Page:A history of the Inquisition of the Middle Ages, volume 3.djvu/60

 44 THE SPIRITUAL FRANCISCANS. characterized as false, heretical, presumptuous, and dangerous, and ordered the tracts containing them to be surrendered by all pos- sessing them. Olivi subscribed to the judgment in 1284, although he complained that he had not been permitted to appear in person before his judges and explain the censured passages, to which distorted meanings had been applied. With some difficulty he procured copies of his inculpated writings and proceeded to justi- fy himself. Still the circle of his disciples continued to increase ; incapable of the self-restraint of their master, and secretly imbued with Joachitic doctrines, they were not content with the quiet propagation of their principles, but excited tumults and seditions. Olivi was held responsible. The chapter held at Milan in 1285 elected as general minister Arlotto di Prato, one of the seven who had condemned him, and issued a decree ordering a strict perqui- sition and seizure of his writings. The new general, moreover, summoned him to Paris for another inquisition into his faith, of which the promoters were two of the members of the previous commission, Eichard Middleton and Giovanni di Murro, the future general. The matter was prolonged until 1286, when Arlotto died, and nothing was done. Matteo d'Acquasparta vouched for his orthodoxy in appointing him teacher in the general school of the Order at Florence. Eaymond Gaufridi, who succeeded Matteo d'Acquasparta in 1290, was a friend and admirer of Olivi, but could not prevent fresh proceedings, though he appointed him teacher at Montpellier. Excitement in Languedoc had reached a point which led Nicholas IV., in 1290, to order Eaymond to suppress the disturbers of the peace. He commissioned Bertrand de Cigo- tier, Inquisitor of the Comtat Yenaissin, to investigate and report, in order that the matter might be brought before the next gen- eral chapter, to be held in Paris. In 1292, accordingly, Olivi ap- peared before the chapter, professed his acceptance of the bull Exiit qui se?ninat, asserted that he had never intentionally taught or written otherwise, and revoked and abjured anything that he might inadvertently have said in contradiction of it. He was dis- missed in peace, but twenty-nine of his zealous and headstrong followers, whom Bertrand de Cigotier had found guilty, were duly punished. His few remaining years seem to have passed in com- parative peace. Two letters written in 1295, one to Corrado da Offida and the other to the sons of Charles II. of Xaples, then