The journal of Monsr. de Saint Amour doctor of Sorbonne,: containing a full account of all the transactions both in France and at Rome, concerning the five famous propositions controverted between the Jansenists and the Molinists, from the beginning of that affair till the Popes decision. / Faithfully rendred out of French. ; A like display of the Romish state, court, interests, policies, &c. and the mighty influences of the Jesuites in that church, and many other Christian states, being not hitherto extant.

CHAP. XXVII.

Of the things we learn't, and the Vi∣sites we made from the first of June to the thirteenth. Of the manner how the Constitution against the Five Proposittons was publisht. With what restriction and circumspection we resolv'd to subscribe to their con∣demnation, in case the Pope had re∣quir'd it of us.

CArdinal Pimentel having not been at the Chappel of the Papal Masse on the day of Pentecost, and the affaires whereof we were to speak with him, being sufficiently sacred and ur∣gent, we went to wait upon him in the forenoon after Masse. When we had given him an ample account of our business, we told him, that the Authors of this black enterprize had still subtilty and credit enough to perswade the Pope, that the matter de Auxiliis was not at all concern'd there∣in. 'Tis true, said the Cardinal, the Pope believes it is not; he profess'd as much to me; and there∣upon he inform'd us himself of his above-related conference with the Pope. We reply'd, that the whole aim of our Adversaries was to embroyl this Affair as much as possible under the name of Jansenius, which was become extremely odious. The Cardinal said that the Pope was possess'd with this resolution, that it was requisite to destroy and abolish the work of that Prelate. His words were, That according to the Pope's resolution, Jansenius est revocandus, est rejiciendus. We dis∣cours'd largely to him concerning the necessity of Effectual Grace to every action of piety; where∣unto he assented; and we assur'd his Eminence, that 'twas the only Point which we endeavor'd to defend against the Machinations of all those who sought its subversion. Although we were with him more then an hour in this Conference, yet we did not remember to recōmend•• one thing to him, which I took care to get signify'd to him the next day by one of his most intimate friends; namely, that although he had found the Pope inflexible by what he had represented to him, and there was no more encouragement for him to speak again to his Holinesse, yet that he would not altogether neglect the Affair; but in the Visites which he should render to the Cardinals Spada, Ginetti, Pamphilio and Ghiggi, remember to tell them, and that with some earnestnesse, that he could not prevail with the Pope by what he had represented to him.

Tuesday the 3d: I went to S. Augustin's Church to say Masse. By the way I met F. Mulard, who told me two things: One was, that M. Hallier and his Collegues began to be very weary of Rome. The other, that he had a contest with them, wherein he maintain'd, That it imported their interest and their honour to speak before the Pope; and that they on the contrary would not demand it, but expect till they should be call'd upon, in which case they said, they would take but a quarter of an hour to prepare themselves. The General of the Augustines said Masse almost at the same time with me, and coming to me afterwards in the Vestry, he exhorted me to continue acting as we had be∣gun; and said, he hop'd God would give his bles∣sing to our labour. F. Reginald came to see us this day, and inform'd us of three things which the Pope had said to Cardinal Pimentel. First, That it was needful to do something against Jansenius. Secondly, That the Propositions did not concern S. Augustin's Doctrine, which was upheld by un∣moveable foundations, and ought to remain in its integrity. Thirdly, That the same Propositi∣ons did not relate at all to the matter of Grace, and that all this had been well and duly examin'd.

The same F. Reginald told me when I visited him the next day at la Minerva, that some Per∣sons assur'd him that all that had been spoken con∣cerning the Bull, was nothing but ayrie discourse, delle forfenterie, &c.

The same day F. Guerin advertis'd me, that M. Gueffier bid him tell me that he heard from divers persons, that I said there needed a General Coun∣cil to judge of these Propositions, which was a thing whereof I never spoke the least word.

Thursday the 5th. the Sacristan of the Mi∣nimes told me, that M. Hallier and his Collegues had gotten M. de Valcroissant's Oration to the Pope; which indeed we had neither from them nor any other person; no more then any thing else. And another person told me the same day, that M. Al∣bizzi had revok'd the Order which he had given to the Apostolical Printing-house for dispatching the printing of the Bull.

After we had accompany'd the Ambassador to his ordinary Audience on Friday the sixth, we went to see the Master of the sacred Palace, who congratulated us for the vigorousnesse and mode∣sty wherewith this good Ecclesiastick said we spoke. He discours'd with great devotion and hu∣mility, and being perswaded of the holy Truths which we defended, and of the justice of the rest of our demands, he regretted that we could not obtain all that we demanded. Upon all which he said several times, not daring to open himself fur∣ther, captivantes intellectum, captivantes intellectum; That it behov'd us to adore the Providence of God, who permitted by his secret judgement and for his hidden ends, that we suffer'd such treat∣ment.

After a long entertainment, assoon as we were risen up to depart, he did an action of extraordi∣nary endearment towards us. He kneel'd down with both knees to embrace ours, saying, that he acknowledg'd us for his Masters, and fot the true defenders of the Catholick faith. F. Des-mares whom he went to embrace first, fell upon his knees at the same time, and another of our Collegues in like manner. Whereat being surpriz'd, I prostra∣ted my self too, both to embrace and to lift up this good Father; and those of my Collegues who had kneel'd down, as he did, rose also at the same time. In fine, after some other words of cordial affection and civility added standing, we departed.

