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. I.

Containing the Popes Constitution a∣gainst the Five Propositions; Our departure from Rome; our Arri∣val at Florence; a Letter which we writ from thence to our Bishops; some Reflection upon our departure from Rome; our departure from Florence; our arrival at Venice and stay there.

I Cannot precisely affirme when the Popes Consti∣tution was expos'd to sale in Rome, nor when we saw the first copy of it; but I know that neither the one nor the other was sooner then the Eve be∣fore, or the very day of our departure. Wherefore I think I cannot in∣sert it in a more proper and natural place then this, after which I have nothing more observable con∣cerning it to mention, saving what concernes the point of our departure or what I understood by the letters which I receiv'd afterwards. The Con∣stitution followes.

Sanctissimi in Christo Patris ac D. N. D. INNOCENTII Divina Providentia Papae X. Constitutio, qua declarantur & definiuntur quin∣que Propositiones in materia fidei. Romae ex Typographia Rever. Came∣rae Apost. 1653.

INNOCENTIƲS Episcopus ser∣vus servorum Dei; Universis CHRISTI Fidelibus sa∣lutem & Benedictionem Apostolicam.

CƲm occasione impressionis libri, cui ti∣tulus, Augustinus Cornelii Jansenii Episcopi Iprensis, inter alias ejus opiniones orta fuerit, praesertim in Galliis, controversia super quinque ex illis, complures Galliarum Epis∣copi apud nos institerunt, ut easdem Propositi∣ones nobis oblatas expenderemus, ac de unaqua∣que earum certam ac perspicuam ferremus senten∣tiam.

Tenor verò praefatarum Propositionum est prout sequitur.

Prima. Aliqua Dei praecept•• hominibus

justis volentibus & conantibus, secundum prae∣sentes quas habent vires, sunt impossibilia; de∣est quoque illis gratia, qua possibilia fiant.

Secunda. Interiori gratiae in statu naturae lap∣sae nunquam resistitur.

Tertia. Ad merendum & demerendum in statu naturae lapsae non requiritur in homine liber∣tas a Necessitate, sed sufficit libertas a Coacti∣one.

Quarta. Semipelagiani admittebant praeveni∣entis gratiae interioris necessitatem ad singulos actus, etiam ad initium fidei; & in hoc erant Haeretici, quod vellent eam gratiam talem esse, cui posset humana voluntas resistere vel obtempe∣rare.

Quinta. Semipelagianum est dicere, Chri∣stum pro omnibus omnino hominibus mortuum esse aut sanguinem fudisse.

Nos, quibus inter multiplices Curas, quae animum nostrum assidue pulsant, illa in primis cordi est, ut Ecclesia Dei nobis ex alto commissa, purgatis pravarum opini∣onum erroribus, tuto militare, & tan∣quam navis in tranquillo mari, sedatis omnium tempestatum fluctibus ac procellis, secure navigare, & ad optatum salutis portum pervenire possit;

Pro rei gravitate, coram aliquibus S. R. E. Cardinalibus ad id specialiter sae∣pius congregatis, à pluribus in sacra Theo∣logia Magistris, easdem quinque Propo∣sitiones ut supra nobis oblatas, fecimus singillatim diligenter examinari, eorum∣que suffragia, tum voce, tum scripto rela∣ta mature consideravimus, eosdemque Ma∣gistros variis coram Nobis actis Congre∣gationibus, prolixe super eisdem ac super earum qualibet disserentes audivimus.

Cum autem abinitio hujuscemodi discussi∣onis ad Divinum implorandum Auxilium multorum Christi fidelium preces tum pri∣vatim tum publice indixissemus, postmo∣dum iteratis eisdem ferventius, ac per nos implorata Sancti Spiritus assistentia, tan∣dem Divino Numine favente, ad infra∣scriptam devenimus declarationem & defi∣nitionem.

Primam Praedictarum Propositionum; Ali∣qua Dei praecepta hominibus justis volentibus & conantibus, secundum praesentes quas habent vi∣res, sunt impossibilia; deest quoque illis gratia, qua possibilia fiant; Temerariam, Impiam, Blas∣phemam, Anathemate damnatam & Haereticam, declaramus, & uti talem damnamus.

