This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1897. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XVI AUTOS-DA-FE IN VALLADOLID, SEVILLE, AND TOLEDO There is a great lack of information with reference to the little evangelical circles of Valladolid and Seville, and particulars are wanting as to some obscure points concerning the recantations that there took place. Montes does not give sufficient details to solve the psychological problems. One must mention that all who came under the jurisdiction of the Inquisition were bound over to silence as to all that they had seen, heard, said, experienced, or suffered, so that nothing could be reported concerning the Inquisitors, advocates, familiars, servants, jailers, cells, prisons, racks, or trials. No information in the shape either of written or verbal accounts was allowed. Hence the official reports of the autos-da-fd are the only source of information. No doubt many accounts of recantations were mere fabrications. Anyhow, even an Inquisitor could not think that the Lutherans only simulated their opinions and convictions, and that this simulation was revealed by the recantation. One does not simulate in order to be tortured and burnt, and undoubtedly the conversions due to the doctrine of salvation were bona-fide. But we know from the words of our Lord that even "they who have received the seed of the word of truth with gladness fall away when affliction or persecution ariseth." The storm of persecution was too violent for the new roots of doctrine. Where they had taken deeper hold upon the soil, they were not torn up without a struggle; but fear, the rack, and the instruments of torture were weapons too powerful to be withstood. As Luther said, "When they see that all the world hates the faithful, and those who call themselves the true Church, is it a wonder that they are tempted either to doubt, or to...