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.

THE SECOND PART,

Containing a Relation of sundry things which pass'd, or which I was inform'd of, at Rome, during the foure or five Months of my residing there, from the end of November 1650. till June 1651. when I return'd thither about the affair of the five Propositions.

CHAP. I.

Of my journey from Paris to Rome in the year 1650. and of what I was inform'd of being at Venice touching the prose∣cutions against M. Hersent.

BUT although this Peace was one ra∣ther in name then in deed, being accompani'd with all the commoti∣ons and partialities of a real Divi∣sion; yet it was requisite to comply with the time and to endeavour to abstain from all occasions of making a stir, by letting them passe away gently, by dissembling all our displeasures and complaints we had so great ground for, and (in brief) by living with our Adversa∣ries as if there had been a perfectly good under∣standing among•…•… us. For the first president had shewn himself averse and opposite to the justice of our prosecutions that we could not well hope any would be done us so long as he had such au∣thority in the Parliament, nor could we seek it else∣where.

Thus the Faculty liv'd in outward tranquillity, and the Assembly of the second of May 1650. was past without any appearance of division, when I departed from Paris in the afternoon to overtake a Gentleman of quality whose worth and family I pecularly honor'd, and to accompany him in his intended journey to Italy. He was a young Gen∣tleman of very illustrious birth, for whom I had a very great esteem; and that which amongst other things woo'd me to promise to accompany him in this journey, was, my observing in some conver∣ses with him that he did not undertake it as most of his age do, namely to see pictures and statues, but get acquaintance in all places with persons of learning and condition, not only for the having correspondences in stranger Countries, but also for the learning by their conversation after the most ad∣vantageous sort, the variety of humour, genius and manner in several nations. For which end he took with him at his departure from Paris a great number of letters of recommendation to all the Towns through which he was to passe.

I could not be so ready to depart so soon as he, partly because I was willing first to see how that Assembly of the 2. of May would passe. So that I did not overtake him till I came to Geneva on Sa∣turday the seventh of the same Moneth. I found him in the company of M. Godefroy then one of the two Syndics of that City, to whom he had been directed, and who took care to shew him the same. When M. Godefroy saw me, he remem∣bred, and made me call to mind, how that he be∣ing heretofore sent to the King in behalf of his Republick, whilst I had the honor to be Rector of the University, and finding me at the Louvre where he entreated me to do him a small office, for which he came to see me at the Sorbonne, I had perform'd it for him the most civilly that I possibly could: and he told me that he was still beholding to me for it, and that if there were any thing in which I needed his service in that place, he should be glad to testify his acknowledgement. All this ended in mutual civilities, and was the oc∣casion that when we departed the next day being Sunday, the 8. of the same Moneth, he giving this Gentleman a letter for Zuric directed to M. Ʋlric cheif Minister of that City, recommended me also unto him with words most obliging and full of more esteem then I had given him cause for.

We arriv'd at Zuric, and during a dayes time (wherein passengers usually tarry there as they go from Lyons to Venice, to refresh themselves

and their horses a little) M. Ʋlric shew'd us all the civilities he could. Wine was sent to us from the Signiory, and according to the custome of the Country some persons chosen for that purpose dined with us, and after dinner led us to see the Arsenal and the Library; M. Ʋlric being with us, and particulary expressing to me tokens of the esteem which M. Godfroy's letter had given him for me; He gave us also some new acquaintance amongst the Grisons, and letters for Padua and Venice.

We spent the rest of this Summer at Venice, and in the Continent under the dominion of that famous Republick. A violent Tertian took me at Verona in September, which confin'd me to my bed for three weeks; of which as soon as I was recover'd, we return'd to Venice, to take our leaves there, and pre∣pare our selves to depart for Rome the soonest we could.

Presently after we were return'd to Venic•• we understood news of a Sermon made by M. H•…•…nt this year at Rome, upon the day of S. Lewis, in the Church of that name. We saw one of the printed Copies which he had caus'd to be made of it, and were told of the design some had to Arrest him for it by the Pope's order. It was related that M. Albizzi, Assessor of the H. Office, went in a Coach towards the Palace Borghese, (which is not far from that of the Ambassador of Malta, where he had no∣tice that M. Hersent was) and gave order to the Sergeants to watch him at his coming forth, and bring him to that Coach, to the end to carry him thence to the Palace of the H. Office, where the Pri∣sons of the Inquisition are. It was also told us, that at Rome it was lookt upon as so high a matter, that they had order to go and seise upon M. Hersent even in the Palace of the said Ambassador, in case he de∣lay'd to come forth: but that M. Hersent fearing it, found no other way of safety but to cast himself in∣stantly into a Coach of the Ambassador of France, which by good hap pass'd in the interim before the gate of him of Malta, and so with speed got to the French Ambassador's Palace, where he found an in∣violable Sanctuary and sure protection.

This news was brought to Venice not by Letters only; Persons, who were at Rome when the thing was done, arriv'd suddenly after at Venice, and pub∣lisht the citcumstances of it, and the consequences which they foresaw thereupon; amongst others a famous Capuchine (I believe it was F. George) gave an ample account of it to M. Matharel, then the King's Resident with this Republick, which place he discharg'd with great sufficiency and reputation. M. Matharel did me the favour to come and see me after his receiving the said account, and represented to me how ill an odour at Rome this unhappy acci∣dent would bring upon all such as should passe there for Jansenists. He told me, that the particular affection which we had contracted together during my stay at Venice, and the general care he was bound to take to his power, that no French-man became involv'd in troublesome and odious affaires in those parts, (because it alwayes turn'd to the dishonour of the Nation) oblig'd him to testifie to me what fears he had least in case I should go to Rome, so soon after this late disgust which M. Hersent had drawn upon himself, they would become jealous of me there as soon as they saw me, lest I should be lookt upon as one substituted in his place for the interests of the same cause; and lest they should resolve there, by putting me in a place of restraint, to pre∣vent all kind of contrivances, and other displeasing things which they might fear I was likely to act, un∣lesse care were taken to hinder me. He told me, he was never more surpris'd then at the hearing of the disgrace which was befallen M. Hersent for that Sermon, after the applause wherewith every one receiv'd him when he preacht it, in presence of all the curious persons at Rome that understood French, and amongst others not only of the Ambassador, but also of the Cardinals Barberini, Ʋrsini, and d' Este, two of which are of the Congregation of the H. Office; and that this ought to increase my feares as well as his; because this so sudden a change, was a sign that they were extraordinarily nice about these matters at Rome, and that the least suspicion was enough there to render a man criminal. That I had acted divers things in France against the Mendi∣cants, and against M. Cornet and M. Hallier, which would not be very well gusted at Rome; wherefore, he could not conceale from me, that his opinion was, that I should do very well if I could resolve not to go thither. The Gentleman with whom I de∣parted from France, was very desirous I should con∣tinue with him the intended Journey to Italy, and knew I had no other businesse there, nor any con∣cernment with that of M. Hersent; yet he was mov'd with these reasons to condescend to my re∣turn into France, in case my self inclin'd so to do. But he was very glad when he saw me oppose to all M. Matharel's reasons, the testimony of my Consci∣ence, which did not reproach me with any thing that might be justly objected against me; and to see that as it left me no regret for all that I had done in time past, so it gave me no fear for the future; but that on the contrary, I was resolv'd to maintain and justi∣fie at Rome and everywhere else, upon all occasions that might happen, all whatsoever I had done in France.

Wherefore after thanks to M. Matharel for his affection and good counsel, and for the civilities which we had receiv'd from him during our abode at Venice, we took leave of our other friends and departed thence towards Rome, the 30th. of October, but arriv'd not there till the 20th. of November, partly because we took our way by Loretta, and partly because the reliques of my sickness occasion'd some dayes slownesse in our Journey.

CHAP. II.

Of the Letter of M. de Vabres; The de∣sign of the Jesuits against the Houres translated into French; How odious at Rome they were whom they call Jansenists.

BEing arriv'd at Rome towards the end of No∣vember 1650. I found Letters directed to me there, the oldest of which were written at Paris on the 7th. of October. They gave me notice of the first discovery made of one penn'd by the Bishop of

Vabres, to move the Pope to condemn the Propo∣sitions which M. Cornet had the year before en∣deavour'd to get censur'd by the Faculty, except∣ing the two last. It was signifi'd to me, that M. de Vabres had canvas'd as much as he could in the Assembly of the Clergy, to get them to subscribe the said Letter; but perceiving at last that if it were brought to the Vote there, it would un∣doubtedly miscarry by the opposition which would be made by the most judicious and zealous Pre∣lates of the Assembly, who very well understood the iniquity and injustice whereof all people of honour had condemn'd M. Cornet's enterprise, still fresh in memory; he resolv'd not to propose it but to particular Bishops, with whom he thought he might prevail, and whose subscriptions he hop'd to make good use of. A Copy of the said Letter was sent me, taken from a printed one which a Doctor visiting M. Hallier found by chance upon his Table: Which shews (said my corespondent) that he must needs bear a part in this businesse, because he is acquainted with the secret of it: Wherefore I was intreated to observe at Rome the most carefully I could, during my residence there, whether this Letter had been sent thither, and how it was receiv'd, because there were many Prelates, very eminent for Learning and Piety, who fore-seeing many sad consequences from the same, would not fail to advertise the Pope to take heed thereto, as soon as they were assur'd that he had receiv'd it. The Copy sent was a Manuscript, and in Latin, as followeth.

Beatissime Pater,

MAjores causas ad sedem Apostolicam referre solemnis Ecclesiae mos est, quem fides Petri nunquam deficiens perpetuò retineri pro jure suo postulat. Aequissimae huic legi obsequentes de gra∣vissimo circa Religionem negotio Sanctitati tuae scri∣bendum esse censuimus. Decennium est •…•…x quo ve∣hementissimis turbis Gallia magno nostro moerore commovetur ob librum posthumum & doctrinam Reverend. Cornelii Jansenii Iprensis Episcopi. Tales quidem motus sedari oportebat tum Concilii Tridentini auctoritate, tum Bullae illius quam Urba∣nus VIII. foelicis memoriae adversus Jansenii dog∣mata pronunciavit, & decreta Pii V. & Gregorii XIII. in Baium edita confirmarunt. Atque hujus quidem Bullae veritatem ac Robur novo diplomate vindicasti; sed quia nulli sigillatim Propositioni certa Censurae nota inusta fuit, locus etiamnum aliquis quorundam cavillis & effugio relictus est. Interclu∣dendum autem penitus speramus, si, ut precamur, Sanctitas tuae quid in hac re sentiendum sit clarè distincté{que} definiat. Obtestamur ergo ut has praeser∣tim Propositiones de quibus disceptatio periculosior ac contentio ardentior est, Sanctitas tua expendat ac per∣spicuam & certam de unaqua{que} sententiam ferat.

• I. Aliqua Dei praecepta hominibus justis volen∣tibus & conantibus secundum praesentes quas habent vires sunt impossibilia; deest quoque iis Gratia qua possibilia fiant.
• II. Interiori Gratiae in statu naturae lapsae nun∣quam resistitur.
• III. Ad merendum & demerendum in statu na∣turae lapsae non requiritur in homine libertas à necessitate, sed sufficit libertas à coactione.
• IV. Semipelagiani admittebant praevenientis 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 obtemperare.
• V. Semipelagianum est dicere Christum pro om∣nibus omnino hominibus mortuum esse aut sanguinem fudisse.

Experta est nuper Beatitudo tua quantum Apostolicae sedis in Gemini Ecclesiae Capitis errore profligando valuerit auctoritas; continuò sedata est tempestas, atque ad Christi vocem & imperium venti & mare obedierunt. Quamobrem flagitamus, Beatissime Pa∣ter, ut clarâ firmâ{que} de Propositionum istarum sensu prolatâ sententiâ, cui etiam Reverend. ipse Jansenius morti proximus Opus suum subjecit, caliginem omnem discutias, animos fluctuantes componas, dissidia pro∣hibeas, Ecclesiae tranquillitatem splendorem{que} resti∣tuas. Dum haec spes mentibus nostris affulget, Sancti∣tati tuae multos & prosperos annos, saeculorúm{que} bea∣tissimam aeternitatem Rex saeculorum immortalis ad∣jiciat optamus ac vovemus.

Besides this businesse, word was sent me that F. Annat the Jesuit, then the French Assistant with the General at Rome, had written to F. l' Abbé one of his Brethren, that undoubtedly he should obtain a Condemnation of the Excellent Prayers, with the translation of the Hymnes in verse, new∣ly collected and presented to the King by M. du Mont; and that the Calendar afforded him a great argument to get them censur'd: Wherefore I was desir'd to enquire how the case stood, and to do what lay in me to secure the said Book from a blow so unworthy and unjust, and which might give so great advantages to the enemies of truth, and even to them of the H. See.

I answer'd these Letters as one that sufficiently understood the importance of the affaires recom∣mended to me, and who was as zealous for the same as was necessary, and withall as submissive and respectfull to those from whom these orders were transmitted to me: Yet I could not but sig∣nifie the little probability I saw of well acquitting my self thereof, being newly arriv'd in a place where I had little correspondence, where I was likely to be something suspected, where my steps might be watcht, where I had other engagements hindring me from being master of my self, and where the affaires for which I was desir'd to con∣cern my self were very odious. However I pro∣mis'd to do my best therein, and to neglect no op∣portunities. And accordingly I set my self to it, as much as all those circumstances and a weak un∣repaired health permitted: but for all my diligence till the end of this year, I could discover nothing concerning the Houres; and as for the Letter, I only learnt that it had been sent already; and that the F. Richeome the Jesuit, one of the French Peni∣tentiaries at S. Peters, boasted that it was subscribed by fifty Bishops.

He that told me this, was well seen in those af∣faires, and in the whole managery of the persons upon whom the same depended; amongst the things he told me upon this subject, I observ'd these two principal. One, that he believ'd this

Letter could not produce any thing new against Jansenius, because these persons now mention'd knew well that too much had been done already: but as for any thing that came from those who were lookt upon as his followers, they would find no mercy, being ill gusted in this Court; inso∣much that when nothing could be discover'd ill in any writing of theirs, that may of it self deserve to be condemned, yet it is enough for its condem∣nation that it proceedeth from suspected persons. This Maxime made me cease to wonder at the con∣demnation pronounc'd against the Catechisme of Grace, concerning which one had also written particularly to me, complaining that in that con∣demnation the little Book was accus'd of contain∣ing the Propositions condemned by the Bulls of Pius V. and Gregory XIII. though indeed there was none such in it; whereas it but slightly pro∣hibited the Catechisme publish'd by the Jesuits against the former, under the name of a Doctor of Doway, only for that it treated of the matter of Grace, though indeed it contain'd sundry direct Heresies. This prejudice of the Court of Rome against such as were there accounted Jansenists, much abated my desire of representing to some that might impart it to the Masters of the Censures, how unreasonably they suffer'd themselves to be guided by the byas of the Jesuits, being desir'd so to do by one of my friends, to the end this might make them more reserv'd for the future, and bring about the revocation of the said Decree, if it were possible. But this person gave me to understand, that it was not to be hop'd for, (and this was the second thing I observ'd in his discourse) because the Tribunal from whence that Condemnation issu'd, knew not what it was to retract or look back∣wards, being fix'd and immutable in its resolutions, and that when once it hath pass'd any thing, it is never to be brought by any motive in the world to alter it.

