The history of the Inquisition, as it is exercised at Goa written in French, by the ingenious Monsieur Dellon, who laboured five years under those severities ; with an account of his deliverance ; translated into English.

CHAP. XVIII. (Book 18)

In what manner I was led the first time to Audience, and what they said to me.

THey had given me notice when I was first shut up in the Prisons of the Holy Office, that whensoever I should have need of any thing, I need only knock softly at the door to call the Guards, or desire it of them at the hours of meals; and that when I would go to Audience, I must address my self to the Alcaide, who, as well as the Guards, never spake to the Prisoners without a witness. They had also given to me hopes, as I before said, that my Liberty should immediately follow my Confession. For this reason I ceased not to importune the Officers that I might be carried before my Judges: But with all these tears and en∣treaties, I could not obtain this favour till the last of Ianuary 1674.

The Alcaide accompanied with one of the Guards, came to me upon this account, at two of the Clock in the Afternoon. I habited my self according to his Directions, and went out of my Cell, my Head, Leggs, and Feet being naked. The Alcaide went before me and the Guard followed me: We marched in this order to the very door of the Cham∣ber of Audience, where the Alcaide having advanced a little and made a profound reverence, stept back to let me enter alone. I found there, as before, the Inquisitor and the Secretary. I fell down at first upon my knees; but having received order to arise and sit down, I seated myself upon a Bench which was at the end of the Table, on the same side with my Judge. Near me, upon the end of the Table, laid a Missal; upon which, before we proceed any farther, they made me lay my hand, and promise to keep secresie, and speak and Truth: which two Oaths are exacted of all those who approach this Tribunal, whether it be for to depose or to receive any Order. They then asked me if I knew the cause of my imprisonment, and whether I were resolved to cofess it. To which having answered that I desired nothing more, I recited exactly all which I before related in the beginning of this Narra∣tive, touching Baptism, and Images, without saying any thing of what

I had advanced concerning the Inquisition, because I did not then remem∣ber it. My Judge having farther asked me whether I had nothing else to say, and being told that this was all which I remembred, far from re∣storing my Liberty to me, as I had hoped, finished this Audience with these very words,

That I had done very wisely in accusing my self so willingly, and that he exhorted me on the part of our Lord Jesus Christ, fully to con∣fess the rest of my Accusations, to the end that I might make proof of the Goodness and Mercy which are used in this Tribunal, towards those who shew a true repentance of their Crimes, by a sincere and un∣forced confession.

My Confession and his Exhortation being finished and written down, they read it to me, and I signed it; after which the Inquisitor rung the Bell to call the Alcaide, who carried me out, and brought me back into my Chamber in the same order, in which I had gone.