Dr. Constantine was a profoundly learned and eloquent preacher, known for his mastery of Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and other languages, as well as various sciences. He was immensely popular, consistently drawing large crowds because of his persuasive delivery and the perceived soundness of his teachings. After being confirmed in Protestantism by Dr. Aegidio, he began to preach boldly doctrines that aligned with "Gospel purity" and were free from what he saw as errors of the Romish Church. He also forcefully preached against simony, which offended many of his superiors. His bold doctrines and popularity created many enemies among Roman Catholics and superiors, some of whom were determined to destroy him.

He was appointed as a reader at a school for divinity lectures, where he expounded on books like Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Canticles, and was beginning the Book of Job when he was seized by the inquisitors. Initially, his cautious answers prevented explicit charges, but the discovery of his private books and papers with Isabella Martin, following a servant's betrayal and his son's mistake, provided the necessary evidence. Confronted with his writings, Constantine justified the doctrines they contained, affirming his adherence to Gospel truth. This led to his imprisonment for over two years. He ultimately died in prison from a bloody flux, but the Inquisition continued its process against his remains, and his body was publicly burnt at a subsequent auto da fe.

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Based on the sources and our conversation, a central theme is the critical warning that the appearance of love in religious affections is not reliable evidence of saving grace. This challenges a common belief that because Satan cannot love, any display of love must come from the Holy Spirit.

The sources explain this by establishing a principle: the more excellent anything is, the more it will be counterfeited. True Christian love is described as supremely excellent, heavenly, and divine, the chief of graces, and the sum of true religion. Because it is so highly valued, the subtlety of Satan and deceitful human hearts are chiefly exercised in counterfeiting its outward appearance. While the true inward nature of love is difficult to imitate, skillful deception focuses on creating exact imitations of the outward form.

Scripture is used to illustrate this point. Christ warned that the love of many would wax cold and not endure to the end, showing a type of religious love that does not lead to salvation. Many graceless Jews outwardly displayed strong, violent affections for Jesus, following him intensely and shouting praises, yet lacked grace. The Apostle Paul's exhortation to love Christ "in sincerity", meaning pure and spiritual love, suggests awareness of counterfeit love that was not genuine. Similarly, the strong affections the Galatians had for Paul are presented as an example of love towards believers that Paul feared was "without saving grace".

Therefore, appearances of love, even if strong and fervent, are explicitly stated to be "no evidence that religious affections are saving". True, saving love is pure, spiritual, and enduring, qualities that counterfeits lack despite mimicking the outward show.

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Dr. Aegidio received his education at the university of Alcala, where he earned several degrees and focused particularly on sacred Scriptures and school divinity. He was elected professor of theology after the death of his predecessor and performed his duties so effectively that his reputation for learning and piety was circulated throughout Europe.

Despite his widespread respect, Aegidio had enemies who laid a complaint against him with the inquisitors. This led to him being cited and subsequently imprisoned in a dungeon. However, many people, especially those at the cathedral church at Seville and from the bishopric of Dortois, highly approved of his doctrines, deeming them perfectly consonant with true religion. These supporters petitioned the emperor on his behalf, and the emperor, described as not being a bigot, ordered his immediate enlargement.

Upon release, Aegidio visited the church of Valladolid and worked to promote religion. He eventually returned home, fell sick, and died in extreme old age.

His death did not end the conflict. The inquisitors, feeling thwarted in their malice while he was alive, determined to wreak their vengeance on him when dead. Taking advantage of the emperor's preoccupation with a military expedition, they ordered his remains to be dug out of the grave soon after his burial. A legal process was carried out against his remains, which were then condemned to be burnt, a sentence that was carried out.

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