As for M. Hersent, he was escap'd from Rome be∣fore my arrival there. I was told that when it was known abroad, the stir and speech about him ceas'd, as if no more had been aim'd at but to constrain him to flye; because otherwise there was both a ne∣cessity and a resolution to clap him in prison. And M. the Bailly of Valencai, then the King's Ambassador at Rome, a person of great gentlenesse and civility, speaking to me one day thereof, said that M. Hersent had several times profess'd while he was in his house, that were it not for that fear, he would willingly have appear'd before the Judges of the Inquisition, to defend every thing in the Sermon he had printed, and for which he was in trouble. That himself had at M. Hersent's re∣quest, several times desir'd of the Pope liberty and security of h••s person for that purpose, which the Pope would never admit of, giving no other an∣swer to his importunities but Vedremo, Vedremo, We will see, We will see. That he conceiv'd the reason was, for that the Pope was very close in these matters, and would not have any speech thereof at all. That himself had often press'd him from the Queen, for an answer to some Questions which he propounded to him by his Majestie's or∣der, but could never bring his Holinesse to declare himself, nor draw one word concerning the same from him, whatever urgent solicitation he had us'd to him. That the Pope acted in all cases with the same reservednesse, and had treated the Capu∣chines in the same manner, (amongst others F. Joseph de Morlaie) who being at Rome, desir'd for quiet of their consciences to propose to him two difficulties before their departure, of which they could never procure any answer or satisfaction. That therefore he did not wonder at the Pope's re∣fusing to grant M. Hersent the liberty he desir'd to speak of such matters. But others told me, that this was not the thing which most exasperated the Pope's mind against him, but his seeming in his Epistle to blame his Holinesse of negligence, touching the doctrine of Grace, his vaunting of his particular fidelity, which he said was so well known to the Pope, and his praising Jansenius; but above all, the answer he made, when instead of delivering of the printed Copies of his Epistle and Sermon, he told those that demanded them, that he had already sent them into France.

This boasting his fidelity towards the H. See, was undoubtedly founded upon the Book of Opta∣tus Gallus de cavendo Schismate, which he had writ∣ten by contrivance with the Nuntio, to shew that the late Cardinal Richelieu tended to make a Schism in France; by which he put himself in danger of being infallibly ruin'd, in case he had been disco∣ver'd: so that 'tis strange, a person that had ha∣zarded himself so far for the interests of the Court of Rome, should be so ill dealt with, and for so little cause. But usually nothing is more hatefull to Grandees, then to be upbraided with the services done them, and they had rather ruine a man then confess th••mselves beholding to him for any thing, especially if himself go about to bring them to such acknowledgement.

There was a Dominican that suffer'd a back∣blow by the disgust taken at the printing of the said Book, namely he upon whose report the Master of the Palace gave permission for it; for he was confin'd in the Covent of Minerva till he should give account how deep he had been in the businesse, and there he remain'd a long time, though it seem'd wholly laid asleep.

From Spain I heard, that the Jesuits who alwaies govern'd the new Queen, had prevail'd with her to desire for her first request to the King her Hus∣band, that the Bull against Jansenius might be com∣manded to be receiv'd throughout all his Estates; but the King being astonish'd at this request, an∣swer'd very wisely, That it concern'd things of Doctrine, which he understood not, that the Doctors were to be consulted about it, and if they judg'd that what the Queen desir'd might be done, he would do it willingly.

CHAP. III.

The complaint of the Venetians. Ill usage of the King's Ambassador. His Majesties Letter to the Cardinals in complaint therof. Discourse with Cardinal Barberini about the Houres, and the Letter of M. de Vabres.

ABout this time I was told that the Republick of Venice finding it self much exhausted by extraordinary expences so many years together in defending alone the Island of Candie against the Turk, without receiving any assistance even from the Pope, caus'd him to be advertis'd by her Ambassador in his Audience of the 9. of December, that she should at length be constrain'd to abandon that place, unlesse the Christian Princes inclin'd otherwise to succor her against the com∣mon and so powerfull enemy; that the Am∣bassador had made to his Holinesse great Protestati∣ons thereof, and (as it was added) some re∣proaches.

But about a fortnight before there hapned a ve∣ry great quarrel between the Ambassador of France and his Holinesse. For the Ambassa∣dor having sheltred in his Palace and under his protection certain Neapolitans who had fled thither for refuge, in the nights of the 21. and 22. of November, there were three of them assassinated by some of themselves, and one of the Ambassador's servants going out to see what was the matter was slain. The Authors of these murders did not commit the same so secretly as they could have wisht for their own safety. The Ambassador whose Maxime it always was (as I understood from himself) not to shelter any in his lodging but such as were guilty by misfor∣tune and not of enormous crimes, nor to main∣taine any committed by a man before fled into his house, comply'd with the Pope's Justice to deliver to the Sergeants on a day appointed the authors of the murders, and also to cause the Sergeants to be assisted by all his own people. On Thursday evening notice was given him that the Corses, Sergeants, &c. all the Horse and Foot of the Pope's Guard began to prepare them∣selves for the taking of the Criminals; He an∣swer'd that he comply'd to cause them to be de∣liver'd to the Sergeant, but he would not do it, if they came thither with so great an Array. Observe that this was to be on Fryday, and that the houre of the usual audience which he hath every fortnight of the Pope was appointed to be Fryday morning; and that very morning, with∣out further notice, all these military men came in armes to seise all the avenues of his Palace, searcht all the neighboring houses, enter'd even into his Court and kept all his gates seis'd. The Ambassador seeing this from his windowes, sent to bid the Barisel or Provost that led them, to come and speak with him. The Barisel scrupled it at first apprehending some ill treatment, but two Knight, of Malta assuring him no hurt should be done him, he yeilded to go up staires. At the bottome of which he was disarm'd, and com∣ming into the Ambassador's presence without armes and bare-headed, the Ambassador ask'd him what made him so bold as to enter into his house? bidding him take heed what he did, and telling him that he was in the house of the King, and might one day repent his entring into it. The Barisel answer'd that he had receiv'd such order from his Master. The Ambassador reply'd, that if he pass'd on further, he knew how he would use him, and how his Master would use his. The Barisel witdhrew, and caus'd his company to make a halt, sent this intelligence to a place from whence order came for all these soldiers to return to their quarters. Neverthelesse they made prisoners of some poor men and women dwelling near the place where the murders were committed, who should depose what they knew thereof, and that they might not return with∣out doing something. The Ambassador sent a dispatch forthwith to the Court to give notice of all that had pass'd; which the King understanding thought fit to write a circular letter to all the Car∣dinals then at Rome, the tenour whereof was as followeth.

To my Cousin the Cardinal N.

COusin, Having been well inform'd of the truth of what hath been done by the Popes Officers, who have violated all respect by forcing the Palace of my Ambassador; I have commanded him to de∣part presently out of Rome, whilest I examine what course will be fit for me to take for the re∣dressing of so great an injury. Hereof I thought good to advertise you, not doubting but you will interesse your self in so just a cause, which ought to be lookt upon as a common one, for that herein the Law of Nations and the Interest of all Princes is violated, as my Ambassador will more particularly declare to you; to whom referring my self, I shall pray God to have you, Cousin; in his holy keep∣ing.

Written at Paris 19. December 1650.

signed, Louis, and below, De Lomenie.

Assoon as this Letter was come to Rome, the Ambassador went to visite all the sacred Colledge to deliver to every Cardinal that which was for him, and to take leave of their Eminences before his departing from Rome, and retiring (as he did afew days after) to Tivoli.

This action of the Barisel hapned three days af∣ter our arrival at Rome, and the disgust which the Ambassador signifi'd to me about it, making me fear he would not like that any French should go see the Pope at a time wherein he was so lit∣tle pleas'd with his treatment, I thought fit to represent to him what obligations I conceiv'd lay upon me to visit his Holiness, having the honor to be a Doctor of Sorbonne, and having formerly been well receiv'd by him, yet with a purpose to defer my visite till this misunderstanding were over, if I found the Ambassador judg'd it fit to forbear. Accordingly by what he said to me I un∣derstood that this was his mind; and I conform'd thereunto, though my desire of saluting his Ho∣liness

was encreas'd every day by the Letters which were writ to me from Paris, and by the things which I was inform'd of at Rome: not that I intended (being unqualify'd for so doing) to speak to him on set purpose of several things, whereof I saw it so necessary that he were in∣form'd and which I presum'd were not come to his knowledge; but because I remember'd that in an audience I had formerly of him, he had spoken to me of his own accord about divers affaires of this nature which concern'd my profession, and therefore I believ'd that the Audience I should now have of him would not passe without his putting me upon such matters, and so giving me occasion himself to tell him what I desir'd thereof, nor without his discovering to me something a∣bout those, for which my friends were so soli∣citous in France, and of which I could by no otherways understand any certainty at Rome.

I was in this perplexity (between the desire of having audience of his Holiness, and the conside∣ration which depriv'd me of the confidence to re∣quest it) till the beginning of the year 1651. when having in a visit made to the Ambassador, understood that he was satisfi'd with having ac∣quainted the Court with the proceedings he dis∣gusted, that he expected an answer thereof, and that till then he would not inflame matters nor drive them to a rupture; I thought fit not to let passe this interval without indeavoring to obtain an audience. For which purpose I went two several times to the Presence Chamber of his Holiness, but I could not obtain it though my Lord Torreiani Archbishop of Ravenna who was the introducer of strangers, conducted me thither once purposely, and did what he could to pro∣cure it me: and from that time no occasion being offer'd to request it, till the arrival of the King's letter abovemention'd, and the Ambassador's conse∣quently retiring to Tivoli, I did not any more think of presenting my self but with the Gentleman whom I accompani'd in his journey, a few days before we should leave Rome to return into France, as I shall relate in due place.

In the mean time I neglected no other means, which I could devise, to finde some remedy to the inconveniences which were feared. Cardinal Barberini offer'd me a very advantageous one; for his Eminence (whose esteem and Authority are so great in Rome that seldome any businesse can miscarry if he favour it) remembring an ancient correspondence which I had had the late honour to contract with him by letters when I writ to the late Pope Ʋrban VIII. against the design of the Jesuites to invade the priviledges of the Uni∣versity of Paris whil'st I was Rector of it, had now the goodness to desire to renew the same, and sent for me to dyne with him on the 10. of January. He invited at the same time M. the Abbot Antenore, a very accomplisht Roman Gen∣tleman, who had studied at Paris in the Colledge of Clermont, and spoke French so naturally that it was not easie to distinguish his Country, as also Lucas Holstenius whose worth is well known by all that have seen the translations he hath pub∣lish't, and the Works he is Author of.

Our discourse before and in the time of dinner, was about Books, of which his Eminence hath a very vast and general knowledge, and about the divers contests which were arisen between Learned men. M. Pereyret's trip was not forgotten, who took the Count Boniface to whom S. Augustin writ so many Epistles, for Pope Boniface; which oc∣casion'd the said Doctor to say, that Pope Boniface gave S. Augustin charge to write for the Church a∣gainst the Pelagians, because they had been friends whilst the Pope was a soldier. That I might draw the discourse to the Letter of M. de Ʋabres (of which I was desirous to learn some tidings) I be∣thought my self to mention the raillerie lately made upon that Bishop, for boasting in one of his Works, That he had written more Ecclesiastical History then his Adversaries had read; because indeed it was granted that he had written some which no body ever read.

But this mov'd not Cardinal Barberini to speak any thing of that Letter, whether it were that he knew nothing of it yet, or that he was pleas'd to be silent of it. The rest of the day also would have pass'd without my making any advantage of it, had I not resolv'd to speak to him a little more plainly about the new Hours in his Library whi∣ther he lead us after dinner, and where there is so great convenience to imploy one's self with as much satisfaction as profit amongst so great a num∣ber of good books, and plac'd in so good order, that after that of the Vatican, which hath no e∣qual, there is none in Rome to be compar'd therewith.

Card. Barberini told me concerning the Hours, that they were very much spoken of and found fault with for two things; The one, by reason of the Calendar which is put into it; the other, because this Epithete Redemptor omnium is not ex∣prest in the translation of the Hymnes, where it is in the Latin.

I could not but answer him in reference to the Calendar, that having read it throughout, I found not any thing to be blam'd therein. He reply'd, that there might be several Impressions of the Hours, and that perhaps there was that in the o∣ther Editions which was not in mine. I answer'd, that I knew not whether there were more Im∣pressions of them, that I had taken the Copy I had as soon as they were put to sale, a few dayes be∣fore my departure, that I might read it during my journey, without knowing any thing of them at that time otherwise then by the great esteem which I heard was made of them by divers persons of worth whilst they were printing. The Cardinal ask'd me, whether I had the book still, and told me himself had it not, and should be glad to see it. I promis'd to bring it to him; and in the mean time as for the Epithete Redemptor omnium, I told him he should see that it had been omitted with∣out design in the translation of the Verses which answer to the Latin in which it is, but only through the necessity which ariseth in Verses; for which the Author also makes some excuse in the Pre∣face: for in the first hymn where it was omitted in the first couplet, it is exprest in equivalent words in the second and fourth; besides, that it is ex∣prest in several other places of this Translation, and even in those which have it not in the Latin; I added, that he might find that the Title of Crea∣tor of all things was not exprest in more general

terms then this of Redeemer of all; and that this of Redeemer of Believers, whereby that of Redeemer of all might have been restrain'd had there been any thing of design, was also express'd in such a man∣ner, as abundantly evidenc'd there had been no thought of taking advantage by this Translation in reference to the matters in contest.

We spent the rest of the afternoon in other discourses. The Sunday following I went to carry the Cardinal my Copy of the Houres, and offer'd it his Eminence to put into his Li∣brary. He accepted it, on condition that I would send for it as often as I had occasion, and for any other of his books, which offer he made me before, but with so much goodnesse and civility that no∣thing can be imagin'd more obliging. With the book I deliver'd him a little Note wherein I had set down the pages where he might see all that I had spoken in its justification: after some other dis∣courses we descended from his Chamber, and he took me into his Coach to go with him to take the air. I had now time and opportunity to tell him all that had been signify'd to me concerning the Letter of M. de Vabres. I also told him of the Ob∣servations which I understood would be made up∣on that Letter, and that I was promis'd to have them sent me as soon as they were printed; That as soon as I receiv'd them I should bring them to his Eminence. This was intended to move him to stop any resolution that might be taken at Rome upon that Letter till it were seen what might be said against it; as also to give him occasion of tel∣ling me what he knew of it; but he did not open himself at all, and only told me that he was well pleased with what I said, and that I should do him a pleasure in shewing him what I promis'd.

CHAP. IV.

