Biffops, Patriarchs, Primates, Car- dinals of the faid holy Roman Church, Legates a latere, Counts, Barons, Marquiffes, Dukes, Kings and Emperors, to make again Inquifition and Pro- cefs, as well concerning the old as new IVitneffes, in the fame Articles received, or to be received, and other Arguments, Proofs and Evidences, according to the Privileges in any manner granted and given, or hereafter refpeclively to be given and granted to the fame Cardinals Inquifitors by us, or any of our Prede- ceffors, and Succejfors, the Roman Pontiffs for the Time being, and the Apoflolick See, even in and thro* all Matters, as tho* the aforefaid Sentences, Decrees, and Letters Apoflolick, and even canonical Purgations had never been made in Favour of the aforefaid accufed Criminals under Inquifition, whether Bifbops, A;rh-Bifhops, Patriarchs, Primates, Cardinals, Legates, Counts, Barons, Marquiffes, Dukes, Kings, and Emperors, efpecially when there arife new Proofs of the fame, or another Species of Herefy, even refpe cling the Time pafl, or where it appears by certain Proofs, that the Criminal under Inquifition had been formerly abfolved by unlawful Methods : Granting alfo to the faid Cardinals Inquifitors, and deputed Perfons, now or hereafter, for the faid moji holy Office of the Inquifition, full, free, ample, and abfolute Faculty, Power and Authority, of ' revifing fuch Caufes, tho* decided by Authority of the Oecumenical Univerfal Council of Trent, and of re-affuming them in the State and Terms in which they fhall any ways be found to have been previous to the aforefaid Sentences, and Decrees, and even canonical Purgations, and of bringing them to their proper Conclufions, even as it is r and may be, and ufually hath been done by the faid Cardinals Inquifitors, according to their Privileges in all other depending and undecided Caufes, &c. An. 1567. and firfi Tear of our Pontificate. In the fame Manner alfo they are abfolved who are accufed of receiving, defending, or otherwife favouring Hereticks or heretical Pravity, when no- thing is legally granted againlt them. CHAP. XXVIIJ. How the Process againfi a V erf on defamed for Herefy is ended by Canonical Purgation» . HEN the Perfon accufed is only found to be defamed for Herefy, «. i ;: . in any Village, City, or Province, and is not convicted either by tV/; \ >-'• his own Confeffion, or the Evidence of the Fa6t, or by the legal producing of Witneffes, or any other legal Proofs, and Infamy only is precifely agamlt him, he is not abfolved, but he is injoined canonical Purgation by. the Biihop and Inquifitor together, and not feparately, ''•There Lucern, Inqttif. in voce Vttrgatio Cawmica. Simanc. t. %6. §■ 15- t. 5^. $.11. The History of the Inquisition. il There is frequent Mention made of canonical Purgation, in the Papal " Law, and tho' in all other Crimes 'tis grown into Difufe, yet in the Crime 44 of Herefy'tis now practifed, and is very common in the facred Court of * 4 the Inquifitors. For which Reafon Godofred praifes Spain in thefe Words. tc Perfons fufpected of Herefy are punifhed in the moil religious Kingdoms " of Spain, triumphing efpecially in thefe Times, and worthy of fingular " Praile, becaufe it fuffers not only no real Herefy, but even no Sufpicion of 61 Herefy. to remain even a Moment without a fuitable Cenfure." In the Caufe of Canonical Purgation they proceed accord ng to this Manner and Cuftom. The Inquifitors, Bifhop, or his Vicar and AiTefTors, or the learned Council meet together, and after difcufiing the Proofs, condemn the Criminal to purge himfelf by certain WitnefTes. The Number of thefe Wit- neffes is arbitrary, and not precifely determined. Sometimes two Abbots were deputed. Cap. in Juventute de purgat. Canon. Sometimes there have been fourteen Compurgators. Eod. tit. Cap. Inter follicitudines. In the fame Place there are twelve named, and in the Chapter Ex tuarum, feven or five are prefcribed. The Judge is to confider the Nature of the Perfon, Crime and Infamy, and then to order the Number of the Compurgators to be grea- ter or lefs. For as to Perfons of greater Power, or of more Note, or who labour under greater Infamy, more are required, than from other mean and unknown Perfons, who can*: fo eafily procure a large Number of Compurga- tors, to purge themfelves, becaufe all Compurgators muft come in volunta- rily, and can't be compelled as other WitnefTes. But yet ordinarily the Num- ber is determined, that every Criminal fhall purge himfelf with about feven WitnefTes, with this Addition, that if he fails in one, two, three or more, he fhall be looked on as fully convicted of the Crime. 4 ■ Formerly, he who was defective in only oneExpurgator, was condemned " as a Convict, becaufe he was not purged by all. But when that was found " to be very dangerous, and, as it might be faid, that he was purged by all " who was purged by the greater Part, it was agreed on, that at the fame " time when the Number of Purgators were agreed on, it mould be deter- «' mined, that if any one failed either of one, two or three, or more of them, « 4 he mould be efteem'd as an Heretick Convict. For both thefe Things are 44 entirely at the Pleafure of the Judge." Thefe WitnefTes muft be of the fame Order as the accufed or defamed Per- fon himfelf, i. e. if he be a Religious they muft be religious ; if of the fecu- lar Clergy, they muft be of the fecular Clergy, if a Soldier, they muft be Soldiers. But here they take the Word Order in general, but don't extend it to any particular Divifions under it. So that if a Bifhop is to be purged, Abbots and religious Presbyters may be admitted with Bifhops in the Purga- tion. And fo in the others. But if fuch Compurgators are not to be found, there muft be chofen fome other good Men, Citizens or others. The Com- purgators muft be Catholick Men, of an approved Life and good Reputation, who have not only been acquainted with his prefent, but wich his former Converfation and Life, and who probably will not conceal the Truth, or fay The History of the Inquisition. 209 fay a Falfhood, thro' Affedtion, Hatred, Fear, Money, or Entreaty, This Sentence is to be declared to the Criminal, who may appeal from ir, and af- ter his Appeal the Caufe mud be referred to the Council, except the Appeal appears to be frivolous. In fuch a Cafe the Inquifitors mull not allow it* as it is in general appointed by Clement IV. and in particular by a certain Letter of the Council of the holy mquifition. If there be no Appeal from the Sentence, or if the Sentence be confirm'd after the Appeal, or if it be rejected as frivolous by the Inquifitors, the Cri- minal, in order to purge himfelf, muft name fo many good Men, for expur- gatory WitnefTes, as are mentioned in the Sentence of the Inquifitors. Thefe WitnefTes muft be feparately cited before the Inquifitors, and asked thefe three Things. 1. Whether they know the Criminal, and how long? 2. Whether the Criminal, or his Relations, or Kindred, have given and promifed any Thing to them the faid WitnefTes, that they mould favour the Criminal ? 3. Whether they have offered themfelves to purge the Criminal ? After this they are all called to the Place where the Inquifitors give Audience, and the Criminal is brought to the Tribunal, and interrogated by the Inquifitors, whether he knows thofe Men, and whether they are the Perfons which he hath named for his expurgatory Witneffes ? He ufually anfwers that he knows them, and that they are the fame which he nominated. Thefe Thino-s are done before the Inquifitors only, and a Secretary or Notary, who commits every Thing to Writing ; nor muft any one be permitted to be prefent at this Purgation, no, not the Vicar of the ordinary Biftiop, as is contained in a certain Letter of the Council of the Inquifition. However, the Ordinary or his Vicar muft not be excluded when the Sentence of Purgation is given. Then the Inquifitor turns himfelf to the Expurgators, and fpeaks to them in this manner. Know ye, Brethren, that the Criminal N. is accufed and fufpetled of this and that Crime, on which account he is obliged to purge himfelf from this Sufpicion, and you are named as Witneffes of his Innocence. And you N. anfwer by p. 514* God and the holy Go/pels, whether thou haft committed thofe Crimes ? Havino- thus been fworn upon the Crofs and the holy Gofpels of God, to declare the Truth, the Inquifitors fay to him, Thou N. baft been accufed of fuch and fuch a Crime, fpecifying thofe Crimes only which favour of Herefy, of which thou art vehe- mently fufpefted upon Confideration of the Merits of the Procefs, and therefore we demand of you, upon the Oath you have taken, whether you have committed, or dons or believed thefe Crimes, or any one of them? And when he hath given his An- fwer in the Prefence of his Compurgators, he is carried back to Prifon. Then the Inquifitor interrogates the Purgators, whether they have rightly underftood all thefe Things? Who anfwer that they have. After this the Witneffes withdraw, and being each feparately called in, the Inquifitor de- mands of them, upon a folemn Oath, whether they believe A', hath fworn true or falfe ? And whatever they anfwer, muft be faithfully written down by the Notary. All thefe Matters are almoft to a Word contained in one of the Seville Inftructions, An. 1500. Cap. 4. Formerly alio, if a Perfon was pub- lickly defamed for Herefy, he was injoined canonical Purgation pubhckK, Vol. II. E e that 2io The History of the Inquisition. that he might publickly fatisfy thole by Purgation, whom he had publickly offended by the ungrateful Smell of Infamy, and he was therefore purged in that Place where he was known to be defamed. And if he had been defamed in feveral Places, he was obliged publickly to profefs in all of them the Ca- tholick Faith, and to deteft the Herefy for which he was there defamed. The Form of the Oath, by which defamed Perfons were formerly obliged to puroe themfelves, wasprefcribed by the Council ofTarracone. 1 N.jwear by Al- mighty God, and by tbefe' holy Go/pels of God, which are now in my Hands, before you the Lord N. Arch-Bifhop, or Bifhop, and before you who are here prefent, that I neither am, nor was one of the Inzabbatati, Valdenfes, poor Men of Lyons, nor an Heretick of any Sett of Herefy condemned by the Church, and that I do not believe, nor ever have believed their Errors, nor ever will, the whole 'Time of my Life, lea, I profefs and protefl that 1 do believe, and always will for the future, believe the Catholick Faith, which the holy Roman and Apojlolick Church publickly holds, teaches and preaches, and which you my Lord Arch-Bifhop or Bifhop, and the other Prelates of the univerjal Church do hold, and publickly preach and teach. The Form of the Oath, prefcribed to the Compurgators, is this : 1 N. [wear by God, and by tbefe [our holy Gofpels of God, which I hold in my Hands, that I firm- ly believe t that juch a one hath not been one of the Inzabbatati, Valdenfes, or poor Men of Lyons, nor an Heretick, nor a Believer of their Errors, and I firmly be- lieve that in this Matter hehathfworn the Truth. Having performed the Purga- tion injoined him, the Criminal muft be abfolved, and declared to be a Perfon of good Reputation, nor can he be afterwards proceeded againft upon the preceding Proofs. And thus the Infamy is removed, or the Effect of the In- famy of the Fact. If he fails in his Purgation, i.e. if he can't procure fuch and fo many Pur- gers as he is injoined, he is efteem'd as a Convict, and condemned as an He- retick. Zuccnv But others ufe this Diftinction. If he can't procure fo many WitnefTes, fnquif." becaufe they don't believe he hath fworn the Truth, in fuch a Cafe he is ac- Purg. can, counted as a Convict, and deficient in his canonical Purgation. But if he can't procure them becaufe he is poor, or a Foreigner, and fo doth not know fo many Perfons in the whole Town, in this Cafe the Judge may relieve him at his Pleafure, upon confidering the Quality of the Perfon, Crime, and In- famy. So that. if he can't procure fo many of the Clergy to be his Com- purgators, they may admit Laicks, or Women for v/ant of Men. And if for the fame Reafon they can't procure fo many of the Laity, they may be- lieve his Oath alone. And inafmuch as one who is defective in his Purgation, is accounted as a Convict, they infer from hence, that if at any other Time he had fallen into Herefy, he ought now to be accounted as a Relapfe for the Defect of his Purgation, and, as fuch, to be delivered over to the fecular Court. But if he refufes to purge himfelf he is excommunicated, and if with an. hardned Mind he lies under this Excommunication for a Year, he is con- densed as an Heretick. If after his Purgation he falls into the Herefy from which The History of the Inquisition. art which he is purged, he is accounted a Relapfe, and as fuch is to be delivered over to the fecular Court. Cap. Excommunicamus i. §. Adjicimus. Verfic. Vel. fi poft purgationem, &c. And Cap. Ad abolendam, §. Illos quoque, de hserer. This is particularly the Decree of the Council of Narbotme, Cap. 1 1. And as to thofe who, after Abjuration cr Purgation of their Error, /ball be found to have returned to the Error they have abjured, leave them to the fecular Judgment without any farther Hearing, to receive their due Punifhment. For 'tis enough that they have once deceived the Church by a falfe Converjion, efpeciaily where there is a very great Number of them, &c. Alt ho' if they are penitent, Penance is by no Means to be denied them. But this properly takes place when any one is vehemently defamed for Herefy. An Infamy is faid to be vehement, when any one hath been oftentimes, or in many Places marked with Infamy, amongft good Men, or hath on this account been excluded their Company, and when there arife any Signs or Sufpicions increafmg the Infamy of the Herefy, or if after any grievous Offence committed, viz, the deflroying the Images of the Saints, the burning of Churches, the Profana- tion of the Sacraments, and the like, anyone is immediately looked upon as infamous. But if he falls into any other Herefy, from which he had not purged himfelf before, he is not accounted as a Relapfe. If he humbles himfelf in his Purgation, and will fubmit to Penance, Simaac. he is to be admitted, and not deliver'd over to the fecular Court, unlefs he'; S 6 - happens to be a Relapfe ; for if a convicted Heretick is received when peni- '■ l6 * tent, much more is this Benefit of the Church to be granted to him who is convicted only by a kind of Prefumption and feigned Proof. 'Tis a Cuftom amongft many Inquifitors, that a Criminal vehemently * , 7# fufpected mail be firft tortured, and afterwards forced to purge himfelf if he confeffes nothing. After this, when he is purged, he is obliged alfo to ab- jure, and after his Abjuration punifhed with other arbitrary Punifhments. But j. is. others think it very unjuft, that any one mould be condemned to feveral Pu- nifhments for a fingle Crime, and inafmuch as every one of thefe Punifhments §. zo. isfufficient to purge away any Sufpicions, 'tis, without doubt, needlefs and unjuft, that a fufpected Criminal fhould be made to undergo many. But as this Purgation depends wholly on the Pleafure of other Perfons, itPegna, is a very deceitful and uncertain Thing, and therefore mould not eafily be 'm-'*B**& joined Criminals by the Inquifitors. Thus the Madrid Inftruclion, An. 1561J' 1# com * cap. 47. Canonical Purgation is, thro 9 the Wickednefs of Men, a very dangerous 4 * Remedy, efpeciaily in thefe 'Times, and therefore 'tis not much ufed, and mujl there- fore be feldom praftifed, and with great Caution. Hence Simancas judges, that»"', •i 6 * thofe who are born of Jewifh or Moorifh Parents, muft not be compelled to^ u this Purgation, becaufe it would be the fame Thing as to throw them di- rectly into the Fire. For who doth not think ill of them, or at leaft doubt of their Innocence ? And therefore he thinks it would be better to compel them by Abjuration, Torments, or arbitrary Punifhments. But if they are at any time condemned to this Purgation, and they can't procure fuch Com- purgators as are required, others are to be admitted, tho' not altogether fo E e a fit. in The History of the Inquisition. fit, that he may not be wholly deprived of the Means of his Defence. And finally, he again and again admonifhes the Inquifitors not rafhly or eafily to condemn any one to canonical Purgation, for this Reafon, amongft others, that 'tis enough to fink the Criminal, if the Witneffes anfwer, that they don'c know, or doubt, whether he fwore true or falfe. And indeed who would not be doubcful in this Cafe, who knows that no one is condemned to Pur- gation who is not vehemently fufpected. And therefore, in his Opinion they only are to be injoined Purgation, whofe Reputation is of high Concern to the Chriftian People, viz, Bifhops, Priefts, Preachers, and others of the fame Kind. w CHAP. XXIX. How /^Process is ended by Torture. HEN the Perfon accufed is not found guilty either by his own Con* ftfiion, or the Evidence of the Fact, or legally producing the Wit- neffes, and when there is no fuch Evidence to fupport the Sufpicion, as is ne- eefiary to his being condemned to abjure Herefy, he is condemned by an in- terlocutory Sentence to the Queftion and Torture, that if he confeffes no- thing when interrogated by Torture, he may be efteemed as free and inno- CatHl cent, and that if he confeffes his Errors he may be converted and live. For ir.ftit. the fame End, fays Simancas, Paul delivered /^Corinthian to Satan for the De- t - 6 ^- ftri'Mion of his FleJJj, that his Spirit might befaved. I \ X ' At- Royas however fays, that Ulpian fpoke well, when he afHrmed, that Cre- fert iu dit mould not always be given to the Queftion, for 'tis a very frail and dan- $• *95j gerous Thing, and oftentimes keeps the Truth from appearing. Some are ^ 6 * fearful, who had rather lie and fpeak Falfhood inftead of Truth, than endure Torments. And yet in the Crime of Herefy, Royas would have the Judges peculiarly difpofed, and ready to put Men to the Torture, becaufe 'tis a Crime concealed in its Nature, and there is oftentimes great want of Proof. *»'*. 6$. Simancas adds, that in fecret Crimesa Judge ought to be more ready to inflict $• 5 1 * Torture than in others, and efpecially in Herefy, which lies hid in the Heart, and is more concealed than other Crimes. Add to this, that an Herttick's conr felling, will be greatly profitable to himfelf and the whole Common- wealth. The Cafes, in which they proceed to. the Torture in the Procefs of the In- quifition, are various. This however is a received Thing, that they are ne- ver to proceed to Torture, unlefs there be a Defect of other Proofs, and they think that the Truth can't otherwife be found out. Hence they do not pro- ceed to the Torture, till after the Criminal hath a Copy of his Procefs, and he hath anfwered to all the Articles, and exhibited bis Defences,, and yet cant 5 The History of the Inquisition. qi? can't make his Innocence appear plainly to the Judge, when at the fame time he can't be fully convicted by Witneffes, or the Evidence of the Thing. 'Tis however difputed amongft the Doctors, whether the Proofs are to be given to the Criminal when the Procefs is carried on Ex mero officio. Some affirm it, fome deny it. Thefe different Opinions Camillus Campegius thus re- conciles. Some Things precede all Inquifition, and are the Original of the/» ZancK. Inquifition it felf, viz. fuch Things as excite the Judge himfelf to make In- C s-§-9« quifition, or which any ways give Information of the Crime committed. Thefe Things are called Informations, which are received in Court, by which the Judge is certified of the Defamation. And he thinks the Doctors are to be underftood of thefe Things when they affirm, that a Judge pro- ceeding merely by Office, and not at the Inftanceof any one elfe, is not obliged to give a Copy of the Proofs. But if the Criminal denies that he is defamed of fuch a Crime, the Judge ought to inquire concerning the Fame and Infamy, and upon Knowledge of this muft begin to proceed to Inquifition concerning the Offence. Not that he is obliged to afcertain the Criminal of the Infamy it felf, becaufe 'tis fufficient that the Judge knows him to be defamed. So that if in this Cafe the Criminal demands a Copy, the Judge is not obliged to give it him. But if the Judge proceeds at the Inftance of another, he is obliged to give him a Copy of the Infamy it felf if he demands it. The Rea- fonofthe Difference is this* that when any one proceeds ex mero officio, 'tis fufficient that the Infamy appears to the Judge, fo that there is no need of a formal Trial, becaufe there is no Adversary to try the Caufe with •, but the Trial is, as it were, between the Infamy it felf, which is in the Place of an Accufer, and the Anfwer of the Perfon under Inquifition. Add to this, that an Inquifition may be carried on, ex mero officio, without any preceding Infamy. He adds farther, that a Copy of the Proofs is not to be given, when the Criminal is found contradicting himfeif, taultering or trembling. For fuch Contradiction, Faultring, or Trembling, when other external Proofs are wanting, may determine the Judge to proceed to Torture upon any one of them. But others fay that every Variation is not enough to order to the Torture. Bernard Comenfis writes to the fame Purpofe, " In the Crime of Herefy the Judge or Inquifitor proceeds merely by Vir- Luce™. M tue of his Office, becaufe he doth not proceed upon the Accufation of an /;; ?- '" " Accufer, but upon Depofnions taken by Virtue of his Office, and there- vocc 7l " «' fore 'tis not neceffiry that he fhould deliver the Criminal a Copy of the " Proofs and Articles. But Pegna teaches the contrary in his Annotations " upon the Word, 'Trader e Copiam. If the Perfon to be put to the Queftion is caught contradicting himfelf, and there are at the fame time other Proofs fufficient for the Torture, both thefe Things muft be added in his Sentence. But if both of them don't con- cur, but only one of them, i. e^ if he is caught in Contradiction wichout other Proofs, or if there are other Proofs, but no fuch Inconfiftency, let it be put in his Sentence juft as it appears, Tis 114- The History of the Inquisition. 