But to passe the Kings treasuris , and the enriching of other priuate persons , howsoeuer they came by their wealth , because wee would not bee thought to enuie their prosperitie of many other and so great commodities as wee haue before rehearsed , ( whereof the fauourers and maintainers of the Inquisition do commonly make their bragges , that there is nothing that maketh for them , but rather for the contrary part ) it is easie for any man to perceiue , that will consider with us but thus much , that of so many thousands of people , either Turkes or Iewes , or true Christians or heretikes ( as they terme them ) and reuolters from the Romish faith , as haue come within the Inquisitours iurisdiction from the very first beginning of the Inquisition , till this day , there are to bee seene many thousands of Sambenites , as mounments of some that were burned , some whom besides the perpetuall and vnrecouerable infamie that hath red●unded thereby both to themselues , and to their whole posteritie , they haue bin depriued of all their substance . To be short , that so many spoiles of poor soules doe remaine to be seene as haue suffred at their hands for very trifles : but of any whom they haue instructed and amended , or withdrawn from their errors , not so much as one example ●or any one memoriall .

Now as concerning the originall of the Inquisition , the continuance , and the glorious title that bleareth and bl 〈…〉 deth mens eyes now adayes ( for what man is he that would bow downe and worship these sacred names and titles : The holy Inquisition . The fathers of the faith : The Inquisitors of leud heresies and apostacie ? ) I will speak somewhat , to the intent men may vnderstand by what right they claime and hold the same .

After the warres were ended , wherin Ferdinando and Isabella of famous memory expelled the Turkes out of the territory and Citie of Granata , and other places in Spaine , which had vsurped there by the space of 778. yeares , from the time of Roderico the last king of Spain , that was of the race and line of the Goths , hauing restored their country into the ancient estate that it was in before , and gotten to themselues perpetuall fame and renowne , they fell from those continuall troubles and tumults of warre to reforming and purging of religion . The occasion whereof came as well by the Mores , that being conquered , had liberty to remaine in Spaine , and enjoy all their goods with condition that they should receiue the christian faith : as by the Iewes , that were in number as many as the other , who were permitted to continue still vnder the same condition that the Mores did , commandement being giuen to all that were not content to admit this condition , that they should immediately depart Spaine , passing ouer the straites of Marrocke , and retyre into their owne countrey . For the Iewes ( as their most ancient Chronicles doe report ) did inhabite Spaine from the time that Titus Emperor of Rome destroyed Ierulalem . Who caused them to bee transported thither , there to remaine in miserie and thraldome , being notwithstanding in good case for one thing , in that they were not compelled by any to alter their religion till the time of Ferdinando . Whereupon the kings of Spaine considering , that those people were but only Christians by name and for fashion sake , submitting themselues for feare and awe , and for safegard of their riches , rather then any loue or zeal which they bare to christianitie , deuised to make prouision , and to take some order for their better instruction . A godly purpose surely , and meet for christian Princes , if euill counsellers had not maliciously peruerted their good intents . For there were alwayes about the king certaine Friers of the order of Saint Dommicke , to whom diuers well disposed Princes gaue very great care and credit , especially in matters of religion and conscience : which being a proud and ambitious sect , that tooke vpon them great skill , and outwardlly professed much holinesse most arrogantly and impudently ; by meanes thereof , had more free acc●sse to Princes privie chambers , and thereupon growing to be of their priuie counsell , and obtaining such credit , that kings were content to bee ordered and directed by them in these and such like good purposes , whereas they should haue prouided godly instructors , pastors and teachers to win and allure the counterfait christians ( as it becommed them ) by charitie and gentlenesse , labouring with all diligence to withdraw them from their errors , to embrace true christianitie sincerely and without dissimulation , they erected a new kinde of Consistorie of an Inquisition ; wherein the poore wretches , in steade of better instructions , wherewith there was some hope to win them , should be robbed and spoiled of all their goods , and possessions , and either put to most cruell death , or suffer most intolerable torments by whippe or otherwise , leading the rest of their life in perpetuall obloquie and ignominie , and sustaining extream pottertie by losse of lands and goods . Neither was this executed onely vpon such as had most shamefully blasph●med Christ , but the least and most tri 〈…〉 g ceremonie of the Iewish or Morish law , or the smallest error in christian religion , whereof they did neuer teach them so much as their articles , had beene matter sufficient to condemne them . To the furtherance of