A false Censure of the Propositions sent to Rome to be confirm'd there. A Let∣ter written from Paris concerning it; with others receiv'd from Paris.

IN the interval of time which pass'd between my first and second visit to this Cardinal, I visit∣ed another of great note for his sincere solid piety and high knowledge. He had scarce heard the first complement which I made him, but understanding me to be a Doctor of Paris, he cast reproaches up∣on me for the Censure which (he suppos'd) the Fa∣culty had made against the Propositions set afoot by M. Cornet. This treatment amaz'd me, and I justify'd my self by telling him, that I was so farr from contributing to the Censure for which he re∣proacht me, that on the contrary I had been the first in opposing that dangerous enterprise, in re∣gard of the sad consequences it might have; that above sixty Doctors joyn'd with me in the Oppo∣sition, and that the Faculty had not only not pass'd the said Censure, but that even they who design'd it had been hindred by the prohibitions laid upon them by the Parliament at our suit. My answer as much amaz'd this Cardinal as his reproach did me: yet he conceal'd his astonishment as much as he could; but judging (as I conceive) that it was ingenuous and true, and thence concluding that (as I understood afterwards) this false Censure of them was dispers'd to oblige the Pope to declare himself by confirming it, he only told me that he had be∣liev'd it was so, for that one had appear'd at Rome some time agoe; and so he pass'd to other mat∣ters.

This was enough to rouse my curiosity about this Cheat, of which we had suspected M. Cornet and his adherents above a year before, and charg'd them with the design in the face of the Parliament, before whom also they disown'd it. For which reason also I sought wayes to be inform'd thereof more particularly by a person of my acquaintance who knew the businesse, and to whom I had inti∣mated in a visit, that I understood it sufficiently, that so I might oblige him to tell me what he knew of it. The said person accordingly certify'd me, that the Censure carried to Rome, and taken there as made by the Faculty, was the very same Draught which was dispers'd through the Provinces in Au∣gust and September 1649. under the names of the Deputies nominated upon M. Cornet's Motion, whereof we complain'd by our second Petition presented to the Parliament, and which MM. Cornet and Pereyret disown'd in full Parliament on the fifth of October the same year, as I have re∣lated above. He assur'd me that that Draught of forg'd Censure had not only been carry'd to Rome as a true Censure of the Faculty, but that it had been brought before the Pope in the Assembly of the H. Office, to be the subject of debate for his Holinesse and all that Tribunal; That there had been four Consultors nominated to examine it particularly, and to give their sense thereof in writing; That three of those Consultors procee∣ded roundly to the confirmation of the said Cen∣sure, and that the fourth, who was F. Abbot Hi∣larion a Bernardin, had spoken and written with some restriction, by reason of the several senses which the Propositions may admit; That howe∣ver the deliberation amongst the Cardinals tended in general to an absolute confirmation of the Cen∣sure, excepting him who spoke to me thereof, and who taking the Propositions absolutely in the sense of Effectual Grace, and according to the affi∣nity they have therewith, oppos'd the stream, and vigorously maintain'd, that the Propositions were not heretical, but the Censures made of them were so, because they might impeach that Grace; that the firmnesse of this Cardinal had astonish'd and stopt the Pope, and that had it not been for this resistance, the Chimerical Censure had without difficulty been confirm'd by his Holinesse.

I knew all this when I made my visit to Cardinal Barberini on the 15th of January, (to which I now return) but I had no desire to let him see that I had penetrated so far into those mysteries, for fear of giving him occasion to inquire the particular way of my intelligence. I propos'd to my self but two things in my discourse to him; First, to make him a sincere narration of all that had pass'd in France about this businesse, to the end he might know the foul play we were abus'd with, and the H. See more then we; and how the actions of that party were most grosse delusions and mani∣fest cheats. Secondly, to understand with what reservednesse or opennesse the said Cardinal

would carry himself towards me, when I gave him occasion to speak of things which I knew were so well known to him, and pass'd in his presence. Accordingly I related to him all the History; as a thing that might be new to him, at least as to the circumstances which I told him, and he had not been informed of before. I told him of our Pe∣titions, of our Protestations, of what pass'd in the Parliament between our adversaries and us, of their disowning of this Censure, and of the Ar∣rest which was issu'd thereupon. I promis'd to shew him every of those peices accordingly as I saw him attentive or pleas'd with the things I rela∣ted. He heard and receiv'd all with very great Civility; he testify'd that he should be very glad to see all that I promis'd him; but he still kept him∣self as close as before, when I mention'd M. de Ʋabres's Letter; which was a certain token to me that his silence did not imply him ignorant of that Letter.

After these visits I certify'd two things to them who writ to me from Paris about M. de Vabres's Letter; One, that there was no certainty of its not having been sent to the Pope, though it was not spoken of at Rome, because they who desir'd to make use of it to obtain that of the Pope which mov'd them to procure it, had the gift of secrecy and conduct, as well as they to whom his Holi∣nesse might have imparted it; that the businesse of the false Censure had been a long time under consideration, and had broke forth as much as a thing could do amongst those that are employ'd in affairs of that nature; and that neverthelesse that intelligence which I sent them thereof, and I have related above, came to my knowledge but by par∣ticular good hap, without which the whole in∣trigue had remain'd under the veils of obscurity, which hid it till then; that whatsoever inquiry I could make about the Letter, perhaps I should not be so fortunate in its discovery, as I had been in that of the Censure; and that I conceiv'd there was no reason to doubt of its having been sent, because it was not likely that after so strange a boldnesse in promoting so farr a false Censure fra∣med in the name of eight or ten particular Do∣ctors, notwithstanding such publick complaints as had been made thereof, they would leave behind a true Letter sign'd, as was reported, by fifty Bi∣shops, against which no person appear'd to com∣plain. In the second place I advertis'd them that they saw how many disguisements, delusions and calumnies it might be presum'd our Adversaries had set on work at Rome to obtain what they had obtain'd hitherto, if one might judge by e∣normities of their proceeding in this last action, in which they had laid aside all kind of modesty and decorum; trampled upon all lawes not only of Christian conscience, but even of purely civil honesty, and violated the faith of the H. See (for which they professe themselves so zealous) the most essential Duties whereunto Infidels are bound towards the meanest of men, namely of not surprising them by what they say to them, of not lying to them, of not disguising things to them, but representing the same to them such as they are. And that they might hence conclude how much it would be for the interest of the H. See and of the service of God who founded it, as also for that of the Church whereof it is the center, that all those cheats, calumnies and impostures were discover'd to it; how much the same would then be ab∣horr'd at Rome, as well as all those who were found culpable thereof; and what advantages were to be hop'd thereby to the holy truths which these people every day cover'd more and more with such thick darkness, and struck at with such outrage and violence.

The Letters writ to me from Paris about the same time of my writing these at Rome, were not very remote from the sentiments to which mine might lead those Bishops which were solicitous about this affair, and earnestly waited for those discoveries which they were told might arrive from me. For it was signifi'd to me, that a person well seen in the designes of the Jesuites and much devoted to truth, had assur'd them that the Jesuites hop'd for a wonderfull effect of the letter of M. de Va∣bres; that the Pope or some of his principal mini∣sters had told their Fathers at Rome, that if they could get a letter signed only by a dozen Bishops, his Holiness would particularly censure the Five Propositions; that five and twenty Bishops had sign∣ed it already; that the Nuntio had further con∣firm'd to the Jesuites, that it would not be long, before there were an expresse Censure upon that letter: Neverthelesse those Bishops which were anxious about the effect which the said letter might produce, could scarce be perswaded that Rome would suffer it self to be so easily cajoled in the most important affair of the Church and of the Christian Faith; and that they had some thoughts of writing to the Pope about it, or sending some person thither on purpose to represent to his Ho∣liness the dangers of this business, and the precauti∣ons with which it was necessary that his Holi∣ness proceeded therein, to conclude it advan∣tageously for truth and the edification of the Church.

Notice was given me by letters at the same time touching the Decree made against the Cate∣chisme of Grace, that the said decree had been put by the Nuntio into the hands of one of the Agents of the Clergy to propound the same to the Assembly, and to bring it about that they might ordain the publishing of it through the Provinces; that this Proposal had been made there; but the Assembly was not dispos'd to con∣descend to this recommendation of the Nuntio. That on the contrary they resolv'd not to med∣dle with it, and likewise ordain'd that nothing should be register'd about the Proposal which their Agent made to them. Moreover that this Decree had not only been thus refus'd, but al∣so that excellent Reflections had been made up∣on it; and that the Court of Parliament had issu'd a notable Arrest against it upon the remon∣strances made to them thereupon by the Kings learned Counsel, after they had receiv'd at their barre the complaints of the Rector of the Univer∣sity, who presented himself there for that pur∣pose.

CHAP. V.

Divers visits in which the Five Pro∣positions were discours'd of, and of a remarkable circumstance touching the same. How few at Rome well un∣derstood these matters, and whence it came to be so.

BUT before I receiv'd those letters, and mine were arriv'd at Paris, I continu'd to take all possible opportunities at Rome with the least noise to inquire further into the posture of affairs: Amongst others I visited the General of the Augustines, whose great zeal for S. Augustine we had understood at Paris, by the Letter he writ to F. Alipius of the same Order, presently after M. Cornet's attempt. I discours'd with him chiefly concerning the two wayes wherewith S. Augustine was struck at; one by openly rejecting the Autho∣rity of his Doctrine, as M. Pereyret and many others did; the other, by making shew of owning his Authority, and yet teaching and maintaining a Doctrine in effect contrary to his, and driving at a condemnation thereof, as theirs who really de∣fended it. I intimated to him as much as I could, the necessity there was of his courage and pru∣dence, being equally arm'd against both these sorts of Enemies which S. Augustine had in this age. He very well receiv'd my discourse, and profess'd himself ready to do so according to his power up∣on all occasions. I told him of the Condemnation made at Vallidolid of two and twenty Propositions extracted out of the Jesuits Books against S. Au∣gustine; but he was inform'd of it before, having receiv'd notice of it from Spain.

I made a second visit to the Cardinal, whose re∣sistance hinder'd the Pope from confirming the Fa∣cultie's pretended Censure of the Propositions, as otherwise he would have done: In this second vi∣sit we discours'd of the grounds of Doctrine which they concern'd. I spoke thereof in the same man∣ner as we had alwayes done in France, from their first publishing by M. Cornet, namely as Propositi∣ons equivocal, ambiguous, capable of different senses, both Heretical and Catholick. But the Cardinal conceiv'd that this was to speak too little advantageously for their defence. Particularly concerning the first, he said, that, considering it well, the words whereof it consists, which are found in the Book of Jansenius, restrain'd it clear∣ly enough to the Catholick sense. That the righte∣ous men, to whom it is there said some of God's Commandements are impossible, are suppos'd to have already fullfill'd many of them, being arriv'd to such Holinesse as denominates them just, that these Commandements are not absolutely impossi∣ble to them, but only in respect of the state where∣in they are, having yet but weak and imperfect Grace, which they are suppos'd to have [volenti∣bus & conantibus] and which gives them no other power for performance of the same, but imperfect desires and weak endeavours; which is yet more clearly exprest by the remainder of the Propositi∣on, from which the beginning ought not to be con∣sider'd as separate, but as referring thereunto, [Deest quoque illis gratia quâ possibilia fiant.] And that the Grace (namely, Effectual, such as is ne∣cessary to the Commandments in question) which renders them possible, is not yet given to these just persons in the state of weaknesse, wherein the Proposition supposes them in the time and circum∣stances of those first Graces with which they only will and endeavour weakly; that this is the whole Doctrine of Effectual Grace, according to the mind of S. Thomas, and S. Augustine his Master. That the four other Propositions cannot be consi∣der'd but with relation to the first, together with which they are presented for examination; and that if there be any obscurity in the other four, it ought to be clear'd and judg'd of according to the first, and the interpretation put upon it. The so∣lid reasons which led this learned and pious Cardi∣nal to speak and judge so favourably of the Propo∣sitions, by taking them, as he did, in the sense of Effectual Grace, I cannot so well repeat as himself deduc'd them to me; for I remember he did it with a strength of reason perfectly great; but I expresse his conceptions the best and the most faithfully I can, as well as those of all others which I mention; and I know he attributed the speaking of these Propositions after another manner then his own, only to the little understanding there was of these matters either at Rome or Paris. Indeed he spoke of them with so great energie and affecti∣on, that I ceas'd to wonder at what was told me of his having defended them so stoutly before the Pope; and if I could have doubted of the intelli∣gence or sincerity of him who inform'd me how that story pass'd before the Pope, the vigour wherewith this Cardinal himself discours'd with me, would have perfectly confirm'd me therein.

Wherefore, having this full perswasion of the truth of the businesse, I went again to him that first acquainted me with it, and he told me a circum∣stance which he had omitted in his first narration, believing perhaps that I was not then fitting to hear it. He told me that the Pope (who although he highly esteem'd this Cardinal, had neverthelesse a little secret jealousie against him) seeing him speak of the Propositions with so much heat and vivacity on this occasion, and considering himself backt by all the rest that were present, being of contrary sentiments, his Holinesse in a manner rang'd himself on their side, by saying, Guardate il Cardinal N. chi dice che nostri Consultori sono Ere∣tici: Take notice of Cardinal N. who sayes that our Consultors are Hereticks. To which the Cardinal, without being mov'd, made answer; Vostra Santi∣tà mi scusi, Beatissimo Padre, non dico questo. Non dico che questi Signori Consultori siano Haeretici, mà che le loro Censure sono Haeretiche. Mà è ben vero che loro lo sarebbono, se vi fossero pertinaci: I beseech your Holinesse to excuse me, most Blessed Father, I do not say that. I do not say that my LL. the Consul∣tors are Hereticks, but that their Censures are Here∣tical. But withall 'tis true that they also would be Hereticks, should they continue obstinately therein. Which according to his sense was most true, for being he took all the Propositions to be meant of Effectual Grace, he had reason to accuse those Censures of Heresie which should condemn the

said Propositions in this sense. This particular not having been told me at the first time of our discourse about the debate before the Pope, is wanting in the account given above of what stopt his Holinesse in the quandary they had put him in, for the confirmation of the false Censure so of∣ten mention'd.

About this time other news was written to me from Venice, namely that the Pope's Nuntio there had caus'd the Decree against the Catechisme of Grace to be printed there in great numbers, and sent the Copies into all the Monasteries not only of Venice, but of the whole Venetian state. I was surpriz'd at this news, both for that the Jesuits do not reign in that place, and because neither of the Books condemn'd by that Decree having appear'd there at all, I did not see what ground there was for publishing this Decree there with so great dili∣gence: and by the reading of it, I could not find any instruction or edification afforded thereby un∣to the faithfull. But I let this intelligence passe as well as many others, without being more scan∣daliz'd thereat, and continu'd my inquiry into af∣faires at Rome, as far as my condition gave me liber∣ty so to do.

