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Article THE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR. ← Page 5 of 8 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Knights Templar.
"Every legal form , " said they , "with respect to us , has been violated . " We have been arrested without any previous regular procedure . " We have been laid hold of like harmless sheep led forth to be
slaughtered . " Our property has been suddenly Avrested from us , and ourselves throAvn into loathsome dungeons . " We have been forced to suffer the cruel trials of every sort of torture .
" A very great number of our brethern have expired whilst under the torture , and others shortly after , from its effects . " Many have been compelled to bear false Avitness against themselves , which having been extorted by the rack , ought to have no weight either against them or the Order .
" For the purpose of obtaining lying confessions , they were presented letters from the king , Avhich declared that the whole Order Avas condemned without hope of redress , promising at the same time life , liberty , and fortune to such chevaliers as Avould inform against the Order .
" All these facts are so public and so notorious that no means or pretexts are left to deny them . "With respect to the articles of accusation brought against us , they are false , absurd , and impudent . " The accusation in itself , contains nothing but destestable , horrid ,
and iniquitous slanders . " Our Order is chaste and imblemished . It has never been guilty of the crimes imputed to it : and those Avho say to the contrary , are themselves , false Christians , slanders , and heretics . " Our creed is that of Catholic Church ; we observe the vows of
poverty , obedience , chastity , and a military profession for the defence of the faith against infidels . " We are ready to support and prove our innocence of heart , discourse and conduct , by every means that is possible . " We demand that Ave may brought personally before a general council .
" Let those chevaliers Avho have quit the habit of our religion , and Avho have abjured the Order after they have betrayed it , be carefully guarded under the direction of the church , until it be discovered whether their testimony be true or false . " When the accused brethern are to be interrogated , let there be
no layman , or any person present who might intimidate them . " The chevaliers have been awed with such terror , that thez-e is less cause for astonishment , if they give false testimony , than there is for . E 2
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Knights Templar.
"Every legal form , " said they , "with respect to us , has been violated . " We have been arrested without any previous regular procedure . " We have been laid hold of like harmless sheep led forth to be
slaughtered . " Our property has been suddenly Avrested from us , and ourselves throAvn into loathsome dungeons . " We have been forced to suffer the cruel trials of every sort of torture .
" A very great number of our brethern have expired whilst under the torture , and others shortly after , from its effects . " Many have been compelled to bear false Avitness against themselves , which having been extorted by the rack , ought to have no weight either against them or the Order .
" For the purpose of obtaining lying confessions , they were presented letters from the king , Avhich declared that the whole Order Avas condemned without hope of redress , promising at the same time life , liberty , and fortune to such chevaliers as Avould inform against the Order .
" All these facts are so public and so notorious that no means or pretexts are left to deny them . "With respect to the articles of accusation brought against us , they are false , absurd , and impudent . " The accusation in itself , contains nothing but destestable , horrid ,
and iniquitous slanders . " Our Order is chaste and imblemished . It has never been guilty of the crimes imputed to it : and those Avho say to the contrary , are themselves , false Christians , slanders , and heretics . " Our creed is that of Catholic Church ; we observe the vows of
poverty , obedience , chastity , and a military profession for the defence of the faith against infidels . " We are ready to support and prove our innocence of heart , discourse and conduct , by every means that is possible . " We demand that Ave may brought personally before a general council .
" Let those chevaliers Avho have quit the habit of our religion , and Avho have abjured the Order after they have betrayed it , be carefully guarded under the direction of the church , until it be discovered whether their testimony be true or false . " When the accused brethern are to be interrogated , let there be
no layman , or any person present who might intimidate them . " The chevaliers have been awed with such terror , that thez-e is less cause for astonishment , if they give false testimony , than there is for . E 2