this new deuice Sixtus the fourth of that name , Pope of Rome , put his helping hand by adding his confirmation , so that at the length it became of such force being ratified and established by the kings authoritie and the Popes , that were it not for that the hugenesse thereof is such , that is not able to sustaine it selfe , being a thing so burdenous to the world and so importable , a man might very well thinke it to bee impregnable . See I pray you how well these godly pastours prouided for the new increase of Christ's flocke , whom they ought to haue had greater regard to feed than their owne bellies , and should not in milking them haue drawne the very bloud to deuoure it , nor besides the hauing of their fleece , flame them also most cruelly to couer themselues with the skinnes , neither ought to haue killed the fatlings , but to cherish the weakelings , to binde the broken , to seeke the stra●-sheep and bring them home to the folde , like good and carefull shepheards , without vsing such force and violence , or cla 〈…〉ing any iurisdiction or superioritie ouer them : to whom they should rather submit themselues and become seruants , considering that they are the folde of Christ But as for seeking , they sought indeed and daily doe , inquiring with great diligence after the wandring sheepe panting and fainting but it is to slay them , not to sa●e them . But to proceed . As the D 〈…〉 ane were the first authors therof , so for the authoritie and estimation that they were in with Princes , they obtained the execution of this tyrannie vnder the pre●ence of teaching the true christian faith , whereof they had of long time bin accounted the patrons . But afterwards by meanes of their vnsatiable couetousnesse and ambition , ( for the whech two vices they are already discredited among the common people ) as also for their crueltie and tyrannie which they practised , being exalted to that high estate and dignitie , they became so intolerable , that the Princes themselues who lately before had aduanced them to those estates , were enforced to displace them , pretending diuers reasonable causes and allegations , and so committed it vnto the Clergie : Whereof the ancient Churches of the Dominicans hung round about with ancients and ensignes of victorie , ouer such as they conquered during the time that they were in authoritie , is proofe sufficient .

Howbeit they retaine till this day the title and name of Inquisitours still with tooth and naile , and will one day no doubt haue a cast at the office againe , and claime their right . So that we may thanke these wicked counsellors and none other for the Inquisition at this day , most diuellishly peruerting the godly purposes of Princes , which tended to the weale of the Church , and conuerting them wholly to the aduancement of their owne commoditie and estimation . Or else whereto I beseech you appertained it , that they which would be accounted diligent and faithfull sowers of the seede of christianitie , and the zealous furtherers of the same , should erect a new kind of Consistory , so rare and strange to the whole world , which is not set vp to informe the ignorant , or to conuince the obstinate , and bring them to the knowledge of true religion , either by perswasion of learning , or by charitable dealing , the only meanes that Christ would haue his ministers to work by , but to compell them by force and might , by rigour and extremitie , by commissions and authoritie , by Racks & Torments , Chaines , Halters , Barnacles , Sambenites , by Fire and by Fagots : which holy Consistorie of theirs , is not assisted with men of godly conuersation , or knowne to be learned in the mysteries of holy Scripture , such as would labour painfully in the Lords vineyard , and set forward his haruest : but is garded with Sherifes , Treasurers , Notaries , Sum●ers , Iaylers , Proctors , Promoters , or Familiars ( as they call them ) a foule and an insinite company . And who would not iudge think ye , that all these things were devised rather to lay new taxes and impositions vpon the people , and to encrease the reuenues of the Eschequer , than for the furtherance of religion . As for the purpose , if a man would chuse out a cunning huntsman with all his furniture , hauing his art●●lery about him , his 〈…〉 tres , grinnes , heyes , dogges , &c. and send him thus arayed to preach the Gospel , and publish Christ's religion , what man I pray you that were well advised , and should behold such a man , hauing his hands daily imbrued with the change of preyes and spoiles , would not account him a better hunter than a preacher ? For ( doubtlesse ) the commission an dauthoritie of preaching was giuen to good and godly Bishops and pastours ( if any such there were ) both by the lawes of God , and constitutions of man , that they should teach and instruct , as well the young nouices as the elder schollers , to tread the path of true godlinesse . But these men being so blind , or so carelesse , or both , that either they couldnot , or wouldnot see to their office and duetie in this behalfe , there was neuer a man of them all , either Bishop or Diuine , but he thought that a great part of his dutie touching his function was abbridged & dispensed withall , by meanes of erecting the court of Inquisition ; all good and godly laws concerning christianitie , are so cleane raced out of the tables of their hearts .