Secundam. Interiori Gratiae in statu Naturae lapsae nunquam resistitur; Haereticam declara∣mus, & uti talem damnamus.

Tertiam. Ad merendum & demerendum in statu Naturae lapsae non requiritur in Homine li∣bertas a Necessitate, sed sufficit libertas a Co∣actione; Haereticam declaramus & uti talem dam∣namus.

Quartam. Semipelagiani admittebant prae∣venientis Gratiae Interioris necessitatem ad sin∣gulos actus, etiam ad initium Fidei, & in hoc erant haeretici, quod vellent eam Gratiam talem esse, cui posset humana voluntas resistere vel ob∣temperare; Falsam & Haereticam declaramus, & uti talem damnamus.

Quintam. Semipelagianum est dicere, Chri∣stum pro omnibus omnino hominibus mortuum esse aut sanguinem fudisse; Falsam, Temerariam, Scandalosam; & Intellectam eo sensu, ut Chri∣stus pro salute duntaxat Praedestinatorum mortuus sit, Impiam, Blasphemam, Contumeliosam, Di∣vinae Pietati Derogantem & Haereticam decla∣ramus & uti talem damnamus.

Mandamus igitur omnibus Christi fide∣libus utriusque sexus, ne de dictis Propo∣sitionibus sentire, docere, praedicare ali∣ter praesumant, quam in hac praesenti nostra Declaratione & Definitione contine∣tur, sub Censuris & poenis contra Haere∣ticorum & eorum fautores in jure expres∣sis.

Praecipimus pariter omnibus Patriarchis, Archiepiscopis, Episcopis, aliisque loco∣rum Ordinariis, nec non Haereticae pravi∣tatis Inquisitoribus, ut Contradictores & Rebelles quoscunque per censuras & poenas praedictas, caeteraque juris & facti reme∣dia opportuna, invocato etiam ad hoc (si opus fuerit) Auxilio Brachii Saecularis, omnino coerceant & compescant.

Non intendentes tamen per hanc Decla∣rationem & Definitionem super praedictis Quinque Propositionibus factam, approbare ullatenus alias opiniones, quae continentur in praedicto libro Cornelii Jansenii. Da∣tum Romae apud sanctam Mariam Majorem, Anno Incarnationis Dominicae millesimo sexcentesimo quinquagesimo tertio, pridie Kal. Junii, Pontificatus Nostri Anno Nono.

• Hi. Datarius.
• G. Gualterius.
• P. Ciampinus.

Anno à Nativitate D. N. Jesu Christi Millesimo Sexcentesimo Quinquagesimo tertio, Indictione sexta, Pontificatus Sanctissimi in Christo Patris & D. N. D. JNNOCENTII Divina Providentiae Papae X. Anno ejus Nono, die vero nona mensis Junii, supradicta Constitu∣tio affixa & publicata fuit in Ecclesia Lateran. ac Basilicae Principis Apostolorum de Ʋrbe, nec non Cancellariae Apostolicae valvis, ac in acie Carupi Florae per me Hieronymum Mascellam Sanctissimi D. N. Papae Cursorem.

Pro D. Mag. Cursorum P. Paulus Desiderius Cursor.

VVhen we had bidden Adieu to as many of our Friends as we could in the short time ap∣pointed for our departure, which was to be on Tuesday June 17. divers of them came to us that morning to wish us a good journey. And in the afternoon by the hour that we were to set forth, there met so many who would accompany us to Ponte-mele, where our Horses expected us, that they fill'd six Coaches. So that when we went out of Rome about the hour that the Promenade begins, through the street which goes from the Colledge de propaganda fide to the Gate del Po∣polo, our Equipage seem'd something Trium∣phant, and if I mistake not, the Count de Roch∣fort was one of those that saw us passe by in this manner, out of their windows. I mention these particularities because our departure being sud∣den, in regard of the approaching hot weather, some persons took occasion thence to vent this falshood, that we were constrain'd to flye and make our escape assoon as the Pope's Constituti∣on was publish'd. I know not, as I said before, whether we saw it on the day before or the very day of our departure, because it was not sooner printed and expos'd to sale at the Apostolical Printing-house, and none of our friends had a Copy of it before. But after we knew of it, both by the publick voice and in the following Audience which the Pope gave us, we resolv'd to depart, whether we saw it first or not.