About Evening F. Des-mares and I went to the Ambassador. After the Father had deliver'd him a Letter which he receiv'd for him from M. de Lien∣court, I told him that the Festivals were pass'd, in∣timating thereby that we had awaited this term, to know what the Pope had ordain'd touching the permission to print our Writings. The Ambassa∣dor answer'd that the Festivals were not yet pass'd, but would continue a fortnight longer. That the Pope spoke nothing to him in the morning about our affaires neither good nor bad, though he much expected it; that M. Hallier and M. Lagault had been with him in the morning before his Au∣dience, to desire him to ask the Pope, whether his Holinesse pleas'd not to make some Decree for putting an end to this Affair before the hot season; that the heat was drawing very near; that they were desirous to return before its coming: but he answer'd them, that it would be in vain to speak to the Pope this day concerning this Affair, and accordingly he did not speak of it. F. Des-mares remain'd astonish'd at the demand which these Do∣ctors had the face and confidence to desire the Ambassador to make to the Pope for them, to end an Affair before the first entrance into its exami∣nation were dispatcht; and he very earnestly re∣presented to the Ambassador how senslesse and irrational it was. The Ambassador answer'd him, that those Doctors were not oblig'd to do our bu∣sinesse, nor to speak according to our designes and desires. I told the Ambassador that indeed they were not; but if they had any that were extrava∣gant, perfectly unjust and ridiculous, it was law∣ful for us to shew how unsufferable they were, and how unworthy of persons of honour and pro∣bity. We discours'd very largely concerning the main Affair, and the falsities and vanities of their Writings; and at length came to speak of the permission we had demanded to print ours. The Ambassador said, he found the Pope so little dis∣pos'd to grant us such permission, that he conceiv'd we must resolve to get transcrib'd whatever we meant to present to them. But I answer'd, that if they put us to this, 'twould be another piece of rigor towards us, but to little purpose, because though they should not be printed at Rome, yet they would not fail to be printed in France, in re∣gard of our obligation to send them to the Bishops who deputed us, the curiosity of many other per∣sons interessed in this cause to see them, and the sufficient easinesse for people there to print what they please. The Ambassador reply'd to all this, that the Pope was very averse from the thing, and had long ago forbidden to print the first decisions of the Rota, because sometimes there came forth such as were contrary one to another, which ren∣der'd that Tribunal ridiculous. I answer'd that the reason was good in that case, but of no moment at all to our Affair, because all things differ'd: and besides, that I believ'd no other could be alledg'd to obstruct the allowance of our demand. We fell again upon the falsities in the Writings of our Ad∣versaries, and the sincerity of ours. The Ambas∣sador said, that we should look upon them toge∣ther at Tivoli, where he intended to retain us two or three dayes, after he had receiv'd the news of Cardinal Mazarin, who were preparing to go into France within a few dayes.

The Ambassadors reason why he did not think fit to speak to the Pope about our Affair in his Au∣dience, was, because his Holinesse had for above a fortnight together employ'd all his thoughts about a very weighty Affair relating to his own family, to wit, the mariage of Prince Justinian's Daughter with M. the Abbot Barberin. The day before the Ambassador's Audience, Cardinal Barberin stay'd with the Pope after the Congregation of the H. Office, to confer with his Holiness further about it; and 'twas a businesse, which besides the im∣portance whereof the Pope alwayes accounted it in it self, as to his own interests, and those of his house, having been long under consideration, the nearer its conclusion approacht, the more it fill'd his mind; so that there was no room for other discourses with his Holinesse, but of congratula∣tion for the happy posture of so great an Affair.

I learnt from another person the Articles of this Mariage, which he sent me in a Note, whereof I have inserted the following Transcript.

• 1. La dobe di cento incla scudi.

  The Lady's portion to be a hundred thousand Crowns.

• 2. La restitutione delle mulcte 180. M.

  The Fines unto which the Signori Barberini had been condem'd, to be repay'd to them, amounting to one hundred and eighty thousand Crowns.

• 3. La restitutione de' cazali è frutti decor∣si. 200. M.

  Their Lands and the Rents that proceed out of the same to be restor'd, valu'd at two hundred thousand Crowns.

• 4. La Translatione delle abbadie.

  All the Abbacies possess'd by this Abbot, to be confer'd upon his elder Brother the Prince Pre∣fect,

• ...

  who by this meanes yielded to him his right of primogeniture.

• 5. La Convalidatione delle gratie dubie conces∣seli da Ʋrbano & suspeceli.

  The confirmation of all the dubious Graces granted to them by Pope Ʋrban, and from the enjoyment and possession of which Pope Innocent had suspended them.

• 6. La restitutione della Prefettura.

  The Prefecture of Rome, which the Pope had taken from them, to be restor'd.

• 7. Il Cardinalato.

  And that with his Abbies he should give his Ab∣bot's elder Brother a Cardinals Hat.

On Saturday the 7th. we went in the afternoon to see Cardinal Barberin, partly that M. Manessier might salute him, he having not hitherto seen his Eminence.

On Sunday the 8th. in the morning, the Sub-Bibliothecary of the Vatican desir'd us to lend him a Copy of all our Writings, that he might cause one to be transcrib'd and put into that Library. I went to see F. Ʋbaldino, on purpose to talk with him concerning the various rumours about the Bull, from which he alwayes had believ'd the Pope extreamly averse. He told me that he had heard it spoken of, but believ'd it would all come to no∣thing, because ogni piccola cosa bastava per fer∣mare il Papa, the least thing was sufficient to re∣strain the Pope. I lent him a Copy of M. de Val∣croissant's Oration.

I know not well what we did this afternoon and the next morning, but I know that I neglected to set it down, because as we acted but very little this week, and writ but little into France, on Mon∣day the 9th after noon, in comparison of what we did by the foregoing Posts; so the publication of the Bull against the Propositions (whereof we learnt the first newes in the evening, after all our Letters were written, and wholly unexpectedly) giving us to understand that this Affair was at an end, made me neglect to set down what was ob∣servable from the foregoing day to the noon of this, and in stead of the Letters written that af∣ternoon send but one, whereby we signify'd this so surprizing and unforeseen news. I cannot bet∣ter represent how the matter was carry'd in respect of us, then by inserting the said Letter here.

