Page:A history of the Inquisition of the Middle Ages, volume 2.djvu/215

EFFORTS OF GREGORY IX. 199 to recompense the Catholics for the losses endured in contending with the heretics. So unaccustomed as yet were the Lombards to persecution that even these conditions were deemed too harsh. The city of Milan interceded, and finally even the authorities of Brescia itself urged that moderation would be conducive to peace ; and, May 1, 1226, Honorius authorized the bishops to use their discretion in diminishing the penalties. When, however, the Do- minican Guala was elected Bishop of Brescia in 1230, he speedily succeeded in introducing in the local statutes the law of Frederic, of March, 1224, which decreed for heretics the stake or loss of the tongue, and he forced the podesta to swear to its execution.^ Gregory IX. was a man of sterner temper than Honorius, and, despite his octogenary age, his advent to the pontificate, in 1227, was the signal for unrelenting war on heresy. Within three weeks of his accession peace was signed, under the auspices of the papacy, between Frederic 11. and the Lombard League, with pro- visions for the suppression of heresy. Gregory immediately, in the most imperious fashion, summoned the Lombards to perform, their duty. Hitherto, he told them, aU their pretended efforts had been fraudulent. IN'o enforcement of the imperial constitutions had been attempted. If the heretics had at any time been driven away, it was with a secret understanding that they would be al- lowed to return and dwell in peace. If fines had been inflicted, the money had been covertly refunded. If statutes had been en- acted, there was always a reservation by which they were ren- dered ineffective. Thus heresy had grown and strengthened while the liberties of the Church had been subverted. Heretics had been permitted to preach their doctrines publicly, while ecclesias- tics had been outlawed and imprisoned. All this must cease, the provisions of the treaty of peace must be enforced, and, if they continued in their evil courses, the Holy See would find means to coerce them in their perversity, f These were brave words, though the political condition of Lombardy rendered them ineffective, l^earer home, however, Gregory had fairer opportunity of enforcing his will, and we have ♦ Epistt. Saec. XIII. T. I. No. 264-66, 2V5, 295 (Mon. Hist. Germ.). — Ha vet Bibl. de r:ecole des Charles, 1880, p. 602, * t Epistt. Saec. XIII. T. I. No. 355.