We took Horse at Ponte-mole, and there parted with our friends who accompany'd us thither. That night we lay at Monte-rose, from whence we went to Siena. We travelled according to the usual stages, and had a very favourable time to be∣gin our Voyage, considering the season and the Countrey. For the intermixture of Rain and a cool Wind, made this time resemble an Autumn of France, rather then a Summer of Italy. Ne∣verthelesse, F. Des-mares found some indisposi∣tion upon himself at Siene, which oblig'd us to stay one day there in attending him. And yet he could not continue the Journey with us to Florence but in a Litter, which we hir'd at Siena for that pur∣pose. M. Manessier also was indispos'd when he came to Florence, in which place while we staid there three or four dayes in expectation of his a∣mendment, the reflexions we made upon the Popes Constitutions, which decided nothing of the mat∣ters, whose decision we had so importunately de∣manded of his Holinesse, gave us a little scruple that we had departed from Rome without first re∣ceiving order from the Bishops who sent us thi∣ther, and induc'd us to write the ensuing Letter to them.

My LORDS,

WEE departed from Rome the 17th. of this Month, as we signify'd to you by our Let∣ter of the 16th. that we purposed to do. We in∣tended to return with what speed we could, being very desirous to inform your Lordships perso∣nally of many things which cannot be so exactly written, and that those of us who are Doctors of the Faculty of Paris might be present at its Assembly, when the registring of the Decree pass'd upon the Five Propositions should be pro∣pounded, to the end we might at the same time acquaint the Faculty with the Popes intentions, as we signify'd the same to you. So that our Re∣port being likewise enter'd into the Register, no person might presume, either now or here∣after, that S. Augustin's doctrine and Grace Ef∣fectual by it self were prejudic'd by that De∣cree.

VVe design'd, My Lords, according to the computation we made of our Journeys, to have been in this City on Saturday. But we were not strong enough to undergo such speedy tra∣vel, and could not reach hither before Munday; besides, that the indisposition of some of our Company has constrain'd us to repose here at the present, and will oblige us to make but short Journeys during the rest of our Voyage. This slowness, My Lords, has induc'd us to write to the Faculty for the purposes above-mention'd; and the exact account we owe to you of all that we do in this Affair, obliges us also to acquaint you with it and send you a copy of it. We hope, My Lords, you will approve our procedure and intentions, which aim at nothing but the peace of our body, the honour of the H. See, and the defence of Truth; and we conceive that when you shall have join'd his reason to the others, which oblig'd us to depart from Rome without your express orders, you will not dislike our presu∣ming that herein we did nothing but what you would approve. For although during all our stay we could not obtain of the H. Father what we demanded of him by your order, to wit the establishment of a solemn Congregation, where∣in the matters which are the sole Contests in the Church, might be throughly examin'd, and with the conditions you appointed us to insist upon: Nevertheless, we conceiv'd there was no reason to continue our sollicitations for the same, after what is come to pass; since if the Pope had been dispos'd to enter into the Examen and discussion of these matters, there was no more justice, rea∣son and apparence to do it before pronouncing any thing upon the Five Propositions, then after such a Judgement as that which is publisht. In∣deed, My Lords, when the Pope declar'd to us that he meant not to meddle with the matter of Effectual Grace, or do any prejudice to S. Au∣gustin's doctrine, and consequently, that he had