My LORDS,

AFter all our Letters were written, about three quarters after seven in the evening, notice was given us that there was a Bull set up where∣by the Propositions were condemn'd. We sent a man with all speed to see whether it was so, and soon after went our selves that our own eyes might be witnesses of it. At the end of our street we met an Ecclesiastick a friend of ours, who told us, that he saw this Bull in writing posted upon the Chancery, and that the Propo∣sitions were condemn'd in it as impious and he∣retical, without any distinction of senses, or men∣tion of S. Augustin. We continu'd our way with this friend, that we might be witnesses of what he told us, and by the way we met the Messenger whom we had sent, who confirm'd the relation of this friend, and rehearsed to us the condemnati∣ons, qualifications of every Proposition, as they were in the Bull. We caus'd him to return back. to the end that if it were possible, our friend and this man might take a Copy of it to send to your Lordships this night, without our being seen our selves. For which end we carry'd Ink and Paper, and Wax-candle with us. When we came near the Chancery, we sent our friend and the other man thither, and stay'd in the Coach at a place a little distant. They return'd immediately to tell us, that the Writing which they had seen was torn down. We went therefore to S. Peter's, where it was still fixt up. But just as we came there, two men arriv'd there also, who would not suffer it to be read, but betook themselves to pull it down. There was no body near but our friend and our man, and a Laquay who brought the Candle and had newly lighted it in a neighbour∣ing shop. Our friend came and told us that the two men who tore down the Writing, were Sbir∣ri or Serjeants, because he had seen a Stiletto in the pocket of the one, and the other had a prohibited dark Lanthorn, which things 'tis not permitted to any to carry in this City, but such kind of priviledg'd persons. We askt our La∣quay whether he knew them? he told us that one was a Serjeant, and the other a Notary of the H. Office. We askt him, whether he knew their names? He answer'd us, that he knew them only by sight; having seen them several times in the house of the H. Office, as being Officers thereof. In this manner, My Lords, the matter pass'd this night. We thought fit to send you a pun∣ctual account of it, that you may consider of it as you shall think good. We know not whether or no this Writing was posted up by the Pope's Order, but we cannot doubt but that it was fixt up by the Officers of the H. Office. The Affair will become more cleer betwixt this and the next Post. In the mean time we remain,

My LORDS,

Your most humble and obedient servants,

• ...De Saint Amour.
• M. Manessier.

From Rome, Monday June 9. 1653. half an hour after eleven a clock at night.

All Tuesday we employd in visiting as many friends as we could, to enform our selves of the truth of this Bull, and to find some one that had a Copy of it and could shew us what it was. Many told us that the thing was true, there was no doubt of it; but we met with none that could give us a Copy, nor that had seen it exactly enough to give us a certain account of it. In the evening we judg'd that whatever it were, our Affair was at an end, and we had no other resolution to take in this case, but to depart assoon as possible before the hot weather, and in order thereunto to take leave of such persons as we ow'd this civility unto.

On Wednesday the 11th. we went in the fore∣noon to discharge the same to the Cardinals, Bar∣berin

and Pamphilio; and in the afternoon we went for the same purpose to the Ambassador, and to desire him to tell the Pope at the first Vespers of Corpus Christi day whether we were going to ac∣company him, or else at Mass the next day, that we purposed to return speedily into France before the hot weather, and desir'd to receive his Holiness's benediction before our departure. The Ambassa∣dor approv'd our Request, and promis'd us that he would not fail to acquaint the Pope with our intention at some opportunity of one of those two Ceremonies.

He did not do it at that of Vespers, but when we went to him the next morning to accompany him to S. Peter's to Masse, he told us he would not re∣turn home till he had done our businesse, and I might come to him in the afternoon with assu∣rance to know what the Pope should say to him. I did so, and the Ambassador told me with an extra∣ordinary chearful ayr, that so soon as he men∣tion'd to the Pope our intention to return speedily into France, and to take leave first of his Holiness, the Pope was glad of it, & told him that we should not fail to be in his Presence-Chamber the next day, and whatever other businesse might super∣vene, he would cause us to be call'd first, and give us Audience presently after the end of his Masse. I gave the Ambassador most humble thanks for his care of us, and told him we would not fail to obey the Pope's order.

I return'd home to relate the Ambassadors ob∣liging answer to my Collegues: but the Pope's ex∣cessive demonstration of kindnesse after the con∣demnation newly pronounc'd, notwithstanding all our Remonstrances to him to hinder it, gave them suspition and mistrust, that these extraordinary Caresses and Civilities were affected to draw us fairly bfore the Pope, to the end that when we came there, we might be oblig'd to subscribe the said Condemnation.

But for that I remembred what was spoken in the Consistory of the 26th. of May between Car∣dinal Ghiggi and that other Cardinal, who askt him, whether we should be requir'd to subscribe the Condemnation? to which Cardinal Ghiggi an∣swer'd, that those were never oblig'd thereunto who had not maintain'd the condemned Proposi∣tions, and that we had not maintain'd those which were condemn'd by this Bull. I told my Colle∣gues that they needed not entertain such a mistrust and apprehension, because I was certain, that no∣thing was lesse thought of then what they fear'd. They askt me how I could be certain of it? but the secrecy whereunto I was oblig'd, and which I should not have violated though my life had been concern'd, permitted me not to satisfie this Que∣stion, and therefore I only told them that I was certain of it, but being I could not tell them how, I did not hinder them from acting and taking their resolutions the same manner as if I had no know∣ledge nor certainty thereof at all.

Besides the reason of secrecy which oblig'd me to speak in this fashion, I consider'd with my self what dissimulations and disguisements men sometimes use in occasions where 'tis thought they speak most plainly, and also what changes happen in the most firm resolutions. Wherefore I was willing that they should debate, and deba∣ted together with them, what was fit for us to do, as if I had understood nothing of what had pass'd between those two Cardinals, and making no ac∣count at all of it.

Having therefore put the case at the worst, as if subscription to the condemnation of the Proposi∣tions would be requir'd of us the next day; VVe resolv'd with as unanimous consent as ever was, to do nothing unworthy of the quality whereof we were by Gods mercy, of S. Augustin's true Disciples, and of the humble sonnes of the Church.

As yet no Copy of the Bull appear'd in Rome, at least that came to our view, and we neither knew the terror of it, whether the equivocal Propositions of M Cornet, or those which we presented to the Pope, to remove their equivocal and bad senses, were condemn'd by it; but supposing M. Cornet's, and not ours to be so, we resolv'd to subscribe to their condemnation, but with the conditions and cautions here subjoined; by which the Reader may judge what we would have done, had they been ours that were condemned.

