* * * * * "36. That the receptions of the brethren were made clandestinely. "37. That none were present but the brothers of the said order. "38. That for this reason there has for a long time been a vehement suspicion against them." The succeeding articles proceed to charge the Templars with crimes and abominations too horrible and disgusting to be named. "46. That the brothers themselves had idols in every province, viz. heads; some of which had three faces, and some one, and some a man's skull. "47. That they adored that idol, or those idols, especially in their great chapters and assemblies. "48. That they worshipped it. "49. As their God. "50. As their Saviour. "51. That some of them did so. "52. That the greater part did. "53. That they said that that head could save them. "54. That it could produce riches. "55. That it had given to the order all its wealth. "56. That it caused the earth to bring forth seed. "57. That it made the trees to flourish. "58. That they bound or touched the head of the said idols with cords, wherewith they bound themselves about their shirts, or next their skins. "59. That at their reception the aforesaid little cords, or others of the same length, were delivered to each of the brothers. "60. That they did this in worship of their idol. "61. That it was enjoined them to gird themselves with the said little cords, as before mentioned, and continually to wear them. "62. That the brethren of the order were generally received in that manner. "63. That they did these things out of devotion. "64. That they did them everywhere. "65. That the greater part did. "66. That those who refused the things above mentioned at their reception, or to observe them afterwards, were killed or cast into prison."[363] * * * * * The remaining articles, twenty-one in number, are directed principally to the mode of confession practised amongst the fraternity, and to matters of heretical depravity. Such an accusation as this, justly remarks Voltaire, _destroys itself_. Brother William de la More, and thirty more of his brethren, being interrogated before the inquisitors, positively denied the guilt of the order, and affirmed that the Templars who had made the confessions alluded to in France _had lied_. They were ordered to be brought up separately to be examined.