In the Covent de la Minerve I occasionally saw a very devout, upright and judicious Monk nam'd F. Barelier, who was assistant for France to his Gene∣ral. We discours'd together of our concernments with such caution as is us'd by persons that do not yet well know one another; and he spoke with as great prudence and equity as was possible for a man that till then had had no light of all the things that were pass'd. Afterwards as I was professing to one better inform'd, my wonder how it was possible that F. Barelier, a man of great parts, of an Order so much engag'd as the Dominicans for the opinions about Grace, and of so considerable an imployment in that Order, should be so much a stranger to all the contests in the Church touching the same: He told me, that I had much more rea∣son to wonder that I found any that were not so in the place where I was. That F. Barelier (for ex∣ample) was indeed in a considerable imployment in that Order, but that this imployment so wholly took him up in receiving all the Letters concern∣ing the businesses and contests of Monasteries and particular persons of the Order dispers'd through France, that being scarce sufficient thereunto, he could not give much heed to other things not alli'd to his own affaires: That others, besides their oc∣cupations which requir'd their care and personal attendance, had designs of advancing every one himself to the several degrees whither they aimed, which taking up likewise a good part of their time, left them not much to mind other matters. More∣over, that since the last Congregations de Auxiliis, which after so long and diligent examination con∣cluded only upon imposition of silence to the par∣ties; there was great care us'd to keep such mat∣ters husht and in oblivion, lest the like feuds might arise which make much stir and bring no profit. That the minds of the greatest part were bent only upon the several Courts of the Pope, the Cardinals, Ambassadors, Princes, and Princesses, whereof there was a great number at Rome. That they there studied nothing but the different inte∣rests and designs of this or of that, yet few did no more but study them, but the general practice was to mingle their own therewith, and seek means and occasions of advancing the same; to which the taking part in these contests, or seeming to understand them, was so far from conducing, that on the contrary it was an obstacle. That besides, should every one apply themselves to these matters as much as they avoided them, it would be hard to find many otherwise inform'd thereof then accor∣ding to the intelligence given them by the Jesuits, these Fathers having gained the Passes, made sure of those whom they saw might be imploy'd in these affaires, byass'd them, and form'd them to such conceptions of us also as they pleas'd, presented their own Books to them, and took care to have the Book-sellers provided therewith; so that if I should go for example to M. Blaise the French Book-seller at Rome, and ask for F. Petau's Book Of Publick Pennance, I should not fail to have it shewn me presently; but if I should ask for M. Arnauld's Of Frequent Communion, against which that of F. Petau was written, I could have no ac∣count of it. And therefore no body having hi∣therto spoken in our behalf, nor taken care for the dispersing of our Books there, as the Jesuits have to keep them from being seen, I ought not to won∣der that F. Barelier, and infinite others lesse capa∣ble and laborious then he, have either had no knowledge at all of our affairs, or if they have been never so little inform'd thereof, it hath been to our disadvantage.

Cardinal Ludovisio, then Grand Penitentiary at Rome, a little time after this visit, confirm'd to me the truth of what was told me concerning the scar∣city of our Books there. For hearing, after my coming to Rome, that there was a Doctor of Sor∣bonne in the City, he sent one to me to tell me he desir'd to see the Book Of Frequent Communion, which he understood was to be translated into Latin, and to ask me whether it were so. I told the Messenger, that it was translated above three years ago, and that I was sorry that I had lost in my Jour∣ney two Copies which I took of it in that Language at my coming from Paris; because it would have been a contentment to me to have been able to gratifie the Cardinal's desire of seeing it. In the mean time this shews the scarcity there is in that Country of the most Excellent Peices, which sute not with the gust of the Jesuits.

Besides this difficulty which concern'd all the world, there was another on the part of the Car∣dinals who might be employ'd about these matters. For the Pope could not likely make any resolution upon this businesse, without first having debated the same with my Lords the Cardinals; nor could there ascend much light to the Throne of his Holi∣nesse to illuminate the same in this particular, but what must be transmitted to it by their means. Now it was certain that they were not much better instructed about these matters then the rest of the Romans, but rather something lesse inclin'd to ad∣mit any information thereof. The continual di∣versions which they are oblig'd to suffer by so ma∣ny audiences as they must give to such as have bu∣sinesse with their Eminences, by so many Congre∣gations as they must be present at, by so many active and passive visits from which they cannot free themselves, and by so many publick Admini∣strations

and other external occupations to which they are subject, leave them farre lesse time and leisure for it. Very much care had been taken to prepossesse them to our disadvantage, and against the truths we might have to defend; they were very little inclin'd to undertake the paines which is necessary to search the bottome of them, not having been brought up in this kind of study: and they were much more jealous for the autho∣rity of Decrees issu'd from their Tribunals, the preservation or destruction of whch they were told was concern'd in all such things as had the least re∣lation to these matters.

CHAP. VI.

Letters written to Paris containing the reasons of believing that it would be advantageous to send to Rome, with those of fearing that it would be unprofitable or prejudicial; con∣cluding nevertheless that it seem'd best to send thither.

THE summe of all my reflexions upon this po∣sture of affaires, was that if on one side the intelligence I had given by former letters, might move my Lords the Bishops to write and send some Ecclesiasticks to represent the impor∣tance of our businesse and the circumspection and diligence wherewith it requir'd to be hand∣led; on the other, I consider'd that the above∣mention'd reasons might increase the necessity of a delegation for that purpose; but withall that they must needs cause it to be fear'd, that such delegation would be unprofitable, unlesse it were powerfull enough to overcome all those perplexing conjunctures, and to supply all those needs above mention'd. I writ therefore once again about this mattet with more care then I had done before, and layd down as exactly as I could all the reasons I conceiv'd possible to perswade or disswade such a delegation; to the end that all of them being weigh'd, those might be fol∣low'd which should be found best and most urgent.

I added to those above which make against a delegation, that perhaps it would not have any good effect, because that the Pope lik'd not at all to handle such matters; that he would not hear any speech of them, and perhaps would im∣ploy in their examination persons not very intel∣ligent therein: That the Jesuites had a great in∣fluence upon most of the Officers of the Inquisition, Cardinals and others, and bore a greater sway amongst them then was imaginable; That all these conjunctures being so contrary, and the Pope much advanc'd in age, it was perhaps ex∣pedient to let his Pontificate passe over with the most silence and least stirre possible, in expectati∣on of another more favorable, during which time this affair might come to more maturity. Lastly that this reason was of great moment with me in regard of the fear we ought to have of injuring the affairs of God, by handling them which affections and precipitations a little too humane, and not what that humble respect and Christian patience which ought to be had for his ho∣ly Providence.

On the other side I alledg'd that the mischief was great and urgent; that the Decrees obtain'd every day at Rome (as that lately against the Catechism) administer'd matter of triumph to the vain glory and ignorance of the Jesuites, and brought the disciples of S. Augustin and his doctrine into some state of oppression; and always more and more engaged the Court of Rome. That it was further to be fear'd M. de Vabres's letter might extort some ill-digested condemnation, ignominious to the H. Seee, and prejudicial to truth and the Church. That it was likewise matter of jealou∣sy, that the mischeif might afterwards passe fur∣ther, and turn into a custome of condemning the best books when they do not please the Jesuites. That the sooner the Evil could be re∣medied, the better; and that the more speed there was used to remedy it, the more ground there would be to expect a prosperous event of the remedy which should be apply'd thereunto. That although perhaps a perfect satisfaction and vigo∣rous protection of S. Augustin's doctrine could not as yet be hop'd for; neverthelesse, those persons on whom the same may be said principally to de∣pend, might be oblig'd in the present state of things, at least to be hence forward more circum∣spect and cautious in their proceeding, and to have a greater distrust of the Jesuites accusations and practises. That besides, the successe is not in our power; that indeed we may foresee what men are able to do, but we know not what it may please God to bring to passe; that we ought always to do our endevor to plead aloud and with respect for truth; that it belongs to God to afford this paines and zeal what blessing it pleas∣eth him; but withall in undertaking it, it behoo∣ved lesse to consult with the wisdom of the flesh and the world, then with that of the spirit and the Gospel. That amongst the Cardinals as well as all other Orders of the Church, Prelats, Priests, and Monks, there are at Rome as well as elsewhere, though in small number, some who love and know truth, and who sigh as well as we for the ill usage she receives every day; that we should find these persons favorable to our attempts; that be∣ing unable to do any good by themselves, they would be extreamly glad of the comfort of being able to second us in ours by all ways they can. That of others there were three sorts; the first, absolutely contrary, prejudic'd, and unlikely to admit any reason repugnant to their preconcepti∣ons; the second, prejudic'd too, but yet equita∣ble and capable of hearing what may be represent∣ed to them; and the third indifferent, not very solicitous about these things, but like tabulae rasae, not having yet receiv'd any impressions concern∣ing them. That these last would be awaken'd when they hear the voices of such as undertake to inlighten them; that the second would also con∣sider the remonstrances and arguments we shall use, and perhaps God will shew mercy to both in opening their understandings and making the same prevalent upon them: and as for the first, who are our most obstinate adversaries, it would

be meet not to neglect them, because perhaps God might draw some of them out of their dark∣ness, and they which resolve to persevere there∣in in spight of all the light offer'd them, may re∣ceive that for their confusion which they would not admit of for their edification.

I had formerly said my first Masse at Loretto, and thence taking the way for France came to lye the next day at Senegallia, of which Card. Factrinetti was Bishop, by whom being enter∣tain'd that night, we had converse enough to make me retain an acquaintance of so civil and excellently endow'd a Prelate. He arriv'd at Rome whilst I was in these confusions, and I go∣ing to salute him some days after his arrival, he unwillingly both dispell'd and augmented them, but with an honest intention and perfect candour. For our discourse being fallen upon the subject of our affairs, he told me that in some of the visits which he had already made to divers Cardinals, some of them told him that they had represen∣ted to his Holiness that it was most necessary to set upon their determination, to the end to re∣store peace to the world, and take away all ground of division amongst Christians. I desire no other thing but that this be done as it ought to be; but I fear those Cardinals of whom this spoke, were not mov'd to such thoughts by any concernment they had for S. Augustin's doctrine; and I scarce doubt but that the same were infus'd into them by the Jesuits to procure the effect of M. de Vebres's Letter, it seeming to me that no per∣son could have spoken thereof to their Eminences, but by the instigation of those Fathers.

There was in Rome another person, admirably intelligent in these matters, extremly prudent, and zealous to the higest degree, into whose ac∣quaintance I fell very happily, and without whose advice I conceiv'd not meet to do or write any thing in this businesse. I had already spoken with him twice about it. We had discuss'd toge∣ther pro and con the reasons abovemention'd; and had never been of the mind for the Delegati∣on, nor could he believe that the difficulties, Of the Jesuites great credit; Of the prepossession of minds, Of the small knowledge of many, (a∣mongst others, of the Pope himself) could be overcome but by time and patience; wherefore he judg'd it meet to waite for a more favorable Pontificate, and a Pope better inform'd and more vers'd in these matters then he that sate at pre∣sent in S. Peter's chaire. I visited this excellent man a third time, to see whether he persisted still in the same Mind; and besides the reasons above specifi'd, which I impugn'd, I represented to him afresh the insolence wherewith the Jesuites triumph'd over the H. See, the Church, the Truth, the Doctrine of S. Augustin, and the innocence of his disciples; the prevailing influence they had at Rome, for that no person contradicted their accu∣sations, nor discover'd the mischievousnesse of their conduct, and the enormities of their pernici∣ous Maximes. I askt him whether he did not at length believe, that if some one backt with the au∣thority of a considerable delegation should in a fit manner speak against those exorbitances, it would not hinder many from following their pas∣sions with a servitude so blind as this, wherewith they embrac'd the protection of their interests; and that if such a delegation had not all the suc∣cesse it deserv'd, it would not at least hinder them from proceeding further whilst they were grapled with, and serve to clear many things in order to a through regulation one day when it should please God to afford his Church so great a mercy. He acquiesc'd at length, approv'd it, and moreover desir'd to see it set on foot; and besides those foregoing reasons that which most prevail'd with him, was, that, at the worst, the Pope (who was conscious enough to himself of his little knowledge in these matters) seeing himself press'd by two contrary parties would remain un∣determin'd and grant nothing to one side in pre∣judice to the other; that in this conflict every one would be stirr'd up to inquire in the subject of the contest, and so the truths which the Jesuites en∣devor to destroy might by this be meanes be main∣tain'd against their assaults, and rescu'd from the extream oppression under which those Fathers re∣duce them.

It was but in the end of January 1651. that I signifi'd all these things to my Friends at Paris, thereby to contribute all light I could possible to the consultation which was to be had there∣upon. I have related the same here very exact∣ly, having extracted them almost word for word (but sometimes abridging many things) out of the Letters which I writ then, and which were re∣deliver'd to my hands for that purpose after my return. I gave notice also that I should stay at Rome but till Easter, intending, assoon as that so∣lemnity was over, to return for France; that so my LL. the Bishops might hasten to send those thither whom they designed, in case their Lord∣ships desir'd, that they should find me there before my departure, to receive from me by word of mouth many little instructions, and such acquain∣tances as are always needfull to persons newly arri∣ving in a strange Country.

CHAP. VII.

Newes from Paris of a Check which M. Hallier receiv'd in the Assembly of the Faculty on the first of February 1651. Discourse with Cardinal Lugo. Propositions out of M. Her∣sent's Sermon accus'd and justifi'd. Strange secrecy concerning what pas∣seth in the Inquisition.

IN the progresse of time which pass'd till Easter I ceas'd not to play the spie, observe all that I could at Rome, and give intelligence of it at Paris; as also I was reciprocally advertis'd of all that pas∣sed there worthy of remark touching the contests which were on foot.

In the Assembly of the Faculty on the first of February 1651. M, de Mincé complain'd of M. Hallier who was Syndic; for having sign'd a The∣sis (defended in January preceding) in which

there were Propositions contrary to the doctrine of the Faculty; one whereof was, That it is not lawfull to appeal from the Pope to any other; and ano∣ther, That 'tis obstinacy, disobedience and rebelli∣on to oppose his Decrees. It was signifi'd me that M. Hallier defended himself so weakly and upon prin∣ciples so sutable to his sentiments for the interests of the Court of Rome, that he expos'd himself open to, and gave all possible grounds for, his own condemnation. That neverthelesse many of the Doctors who lesse consider'd what was just then what might gratifie those they call Jansenists, thought it enough to reprove M. Hallier in the Assembly, and to injoyne him to sign no more Theses in which such kind of Propositions were; but yet they hinder'd any thing concerning this Crime from being written in the Registers. That M. Brousse made notable opposition to such proceeding. That he requir'd the inserting of the Propositions into the Registers, with an expresse prohibition to the Syndic of s••gning the like again; to the end the King and the Parliament might know how farre the Faculty was from approve∣ing those new doctrines so contrary to its anci∣ent Maximes. That hereupon he protested, and requir'd a Memorial of his Declaration and De∣mand; but was deny'd: which oblig'd him to in∣sist and professe, that if all were not written in the Conclusion when it was to be read again in the Assembly of the first of March, he would oppose the same, and complain thereof to the King's lear∣ned Counsel. The Doctor that writ me this news, joyn'd with M. Brousse, and sent me word that they were resolv'd to drive this busines to the utmost, yet with all possible moderation. He cer∣tifi'd me also, that amongst the Doctors who gave this Check to M. Hallier, there was a Carme∣lite who so well acquitted himself therein that this touch alone ought to give him very much mortification.