We resolv'd in the first place, that if we were requir'd to subscribe the condemnation of M. Cor∣net's, we would excuse our selves, by pleading that being deputed by Bishops of France, we could do nothing but in conformity to the power where∣with they intrusted us, and that they had indeed given us a power to sollicite the establishment of a solemn Congregation for discussion of the Con∣troversies between Catholicks touching these mat∣ters, and this by all equitable meanes which we should judge most expedient; but they had given us none to make any such subscription. 2. That in case it were answer'd, that were those Bishops themselves at Rome, they should be oblig'd to sub∣scribe; and so 'twas fit to oblige us thereunto because we were their Deputies, and represented them: We would answer, That if they were there, they might do as seem'd good to themselves; but we being only their Deputies, could not go be∣yond their orders, nor do any thing whereunto they had not given us power. 3. That if it were requir'd of us, not as their Deputies, but upon the account of our particular persons, we would an∣swer, that we had no other quality at Rome besides that of Deputies; that the same could not be se∣parated or abstracted from our persons, nor con∣sequently our persons consider'd otherwise. 4. That if it were positively told us, That the Pope would be obey'd, and could no longer suffer these scruples and distinctions, being violations and infringe∣ments of the respect which was due to him: We would answer, That the respect and affection which we confess'd we ow'd him, could not take from us the right of keeping within the bounds of the Commission which had been given us. But in the fifth place, If after all this we saw our most humble Remonstrances ineffectual, and it were ab∣solutely determin'd we should subscribe; or in case we refus'd there were any intention to use violence to us, then we would resolve to sub∣scribe to the condemnation of M. Cornet's Propo∣sitions, with a proviso, expresly excepting and se∣curing by our subscription the Grace of Jesus Christ Effectual by it self, necessary to all actions of piety, and the doctrine of S. Augustin, to both which they

had frequently assur'd us he would do no preju∣dice.

We drew up and sign'd this Resolution on Fry∣day June 13. about eight a clock in the morning before we stirr'd abroad to go to the Pope's Pre∣sence-chamber: And because we consider'd that possibly our subscription with this clause would not be satisfactory, but a pure and absolute one would be required, we resolv'd rather to suffer the utmost extremities then not to annex that cau∣tion, conceiving it not onely just but necessary as well, as becoming the fidelity and Charity which we ow'd to the Head of the Church, in or∣der to uphold him, and hinder those to whom he had granted the condemnation of these Proposi∣tions from abusing it and saying that he was there∣by fallen into error by condemning either the abovesaid Effectual Grace or the doctrine of that H. Father touching the same.

But because we were not certain either that our reasons would be taken according to this fair can∣did construction, or that we should return to lye at our lodging in case they were taken otherwise, we added to our writing a Letter whereby we sent word into France, that if we were delay'd by the Pope's Officers, it was only upon this cause. We entrusted this writing and Letter to an Abbot, a friend of ours, whom we entreated to send them both into France upon Monday fol∣lowing, if he had no further newes of us by that time.

The Letter is lost, but the Original writing which I brought with me from Rome, is still in my hands, and this is the copy of it.

A writing sign'd by us before we went to take leave of the Pope.

AFter the publication of the Pope's Decree against the Five Propositions, there being no more hope to obtain of his Holinesse (as we now see things) the solemn and regular Congregation which we demanded and solici∣ted for the space of two yeares as most necessa∣ry in this conjuncture, in order to a full clearing of the matters controverted between S. Augu∣stin's Disciples on the one part, and those of Mo∣lina on the other, and a formal perspicuous de∣cision of the capital points of the controversie be∣tween them; we conceiv'd that we had nothing more left us to do but to prepare our selves to re∣turn into France: And before all things we thought our selves oblig'd to take leave of the Pope and receive his benediction. But consi∣dering that his Holinesse might possibly be lead to require us to subscribe his new Decree, of which we have not understood any thing since the day that it was posted up in writing about seven a clock in the evening, and pluckt down an houre after or thereabouts by the Officers of the H. Office, saving that it condemnes the five equivocal and general Propositions maliciously contriv'd and set a foot by the Molinists purpose∣ly to destroy S. Augustin's doctrine touching Grace effectual by it self: We have judg'd in the presence of God that we ought not to sub∣scribe the condemnation of those Propositions without excepting the sense of Grace effectual by it self, and S. Augustin's doctrine which the ene∣mies of both have designed in obtaining this condemnation to overthrow. Wherefore to take away all ground of saying that these Pro∣positions have been judg'd false and erroneous in the particular sense which includes the Ortho∣dox sense of that H. Father, according where∣unto we explicated and defended them before the Pope, we have resolv'd not to subscribe that con∣demnation though the Pope require it of us, but with this clause;

Propositiones ab Innocentio Papâ X. damnatas, nos iterum damnamus, ut semper antea dam∣navimus, salva tum gratia Christi per se∣ipsam efficace ad singulos pietatis actus neces∣saria, tum doctrina Sancti Augustini; qui∣bus nolle se praejudicium ullum afferre summus Pontifex multoties testatus est.

We writ and sign'd this Resolution before we stirr'd out of our lodging to go and take leave of the Pope. We hope from the goodness of our Saviour who by his death merited this effectual and victorious grace for us, in defence whereof we are bound to spend our cares, paines and lives, that he will by the same grace give us such strength as is necessary for bearing sincerely the testimony thereunto which we ought to do in this occasion.

Done at Rome, June 13. 1653. at 8. a clock in the morning,

signed; Dela-Lane, Ab∣bot of Valcroissant; Desmares, Priest of the Oratory; De Saint-Amour, Manassier, An∣gran.

With this mind we set forward to the Pope's Presence-chamber; where we found all things otherwise then we fear'd, and my Collegues ac∣knowledg'd at length, that what I said to them at first was very true.

I had made an exact relation of the particular passages of the audience which the Pope gave us this day, in which we were extraordinarily well receiv'd by his Holinesse, and satisfi'd with the things which he said to us in great kindnesse and confidence. The principal of them are still fresh in my memory: but till I find my Relation which is mislay'd, I shall onely here set down what we writ concerning it to my LL. our Bishops in two letters; in the former whereof we could not through the shortnesse of time fully lay open the reasons which evinc'd that the Constitution did not at all infringe the doctrine of S. Augustin and of grace effectual by it self, and therefore we de∣duc'd the same more largely in another letter which we sent to the same Bishops when we were now gone out of Rome. Which advertisement may serve to satisfy such as have seen those two letters, which were in effect but one. The latter is this which followes.

