And so on: Moses, David, John the Baptist, and the gentle Saviour Himself are made to afford reason for this course and for that, as the need arises, and each reason is more grotesque than the other, until you are stunned by the blows of these clumsy arguments. You cease to wonder that the translation of the Bible was forbidden, that its study was inhibited. If those who were learned in theology could interpret it so extravagantly, what might not the unlearned achieve? But let us pass on to the consideration of Torquemada’s code. ARTICLE I Whenever inquisitors are appointed to a diocese, city, village, or other place which hitherto has had no inquisitors, they shall--after having presented the warrants by which they are empowered to the prelate of the principal church and to the governor of the district--summon by proclamation all the people and convoke the clergy. They shall appoint a Sunday or holiday upon which all are to assemble in the cathedral or principal church to hear a sermon of the Faith. They shall contrive that this sermon is delivered by a good preacher or by one of the actual inquisitors, as they deem best. Its aim shall be to expound the capacity in which they are there, their powers, and their intentions. COPILACION DE LAS INSTRVCIONES DEL Officio de la sancta Inquisicion, hechas por el muy Reuerendo Señor Fray Thomas de Torquemada, Príor del Monasterio de sancta Cruz de Segouia, primero Inquisidor general de los Reynos y Señorios de España. E POR LOS OTROS REVERENDISSIMOS SENO-_res Inquisidores generales que despues succedieron, cerca de la orden que se ha de tener en el exercicio del Sancto Officio. Donde van puestas successiuamente por su parte todas las Instructiones que tocan a los Inquisidores. E a otra parte, las que tocan a cada vno delos Officiales y Ministros del sancto Officio: las quales se copilaron en la manera que dicha es, por mandado del Illustrissimo y Reuerendissimo señor don Alonso Manrrique, Cardenal de los doze Apostoles, Arçobispo de Seuilla Inquisidor General de España.:._ [Illustration: EN MADRID, En casa de Alonso Gomez, Impressor de su Magestad. Año. 1576. TITLE-PAGE OF THE FIRST PRINTED EDITION OF THE “INSTRUCTIONS” OF TORQUEMADA. _Photo by Donald Macbeth_ Upon the conclusion of this sermon the inquisitors shall order all faithful Christians to come forward and make oath upon the Cross and the Gospels to favour the Holy Inquisition and its ministers, and to offer them no impediment directly or indirectly in the prosecution of their mission. This oath shall be specially imposed upon the governors or other justiciaries of the place, and it shall be witnessed by the notaries of the inquisitors. ARTICLE II After the conclusion of the said sermon the inquisitors shall order to be read and published an admonition with censures against those who are rebellious or who contest the power of the Holy Office.