On the dayes when the Pope holds a Chapter, the Cardinals repaire to his Palace at the usual houre and assemble in a great Hall, where he comes to put on his ornaments, and thence they go to Chappel in order, as in procession. All the Cardinals march two and two after the Crosse which is carri'd before them, and between each rank all persons of their Court which accompa∣ny them in this Ceremony go before every one of them. On Candlemas day I accompani'd thither Cardinal d' Este Protector of France, whose rank was to march with Cardinal Lugo. Cardinal d' Este took occasion to cause Cardinal Lugo and me to talk together, making me approach to∣wards him, and telling him that I was a Do∣ctor of Sorbonne. Cardinal Lugo having testi∣fi'd to me in three words the esteem he had for our Faculty, ask'd me whether I was one of those who had approv'd M. Arnauld's book Of frequent Communion: I answer'd him, That I was not; but at the same instant a secret appre∣hension came into my mind that he might inter∣pret my answer as a disavowing of that excel∣lent Work: wherefore for fear of betraying the truth in any sort upon this occasion, by not explaining my self further, I added immedi∣ately, that I was not yet Doctor when it was Printed; but if I had been so, I should have willingly approv'd it, because having read it then and since again, I found nothing in it but what I judg'd conformable to the mind of the Church and the H. Fathers. Upon so ingenuous and free a confession, Cardinal Lugo replying to me began with these two words, Pian, piano, i. e. Fair and soft; and told me that this was not the judgment of all the world, that the book was not so esteemed of at Rome; and intimated something of a Proposition in the Preface, where speaking of S. Peter and S. Paul it saith, Those two heads of the Church which make but one. I made answer to the Cardinal, that this Propo∣sition, whatever it was, did not concern the matter of Doctrine in that book, which I aim'd at in testifying my esteem of it; and that, as for this very Proposition, M. Arnauld had ex∣plain'd how he understood it. The Cardinal ad∣ded some words touching matter of Doctrine, which indeed he did not rightly apprehend; but he spoke conformably to those remote objecti∣ons which the Jesuites made against it. All this discourse pass'd upon the way, and before I further reply'd to him, we were arriv'd at the Chappel, and so the conference broke off.

On the fifth of the same month I made a visit, whereby I understood from a person sometimes sufficiently inform'd of things which passe in the Congregation of the H. Office, that they had there in good earnest set upon the examination of M. Hersent's Sermon, the memory of which I believ'd totally buried. He told me also the very Propo∣sitions extracted out of it by the prosecutors of its condemnation, to obtain the same. One of them was, That Free-will is so weak, especially since the losse it suffer'd of innocence and righteousnesse in the First Man, that unlesse it be stay'd and supported by Gods Grace, it is no longer fit for any thing but to offend God; these are the very terms contain'd in the 28. page of the printed Sermon. The second was, That the Saints obey the motions of God's Grace with an obedience so much the more voluntary as it is free, and so much the more free as it is voluntary: This is in the 23. page of the same Book. Those who persecuted these Propositions, oppos'd them at first absolutely in themselves; and he that main∣tain'd them did it with so great strength and suc∣cesse, that he disarm'd his Adversaries, and con∣vinc'd his Judges of the things which he undertook to prove to them. But I was told that it was not without great reluctancy; which was such in refe∣rence to the first Proposition, that he became en∣gag'd to maintain a third, upon which he made a particular dissertation as well as upon the two other, though it was not extracted out of the Ser∣mon, namely, That all actions perform'd by the sole strength of nature are sins. At length the Judges who examin'd the Apologies presented to them in defence of these three Propositions consider'd in themselves, became perfectly satisfi'd and con∣vinc'd thereby, and the accusers of the Sermon were consequently forc'd to silence and a retreat. But being not of the humour to acquiesce so easily against their engagement, they devis'd to say, that though the Propositions might be maintain'd as they were explicated by him that defended them, neverthelesse they are bad in that Sermon and Book, because it makes but one body with the

Epistle which is before it, with reference to which it is just and necessary to consider the two Proposi∣tions in question, that considering them in this manner, they would no doubt be found worthy of censure, for that in the said Epistle Jansenius is spo∣ken of with an Elogium, being an Author con∣demn'd by the Bull of Ʋrban VIII. and whose opinions this Preacher hath borrow'd and main∣tain'd, as is evident by the Epistle.

I was told that they who contriv'd this project, had the greater hope of successe, because they saw him who maintain'd the Propositions absolutely in themselves as they are in the Sermon, wholly out of the businesse; he being that Monastical person upon whose faith the Master of the Sacred Palace gave permission for printing it, and the Epistle not being mention'd in his License, but only the Ser∣mon, and he professing openly, that he saw none but the Sermon, nor heard any thing of the Epistle, which was an addition made by M. Hersent purely of his own head, without speaking one single word to him of it, or his own having the least ground to suspect it. Whence they took for certain, that the Apologies of the Licenser having been very well receiv'd, and he seeing himself deliver'd from all the combustion, and honour'd also with the commendations of some of his Judges for the ele∣gancy and solidity which they found in his writ∣ings, would not care to engage himself in a new labour, the successe of which was incertain, and not only more dangerous then the first, but likely to make him lose all the benefit thereof. But this Ecclesiastick deceiv'd them, because this new assault giving him the curiosity to search Jansenius upon the subject of these Propositions, and find∣ing nothing there but the same Doctrine himself had lately defended, and the same Judges, before whom he was to maintain it again, approved; although his interest in no wise engag'd him to the defence of the Propositions, interpreted with rela∣tion to the said Epistle and the opinions of Janseni∣us; yet he thought himself oblig'd thereunto by the love of truth, and by gratitude towards his Judges. And for these reasons he became then actually imploy'd therein. It was told me that this Monastick was nam'd F. du Four, and that he was a very intimate friend of M. the Abbot de Loiac, Chamberlain of honour to the Pope, and nomina∣ted by his Holinesse to the Bishoprick of Toul, with whom it was known that I had great com∣merce; there was also some hope given me, that by his means I might have a sight of his Writings, which I was certifi'd were worthy to be read, and very compendious and determinative. I had a very great curiosity to see them, and to get a Copy of them, in regard of the nature of the businesse, and the commendations I receiv'd of them. Wherefore I had recourse immediately to the Abbot de Loiac, who very gladly and willingly brought me to the knowledge of the said Father. I found him of a great wit, a very agreeable and copious conversation, very clear in Doctrine, but as prudent too in management as a man of that quality could be after having pass'd almost sixty years in the world, whereof the twenty last were spent at Rome. I was alwayes very welcome to him when I visited him, and receiv'd with very great civility; but I found him so close, as often as I went to put him upon these matters, and he so constantly diverted the discourse thereof; that I could not without great rudenesse make the least mention of his Writings; because indeed he had been utterly undone, should his Judges have known that he communicated them, so inviolable will they have the secrecy of all things which they handle. There was nothing but M. Hersent that he spoke freely of, when he was put upon this sub∣ject, because the fact was publick, and he could not forbear complaining of his not having told him so much as one word about his Epistle, having been treated with honour, as he was, for his Ser∣mon. I excus'd M. Hersent a little by the custom in France, and likewise in our Faculty, of not shewing any thing but the Theses and the Books to the Approbators, but adding Epistles and Pre∣faces according to prudence and discretion. But he lik'd not these excuses, because the custom was otherwise at Rome, which ought to be understood and follow'd; and because (he said) if M. Hersent had shew'd him his Epistle, he would have put it in a condition (by changing and blotting out some words) for being printed, without being lyable to any exceptions or complaints more then the Sermon it self. But to return to his Writings, I believe he would not have granted the reading of them to M. de Loiac, though living with him in the closest friendship and correspondence that can be between two persons of parts, honour and piety: Such sacred things are secrecy, and the Excommu∣nication under penalty whereof they are oblig'd to keep the same in that Congregation, in that Country.

I shall in due place mention what successe fol∣low'd the generous resolution of the F. du Four, to defend those two Propositions, even consider∣ing them with reference to that Epistle, and the Doctrine of Jansenius: only this exquisitenesse of secrecy call'd to my mind a thing told me by the Ambassador in one or two converses on pur∣pose about M. Hersent's businesse, namely, that se∣cresie was so religiously observ'd, that himself of∣ten endeavouring to get some light from Cardinal d' Este, who was one of the Congregation, con∣cerning the posture wherein that affair stood, and whither his Eminence judg'd it might tend, that so he might tell M. Hersent something of it, who was much in pain about it; he could never draw from him the least word or sign whereby to conjecture any thing, whatever industry he us'd to that pur∣pose, whatever importunity he made to the said Cardinal, whatever perfect intelligence there was between them about all things else; and although the Cardinal would otherwise have been glad to oblige M. Hersent both for his own sake and that of his Nation. After which certainly I will never wonder that the mysteries of things which passe in that Congregation are so hidden and impenetra∣ble; for there can scarce be imagin'd a person more industrious to penetrate into what he de∣sires, then this Ambassador, nor one more benefi∣cent and civil then that Cardinal, nor two persons more united together then they.

CHAP. VIII.

A visit of Cardinal Lugo. The falsifi∣cation of the Bull of Urban VIII. The eagernesse of M. Albizzi against S. Augustine. The Censure of Vallidolid.

THE favour done me by the abovesaid Cardi∣nal, in putting me upon a discourse with Cardinal Lugo, caus'd me to conceive my self ob∣lig'd after this conference with him, to go and wait upon him in his own house, lest I might be lyable either to be charg'd with disrespect to them both, or suspected of secret aversion against the said Cardinal Lugo for his being a Jesuit. So I went to visit him five or six dayes after, and found him at home: He receiv'd me very civilly, and after some discourse touching the studies of Divinity follow'd a•• Paris, he told me that there were some that studied too much there. I understood him well, but I was willing to oblige him to speak more clearly, and to put himself into the matter of his own accord. Wherefore I answer'd, That ex∣cesse was to be avoided in all things, and that though the profession of Literature requires great assiduity with Books, yet it was well enough known at Paris how to use moderation and due temper therein. At length he declar'd himself, and objected to me the Book Of the Authority of S. Peter and S. Paul, as a Rhapsodie of passages, quotations, the interpreting and applying of which proceeded from that excesse he spoke of, &c. That the Censure upon it had follow'd, &c. (these &c. &c. are usual in Italy, there is great use made of them in speaking, and that in the most polite discourses; and they are utter'd for the abridg∣ing and supplying of what might be added for a more large explication, it being suppos'd also that he who is spoken to understands well what is im∣ply'd, and is able to supply it.) I answer'd, that as to the passages of that Book, M. Bourgeois at his being at Rome had shew'd his Eminence the strong∣est and clearest of them, and that he might have judg'd thereof. As for the Censure, that we at Paris did not conceive it to touch that Book at all, it condemning only the Equality between those two Apostles, sine ulla subjectione, without any sub∣ordination; but there were Chapters in that Book, wherein several kinds of subordination were set down. He told me, that the Book spoke not of any besides that which concerns point of Time. I answer'd, that I had often heard those that had read it make account that there were several others; and that, as to the foundation of Equality of Power between those two Apostles, people not at all interessed for the Book, lookt upon it as a thing very honourable and advantageous to the H. See. He continu'd firm in this, that there was no other subordination mention'd in the said Book besides that of Time, and then pass'd to speak of Sufficient Grace, the ground of which he drew from Jesus Christ and S. Paul, with as much cer∣tainty as 'tis possible for that which is alwayes Victorious to be deduc'd from them. I told him, that the Disciples of S. Augustine made no diffi∣culty to admit the same as those of S. Thomas do, namely, granting a certain posse, but never the velle, (to wit, perfect) nor the facere; besides which Graces there needs another Effectual one to produce the action; but as for Sufficient Grace subject to the Will, as that was which the first man receiv'd in the state of Original Righteousnesse, it could not be admitted, because it is conceiv'd contrary to the Doctrine of the Scripture and the Church. In fine, I told him that this was the thing in controversie amongst Divines, for the clearing and pacifying of whose divisions, it was to be wisht that the reasons both of the one side and the other might be heard, that every thing might be ex∣amin'd, &c. He much dislik'd the Expedient, saying that there needed no examination of a busi∣nesse which was already judg'd; and for proof of his assertion, he brought me the Bull of Pius V. I told him, that I assented to the truth of that Bull, but that all the Propositions contained therein, were not thereby condemn'd; and upon my alledging the Exception, Quanquam earum aliquae possint aliquo modo sustineri in rigore & proprio ver∣borum sensu ab autoribus intento, he told me, that these last words ought to be referr'd to that which follows; and that the sense was, that, Quamvis aliquo modo sustineri p••ssent, tamen in proprio auto∣rum sensu erant Haereticae, &c. I answer'd, that this sense never came into my mind when I read the Bull, notwithstanding the different pointing us'd in the several impressions thereof, and that the words did not comply therewith. He reply'd, that he had consulted the Original of the Bull, and found the commaes thus placed. Hoc dato non concesso; I said, that the first words of the Exception were not put into the Bull without cause; and that there must needs be some sense at least in which those Propositions may be maintain'd in the rigour; and that this was it that was to be consi∣der'd, viz. what that sense was. He could not gainsay it, but chang'd his battery, and recurr'd to the Scripture, the H. Fathers, and the Popes, upon whose Authority he pretended that Sufficient Grace was establisht. I answer'd him, that we judg'd the Scripture, Fathers, and Popes on our side; that if the case were as he said, if the opinions of S. Augustin were not such as were to be follow'd, the number of those who maintain them as well amongst the antient Doctors of our Faculty as among the younger, would not encrease every day as it did. Here he fell to mention pensions, benefices, and money given (as he said) to make those disciples; adding, that they were very well inform'd thereof, and had receiv'd certain intelligence of all those practices. I reply'd that this was so farr from being true, that the Court being averse from those Tenents, the way for any one to obstruct his own temporal advancement, was to maintain them; That a grea∣ter injury could not be done the Doctors, then to accuse them of adhering to the truth upon so low and servile conditions and interests; and that they who know and love truth, embrace the same only for it self. He betook himself to the infallibility of the H. See, and cited this passage, Ego dixi tibi, Petre, non deficiet fides tua. I told him that was the same which we fol∣low'd;

that without it there is no salvation; and that the gates of hell should not prevail against it. This was the end of our Conference, which pass'd with sufficient moderation on both sides and with all the respect which I ow'd to a person of that eminent dignity.

