"Galileo," Microsoft(R) Encarta(R) 97 Encyclopedia. (c) 1993-1996 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.Here is an edited quote regarding Galilio. Despite two official licenses, Galileo was summoned to Rome by the Inquisition to stand trial for "grave suspicion of heresy." This charge was grounded on a report that Galileo had been personally ordered in 1616 not to discuss Copernicanism either orally or in writing. Cardinal Bellarmine had died, but Galileo produced a certificate signed by the cardinal, stating that Galileo had been subjected to no further restriction than applied
Although this took place almost 100 years before Bessler, the Church still played a dominant roll effecting the scientific societies. Bessler probably included quotes from the Bible to simply keep the Church from calling his device of heresy which could lead to torture and excommunication.
The Roman Catholic Church did not officially ban physical torture for heresy and accusations of heretical doings until the 1860's
Ralph