'Tis farther co be obferved, that the Judge muft take Care that it be dili- gently and diftin&ly infer ted at large by the Notary in the A 6b, whether the Perfon interrogated anfwered with Resolution, or in a trembling Manner, what Signs he difcovered in his Face, whether Palenefs, or Tears, or Laugh- ter, or Sweat, or Trembling •, becaufe, in Cafe of an Appeal, the fuperior jucW, who can't look on the Criminals and Witneffes perfonally, but only as i hey are defcribed in Writing, can't cone to the Knowledge of thefe Particulars, unlefs they are defcribed at large by the firft Judge -, nor can the Judcre appealed to prefume that there hath been any Inconfiftency, be- caufe he knew, that if there had, it ought to hive been exprefied in the Acts tranfmitted to him. And this is the more neceffary, left the Judge himfelf, upon Examination, mould be proved to have ordered the Crimi- nal to be tortured without Proof. This Inconfiftency muft be declared in Prefence of the inconfiftent Witnefs, when the Judge intends to punifh him on this Account. And this is what Campcgius particularly recommends to the Vicars or Com- mifTaries of the Inquifitor, or the other Deputies of the holy Offices, that they let the Inquifitor know how far Perfons, under Examination, are to be credited, which principally depends on their Looks. He thinks the fame ouo-ht to be diligently obferved, whether the Inquifitor himfelf, or his Vi- car, makes the Examination, with refpect to thofe skilful Perfons, whofe Advice they take, who alfo ought to know thefe Things. But it depends wholly on the Pleafure of the Judge, whether or no the Perfon accufed mall be tortured or not, upon Account of fuch Inconfiftency, Faultering, Contradiction, Trembling, Sweat, &c. It there are Proofs fufHcient for Inquifition and Arreft, but not for the Torture, a prudent Judge may collect fufficient Proofs for the Torture from fuch Inconfiftency, and the like. But yet there is a Cafe given, in which a Perfon may be tortured, with- out any Proofs and Copy given, viz. when the Perfon under Inquifition is prefent, and will not anfwer. For then he is to be tortured not to extort a Confeffion, but an affirmative or negative Anfwer. Likewife if a Perfon un- der Inquifition doth not appear within the due Term, and is thereupon de- clared guilty of Contumacy, and afterwards comes to purge himfelf from fuch Contumacy, he may, without any other Proofs, be tortured upon Ac- count of it. Addit. in The fame Perfons give us the Opinion of Gand, who alledging feveral Zanch. Reafons, concludes, that a common Report amounts by the Canon Law to *• »• an half full Proof, and is equal to the Evidence of one Witnefs, and that for this Reafon fuch common Report is fufficient to order to the Torture ; and this he attefts hath been ufually practifed by all the Afleflbrs, altho' the Judges generally act one way or* the other, according to their different O- pinions. When the Fame is either vehement, or great, or flight, the Quality of the Perfons and Fact is to be confidered. For if the Fact be great, and the Perfon The History of the Inquisition. qjc Perfon of great Worth, 'tis neceflary that this Fame fhould be either of the whole City, or at leaft the greater Part of it. But if the Fact is incon- fiderable, and reftrained to a certain Number of Perfons, who mod proba- bly are acquainted with it, the Evidence of the major Part of them is enough to prove the Fame. As if a Bifhop, living with his Canons, fhould be de- famed for Fornication, fuch Infamy will be fufficiently proved by the major Part of thofe Canons. ^ But if the Fact be very fmall, and the Perfon mean, the major Part of his Neighbourhood is enough. Of all thefe Things Pegna gives us a diftinct Account. In this Caufe,£faff. the Crime is faid to appear fo far as to inflict the Torture, when there is an/*- 3- «■»« half full Proof, or Proof fufficient for the Torture. Of thefe Proofs there 110 ' are feveral. Firft, Inconfiftency, not indeed of any kind, but fuch only asj*^"- regards the main Subftance of the Crime, and in a Matter which it can't vocers^ be prefumed fhould be forgotten in fo little a while, which is left to the Jud&e'w. to determine ; and when the Criminal himfelf doth not appear to be very ftu- pid and forgetful. Secondly, when any one is found defamed for Herefy, and 'tis farther proved that there is a Witnefs againft him who can teftify from his own Knowledge, or that there is one or more vehement or violent Proofs. Thirdly, If there is one Witnefs againft him who can teftify from his own Knowledge, and at the fame Time there is one or more vehement or violent Proofs againft him. Or if it be found that there are againft him feve- ral vehement or violent Proofs of Herefy, without any Infamy, or Witnefs- from his own Knowledge. But when thefe Proofs are vehement, or fufficient for the Torture, is left to the Judge to determine. However, the Inquifitors do fometimes fhamefully abufe this Liberty, and rafhly proceed to the Torture of innocent Perfons, as will evidently ap- pear by one Inftance, not to menton more, given us by Gonfalvius. " At». \%u> H the fame time almoft they appreherded in the Inquifition at Seville, a noble' " Lady, Joan Boborquia, the Wife of Francis Varquius, a very eminent Man, " and Lord of Higuera, and Daughter of Peter Garfia Xerefius, a wealthy " Citizen of Seville. T he Occafion of her Imprifonment was, that her Sifter u Mary Boborquia, a young Lady of eminent Piety, who was afterwards " burnt for her pious Confeflion, had declared in her Tor.ure, that fhe had S4j 55-ged in other important Affairs, in which Cafe they may depute certain- good and skilful Men for the Purpofe. 1 Injlruft. Hi/pal. c. 18. Altho' in other Nations Criminals are publickly tortured, yet in Spain 'tis forbidden by the Royal Law, for any to be prcfent whilft they are torturing, befides the Judges, Secretaries and Torturers. The Inquifitors mult alfo chufe pro- per Torturers, born of antient Chriftians, who muft be bound by Oath, by no Means todifcover their Secrets, nor to blab out any Thing that is faid. § $6. The Judges alfo ufually proteft, that if the Criminal fhould happen to die under his Torture, or by reafon of it, or fhould fuffer the Lofs of any of his Limbs, 'tis not to be imputed to them, but to the Criminal himfelf, who- &.*£ will not plainly confefs the Truth before he is tortured. An Heretick may. not only be interrogated concerning himfelf, but in general alfo concerning; hia The History of the Inquisition. 119 his Companions and Accomplices in his Crime, his Teachers and his Difciples, for he ougnt to difcover them, tho' he be not interrogated; but when he is interrogated concerning them, he is much more obliged to difcover them than his Accomplices in any other the moft grievous Crimes. A Perfon alfo$ them to be ftripped, even to their very Shifts, which they afterwards take off, forgive the ExprelTion, even to their Pudenda, and then put on them (trait Linen Drawers, and then make their Arms naked quite up to their Shoulders. As toSquaffation, 'tis thus performed : ThePrifoner hath his Hands ^. 7». bound behind his Back, and Weights tied to his Feet, and then he is drawn up on high, till his Head reaches the very Pully. He is kept hangiug in this Manner for fometime, that by the Greatnefs of the Weight hanging at his Feet, all his Joints and Limbs may be dreadfully ftretched, and on a fudden he is let down with a Jirk, by the flacking the Rope, but kept from coming quite to the Ground, by which terrible Shake, his Arms and Legs are all disjointed, whereby he is put to the moft exquifite Pain ; the Shock which Ff 2 he 32o The History of the Inquisition. he receives by the fudden Scop of his Fall, and the Weight at his Feet ftretch- ing his whole Body more imenfely and cruelly. In the next Paragraph, Et Audivi, he gives a more diftinct Explication of this Matter, and reckons up three Degrees of Torture. The firjl is to terrify^ which comprehends not only Threatnings to Torture, but the being carried to the Place of Torments, the being jlripped and bound ; unlefs fuch Binding Jhould happen to be too fever e and hard, and perform* d with a Twift, as is the Cuftom of mojl Judges. Thus it -was praclifed upon a certain Phyjician of Olezo, whofuffered more by being bound, than others in the very Torture. And therefore fuch Binding may be equalled to the Torture it felf The jecond Degree is, to put to the Torture, or to interrogate by Torture. This is done by hoifling a Perfon up, and keeping him hanging for a confider able Time. The third is to torture by Squajfation, which is performed amongji us by one Jirk of the Rope. But if the Senate commands that the Perfon be well or feverely thus tortured, they give two Jirks of the Rope. Antonius Drogus, in his An- notations to this Place, fays, That you may have the perfetl modern PraElice, ob- ferve, that when the Senate orders, let him be interrogated by Torture, the Perfon is lifted or hoified up, but not. put to the Squajfation. If the Senate orders, let him he tortured,, he mufl then undergo the Squajfation once, being firjl interrogated as he is hanging upon the Rope and Engine. If it orders, let- him be well tortured, *tis un~ derjtood that he mufl fuffer two Squajfations. If it orders, let him be fever ely torture «i, 'tis under food of three Squajfations, at three different Times within an Hour. If it ja\s very feverely, 'tis underjlood that it mufl be done with Twijling, — and Weights at the Feet. In this Cafe the Senate generally exprejfes the Twijling, or any other par- ticular Manner which they intend, and the Judge may proceed to every Severity not reaching to Death. But when it fays, very feverely even unto Death, then the Cri- minals Life is in immediate Danger. The like Method of Torture was formerly practifed in the Inquifition at Tholoufe, as appears from feveral Places in the Book of Sentences. Thus fol. 67. at the End of the Sentence of William Sicred, jun. we read, Nor would be judicially confefs concerning the aforefaid, till he was put in Jayl, and hoified up a little upon the Rope. And in fol. 131. we read that William Cavallerii, after a. considerable Time, revoked what he had before confeffed, faying, that h& confejfed nothing concerning Herefy, but what was forced from him by the Violence of Torment. And finally, fol. 132. in the Sentence of Friar Bernard Delicioji, of the Order of Minors, amongft other Things, this was imputed to him as a Crime, that bejujlified thofe who vjere apprehended jor Herefy, and condemned for it, and ordered to perpetual Imprifonment and other Punijhments, and that tho' they were true Catholicks, they had confejfed Herefy of the?nfelves and others, only thro* the Violence of their Torments, and were unjujlly condemned. ftp, iX. The Author of the Hiftory of the Inquifition at Goa tells us, that the Tor- ture now practifed in the Portugueje Inquifition is exceeding cruel. In the Months of November and December, / beard every Day in the Morning the Cries and Groans of thofe who were put to the Quejlion, which is jo very cruel, that I have feen feveral of both Sexes who have been ever after lame. In this Tribunal they regard neither Age nor Sex, nor Condition of Perfons, but all without Dijlintlion are tor>- iursdi when Wis jor the Inter ejl of ibis. Tribunal, Thfi The History of the Inquisition. 221 The Method of Torturing, and the Degree of Tortures now ufed in the Spanijh Inquifition, will be well underftood from the Hiltory of Ijaac Orobio, a Jew, and Doctor of Phyfick, who was accufed to the Inquifition as a Jew,by a certain Moor his Servant, who had by his Order before this been whipped for thieving ; and four Years after this he was again accufed by a certain Enemy of his for another Fact, which would have proved him a Jew. But Orobio obftinately denied that he was one. I will here give the Account of his Tor- ture, as I had it from his own Mouth. After three whole Years which he had been in Jayl, and feveral Examinations, and the Difcovery of the Crimes to him of which he was accufed, in order to his Confeffion, and his conftant Denial of them, he was at length carried out of his Jayl, and thro* feveral Turnings brought to the Place of Torture. This was towards the Evening. It was a large under-ground Room, arched, and the Walls covered with black. Hangings. The Candlefticks were faftned to the Wall, and the whole Room enlightned with Candles placed in them. Atone End of it there was an in- clofed Place like a Clofet, where the Inquifitor and Notary fat at a TabJe, fo that the Place feemed to him as the very Manfion of Death, every Thing appearing fo terrible and awful. Here the Inquifitor again admonifhed him to confefs the Truth, before his Torments began. When heanfwered he had told the Truth, the Inquifitor gravely protefted, that fince he was fo obfti- nateas to fuffer the Torture, the holy Office would be innocent, if he mould fried his Blood, or even expire in his Torments. When he had faid this, they put a Linen Garment over his Body, and drew it fo very clofe on each Side, as almoft fqueezed him to Death. When he was almoft dying, they flackned at once the Sides of the Garment, and after he began to breathe again, the fudden Alteration put him to the moft grievous Anguifh and Pain. When he had overcome this Torture, the fame Admonition was re- peated, that he would confefs the Truth in order to prevent farther Torment. And as he perfifted in his Denial, they tied his Thumbs fo very tite with fmall Cords, as- made the Extremities of them greatly fwell, and caufed the Blood to fpurt out from under his Nails. After this he was placed with his Back againfb a Wall, and fixed upon a little Bench. Into the Wall were faftned little Iron Bul- lies, thro' which there were Ropes drawn, and tied round his Body in feveral Places, and efpecially his Arms and Legs. The Executioner drawing thefe Ropes with great Violence, faftned his Body with them to the Wall, fo that his Hands and Feet, and efpecially his Fingers and Toes being bound fo ftraitly with them, put him to the moft exquifite Pain, and feemed to him juft as tho' he had been diflolving in Flames. In the Midft of thefe Torments the Torturer, of a fudden, drew the Bench from under him, fo that the miferable Wretch hung by the Cords without any Thing to fupport him, and by the Weight of his Body drew the Knots yet much clofer. After tin's a new kind of Torture fucceeded. There was an Inftrument like a fmall Ladder, made of two upright Pieces of Wood, and five crofs ones fharpned before. "This the Torturer placed over againft him, and by a certain proper Motion (truck it with great Violence agaioft both his Shins, lb that he received upon each af Uiena aia The History of the Inquisition. them at once five violent Strokes, which put him to fuch intolerable Anguifh that he fainted away. After he came to himfelf, they inflicted on him the laffc Torture. The Torturer tied Ropes about Orobio's Wrifls, and then put thofe Ropes about his own Back, which was covered with Leather, to pre- vent his hurting himfelf. Then falling backwards, and putting his Feet up againft the Wall, he drew them with ail his Might, till they cut thro' Orobio's Flefh even to the very Bones ; and this Torture was repeated thrice, the Ropes being tied about his Arms about the Diftance of two Fingers Breadth from the former Wound, and drawn with the fame Violence. But it happen'd, that as the Ropes were drawing the fecond time, they (lid into the firft Wound, which caufed fo great an Effufion of Blood, that he feemed to be dying. Upon this the Phyfician and Surgeon, who are always ready, were ;fent for out of a neighbouring Apartment, to ask their Advice, whether the Torture could be continued without Danger of Death, lead the Ecclefiafti- cal Judges fhould be guilty of an Irregularity if the Criminal mould die in his Torments. They, who were far from being Enemies to Orobio, anfwered, that he had Strength enough to endure the reft of the Torture, and hereby preferved him from having the Tortures he had already endured repeated on him, be- caufe his Sentence was, that he fhould fuffer them all at one time, one after another. So that if at any time they are forced to leave off thro' Fear of rDeath, all the Tortures, even thofe already fuffered, muft be fucceffively inflicted, to fatisfy the Sentence. Upon this the Torture was repeated the third time, and then it ended. After this he was bound up in his own Cloaths, and carried back to his Prifon, and was fcarce healed of his Wounds in fe- venty Days. And inafmuch as he made no Confeflion under his Torture, he was condemned, not as one convicted, but fufpected of Judaifm, to wear for two whole Years the infamous Habit called Sambenito, and after that Term to perpetual Banifhment from the Kingdom of Seville. p. 19. Emefius Eremundus Frifius, in his Hiftory of the Low Country Difturban- ccs, gives us an Accouut from Gonfahius, of another Kind of Torture. There is a Wooden Bench, which they call the Wooden Horfe, made hol- low like a Trough, fo as to contain a Man lying on his Back at full Length, about the Middle of which there is a round Bar laid acrofs, upon which the Back of the Perfon is placed, fo that he lies upon the Bar inftead of being let into the Bottom of the Trough, with his Feet much higher than his Head. As he is lying in this Pofture, his Arms, Thighs and Shins are tied round with fmall Cords or Strings, which being drawn with Screws at proper Di- ftances from each other, cut into the very Bones, fo as to be no longer dif- cerned *. Befides this, the Torturer throws over his Mouth and Noftrels a thin Cloath, fo that he is fcarce able to breathe thro' them, and in the mean Gonfalv. while a fmall Stream of Water like a Thread, not Drop by Drop, falls from £.76, 77«on high, upon the Mouth of the Perfon lying in this miferable Condition, * Thefe two Method» of Punifhtnent fecm to be taken from the two different Forms of the .smticnt Ecnieus. and The History of the Inquisition. 223 and fo eafily finks down the thin Cloth to the Bottom of his Throat, fo that there is no Poflibility of breathing, his Mouth being flopped with Water, and his Noftrels with the Cloth, lb that the poor Wretch is in the fame Ago- ny, as Perfons ready to die, and breathing out their hft. When this Cloth is drawn out of his Throat, as it often is, that he may anfwer to the Que- ftions, it is all wet with Water and Blood, and is like pulling his Bowels thro* his Mouth. Theie is alfo another Kind of Torture peculiar to this Tribunal, which they call the Fire. They order a large Iron Chafin-difh full of lighted Char-coal, to be brought in, and held clofe to the Soles of the tortured Per- forms Feet, greafed over with Lard, fo that the Heat of the Fire may more quickly pierce thro' them. This is Inquifuion by Torture, when there is only half full Proof of their Crime. However, at other Times Torments are fometimes inflicted upon Perfons condemned to Death, as a Puniftiment preceding that of Death. Of this we have a remarkable Inftance in William Litbgow, an Englifhman, who, as he tells us in his Travels, was taken up as a Spy in Mallagom, a City of Spain, and was expofed to the mod cruel Torments upon the Wooden Horfe. But when nothing could be extorted from him, he was delivered to the In- quifuion as an Heretick, becaufe his Journal abounded with Blafphemies againft the Pope and the Virgin Mary. When he confefled himfelf a Pro- teftant before the Inquifitor, he was admonifhed to convert himfelf to the Ro- man Church, and was allowed eight Days to deliberate on it. In the mean while the Inquifitor and Jefuites came to him often, fometimes wheedling him, fometimes threatning and reproaching him, and fometimes arguin°- with him. At length they endeavour'd to overcome his Confrancy by kind Aflu- rances and Promifes. But all in vain. And therefore as he was immovably- fixed, he was condemned in the Beginning of Lent, to fuffer the Night fol- lowing eleven moft cruel Torments, and after Eafter to be carried privately to Granada, there to be burnt at Midnight, and his Allies to be fcattered into the Air : When Night came on his Fetters were taken off, then he was ftripped naked, put upon his Knees, and his Hands lift up by Force; after which opening his Mouth with Iron Inftruments, they filled his Belly with Water till it came out of his Jaws. Then they tied a Rope hard about his Neck, and in this Condition rolled him feven times the whole Length of the Room, till he was almoft quite ftrangled. After this they tied a frnall Cord about both his great Toes, and hung him up thereby with his Head towards the Ground, and then cut the Rope about his Neck, letting him remain in this Condition, till all the Water difcharged itfelfoutof his Mouth ; fo that he was laid on the Ground as juft dead, and had his Irons put on him again, But beyond all Expectation, and by a very fingular Accident, he was deliver'»! out of Jayl, efcaped Death, and fortunately fail'd home to England, But this Method of Torturing doth not belong to this Place, where we are treat- ing only of the Inquifuion of a Crime not yet fully proved. If when the Perfon is decently tortured he confeffes nothing, he is allowed to go away tree, and if he demands of his Judges that he be cleared by Sen- tence, ^24 T^ History* of the Inquisition, teace, they can't deny it him •, and they pronounce, that having diligently examined the Merits of the Procefs, they find nothing of the Crime of which hswasaccufed legally proved againft him. There is extant in this Cafe a Pcna, in Decree in the Madrid Inftru£tion, An. 1561. cap. 54. If the Criminal over- Dirett. comes the Torture, the Inquifitor mufl then weigh and confider the Nature of the p. in. Proofs , and the Degree and Form, or Manner of the Torture, and the Difpofition or Nature and Age of the tortured Criminal. All which Things confider ed, if it ap- pears that he hath fuffciently purged himfelf of all Marks, let them abfolve him from any farther Procefs. But if there be any Reafon and Caufe, upon confidering the afore (aid Circumflances, to think that the Torture was not inpcled with due Rigour^ then let them inflitt on him either a light or vehement Abjuration, or fome pecuniary Penalty. Althd 1 this ought not to be done without great C on fi deration, and unlefs the Proofs are not thought fuffciently purged off. But if, when under the Queflion, he confefTes, 'tis written in the Procefs, after which he is carried to another Place, where he ha r h no View of the Tortures, and there his Confefllon made during his Torments is read over to him, and he is interrogated feveral times till the Confeffion be made. But * >7 , t here Gonfahius obferves, that when the Prifoner is carried to Audience, they make him pafs by the Door of the Room where the Torture is inflicted, where the Executioner fhews himfelf on purpofe to be feen in that Shape of a Devil I have defcribed before, that as he paffes by, he may, by feeing him, be forced to feel, as it were, over again his paft Torments. The Space of Time allowed between the Torture and the Ratification of the Con- feflion, is determined by the Madrid Instruction, An. 1561. cap. $%. Twenty» four Hours after the Torture the Criminal mufl ratify his Confeffion, and if he re- tratls it, the Remedies provided by haw mufl be made ufe of And at the time when the Torture is infixed the Notary mufl write down the Hour, as alfo the Time of the Ratification, lejl iffuch Ratification floould be made the next Day, a Doubt may arife, whether it was after or before the twenty-four Hours. If the Crbninal ra- tifies his Confeffion made under Torture, and the Inquifitor s are fatisfied of his good Confeffion and Converfwn, they may admit him to Reconciliation, altho' his Confef- fion was made under Torture. They muft however prudently take Care how they re- ceive fuch Perfons 9 and confider the Nature of the Herefies they have confeffed> and whether they have learnt them from others, or have taught them themfelves to others, upon Account of the Danger that may enfue hereby. I am not able to fay what was the Space of Time between the Torture and the Ratification of the Confeflion made under it, formerly in the Inquifition atTholouje, nor whether the Criminal was difmifled if he retracted his Con- feflion after the Torture was over. There is one Inftance only of William Cavallerii, in the Book of the Sentences of the Tholoufe Inquifition, who be- ing in Court, and not under the Queflion or Torture, but in a different Place, and before different Officers, and three whole Days after the Torture was over, again confeflfed the Things he had before confefTed under Torture, and perfevered in them feveral Times. But afterwards he retracted a 1 !, faying, that he confeflfed thro' the Violence of his Torments, who yet is faid to be convicted The History of the Inquisition. 335 convided by cerrain Witnefles, fome of them fingle, of certain heretical Facts. This Perfon was pronounced an Heretick by a definitive Sentence, and as fuch deliver'd over to the fecular Court. But upon this Condition, that if within fifteen Days, each five of which were afTigned him as fo many Terms, he would confefs his Crimes, and with a pure Heart and Faith un- feigned return to the Ecclefiaftical Unity, abjure all Herefy, andfwearfim- ply to obey the Commands of the Church and Inquifitors, he fhould be ab- lblved from Excommunication, and condemned to perpetual Imprifon- ment. If there be very flrong Evidence againft the Criminal, if new Proofs arife, Simanc. if the Crime objected to him be very heinous, and the Difcoveries againft *• ^s» him undoubted, if he was not fufficiently tortured before, he may be tor-^" 7 *' tured again, but then only when his Mind and Body is able to endure it. We read in the firft Seville Inftruction, c. 15. That he who afterwards retralTs §.