I have not related any thing as of this Confe∣rence besides what was spoken by the Cardinal and my self; but I cannot omit here a remarkable thing which I might have added when I was spea∣king concerning one of the points of which we dis∣cours'd, had I seen that it would have been bene∣ficial and seemly. It is concerning the different pointings which have been made in the several im∣pressions of the Bull of Pius V. inserted in that of Ʋrban VIII. when it was printed the first time at the Apostolick Printing-house in the year 1643. it was thus pointed; Quas quidem sententias stricto coram nobis examine ponderatas, quanquam nonnul∣lae aliquo pacto sustineri possent in rigore, & proprio verborum sensu ab assert••ribus intento, Haereticas, erroneas, suspectas, temerarias, scandalosas, & in pi∣as aures offensionem immittentes respectivè .............. praesentium autoritate damnamus. Which shewes that the true sense of that Bull is, that some of those Propositions attributed to Bavis may be maintai∣ned in the rigor and the proper sense of those who advanc'd them. Quanquam nonnullae aliquo pacto sustineri poss••nt in rigore, & proprio verborum sensu ab assertoribus intento. But this Exception not pleasing the Jesuites, they have indeavour'd to alter the sense by causing a Comma to be added between the two words possent, and in rigore, thereby to joyn this last and the following words to the condemnations pronounc'd against these Propositions, and to frame this scheme and signi∣fication of the words of the Bull, namely, that although the Propositions it speaks of may be some way maintain'd, yet taking them in the ri∣gor and in the proper sense of those who advanc'd them, they are Heretical, scandalous, and so forth. This is a falsification which hath been committed in divers Editions since the first which was made, as I said above, at the Apostolick Prin∣ting-house in the year 1643. of which I keep some Copies which I procur'd when I was at Rome, to evidence upon occasion the falsenesse of those which do not agree therewith. But it is further remarkable, and shewes how great an influence the Jesuites have had in that alteration, as also what credit and prevalence they have with the Officers by whom things are sway'd at Rome; namely, That the said Bull hath been printed not only in remote Provinces with the addition of the Comma between the two words, possent and in rigore, but likewise once in the Apostolick Printing-house it self since that edition of the year 1643. The attempt of this Falsification ap∣pear'd also once more plainly; for they who endeavour'd it before these Editions I spoke of, thought it not enough to adde a Comma be∣tween possent and in rigore, but also added a whole word, namely tamen after in rigore, to make the said Bull better square with their intentions. But for all this it ceased not to be evident, as I told Card. Lugo and he assented to it, That the first words of the Exception not having been put there to no purpose, there must needs be at least some sense in which the Propositions may be maintained in the ri∣gour, and that the thing to be lookt after is, What that sense is.

Two or three dayes before this Visit one of the Ambassador's Secretaries said in a company where I was, that he speaking to M. Albizzi touching the businesse of M. Hersent, that Assessor answer'd him, that S. Augustin was indeed a great Doctor, but what he had deliver'd touching Grace was just the dreggs of his Works, and the point wherein he was to be gainsaid. I went the next day to ad∣vertise the General of the Augustins of this, thereby to diminish his confidence in the said M. Albizzi, whom (as he profess'd to me) he lookt upon as a man well affected to St. Augustine. That which oblig'd me to go so speedily to adver∣tise him of it, was, that in one of my visits to that General a fortnight before, when I sp••ke much of the necessity there was of opposing without further delay the assaults and ambushes of the visible and invisible enemies of S. Augustin, he receiv'd it with liking and approv'd what I said; but yet seem'd not so forward as I desir'd, and thought a person devoted as he was to S. Augustin, ought to be upon the things which I represented to him; indeed he seem'd rather to become cold, and to rest upon future hopes and satisfactions, which I judg'd contriv'd to hinder him from stir∣ring, that so all things might be ruin'd with more facility; which being once attain'd to, then all the promises made him would vanish and be forgot∣ten.

The Censure of Vallidolid against the 22. Pro∣positions repugnant to the authority of S. Augu∣stins doctrine, was either in part or wholly the occasion of these promises. A Memorial was pre∣sented to the Pope to obtain of his Holinesse the confirmation of that Censure, which was also de∣sir'd of him by a Letter from the King of Spaine deliver'd to him together with that Memorial. Whereupon the said Memorial was referr'd to a secret Congregation appointed for examination of affairs of that nature. Herein lay all the hope of the justice which seem'd to be intended: but yet at the same time it was given out that nothing ought to be too much hastned in that point; be∣cause it behoov'd first to secure the authority of the H. See, which could not be done but by a full and absolute execution of all the Orders, Briefs, and Decrees in general which had issu'd from it. Wherefore this ought to be first seen to, and then the rest should be provided for in time, and care taken to give all the satisfaction that can be wish'd in a case wherein the H. See is the first concern'd. Of this we have since seen considerable effects; but before we proceed, let us hear in brief what was done at Paris in this time.

CHAP. IX.

Of what pass'd at Paris in this time. The Irish dealt withall. Complaints made by some Bishops to the Nuntio concer∣ning the practises of the Jesuites in getting subscriptions to the Letter of M. de Vabres. The said Bishops deliberate of sending to Rome. A Proposal of a Conference.

ON one side there were persons who went about to all the Monasteries to get subscri∣ptions to the Declarations against the Five Pro∣positions, and so to send the same to Rome, thereby to embolden the Romans to condemn them in confidence of the multitude of those who would approve the Censure when it should be pass'd, they declaring themselves thus for it be∣forehand. Even poor Priests and poor Irish stu∣dents maintain'd by the charity of others were sol∣licited to subscribe thereunto. The Rector of the University who was advertis'd of the novelty and irregularity of this carriage, quash'd it, and reproved all the Complices for it by a Solemn Decree, which was afterwards the ground of great contests and divisions in the Universi∣ty by the canvasings which M. Cornet and his adherents made there, to stirre up against the Rectors decree a great number of Doctors, who impugn'd the same in every thing they could. The history of this must be reserv'd for others who were witnesses of it. This intimation may suf∣fice in reference to my subject.

The care taken by the authors of this Attempt to prepossesse all people at Rome assoon as they re∣solv'd to remove it thither upon its miscarriage in the Faculty, began not to be understood at Paris till about this time; though the design was put in execution the year before. Of which I had a fair proof by a Letter which fell into my hands writ∣ten by F. Nicholaï (a Dominican, Doctor of our Faculty, and one of the Deputies chosen by M. Cornet, on 1 July 1649.) to his General, dated May 23. 1650. He indeavor'd therein to avert him from undertaking the protection of Jansenius, telling him that he wonder'd his brethren were so eager to defend him, Ʋt ita nostri fratres ad de∣fensionem ejus exardescant. The reasons which he alledg'd to this end, were founded only upon the calumnies which that good Father being the Jesu∣ites friend had learnt of them, namely, that Jan∣senius teacheth not only an Effectual, but also a Necessitating Grace like to that of Calvin; Necessi∣tatem in voluntate infert qualem ipse Calvinus. The only truth in the Letter was, that F. Nicholaï con∣fess'd in the beginning that he had not had time to read Jansenius well, neither would he so do; Cen∣sere mihi universim non licet, quia nec percurrere to∣tum libuit nec vacavit; and that he acknowledg'd that when the Five Propositions were first pro∣pounded in Sorbonne, there was no design to at∣tribute the same to Jansenius, but only to judge of them in general. Nec Jansenii tamen vel um∣bra tenus nomen praefixum illis fuit, sed universim tantum propositae illae sunt, ut sine ullo praejudicio cen∣serentur.

On the other side, the Assembly of the Clergy was held still at Paris, and there was no speech in it concerning M. de Vabres's Letter; but the sub∣scriptions of such as were likely to be gain'd, were still secretly pursu'd. The Agents and their man∣ner of proceeding cannot better be discover'd then by a Note written by F. Dinet the King's Confessor to M. Hallier, which fell from M. Hallier's pocket occasionally as he was in Sorbonne, and was taken up by one of our Brethren who sent it to me at Rome. The Superscription of it was thus, For M. Doctor Hallier, Syndic of the Faculty of Divinity at Paris at the Hostel of Villeroy; the Contents thus; Sir, My Lord of Tarbe sent us his subscription the other day. My Lord of Troies his brother is at present in this City, and promis'd yesterday that he would do the like after he had taken advice of some Doctors of your Faculty about it. Have you no one of your friends who may go to visit him? This is from Sir, Your most humble and obedient E. N. S. Sign∣ed Dinet.

All these canvasings and other like proceedings became at length displeasing to other Prelates, who more and more saw a necessity of hindring the evil effects which that Letter might produce, and of taking another course in case the businesse should be brought to a discussion and judgement. M. the Archbishop of Ambrun one of the Presi∣dents of the Assembly, and the Bishops of Va∣lence, Agen, Chalons, Cominge, and Orleans, sent to desire accesse of the Nuntio on Monday Feb. 10. He attended them, and they went to wait upon him, and told him, That it was not by order of the Clergy that M. de Vabres and the rest had written; that this proceeding was not at all liked by them; that they disapprov'd it; that the qua∣lity of Bishops empower'd them to judge of con∣troversies arising within their own Dioceses; that this power was signally infring'd by the Letter which M. de Vabres had written; and that the bu∣sinesse more then any other deserv'd extraordina∣ry care and circumspection. They told him fur∣ther of the danger there was in judging thereof, without having first examin'd it and summon'd the parties. They represented to him what a noise might be made by such a Censure as the said Let∣ter demanded; and above all, what necessity there was that before any thing be done, the Pro∣positions in question should be discuss'd and scann'd according to the places from whence they were produc'd. Lastly, they intreated him to advertise the Pope of this their Declaration, and inform his Holinesse of the things which they had spo∣ken to him.

The Archbishop of Sens was to have been at this visit, but having been hinder'd by some other bu∣sinesse, he went eight dayes after accompanied by some other Bishop to speak with the Nuntio a∣bout the same matter, and to inculcate to him a∣fresh the necessity of the Popes proceeding in this affair with mature deliberation, and according both to the forms requir'd by the Canons, and to the order of Ecclesiastical Judgements.

But the Prelats were not perfectly fatisfy'd with this their diligence; for having left nothing but

words with the Nuntio, they fear'd lest he might forget some of them, or lest the Letter which he was to write thereof to the Pope not being imme∣diately deliver'd to his Holinesse, might first fall into the hands of persons friends to the Jesuites, who in favour to them might either keep it as long as they pleas'd, or not present it to him but when it would be likely to be read in a perfunctory tran∣sient manner, or lastly wholly suppresse it if it might be done conveniently: Wherefore they now took up the first purpose of writing to the Pope that Letter which shall be mention'd hereaf∣ter. But for that the same could not be so soon got ready to be sent and subscrib'd by all those by whom it was requisite so to be, M. de Valence writ in the mean time to the Archbishop of Tholouse (last deceased) all that had been done hitherto, and there was sent to me at Rome from him a du∣plicate of his Letter signed by him, to the end I might shew it to all I thought fit, thereby to stop as much as possible the course of those practices, which were founded upon that of M. de Vabres. The Copy of M. de Valence's Letter to the Archbi∣shop of Tholouse here followeth.

Paris 3. March 1651.

My Lord,

BY reading the Considerations which have been made upon a Letter sent to Our Holy Father by some of Our Lords the Prelates, you may have under∣stood all that hath pass'd upon that businesse. I knew nothing of the said Letter, nor of the whole design, (which was kept very secret) till my comming to Paris, and I have been extreamly displeas'd to see how many artifices are us'd by the Molinists to hin∣der a solemn examination of all the Questions about Grace which are in dispute, (t••e only way as I con∣ceive to procure Peace, and to clear up the truth.) We have here amongst us inquir'd what means were fit to be us'd for remedying the mischief which that Letter may produce contrary to the intention of Our Lords the Prelates who subscrib'd it, and we thought expedient to speak with my Lord the Nuntio, and de∣sire him to write to his Holinesse about it. Accor∣dingly on Monday 22 Febr. my Lords, the Arch∣bishop of Ambrun, the Bishops of Agen, Chaalons, Orleans, Cominges, and my self went to wait upon the Nuntio. We declar'd to him that it was not the Clergy of France which sign'd the said Letter, but only some of our Lords the Bishops did it by them∣selves, and in secret, without speaking thereof to the Assembly; although the Clergy being assembled at Paris, it is an unheard of thing to write to his Holi∣nesse about an affair which concerns the whole Church, and particularly this of France, without acquainting the Assembly therewith.

My Lord Archbishop of Ambrun represented to him the importance of this businesse, and the danger there was in judging of these questions without sum∣moning and hearing the parties; That many things were to be said concerning the Propositions presented to his Holinesse; and that for decision of the same it was requisite to examine and understand exactly all that hath pass'd here about that affair, to see in what sense the Disciples of S. Augustin maintain them; to distinguish S. Augustin's sense first of all, for fear of involving that Holy Teacher of Grace in a Cen∣sure, which would give occasion to our Hereticks of saying, That the H. See condemns that which it hath alwayes approv'd, and that the antient Tradi∣tion of the Fathers touching the points of Grace is deserted in the Roman Church. The Nuntio pro∣mis'd to let his Holinesse know of our visit, and what we represented to him; he testify'd to us that he be∣liev'd his Holinesse would not deliver any Judge∣ment, seeing it was not the Body of the Clergy which writ to him, but only some Prelats by themselves: My L. Archbishop of Sens who was to have gone with us to the Nuntio, having been hindred then, went to him eight dayes after with some other Prelat, and declar'd (as I have understood) that if the procee∣ding at Rome in this affair were not with all the forms requir'd by the Canons, and according to the order of Ecclesiastical Judgements, neither himself nor many other Prelates of France would have any regard for what should be done. We have conceiv'd that besides this, it would be requisite that we writ to his Holinesse, to tell him our minds our selves. To morrow will be sent to you our Letter which hath been signed by eight or nine Prelats. Were there time enough to send into the Provinces (as the other Letter was carry'd about five months) we should undoubted∣ly have a great number of Prelats that would sub∣scribe it. But being we are inform'd that the Busi∣nesse hastens at Rome, it will be requisite to send it thither when you with some others of your Province have sign'd it, and to be contented with the fewer subscriptions by reason of the little time we have. Al∣though I cannot believe that the H. See will be led to pronounce in such a manner upon questions of so great importance, I conceiv'd it would be pleasing to you to understand all that we have done, and that having so great a zeal for sound doctrine, justice, and the dig∣nity ef our Function, you will approve all that we have acted only out of a spirit of peace and truth, and out of the duty of our Ministry. This is from,

My Lord,

Your most humble and most obedient Servant and Brother, LEBERON Bp. of Valence & Die.