My LORDS,

WE writ to you on Monday last what we had learnt concerning the publication of a De∣cree upon the five Propositions. We understood on Tuesday that the same was posted up by the Popes order; and thereupon perceiving no like∣lyhood, that his Holinesse would after this passe any solemn judgment upon the contested senses of the Propositions, we resolv'd to return into France without delay, to the end to prevent the immoderate heat of the Summer. On Wednes∣day we took leave of the Cardinals Barberin and Pamphilio. On Fryday we went to the Popes audience to receive his benediction. His Holinesse caus'd us to be call'd first immediately after Masse. We told him that having understood that there was a Decree publisht upon the Propo∣sitions concerning which we were sent hither, we came to receive his benediction before our departure.

His Holinesse answer'd us, that having caus'd the Propositions to be examin'd by the Divines whom he had assembled, and us'd other diligences therein, he judg'd it expedient to decide them in the manner as he had done: That as to the rest, he was very well pleas'd with our deportment and manner of proceeding; That he had had great sa∣tisfaction in hearing us at the publick audience which he gave us; and honour'd us with this par∣ticular approbation, that we spoke with vigour, modesty, prudence and learning, these were the Popes own words, ho haruto gran sodisfattione del vigore, della modestia, prudenza è dottrina colla quale havete parlato.

His Holiness then spoke of the sentiments he had for France, of his Esteem of that Kingdom, and particularly of the Clergy; of the sorrow he resented for the warres and troubles which had agitated it these late years, and he profes∣sed great desire to see all pacifi'd both within and without the state.

This discourse having lasted a good while, his Holinesse spoke again concerning the examina∣tion of the Five Propositions, and told us, That he had caus'd sundry Congregations to be held in his own presence, wherein he had us'd great attention without being wearied by the length of time that they lasted: That, as for ours, he had not let one word of it fall to the ground, but been so atten∣tive, that he could repeat to us from point to point, what we had represented to him: In brief that we had spoken very learnedly and elegantly, and urg'd what we said with good reasons. His Holines's words were, Direi cosa per cosa tutto cio che have∣te proposito, voi (directing his speech to M. de Val∣croissant) cosi dottamente, & voi (add••essing to F. Desmares) cosi elegantemente, è non si buona ra∣gione persuaso.

We took occasion to tell his Holinesse that we conceiv'd he did not intend by the Decree which came forth to do any prejudice to Grace effectual by it self necessary to every action of piety, nor to S. Augustin's doctrine. His Holinesse, my Lords, was so farre from such intention, that he answer'd us with astonishment, that there was no doubt of this; his words were, O questo è certo: That the doctrine of S. Augustin had been too well approv'd in the Church to be capable of im∣peachment: That as to the matter of Grace which was agitated for the space of ten years under Cle∣ment VIII. and Paul V. he had determin'd not to examin or discusse it in this cause. After which his Holiness askt us whether we had seen the De∣cree upon the Five Propositions. We answer'd him that we had not. Whereupon he told us the substance of what it contain'd, and remarkt to us that he had not put at the end these usual words, De plenitudine potestatis; And indignationem Bea∣torum Apostolorum Petri & Pauli se noverit incur∣surum, and other like words wherewith Bulls are wont to be concluded. He added also that he had sent a Copy of it to the King and to the Bi∣shops of France. We askt his Holinesse for In∣dulgences, which he gave us with extraordinary bounty, — telling us among other reasons, That being we were come to Rome about a sacred and important affair, he willingly granted us all the Indulgences which we desired of him. And thus we retir'd, wishing to our H. Father all kind of prosperity; and we declar'd to him that we would by the grace of God live always most firm∣ly addicted to the H. See and the doctrine of S. Augustin, as being that of the H. See, and which should ever be as dear to us as the apple of our eyes. These were the termes wherewith we took leave of his Holinesse, who honor'd us with his approbation and testimonies of his good will.

You have, my Lords, a compendious account of what his Holinesse said to us in this audience which lasted an hour and half, and in which his Holinesse left us not upon our knees, but caus'd us to rise up immediately after we had begun to speak to him, and treated us in all the rest with a particular goodnesse. This his Holines's declara∣tion seem'd to us so important, and so contrary to the design of our adversaries, that to use precau∣tion against the attempts which we fear'd they might haply employ one day to call it in doubt, we took care to make exact report thereof to all persons of whom we took leave afterward, that so the thing might become publick before our departure, and our adversaries likewise might be convinc'd of the truth of all that we af∣firm'd to have pass'd in this audience, since we would not have been so rash or impudent as to publish here in the sight of his Holinesse so con∣siderable a declaration if it had not been most certain. And indeed, my Lords, there is no person in this city who hath heard of our affair, but knows at present this declaration of his Ho∣linesse, it hath been as notorious as the Decree, and given as much joy to all S. Augustin's disci∣ples, who are here in great number, as our Ad∣versaries testifi'd for the passing of the Constituti∣on. When we took leave of the Ambassador yesterday, he told us that he knew already all that had pass'd in our Audience, and related the particulars which we here send you: adding, That his Holinesse upon all occasions wherein he had spoken to him about this Affair, alwayes declar'd to him, that he would not meddle with the matter of Effectual Grace, nor do any prejudice to the Do∣ctrine of S. Augustin or S. Thomas, and he

had written to this purpose to the Court by this Post.

You see, My Lords, by the things which the Pope said to us in this Audience, and by the Relation which we sent you of what we spoke to him when we were heard publickly, that the Five Proposi∣tions are not condemn'd but by reason of their had senses wherein we our selves alwayes con∣demn'd them; and that the sense in which we said we understood and defended them, or rather that the particular Propositions which we presented to his Holiness and maintain'd before him as most Catholick, not only receive no prejudice, but also ought to be accounted as approv'd by his Holinesse, as appears by the following Rea∣sons.

