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THere is another Modus procedendi, which they call per Inquisitionem, when there is no direct Accuser nor De∣••iator, Sed quis fama laborat, as they speak, but a man hath an ill fame; then ••hey enquire into the publick report, ••nd begin the action thus:
In nomine Domini Amen, anno 1660. die &c. ad aures venerabilis & Religiosi viri domini Fratris N. o. p. in Tali
Dominio Inquisiteris haereticae pravitatis à sancta sede specialiter delegati, perve∣nit pluries, fama publica referente, quod N. de tali loco, dixit vel fecit talia con∣tra fidem; acta sunt haec anno, &c. in praesentia Testium vocatorum & mei notarii.
In the name of God Amen, In the year &c. it being reported by com∣mon fame, came often to the ears of the venerable and religious Father N. Dominican, Inquisitor against He∣retical pravity by a special delegation from the holy See, within such a Province, that A. B. said and did such things, contrary to the Faith; in to∣ken whereof these presents were drawn in presences of Witnesses and of my Notary.
This Record entred, the party is sure to hear of it one time or another, ex∣cept he soon dies or escapes; for now he is become suspect, he shall next op∣portunity without fail receive by an unwelcom Messenger, such a Citation as this.
Frater N. ordinis praed. In — Inqui∣sitor Haereticae pravitatis, Dilecto in Chri∣sto N. N. solutem, & mandatis nostri••,
imò verius apostolicis firmiter obedire; quia de persona vestra Talia à fide dignis ad nostram notitiam sunt deducta, quae si vera essent, de fide redderent vos suspectum, ideo ex debito injuncti nobis officii vos monemus peremptorie per presentes, qua∣tenus curetis ante nos personaliter compa∣rere, die, &c. & loco, &c. modo debito responsurus. Datum, &c.
Frier N. of the Order of St. Domi∣nic, Inquisitor against Heretical pra∣vity in such a place, to our Beloved in Christ A. B. we wish health, and that he may constantly obey our Commands, or rather those of the Holy See. Because some creditable persons have reported to us such things concerning you, which if true would make suspect the soundness of your Faith: therefore, as we are obliged by our Office, we admonish you peremptorily by these presents, that you fail not to appear personally before us, such a day, in such a place, then and there to answer duly about the premises.Given, &c.
This Summons received, the man must consider what to do, and there is great danger in every thing he can
resolve upon. The attempting to escape by Flight is not without great difficulty, for the Inquisitors have Spies upon them, whom they are resolved to have in their power, and if he be taken, he comes under the notion of a Fugitive, and must expect nothing but severity. The appearing according to the Cita∣tion exposeth him to a certain ruine, if he hath done or said any thing in fa∣vour of the Modern Heresies of Luther or Calvin; for though he should recant, yet his Estate is forfeited, and he is either condemned to the San-benit, or to be pent up betwixt four Walls to live upon bread and water: and if ac∣cording to his persuasion he persists in the confession of the True Faith, he must resolve upon the patience of Primitive Martyrs, and comfort him∣self with the hope of a reward in heaven.