But before my receiving at Rome either M. de Valence's Letter or two others which inform'd me of what I have above recited touching the visits to the Nuntio, I received one which had been writ∣ten ever since the 27. of January, in which seve∣ral newes was signifi'd to me: first that there was talk at Paris of a Conference before my L. the Archbishop and some other Prelates and Ma∣gistrats. That it was demanded to have six per∣sons there, and offer'd the Molinists to come in as great number as they would: That M. de Rho∣dez Tutor to the King had been sollicited by F. Paulin his Majestie's Confessour to subscribe the Letter of M. de Ʋabres, and that he refus'd it: That M. de Saint Flour did the like, though extraordina∣rily press'd to it by ths Jesuites: That M. de Vi∣viers confess'd that he had signed it, but that he meant not to cast any blot upon Jansenius or the Propositions, but only desir'd a judgment for the sake of peace; and that the Pope was not in∣treated in that Letter to appoint a Conference, because it was not to be doubted but he would

according to his wisdom call together the most able Divines on either side and make a solemn ex∣amination of the question (which cannot other∣wise be well determin'd) before he pronounce any thing therein: In sum, that this was certainly the mind of most of the Bishops who subscrib'd the said Letter.

The same hand writ to me again on 17. February wherein speaking of the Congregations held under the Popes, Clement VIII. and Paul V. he hath these words;

It must be incessantly incul∣cated to those of Rome that our disputes are wholly the same, and that the Question is solely about Effectual Grace, and sufficient Grace sub∣ject to Free will; and that neither Jansenius nor we further hold the said Propositions then as they are reduc'd to the point of Effectual Grace.

CHAP. X.

That the Haereo fateor is that which hath render'd Jansenius so odious at Rome. Several Declarations of Cardinal Barberini that the Bull of Urban VIII. is only provisional, and reacheth not the grounds of Jansenius's Doctrine. The Zeal of the Generals of the Dominicans and of the Augustines, in behalf of S. Augustin mix'd with fear of giving dissatisfaction thereby.

IF it be true, as the abovemention'd Letters af∣firme together with many learned and judi∣cious persons who have carefully read Jansenius's book, that he holdeth no other doctrine but that of Effectual Grace which is wholly S. Augustin's, and which (as we shall see in the sequel) hath alwayes been in general approbation and esteem at Rome; there is no little ground of wonder, how it could come passe that his name and his opinions have become so odious and suspected by the Romans. I observ'd about this time one of the capital causes thereof, if not the onely one; namely That place of his book where objecting to himself against S. Augustin's doctrine the Bulls of Pius V. and Gregory XIII. he answers that truly he is surpris'd at those Bulls, Haereo fateor; and that on the other side he seeth not what can be reply'd to S. Augustin's doctrine which hath been so often approved by the H. See. This doubt and seeming combat in which he pla∣ceth on one side the Bulls of these two Popes, and on the other the doctrine of S. Augustin so often approv'd by the H. See, (though he really accords and reconciles together those Bulls and this Doctrine sufficiently, and with a very particu∣lar respect towards the H. See) hath given so great advantages to the Jesuites against him and his book; that it not onely facilitates any meanes which they will use to make him lookt upon as a declar'd enemy of the H. See by persons pre∣posses'd with the false zeal of those Fathers, but also they have thereby render'd him suspected by others, whom I found very intelligent, judicious, equitable, and likewise well affected towards this Prelate in all other things; so that expres∣sing their dislike of this point alone they have testifi'd their sorrow that he expos'd himself to this disadvantage; so powerfull is the conceipt of the Pope's infallibility over the minds of the Ro∣mans, and so heynous a crime and mortal offence in their eyes is every thing that grates upon it more or lesse. But having seen how admirably the said Bishop is clear'd from it by Aurelius Avitus in the 22. Dissonance of his Molinomachie which was lent me by a Cardinal to whom it was sent by the Post; I as often wish'd I could dispel those suspicions and dislkes entertain'd at Rome, against that place of Jansenius's book as I heard it spoken of, which was very frequently: but this was a work reserved for others. The Prejudices here∣upon were so great and strong, that should I have said all I could in Apology for the Bishop of Ipre touching this matter, I should rather have made my self criminal then justifi'd him. And indeed 'twas a thing I abstain'd from the more willingly and necessarily for that not being at Rome for that purpose, nor otherwise engag'd in any thing that had affinity therewith, I contented my self with speaking of those which were recom∣mended to me, or fell into discourse according as the visites I hapned to make permitted.

I made one to Cardinal Barberin on 27th. of January, in which he spoke among other things something largly of the great services which S. Ber∣nard did to the H. See, and the ardent affection wherewith he was always animated towards it. I ac∣knowledg'd to the Cardinal the truth of those commendations, and withal beseech'd him to ob∣serve that that affection having been the primum mobile which set a going all his other motions and actions in behalf of the H. See, he used a notable liberty and franknesse towards the same H. See, when he saw himself oblig'd to admo∣nish the Popes that fill'd it, of such things as might give cause to complain of their govern∣ment and Decrees. I added also that all such as are zealous for the service of the H. See, ought to testifie the same cheifly in such occasions, where∣in its interest lyes so much, in understanding the things in which it hath been or may be surpri∣sed; That the Popes themselves for remedying mischiefs possible to arise from surprises have or∣dain'd in the Cannon Law C. 5. de rescriptis, that their Decrees be not yeilded unto when there is difficulty in them, but that the same be re∣presented to themselves, to the end they may use such order and remedy therein as is necessary. The Cardinal profess'd to like this discourse, and confirm'd it by a decision or Maxime which he said is follow'd in the Rota. Yet he added that the books of S. Bernard De Consideratione are not those of his works which are most in esteem at Rome, having sometimes been in danger of being, if not condemned, at least suppress'd or retrench'd; which possibly might have been done, had it not been for the consideration of his eminent Sanctity.

I gave him another visite on the 17. of Fe∣bruary, and left with him the Observations made upon M. de Ʋabres's Letter which he sent me back after two dayes seal'd, having read and

made his extract out of the same. Ten dayes after I gave him another, he then professed to me that he approv'd those observations, but made more account of the Reflections upon the Censure of the Catechisme. He said also that himself was made to speak well therein (that is to say, that he was well pleas'd whith what was there related of him) but that the Letter of M. Albizzi which is produc'd there, and the other things spoken of that Assessor troubled him; and his Eminence gave me to understand that they were mutually concern'd for one another, and reputed the offence done to one of their Officers as done to their proper persons. To which I an∣swer'd that no doubt it was with unwillingness that M. Albizzi was reflected upon; and that it had not been done if he had not given ground for it, and the writer conceiv'd himself constrain∣ed so to do.

Happing to be in the company of the same Cardinal in the beginning of March, he told me plainly enough that when themselves or their officers are not treated with the respect which they think their due, they are apt to become rigid and suspicious, and to find fault with many things of which otherwise they should take no great notice, &c. That it behooved so to order the matter in the present case as not di∣rectly to thwart Decisions, and amongst others the Bull of Ʋrban VIII. of happy memory; but to shew that what the Adversaries pretend to be contained therein, is not there indeed; and that the same is to be understood with this or that restriction, &c. That it is fit to allow some∣thing to Popes great incumbrances which hinder them from being so exact in every point, &c. To which I answer'd two things. First that some∣times there is no way to deny the words which are expresse therein, nor to admit the same but by alledging a surprise. Secondly, That S. Au∣gustin's disciples are full of great love and sincere respect towards the H. See and the Popes. That I doubted not but that they are alwayes ready to interpret their meanings and words in the most benigne sense that is possible. That if his eminence would think thereon, and give me light of a fit expedient how to put a favorable exposition upon that Bull at Rome, I doubted not but it would be accepted most willingly by all the disciples of S. Augustin, provided it be not prejudicial to truth, which with them is absolutely inviolable.

Our discourse of this businesse pass'd so far, and the Cardinal profess'd himself so satisfi'd there∣with, that I believ'd he would think in good earnest of procuring a clear declaration from the H. See of the motives and extent of the Bull of Ʋrban VIII. which he had explicated to me before on several oc∣casions; and also (of making use of my mediati∣on to bring it about that they who found diffi∣culties therein (with whom he conceiv'd I had some commerce) might acquiesce in the extent, and with the Glosses and passable conditions with which he told me the said Bull was made, and which might be express'd in such Declaration. Which was certainly a thought worthy so great and renown'd a Cardinal, as well for the honour of the memory of Ʋrban VIII. his Uncle and the execution of his intentions, as for avoiding pro∣vocation to wrath (according to the Scripture expression) by the continuance of an obscurity and a studied silence, of the most humble chil∣dren of the Catholick Church most zealous for her and the Holy See, and very capable of serving both against their common ene∣mies.

I remember I accounted it a thing resolv'd up∣on by the Cardinal, and so fully conceiv'd that he having undertaken it, the accomplishment must needs follow, and they who profess'd some repugnance to the said Bull being (as I was con∣fident) very ready to imbrace all overtures of peace compatible with the preservation of truth; that at my return from a smal journey taken with the abovementioned Gentleman to Civita Vecchia, the Alum mines, and Caprarola, finding a Citation fix'd up against M. Hersent, in which I observ'd such words as might exasperate minds affected to S. Augustin, I went speedily to the said Car∣dinal to make my complaint thereof to him, and testifie my grief in seeing this new obstacle to the design which he had profess'd of bringing matters to a safe and permanent reconciliation by giving a favorable interpretation to the said Bull. Now this Citation was decreed in the names of the Cardinals, Roma, la Cueva, Spada, Ginetti, S. Clement, Panzirolo, Lugo, Colonna, d' Este, and likewise in the name of Cardinal Barberin; and it mention'd the Doctrine of Jansenius, and of that whereof M. Hersent desir'd the Pope's protection (which is no other then that of S. Augustin) as a doctrine purely and simply con∣demn'd; although as for that of S. Augustin all the world acknowledg'd it at Rome, as a doctrine confirm'd and approv'd by the general consent of the Church in all Ages; and although, as for that of Jansenius, Cardinal Barberin had often told me, that such as it was, it remain'd still in its integrity, and had receiv'd no blow from the Bull of his Uncle. But this Citation which was likely to be carried everywhere to the remotest Provinces, and which gave a suffici∣ently plausible ground to all the enemies of S. Augustin and Jansenius to speak otherwise of the said Bull, gave also occasion to such as were concern'd for either or both, to become aliena∣ted and exasperated; and brought into dispute the honour of the H. See from whence it was lookt upon as proceeding, bearing the names and seals of their Eminences, the most considerable mem∣bers officers and supports thereof.

The Cardinall seem'd astonisht at what I said to him, and answer'd me that he would consi∣der the matter and advertise the aforesaid per∣sons thereof; That he remembred that he signed some thing, but it was without having had any hand in the businesse: That he had been in the Coun∣try the week before, and indisposed this; that all these things were transacted by the Office of the Rota which inserts in these kind of Instru∣ments what seemed good to them, and always interprets things to the worst. After which he proceeded to speak again of the Bull of Ʋrban VIII. and told me that we ought to handle the same tenderly and not thwart it so directly; because that this and others the like were set

forth, and are to be understood, supposing that the books in question contain really the Proposi∣tions of which they are accus'd; which being matter of fact, the Popes may be surpris'd and deceiv'd therein: And that in case such Books do not contain the Propositions imputed to them, condemnations (or rather, prohibitions) as he told me do not touch them nor lay any blot or prejudice upon them. And as for that of Jan∣senius in particular, he added that the Bull of Ʋr∣ban VIII. doth not condemn but only forbid it upon the report made thereof to his Holinesse. I testifi'd that I was very glad to learn from his Eminence the interpretation and extent which ought to be given to those Decrees and Bulls; but I told him that the Jesuites and their Adhe∣rents did not understand the same in this man∣ner, nor confine them within these bounds. The Cardinal reply'd that herein we ought to be firme and hold them to it. I answer'd that that course was taken and is still endevor'd to the utmost; but his Eminence might extinguish many contests of no fruit nor edefication, if in stead of leaving Divines to wrangle among themselves about such punctilio's he would procure some Decree or Bull from the H. See, wherein were made such an open and sincere declaration and explication of those hitherto set forth, as his Eminence did now make to me. But I could not urge this matter further; and the Cardinal have∣ing caused me to return to what I have above re∣lated of the visite given to the Nuntio by the Archbishop of Ambrun and the other Prelates, and to what had pass'd in the University touch∣ching the Irish, he told me that it were good that the Pope had alwayes about him two or three persons of France, and as many of Spaine, to informe his Holinesse of the things which pass'd in those remote countries touching doctrine. I an∣swer'd him that it would be very good; but that besides the difficulties which occurre herein, their manner of handling affairs in secret and covertly much discourag'd those that desir'd to send or come thither. He reply'd that it was the order which was exactly observ'd amongst them, not to reveale any thing of the affaires which they handle daily; but that in those which then divided mens minds, and whereof we had so often dis∣cours'd, nothing could be done publickly with∣out reciprocal communication, and a Con∣gregation established on purpose for that cause.

I had the honour to see Cardinal Barberin the Saterday before this conference, and to accompany him to the Celestines to a Thesis of Divinity de∣dicated to him on Saturday 19. March 1651. The Thesis amongst others was upon the matter of Grace and Predestination to Glory, which was defended there as done gratuitously and effectu∣ally before the Prevision of Merits: of which point that of effectual Grace and all the other Christi∣an Truths maintain'd by us in the Five Propositions, being clear and infallible consequences, I this day took this occasion to make to his Eminence a short reduction thereof to grace effectual by it self, the sole thing for whose defense and esta∣blishment we were engag'd, in exclusion of suf∣ficient Grace subject to Free-will. The Cardi∣nal profess'd himself satisfied with the reduction and declaration, and told me that he conceiv'd that this was the way to bring affairs to a speedy issue.

I remembred that at my departure from him when I shew'd his Eminence the Letter of M. de Valence, I went to see Lucas Holstenius, and shew'd the same also to him. He esteem'd it so good and so judicious and withal so sutable to the inclinations which he had observ'd in the Pope in a familiar conference which he had with his Holinesse for a whole houre about these mat∣ters, that he desired me to translate it into Ita∣lian, and give him a Copy of it to shew the Pope, thereby to confirm him in the resolution which he had profess'd to have, of hastening and ha∣zarding nothing in their contests. The sub∣jects of these discourse was this; the Pope open∣ing himself to him concerning the trouble he re∣ceiv'd by continual sollicitations from France to make some decision of these matters which he understood not, and to the study of which he had never apply'd himself, M. Holstenius answer∣ed that his Holinesse would do well not to be∣gin at that age to put himself to the trouble of understanding, and much lesse of deciding them; because that they were of themselves very diffi∣cult to comprehend, that they had not onely mov'd great disputes in all Ages of the Church amongst the faithfull since the birth of Jesus Christ, but also had divided all the greatest Phi∣losophers of old in the difficulty they found of conciliating the Freedome of Man with the most clear and infallible knowledge which God hath of future things, and with the most immutable resolution of his eternal Decrees; some of them sticking to these opinions, and others to other, as men do also now adayes and will do as long as there be men in the world. Wherefore being no Decision can be made of these points which is likely to satisfy them, his Holinesse should do better not to think of making any, nor trouble himself about it, but let things slide along as they do till they become calme of themselves, as no doubt they would do, when either side or both become weary of disputing and of indevour∣ing to perswade their Adversaries to their opi∣nions. This was so well lik'd by the Pope, that he congratulated with M. Holstenius for the in∣timation which he gave him thereof, and told him that he would beware of proceeding after any other manner then according to this advice of his.