not pass'd his judgement upon the Propositions which we presented to him in explication of those which were fram'd by our Adversaries, (since those propositions are necessarily linked with Effectual Grace, and expresse the doctrine of it without any equivocation according to the indubitable sense of S. Augustin;) it may seem that we might reasonably have represented to the H. Father, that his Decision did not clear what was in dispute, nor establish peace; and therefore we might still have demanded his Ho∣liness's judgement upon the controverted sen∣ses. We might have beseecht him with all sort of respect, that (the Five Propositions remain∣ing condemn'd by his Decree, so far as they are consider'd according to the evil, impious and he∣retical senses which may be given them, and ac∣cording to which we our selves condemn'd them first in his presence,) at least he would please to consider the controverted senses, to examine in a solemn Congregation the clear Propositions which we had presented to him, and their con∣traries which our Adversaries maintain'd against us; to hear us fully upon those senses in pre∣sence of such as impugned them, to peruse the Writings which we had presented concerning this cause, and to make such a distinct Decision of those Propositions as might appease the troubles of the Church. And we had the more occasion to renew so equitable a suit to his Ho∣linesse, inasmuch as he treated us with singular courtesie and esteem; But at the same time he seem'd so averse from condescending to this Mo∣tion; we found during the whole course of this Affair, that he had so great a repugnance to it, partly through his own dispositions, and partly through the false suggestions of persons about him, and in whom he hath confidence; and we perceiv'd so many reasons which your Lord∣ships know of, and so many others which we have still to tell you, that we had no hope left of any effect (notwithstanding all the advan∣tages and urgent reasons we had to make it) and consequently none of us judg'd it expedient. However, My Lords, since his Holinesse hath declin'd neither to examine or define what is in contest between the Catholicks, which was ne∣cessary to be done for the glory of Truth, the peace of the Faithful, and the honour of the Church, we cannot but tell you, that if you think it fit to renew your instances upon this matter, we are still ready to go & represent them to the Pope again. For the strengthning of of which, if the Body of the Clergy, or the King himself, or both together, would interpose their Authority for obtaining a solemn and regular Congregation, in which all things might be done according to formes accustomed in the Church, We are prepar'd to maintaain again before the H. See against any opposer whatever the in∣dubitable truth of the Five Propositions, con∣ceiv'd in the terms into which we reduc'd them and defended them, which are free from all equi∣vocation and obscurity, assoon as such a Congre∣gation shall be establish'd with the conditions we demanded at first, so just and necessary in the whole course of the Affair. But so far as we are able to judge of things, we perceive not that it is easie to obtain such a congregation of the Pope without new and earnest instances from the King and the Clergy: Neverthelesse, My Lords, be∣ing unwilling to omit any thing in our power which may contribute to the good of peace be∣tween Catholicks, and to the clearing of Truth, we resolve, My Lords, not to stir out of Ita∣ly before we receive your Orders in this business, that so in case you finde any likelyhood in the proposal we make to you, we may be in readi∣ness to put the same in execution, and may fur∣ther testifie to you our obedience and zeal. We hope, My Lords, to hear from you within five weeks according to the directions we send to him who delivers you this Letter. We shall punctually obey you in whatever you shall pre∣scribe to us. In the mean time, we shall conti∣nue our Voyage by little and little towards France in expectation of your Orders; which, whether you will permit us to re-enter there, or command us back to Rome, we beseech you to send us as speedily as may be, (especially if you recall us into France) and to continue to us the honour of being esteem'd,

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.

F: Guerin did us the favour at Rome to take up∣on him the care of selling our moveables, (of which we could not have acquitted our selves in so short a time) and to agree with the Owner of the House on what conditions he should take it again. Therefore after the above-mentioned Let∣ter, I writ to F. Guerin, to desire him to defer both those good Offices till he heard further from us.

VVe came to Florence on the 22d. of June, and the same day being S. John's day, saw the great ceremony of that Festival: VVe departed from thence on the 27th. to Bologne, whether we reach'd the next day. VNe intended to have staid and rested a little there, but the excessive heat which we found there on the 29th. caus'd us to go from thence towards evening, and we took boat at Francolin upon the Poe, to go down to Ve∣nice the next day: but the rain and the contrary winds forc'd us to lye one night in our boat upon the Channels which are between the Poe and the Marshes of Venice; and having staid a day or two at Chiosa till the fair weather return'd again, we set forth for Venice, and arriv'd there on Friday the fourth of July.

