ough the
inquisitors had not any just accusation against him, yet they strained
every nerve to find him guilty of heresy. They first objected to his
holding a correspondence in different parts of Europe; but of this he
was acquitted, as the matter of that correspondence could not be made
criminal. They then directed their attention to some suspicious papers
found in his chamber; but Molinos so clearly explained their meaning,
that nothing could be made of them to his prejudice. At length, cardinal
d'Estrees, after producing the order sent him by the king of France for
prosecuting Molinos, said, he could prove against him more than was
necessary to convince them he was guilty of heresy. To do this he
perverted the meaning of some passages in Molinos' books and papers, and
related many false and aggravating circumstances relative to the
prisoner. He acknowledged he had lived with him under the appearance of
friendship, but that it was only to discover his principles and
intentions: that he had found them to be of a bad nature, and that
dangerous consequences were likely to ensue; but in order to make a full
discovery, he had assented to several things, which, in his heart, he
detested; and that, by these means, he saw into the secrets of Molinos,
but determined not to take any notice, till a proper opportunity should
offer of crushing him and his followers.

In consequence of d'Estrees' evidence, Molinos was closely confined by
the inquisition, where he continued for some time, during which period
all was quiet, and his followers prosecuted their mode without
interruption. But on a sudden the Jesuits determined to extirpate them,
and the storm broke out with the most inveterate vehemence.

The count Vespiniani and his lady, Don Paulo Rocchi, confessor to the
prince Borghese, and some of his family, with several others, (in all
seventy persons) were put into the inquisition, among whom many were
highly esteemed both for their learning and piety. The accusation laid
against the clergy was, their neglecting to say the breviary; and the
rest were accused of going to the communion without first attending
confession. In a word, it was said, they neglected all the exterior
parts of religion, and gave themselves up wholly to solitude and inward
prayer.

The countess Vespiniani exerted herself in a very particular manner on
her examination before the inquisitors. She said, she had never revealed
her method of devotion to any mo