History of the Masonic Persecutions in Different Quarters of the Globe; with an Introductory Essay

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1867 edition. Excerpt: ... of my own prosecution and sufferings on account of my being a Freemason. I shall add, for the satisfaction of the curious, a succinct history of the pretended holy office; its origin; its establishment in France,3 Italy,4 Spain, and Portugal; the manner how it grasped, by insensible degrees,5 the supreme authority now exercised 3 Ducange tells us that the Inquisition was established in France, by the council of Toulouse, to punish the Waldenses, and the inquisitors were chosen from amongst the Dominicans. It is true the tribunal of the Inquisition was never legally settled in that country, yet inquisitors were delegated by the pope, under the pretext of preserving purity of doctrine, and obedience to the church. Pope Gregory ix. appointed a commission to exercise the inquisitorial functions in several convents throughout the kingdom. 4 The Inquisition of Rome is composed of twelve cardinals, and some other officers; over which the pope presides in person. These cardinals assume to themselves the title of Inquisitors General throughout the Christian world; but they have no jurisdiction in France, and some other Roman Catholic countries. They are empowered to deprive or remove all inferior inquisitors. Popes Innocent, Alexander, Urban, Clement, and their successors, used their most endeavours, but to no purpose, to prevail with the Venetians to follow the example of the other states of Italy in this particular. The conduct of the Inquisitors was adduced by the republic of Venice as a reason for refusing admission to that tribunal into its territories; for they were guilty of great disorders, preached seditious sermons, and, upon any caprice, published crusades against the heretics, and appeared to be more disposed to revenge themselves...