Chapter Vii.

the bishops who had taken part in the proceedings J as he was resolved to punish all who hacl aided in those measures , which were calculated to undermine his authority . He likewise sent two Legates to the King at Paris , demanding from him the

persons of the captive Templars , as well as possesion of the riches ofthe Order . The two Legates were Cardinal Berengarens , of the title of St . Nerius and Sfc . Aquileus , and Cardinal Stephen de Suzi , of the title of St . Cyriacus in Termis .

They set out from the Papal Court at Poictiers on the 1 st of December . On the receipt of the Bull , the letter , and deeds of the Pope , the rage of the King was excessive . He recalled to mind the intervieAV at St . Jean

d'Angeli , where he held the election to the Papacy in his hands . Then , when he offered to elevate Clement to the Chair of St . Peter , the ambitious ecclesiastic fell on his knees before him , and , in

order to attain to the supreme pontifical power , placed no limits to his gratitude , accepted without ¦ any question , or attempt to fathom them , all the demands of fche King . His conduct was now changed . The Pope conducted himself in a

haughty and domineering fashion , attempted to exercise the pontifical authority in its widest extent , and treated the King as if he were the subject , and not as one to whom Clement owed his present exalted condition . To a prince of so haughty a

disposition , this was gall and Avormwood . Iu the ¦ first moments of his passion , he felt inclined to commence a Avar with the Pope , similar to that which had ended in the downfall and death o f Boniface , to support and defend his whole

proceedings , ancl to oppose himself to the Bulls , relying upon the submission , zeal , and attachment of the clergy of France , Avho Avere discontented at the abrogation of their privileges .

Philip ' s anger was not confined fco his own breast . He gave vent to it , in the presence of his court , and the news speedily spread over Paris , penetrating to the dungeons in Avhich the unfortunate Templars were confined . The news filled

them with joy and hope ; they believed the evil days of the Order had for ever passed away , and that the Pope knowing their innocence , had now begun to exert himself for their deliverance , ancl to take them under his protection as their

legitimate head . Stirred up by this hope , several repented of the coAvardice which had made them confess to the truth of such shameful , wicked , and false accusations , and their cells echoed with the

Chapter Vii.

lamentations ancl reproaches which the memory of their weakness conjured up . Those who had confessed Avithout being tortured , were filled with the liveliest remorse , ancl cried out that they had been the ruin of their noble Order . They demanded

an interview with their keepers , denounced the accusations made against the Order , as false , and as emanations of the devil , and revoked their depositions , Avhich they . declared had been wrung from fchem by terror and force . This was a most

unfortunate proceeding . Had they remained passive , the quarrel between the Pope ancl the King might have come to such a crisis , thafc they -would not only have received their liberty , but the Order mio'ht have been re-established in all its ancient g lory ancl honour . The revocation of their depositions only brouo-ht on faster their final

destruction . The King was furious ou hearing of their proceedings , and he resolved to compel the Pope fco aid him in his measures . He answered his letter and Bull , in language so strong ancl bold , as no

Catholic prince had ever before dared to address the Sovereign Pontiff . He declared that the coldness and lukewarmness which ho testified in an affair of so much importance to religion was inconceivable ; that in place of seconding him in

bringing the offenders to justice , and of destroying an Order so corrupt , ancl of destroying an Order so corrupt , and charged with crimes of so horrible a character , his Holiness wished to stop the course of justice , aud to annul fche

proceedings done on his authority by the Inquisitor of fche Faith , Avho held from him his power . This was to approve of the crimes of the accused , to encourage and excite them to persist in their denials . Several , upon hearing of his Holiness ' s

Bull , had recalled their depositions , although made judicially . Under these circumstances , far from suspending the power of the prelates , he ought rather to have strengthened their hands for

the extirpation of so odious an Order . No one could understand by ivhat right fche Pope had presumed to order this suspension , for the prelates shared Avith him the pastoral functions , ancl were his companions in the

government of the church . The Bull was likewise irregular , for each bishop could instruct the process in his own diocese Avifch more facility , more regularity , more promptitude , and more knowledge , than the Pope could . Ifc was thus a manifest injustice to take the power of judgment from