Page:A history of the Inquisition of the Middle Ages, volume 2.djvu/543

 POSITION OF THE CHURCH. §27 one in seven years thereafter, and finally a perpetual succession at intervals of ten years, with careful provisions to nullify the ex- pected evasions of the popes.* As far as relates to Germany, Martin endeavored to perform the two duties for which he had been elected-the suppression of heresy and the reformation of the Church-by sending, in 1422 Cardinal Branda thither as legate. To accomplish the former ob- ject the legate was directed to prea«h another crusade, that of 1421 having ended so disastrously. As regards the latter feature ot his mission, the papal commission and the decree issued in con- formity with it by Branda describe the vices of the German clerffv in terms quite as severe as those employed by Huss and his fol- lowers, and furnish a complete justification of the Bohemian re- volt. The only wonder is that pope or kaiser could expect the populations to rest satisfied with the ministrations of men who assumed to be gifted with supernatural power and to speak in the name of the Redeemer, while steeped to the lips in every form of greed, uncleanness, and lust. The constitution which Branda issued to cure these evils only prescribed a repetition of remedies which had vainly been applied for centuries. It simply attacked he symptoms and not the cause of the disease, and it consequent- ly remained inoperative.f «4"«ni Five years had elapsed since the ending of the Council of Con- stance, l^othmg had been accomplished to suppress heresy or reform the Church, and when in due time the Council of sLa assemb ed, m 1423, it remained to be seen whether the unfinished work of Constance could be completed. Under the presidency of four papal legates it was held that the attendance of prelates and princes was too small to permit the work of reformation to be undertaken, but it was sufficient to justify the council in confirm- ing the promises made by Martin of forgiveness of sins for all who should assist m exterminating the heretics. All Christian princes were summoned to lend their aid in the good work without delay If they ^^shed to escape divine vengeance and the penalties pro- vided by law. All commerce of every kind with the heretics f4s forbidden, especially in victuals, cloth, arms, gunpowder, and eld • t Ludewig Reliq. MSS. XL 385, 409.
 * very one trading with them, or any prince "p erLtin^'commtn:
 * C. Constant. Deer. Frequens (Von der Hardt IV 1435)