He was then informed that Father Geronymo Vidal was present, who had drawn up his defence, and that he might confer with him; the above advocate then read to the prisoner a writing which the prisoner accepted, and declared that he made a formal presentation of the same. The defence was as follows:—
Although Juan Duran, inhabitant of Manresa, in the archbishopric of Vique, has no necessity for a defence, on account of his full confession and declaration of the truth respecting the matter of the Fiscal’s accusation, yet for greater security in his defence, he offers the following.
1st. That he is ignorant, and uttered the assertions of which he is accused, without knowing that they were heavy offences against our Lord, for which he is extremely grieved, and begs pardon with tears, both of God and this Holy Tribunal, having spoken out of mere vanity, things which were not true.
2d. That he has fully confessed; and as to what is stated by one witness against him, that he declared himself to be the God of the country, and by another, that he affirmed he was next to God, that these testimonies are so extravagant that they ought not to be regarded; that he is very penitent for his offences against our Lord, and begs correction and instruction, with all humility.
3d. That he is descended from old Christians, and is a good Christian himself, having set a good example wherever he has resided, living by his labor, hearing mass and sermons; that he knows the prayers, and in whatever he has failed, he has not offended wilfully; on all which accounts he concludes by supplicating the favor of your Excellency’s usual mercy.
The Inquisitors then ordered the above to be notified to the Fiscal of this Holy Office; whereupon the audience closed, and the prisoner was remanded to prison.
Before me—
Miguel Rodriguez.
SENTENCE.