The first Reason is, My Lords, because we de∣clar'd to his Holiness publickly, both by Speech and Writing, That we and all the other disciples and defenders of S. Augustin would alwayes defend the Catholick sense of the Propositions which we presented to him, as containing the indubitable Doctrine of that great Doctor of Grace, (being also that of the Church) till his Holiness should pronounce an expresse and de∣finitive judgement upon the particular sense which we held to be Catholick, by which it might evidently appear and be indisputable that they were condemn'd in this sense. These are the expresse words of our Declaration which we sent you al∣most a month ago; Prositemur coram ipsa nos & universos Sancti Augustini discipulos ac defen∣sores pro indubitata tanti Doctoris atque adeo Ec∣clesiae doctrina, praedictas propositiones ut à nobis superius expositae sunt, perpetuò defensuros, quam∣diu de illis expressè ut supra expositae sunt intelle∣ctis probatum non erit (quod à Sanctitate vestra p stulamus) solenne definitivumque judicium, quo nobis apertè constet eas in sensu quem asserimus Ca∣tholicum, esse damnatas.

Having therefore explicated to his Holinesse how we understood and defended these Proposi∣tions, having made this declaration to him by speech in the publick Audience which it pleas'd him to give us, and by the Writing which we pre∣sented to him at that Audience; and his Holiness having not given his judgement but upon these Propositions in general, which are recited in the Constitution only in the general terms wherein they were fram'd in France by our Adversaries; and having neither express'd nor noted in any manner whatsoever, the particular and sole sense to which alone we reduc'd and defended them; namely, that of Grace Effectual by it self, which we declar'd to him at taking our leave, should be ever as dear to us as the apple of our eyes: 'Tis a certain proof that he hath approved that we al∣wayes maintain'd that sense, or rather the Pro∣positions which we reduc'd to that sense, as con∣taining the formal and expresse Doctrine of S. Augustin.

The second reason, My Lords, is, because when we mention'd and explicated these Propositions to the Pope in the terms and senses which we held, his Holinesse not only reprehended nothing therein when we had the honour to speak to him in the publick Audience which he gave us be∣fore the Decree, and in the last since the Decree, but also gave extraordinary approbations to eve∣ry thing which we had spoken. 'Tis therefore a positive signe, that his Holinesse intended not to do any prejudice to these Propositions taken as we explain'd them; or to speak better, to those which we presented clear from all equivocation and danger of bad sense; but on the contrary, judges the same most Catholick.

The third reason, My Lords, which, as we con∣ceive, takes away all doubt, is, that his Holiness expresly declar'd to us, that he intended not by this Decree to do any prejudice to Grace effe∣ctual by it self necessary to every action of piety, nor to the doctrine of S. Augustin receiv'd and ap∣prov'd in that whole Church. Now the Propositi∣ons, as we explicated them, contain purely the sense of Effectual Grace necessary to every action of piety, and the indubitable doctrine of S. Au∣gustin. Therefore his Holinesse hath not done any prejudice, nor laid any blemish by his Con∣stitution upon the Propositions reduc'd to this sense.

The fourth reason, My Lords, is, That the Pope hath been so perswaded, as his Holinesse vouch∣saf'd to testifie to us, that we maintain'd before him only Grace Effectual by it self, and the pure doctrine of S. Augustin, as we justify'd to him in the discourse which we made in his presence, that he hath not since caus'd his Consultors to examine, whether what we maintain'd and ex∣plicated in our discourse, and declar'd by our Writing to be formally the doctrine of S. Au∣gustin, were true or no: as he would not fail to have done, if he had doubted of it, since 'twas the particular point of the Contest which we ma∣nag'd against Molina's disciples. For in the same Audience, we granted, as it hath been al∣wayes declar'd in all the French Writings publisht and printed at Paris upon this subject before the Affair was brought to Rome, that if the Propo∣sitions were consider'd only in general and with∣out applying any distinction to them, they were susceptible of heretical senses, and might accor∣dingly be condemn'd of heresie in this universa∣lity as they were censur'd by all S. Augustin's disciples who writ upon them. And being his Holinesse gave us this Audience that he might un∣derstand the truth of our Sentiments from our own mouths, and by the writing of Distinction of Senses which we presented to him afterwards, he found that they were so different from the he∣retical senses which the Propositions generally taken might receive, and that they were so re∣duc'd to Grace Effectual by it self, which is the Catholick truth maintain'd invincibly by S. Au∣gustin in the name of the whole Church, that he thought not fit to assemble the Consultors again, because he intended to pronounce only upon the Propositions as taken generally, and not upon this particular point of Grace Effectual by it self, in which all the Catholick explications of the Propositions meet as in their Centre, and which would need a long Examen, and many Assemblies and Conferences like those which were held under the two great Popes Clement VIII. & Paul V. who undertook to discuss them throughly, and for this purpose caus'd them all to be particularly examin'd in the publick dispu∣tations of both parties, and in their own presence,

after having declar'd That S. Augustin's doctrine was the Rule by which they would decide this Con∣troversie and regulate their judgements. And there∣fore, since the Pope hath declar'd his Constituti∣on that he hath caus'd these Five Propositions to be examin'd by the Consultors, the Censure falls only upon the Propositions in general, which the Consultors examin'd in general, and which we acknowledg'd in our first and only Audience to be susceptible of heretical senses, and cannot fall upon the particular explications which we propos'd and establisht in presence of his Holi∣nesse by our Discourse and our Writing, since his Holinesse hath judg'd them so Catholick that he made no scruple at all about them, nor as∣sembl'd the Consultors so much as once to have their advice concerning the same as an obscure and dubious thing (as he did in reference to the Propositions in general) but found by his own judgement that they were free from all Censure, which he also testify'd to us in the last Audi∣ence which it pleas'd him to give us since his Decree, inasmuch as he not only reprehended nothing of all that we said and maintain'd in his presence, but also declar'd to us, as we have al∣ready related, that he had present in memory all that we had argu'd, and approv'd the same in as advantageous and honourable terms as we could hope for. And which is yet more, he made to us this so favorable declaration, not before his De∣cree, when it might be said that his Holiness was not yet fully inform'd and convinc'd of every thing, and was not to discover the secret of his Sentiments and intentions (which all Judges u∣sually suppress before their sentences) but even after his Judgement and his Decree, which was the time wherein he was perfectly free, and con∣ceiv'd himself oblig'd to declare the same to us with all the sincerity of a successor of S. Peter, and of a Vicar of Jesus Christ who is Truth it self.

