Foxe - The Book of Martyrs

Foxe’s Book of Martyrs
temper that he was soon dismissed; and though Molinos' examination was much longer, it
was generally expected he would have been likewise discharged: but this was not the case.
Though the inquisitors had not any just accusation against him, yet they strained every nerve
to find him guilty of heresy. They first objected to his holding a correspondence in different
parts of Europe; but of this he was acquitted, as the matter of that correspondence could not
be made criminal. They then directed their attention to some suspicious papers found in his
chamber; but Molinos so clearly explained their meaning that nothing could be made of them
to his prejudice. At length, Cardinal d'Estrees, after producing the order sent him by the king
of France for prosecuting Molinos, said he could prove against him more than was necessary
to convince them he was guilty of heresy. To do this he perverted the meaning of some
passages in Molinos' books and papers, and related many false and aggravating
circumstances relative to the prisoner. He acknowledged he had lived with him under the
appearance of friendship, but that it was only to discover his principles and intentions: that
he had found them to be of a bad nature, and that dangerous consequences werre likely to
ensue; but in order to make a full discovery, he had assented to several things, which, in his
heart, he detested; and that, by these means, he saw into the secrets of Molinos, but
determined not to take any notice, until a proper opportunity should offer of crushing him
and his followers.
In consequence of d'Estree's evidence, Molinos was closely confined by the Inquisition,
where he continued for some time, during which period all was quiet, and his followers
prosecuted their mode without interruption. But on a sudden the Jesuits determined to
extirpate them, and the storm broke out with the most inveterate vehemence.
The Count Vespiniani and his lady, Don Paulo Rocchi, confessor to the prince Borghese,
and some of his family, with several others, (in all seventy persons) were put into the
Inquisition, among whom many were highly esteemed for their learning and piety. The
accusation laid against the clergy was their neglecting to say the breviary; and the rest were
accused of going to the Communion without first attending confession. In a word, it was
said, they neglected all the exterior parts of religion, and gave themselves up wholly to
solitude and inward prayer.
The Countess Vespiniani exerted herself in a very particular manner on her examination
before the inquisitors. She said she had never revealed her method of devotion to any mortal
but her confessor, and that it was impossible they should know it without his discovering the
secret; that, therefore it was time to give over going to confession, if priests made this use of
it, to discover the most secret thoughts intrusted to them; and that, for the future, she would
only make her confession to God.
From this spirited speech, and the great noise made in consequence of the countess's
situation, the inquisitors thought it most prudent to dismiss both her and her husband, lest
the people might be incensed, and what she said might lessen the credit of confession. They
were, therefore, both discharged, but bound to appear whenever they should be called upon.
Besides those already mentioned, such was the inveteracy of the Jesuits against the
Quietists, that, within the space of a month, upwards of two hundred persons were put into
the Inquisition; and that method of devotion which had passed in Italy as the most elevated
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