%<*. the Confeffion extorted from him by Torture, mufi Jolemnly abjure thofe Errors of which he was defamed, and fuffer fome pecuniary Penalty at the Pleafure of his Judges, upon account of the Infamy and Sufpicion yet remaining againft him. But for all this the Inquifiors oftentimes order the Queftion in this Cafe to be repeated. Skilful Judges ufually enter a Proteft in the Acts of the Procefs, that they intend to carry on the Torture fome other Day, that they may be able to repeat it. But Roy as fays, fome Criminals are fo crafty, that he hath of- Par. 1. ten actually feen them immediately confefs their Fault when put to the Tor-^iT^- 5 r - ture, and after twenty four Hours retract their Confeffion when they mould $' 3 C0 * confirm it, and when tortured again confefs again, and retract again, and re- peat the fame as often as they are tortured. In which Cafe, to prevent the Procefs from being never finifhed, he thinks they are to be punifhed with a very grievous arbitrary Penalty, becaufeof fo many Variations, which occa- fion Proofs and bad Prefumptions. For by the fame Reafon any one may be tortured again, he may be punifhed in an extraordinaty Manner. If he doth not perfift in his firft Confefllon, and is not fufficiently tortured, he may be put to the Torture again, not by way of Repetition, but Conti- nuation of ic ; but they do not agree how often it may be repeated, when the Confeffion extorted by it is retracted. Some affirm it may be repeated once only, others that it may be often. Eymerick f s Opinion is, that a Perfon fuf- ficiently tortured ought to be difmified freely, if he retracts what he con- fefied by Torture. But Simancas fays, that a Criminal muft not be condemned h6<>.§.ij t for a Confeffion drawn out by Torture, unlefs he afterwards perfeveres in it. 6l > 6 9> 'Tis the fame in Law, if it be extorted by Fear, or Dread of impending Tor- ments. The Confeffion is then faid to be extorted thro' Fear of Torments, when the Criminal is carried to the Place in which the Torture is inflicted, and there ftriptof his Cloaths, or bound, or fo terrified by the Judge, as that he hath great Reafon to believe the Torture will be inflicted. For 'tis not enough if the Judge frightens him but flightly in any other Place, unlefs it be fuch a Fear as may affect a Perfon of Refolution. Hence the Light ot the Inquifitors fays, in %oc§ " Altho* the Judge fays to the Criminal, when he is out of the Place dFJotw», Vol. II. Gg " Tor- M* sa6 The History of the Inquisition. " Torture, either confefs, or I will order you to the Torture, frightening " him by this Means as much as he can, upon hearing of which he makes 7 ing /hew every Month to bis Parfon that Paper at the Town of Ceri. We alfo com- mand the Parfon diligently to obferve his Life. Let him carefully obferz- Te Things, until the Lard Legate fh all otherwife exprefs his Pleafure to us in this M . ter. But if he jh all neglect to obferve them, we command that he be aerounted as perjured^ an Heretick, and $xco>nmi'.nicateJ, and fe par ated from the Converfition of 2 z ^6 The History of the Inquisition. the Faithful. There is extant alio another fhorter one of the fame Dominick, in thefe Words. To all the Faithful of Chrifl, to whom thefe prefent Letters Jhall come, Friar Dominick, Canon of Ofma, an humble Preacher, Salvation and fin- cere Affeclion in the Lord. May all your Difcretions know by Authority of thefe Pre- fents that we have granted Licence to Raymond Will. Pelaganirio, of Hauke ripe, to fuffer to abide with him in his Houfe at Tholoufe, William Ugotio, cloathed, as he himfelf hath declared before us, in a certain heretical Habit, and converfing after the Manner of other Men, until the Lord Cardinal Jhall give a far- ther more exprefs Command to us or him in this Affair. And let not this be any Oc- cafion of Infamy or Damage to him the faid Raymond William. In the Council of Tarraco, thefe Forms of Penances are fixed. Let Here- ticks per fevering in their Error, be left to the Judgment of the fecular Court, and let convicled Hereticks, if they will be converted, and Dogmatifers, after Abfolution and Abjuration, be perpetually imprifoned. Let the Believers of Hereticks dofolemn Penance, viz. after this manner, viz. that on the next enfuing Feflival of A 11 -Saints, and on the Lord's-Day of the Advent, on the Day of our Lord's Birth, Circumcifwn, Epiphany, St. Mary in February, St. Eulalia, St. Mary in March, and all Sundays in Lent, they walk in Procef/ion to the See, or Cathedral Church, without Shoes, in their Breeches and Shirt. Be- fides this, on St. Mary 's Day in February, and on Palm-Sunday, they Jhall be reconciled in the Parifh -Church, and in the Procejfwn receive publick Difcipline by the Bifhop or Priefi of the Church. Likewife on Wednefday, at the Beginning of the Fafi, they Jhall come together to the See, and after the fame Manner, and ac- cording to Form of Law, appear without their Shoes in their Breeches and Shirt, and be excluded the Church, and be kept out of it during the whole Time of Lent, but fo as to be fuffer ed to come to the Gates of the Church to hear Service, And on the Feflival e/Ccena Domini, let them appear without Shoes, in their Breeches and Shirt, be- fore the Gates of the Church, and be publickly reconciled to the Church, according to the Canonical Inflitutions. And let them do this Penance on Wednefday, and of jlanding without the Church the whole Time of Lent, and on the Day o/Ccena Do- mini, every Tear whilft they live. But on Lent Sundays, after Reconciliation, let them go out of the Church, and Jland before the Gates of it till the Feflival of Ccena Domini, and always wear two Croffes before their Breafls, of a different Co- lour from their Cloaths, andfo wear them, that they may appear folemnly penitent, with this Exception only, that they fhall not be hindredfrom entring into the Church in Lent more than ten Tears. The Penance of thofe who have relapfed into favouring of Herefy, Jhall be in like manner folemn, as that lajl mentioned of thofe believing in them, and upon all the aforefaid Days ; this excepted, that they fhall wear Croffes, and in like manner do Penance on Afh-Wednefday and Holy Thurfday for ten Tears. The Penance of thofe who are not relapfed into favouring, but are Favourers, and moft vehemently fufpecled, Jhall be in the fame Manner folemn upon the Feaft of All-Saints, the Nativity of Chrift, Epiphany, St. Mary of February, and all .Sundays in Lent. And let them do the other Penance for f even Tears, ordered to be done The History of the Inquisition. sa- done on Wednefday in Lent, ftanding without the Church during the Time of Lent, and being reconciled upon the Feftival of Coena, as above/aid. The Penance of thoje who are Favourers, and vehemently Jufpetled, fhall be fo- lemn, in the fame Manner, upon the Feflival of All- Sainrs, Chriftmas, St. Mary of February, Palm-Sunday, andtheyfh all do for five Tears the other Penance of the Wednefday in Lent, and of ftanding without the Church during the whole Time of Lent, and being reconciled on the Feflival of Coena, as abovefaid. The Penance of thofe who are Favourers, and fuj 'peeled, fhall be felemn, in the fame Manner, upon the Feaft of All-Saints, St. Mary of February, ^Palm- Sunday, and they fhall do for three Tears the other Penance, on the Wednefday in Ltnt, and of ftanding without the Church during the whole Time of Lent, and of being reconciled on the Feftival of Ccena Domini. This however is to be under- flood, that the Women fhall come cloathed, andfuffcr Difcipline. This Penance all the aforefaid Perfons, who are Citizens, fhall do, upon the Fefti- vals and Days before prefcribed, in that City and Place where they are Citizens, and 710 where elfe, till the Feflival 0/ ' Eafler. 'Thofe who are Foreigners fhall do )t in their Parijhes, and no where elfe ; excepting on the Wednefday, in the Beginning of Lent, and on the Day of the Feftival of Coena, /'// which all muft come to the See or the Place of their Church. But in the following Seafons of Lent, let all Citizens and Foreigners do the ten, feven, five, and three Tears Penance which they ought to do on Wednefday at the Beginning of Lent, and on the Feftival of Ccena Domini, according to the different Nature of their Crimes, as is before determined, in the See of their City, and no where elfe, unlefs upon any juft and reafonable Caufe] and by the fpecial Licence of the Bifhop or his Vicar \ and then in fucb Places where they fhall go by the Bifhop 1 s Leave, they fhall do the fame Penance be- fore the Bifhop of that Place, or his Vicar, carrying the Letters of the Bifhop or his Vicar, containing the Penance which they ought to do. And let him alfo, who doth the Penance, hring back the Letters of the Bifhop of that Place, to N. of fucb a Diocefe > containing a Teftimonial of the Penance being performed. But if it fhould happen, that by Accident, and not by Fraud and Deceit, they can't come on thofe two Days to the Cathedral Church, then after their Return let them undergo publick Difcipline, at the Pleafure of the Bifhop, at the See of N. according to tie M -nner of thofe two Days, upon two other Solemnities to be afiigned them. From thefe Things it appears that the Punifhments to which fuch Peni- tents are ufually condemned, are many and different. For firft, there arc fome which they ftrictly call wholefome Penances, fuch as Fallings, Prayers, Alms, the frequent Ufe of the Sacraments of Penance, and the Eucharift, and finally Pilgrimages to certain Places. Thus in the Book of the Senten-/*;. 99 . b. ces of the Tboloufe Inquifition fome are injoined, That they fhall vifit every Tear, whilft they live, the Church of St. Stephen^ Tholoufe, in the Feftival of its In- vention, and the Church of St. Saturninus at Tholoufe, on the Oclave of Eafler. Likewife we injoin ail and ftngular of you the above mentioned Peril 's, Pilgrimages to St. Mary de la Roche d' Amateur, and of Le Puy d'une vallee Verte, and fit, \ of Montpellier, and of Serignan, and to St. Guillaume in the Dejtrf, and St. Geniez in Provence, St. Pierre of Montmaiour, St. Martha cf Tarafcon, 21.8 The History of the Inquisition. St. Mary Magdalene at St. Maximin, St. Anthony of Vienne, St. Martial and St. Leonard in the Limoufin, St. Dionyfius, and St. Lewis, and to the Virgin Mary of Chartrin in France, St. Severin in Burdeaux, the Virgin Mary of Soulac, St. Faith of Concq, St. Paul at Narbonne, and St. Vincent of Cadres. This Pilgrimage the Penitent is injoined to make, with a black Habit, which he muft carry with the Inquifitors Letters, to that Place which he is to vifit in his Pilgrimage ; and he is farther required to bring back Letters te- ftimonial of the Predicant Friars, or others who dwell there in Witnefs of the Truth. Sometimes they were injoined Pilgrimage, to go to War in the Holy Land againft the Saracens. Thus the Council of Biterre hath determined, that fuch who have thus offended the Faith or Church, jhall alfo defend it for a 'Time, to be appointed at your Pleafure, either by themfelves or others more fit, on the other or this Side the Sea, againft the Saracens, or Hereticks and their Favou- rers, or fuch who otherwife rebel againft the Faith and the Church. And after- wards, as to thofe who Jhall be injoined Pilgr'unages, they Jhall be obliged to Jhew the faid Te/limonial Letters in each of their Pilgrimages to him, who prefides over the Church which they viftt, and to bring back the faid Letters to you, in Teflimony of their having made fuch Pilgrimage. As to thofe who go beyond Sea, let them, as foon as they can, after their Tranfportation, prefent themfelves, with your Letters, to the venerable Fathers the Patriarchs of Jerufalem, and Acre, or to any other Bi- Jhop whatfoever, or to their Vicegerent y and let them bring back to you at their Re- turn the Letters of every fuch foreign Bifhop, in Witnefs of their having laudibly •performed their Pilgrimage there. An Inftance of fuch a kind of Sentence we have in the Book of Sentences of the Tholoufe Inquifition, pronounced againft fol 141. b. Mailer William Garrici, ProfefTor of Laws 2xCarcaffone, who was condemned to go to the War in the Holy Land, or if he was legally prevented, to fend, at his own Charge and Expence, another proper Soldier to the Relief of the faid holy Land. And as for himfelf, he was within thirty Days to depart out of the Kingdom of France, and to ftay in the Place afligned him, till there fhould be a Tranfportation into Afia ; to which was added the Punifh- ment of perpetual Imprifonment, if he refufed to fulfil this Penance. Secondly, Some Penances are honorary, attended with Infamy to thofe who dd them. Such are, walking in Proceilion without Shoes, in their Breeches and Shirt, and to receive therein publick Difcipline by the Bifhop or Prieft, to be expelled the Church, and to ftand before the Gates of the great Church upon folemn Days, in the Time of Mafs, with naked Feet, and wearing up- on their Cloak an Halter about their Neck. At this Time they only ftand before the Gates of the Church, with a lighted Candle in their Hand, during the Time of folemn Mafs on fome holy Day, as the Bell is ringing to Church. Befides thefe, they nowufethe Punifhment of Banifhment, and Criminals are banifhed not only into fuch Places as are fubjecT: to the Jurifdiclion of the Inquifitor who banifhes them, but to Places fubjecl to other Inquifitors, be- caufe The History of the Inquisition. 04.9 •caufe all Places are fubjecr. to the fame chief Pontiff, by whom all the Inqui- fuors are delegated. To this may be added the Punifhment of beino- thruft into a Monaftery, which, tho' now feldom inflicted, was much more in ufe formerly. Bzovius gives us an Inftance of it i;i the Year 1479. " This$-8. *< Year was condemned at Mayence, John Rucard, of the Upper We " D. D. and compelled by the Inquifitor to recant certain Articles which" he ** was reported publickly to have preached at Worms. All his Writings " were before his Face thrown into the Fire and burnt, and he himfelf fent " to do Penance to the Convent of Auftin Friars in that Place, where he died " in a little while of Grief." Bzovius alfo relates the Articles againft him, mod of which were againft the Papal Authority. The firft of them deferves to be mentioned: That the Prelates of the Church have no Authority to ordain or add any Thing to what Chrijl and his Apojlles have ordained: lea, that neither Apojlles nor the Popes have received fuch Power from Chrijl. There is alfo another Punifhment of Beating or Whipping, when Criminals are condemned to be whipped with Scourges or Rods. If they are religious Perfons, they are whipped in their own Monaftery by other Religious, in the Prefence of the Notary of the holy Office. This Punifhment, Paramus be-/, it. ; ing Witnefs, Laurentius Valla fufTered, who being condemned for Herefy at c '4- w 'S Naples, was preferved from the Fire by the King's Favour, but upon this Condition, that after he had publickly recanted and damned the Things he had uttered, he mould atone for his Crimes by Whipping. And accordingly in the Convent of the Predicants, being led round the Cloyfters with his Hands tied, he was whipped upon his Shoulders and Back, by the Religious of the Houfe. Sometimes they are condemned to Fines, according to the Refcript of A- lexander IV. Super exftirpatione j and this they are efpecially defirous of laying upon rich and covetous Perfons. Alexander IV. makes this Dilpofition in the Affair. As to the Money which may poffibly arife from fuch Puniffvnents, or from the third Part of the Fines or Condemnations, to be exacled from 'fuch Perfons and Places, or from the Effetls to be feized on by Occafion of Herefy or Hereticks, nccording to the Tenour of our Confiitutions, let it be depofited in the Hands of three faithful and approved Men, to be chofen by you and the Diocefan, or his Vicar in his Abfence, and be faithfully kept by them, and let fuch Expences as are neceffary to the Profecution of the Affair againft Hereticks, be a u, and every one of you, -without any Difficulty, by the Advice of the Biff op bim \ and let a full and faithful Account be given to the faid Diocefan of all fuch Ex- pences. But here muft be obferved what Zanchinus teaches. " If the Inquifitor Caf. if : " condemns any one as an Heretick, he can't condemn him in a certain Sum ,c of Money, for two Reaibns. Firft, becaufe as he condemns him for an .ticularkindof them only. For the Popifh Doctors obferve, that thofe who com. 7. offend concerning the Faith, may two ways offend the Church. Firft, by. only believing amifs, and alfo by publishing Herefies. Secondly, when be- fides their ill Belief, they have added other Crimes, viz. if they have burnt Churches, deftroyed Images, killed Catholicks, or committed the like Things. If they offend in the firft Manner, and are returned, the Inquifitor, may, if he will, before they are abfolved from Excommunication, exact from the Perfon returning, not only an Oath of obeying the Commands of the, Church, but alfo Security and Bail, under Penalty of a Fine of obeying fuch , Commands, and exact fuch Penalty if he doth not obey. Alexander IV. hath exprefsly provided this in a Refcript beginning, Super exftirpatione. 'Tis ■, however more honourable, not to take fuch Security, under Penalty of a Fine, that they may snot appear to do any thing rather out of Covetoufneis, than The History of the Inquisition. it\ than the Love of Religion, as the Council of Narbonne hath advifed, cap. 17, Tou, muft abjlainfrom and forbear fuch pecuniary Penances and Ex ail ions, becaufe cf the Honour of your Order. If they have offended in the fecond Manner, they are not according to the Rigour of the Law, to be received and abfol- ved, before they have made good and repaired the Damage out of their own Eftates. C. Porro, and C. Parochianos, de fent. excom. Tou muft admonijh and perfuade them, that they give due Satisfaction to thofe they have injured. And, caufc them to be ftritlly avoided as excommunicated Perfons, till they have made proper Satisfaction to the Perfons injured. If they can't immediately give Satisfaction for the Damage they have done, either thro' Poverty or other Caufes, they are to be abfolved, upon giving proper Security, viz. by laying fomeching down as a Pledge, or giving Sureties to make Satisfaction when they are able, or when they fhall come to a larger Eftate. 'Tis alfo now a Cuftom ob- ferved by all the Inquifitors, tho' it be provided for by no Law, gently to flrike with a Rod fuch as return when they abfolve rhem. Such Perfons alfo are excluded from all publick Offices as infamous. Thefe %.'p.n. 54, publick Offices are, Offices of all forts, and of every Name, according to the"""* s > various Rites and Cuftoms of different Provinces. The Council of Tholoufe reckons even the Office of a Phyfician amongft them. Cap. 14. We ordain alfo, that whomever /hall be defamed for Herejy, or marked as fufpecled, fhall no longer be allowed the Profeffion of a Phyfician. Farther alfo, Penitents, and thofe reconciled, returning from Herefy to the Church, and the Children and Grandchildren of condemned Perfons are not only excluded from bearing publick Offices, or having Benefices and Digni- ties, but from ufing Silver, Gold, or precious Garments and Ornaments, according to the Council of Biterre, c. 28. Let them not hold Ballives or Admi- niftrations, nor be in the Councils or Families of the Great, nor be allowed toprallife as a Phyfician or Notary, nor be admitted to other publick Offices, or legal Aclions, nor wear Gold-laced Cloaths, nor Silk, or the like Ornaments, or yellow Ribands, nor Shoe-firings tagged andftriped with Gold or Silver, nor carved or painted Shoes ; and when it appears proper, let them be turned out of the City where they dwelt, and remain for fome time in fame other City or Province. 'Tis alfo forbidden them to ride on Horfes with Trappings, as Nobles do, which Pro- hibition extends alfo to Mules. But in thefe Cafes they allow a Difpenfation after fome Time. But the mod ufual Punifhment of all is, their wearing CrofTes upon their penitential Garments, which was not only formerly in Ufe, but is now fre- quently injoined Penitents in Spain and Portugal And this is far from being a fmall Punifhment. Becaufe fuch Perfons are expofed to the Scoffs and Infults of all, which they are obliged tofwallow,tho' the moft cruel in themfelves, and offered by the vileft of Mankind, for by thefe CrofTes they are marked to all Perfons for Herefy, or as it is now in Spain and Portugal for Judaifrn. And being rj , .. thus marked, they are avoided by all, and are almoft excluded from all human Society. We have an Inftance of this in the Book of Sentences of the Tholou r In- quifition, in one Arnold Tfarni oiVillemaur, who had thrown off his CrofTes, and being afterwards again apprehended, gave this Reafon for doing it before the K k 2 In- se* The History of the Inquisition. Inquifitor •, becaufe by wearing his Crojfes he could find no Perfons and Place, where hr could get his Living, and that therefore be jlood for ten Tears without them at the Moyffac, and got his Livelihood by going and coming with the Ships toBourdeaux. But there is fome Difference in the Manner of wearing thefe Croffes, for they are not always fixed on the penitential Habits the fame way. For, in the firft place, the Council of Tholoufe, An. 1229. held againft Heretics, hath thus determined concerning them. Alfo in Deteflation of their former Error, let them wear two Crojfes for the future on the Top of their Garments, of a different Colour from their Cloaths, one on the right, and the other on the left -, and let not any one be excufed on Account of thefe Crojfes, unlefs he can produce the Letters Teflimo- nialofhis Bifhop, as to his Reconciliation. Thefe Crofles were fo placed, as that they exaclly anfwered the two Breads, as appears by the Letters of Do- viinick. Let them be cloathed with religious Garments,, both as to Shape and Colour t on which let two fmall Crojfes befown direclly upon each Breafi. But afterwards that thefe Penitents might be more openly and fully expofed to the View ot all Perfons, whether they flood before or behind them, 'twas decreed that they fhould wear one before upon their Breafts, and the other behind between their Shoulders. Thus we read in the Ads of the Council of Biterre, c. 26* In Deteflation of their former Error, let them wear upon their outward Garment, two Crojfes of a yellow Colour, two Spans and a half long, and two wide, and ha- ving the Breadth of three Fingers in themfelves, one before on their Breaji, and thi other behind between their Shoulders, not having that upper Garment , upon which they wear the Crojfes, of a yellow Colour, neither /hall they put any Thing over it\ either within Doors or without. And if they are convicled Hereticks, or condemned, let them wear a third Crofs of a competent Largenefs, or of the fame Colour, upon their Hat or Veil. And if they happen to be forfworn, or have caufed others to for- (wear themfelves, let them wear upon the. upper Part of the two Crojfes, which "they carry upon, their Breafi, and between their Shoulders a Crofs*- Arm or Bar of a Span long, or thereabouts. Thofe who are to tranfport themfelves mufi wear the aforefaid Croffes, till they are got beyond Sea, but fhall not be obliged to wear them after that, till they fhall come to the Shore to go aboard, in order to their Return, but they fhall always wear them on the Sea-fhore, when at Sea, and in the lfles. This Garment was formerly of a black and bluifh Colour, like a. Monk's- CJoak, made without a Coul, and the Croffes put on them were ftrait, having one Arm long, and the other a-crofs, after this manner f. Sometimes accord- ing to the Heinoufnefs of the Offence, there were two Arms a-crofs, after a - a this manner $. But now in Spain this Garment is of a yellow Colour, and TV. the Croffes put on it are oblique, after the Manner of St. Andrew's Crofs, in torn. 41. this Form X, and are of a red Colour. [This Habit was ufed to be trade al- Param. ways, and every where, of Woollen Cloth, but now 'tis made fhorter than i.i.t. i. f ormer iy # F r heretofore 'twas full as long as the Monks Cloaks, and re- ' 4-« ma j ne( j f a u th e w hile it was marked with Croffes. For as the Croffes them- felves were three Spans Length, it could not be otherwife but that the Sack- cloth muft be long too. But afterwards, upon Account of the Croffes being, taken away, and that the Sackcloth might differ from the Monk's Cloak, it was reduced to a fhorter Meafure, In fome Tribunals alfo of Spain, another 2 kind The History of the Inquisition. 