Touching the Inquisition Itself the Nature of the Same

The same writer then tells what the inquisition was at this time, and the manner in which it was instituted and carried out; about which we will give, not the exact words, since they are rather badly arranged, but only the sense, as nearly as we can possibly express it. He begins in this way: "In order to tell briefly what the inquisition is, the reader must know that it is an investigation and examination of the faith, conducted by certain persons appointed to it (called inquisitors or fathers of the Holy Office), with whatever means they please, and upon whomever they will, but particularly upon such persons as are denounced to them, or are suspected of erring in any article from the Roman church, or of holding any other belief. Those, then, whom they condemn as erring in this manner are punished in body and property, according as the fathers of the Holy Office judge the points of their error to be of greater or lesser importance." Concerning this, read George Nigrinus; also, Peter Bor, in the Oorsprong van de Nederlandtsche Beroerten, compared with the author mentioned last, same page, column 2.