Chapter Sixth.

would live chastely and believe in one only God , who Avas not dead , ancl could never die . The Preceptor then took a cloak of the Order , and placed it on his shoulders , and a chaplain read a psalm , " Quam bontvm , " after Avhich the

Preceptor kissed him on the mouth . This was all In perfect accordance Avith the ritual of reception . Cassagne appears to have finished his confession here before the torture Avas employed . After suffering great torment , he added , that the

Preceptor then took from a box a small idol of copper , which had the appearance of a man . He placed Cassagne upon a trunk , and shewing the idol to the assembly , said , " There is a friend cf God , Avho speaks to him when he wishes . Render him thanks that he has introduced you to

this Order , iuto Avhich it Avas your utmost desire to be received ; lo , he has gratified all your desires ! " Thereupon the Templars threw themselves upon their knees . A crucifix was raised up , from Avhich they turned ancl Avorshipped the

idol , thereby renouncing Christ , and at each adoration of the idol , they spat upon the crucifix . The Preceptor afterwards gave Cassagne a girdle of thread or twine , aud conducted him to a neighbouring chamber , Avhere he clothed him in the

habit of the Order , and instructed him how he was to comport himself in church , at A \ -ar , and at the table . He bade him never lay aside his girdle . Cassagne added , that fche same day he saw another Knight received in a similar manner to himself , and the same ceremonies were observed

m otiier receptions at winch he had been present . Gausseran de Montpezat acknowledged , that at his reception , the superior shewed him an idol , bearded , which had the figure of a puppet , ancl a crucifix . He made him adore the idol , and spit

three times upon the crucifix , telling him that it was the custom of the Order to do so . The Superior gave him a girdle , which he took from a box , ancl commanded him always to wear it . The other four Knights , Raymond Rabbe , William

Bos , Arnaud Sabatier , and Peter de Mossie , deponed to the same circumstances , with some exceptions . One of them added , that on presenting the idol to him , the Superior made use of those Arabic words , " Sarrazin Y Alia , " Avhich signified " Saracen of God . "

In the jurisdiction of the Seneschal of Beaucniro , forty-five Templars had been arrested , 'i'heso consisted of five Knights , a priest , and fche ssnaainder , son-ing brethren , and aspirants . The

Chapter Sixth.

deputy appointed by the King Avas Odoard de Molinier . Tho Knights and the serving brethren confessed to the commission of all the crimes charged against the Order , especially the renunciation of Chz'ist , Avhose memory the Superiors

treated with contempt . They also admitted to having adored the idol in a Provincial Chapter ; and one of them declared it to be the custom of the Order . The priest ' s declaration is curious . He stated that the Preceptor Avho had received him

forbade him to consecrate the host , when celebrating the Holy Mass , and compelled him to take an oath to that effect . This he had not always done , for on several occasions he hacl repeated the Avords of the sacrament in a low voice , and

consecrated in his heart . The Templars who communicated thus received unconsecrafced hosts , a fact of which they were aware , and Avhich several admitted . We do not pretend to reconcile the fact of men who had denied Christ partaking of the sacrament at all . They hacl no occasion to take it . In fact , the whole statement is absurd .

If the Templars Avere idolaters , they could not believe in the consecration of the host by the priests ; so that if the offering up of the mass was only a pretence to blind the eyes of the people , the consecrated host Avould , in their eyes , still be

bread . The absence of any symptom of truth in these examinations , is only equalled by the absence of anything like logic . The Knights and others Avere Avell tortured on this interrogation . At Bigorre , eleven Knights Avere arrested .

They Avere examined before the Seneschal of the province , and Bernard Agassa , a Knight and deputy of the King . They confessed to having been constrained to spit on the Cross , to renounce the Christian faith , and even to trample the

symbols of religion under their feefc . This they did much against their inclination . They confessed to the rest of the charges , with the exception of the unmentionable crime , which they only admitted had been permitted them . This was signed by a notary , a witness , and Montepezat , a Templar . *

Imbert having concluded his examination of the captives at Paris , Avent in November to Bayeux , to interrogate five Templars AVIIO had