And this Inquisition being erected in this wise at the first , and ratisied afterwards by the greatest authoritie in the wor●d , that is to say , the Kings and the Popes , though it had the opinion of holinesse to countenance it , so that it should seeme to deserue the approbation of most men , yet was it neuer generally receuied o● all . For at what time king Ferdinando went about to establish it in Arragon , which was his owne inheritance descended from his father , the Nobles of the realme did first make humble supplication that it might not be established . Afterwards , being by violence forced vpon them , they did also with force and violence withstand it , alledging that it tended rather to the impeachment of the libertie of their countrie , then to the reformation of religion . In so much that it was not received ( if a man may say it were receiued at all that , was forced vpon them against their wils ) till the settling of it had cost many a mans life . And besides the hatred which the Nobles and Commons of that Realme beare against this their holy Inquisition at this day , it d●th well appeare by the death of Seignor Aepila , who being sent thither by the King with large commissions to execute the same , was slaine of the Noble men at Sarragoss● in the Cathedrall Church . The which caused many of the foolish superstitious people to worship him euen as a Saint . For it is very certainely reported , that the bloud issuing out of his body , being newly slaine , sprang out in such aboundance , that it spirted to the Altar . By the which miracle ( say they ) God declared both the innocencie of the person , and the goodnesse of the quarrell wherein was slaine . Notwithstanding all this and that diuers other miracles are sundry times seene vpon his tombe , to confirme the same opinion and fa●sie of the common people , such is the folly of men , and the power of the diuell ( as Paul saith ) to deceiue men which haue re 〈…〉ed the loue and zeale of the truth , he could neuer yet 〈◊〉 to be canonized a Saint , and called Saint Aepila : forasmuch as enterprising a iust quarrell , he was not only found to haue a s●●rt of male on at the time of his death , ( which thing notwithstanding they say , he might wellenough haue enioyed the holy 〈◊〉 of a Saint ) but he had also vnder his other garments a short hanger by his side , and that ( forsooth ) only h●ndred his absolute honour .

This Inquisition you will say was not brought in , to the end that any should thereby be instructed in the principles of true religion , but onely that heresie by meanes hereof might bee abolished . Marry so much we yeeld vnto them indeed For it appeareth plainely by the zeale that was in those good Princes , that they had a better meaning with them at the first , then that which through their wicked counsellours afterward was put in execution . The Inquisition being th 〈…〉 established for the same ends and purposes which I haue before mentioned ( as some affirme ) before the battell at Granata , which maketh nothing against me if it be so , the charge of instructing the people in the principles of religion , was first referred to I Tears and Curates , and from them translated to the Wardens of the Church , and afterward to the Clerkes in euery towne and parish , who taught the simple abused people their Aue Maria , Pater noster , their Credo , with Salua regina 〈…〉 in Latine shall I say , nay in a barbarous kinde of Latine , and that with sporting themselues , and mocking the poore silly soules , without any deuotion or zeale , not without reward neither , but very dearely and at a high price ; many times besides their common wages , they were payd with the goodwi●es honestie , or the daughters virginitie . For the other fiue commandements of the holy Church , which they s●ad were necessarie to saluation : that is to say , the hearing of Masse on holy dayes and sundayes : The going to shrist and holy confession : The receiuing of holy bread , the due obseruing of Fasts enioyned by the Church , and the true paying of their tithes and Church-duties , these things I warrant you were beaten into their heads in plaine words and mother-tongue . By which kinde of discipline , what other thing I pray you could seeme to be sought , th●n to bring men into a heape of perpetuall errours ? And the court of Inquisition being erected on the other part for reformation of errours , they might be sure like good hunters to lodge the Deere , and take their stand , and so to obtaine a continuall prey . But to proceed , let vs grant them thus much , that the Inquisition was ordained to none other end , and that they be two seuerall and distinct offices , to teach the faith , and to roote out heresies , yet were it the part and dutie of good and discreet counsellours , to prouide that the authoritie committed to Bishops by the holy Scriptures of God , should not thereby be taken from them : neither should any other perswasion enter into their heads , that there were any other fire or sword to root out heresies , but only the sword of Gods word : both the which things the holy Apostle did most euidently teach in the Epistle to Titus ; where among other qualities required in a Bishop , hee would haue him embrace the word of God fit for instruction , that he may be able to exhort by wholesome doctrine , and to conuince the gainsayers and aduersaries . For surely a true and iustifying faith cannot be forced , ( the nature thereof is such ) no more can heresie be destroyed by the heretickes death . But the word of God is most apt and sit for both purposes . For thereby faith is not only engendred , but increased and multiplyed meruellously , and whatsoeuer is not agreeable to true faith , if it be examined and tried by the light of this word , shall soone be bewrayed . Wherefore they ought first to haue resorted to the Scriptures , and taken counsell of them , whether they had limited any punishment for such as should shew themselues wilfull and obstinate against the truth , or the most cruell execution that can be by fire . For as concerning the confiscation of goods , what can be thought more wretched and couetous , or more vnjust and shamelesse , or further from the profession of a Christian man ? And to let passe their open infamy , the staine whereof will hardly be spunged out againe , who can worthily speake enough against them , that vse the same kinde of punishment euen against those poore wretches , wh●● they haue perswaded to recant their errours ? Paul in the place aboue mentioned , appointeth no penaltie , for as much as it may well be , that the partie condemned may in time be reclaimed , and therefore mercy ought rather to be practised of euery good shepheard with all gentlenesse and loue , then any such extremitie . But let vs enter further , and see what Paul appointeth for such as are obstinate persons . Auoide the company of an hereticke ( saith he ) after one or two admonitions . First hee would haue him charitably admonished of his error twice or thrice , and that by the Bishop , not cited into the court , not put to the torments , or otherwise punished for his erronious opinions with such extremitie , and so continually . Then if gentle admonition will reclaime him , there is good cause why both the Bishop and the whole congregation may rejoyce of the winning of a brother , to be a member of Christ . But if such admonitions will not preuaile , he counselleth vs to proceed to excommunication : that is to say , to cut him off and exclude him the company and fellowship of the Christians : the which notwithstanding must not be executed in way of reuenge of his error , but ministred as a medicine for his amendment . And this judgement of the Disciple agreeth with the rule of his Master : If hee wil not giue ea●e to thee , nor other ( saith he ) that is to say , them that haue giuen him admonition the second time , Let him be thence forth accompted of as an Ethnicke or Publican . Which is as much in vnderstanding , as if he had neuer receiued the faith . In this degree of seueritie , which being duely considered is sharpe enough , Christs discipline stayeth , and proceedeth no further . And this is the Court , these be the lawes thereof , and the whole manner of proceeding , wherewith a true Christian man ( if there had beene any such among them ) should haue contented himselfe in proceeding against his brother being beside the right way ; or against any heresies , of what sort or condition soeuer they be , because Christ hath thought them to be sufficient , and prouided these remedies , which the Church hath alwayes vsed from time to time to great profite , in the rooting vp of all heresies that at any time grew therein . As concerning the putting of heretickes to death , it is like altogether , as if a Phisician , to the intent to rid the patient of his disease , should for the nonce rid him also of his life . Moreouer , they that doe pretend most of all now adayes the rooting vp of heresies by such meanes , do not only not attaine thereunto , ( for as yet the world is blinded , to take falshood for truth ) but if it were so , then by taking away his life , they cut him off from all those meanes and possibilities whereby he might attaine his owne saluation . For it might very well come to passe in time , for asmuch as Gods judgements are deepe and incomprehensible , that the partie continuing aliue , might bee brought into some better case . But it is to be feared will some say , lest he infect others . True it is , and for that consideration both Christ and his Apostle commandeth us to ●schue him , and to cut him off from the body of the Church . But if they would needes proceede farther , and vpon other reasonable considerations punish such obstinate persons more seuerely ; were not the ordinary magistrate sufficient to execute the same ? Doubtlesse their answer will bee this , that the knowledge of heresies , can in no case appertaine to the secular magistrates , because they for the most part are ignorant in the holy Scriptures and Ecclesiasticall affaires : For this is a common saying with these Fathers that are so far seen in Gods secrets , that neither the knowledge nor determination of matters in religion doe appertaine to the Secular magistrate , as they terme him in despight and reproach But I pray you in what respect are they themselues chosen to supply those places , and to bee Inquisitours to determine matters of faith , whereof they are termed the Fathers , or to discusse heresies , whereof they are said to ridde the world , being neither learned in Scriptures , nor able to teach the beliefe ? For they are thought men good enough for that office if they be Doctors in the ciuill and canon lawes . As for their Diuines ( and yet a silly diuinitie God knowes ) truly since the time that the Dominicans were displaced thence , ( wherof I made mention before ) we haue not seen any of them execute any such office . Yea , what if since that time there hath bin an order taken by the Inquisitors , and entred into their books , that no Diuine thenceforth should occupy any such place ? Now as concerning the ciuil law , surely the Inquisitors do not excell the secular magistrate ; and as for the canon , if a man were neuer so well seen in it , they cannot deny , but it serueth as little to the deciding of matters in religion as the ciuill . How then is it possible to be otherwise , but that when such ignorant men bee admitted to determine matters of Religion , as haue no manner of knowledge in the holy Scriptures , saue only a little poore skill in the constitutions of mans braine , they must needs turne sweet into soure , and soure into sweet : call light darkenesse , and darkenesse light ? That is to say , in professing themselues to bee the Patrones of saith , roote out all faith , and maintaine monstrous errours : slea the children of God , and cherish the children of the diuell : kill the seruants of Christ , foster , maintaine , and encrease the seruants of Antichrist .