253 kind of penitential Garment was in Ufe. For upon fuch Criminals as were not convict, but only vehemently fufpected of Herefy, they ufed to put a half penitential Garment, covering the Bread only, which was marked only with one Line, of a red Colour, and not with two crofs ones, as the whole Sackcloth ufed to be marked with, that it might be hereby fhewn, that he was not truly and formally an Heretick, but vehemently fufpected of Herefy.} This Cloak the Italians call Abitelto, the Spaniards, Sant benito, as tho* it was Sacco benito, i.e. the bieffed Sackcloth, becaufe it is fit for Penance, by which we are bieffed and faved. But Simancas fays, 'tis the Garment of St. Beneditl. The wearing it is commanded, 4 Injlrutl. c. 9. They pretend that the Foun- dation of this Habit is to be found in the facred Writings, becaufe thofe who fuffered formerly for their Impieties, were, befides other Penances, fome- times cloathed with Sackcloth, in order to implore the divine Mercy, and to render God propitious whom they had offended, as they fhew in the Example ofAchab^ 1 Kings xxi. 27. But Ludovicus a Paramo carries its original higher, viz. that as God/. 1. /. £ cloath'd our firft Parents with Garments of Skins, in Token of Confufiorr^ 4. 5- and perpetual Shame, fo the Inquifitors, at this Day, in Imitation of God, cloath fuch as are convicted of Herefy, with thefe bieffed Sackcloths, with oblique Croffes on them, to the proper Ignominy and Confufion of thofe who wear them. And he gives this Reafon why thefe ignominious Garments are called bieffed Sackcloths. Becaufe formerly Sinners were cioathed with bieffed Sackcloths, in Token of publick Penance, and was taken upon a voluntary Vow by the Penitents themfelves. But this Cuftom, in Procefs of Time,- came into Difufe j and becaufe antiently thefe Sackcloths were bieffed in the Primitive Church, therefore they were called bieffed Sackcloths. And there- fore the Inquifnion, in Deteftation of the Crime of Herefy, hath renewed the Cuftom of publick Penance and bieffed Sackcloth. He gives alfo a very ridiculous Reafon, why the Croffes, which were formerly ftrait, are now made oblique, upon the penitential Garments. Becaufe the Crofs is the external Sign, by which all the Worflrippers of ' Chrift profefs the Catholick Faith. Since there- fore they who offend againjl the Catholick Faith, deviate from the Reclitude of the Faith, the Inquifitors are ufed to cloath Penitents with thefe tranfverje Marks, in Token of fuch Deviation, that it may appear to all by the Figure of the oblique Crofs, what is the inward State of him that wears it, what be hath been, and how he ha . wandered from the Reclitude of the Faith and of the Chriftian Religion. Thefe Croffes are put on thofe, who have believed Herefies, and fometimes on thofe who have been Dogmatifers, but who immediately, upon their being found out and informed againft before the Bifhopsand Inquifitors, depart from their Errors, and confent to abjure them. Such are more gently dc.ik with, and 'tis eafrer to have a Difpenfation as to their Penance. For either they arc to wear their Croffes only for a Time, or if they are injoined thcrio for their whole Life, after they have worn them for fome Years, in another Ser- mon or Act of Faith, they leave them off again, or if they are in an ill State of Health, or if the Penitent be remarkably humble,, and truly cou- rted 254. 9nk History of the Inquisition. • verted. But fuch a Difpenfation is the more difficultly obtained, becaufe the publick wearing thefe CrofTes may make great Satisfaction in Behalf of thofe who carry them, yea, ir may be greatly meritorious jn them, becaufe of the great Degree of Shame which fuch Perfons endure, and may be, and is a con- fiderable Warning to others. Simanc. Pie who throws off, or conceals this Garment, is to be punimed as an Im- *• 47- penitent. Nor can the Inquifitors themfelves, now in Spain, moderate the - com > tain Houfe ought to be procured, and made ufe of as a perpetual Jayl, in Io8t which thofe who are to be fhut up mould dwell ; becaufe otherwife he can't underftand how Penitents can perform the Penances enjoined them. The Ol- der to be obferved in thefe Things is provided for by the Madrid Inftrudtion, An. 1 56 1. c. 79, 80. Thofe who are condemned to perpetual Jayl, (hall be configned to the Keeper of fuch perpetual Jayl, who mufl be injoinedto keep the Criminals, and to take Care that they fulfill the Penances injoin'd them, and to inform the Inquifitors if they are negligent. Likewife let him take Care to affifl them in their Ncceffities y by procuring for them the proper Implements according to every oners' particular Bu- finefs or Trade ; that they may hereby procure fomething for their own Support, and thus better bear their prefent Mifery and Poverty. Alfo the Inquifitors are to vffit their perpetual Jayl fever al times in a Tear, to fee how they live, how they are treated, and what their Condition is. And becaufe in fome Inquifitions there is no per- petual Jayl, tho* the Thing be very neceffary, they mujl procure fome Houfes for this Purpofe -, becaufe if there be no fuch Jayl, it can*t be underjlood how thofe who were reconciled, can fulfil their Penances, or thofe who are condemned to it be kept in Cuflody. But this Cafe of obferving whether they fulfil the Penances injoined them was formerly committed to fome Priefts, by the Council of Narbonne, c. 8. Let the Care of obferving their Penances be committed by you to their proper Priefls, fo that the Priefls themfelves having the Penances of their fever al Par if}:ioners committed to them, and carefully infpe cling how they obferve them, they m ay inform, without Delay, againft all Contemners, if any fuch there be to you, x>r to thofe whom you faall appoint,- that you may proceed again f them according to the Form hereafter defcribed. The Manner of this Imprifonment is determined by the Council of Bitcrre, c, 23, 24, 25. Take Care that each of the Perfons to be immured, have, according to the Appointment of the Apojtolick See, feparate and private Cells, as far as it \ 1 be done in the fever al Cities of the Diocefes that are corrupted, //>.: pervert each other, either themfelves or others. But let not the exceeding Riga ' the J ay Is dellroy them, but you pall caufe thofe who ere in Poff:i a c6 The History of the Inquisition. to provide for them in Neceffaries, according to the Statutes of the Council of Tho- loufe, which thus determines, c. 10. " Let the Perfons who are immured be pro- *« vided for in Neceffarics, according to the Difpofition of the Prelate, by thofe who " are in Pofjejfwn of their Effetls. But if they have no Effects, let them be provi- " ded for by the Prelate'* But this Punifhment or Penance of perpetual Imprifon- ment, pall never, from the Beginning of it, be remitted to any of the afore faid Cri- minals, or commuted for another, unlejs it would either reflore Her eticks, orunlefsbe- caufe of his Ab fence his Children or Parents would be in imminent Danger of Death, or for any other Caufe, which appears very jujl and reafonable. Let alfo the Wife have free Accefs to her immured Hufband, and the Hufband to his Wife, that they may not be denied to cohabit with each other, whether both be immured, or only one. This Punifhment of Immuration is very difficultly difpenfed with, as the Council of Biterre hath decreed, c. 24. and the Council of Narbonne, more clearly, c. 19. As to Perfons to be imprifoned, we have thought proper to add this \ that no onejhall be excufed from the Jayl, neither the Hufband for his Wife, though fhe be younger, nor the Wife for the Hufband, nor any one for his Children or Parents^ or other Kindred, or for Weaknefs or Age, or any other the like Caufe, without the fpecial Leave of the Apoflolick See. However, the Inquifitors with the Ordina- ries have now a Power of difpenfmg, excepting only that it is denied to the Com, k>3. Inquifitors in Spain, by the private Sanctions of that Inquifition ; fo that the Inquifitor General only difpenfes in this Cafe, even as he doth alfo with re- flect to the Habit marked with CrofTes. After how long a Time this Difpen- fation may be allowed, is left to the Pleafure of the Inquifitors, who, upon confidering the Humility and Repentance of the Penitents, may remit this Punifhment within a leffer while, or commute it for another. But 'tis gene- rally remitted at the Expiration of three Years. But if this Punifhment of the Jayl is injoined never to be remitted, 'tis generally difpenfed with at the -End of eight Years. But the whole of this depends on the Inquifitors Pleafure. However, this Remiffion muft be granted with the Advice of the Dio- cefans, as is ordered, lib. 6. decret. de baret. As to thofe who humbly obey your Commands, and are Jhut up in Prifon, or in Jayl, upon the Account of Herefy, we give you full Power, as you jhallfee fit, of mitigating or changing their Punifhment ', in concert with the 'Bijhops, to whofe Jurifdiclion they arefubjeft. Thefe Remiffions may alfo be obtained with Money, by which Perfons may redeem themfelves from Jayl, and the Habits of their Guilt ; and this Me- GonfaW. thod of Redemption ufed to be very common in Spain , becaufe, as the p. 166. " King granted certain Redemptions of thefe Sambenito's to the Court young " Ladies and Gentlemen, he who received the Grant, diligently enquires " where, and who the Perfons are that are fubject to this Punifhment, and dent to the Proof or Condemnation, unlefs he afterwards confirms it by " a voluntary Confeflion. And therefore when the Criminal ratifies of his " own Accord the extorted Confeflion, they fay he is not to be looked upon " as acting herein unwillingly, nor his Confirmation as extorted by Force, 262 The History of the Inquisition. ceffion, but even on the very Scaffold, and oftentimes, and mod earneftly ad- monifhed to foifake his Errors and abjure. The Method of doing it is this. The Sentences of the Penitents and Converts, if any fuch there be, are read firft, and laft of all thofe of the Impenitents, if there are any. But before the pronouncing of them, they are admonifhed before all the People to re- pent, and at length to be converted, becaufe there is yet Room for Mercy. If they fay they will be converted, they are carried back to Jayl, and ad- mitted to Penance. If they perfevere obftinate and impenitent, the Sentence is read, and they are delivered to the fecular Court, that being burnt in fight of the People, they may fuller the Punifhments due to their Impenitency. But however, as to thofe who do not convert themfelves till they are actually on the Scaffold, and the Sentence is going to be pronounced, the Madrid In- ftruclion, An. 1561. c. 44. advifcs, that they are not to be admitted to Pe- nance but upon the moil extraordinary Considerations •, becaufe they appear to be converted rather thro' Fear of inftant Death, than the Love of true Repentance. *, 104. 'Tis certainly the Opinion of Eymerick, that even fuch ought to be admit- ted to Repentance. But Pegna, tho' he thinks this Opinion or Eymerick to be thefafer, yet determines that to be the more ju ft, which leaves to Criminals Room for Mercy only, till they are brought forth from the Jayls of the In- quifitors, and that after this they are by no Means to be heard. Zanchinus c. 16. §. + Ugolinus faith, that fuch a one is fo far to be received, as that he may efcape the Punifhments of the Soul, i. e. the Punifhments of Hell ; and therefore may be admitted to the Ecclefiaitical Sacraments, and abfolved from the Ex- communication he was under, if he fhews Signs of true Repentance •, but that he is by no means to be admitted to efcape corporal or temporal Pu- nifhment, becaufe he came in too late who ftaid for his Sentence. Extra, de haret. c. Super eo. 1. 6. Others fay this is wholly arbitrary, and depends mere- ly on the Pleafure of the Judge, whereas others do not think it at all fafe, that the Life of Penitents fhould depend on the Will of the Judges. However, after Sentence pronounced, there is no farther Place for Pardon. And yet there is one Inftance of Stephana de Proaudo, extant, in the Book of the Sentences of the Tholoufe Inquisition, who, being judged an Pjeretick the Day before, and left as an Heretick to the fecular Court (from whence it appears that it was not then ufual for thofe who were left to the fecular Court to be burnt the fame Day, on which the Sentence is pronounced, as is now practifed in Spain and Portugal) feeing on the following Day, viz. Monday^ that the Fire in which fhe was to be burnt was made ready, faid, on that ve- ry Day that fhe was willing to be converted to the Catholick Faith, and to return to the Ecclefiaftical Unity. And when 'twas doubted whether fhe fpoke this t'eignedly or fincerely, or thro' Fear of Death, and was anfwered, that the Time of Mercy was elapfed, and that fhe fhould think of the Salva- tion of her Soul, and fully difcover whatfoever fhe knew of her feif or others concerning the Fact of Herefy, which fhe promifed to fay and do, and that fhe would die in the Faith of the holy Church of Rome ; upon this The History of the Inquisition. 2&2 this the Inquifitor and Vicars of the Bifhop of Tboloufe called a Council on the following Tuefday, and at length it was concluded, that on the follow- ing Sunday fhe fhould confefs the Faith of the Church of Rome, recant her Errors, and be carried back to Prifon, where it would be proved whether her Converfion was real or pretended •, and fo ftrictly kept, that fhe might not be able to infect others with her Errors. Eymerick alfo gives us an Inftance at Barcelona in Catalonia, of- three Hereticks impenitent, but not relapfed, who were delivered over to the fecular Arm. And when one of them, who was a Prieft, was put in the Fire, and one of his Sides fomewhat burnt, he cried. to be taken out of it, becaufe he would abjure and repent. And he was ta- ken out accordingly. But he was afterwards found always to have continued in his Herefy, and to have infected many, and would not be converted, and was therefore turn'd over again as impenitent and relapfed, to the fecular Arm and burnt. The Author of the Hiftory of the Inquifition at Goa, gives us another In~cap, jfc fiance of a very rich new Chriftian, whofe Name was Lewis Pezoa, who, with his whole Family, had been accufed of fecret Judaifm, by fome of his' Ene- mies, and who, with his Wife, two Sons and one Daughter, and fome other Relations that lived with him, were all thrown into the Jayl of the Inquifition. He denied the Crime of which he was accufed, and well refuted it, and de- manded that the WitnefTes who had depofed againft him, mio-ht be difcove- red to him, that he might convict them of Falfhood. But lie could obtain nothing, and was condemned as a Negative, to be delivered over to the Arm of the fecular Court ; which Sentence was made known to him fifteen Days be- fore it was pronounced. The Duke of Cadaval, an intimate Friend of the Duke d* Ave'ira, Inquifitor General, had made ftrict Enquiry how his Affair was like to turn. And understanding by the Inquifitor General, that un- lefs he confeffed before his going out of Prifon, he could not efcape the Fire, becaufe he had been legally convicted, he continued to intreat the Inquifitor* General, till he had obtained a Promife from him, that if he could perfuade Pczoa to confefs, even after Sentence pronounced, and his Proceflion in the Act of Faith, he fhould not die, tho' it was contrary to the Laws and Cuftom of an Act of Faith. Upon that folemn Day therefore, on which the Act of Faith was to be held, he went with fome of his own Friends, and fome that were Pezoa's, to the Gate of the Inquifition, to prevail with him, if pofiibJe, to confefs. He cam^ out in the Procefiion, wearing the infamous Samarre, and on his Head the Casroch, or infamous Mitre. His Friends, with many Tears, befought him in the Name of the Duke de Cadaval, and by all that was dear to him, that he would preferve his Life, and intimated to him, that if he would confefs and repent, the faid Duke had obtained his Life from the Inqui- fitor General, and would give him more than he had loft. But all in vain,. Pezoa continually protefting himfelf innocent, and that the Crime it ieW was falfiy invented by his Enemies who fought his Deftruction. When the Pro- cefiion was ended, and the Act of Faith almoff finifhed, the Sentences of thofe who were condemned to certain Penances having been read, and on the Ap- p.roacb' nj^/j. The History of the Inquisition. proach of Evening, the Sentences of thofe who were to be delivered over to the fecular Court being begun to be read, his Friends repeated their Intrea- ties, by which at lait they overcame his Conftancy, fo that defiring an Audi- ence, and rifing up, that he might be heard, he faid, Come then let us go and confefs the Crimes J amfalfly accufed of, and thereby gratify the Defires of my Friends. And having confefTed his Crime, he was remanded to Jayl. Two Years after he was fent to Evora, and in the Act of Faith walked in Procefiion wearing the Samarre, on which was painted the Fire inverted, according to the ul'ual Cuftom of the P ortuguefe Inqu'ifiuon ; and after five Years more that he was detained in the Jayl of the Inquifition, he was condemned to the Gall ies for five Years. t A i Finally, Simancas propofes and refolves a Queftion concerning another Cafe, §. 73. viz. " Whether an Heretick converted after a definitive Sentence, who fays " that he will repent, and difcover other Hereticks to the Judges, and is " upon that Account returned to the Inquifitors by the fecular Judge, and tl makes a full Confefilon before them, is to be left again to the faid fecular " Judge. This Queftion in the former Age was actually debated by the In- " quifitors of Cuenca, and after thefupream Judges and skilful Men had been profefilng that he believes in a Catholick Manner, and is willing to com. 45. return to the Unity of the Church, the Bifhop and Inquifitor fend to him two or three good Men, and efpecially Religious, or Clergymen, zealous for the tYith, neither fufpected by, nor ungrateful to him, who, upon fome conve- nient Hour goto him, and after difcourfing with him in the firft Place con- cerning the Contempt of the World, the Miferies of this prefent Life, and the Joys and Glories of Paradife, do afterwards, in the Name of the Bifhop and Inquifitor, difcover to him, that inafmuch as he is relapfed, he can't efcape temporal Death •, and that therefore he ought to be careful of the Salvation of his Soul, and prepare himfelf for the Confefilon of his Sins, and the Re- ception The History of the Inquisition. -:6c /:eption of the Sacrament of the Eucharift. And thefe Admonitions they re- peat till he hath confeffed his Sins, and humbly deftres that the Sacrament of the Eucharift may be given him, becaufe the Ecclefiaftical Sacraments are not to be denied to a relapied Penitent, if he humbly defires them. Cap. per eo de haeret. lib. 6. After having received thefe Sacramen:?, and by this Means being, in their Opinion, rightly prepared for Salvation, the Bifho-* and Inquifitor order the Bailive of the Place, or the chief Magiftrate of the fecular Court, to be ready with his Attendants fuch a Day or H^our, in fuch a Street or Place, to receive from their Court fuch a Relapfe, which they will deliver to him •, and that on the fame Day, or the Day before he fhall make Proclamation by the Crier throughout the City, in all the ufual Places and Streets, that on fuch a Day, Hour and Place, the Inquifitor will make a Ser- mon for the Faith, and that he and the Bifhop will then condemn a certain Relapfe, by delivering him over to the fecular Court. Here they differ, whether a condemned Perfon may be delivered over to the fecular Court, on Sunday, or a Holy-day. In many Cities of Europe 'tis a Cuftom, that the Inquifitors do not deliver over to the fecular Court Re- Japfes, or Impenitents, on a Holy-day, but on fome other ; and therefore the Criminal, two or three Days before he is burnt, is removed from the Houfes or Jayls of the Inquifitors, to the Jayls of the fecular Judges. But in Spain and Portugal, all Things relating to the Act of Faith are done on fome Fe- ftival, to ftrike the greater Terror into the People. In like Manner they are not all agreed, whether when the Criminals are delivered over to the fecular Court, the Act of Faith ought to be celebrated within the Church, or without it. In Spain and Portugal fuch publick Acts of Faith are held without the Church, and, generally fpeaking, in a large and open Street or Market, and upon very high Scaffolds, that all the People may more eafily and clearly fee, which could not be done fo conveniently within the Church. Matters being thus ordered, if the Perfon to be delivered over to the ie-*. i cular Court is in holy Orders, a Prieft, or of any other Degree, he is, before -he is turned over, dripped of the Prerogative of the whole Ecclefiaftical Or- der, or, as they call it, degraded, that being deprived of every Dignity that might exempt him from the fecular Power, he may be delivered over to it. This Degradation is twofold, one verbal, the other actual. The verbal is, when the Bifhop pronounces Sentence againft a Clergyman, by which he deprives him of all Clerical Orders, or rather of the Miniftry or Execution of thofe Orders, which is more properly Depofition. The actual is, when the Clergyman is not only deprived by Sentence, but alfo deprived actually and perfonally, ftripped and defpoiled of his Ecclefiaftical Orders j and this takes Place in the Crime of Herefy, when the Perfon is to be deliver'd over to the fecular Court. But if he is only to be perpetually imprifoned, tlicy only make ufe of verbal Degradation. Vol. II, Mm I* a 6g The History of the Inquisition. In order to an actual Degradation, a certain Number of Judges was for- merly required. In the Cafe of a Bifhop, twelve Bifhops were requifite •, of a Presbyter, fix Bifhops \ and of a Deacon, three. But becaufe in the Affair of Herefy, it would be difficult for fo many Bifhops to afTemble, to degrade a Religious, already judged by the Judges of the Faith, the Bifhop, accord- ing to a Power granted by Gregory IX. calls together the Prelates, Abbots and Religious Men of his Diocefe, to be prefent on the Day appointed for this Ceremony. The Bifhop himfelf, cloathed in his Pontificalibus, aflifted by the Prelaies of his Diocefe, places before him the Perfon to be degraded, cloath- ed with all hisVeftments, juft as if he was going to divine Service, and de- orades him from his Order, beginning with the higheft, and fo gradually de- scending to the loweft. And as in conferring Orders, the Bifhop ufes a Form of Words appointed by the Church for this Purpofe •, fo alfo in degrading, when he de poles him from the Cloak and the Gown, and other Degrees, he ufes Expreflions quite the contrary, by which he declares he deprives him of this Order. So that the conferring of Orders, and the Degradation from them are per- formed in a Manner, and with Ceremonies directly contrary to each other. For when Orders are conferred, they begin from the loweft till they gradu- ally rife to the higheft. Firft, they confer the Order of the Door-keeper, The Bifhop takes the Keys from the Altar, and delivering them to him when he appoints a Door-keeper, fays, Do this as one who muji give an Account to God for the Things locked up by theft Keys. The Bifhop ordains the Reader with this Ceremony. The People being prefent at his Ordination, the Bi- fhop delivers him a Book, in which are written the Things belonging to his Function, faying, Receive it, and be thou a Rehearfer of the Word of God, and if you faithfully and ■profitably fulfil your Office, have part with thofe, who from the Beginning have adminijlred well the Word of God. The Bifhop ordains an Ex- orcift, by delivering to him a Book, in which the Exorcifms are contained, ufing this Form of Words, Receive and commit to Memory, and have Power of laying Hands upon the Pojfejfed, whether baptized, or Catechumens. In the Or- dination of an Acolythift, this Ceremony is obferved. After the Bifhop di- ligently admonifhes the Perfons to be ordained of their Office, he delivers to each of them Wax-lights, after this manner. Receive the Candle ftick with the Wax -light, and know that you are ingaged to light the Tapers of the Church, in the Name of the Lord. Then he delivers to him the empty Flaggons, in which they ferve up Water and Wine at the Sacrifice, faying, Receive the Flaggons to minifler Wine and Water for the Eucharift of the Blood of Cbriji, in the Name of the Lord. When the Bifhop ordains Sub-Deacons, he admonifhes them, that the Law of perpetual Continence is injoined this Order, and declares that no one is taken into the Order of Sub- Deacons, who is not voluntarily determi- ned to fubmit to this Law. After this, when the folemn Prayer of the Li- tanies is faid, he enumerates and explains what are the Duties and Functions of the Sub-Deacons. When thefe Things are done, all thofe who are to be erdained, receive from the Bifhop the Chalice and facred Pattens j and from the. The History of the Inquisition. 