, royal clerk, and the fathers Pedro de
Prado, procurator-general, and Gregorio Bellin. In their presence, he
desired me to give him an attested copy of the act, as a protection
of his right, and they were witnesses of the entire proceeding. I
attest this.
_Juan de la Cueva Moran_, notary-public.
"Then immediately the said father Luis de Pedraza required me once,
twice, and thrice, to set down the reply which will be declared,
notwithstanding that the notification is set down. And, inasmuch as
I am constrained by the said requisitions, I give it; and it is of
the following tenor:
'That in all things that were not a violation of their privileges,
they were prompt to obey, since they were under that obligation; but
if any demand were in violation of those privileges, then they would
make use of the means afforded them by the law for their defense and
which his Holiness granted them. He affixed his signature, in the
presence of the above witnesses.
_Luis de Pedraza_
Before me.
_Joan de la Cueva Moran_, notary-public.'"
The fathers of the Society thought that act was a manifest injury
to their order and privileges, for three reasons. First, because
they were deprived of preaching to all persons, with no exception,
without there being other cause therefor than those which your
Grace may infer from the document. Second, by commanding them with
excommunication and pecuniary fines, a thing which is manifestly a
violation of the immunity of the regulars. Third, because they were
prohibited from giving instruction in the camps and guardhouses,
which is a violation of a _Clementina_, [63] as I am told, and to
which no contrary decision has been rendered by the holy Council of
Trent. The fathers of the Society attempted to maintain peace by all
possible ways, but they were unsuccessful; and they could find no
route to that end. The past governor, Don Juan Cerezo [Salamanca]
who was desirous of settling the matter, undertook to secure that
end by writing to the archbishop the following letter:
"Our friendship, and the respect with which I always view the affairs
of your Lordship, and my obligations, constrain me to represent
affectionately to your Lordship, on the present occasion, the great
danger that is being incurred in maintaining the provisor in his
office, in hatred of him who represents to us the royal person, so
that your Lordship may consider in time the scandalous end that is
threatened. And alth
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