Storia do Mogor 361.2.7

361.2.7

Let us farther assume, gentlemen, since I do not wish merely to prove the innocence of the Reverend Father Esprit, but also to display to the whole world the estimable conduct of our adversaries — let us assume, I say, that the Lord Bishop of San Thomé had the power of excommunicating or declaring excommunicated the friars of St. Francis. Let us also assume that his Lordship had permission to act without any rules or formalities. Let us assume plainly that the Reverend Father Esprit was really excommunicated, the which he most decidedly is not ; yet even then who has ever heard it said [261] that a judge could forbid a culprit to appear before him, when he has come for the express purpose of expounding to him his arguments, and submitting himself to punishment if it is decided that he has earned it? Nobody. I could never believe, gentlemen, that you would be so cruel that you would deny an audience to an innocent though calumniated man, who had come a distance of thirty leagues to demand from you as a favour that you would kindly listen to his arguments, and after hearing them, pass such orders as you pleased. Yet this was what Monsignor has done; he sent his secretary to Monsieur Guety's house, praying him to tell us not to go to his palace. If you decline to believe a statement which does not seem credible, Monsieur Guety is present at San Thomé: write to him if you like, and see whether what I say is true or false.