267 the Hands of the Arch- Deacon, to let them know that the Sub-Deacon is to affift the Deacon's Office, the Flaggons full of Wine and Water, together with the Bafon, and Napkin with which they wipe their Hands ; and the Bi- ihop fays, Toil fee what Miniftr) is hereby committed to you, therefore I admc you, Jo to behave your felves, as that ye may plea fe God. Be fides this, they uie fome other Prayers» At Jaft after the Bifhop hath put the (acred Veftments on the Sub-Deacon, at every one of which proper Words and Ceremonies are ufed, he delivers him the Book of the Epiftles, and fays, Receive the . Epi files, and receive Power to read them in the hoh Church of God, as well for the Living as for the Dead. In the Ordination of a Deacon the Bifhop ufes a grea- ter Number of more folemn Prayers, and adds other Ornaments of facred Veftments. Befides this, he lays his Hand on him, and finally delivers him the Book of the Gofpels, with thefe Words. Receive Power to read Book of the Gofpel in the Church of God, as well for the Living as for (be Dead* in the Name of the Lord. The Bifhop ordains a Prieft with thefe Rites. In the firft place, he, with all the Priefts who are prefent, lay their Hands on him ; then fitting the Veft to his Shoulders, he brings it over on his Breafl in Form of a Crofs •, after this he anoints his Hands with holy Oil, and delivers him the Chalice with the Wine, and the Patten with the Hoft, faying, Receive Power of offering Sacrifice to God, and of celebrating Majfes, as well for the Living as for the Dead. At laft he lays his Hands again upon his Head, faying, Re- ceive the Holy Ghofi, whofe Sins you remit, theyjhail be remitted to them, and whofe- foever you retain, they are retained. Degradation is performed by Words and Ceremonies directly contrary. We have an Inftance of this in the Book of the Sentences of the Tboloufe Inquifi-/c/. lo- tion, in one John Philibert, a Presbyter, who had joined himfelf to the Val- denfes, and whom by Order of the Pope, the Arch-Bifhop of Tooloufe, in the Room of the Bifhop of Aux his Diocefan, who was dead, degraded from all his Orders in the Prefence of the Abbots, and Prelates, or their Vicars, and delivered over to the fecular Court. For after he was fet before them in his Sacerdotal Veftment, they ftripped him of all his Ornaments, ufing certain ExprefTions. The Chalice and Patten : We take from you the Chalice and Pal- ten, andfirip and deprive you of the Office and Power of offering Sacrifice to God> and of celebrating any Mafs. The Pri eft's Veft : We take from you the PriejVs Habit or Vefi, fince you have defpifed to wear the eafy Yoke of the Lord reprefented by it, and to preferve the Vefi of Innocence. [To this Ceremony there is another ui immediately fubjoined, which was obferved in the Degradation of one James,***'- a pretended Minorite. " After this the Bifhop immediately takes out the A- IuS * " nointing, by flightly fcraping with a Piece of Glafs, fo as not to draw Blood, " thofe Places of the Hands which had been anointed, drawing the Glaf» " from the right Hand Thumb to the left Hand Fore- finger, and then " again from the left Hand Thumb to the right Hand Fore-finger, as " is the Manner when the Bifhop anoints any Perfon for a Prieft. And thus by taking away all the Marks of the Priefthood, he is depri- ved of the Ornaments of the other Orders.] The Surplice : We take from you the M m 2 S«rfn ^68 The Histort of the Inquisition. Surplice, the Ornament of the Diaconal Office, fince you have not worn it as the Co- vering of Gladnefs, and the Garment of Salvation. The Book of the Gofpels : We take from yon the Book of the Gofpels, and firip and deprive you of the Office and Power of reading in the Church of God. The Diaconal Veft : We take from you the Diaconal Veft, and firip and deprive you of the Power of exercifing the Diaconal Office. The Chalice, Patten, FJaggon, Water, Bafon and Napkin : We take from you the Chalice, Patten, Flaggon, Water, Bafon, Napkin, the Inflruments of the Sub-diaconal Office, and firip and deprive you of the UJe of them. The Sub- Deacon's Tunick r We take from you the Tunick, the Ornament of the Sub-diaconal Office, fince you have not ufed it to Righteoufnejs and Salvation. The Maniple * : We take from you the Maniple, the Ornament of the Sub-diaconal Office, and we firip and deprive you of the Miniflry defigned thereby. The Book of the Epiftles : We take from you the Book of the Epiflles, and divefl and deprive you of the Power of reading them in the holy Church of God. The Candleftick : We takefrotn you the Candleftick, and divefl and deprive you of the Office of lighting the Tapers in the Church. The Flaggon : We take from you the Flaggon, that from henceforth, you may not ufe it in ferving up Wine and Water for the Eucharifl of the Blood of Cbrifl,.. The Book of Exorcifms : We take from you the Book of Exorcifms, and deprive. and divefl you of the Power of laying your Hands upon the Pojfeffed, whether bap~ tized, or Catechumens. The Book he received when made Reader : We take from you the Book you received with the Order of Reading, and divefl and deprive you cf the Power of reading it any more in the holy Church of God. The Keys l. We take from you the Keys of the Church, and divefl and deprive you of the Office and Power of keeping the Tilings locked up with tbofe Keys, and of opening or fout- ting the Gates of the Church. By the Authority of- Almighty God, Father, Son± and Holy Spirit, and alfo by the Power committed to us^. as aforefaid, in, this Affair y we take from you the Clerical Habit, and depofe and alfo. degrade you, from all Prieflly, and every other Order, and divefl and deprive you of every Clerical Ho- nour, Benefice and Privilege. And therefore we farther pronounce and declare to the noble Per fon, the "Lord Guiardo Guido, Senefchalof Tholoufe, here prefent, that he /hall receive you, thus degraded, into his Court. However, we earneflly require and bejeech him, that he will fo moderate the Sentence concerning you, as to prevent the Danger of Death, and maiming of Limbs. After thefe Things his Head is ub.Ca- fh a ved, before the fecular Court receives him. [This fhaving the Head is X/ 4 ?o6 performed in this manner. The Bifhop begins to pull out fome few of the Hairs of his Head with Nippers, after which the Barber finifhes it with a Razor, fo that there remains on it no Mark of his Tonfure or Clericate.] After the Degradation is performed, Sentence is pronounced againft him . asaRelapfe, andheasfuch, altho* penitent, is call out of the Ecclefi?.f!:ic~.I Court, and delivered to the fecular Arm. But they generally add this Claufo to fucb Sentences, by which a Relapfe, or impenitent Heretick,. or any other, is delivered to the fecular Arm. Neverthelefs we effectually befeech the faid fe~ iular Arm, that he will moderate his Sentence concerning you, fo as to prevent the * Manipulus,. An Ecclefiaftical Vefhnenr, called alio the SudariHm t which the Pncfls wear en the Itfc Arm. Fffuflorta The History of the Inquisition. a6^ Effufion of Blood, and Danger of Death ; according to Cap. Nwimus, de verb, fign. where, after 'tis commanded that a Clergyman degraded mall be de- livered to the fecular Court, 'tis added, For ivhom neverthelefs the Church ought effectually to intercede, that the Sentence may be moderated, fo as to prevent Danger of Death ; viz. leaft the Inquifitors, when they deliver Criminals to the fe- cular Judges, mould feem to confent to the Effufion of Blood, and thereby become irregular. When this Sentence againfb a Relapfe is concluded, the Bifhop and Inqui-». zoo*- fitor don't mew it to the Criminal, left he mould be enraged againft them •, but they fend to him certain good Men, efpecially Religious or Clergymen, not unacceptable to him, who difcover to him the Sentence to be pro- nounced againft him, and the Death to be inflicted on him, to confirm him in the Faith, to exhort him to Patience, to accompany him after his Sentence, to comfort him, and pray with him, anl not to depart from him, till he hath returned his Spirit to his Creator. But they muft diligently take Care, that they do not fay or do any Thing by which the Death of the relapfed Perfon may be haftned, viz. by exhorting him when condemned, to offer his Head to the Executioner, or to go up the Ladder, or to fay to the Hangman fo to direct his Sword, as to ft r ike off his Head at one Blow, and not at fe- veral, or to fay or do, or perfuade to any Things of like kind, by which his Death would be fooner effected, altho' the fame would have hapned, altho' thefe Words or Actions had never been ; becaufe they contract Irregularity by thefe Things. Who would not believe that thefe Men detefted with all their Soul every Effufion of Blood, who fo effectually intercede for the Con- demned, and are fo extreamly careful not to fay or do any Thing by which their Death may be haftned ? Here fome think, that fuch Penitents relapfed ought to be allowed Ecclefiaftical Burial, as well as all other Catholicks. But this is contrary to Law and Cuftom, becaufe their Bodies are burnt with Fire. In thisRefpect however they are dealt more favourably with than the Obfti- nate and Impenitent, inafmuch as thefe latter are burnt alive, whereas the others are ftrangled before they are burnt, which, as Smaneas fays, is more human, and leads to Repentance. Tit. 47. §. 17. CHAP. XXXV. How the Process ends againft an impenitent He re tick, and* impenitent Relapse. IF the a ecu fed Perfon be an impenitent Heretick, but not relapfed, he iVi kept in clofe Imprifonment, and put in Chains, that he may not eicapc/'- >• and infect others i nor is any one allowed to come to him, or tofpeak with '- him, except the Keepers, who muft be good Men, and not fufpected con* '*' cerning the Faith, nor eafy to be deceived. In the mean 'while all Methods muft be ufed for his Converfion, according to the Decree of the Council of Stitcrr^ c, 17. Thofe who iviil not be convey ltd, be flow % as you-xovutnu tem x '0 (Wi .; \ 270 The History of the Inquisition. condemn them, admonifloing them frequently by your /elves and others to cenfefs -, and if they are finally objiinate in their Widednefs, caufe their Errors to be publickly declared, in Deteflation of them, and leave them thus condemned to the fecular Powers t relent, or their Ballives, according to the Apoftolick Command. Herewith the Madri d Inftruction, An. 1561 . £.43. agrees. When the Criminal is negative, and hath been legally convicted of the Crime of Herefy of which he was accufed, or continues obfiinate, 'tis evident from the Law that he ought to be delivered to the fe- cular Court. However, infuch a Cafe, the Inpifitors ought greatly to endeavour his Conversion, that at leafl he may die in the Grace of God. And here they mufl do all they can confident with Piety. So that the Bifhop and Inquifitor frequently, fomeiimes both together, fometimes apart, muft caufe him to be brought before them, to refute his Opinions, and perfuade him into the Faith of the Church of Rome. If he doth not fubmit to their Information, ten or twelve Perfons are fent to him to inftruct him, learned Men, Clergymen of diffe- rent Religions, and fecular Lawyers, who frequently converfe with him, to fhew him that his Opinion is contrary to the facred Scripture, and the De- crees of the Church of Rome. If he is not converted, he is not immediately delivered to the fecular Arm, tho' he defires it, but is kept in Chains a long while, half a Year, or a whole one, in a hard and clofe Jayl, that by the Mifery and Diilrefs of his Imprifonment, his Conilancy may be overcome. In the mean while he is frequently admonifhed, that if he perfifts he mull: be burnt, and after this Life burn in Hell Fire for ever. But if he is not mo- ved by this Calamity, he is removed into a fomewhac more comfortable Jayl, andufed in a little kinder Manner. They alfo make ufeof Promifes, that if he will turn, he mail experience the Mercy of the Judges. If they can neither prevail with him by this Means, they fuffer his Wife and Chil- dren, efpecially his little ones, if he hath any, and his other Relations, to come to him, to break his Refolution and Conilancy. But if after all thefe Methods ufed he perfifts in his Opinion, the Bifhop and Inquifitor prepare to deliver him over to the fecular Court. When therefore the Sermon concern- ing the Faith is held, the Inquifitor caufes his Faults and Herefies to be read over by the Notary, or fome other Clergyman, and then asks him whether he will depart from his Herefies and abjure them? If he confents to abjure, he is admitted •, and having made his Abjuration, he was condemned in the Times of Eymerick to perpetual Imprifonment, becaufe he was believed to abjure rather thro' Fear of Death than the Love of Truth. And if he was a Clerick, he was degraded from his Orders, by a verbal Degradation only, i. e. he was depofed from the Function of his Miniftry. But if in this Condition he will not repent and abjure his Opinions, as is commonly the Cafe with fuch Perfons, he is condemned as an obftinate Here- tick, and as fuch delivered over to the fecular Court. Cap. ad abolenctam, §. Prczfenti, Extrav. de hasret. And whilft the fecular Court is performing its Duty, lb me good Men, and zealous for the Faith, may attend him, and perfuade him to the Catholick Faith, and exhort him as yet to turn from his JErrors. And 'tis the Opinion of Eymerick, that if even then he will be con- .1 verted, The History of the Inquisition. 27* verted, he may be admitted to Repentance. But Pegna judges it more fafe, not to receive him by any Means, aJtho' he promifes a thoufand times his Converfion •, both becaufe 'tis provided for by no Law, and becaufe Ex- perience fhews us that Perfons thus received, feldom or ever become crood. If an Heretick impenitent or relapfed be prefent, the Bifhop and Inquifitor, in Prefence of the Magiftrate of the fecuJar Court, Cap. Excommunicamus, 1, 2. Extrav. de hczret. declare him impenitent, or relapfed, caff, him our. from the Ecclefiaftical Court, and leave him to the fecular Arm, or to the Jurifdiction of the fecular Court. And the fecular Court, which is in that Place, receives him as one left to their Court and Arm. If he be abfent and fugitive, he is by Sentence declared impenitent or relapfed, and call out from the Ecclefiaftical Court, and left to the fecular Arm ; and whenever the fecular Court can lay hold of him, he is punifhed as one obnoxious to that Court, according to the Nature of his Crime, Cap. ad abolendam, §. Pra- fenti, Extrav. de hasret. If the accufed Perfon be an Heretick impenitent and relapfed, all Reme-w. 105. dies are to be made ufe of for his Converfion, and he is clofely and carefully confined, and no one admitted to him. But he can't efcape Death. And therefore they exhort him, inafmuch as he can't avoid the Punifhment of Death, to confult at leaft the Salvation of his Soul, to confefs and receive the Sacrament of the Eucharift. Behold the amazing Charity of thefe reverend Fathers, who when they deliver a penitent Criminal to Death, are fo folici- tous about the Salvation of his Soul ! But whether he repents or not, he is delivered to the fecular Court, with a very earneft Intreaty, fo to mitigate their Sentence concerning him, as to prevent the Effufion of Blood, and Dan- ger of Death. CHAP. XXXVI. How /^Process ends againjl a Negative Heretick committed. IF the Perfon accufed be found in Herefy either by the Evidence of the Dheff. Fact, or the legal Production of WirnefTes, and yet he doth not confefs/»- >• it, but perfifts in the Negative, he is at this Day called a convicted Ncga- " tive Heretick. Concerning thefe the Council of Biterre hath thus determined."'' Cap. 6, 7, 8, 9. As to tbofe who are Criminals, and contemn to appear within the 'Time of Grace, or malicioufly fupprefs the Truth, let each of them be cited by Name in their Turn ; and if they will not confefs the Truth found againjl them, read over to them the Heads of the Matters in which they are found criminal, and dijeover to them the Depofitions of the Witnefjes, and granting tkevi competent Times, and al- lowing them the Liberty of defending themfehes, receive candidly their legal Excep- tions and Replications. And if they fail in their Defence, al/ign them a competent peremptory Time for their Sentence, and condemn them, unlefs they will of their own Accord confefs the Crime proved againjl them. For they are not to be received to Mercy whiljl they perfijt in their Denial, how much foevcr they fubmit themfdves to tk& Will of the Church. Thus a Ifo the Council of Narbotme, c, 26. But if any u iii The History of the Inquisition. •■ • is no! afraid objl'vi a tely to deny bis Fault, upon account of which he ma) be judged a Believer of Hsretkks, or an Heretick, and which is fully proved by Witneffes, or other Proofs, as long as he perjifls in this Denial, tho' otherwife he may pretend Converjion, he is, zvilhout Doubt, to be accounted an Here tick. For he is evidently impenitent, who witt not corf ejs his Sin. In Spain the fame Opinion and Sentence is openly declared for by the fir it Seville Inftruction, An. 1484. cap. 14. where alio 'tis provided, that as often as fuch a Cafe fhould occur, the Inquifi- tors fhould diligently inquire into the Life and Manners of the Witneffes. Pegna, An Heretick is alio judged to be impenitent, altho' he protefts himfelf to be inDheS. a Believer, not only when he is conv idled of the Herefy he hath faid, but part. 5. a i|" of any heretical Fad, by which he may be judged to be an Heretick, or Believer of Hereticks. This is to be underftood of one, who denies the here- tical Fact of which he is legally convicted ; and not of him who confeffes fuch heretical Fact, but denies the evil Intention. And thefe are the Reafons alledged why fuch a one may be condemned as an impenitent Heretick. Be- caufe if the Herefy of fuch a Negative is fully and legally proved, it ap- pears to the Church, that fuch a one is an Heretick, and therefore unlefs he confeiTes and detefts his Errors, he is defervedly delivered to the fecular -Court, as an impenitent Heretick. Befides, he who doth not admit the Er- rors legally proved againft him, doth not fatisfy the Church, tho' he protefts that he holds the right Faith, the Church firft demanding Satisfaction for the Herefies proved, which he denies that he ever faid. And therefore not being amended, he may be condemned as an Impenitent, becaufe Pardon of Sin is granted to no one without Amendment. And finally, Confefllon is neceffary to true Repentance, nor doth he deferve to obtain Pardon, who doth not ac- knowledge his Sin -, and therefore as a Negative doth not confefs his Crime, he is accounted as Impenitent, and therefore is defervedly to be left to the fecu- lar Court. Nor let any one affirm, fays Pegna, that he is by this Means unjufily condemned, nor complain of the Ecclefiadical Judges, or of the Judgment of the ■Church which hath thus determined, and which doth not judge of any Thing that is fecret. But if itjhould happen that any one is convitledby falfe Witneffes, let him bear ■it with Patience, and rejoyce that he fuffers Death for the Truth. But before iuch a Sentence can take place, 'tis, according to their Doctrine, required : Firft, that the Perfon be convicted either of true and formal Herefy, viz. faying there is no Purgatory, and not of a fcandalous, ram or ill-founding Af- fertion, and the like ; or of Facts from which arife Herefy or Apoftacy. And here there is Need of great Prudence. Secondly, 'tis required that the heretical Words, of which a Negative is convicted, be certain and clear, and not dubious or doubtful, capable of a double Senfe, one heretical, the other catholick ; becaufe as doubtful Expreflions are to be interpreted in the belt Senfe, the Catholick Senfe is to be received, and the heretical Senfe re- jected. Thirdly, that one guilty of an Herefy which he denies, be convicted by legal and proper Witneffes, above all Exception, and not by Enemies, or fingle Witneffes, or others unfit. Fourthly, that the heretical Fact or Saying, of which the Criminal is convicted, be lately done, and not an old Matter, The History of the Inquisition. 27? Matter, which the Criminal may be fuppofed likely to have forgot; becaufe in a Matter done a great while ago, fuch Forgetfulnefs may be prefumed Laftly, that a Negative be convicted by Witnefies to have afierted, that he doth 10 believe himfelf, and that others ought to believe to too. Such a Negative is kept in hard Confinement, and laid in Irons, and is by the Bifhop, Inquifitor, and others oftentimes admoniflied to confefs the Truth, with the Hopes of Mercy if he doth, and the Threatning of beine delivered to the fecular Court if he perfifts in the Negative. If he ftill perfifts in the Denial, the Bifhop and Inquifitor, either feparate, or together, pri- vately examine the Witnefies themfelves, and by other good Men, and ad- monifh them to tell them the Truth privately, that the accufed Perfon may not die unjuftly. If the Witnefies perfift in the Affirmative, and the Party accufed in the Negative, they are examined with greater Care s not that the Witnefies are confronted with the Perfon they accufe, that they may be ex- amined together. 'Tis only recommended to the Inquifitors to ufe Prudence in fearching out the Truth, left it fhould happen that an innocent Perfon, who can*t fully defend himfelf, fhould be unjuftly condemned. Thus the Madrid Inftruction orders, An. 1561. c. 38. That the Inquifitors Jhould carefully confider in the Defences of the Criminals , that being confined in fecret Jayls, they can't fo conveniently defend themfelves , and that therefore they ought to fupply this Defetl by their Diligence and Prudence, in inquiring particularly into the Life, Manners, En- mity or Confpiracy of theWitneffes. If any .one of the Witnefies faulters, or if there are other Signs againft him, they are taken notice of, that the Truth may be found out. If they are found falfe Witnefies, or if they retract their Evidence, the accufed Perfon is pronounced and difmified as innocent, and they themfelves condemned to perpetual Imprifonment, and oftentimes expofed as publick Spectacles upon Ladders before the Gates of certain Churches, and their Lives only mercifully fpared them. But if the W 7 irneflfes periift, and the accufed Perfon perfifts alfo in the Negative, having been kept in Jayl for a competent Time, viz. a Year, heisatlaft, by the Sentence of the Bifhop and Inquifitor, caft out of the Ecclefiaftical Court as obftinate and impenitent, and delivered over to the fecular Arm. So that if it fhould happen that he is accufed by falfe Witnefies, and is really innocent, the miferable Wretch, tho* falfty condemned, is delivered to the Power of the fecular Court, to be burnt alive; nor is it lawful for him, without the Commiflion of mortal Sin, as thepegn^, Roman Doctors think, to fave his Life, by falfly confefling a Crime he hath/>. 