You see, My Lords, by all these eonsiderations that his Holinesse's Censure falls not upon the Five Propositions, but inasmuch as they are con∣sider'd according to the bad sense which may be put upon them, according to which S. Augustin's disciples rejected them three or four years ago as vehemently as we did in the writing which we presented to the Pope, and distributed in this Ci∣ty the next day after our Audience, to divers Car∣dinals and other persons of Note.

It remains now to observe to you, My Lords, whence it came to passe that these Five Propositi∣ons were consider'd according to the heretical sense, that so they might be condemn'd in gene∣ral; which we take one of the most important points, and a kind of secret of the Affair. 'Twas because the Consultors and Cardinals were made to believe that we spoke otherwise at Rome then they did in France, where there were persons who held the Propositions in their bad sense, and therein publisht a new Heresie condemn'd by the Council of Trent, with the errors of Luther and Calvin. Cardinal Rapaccioli, whom we visited after our publick Audience, and carry'd him the Distinction of Senses presented to his Holiness, told us among other things concerning this mat∣ter; That our thoughts and intentions were good and commendable, but we had this unhappinesse that ma∣ny of those who were united with us, held the Propo∣sitions in the bad senses wherein we profess'd to con∣demn them; that instead of receiving help from those persons, they did us great ••hurt, and would be the cause of the condemnation of the Propositions; but should have this advantage, that that condemnation would fall only upon those persons, and not up∣on us

We knew, My Lords, that the Doctors who came hither against us, had visited this Cardinal one or two days before, and so we had cause to believe that they had infus'd this falsity into him as a most certain truth. Wherefore we answer'd him, that it was a most malicious fiction and de∣vice of our Adversaries the better to obtain their designed Censure; and that we could assure him there was no Catholick in France who held the Propositions in any other sense then we do. But this conceit was so far imprinted upon his mind, as if it had been a certain truth, that we cannot think that we have remov'd it; although in our Conference we twice or thrice made him the a∣bovesaid answer. Whereupon we had propos'd to our selves to undeceive this illustrious Cardi∣nal, and with him many other persons according as occasion should have been presented, if this Af∣fair had had a longer course, as we and almost all Rome besides believ'd it would. We hop'd also, My Lords, to evidence clearly to the Pope the falshood of this conceit in the following Audi∣ences which we expected, not being longer solli∣citous to disswade him from it in reference to our selves after our first publick Audience, at the end of which, we have understood since, that his Ho∣linesse said, These Doctors are not Heretecks as I was inform'd. But our Adversaries, who fear'd nothing more then these Audiences, and durst not appear in our presence to declare their Senti∣ments plainly, as we did ours with the greatest sincerity and clearnesse, and to maintain in pub∣lick before the Pope the falshoods and fictions which they dispers'd in secret, set all their En∣gines on work and redouble their pursuits after that first audience, to deprive us of time and pow∣er to dispell all those shadows by the Light of Truth.

This is the particular reason, My Lords, which caus'd them to urge the speedy publishing of the Decree; and they were not contented to alledge this reason in their visits to the Consultors and Cardinals, but they mention'd it also in their Writings, which by good hap came to our hands, though communication of them could never be obtain'd. They endeavor in these Writings to insinuate this wicked & false conceit to all such as shall read them, they impute such opinions to S. Augustine's disciples, as are held neither by us nor any Catholick in the Church, and they labour to confute what no body ever controverted. Thus, My Lords, having suggested this false con∣ceit, both in their Writings and secret Sollicita∣tions, they easily prevail'd, that to prevent the holding of the Propositions in the Heretical and Calvinistical senses, in which they said many held them in France, and to extinguish this new pre∣tended heresie, which was nothing but a vain fantasm of which they rais'd a fear in the Court

of Rome, it was necessary for the good of the Church to condemn them.

But you know, My Lords, that no Catholick Doctor or Divine of S. Augustin's disciples in France ever accounted these Propositions other then ambiguous, equivocal and captious, fram'd about four years ago by one of Molina's subtilest Partisans; as also that the two first of them were censur'd by S. Augustin's disciples in the Tract intitled Considerations, and in the Book Of Victo∣rious Grace, as admitting three senses, all three heretical; and each of the other, one heretical sense. You know, My Lords, that we never held the condemn'd Propositions in the formal terms whereof they consist; That in the first Me∣morial which we presented to the Pope when he gave us Audience upon our coming to this City, we demanded of his Holinesse that the senses which were in controversie might be distinguisht, and that the examination and judgement which was sollicited to be made upon the Propositions, might be made upon the said senses: That in our first Information in facto representing to his Holinesse and their Eminences the state of the Controversie, we declar'd that the Dispute was not at all concerning the Propositions as they were presented: And lastly, that in the pub∣lick Audience we had before the Decree was made, we renew'd the same Declarations to his Holinesse, and profess'd sudry times, that with∣out insisting upon the Propositions which our Ad∣versarries had maliciously contriv'd, we defen∣ded only the Catholick senses, or the particu∣lar Propositions fram'd by our selves in perspi∣cuous terms, and reduc'd to the pure doctrine of Grace Effectual by it self, as S. Augustin hath defended the same in all his works against the Pelagians and Semipelagians. Whereby you see, My Lords, most evidently, that not only the Pope's Constitution which pronounces upon the Propositions in their general ambiguity purpose∣ly affected to make them obnoxious to Censure, and his Holinesse's formal Declarations that he had no intention to prejudice S. Augustin's do∣ctrine, which is no wise different from the par∣ticular and most Catholick sense which they ad∣mit, and we defended alone in France and at Rome; but also the Writings of our Adversaries who have imputed to S. Augustin's Disciples er∣rors and heresies which they never held, justifie that those Censures cannot fall but upon those heresies and errors, and that the Catholick sense explicated by us to the Pope in such express and formal terms, remains without impeachment and as Catholick as ever it was.