On Sunday the 6th. we went to pay our re∣spects

to M. d' Argenson, who was the Ambassa∣dor for the King to this Republick. He did us the honour to send to invite us to dinner with him on Tuesday following; as also to visite us himself on Thursday; and during all our stay at Venice, he gave us upon all occasion testimonies of singular goodnesse and courtesie. He saw also in several free Converses which we had the honour to have with him, how frankly we acquiesc'd in the con∣demnation made of the Propositions by the Popes Constitution, and in what manner we were per∣swaded that this Constitution did not prejudice the opinions which we maintain'd, and had main∣tain'd before the H. See. So that he told us once that he had written as much to M. Coqueret, and assur'd him, that we did in no wise take our selves to be condemned by it, nor yet the Doctrine which we hid defended.

The day before he came to see us, we were vi∣sited by one M. Du Puy a Frenchman of good age, who had dwelt at Venice almost all his life, after he had quitted the employments he had had in the Affaires of France, a man of learning and parts, but he had the unhappy engagement to make pro∣fession of the pretendedly Reform'd Religion. In this Visit we had much Discourse with him con∣cerning the unity of the Church, and the obliga∣tion never to break the same, what cause and pre∣text soever a man may think he hath to do it. F. Des-mares spoke so vigorously of this matter, though with all the familiarity of a private Visit, that the honest man was touch'd therewith, inso∣much that tears were sundry times seen in his eyes. Nevertheless he plausibly & stoutly defended him∣self from the charitable reproach which we made to those of his Religion, agreeing with us as to the strict Obligation to preserve that sacred Unity, but maintaining that 'twas not themselves that broke it, but those who would not receive them into their Communion upon conditions essential and sufficient thereunto, but exacted others which were not requisite. To which F. Des-mares re∣ply'd, that although there might be abuses in the Church, yet most of the things which the pretended Reformers of the Church had taken for causes of their separation, were not abuses, but the ancient practise of the Church, as Invocation of Saints, veneration of their Reliques, and other like things. And moreover, that without entring into these contests, it suffic'd to tell them generally, that all the pretexts that could be alledg'd for breaking the unity of the Church, were not justifyable be∣fore God, since there is no just one for it, accord∣ing to the Fathers, Praescindendae Ʋnitatis nulla est necessitas; as the Prophets never attempted to make a Body of Religion separate from that of the Synagogue, how deprav'd soever it were, but were contented with preaching against those Cor∣ruptions, even so far as to expose themselves to death for their condemning the same from God; That the like ought to have been done by those who pretended to reform the Church; If they found themselves call'd of God for so great a work, they ought to have undertaken the same in the Church it self, whatever should have befallen them; but if they knew themselves too weak to venture martyrdom, they ought to have been contented with reforming and correcting them∣selves, but not have medled with the abuses which they could not amend in others.

Upon occasion we told the Ambassador what was spoken concerning this matter on either side between M. Du Puy and our selves. He was sor∣ry that he was not present at the Conference, and desir'd us to give him notice, in case we could fore∣see a like occasion for another: But for that we staid at Venice only till the great Heat was pass'd, and had receiv'd an answer to the Letter which we writ from Florence to our Bishops, and were not certain of seeing this M. Du Puy again before our departure (for he would not tell us his Lodg∣ing, although we askt him to the intent to repay his Visit) we told the Ambassador, that it would be great contentment to us to procure what we de∣sir'd, but we saw no great probability of it. Nor indeed had we any opportunity to do it during all our stay at Venice, which lasted till about the mid∣dle of August.

In all which time nothing memorable occur'd, but the Letters which I receiv'd, both from Paris and from Rome touching the Popes new Constitu∣tion, which I shall insert here, in regard of the further light which they give of the manner how it was pass'd, of the Popes intentions in passing it, and of the sincerity and humility wherewith we submitted thereunto. I shall begin with those of Rome, because they were the first which were written to me, and appear to me the most consi∣derable.