567, not committed. And therefore in this Cafe, tho 1 it may feem very hard to fuch a Negative to die when he is innocent, and for this Reafon he may pofilbly believe it lawful for him to confefs the Crimes objected to him to fave his Life, yet this is not to be fuffered by any Means ; and therefore 'tis the Duty of the Divines and Confeflbrs, who comfort fuch a Negative, and attend on him to his Punifhment, to perfuade him to difcover the Truth ; but to caution him by all Means not to acknowledge a Crime he hath not committed, to avoid temporal Death ; and to put him in Remembrance, that if he patiently en- dures this Injury and Punifhment, he will be crowned as a Martyr. Vol, II. JS T n 'Ti: be found any fingle Trace of it in the Vatican Copy, nor in that of the moft illuftrious Cardinal Sirletto, where there are many Things, and even the molt minute Things concerning the Method of judging and punifhing Hereticks, But yet he thinks it very commendable, and proper to ftrike Terror, and therefore altogether fit to be ufed. p CHAP. XXXVIIL Of the Method of proceeding againft the Dead. Rocefs is alfo carried on againft the Dead for the Crime of Herefy. Nov/£> ; "". it may happen feveral ways, that a Perfon may be judged an Hererick* *■ after Death. Firjl, If before his Death the Inquifnion againft him was be- ^ gun, and his Crime appeared either by his own Confefiion, or the Evidence"" of the Fact, or the legal Proof of WitneiTes, and the Criminal dies before the Procefs is ended, either confefied and impenitent/, or negative or relapfed. Secondly^ If being in Jayl for Herefy he kills himfelf, for by thus destroying himfelf, he feems to confefs the Crime. Thirdly, If, tho' when alive, his Herefy did not appear, and he was not a ecu fed of it, yet, if after his Death, it at any time appears that he died an Heretick, either by the Depofitions and Atteftations of others, or by Facts, or Deeds, or Books compofed by him, or- by any other legal Reafons. Tins Procefs is carried on againft the Dead before this Tribunal, chiefly for theie three Ends; That their Memory may be 2-8 The History of the Inquisition. be condemned, that the Heirs of the Dead, or any other PoiYeilbrs of their Effects, may be deprived of them by the Fifcal j and finally, that the dead Bodies may be taken up, caft out of holy Ground and burnt, as 'tis deter- mined by the firft Inftruction of Seville, An. 1484. c. 20. This Action againft the Dead, when carried on in order to the Confifca- tion of their Effects, isfaidto laic for 40 Years. Thus 'tis determined, cap. 2. §. j. de prafcript. I. 6. That the Effects of deceafed Hereticks fhall be the Catho- lick Children.sand Heirs by Prefcription, at the End of forty Years, if fo be they have poffefTed them bona fide. The fame is determined by the Inftruction of Se- ville, An. 1484. cap. 20. Now the Children and Heirs of the Deceafed fhall then be laid to have pofTelTed his Effects bona fide, when, at the Time of his Death, and tor the whole Space of forty Years they have believed an.d underftood that the Peribn deceafed died a Catholick. But if within thefe forty Years they haveatany time been informed that he diedanHeretick, they fhall never plead Prefcription, ,becaufe from that time they began to be in mala fide-, and if therefore they have been thus in PofTefTion of them, mala fide, the Fifcal of the Office of the Inquili- tion fhall feize on fuch Effects even after forty Years. As to what regards the Condemnation of the Memory of the Dead, fuch an Action is never hindred or determined by any Intervals of Time. For even when 40 Years and more are elapfed, the Inquifitors may, when ever 'tis difcovered and legally proved that any one died anHeretick, carry on an Action againft him to condemn his Me- mory, and declare him to have diedexcommunicated, and to forbid any one from praying for him, and to dig up his Bones, if poflible, that they may be burnt ; for he with whom 'tis not lawful to have any Communication when alive, 'tis neither lawful to have it with him when he is dead. But altho' the Children efcape this Confifcation of their Eftates, if they have been in PofTeiTion of them bona fide for forty Years, they incur however the other Penalties which the Laws have decreed to the Children of the Condemned, viz. Infamy and Incapacity for all publick Offices and Benefices. Formerly a Father was prefumed to die in Herefy, when Tick on his Bed, he defired Confolation from any one of the Albigenfies by Impofition of Hands* And therefore 'twas cuftomary for Children, to prevent their being excluded from their Patrimony, to object that their Parents were not in their Senfes when they defired that Confolation. Hence arofe a Queftion, whether fuch an Excuie ought to be admitted. 'Tis decided, cap. Filii, de haeret. 1.6. The Children or Heirs of thofe, wha, when on their Death-beds have defired Hereticks to comfort them, that they might re- ceive the Confolation from them by Impofition of Hands, according to their mofi wicked Cujlom, and thus go the Way of all Fle/h, ought not to be admitted to provc % that fuch deceafed Perfons received this Confolation, or more truly this Defolation, when they were not of a found Mind, or after they loft their Speech, fince, as 'tis [aid, 'tis their Cujlom never to confole fuch a one who is not in bis Senfes, and hath not his ordinary Memory, if whilfl they lived they were defamed for Herefy, or fuj "peeled, or if it legally appears that, being in their Senfes, they defired fuch Here- ticks, In other Cafes the aforefaid Children or Heirs may be admitted to prove the Pre- mifes, The History of the Inquisition. 079 mifes, not by their Wives, Children, Acquaintance, or any that belong to them, by other Witneffes worthy of Credit, and efpecially by Perfons zealous for th I Here there is a double Method of excufmgfuch Perfons propofed. Firff h it be proved that the deceafed Perfon, when alive, was not fufpected or defa- med of Herefy, but lived in good Repute, and received the Sacraments or the Church after a Chriftian Manner, at proper Times, and performed other Things which are ufually done by true and Catholick Chriftians. Secondly, h it can be fhewn that he was not of" a found Mind, when he defired the Confo- lation of Hereticks, which muft be done one of thefe two ways : Either by fhewing, that he was at a certain Time mad, and that 'tis to be prefumed that he committed the Crime whilft the Madnefs lafted, and durino- the Time of fuch Madnefs ; and in this Cafe theFifcal or Judge, if he proceeds ex of- ficio, muft prove, that the Offence was committed when the Perfon was him- felf : Or by fhewing, that by the Violence of his Diftemper he was difturbed in Mind, and deprived of his Reafon ; for fometimes Perfons are delirious in a Diftemper, efpecially in old Age, who in Health were in full Poffcflion of their Senfes and Reafon. Thefe Proofs muft not be made by their Wives, Children, or other Relations, but by WitnefTes above all Exception, and in the laft Cafe skilful Phyficians are principally to be regarded, If the Chil- dren fail in this Proof, their Excufe is not to be admitted, Farther, fince a Criminal at the Article of Death ought to be facra- •ele- mentally abfolved, if he confeffes, and is ready to obey the Commands of^- 1 * the Church, according to the firft Council of Orange, cap. 2. As to Hereticks™ 17 ** *** who lie at the Point of Death, if they defire to be Catholicks, let the Presbyters, if there be h. Bifhop to do it, ftgn them with the Chrifm and Beneditlion ; hence it of- tentimes happens, that Perfons dying have confefTed Herefy to a Prieft, and received their Abfolution from him. And as no Action can be carried on againft the Dead, unlefs it be prefumed that they died impenitent, there arofe formerly a Queftion in the Council of Tarragona, whether the Prieft, who af- ferts that he abfolved any one from Herefy, ought to be credited ? This Que- ftion was at that Time of great Importance, becaufe if the Prieft affirming this Matter was to be believed, the Inquifitors could not proceed againft fuch a one after his Death. The Matter was thus decided in the Council of Tarra- gona. It is alio inquired: What if any one fhoidd confefs to his Prieft Herefy, or favouring cf Herefy, before the Inquijition began againft him, and fijould be aft wards called on by the Inquijitorr? In fuch Cafe his Coir'ejfor muft be believed ; a if he be found to have rightly confeffed by the Confeffton of the Pried, akho' the Pr hath done ill in not fending him to the Bifhop, yet the Pirfon con; "effing mas avoid tem- poral Punifhment by fuch Confeffion, unlefs it be difcovered that his Repc . fdlfe, or that he relapfed after his Repentance, or was publickly defamed. The Council of Narbonne hath made this Determination in the Cafe, c. i\ Whether cr no the Confeffor alone is to be believed concerning toe Abfolution or Rep. iance of a dead or living Perfon, altho' it ferns plain enough that h that nothing may be imputed to the Church, hi the /In fiver of the Lor for, But now this Queftion is at an end, becaufe Confeifors have no Pi 280 The History of the Inquisition. abfolving Hereticks. Such a Cafe may however happen, viz. when any ow is abfolved by Virtue of any Jubilee, in which the Pope grants the Power of abfolving from fuch a Crime : Or when an Heretick abfolutely concealed, or mental, is abfolved, whcfe Herefy is afterwards difcovered, and himlelf pro- ceeded againft. A like Cafe may happen in an Heretick, who being about to die, repents, and becaufe there is no room to reconcile him to the Church, according to the ordinary Courfe of Law, is abfolved by fome private Prieft when at the Point of Death, and afterwards recovers ; or if he doth not re- cover, is accufed after his Death to the holy Office. In thefe and the like Cafes they fay, that if any one will make ufe of the Teftimony of a Confeflbr, yet the Inquifitor ought not to neglect the Courfe of Law upon account of fuch a Witnefs. Gregory XIII. in a certain Bull of Jubilee, An. 1572. declared, That Perfons abfolved in the penitential Court, are to be looked on as abfolved only in that Court or Judgment, and that therefore they ought to make Satisfaction in the external or judicial Court. And therefore now no Perfon receives any Advantage by excepting that he received Penance in the internal Court. The Reafon is, becaufe penitential Punifhment injoined in the internal Court hath this Tendency, that hereby the Penitent may make Sa- tisfaction to God and his Soul. Whereas temporal Punifhment regards the Punifhment of the Body, and is an Inftance of publick Juflice, whereby the Commonwealth is fatisfied, which hath been injured by the ill Example of Zanchin. the Offender. And as there is a double Punifhment, fo there is a twofold c. 34. Judge. One which injoins Penance whereby the Criminal may be freed from eternal and fpiritual Punifhment, and this is the proper Prieft ; the other he who injoins temporal Punifhment, and this is the Judge of the Place >where the Offence is committed, or alfo the ordinary Judge of the Offender. Hence it follows, that as the Prieft is not the proper Judge of this Crime, but the Inquifitor and Bifhop, Abfolution given by a Prieft can't hinder the Procefs of the proper Judge. However, no Action is to be carried on againft a dead Perfon, or rather his Memory is not to be condemned, unlefs the Proof be full, according as 'tis determined by the Inftruction of Avila, An. 1498. c. 4. Nor let any dead Perfon be cited to a Trials nor any Procefs be carried on againft bis Memory or Repu- tation, unlefs there be full Proof that he may be thereby condemned. When therefore there are any fuch preceding Proofs, the Fifcal inftantly demands, by put- ting in a Bill, that fuch a Criminal may be proceeded againft. This Accufa- tion is exhibited to the Children or Heirs, or others whom it may concern, that the Memory of the Deceafed fhould not be condemned, and if there are any Defendants of the dead Perfon, they are perfonally cited to defend his Memory, according to the Madrid Inftruction, An. 1561. c.Qi. Thus alfo the Council of Biterre formerly ordained, c. 18. Proceed in like manner to the Condemnation of Hereticks or their Believers, who have not been cano- nicaliy reconciled before their Death, giving firfl a Citation to their Heirs, or others, who, according to Law, ought to be cited, and allow them a proper Liberty of defending them* And that no one may pretend Excufe or Igno- 1 ranee, The History of the Inquisition. a8i ranee, the Children or .Heirs of the Deceafed, or any others whom it may concern, are alfo cited by publick Edicts to come and make a legal De- fence for him, and a legal Term is affigned them for their Appearance After fuch Term is elapled, if no one of the afore-cited Perfons appears ' the Inquifitors appoint one to undertake the Defence, a pious and faithful Man, and fit for the Bufmefs, who is to propofe the legal Excufes and De- fences for the Deceafed. To this Perfon they communicate the Accufation and Evidence againft the Deceafed, and injoin him Secrefy, and to confer concerning the Affair only with the Advocates of the holy Office, that fo the Procefs may be carried on according to the due Order and Courfe of Law. But if any one appears, he is admitted to defend the Deceafed's Memory.' Nor doth it fignify, if the Perfon appearing as Defendant in this Caufe, be noted for Herefy, or under Inquifition, or in Prifon ; becaufe as it may hap- pen, that both the Deceafed, and the Defendant under Inquifition, may be both freed from the Profecution carried on againft them, 'tis allowed him, that no Prejudice may be done to any one, and becaufe it may be for his own Advantage, to appear in Defence of the deceafed Criminal, according as the Madrid Inftruction hath determined in the afore-cited Place. And far- ther, the Avila Inftruction, An. 1498. cap. 4. determines, That the Procefs againft a dead Perfon foall be fpeedily fnifhed, and that the Inquifitors foall not put off the Caufe for want of Proof unlefs poffbly 'tis likely, that within a little while, other kind of^ Proofs may arife. But when the Criminal is not convicted upon full Proof, he is immediately to be abfolved. And the afore-cited Inftruction <>ives this Reafon of the Decree ; becaufe unlefs it were thus, the Sons and Daugh- ters of the Deceafed under Profecution, if his Caufe fhould be put off, would not poflibly find any Perfons to marry with, and could not difpofe of the Ef- fects left by the Deceafed. But if after the Deceafed is abfolved there appear new WitnefTes againft him, there may be a new Action commenced againft him, becaufe, in this Crime, in Favour of the Faith, Sentences pronounced are not to be taken as an adjudged Cafe. And the former Evidences alfo fhall retain their intire Force, and be added to thofe which arife anew, in order to make full Proof. When all thefe Things have been duly obferved, if it appears that the De- ceafed is to be abfolved, the Sentence of Abfolution is publickly pronounced, becaufe as publick Edicts were fet forth againft him, at the Beginning of his Procefs, he is therefore to be publickly declared abfolved, that he may be reftored to his Reputation. But if his Memory is to be condemned, he is pro- nounced to have died in Herefy, his Memory is condemned, his Effects con- fifcated, his Bones dug up, and if they can be diftinguifhed from the other Bones of Cathollcks, to be publickly burnt. And thus we read that the Bones and dead Bodies of feveral Hereticks haveBzovbj been unburied and thrown away, or burnt. Peter John, of the Diocefe of a. 1199'. Biro», followed and taught the Errors of Joachim, Abbot of St. Flour, <>• 5v- and publifhed concerning this Affair feveral Books upon the Revelation of St. John, and the Gofpel of Matthew. Thefe Books were afterwards diligently Oo examined «&2 The History of the Inquisition. examined by many Doctors in Divinity by Authority of the Pope, and at a folemn Meeting at the Court of Rome, were condemned and burnt. Peter al- fo himfelf, by Command of the fame Prelate, was taken up out of holy Ground, and by the general Vote and Sentence declared an Heretick, tied to a Stake and burnt. There lived alfo, fome Years ago, in Italy, in the Brefci- jh?lt%%. eino, a certain Perfon, of fo great Integrity and Severity of Life, that fome $.11. * affirmed that, when alive, he was the SuccefTor of John Baptijl himfelf, and on this Account greatly reverenced him after his Death. The Inquifitor of the Faith having been informed by the Evidence of the Faith! ul, that he was tinctured with Herefy, and that he died out of the Communion of Believers, with the Advice of the Bifhop, commanded his dead Body to be unburied, and An. 1107. thrown into the Fire. At Faenza in Lombardy, an Abbot buried a certain He- §8- retick in the Church of St. Hippolytus the Martyr. Innocent commanded the A*. 11.09. Abbe* and Monks to take up the Corps, and to obferve the Interdict his * "' Church was laid under on that Account. Matter Almericus was alfo turned out of his Grave, and buried in a Field. But that we may not look for more Examples than we need, we have a famous one of this fort of Condemnation, in the Synod of Conflance, againft John Wickleff, in the eighth Seffion. Inasmuch as by the Authority of the Sen- tence, and Decree of the Roman Council, and by the Command of the Apoflolick See, after the proper Delays, Procefs was carried on concerning the Condemnation of John Wickleff and his Memory, Edicts being fet forth, and Denunciations to fum- mon all, if any there be, who are willing to defend him or his Memory ; having farthermore examined Witneffes concerning the final Impenitence and Obftinacy of the faid Wickleff, by Commiffaries deputed for this Purpofe, and obfcrved all Things to be obferved, as the Order of Law requires in this Cafe, and his Impenitence and final Obftinacy being evidently proved by legal Witneffes, the Matter was legally be- lieved and affented to. And therefore at the In/lance of the Procurator of the Ex- chequer, and after putting forth an Edicl for hearing of Sentence as on this Day, this holy Synod declares and determines, that the faid John Wickleff was a notorious Heretick, and died obflinately in his Herefy, by anathematifing him, and likewife con- demning his Memory, and decrees that his Body and Bones, if they can be feparated from the other Bodies of the Faithful, fhall be taken up, and thrown out from the Burial of the Church, according to the canonical and legal Sanations. And the Judges being interrogated whether they were content, anfwered, Content. And they appro- ved all the aforefaid Matters. Bzovius, There was a like Edict in England againft the dead Bodies of Bucer and An. 1556. Fagius. For when Cardinal Pool, the Pope's Legate in England, went, after i Th Queen Marfs Inauguration, to the Univerfity of Cambridge, to reftore all Affairs there, they began the Procefs ol taking up the dead Bodies of Bucer H:Jl. Con. and Fagius. The dead Perfons were cited by a firft and fecond Edict, and fe- 7nd. /. 5. veral Witneffes produced againft them once and again. When no one ap- '• 4*. 1 -" peared who would undertake their Defence, they were at laft condemned for Contumacy, and on the faid Day Sentence was pronounced before all the Or- ders of the Univerfity, and their dead Bodies were ordered to be dug up, and 2 delivered The History of the Inquisition. 083 delivered to the Queen's Officers. After fome few Days, whiltl the Sentence was fent to London, an Order came from the Queen that the Puniihment fhould be inflicted. Finally, on the fixth of February the Bodies were dug up, and a large Stake fixed into the Ground in a certain Part of the Market- place prepared for that Purpofe, to which the Bodies were tied, and a laroe Pile of Wood placed round them to burn them. After this the Chefts were fet up on end with the dead Bodies in them *, and faftned on both Sides with Stakes, and bound to the Poll with a long Iron Chain. After the Pile was fet on Fire, they threw a great Number of the Books of the Protectants in- to it, which they had gathered together, which were foon confumed by the fpreading Flames. Not long after this, Brookes, Bifhop of Glocejicr, dealt in the fame Manner at Oxford, with Catharine, the Wife of Peter Marty, who dying about "f four Years ago, was buried in Cbrift-Cburcb near St. Fridef- wide's Relicts, who was held in great Veneration in that College. For be- ing || convicted that fhe had embraced her Hufband's Herefy, fhe was con- demned, her dead Body taken up, carried upon Shoulders, and thrown upon a Dunghill. Befides this, the Statue of fuch deceafed Perfon is now brought forth in publick, on which the Name of the Perfon, whofe Memory is to be condemn- ed, is written in large Characters, and before which all the erroneous or he- retical Articles, and all the heretical Deeds or Works, which have been legally proved againil the Deceafed, are recited in the fame Manner in which they were done, as tho* the Deceafed himfelf was living and prefent. This Statue is delivered to the fecular Court, which the fecular Judge afterwards burns, as he would have burnt the Deceafed, if he had been living, and died ob- ftinate. We have a very famous Inftance of fuch a Sentence pronounced againft a dead Perfon, in this Age, by the Inquifition at Rome, in Mark Anthony de Do- minis t as Bzovius relates it under the Year 1479. §.12. and following. He left the Church of Rome and the Arch-Bifhoprick of Spalalo, and came into England in the Year 161 6. and publimed Books containing the Realbns of his Departure, and alfo concerning the Ecclenaftical Republick. Thole Books were condemned as heretical at Rome, and himfelf cited to appear and purge * They were buried, as Fox tells us, in Chefts. f Fox fays, two Years || Fox adures us, that Brookes, Bifliop of Glocejler, Nicholas Ormanet, R. Mcrwcv, Prelident of Chrijl-Church College, Cole and Wright, coming to Oxford as the Cardinals Viiitors, fummoned before them all that had any Acquaintance with her or her Husband, and minillrcd an Oath to them, that they (ho'ild not conceal any Thing that was demanded of them ; and that being examined, their Anfwer was, that they knew not what Religion Hie was of, becaufc they did not under- ftand her Language But that notwithftanding this, the Cardinal by his Letters ordered the Dean or Fridejkvide to dig her up, which the Dean accor -«igly did that Evening, and buried her in a Dunghill. After this, in Queen Elizabeth's Reigd, (he was, by Order < t Parker, Arch Bi(hop of Canterbury, Grindal, Billiop of London, and others, the Queen's high CommifG ners, taken up out of the Dunghill, and buried in h(.r former Place, and her Bones mixed with thofe of PlMrfr wide, that they might never afterwards know one from the other, Oo 2 hinl - 284. The History of the Inquisition. himfelf within fix Months before the Congregation of the Univerfal Inquifi- tion. As he did not appear, Rafter having obferved the ufual Methods in that Office, he was pronounced an Heretick, excommunicated, deprived of all Dignities, Benefices and Offices whatfoever, and to have incurred all the other Penalties which are prefcribed by the facred Canons. Some Years after he privately abjured his Herefies, and having publifhed a Writing declaring his Intention to depart out of England, he was received into Favour by Pope Gregory XV. and had granted him an Houfe, Provi- fion, Money, and other Things neceffary for himfelf and Family, yearly, according to his Archiepifcopal Character, and befides this, a noble Ecclefi- aftical Penfion. This Bounty of the Pope many Perfons