Page:A history of the Inquisition of the Middle Ages, volume 3.djvu/384

 368 POLITICAL HERESY.— THE STATE. usual, had guarded itself by conditioning its decision on the basis of the articles being fully proved, but no notice was taken of this, and Joan was addressed as though she had confessed to the arti- cles and had been solemnly condemned. I. The visions of angels and saints. — These are pronounced superstitious and proceeding from evil and diabolical spirits. II. The sign given to Charles of the crown brought to him by St. Michael. — After noting her contradictions, the story is declared a lie, and a presumptuous, seductory, and pernicious thing, deroga- tory to the dignity of the angelic Church. III. Eecognizing saints and angels by their teaching and the comfort they bring, and believing in them as firmly as in the faith of Christ. — Her reasons have been insufficient, and her belief rash; comparing faith in them to faith in Christ is an error of faith. IY. Predictions of future events and recognition of persons not seen before through the Voices. — This is superstition and divina- tion, presumptuous assertion, and vain boasting. V. Wearing men's clothes and short hair, taking the sacrament while in them, and asserting that it is by command of God. — This is blaspheming God, despising his sacraments, transgressing the divine law, holy writ, and canonical ordinances, wherefore, " thou savorest ill in the faith, thou boast est vainly and art suspect of idolatry, and thou condemnest thyself in not being willing to wear thy sex's garments and in following the customs of the heathen and Saracen." YI. Putting Jesus, Maria, and the sign of the cross on her let- ters, and threatening that if they were not obeyed that she would show in battle who had the best right. — " Thou art murderous and cruel, seeking effusion of human blood, seditious, provoking to tyr- anny, and blaspheming God, his commandments and revelations.'" VII. Kendering her father and mother almost crazy by leaving them ; also promising Charles to restore his kingdom, and all by command of God. — " Thou hast been wicked to thy parents, trans- gressing the commandment of God to honor them. Thou hast been scandalous, blaspheming God, erring in the faith, and hast made a rash and presumptuous promise to thy king." VIII. Leaping from the tower of Beaurevoir into the ditch and preferring death to falling into the hands of the English, after the