For 'tis beyond all doubt that this sense of Grace Effectual by it self is that of S. Augustin; which if there were ground to question, our Adversaries needed only to desire a publick Au∣dience of the Pope, to demonstrate to his Holi∣ness in our presence, either that this sense in which we maintain the Propositions is not that of S. Augustin, or else that S. Augustin's doctrine is not that of the Church: but the light and evi∣dence of so many express passages of this great Doctor, and the secret force of Truth which is terrible to all its opposers, hath made them fear to enter into Conference with us touching thts subject in presence of his Holinesse or the Cardi∣nals. They were contented, My Lords, as we have before observ'd, to tell them in their secret sollicitations, as we discover'd they did at first in their secret Writings, that we who were de∣puted to Rome by Catholick Archbishops and Bi∣shops, defended S. Augustin at Rome, but others defended Calvin in France; which you know they publisht formerly in France by many Libels and false reports against all S. Augustin's Di∣sciples in general. And therefore this calumni∣ous Accusation which they fram'd at Rome before the Decree, is at this day our justification after the Decree, and his Holiness's formal Declara∣tion.

It remains then, My Lords, That they can be no other then the publick Enemies of S. Augu∣stin and the H. See, who dare pretend that the Propositions are condemn'd of heresie in the pro∣per and particular sense defended by us before his Holinesse, and explicated in our Writings; since the Pope by the Oracle of his Speech, vivae vocis oraculo, as they speak in this Court, vouch∣saf'd to declare to our selves, That he intend∣ed not to prejudice S. Augustin, whose Doctrine having been approv'd by so many Popes, cannot be condemn'd of heresie without overthrowing the Authority of the H. See, Ecclesiastical Tra∣dition, and the perpetual succession of one and the same doctrine in the Church, nor without violating the Respect which is due to his Holi∣nesse, who would hereby be accus'd of contra∣dicting himself, since he hath declar'd in sundry occasions, and particularly to us since the publi∣cation of this Decree, That he meant not to touch Grace Effectual by it self, nor the Doctrine of that great Saint; and we have already noted, that his Holinesse made the same expresse De∣claration to the Ambassador sundry times, who, as we have before said, writ this very day to the Court, to inform their Majesties thereof.

All these considerations, My Lords, have caus'd us to blesse God since this Decree, That his Holy Providence brought us into this City, to the end that by the Distinction we made, in presence of the Head of the Church, of Truth from Error, when we had the honour to speak publickly to him before the Constitution, and by so true and important a Declaration as he was pleas'd to make to us since the same in our last Audience, the Censure of Error might be hinder'd from falling upon the Truth, and it might not be at∣tributed to Innocent X. contrary to his express intention that he design'd to condemn by his Decree, or at least by his silence, the Catholick Apostolick and Roman Doctrine of the grand Master of Grace, which his Predecessors for twelve hundred years together have admitted, approved, commended and Canoniz'd by their formal words and most solemn Decrees; and that he rejected as impious and heretical the most Catholick and Augustinian sense included in the first of those Five Propositions, which you know, My Lords, was so fully and clearly defin'd by the Council of Trent, Can. 22. Sess. 6. where it saith, That the Righteous eannot persevere in the Righteousnesse which he hath receiv'd without spe∣cial assistance; And before by Innocent I.

when writing to the Council of Carthage, he pronounces these excellent words recited in the Letter of S. Celestin, to the Bishops of France a 3.1 As we are victorious in temptations when God succours us, so we must necessarily be overcome when he ceases to help us. Necesse est ut quo auxiliante vincimus, eo iterum non adju∣vante vincimur. For were it thus, My Lords, should we not have cause to cry out with Saint Prosper, who defended the same Doctrine of S. Augustin, which we defend at this day; Then Innocent the first who so worthily fill'd Saint Peter's Chair, is fallen into Error, ERRAVIT ergo Innocentius Petri sede dignissimus!

But we hold our selves more happy, My Lords, in that it hath pleased God to make us instrumental to hinder the victorious Grace of his Son and the invincible Doctrine of his Church from being overthrown by the attempts of humane presumption; and we acknowledge, that if our weak interposition hath contributed any thing towards the diverting so great an evil, this effect is due only to the generosity of your zeal, the Authority of your Orders, and the uprightnesse of your Directions.

Not but that we believe, My Lords, that Mo∣lina's Disciples (who by above a hundred Pro∣positions, which we extracted out of their Books and presented to the Pope, declar'd, e∣ven before the Constitution, open VVar against S. Augustin, although they disclaim this bold∣nesse in Companies where they are reproacht with it at Paris and in this City) will publish their false Victory everywhere, and put a false construction upon the words of the Decree, which speaks not of S. Augustin and upon the expresse intention of the Pope, who hath so of∣ten declared the esteem he hath of the admirable and divine Doctrine of that great Saint.

'Tis fit, My Lords, That as this whole Affair hath had no other original on their part, but an unworthy Artifice, in prosecution whereof they have for these four years thought in the Censure of certain several and equivocal Propositions a suppott of their new Doctrine of Molina, first hatcht in the Church but about seventy yeares ago; so it should be terminated with impostures and delusions unworthy of Divines and Catho∣licks, and with imaginary triumphs. But we hope, My Lords, that all intelligent persons and well-affected to the divine interests of Jesus Christ's Effectual Grace, and to the true honour of the H. See and the Church, which ought to be precious to us, will easily discern the gene∣ral and equivocal sense from the certain and par∣ticular; that which we have rejected as hereti∣cal from that which we maintain'd as Catholick; that which is express'd in the Constitution from that which is not express'd in it; and last∣ly, the false and most unjust pretensions of pas∣sionate men, from the true and most commend∣able intention of his Holinesse.

It remains, My Lords, That we prepare our selves to depart from hence to morrow morn∣ing, and we beseech you in the mean time to continue to us the honour of your good will, and to believe, that as the sole love of Truth and the defence of S. Augustin's sacred Doctrine, which our adversaries have endeavor'd to involve amongst errors, that they might also involve it in a Censure, caus'd us to undertake this long voyage, so it will render us more and more submissive to your Orders and Authority which we shall al∣wayes respect most heartily, and as much as they ought, who are,

My Lords,

Your most humble and obedient Servants,

• De la Lane, Abbot of Valcroissant.
• Des-mares, Priest of the Oratory.
• ...De Saint Amour.
• ...Manessier.
• ...Angran.

Rome, June 16. 1653.

Notes

• a 3.1

  Caelestinus Epist. ad Episcop. Galliae, cap. 6.