beheld with en- vious Eyes. More than this, he was reftored to his Honours, fo that he was afterwards ftated in the Habit and Enfigns of his Dignity, in the Seffions,. and all other Things, as tho' he had never fallen from his Rank. Thefe Ho- nours, as Bzovius fays, puffed him up with Pride, which he difcovered in his Gate, Countenance, and Converfation, as tho' he had been called, not to receive Mercy, but to Triumph. Not long after this he was informed againft by certain Religious and others, before the Affembly of the Univerfal Inquifition, that he was not afraid pri- vately to fpread the Errors he had abjured, and that he commended a certain Agreement cried up by himfelf between the Catholicks and Hereticks, and threw out Words contrary to the Authority of the Councils, and efpecially that of Trent, and that tho' oftentimes admonifhed, he would not abftain from fuch Difcourfes. Upon this they examined Witneffes concerning the Mat- ters denounced according to the Sanctions of the Law ; and as he was parti- cularly faid to endeavour an Efcape, and to gather up his Effects in order to return to his own Country, he was apprehended and put in Prifon, not fuch as- Hereticks are ufually confined to, but in the Cattle of Adrian, where the firfl Quality are ufually imprifoned, fomeof his Domefticks being allow* ed to attend him. Being thus taken into Cuftody, and his Writings, according to Cuftom, diligently examined, one was found amongft them concerning the Sacrament of Matrimony, in which there were feveral heretical Propofitions. Upon this Friar Defiderius Scalea, a Predicant, Cardinal of Cre?nona, one of the general Inquifitors, whom the Pope had delegated to carry on the Inquifition, and to take Cognifance of the whole Caufe, admitted other proper Witneffes, and fuch as were beyond all Exception ; after which Mark Anthony himfelf being, brought before him, confeffed moft of thofe Things which he had plainly abjured. He added, that he believed that the Church of Rome and. the Protectants agreed in all fundamental Articles, and that as to other Things wherein they differed, they were not equally neceffary ; but that it might be allowed to theProteftants to abound in their ownSenfe, atleaft till thefe Things were more fully examined, becaufe it might be doubted whe- ther they were fufficiently difcuffed and determined by the Council of Trent ; and that therefore fuch Articles might be fubjetted to a new Difputation be- 2 tweea The History of the Inquisition. ^Sc; sween Catholicks and Proteftants, chofen on each Side for this Purpofe. For he believed that the Council, and efpecially that of Trent, had declared ma- ny Things as Matters of Faith, which did not at all belong to it i particular- ly as to Juftification and Grace, as an inherent Quality, and the Efficacy of the Sacraments, ex opere operato, and many others. That the Articles- which he called Fundamental, were fuch only as were neceffary to Salva- tion, and not fuch as were controverted between both Parties ; and that there- fore he who denied them was not a Member cut off from the Church, but a Jiving one, and joined to it in Faith and Charity. From whence he concluded, that notwithstanding this Difference, there might be a Union and Agrees ment between the Church of Rome and the Proteftants. All thefe Things he guarded by this Rule, that the holy Scripture, as far as clear and exprefs^ was an adequate Rule of Faith, and in Defect of this, fuch Tradition as was certain, and that therefore no Chriftian Man ought to believe, with a divine Faith, any Thing not expreffed in holy Scripture without any Obfcurity, and Difference of Catholick Explications ; or not delivered by the Apoflle3 or Apoftolick Men to the Church, without any Ambiguity whatfoever ; and that beyond this Rule every Man was free to follow his own Opinion. When he had anfwered that he had faid and believed thefe Things, the Congregation of the Cardinals General Inquifitors thought proper to confult the Cenfors of Theological Propofitions, who, examining the Affair before the Cardinal of Cremona,- unanimoufly pronounced the Propofitions heretical. And as there was farther a vehement Sufpicion that his Abjuration was feign- ed, he was interrogated, whether he would perfift in the faid Herefies ? He faid, No ; but that he repented of them, and was ready to deteft and abjure them, as far as they mould be declared Herefies by the Apoftolick See, Whilft hisCaufe was in this State, and during the Time allowed him to make his Defence, and for granting him his Procefs, as he was confulting his Ad- vocate, he fell into a very grievous Diftemper, which fo encreafed on him* that the Phyficians defpairedof his Life, and the rather, on account of the Seafon of the Year, and the Greatnefs of his Age, being fixty-fix Years old, He abjured however before the Cardinal of Cremona, and other Officials of the Inquifition, the Herefies he had confeffed, and all others-, and having given Signs of Repentance, and received the Sacraments, and fent a Meflen- ger to the Pope, to give him Thanks, in thefe Words, That by the Preffure of his Confinement, he had given him Opportunity ferioufly to think of the Salvation of bis Soul, and to behold the Light, which he was too blind to difcern before, and thai therefore he was indebted to km, that by the Mercy of God he died with a good Hope, after thefe Things he departed this Life. His Bowels, in order to pre- vent any Reflections, were taken out by the moft excellent Phyikians of fe- veral Nations, who having carefully infpected his Inwards, ail agreed that he died with a natural Illnefs. His Corpfe was depofited till the Iflue of the Trial-, and four of his Rela- tions, who then happened to be at Rome, were by Name cited by a publick Edict, and all other Perfons whatfoever who thought themlHves any ways con- aS6 The History of the Inquisition, concerned, to defend the Memory of the aforefaid Mark Anthony. And when his four aforefaid Relations declared they would not defend it, and no other appeared to do it, the Tribunal of the Inquifition chofe fome proper Perfons for this Purpofe, who, upon carefully infpecling the Procefs, anfwered, that nothino- appeared to them, whereby they could defend the laid Memory ac- cording to Law, fince from Mark dnlbony'sown Confeffion, they moft clear- ly four d that he died a relapfed Heretick. But that they might proceed to Sentence entirely, according to Law, they confulted with Divines and skilful Lawyers, and had the Matter propofed and carefully examined by them. At length they all agreed that the lame Punifhments mould be ex- ecuted upon the Memory, Body, and Effects of the Deceafed, which would Jhave been executed upon himfelf had he been alive. Having taken this Resolution, the twenty-firil Day of December, An. 1624. was appointed for the pronouncing Sentence. Early in the Morning of it, fo vaft a Multitude had got together to St. Maryfupra Minervam, where they generally give thefe religious Shews, that they were forced not only to fhut up, but to guard the Gates with armed Men, and the great Area before the Church was fo prodigioufly thronged, that there was fcarce Room for the Cardinals themfelves to pafs. The middle Ifle of the Church, from the firft to the fourth Pillar was boarded in, with Boards above the Height of a tall Man. At the upper and lower End of it there were Gates, guarded by Sivit- zers. On each Side there were Scaffolds, running the whole Length of the Inclofure, in which were Seats for the Cardinals and other Prelates, and other Conveniencies, to receive the Courtiers and other Noblemen {landing or fit- ting. On the right Hand coming in the facred Council prefided, on the left Hand were placed the inferior Officers of the holy Inquifition, the Governor of the City and his Officials. Before the Pulpit was to be ken the Picture of Mark Anthony, drawn in Colours, covered with a black common Garment, holding a Clergyman's Cap in his Hand, with his Name, Surname, and Archiepifcopal Dignity, which formerly he had born, infcribed upon it, to- gether with a wooden Cheft bedaubed with Pitch, in which the dead Body was inclofed. The reft of the Church was filled with Citizens, and a great many Foreigners, the Number of whom was at that Time larger, becaufe the Jubilee that was at hand had brought them from all Parts to the City, that they might be prefent at the opening the facred Gates. Things being thus difpofed, a certain Parfon mounted the Pulpit, and with a fhrili Voice, which rung thro' all the Parts of the fpacious Church, and in the vulgar Language, that the common People might underftand him, read over a Summary of the Procefs, and the Sentence by which the Cardinals In- quifitors General, fpecially deputed for the Affair by the Pope, pronounced Mark Anthony, as a Relapfe into Herefy, to have incurred all the Cenfures and Penalties' appointed to relapfed Hereticks by the facred Canons, and Pa- pal Conltitutions, and declared him to be deprived of all Honours, Preroga- tives, and Ecdefiaftkal Dignities, condemned his Memory, and cafl him out of the Ecclefirftical Court, delivered over his dead Body and Effigies into the The History of the Inquisition- qS the Power of the Governor of the City, that he might inflict on it the Punifh- ment due, according to the Rule and Practice of the Church. And finally, they commanded his impious and heretical Writings to be pubJickly burnt, and de- clared all his Effects to be forfeited to the Exchequer of the holy Inquifition. After this Sentence was read, the Governor of the City and his Officers threw the Corps, Effigies, and aforefaid Writings into a Cart, and carried them into the Campo Fiore, a great Multitude of People following after. When they came there, the dead Body, which as yet in all its Members was whole and entire, was raifed out of the Cheft as far as the Bottom of the Breaft, and fhewn from on high to the vaft Concourfe of People that flood round about, and was afterwards with the Effigies and Bundle of his Books, thrown into the Pile prepared for the Purpofe, and there burnt. I was willing to give this long Story in all its Circumftances, not only be- caufe the Perfon himfelf was famous, and the Thing frefh in Memory, but chiefly becaufe all Things ufualJy practifed in the Procefs againft the Dead, were here exactly obferved, whereby the whole Scene of this Iniquity and Cruelty doth moll fully appear. CHAP. XXXIX. Of the Manner of proceeding againjl Houfes. IN order to beget in the common People a greater Abhorrence of the Crime of Herefy, they are u fed to pull down, and level with the Ground the Houfes or Dwellings, in which the Heretick or Arch-Heretick holds Conven- ticles and Congregations. Of this we have feveral Inftances in the Book of the Sentences of the Tholoufe Inquifition. This Demolition of Houfes, in Detefta- tion of the Crime of Herefy, was formerly appointed by the Council of Tholoufe, An. 1229. c. 5. We decree that that Houfe, in which an Heretick (hall be found, frail be deftroyed, and the Place it fclf or Ground be confifcated. And the Council of Biterre, c. 35. Let the Houfes a'lfo in which living or dead Her eticks, whether convicled or condemned, are or fhall be found, if with the Knowledge and Confent of the Owners of fuch Houfes being of legal Age, be pulled down, and the Ef- fects of all who then inhabit there be confifcated, unlcfs they are able manifcflly to prove their Innocence or juft Ignorance. And not long after, Innocent IV. "decreed this very Thing by a certain Writing, beginning, Ad exftir panda, of which the Original is extant, in the Inquifition of Bologna, in thefe Words. The Houfe al- fo, in which any Heretick, Alan or Woman, Jhall be found, /hall be deftroyed to the Ground, without any Hope of being ever rebuilt, unlets ner of the 11 have procured the Dfcovery of them there. And i/ the Owner of fuch Htm have, any other Houfe contiguous to it, let all thofe Houfes be likewife demolijhed. But Alexander IV. by a Constitution beginning, Falieis recefdaiionis, declare Hie History of the Inquisition. this mujl be itnckrftood of the Out-hcufes of fuch Dwelling, viz. that fuch Houfe, with all other Buildings contiguous to it, i. e. the Houfe it felf, and Out-houfcs, whether an Heretick, Man or Woman, (hall be found in the Houfe it felf, or the Out-houfes, jhall be dejiroyed ; becaufe the Houfe, tho* divided into ever fo many Dwellings, is ne- verthelefs accounted to be one Houfe. If the Owner of the Houfe is not condemned of Herefy, but Hereticks have committed fuch Things in an Houfe that did not belong to them, with- out the Knowledge of the Owner, the Houfe is to receive no Damage. But if he kne.y it, or ought to have known it, 'tis confifcated, and being con- fifcated, remains fubject to the Pleafure of the Inquifitor. The Materials of fuch Houfes go to the Exchequer, or are decreed to be applied to other pi- ous Ufes. The Ground on which fuch Houfe flood muft not be fhut in, but mud always be uninhabited, that as it was formerly a Receptacle of wicked Lib.&tt*. Wretches, it may from henceforth become a Place of Naftinefs, and made ..pi. i. a Dunghill and Stench. Excommunication alfo is threatned againft all thofe who mail prefume to rebuild it, or to inhabit or inclofe it, orfhall knowing- ly give any Advice or Afliftance to it. Sometimes alfo the Ground on which the Houfe flood, is fprinkled over with Salt, to denote its Barrennefs, fit which Time certain Curfes and Imprecations are uttered. And finally, that there may be a perpetual Monument of its Infamy and juft Punifhment, a folid Stone, or a marble Pillar four or five Foot high, is erected in this laft Age, in the faid Ground, with certain large Characters cut on it, containing the Name of the Owner of the Houfe, mewing the Reafon of its being de- ftroyed, and fignifying the Time, viz. under the Reign of what Pope, Em- peror or King, the Matter was tranfacted. In the former Age there was a famous Monument erecled on this Account in Spain, in the noble City ofVal- ladolid, where AujlinCazzalla, altho' converted, and penitent, was, An. 1559. delivered as a Dogmatifl to the fecular Court, and his Houfe pulled down, on the Ground of which there was a. little Pillar erected, containing an Account of the Affair. CHAP. XL. How the Sentences are pronounced, and the condemned Perfons delivered over to the fecular Ar?n. DlveB. r T^' H E Inquifitors are commanded to pronounce the Sentences againft He- p. 1. com. \ reticks, and to leave the condemned Perfons to the fecular Powers pre- 4 ? * fent, to be punifhed according to their Defert. C. Excommunicamus, 1. in princip. de hasret. C. Ad Abolendam, §. Illos, de hseret. and C. Novimus, de verb, fignific. Altho' this Command requires the fecular Judge to be prefent ac the pronouncing Sentence, yet the Sentence of Condemnation againft He- reticks, The History of the Inquisition. 28^ reticles, pronounced when the fecular Judge is abfent, is valid, provided there be all other Things effential to it. For the Laws do not fo require the Prefence of the fecular Judge or his Officers, as tho' nothing profitable could fcre tranfacled without him, but only that they, as Servants, foould put in Execution the Sentence pronounced ; for every other Act is forbidden them in this Crime, which is merely Ecclefiaftical. Cap. ut Inquifitionis, §. Proh:- bemus, de h^eret. 1. 6. And if the Prefence of the fecular Judge was necefia- ry in pronouncing Sentence of Condemnation againft impenitent or relapfed Hereticks, he might eafily by this Means hinder the Office of the Inquifuion, by denying his Prefence, either for no Reafon, or for a feigned and pretended one. So that when the Inquifitor and Bifhop have pronounced Sentence upon the Criminal, it (hall be valid, tho' the fecular Magistrate cannot or will not be prefent •, and it mail be fufficient to intimate to him by fome legal Perfon in Writing when there is Need, and which is the fafeft Method, that fuch a Perfon is judged to be an obftinate Heretick, and impenitent or relapfed ; and the fe- cular Magiftrate, tho' not prefent at the Sentence, fhall be obliged to give Credit to fuch an Intimation, and to put to Death the Heretick delivered over to him, unlefs he will be moft grievoufly punifhed as a Favourer of He- reticks, and Hinderer of the holy Office. Nor muft he have any Copy of the Procefs. Alfo in the fame Chapter Novimus, 'tis commanded, that the Church mail effectually intercede for him, who is to be delivered over to be punifhed by the fecular Court, that the Sentence concerning him may be fo moderated, as to prevent Danger of Death *. And altho' the Emperor Frederick provided by his Law, Let no one prefume to intercede with us in Behalf of fuch, which if tf>ryPegna, doth, he fhall defervedly incur our Indignation ; yet the Ecclefiaftical judges may«»» 10. intercede in another Court for fuch a one; and altho' fuch Interceffion is for- '".J""'- K bidden, which tends to favour the Heretick, or to the Hindrance of Juftice . D/reff ' yet fuch Interceffion is not, which tends to the avoiding Irregularity, and which is particularly injoined by the Law it felf. However, every Difficulty * " Is there, fays Dr. Geddes, in his View of the Court of Inquiflcion in Portugal, p. 446. in M-K" fee how our Senate at Milan proceeds in executing the Sentences pronounced "■ by the Inquifitors againft Hereticks, and how great the Zeal of the faid " Tribunal is in Things concerning the Catholick Religion, I here fubjoin " the following Refcript of the faid Senate in this Affair. Our "Beloved: We " have feen what you have written to us concerning Don Baptifta Gaudentius, '* alias Friar Seraphin of Ferrara, who, as you have written to us, is guilty of " heretical Pravity. Wherefore when he is delivered to you, immediately put his " Condemnation in Execution. Milan, Aug. 6. 1573. Directed to The Wife " J. C. Judge of the Malefactors at Cremona. And in Execution of this De- " cree the faid Criminal was, on the 12th Day of the faid Month, burnt " alive in the publick Place of Juftice, as a relapfed and impenitent He- 6 - Which Bay they Jhall fignify to the Chapters of the Church and Confijlory of the City ; and where there is any Royal Council, it /hall be notified alfo to the Prefident and Members, who tnuft be all invited to attend the Ac! of Faith, according to the Cufiom of every. Place. And let the Inquifitors take Care- that thefe Things be done in fuch convenient Time, as that- the Execu* tion of the Sentences of thofe who are to be delivered over to the fecular Court may be done by Bay, to prevent Inconveniences. And indeed, as this Act of Faith is now celebrated in Spain and Portugal, the Solemnity is truly an horrible and tremendous Spectacle, in which every Thing is defignedly made ufe of that may. ftrike Terror, for this Reafon, as they fay, that, they may hereby give fome Reprefentation and Image of the future Judg- ment. If any one, whether an impenitent or relapfed Heretick, is to be delivered to the fecular Court, the Bifhop and Inquifitor give Notice to the Ballive of the Place, or principal Magiftrate of the fecular Court, that he muft come fuch a Day and Hour with his Attendance to fuch. a Street or Place, to. re- ceive 294- The History of the Inquisition. ceive a certain Herctick or relapfed Perfon out of their Court, whom they will deliver to him; and. that he mud give publick Notice the fame Day, or the Day before in the Morning, by the Crier, throughout the City, in all the uUial Places and Streets, that on fuch a Day and Hour, and in fuch a Place, the Tnquifnor will make a Sermon for the Faith, and that the Bifhop and In- quifitor will condemn a certain Heretick or Relapfe, by delivering him to the iecular Court. Jn mod of the Tribunals of the Inquifition, efpecially in Spain, 'tis a re- markable Cuftom they ufe, viz. on the Day before the Acts of Faith, folemn- Param. /ily to carry a Bufh to the Place of the Fire, with the Flames of which they t j. e. io are confumed, who deferve the Punifhmenc of being burnt. This is not without r.7°» &c ics Myfteries ; for the Burning and not confuming Bufh, fignifies the inde- fectible Splendor of the Church, which burns, and is not confumed s and be- fides this, it fignifies Mercy towards the Penitent, and Severity towards the Frowardand Obftinate. And farther, it reprefents how the Inquifitors defend the Vineyard of the Church, wounding with the Thorns of the Bum, and burning up with Flames all who endeavour to bring Herefies into the Harveft -of the Lord's Field. And finally, it points out the Obftinacy and Froward- nefs of Hereticks, which muft rather be broken and bent, like a rugged and ilubborn Bufh, and that as the Thorns and Prickles of the Bufh tear the Garments of thofe who pafs by, fo alio do the Hereticks rend the feamlefs Coat of Chrifl. r.u. Befides, the Day before the Criminals are brought out of Jayl, to the n. 63. publick Act of Faith, they part with their Hair and their Beard, by which the Inquifitors reprefent, that Hereticks return to that Condition in which they were born, viz. becoming the Children of Wrath. All Things being thus prepared to celebrate this Act of Faith, all the Pri- foners, on that very Day which is appointed for the Celebration of ir, are cloathed with that Flabit which they muft wear in the publick Proceflion. But the Cuftom in this Matter is not altogether the fame in all the Inquifi- nifi.inq. tions. In that of Goa, the Jayl-Keepers, about Midnight, go into the Cells coan. f tne Prifoners, bring in a burning Lamp to each of them, and a black Garment ftriped with white Lines ; and alio a Pair of Breeches, which reach down to their Ankles, both which they order them to put on. The black Habit is given them in Token of Grief and Repentance. About two a Clock the Keepers return, and carry the Prifoners into a long Gallery, where they are all placed in a certain Order againft the Wall, no one of them being per- mitted to fpeak a Word, or mutter, or move ; fo that they ftand immovable, like Statues, nor is there the leaft Motion of any one of their Members to be feen, except of their Eyes. All thefe are fuch as have confeffed their Fault, and have declared themfelves willing to return by Penance to theBofom of the Church of Rome. To every one of thefe is given a Habit to put over their black Garment. Penitent Hereticks, or fuch as are vehemently fufpected, received the bleffed Sackcloth, commonly called the Sambenito, which,' as we .have before related, is of a Saffron Colour, and on which there is put the 1 Crofs The History of the Inquisition. ^o^ they were under, giving each of them a Blow by the Hands of thofe Priefts who attend him. Farther, when the Inquifitors abfolve and reconcile Penitents at an A& of Paramui^ Faith, they make ufe of Rods, toadmonifh them, that by Herefy they have '• '-• *■ - ; ' fallen from the Favour of God into his Anger and Fury. Hence Paramus ad- c ' ll * vifes fuch Penitents to confider, with how great Indulgence they are treated becaufe they are only whipped on their Shoulders, that they may go away' and being mindful of the divine Fury, may take heed not to relapfe for the future. The Rod alfo points out the judiciary Power which the Inquifitors ex- ercife over impious Hereticks, and thofe who are fufpected of Herefy, be- caufe a Rod is the Meafure by which any one's Deferts are meafured,' and therefore Penitents are whipped with Rods according to the Nature of their Offence, whereby their Faults are weighed and meafured. Farther, the In- quifitors ufe Rods, becaufe, as a Rod at the Beginning is in its Nature flexi- ble, tender and foft, but at laft hard, blunt and ftirr, fo the Inquifitors are foft and tender, whilft Penitents, offending thro' Frailty and Ignorance re- concile themfelves -, but if Hereticks do afterwards fuffer themfelves to be overcome by Wickednefs, and fall again into the Crimes they have committed then they whip them, and ftrike them feverely, even to the burning of the Fire. And finally they ufe Rods to eftablim and fupport the Weak in the Faith, becaufe Rods are a very apt Instrument to fupport and confirm the Lame and Weak. The Penitents carry in their Hands extinguished Wax Tapers, whilft the/^. ».:<;, Inquifitors reconcile them, to intimate, that the Light of the Faith hath been altogether extinguifhed in their Minds by the Sin of Herefy and Infide- lity. Thefe Tapers are made of Wax, whereby Hereticks profefs (Rifum te- iiealis) that their Hearts have been fo melted, thro' the Heat of Concupi- fcence, as to receive various Sects ; and that as W T ax grows hard by Moifture, but melts by Drynefs and Warmth, i'o they being hardned by the Moifture of carnal Delights, have remained in Infidelity, but are melted as Wax, and converted by the Drynels and Heat of Tribulation and Penance injoined them. And finally, the Cotton of the Taper, and the Wax of which 'tis made, and the Fire with which 'tis lighted after Abfolution, fhadow forth, that the He- reticks have denied Faith, Hope and Charity. But when the Tapers arc lighted after their Reconciliation, this fignifies, that they profefs they will demonflrate by the Light of good Works the Faith which they have reco- vered. Farther, thofe who are reconciled are fprinkled wirh holy Water and Hyf-c ir. fop, in Token, that being brought out of the Power of Darknefs, and ha-"-^ r ving turned the Eyes of their Minds to the true Light of the Faith, they are to remain free from all the Snares and Calumnies of the Devil, that they may ferve God with greater Freedom. Farther, he who hath offended againft the Catholick Faith which he had c it. profeffed, hath a Rope tied round his N T eck, to fignify, that the inward «• 7S« Parts of fuch a Perfon being poiTeffed by the Craftinefs of the Devil, have CLq a beer» oo The History of the Inquisition. been given to fuch Sins, of which his outward Parts being tied with Ropes, give a very evident Sign and Proof. And tho' they are reconciled after Abju- ration of their Herefy, yet they walk with a Rope tied about their Necks, that they may come out as WitnefTes againft: themfelves, and may be Exam- ples to others, that they may turn their Eyes to the inward Spots of the Mind. During this Action, every one of the Prifoners eats the Bread and Figs in the Church, which were given them by the Officers of the Inquifition in When this Ceremony is performed, the Inquifitor goes back to his Place, after which the Sentences of thofe who are appointed to Death are read over, the Conclufion of which is, that the Inquifition can fhew them no Favour up- on Account of their being relapfed, or impenitent, and that therefore it deli- vers them over to the Arm of the fecular Court, which they earneftly in- treat fo to moderate their Punifhment, as to prevent the EfTufion of Blood, and Danger of Death. When thofe laft Words are read, one of the Officers of the holy Office gives each of them a Blow on the Bread, by which he fig- nifies that they are left by the Inquifition ; upon which one of the Officers of fecular Juftice comes to them and claims them. If any of them are in holy Orders, they are degraded, and deprived of all their Orders, before they are delivered to the fecular Arm. After this they read the Sentences againft the Dead. At laft thefe miferable Wretches are brought to the fecular Judge, to hear the Sentence of Death, and when they come before him, they are feverally asked, in what Religion they defire to die. Their Crime is never inquired into •, becaufe 'tis not the Office of the fecular Magiftrate, to ask, whether thofe, who are condemned by the Inquifition, are criminal. He is to pre-fuppofe them guilty, and his Duty is to inflict the Punifhment appoint- ed by Law upon thofe who commit fuch Crimes of which they are pronoun- ced guilty by the Inquifition. When they have anfwered this one fingle Queftion, they are foon after tied to a Stake, round about which there is placed a Pile of Wood. Thofe who anfwer that they will die Catholicks, are firft ftrangled ; but thofe who fay they will die Jews or Hereticks, are burnt alive*. As thefe are leading out to Punifhment, the reft are carried back * 1 cannot avoid here giving my Reader a more particular Account of this Execution from Dr. Geddes, who himfelf was once prefent at it. His Words are thefe: u The Prifoners are no *' fooner in the Hands of the Civil Magiftrate, than they are loaded with Chains, before the " Eyes of the Incjuifaors, and being carried firft to the fecular Jayl, are, within an Hour or two, " brought from thence, before the Lord Chief Juftice, who, without knowing any Thing of M their particular Crimes, or of the Evidence that was againft them, asks them one by one; In " what Religion they do intend to die ? If they anfwer, That they will die in the Communion of *' the Church of Rome, they are condemned by him, To be carried forthwith to the Place of Execu- " tion, and there to be firji firangled, and afterwards burnt to Afkes. But if they fay, They will di$ 41 in the Pretejlar.t, or in any other Faith that is contrary to the Roman, they are then fentenced " by hiit, Up if carried forthwith u the Place ofExecHtion, and there to be burnt alive, " -At The History of the Inquisition. 205 Oath, by which the King obliges himfelf to protect, the Catholick Faith, to the Extirpation of Herefies, and the Defence of the Inquifition. The King ftand- ing bare-headed, having on one Side of him the Conftable of Caslile^or one o, the Grandees of Spain, who holds up the Sword of State, fwears'that he will keep the Oath, which is publickly read over to him, by one of the Mem- bers of the Royal Council •, and remains in the fame Pofture, till ihe fupream Inquifitor goes back to his Place. After this one of the Secretaries of the In- quifition goes into a Desk, reads over the like Oath, and takes it from the Council, and the whole AfTembly. Then all the feveral Sentences are read over, and the Solemnity fometimes lafts till nine a Clock in the Evening. In Rome and throughout all Italy, as far as I could gather from any Au- thors, they do not obferve fuch folemn Proceflions in Acts of Faith, or in the Sermons concerning the Faith. But in what Manner the Sentences are there pronounced, and how they are executed, may, in fome meafure, be fathered from the two following Accounts. Bzovius tells us, that in the Year 1498. there were difcovered 230 Moors, §. 31. who had abjured the Chriftian Faith after their Expulfion from Spain. After they had wandered about they came to Rome, where they were known, in-formed againft, thrown into Jay], and at length being recovered to the fame Faith, were thus admitted into the Church by Pope Alexander. On Sunday, July 29. as J. Bruchard writes, who faw it, an high and large Scaffold was built before the Portico of the great Church of St. Peter*s at Rome, between that and another Portico, which is above the Steps of the Afcenc to the faid Church. Upon this Scaffold were placed the 230 Moors to be re- conciled. All thefe Perfons being fat down on the Floor of the Scaffold, in their ufual Habit, and the molt Reverend Fathers and Lords, the Lord Peter Arch-Bifhop of Regio, Governorof the City, John of Carthagena, AmbafTador of the molt ferene the King and Queen of Spain, 05iavianus, Bifhop of Ma- rano, Referendary of our holy Lord the Pope, Dominicus Jacobatius, and James Dragatius, Auditors of the Caufes of the holy Apoftolick Palace, Mafter Paul of Moneglia, in the Country of Genoua, a Predicant, Mafter of the facred Palace, and Mafter John of Malcone, of the Order of Minors, Doctors of Divinity, Penitentiaries of our aforefaid Lord the Pope, in the faid Church, for the Spanijh Nation, being feated as above in their proper Places, and in their ordinary Habit ; a certain Mafter in Divinity, a Predi- cant, made a Sermon concerning the Faith in the vulgar Italian, and againft the fold Moors, who were all of the Spanijh Nation, and of whom one was a Pro- feffed of the Order of St. Francis, whofe Habit he publickly wore, whom, and all the aforefaid Perfons, he accufed of all their Errors, which he knew concerning the Faith, and reproved and inftrudlred. After the Sermon was ended, the Moors asked Pardon, and defired Abfolution. Then the Mafter of the holy Palace admonifhed them in Latin faithfully to believe, and to live well, and put them in Mind of the Penance which they had defer- ved ; which Admonition he expounded to them in Spanijh. After this, as they were on their Knees, this Penance was injoined them ; that they ihould Vol. II. Rr walk 2o6 The History of the Inquisition. walk two and two to the Church of St. Peter, and there pray, in that Habit which mould be injoined them for this Purpofe ; and in the fame Order mould alfo go to the Church of the Convent of St. Mary fupra Minervam, where they mould put off their Habit, and every one freely return to his own Place. "When they had received this Habit and Penance, the aforefaid Mafters Paul and John abfolved them all, who, after Abfolution, went to the two Churches aforefaid, the Pope feeing the whole Ceremony in the new Rooms, and grant- ing; them his Bleffing. The Habit which thefe Moors were injoined to wear, was of this Form. Upon their ordinary Garments there was a red or purple Cloath, hancnno- over their Shoulders upon their Breads and Backs, quite down to their Hips, having on it a yellow Crofs four Fingers wide, and of the fame Length with the Cloath it felf. Every one of them went to the Al- tar of the aforefaid Church of St. Mary ad Minervam, and there laid down the aforefaid Cloath, which the Friars received, and hung up on high in the Church, to preferve the Memory of that Affair. Brovuis, Peter of Aranda, Bifhop of Calahorra, Matter of the Houfe of his Holi- .4.1498. nefs our Lord the Pope, was kept in Jayl, being defamed for Mahometanifm § y-f n - andHerefy. Alexander the Pope committed the Hearing and legal Determi- nation of his Caufe, to Peter, Arch-Bifhop of Regio, Governor of the City, Peter of Venance, Bifhop of Cefena, Auditor General of the Court of the Cau- ses of the Apoflolick Chamber, and Egardus Durca, Bifhop of Slefwick, one of the faid Auditors of the Caufes of the facred Apoflolick Chamber. When they had examined feveral Witneffes on Behalf of the Fifcal, and 101 on the Behalf of Aranda, who all of them depofed either in part or in whole, a- gainft the faid Aranda, after the Procefs was duly carried on againft him, at length the faid Lords Commiffaries did, onWednefday, Sept. 14. report the Procefs and Depofitions of the Witneffes to our holy Lord the Pope, in a private Confiftory. Alexander, when he underftood the Affair, by the Ad- vice of the molt Reverend Lords the Cardinals, deprived Aranda of the E- pifcopal Dignity, and of all his Benefices and Offices, and depofed and de- graded him from all his Orders ; and being thus deprived, depofed, and de- graded, he was at laft thrown into Jayl in the Caftle of St. Angelo. Brucardus in diariis hujus anni. How the Solemnity of a general Sermon or Act of Faith was formerly ob- ferved, plainly appears from the Book of the Sentences of the Tholoufe Inqui- fition. The People being called together into the Church, and after the preaching the Sermon concerning the Faith, the Act commenced by an Oath, which the Inquifitors gave to the Civil Magiftrates, by which they promifed their Afiiftance to difcover and apprehend Hereticks, and to accufe and de- nounce them to the Inquifitors •, and finally conclude, And in thefe and all other Things which belong to the Office of the lnquifition, we will be obedient to God, and the Church of Rome, and the Inquifitors. This Oath, as appears by compa- ring the feveral Sermons together, was afterwards fomewhat enlarged, that the Magiftrates might not have the leaft Pretence for conniving at He- refy. 2 After The History of t be Inquisition. 307 After this Oath the Sentence of Excommunication was pronounced asainft fuch as fhould hinder, the Office of the Inquifition, by which all were puc under Excommunication, Who have knowing hindered the Office of the Inquifi- tion, or for the future fball hinder it by any Means, direclly or indirectly , openly or fecretly, either by concealing the Truth themfelves, or revoking what they have legally confejfed, or by unlawfully perfuading others to conceal or revoke it ; and alfo who- mever Jhall diretlly or indiretlh, openly or privately, knowingly grant Counfel, AJfiflance or Favour hereto. Thus runs the firfl Form of Excommunication in the fecond Sermon in the Book of Sentences, which was in others differently enlarged, that no Perfon, ever fo (lightly fufpected, might efcape the Hands of the Inquifitors, and that the Magiflrate might have no poflible way of throwing any Hindrance to the Inquifitors in their holy Office. After this follows the Act of the Inquifition, and that the Tribunal may appear fomewhat merciful and kind, they ufually began the Act with par- doning or mitigating the Punifhment to fome few Perfons, condemning ac the fame time a great many to the fame or heavier Punifhments. From fome they took their CrofTes, and injoined them fome arbitrary Penance. Others were brought out of Jayl, and had CrofTes put on them, which was a leffer Punifhment. When thefe Favours were beftowed, the Sentences were read over, by which Penances were injoined the Criminals. The firfl Sentences were thofe of the Crofs-Bearers, who were injoined to wear CrofTes on their Breafl and Back, and if their Crimes were very heinous, they were condemned to wear two. If it happened that their Faults were flight, they were injoined arbitrary Penance without CrofTes. An Inftanceof which we have, fol. 81. Then follow the Sentences of thofe who were to be immured, who were condemned to perpetual Imprifonment, there to do wholefome Penance with the Bread of Grief, and Water of Affliction. If the Offences of any fuch were very grievous, they were more clofely and ftraitly confined, and put in Irons. Then follow the Sentences of the Impenitent and Relapfed, who are deli- vered over to the fecular Court -, then the Sentences againft the Dead, and againft the Houfes in which any Perfons have committed Herefy, and final- ly againft the Fugitives. When the Sentence is pronounced, the Gofpels are placed before the Inquifitors, as tho' nothing was decided without taking Counfel from God. This their ufual Form, which generally occurs in the Sentences, plainly fhews. Having God before our Eyes, and the Purity of the orthodox Faith, and having thefe holy Gofpels placed before us, that our Sentence may come from the Face of God, and our Eyes may behold Equity. The whole Act being finifhed, the Inquifitor performed three Things. Eymer. Firfl, He granted forty Days Indigencies to all who were prefent at ChurcV- * at the aforefaid Acts of Faith. Secondly, He proclaimed publickly, that all "' I95 ' who had given Counfel, Afiiftance or Favour, towards any one's abjuring Herefy, and returning to the Unity of the Church, viz. all fuch as inform^ bear Witnefs, advife, read the Crimes, Abjuration and Sentence, and the Officers who keep them in Cuflody, fhall obtain three Years Indigencies from the Pope. Thirdly, He notifies to all, that whofoever knows any He- ll r 2 retick, -,o8 The History of the Inquisition. reticle, or Perfon defamed or fufpected of Herefy, and (Kail denounce him t ) the'lnquifuon, fhall alfo obtainfrom the Pope three Years fndulgehcies. And this concludes the whole Act, and was formerly the Manner of holding a Sermon of the Faith. Now let us fee how all Things are put in Execution at this time in Spain and Portugal, after the Act of Faith. DireB. Criminals penitent and reconciled, and brought out in publick Procefllon, ;.3.»i64- a re carried back to their former Jayls in the holy Office, the fame Day in torn. 40. w hich tne Sentences are pronounced againft them, and the Day following are brought to an Audience of the Inquifitors, and are admonifhed of thofe Things which are injoined them by their Sentences, and how grievoufly they will be punifhed, unlefs they humbly do the Penances affign'd them. After this they fend every one to the Place to which his Sentence ordered him. Thofe who are condemned to the Gailies, are fent to the Jayls of the fecular Judges. Some are whipped thro' the principal Streets of the City, and iometimes receive two hundred Lafhes. Others wear the infamous Sambenito, fome every Day, others muft appear in them only Sundays and Holydays, But in thefe Things every one obferves the Cuftom of his own Inquifition. In the Inquifition at Goa this is the Method. Before the Prifoners are difmiffed, they are carried from Jayl to fome other Houfe, where they are every Day in- ftructed in the Doctrines and Rites of the Church of Rome ; and when they are difmiffed, every one hath a Writing given him, containing the Penances injoined them ; to which is added a Command, that every one fhall exactly keep fecret every Thing he hath feen, faidor heard, and all the Tranfactions relating to him, whether at the Table, or in other Places of the holy Office. And to this Secrefy every Prifoner binds himfelf byafolemn Oath. The Day after this Solemnity alfo, the Effigies of thofe condemned to Death, painted to the Life, are carried to the Dominicans Church, and there hung up to be viewed by all. The Cuftom in this Matter is defcribed by Ln- 1. \.t.i. dovicus a Paramo. " There is another Monument of Infamy, which, tho' «. 5.w-9j " vulgarly called by the Spaniards, Sambenito, yet is not. a Garment, but a io,ii. « Cloath affixed to the Walls of the Churches for perpetual Infamy in the " Parifhes where they lived. On this Cloath is written the Name and Sur- " name of the Criminal, and the Bufinefs he carried on is alfa exprefTed. " Ifhedifcoversany farther, they add another little Piece to the Cloath to M prevent Doubt, defcribinghis Country, and oftentimes alfo the Parents and " Grandfathers of the condemned Perfon. " In fome of thefe Cloaths may be read,, who were the Parents of the Crimi- :. cent Criminals, that they might deliver themfelves from their Torments, wbatfoever the delegated Judges would have them confefs, tho* generally contrary to Truth. And for this Reafon *laas jufHyfaid, that it was. invented- not for- the fake cf 'defending R - 2 X s The History of the Inquisition. ■Uqion, which the prbnithe Church had provided for by a quite different Method, but that by this Means they might ft rip all Men of their Fortunes, and bring innocent Perfons into Danger of being deftroyed. And that this was not faid without Caufe, the Netherlands alone, not to feek for Inftances elfewhere, are the mod evi- dent Demonftration. iom 9. Era mm gives us this Account of the Inquifition in his Time. The Affair is P 8£o', carried on by Informers, deputed Perfons, and Monks for Judges, without Honefty b>6i. Ad- or 1 a i p orm of Law. The three former pafs Sentence in Jayl, two Monks are Wit- verf Mo- ng jr m fi t j jen t }j e Stake is prepared. And afterwards : But now fometimes the nach. Hyp- jy Gj £ s fj rea j a j a lf e Report, then they carry the poor Wretch, as a fufpecled Per- fen, to Jayl, there they difpute after their Manner, the Articles are taken down, and 'the Fagots immediately got ready. The fame Writer intimates, p. 858. There is a treat deal of Difference between an holy, and a falfe enfnaring Inquifition. A Fa- ther inquires into the Life of his Son, that he may take Care cf it. A Phyftcian in- quires into the Diftemper of his Friend to cure him. So he who loves the Houfe of God inquires into the evil Errors that are in it, to heal them if he can -, or if he can- not, to cut off the incurable Member when all Methods have been tried in vain, to prevent the Evil from fpreading wider. Again, another inquires in a very different Manner only that he may betray. A Robber inquires that he may feize his Prey. Afcurrilous Perfon inquires that he may have an Opportunity of throwing Scandal. An Enemy inquires, in order to deftroy. A Tyrant inquires, that he may overthrow ihepublick Liberty. The Devil alfo inquires, going about as a roaring Lion,feeking whom he may devour. Such a kind of Inquifition every Chriftian Inquifttor ought to deleft. All who underftand Erafmus's Stile and Method of Writing, know, that 'tis hisDefign to infinuate by this Caution, that the Inquifition is truly fuch as he hath defcribed it, and which therefore ought to be abhorred by eve- ry Chriftian Inquifitor. ThePapifts indeed glory, that the Inquifition is the mod certain Remedy / t. t 1. to exftirpate Herefies. Efpecially Ludovicus a Paramo takes a great deal of i 4, 5. ' Pains to Ihew, that Herefies have in feveral Places been extinguilhed by Help of the Inquifition, and at laft concludes in thefe Words. Thefe are fomeof the faireft Fruits, which the moft fertile Field of the holy Office hath produced to the Church in all Kingdoms where it hath not been obftrucled. But amongjl all Provinces and Countries the Kingdoms of Spain do every Day receive the nobleft Fruits. For as in thefe Countries the holy Office of the Inquifition is maintained with greater Se- verity, and is in greater Honour and Eft eem with the Nobles and Princes, fo it ftou- rifhes in greater Authority and Power, whereby the Judges of the Faith carry on more diligent Inquifition againft Herefies, and more effeclually pull them up by the very Roots. And becaufe the Inquifition is fo effectual a Method to exftirpate He- refies, he o-athers from thence that it was ordained for this Purpofe, by the moft wife Providence of God. But what is really unjuft in it felf, and car- ried on by unjuft Methods, cannot have God for its Author, nor is Succefs any Argument that the Inquifition is from God. The firft Inquiry is, whe- ther it be fuitable to the Nature of the Chriftian Doctrine. If it be not, 'tis then unjuft and And- chriftian. Many Things are unrighteoufly undertaken by The History of the Inquisition. by Men, and accomplished by Violence and Cruelty, by which Innocence is opprefied, which altho' God in his juft and wife Counfel permits, he is far from approving. Even in Japan, a cruel Perfecution hath extinguifhed the Chriftian Rel ; gion, as preached by the Roman Priefts ; fo that the Roman Ca- tholick Religion is equally extinguifhed there by the Violence of Perfections, as thofe Doctrines are in Spain, which are contrary to the Church of Rome, and which they render odious by the infamous Name of Herefy. And yet they will not allow that any juft Argument can be drawn from hence to prove, that that Perfecution was given by divine Providence, as a moft effectual Re- medy for the Exftirpation of their Religion. If other Parties of Christians would ufe the fame Diligence and Cruelty of Inquifition againft them, I may venture to affirm, that they themfeives could not withftand it, but that within a few Years the Popifh Religion would be extinguifhed in all Proteftant Countries, and fcarce a fingle Perfon left who would dare to profefs it. But God forbid, that the Chriftian Rel : gion fhould ever be propagated this way, which doth not confift in a feigned and hypocritical Profeffion, but in a finccre and undiiTembled Faith. And therefore as no one ought to afiume tohimfelf the Power of Judging concerning it, but God the Searcher of Hearts, to him only let us leave it to pafs the true Judgment concerning every Man's Belief; Let us in the mean while deteft the Tyranny of the Papifts, and ftrive to re- duce thofe who, in our Judgment, hold Errors, into the way of Truth, by the good Offices of Charity and Benevolence, without arrogating to our felves a Judgment over the Confciences of others. And out of a ferious Regard to the laft great Day of Judgment, let us approve our Confciences to God, and every one of us expecting from his Mercy an equitable and righteous Judgment, pray without ceafmg, Arise, O Lord, and judge thy Cause. 319 FINIS. University of California SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 305 De Neve Drive - Parking Lot 17 . Box 951388 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90095-1388 jteturn this material to the library from which it was borrowed. TTBRAP^ JUG Q 3 21)04 THE UNlVKk. "ARY LOS Alvr:FT re /•' 3 ^58 00816 234 CO D 000 001 551