About the same time a person of honor came to visite me, and told me he had been two dayes before with the Master of the sacred Palace; and that this pious Ecclesiastick had spoken to him with great resentment for the principles of S. Augustin explicated by the Bishop of Ipre, and with a holy abhorrence of the persecution which they suffer'd, promising on his part to retard and obstruct to his power the evil designs which he found were in agitation against those Holy Maxims, and such as defended them; but that he was troubled that we acted so little on our patt for the information of people at Rome, and that whilst we wholly deserted the Field of Battle to our Adversaries, it was no wonder if they

prevail'd as much as they pleas'd.

I thought fit also to go and advertise the Ge∣neral of the Augustines of the Citation fix'd up against M. Hersent, and of the danger there was lest the Jesuites should make use of it in the remote Provinces, as a new Proof that S. Augu∣stin's doctrine was lookt upon and dealt with at Rome as a condemn'd doctrine: I in∣timated to him that the more he dissembled the outrages daily offer'd to the doctrine and authority of that great Saint, the lesse easie it would be to remedy the same. He assent∣ed to what I said, but propounded to me to make the complaints which I suggested to him: of which I making such excuses as he lik'd, and he ac∣knowledging that himself might intermeddle therein with more reason, security, and successe then I, he lift up his eyes and his shoulders, and striking his hands upon the arms of his chair, express'd his grief and his thoughts with these words, which he utter'd twice, Non si può par∣lar, non si può parlar; There is no speaking, there is no liberty to speak. To which I answering, That it was time now to do it, or never would be; (to the end he might consider what course were best to take) I left him a Copy of M. Hersent's Citation, Epistle and Sermon. He accepted the same willingly, but withall askt me what he should answer in case it were demanded from whom he had them. I answer'd, that it was not fit to name me; which he promis'd me not to do. This I observe, to shew what restraint they are under at Rome in reference to these matters; since a man of his quality fear'd being ask'd and oblig'd to declare from whom he had receiv'd such publick pieces, which might have been found in every body's hands. Moreover he signify'd to me what just fear he had to make remonstrances so necessary and well-becomming him, by the example of a Cardinal who (he said) offering to make the like a little while ago about these matters, had fallen into great disgust and mortification for so doing.

CHAP. XI.

Notice of my being in danger to be put in∣to the Inquisition. Of the Molinoma∣chy of Aurelius Avitus. The Expli∣cation of Haereo Fateor. Such as were thought inclinable to defend Jan∣senius, remov'd from the Assemblies of the Inquisition. An Audience of the Pope.

I WAS advertis'd about the same time that I was in danger of falling into the like my self, for that (as he affirm'd who gave the notice there∣of to the Gentleman my companion) in the vi∣sits which I had made to the Cardinals I had spoken too freely of those sentiments which passe at Rome for Heretical; that in reference to these matters there needed no more then a single Hear-say to cause a man to be apprehended and put in a safe place, that is to say, in the Inquisition; that when any one is once there, it is not easie for him to get out; and therefore I had great reason to take heed to my self. He who came to give this notice was a Jesuite, and at this time perform'd the office of Secretary for France to his General, and with whom I being frequently in company together with that Gentle∣man who had been recommended to him by some Letters of his Confreres in France I had contract∣ed some acquaintance and friendship; Which ne∣verthelesse I did not believe so great, as to be more prevalent with him then the interests of his Society, and I scarce doubted but that he came to give me this intelligence by contrivance of his Confreres, either to frighten me, or for some o∣ther reasons. However, this Father was thank'd for the kindnesse which he profess'd to do me; but withall he was given to know, that finding my self culpable of nothing, I feared nothing; which yet did not hinder but that, there remaining not a∣bove three weeks to the time set down by us for our departure, I was more wary of my self then formerly, for fear of occasioning the crossing of our designs, by giving any hold against my self. We began to take our leaves, and to buy such lit∣tle curiosities as we minded to carry from Rome into France: amongst divers fine Prints which I had from a Graver there, I bought also five sheets of Paper, upon which there were above a hundred pourtraicts of several Jesuites who were Canonis'd thus, as having shed their blood for the Christian Religion, amongst whom this was in its order, Pater Henricus Garnetus Anglus Londini pro fide Catholica suspensus & sectus, 3 Maii 1606. None in the world is ignorant that he suffer'd there the punishment of death for the Powder-plot, of which he was accus'd, con∣victed, and acknowledged himself guilty before he dy'd; insomuch that out of his resentment of his fault, upon some reproaches made to him as having pretended in committing it to attain to the glory of Martyrdom, He answerd, That it was a thing unheard of for Traytors and Parricides to be ranked amongst Martyrs, Nunquam audi∣tum fuit parricidam esse Martyrem; as it is re∣lated in these words, if I remember aright, by a well known Author who writ the History. These Prints, which are alwayes sold at the Sign of the Eagle near the Church of S. Marcellus, with per∣mission of the Superiors, I took with me to make use of, one day, against those who have thought fit that the Houres should be condemn'd, because in one of the Editions M. de Berule is found in the Calendar with this Letter B. which signifies Blessed, a title which the Censors of that excel∣lent Work affirm is not lawfull to be given to a∣ny person but by the authority and approbation of the Pope, whilst at the same time they suffer the title of Martyr to be given publickly and without contradiction for these forty yeares to persons dead in the greatest infamy, and for the most enormous crimes.

Cardinal Barberin did us the honour to visit us on the 25. day of March; amongst other things we talkt of the Molinomachie of Aurelius Avitus.

The Cardinal ask'd me what was the subject of that Work. I answer'd him, that it was written con∣cerning the Jesuits pretence that the Propositions condemn'd by the Bull of Pius V. agreed with the Doctrine of Jansenius; that it shew'd with won∣derfull solidity, and invincible clearnesse, that such pretended agreement was indeed none at all but impertinent, and maliciously and falsly alledged by the Jesuits; that their artifices and horrible ca∣lumnies in all that businesse were laid open by the Author of the said Book. Amongst others I told him of the 22. pretended Agreement, in which the Jesuits recite this Proposition out of Pius V's Bull; Deus non potuisset ab initio talem creare homi∣nem qualis nunc nascitur. I told him, that I had found true what the Molinomachie said thereof; namely, that Jansenius having mention'd it in his Book as an Objection to be clear'd, and according∣ly clear'd it very solidly, they have taken it out of that place, as if Jansenius had written and affirm'd it as of himself, without setting down the words foregoing, which shew that he mentions it as an Objection, but suppressing all that the Bishop alledgeth to shew that it hath been condemned in the sense wherein it is taken by Pius V. but that this sense makes nothing to that of S. Augustine, which he recites and explicates. The Cardinal profess'd himself surpriz'd at what I said, and could not imagine (though upon my affirming it, and engaging my self to shew it him, he believ'd it) that 'twas possible for men to resolve upon such black falsities. But for the better understand∣ing of the businesse, he put to me the usual difficul∣ty above-mention'd, which the Jesuits make use of to discredit Jansenius upon all occasions; namely, that objecting the said Propositions to himself, he saith, Haereo, fateor, sed quid ad Doctrinam S. Au∣gustini? as if Jansenius oppos'd the Authority of S. Augustine to Pius V. and Gregory XIII. And indeed he propos'd it, as thinking to presse me with this instance; but I told him, that this was also one of the cheats of that Bishops enemies, and was likewise laid open in the Molinomachie; that Jansenius did not thus close up his discourse; that it was an intolerable wickednesse to suppresse the remainder, by which he explicates this Propositi∣on, and reconciles the H. See with it self, and that with very great care, esteem, and veneration; that the intire place ran thus, sed quid ad Doctrinam S. Augustini clarissimam invectissimam{que}, quam toties probavit & sequitur, sequendam{que} monuit Apostolica sedes? that he did not rest there, but a little after added and put to himself this question, as out of all likelihood, namely, Whether the H. See can be contrary and opposite to it self? to which he answereth, that this absurdity cannot be affirm'd; and then shews that the H. See really agrees with it self, and that the Doctrine of S. Augustine, approv'd by the Popes, hath nothing of affinity with the Propositions condemn'd by Pius V. and Gregory XIII. This reply clear'd and sa∣tisfi'd Cardinal Barberin, who rejoyn'd nothing further.

The minds of many in constant imployment at Rome about matters of Doctrine, were so possess'd with aversion against the Bishop of Ipre, that they would not admit of any thing that might contribute to the clearing of his intentions, or to his justifica∣tion. M. Albizzi (as I have since understood) effected some time ago, that F. Lucas Vadingo, Superior, and in a manner Founder of the house of S. Isidore, in which are the Monks of S. Francis all Irish, one of the Consultors of the H. Office, a man of singular piety and very great parts, was fain to absent himself from the Assemblies of that Congregation, only for saying; That it was requi∣site to examine Jansenius's Book, and to let it passe current after having retrencht out of it what was reprovable, if there were any thing which deserv'd such correction. And the F. Abbot Hilarion, of the Order of the Bernardins, some time after his composing the Book I mention'd above, in which he noted the different senses in which the Proposi∣tions might be taken, receiv'd an order from Car∣dinal Spada to repair no more to the Congregati∣ons where those matters were handled. The manner of it was thus: The Cardinal told him, That it was not necessary that he should be present any more at the Congregations held about this affair. F. Hilarion answer'd, That he was oblig'd to obey his Eminence. The Cardinal reply'd, That he did not say that, but only intreated him that he would think good to repair thither no more. When F. Hilarion gave me this relation, he told me, that the Cardinal spoke this to him be∣cause it had been his advice that the sense of Janse∣nius upon the Propositions might be examin'd and explicated. And as for F. Lucas Vadingo, that he receiv'd an expresse prohibition for it, by the in∣trigues and solicitations of M. Albizzi.

F. Campana, Procurator General of the Domi∣nicans, preach'd this Lent at Rome in the Church of S. Peter, and it was the third or fourth Lent that he preach'd there, it being usual to be retain'd Preacher of a Church not for one year only, but for many, till some occasion obliges him to desist from that imployment. I went to hear him as often as I could: He was an excellent man, and I was much edify'd by him. I was there on Tuesday in the Passion week, and he gave notice of a Ser∣mon about Predestination for the Wednesday fol∣lowing. But what? (said he) many will say 'tis a nice subject, and not meet to be preach'd of to the people. O, answer'd he, S. Augustine is not of that mind, who saith, That Praedestinatio Sanctorum populo Christiano praedicanda est ut qui gloriantur in Domino glorientur. I return'd thither on Wednesday, and he made a very good and solid Sermon upon that subject.

The Gentleman with whom I was, and my self, had resolv'd to depart immediately after the cele∣bration and ceremonies of the Feast of Easter; and that we might not be delay'd by an audience which we wish'd to have of the Pope before our depar∣ture, we solicited for one at the end of Lent; which on H. Monday we obtain'd, and the Pope treated us with very much gentlenesse, courtesie and familiarity, for half an hour. I twice turn'd the discourse as much as I could to things border∣ing upon the contests of the times, to give his Ho∣linesse occasion to enter upon them, but he hand∣somely kept off them, and we spoke not one word thereof far nor near.

I much wonder'd at this time at the Pope's close∣nesse upon the two occasions which I gave him of speaking of things which belong'd to my pro∣fession,

seeing in the audience I had had of him five years before, in the company of the Abbot Bassompiere now Bishop of Xaintes, the Marquis of Marevil Brother-in-Law to M. de Angoulesme, M. Sanguin the Son, first Master of the King's Hous∣hold, and the Abbot Bontemps, now first Vallet of his Majestie's Chamber, the Pope left none of the contests risen amongst Catholicks without speak∣ing something to me of them, and giving me occasi∣on himself to tell his Holinesse my thoughts there∣of, though the company was then much more nu∣merous, and he had lesse cause and time to fix his discourse with me then he had in this occasion, be∣ing only with that Gentleman. So that I could not attribute his reservednesse and silence in these matters to any thing but to the resolution which it was told me he had so often made of not hearing any speech thereof at all, for that they did only trouble him without any benefit; and perhaps this consideration had some place at this time. But after I understood, as I am going to relate, that I had been accused to him for one of the most zealous of those whom they call Jansenists, and that there had been found one who defended me from that reproach: I conceiv'd the principal reason of his silence was, to know who had spoken true, my ac∣cusers or my defenders; and that he would let me go on alone without replying any thing on his part which might give me occasion of speaking, to see how far my zeal (of which complaints had been made to him, which I knew not of) would lead me. Since my understanding of which, I ac∣counted it my great good fortune that I kept with∣in the bounds of the respect and circumspection which I owe to the head of the Church, and spoke nothing to him of the affaires which concern it, and are above my reach, without his giving me an invitation to tell him what I knew thereof, which I should have done in this case in all Christian since∣rity, and according to the measure whereof I am capable.

CHAP. XII.

Several confirmations of the notice given me of the danger wherein I was. A design of the Bishops to write and send to Rome. The difficulties of that so sudden Delegation. An intire disco∣very of the design almost taken to stay me. My departure from Rome.

THE first notice I receiv'd of the complaints made of me, was given me by the kindnesse of the Jesuit I spoke of; and though I attributed not so much to it as to believe or conclude any thing certain from it, yet I had not forgotten it. It serv'd me to understand a somewhat unusual com∣plement which was made me by the Cardinal of S. Clement, when I went to take leave of him, to thank him for the favourable reception he made me in my two or three visits to him, and to offer him the little service I was able to render him. For as soon as I had signifi'd the cause that brought me to him, the only answer he made, was, to tell me that he was glad of it, and to ask me if I departed suddenly; and I having told him that I believ'd it would be the next day after the Festivals of the 13. or 14. of April, which was then began, he reply'd, That it would be well done, and the sooner the better. He pass'd instantly, with the civility so common to their Eminences, to another discourse, which yet he contracted according to his wont into few words; but I was more mindfull to what he said to me at first, then to all the rest. For that which the Jesuit had told the Gentleman my friend, came into my memory, and I began to believe that there was something in it.

For the same purpose I went to visit Cardinal Barberin, from whom I had received so many ob∣liging treatments during my whole abode at Rome. Amongst other things which he said to me, he askt me whether I knew the Cardinal of S. Clement. I answer'd, that I had visited him twice or thrice, and found him of a very vigorous old age, and that there was seen in him as great testimonies of an eminent spirit, as there appear'd tokens of mo∣desty and peity in his countenance. Cardinal Bar∣berin reply'd, that I had not lost my time in those visits, and that I held a good place in his mind. Mine was full of his Complement, and the Jesuit's intelligence, and this discourse was a new item to me in confirmation of the apprehensions I gather'd from the two other, and gave me the curiosity of searching further into it. I answer'd therefore to Cardinal Barberin, that it was purely an effect of the Cardinal of S. Clement's goodnesse; and that since himself (Cardinal Barberin) did me the fa∣vour to acquaint me with that happinesse which I was before ignorant of, I beseecht him to tell me how he understood it himself. Here t••ere arose a little alteration in Cardinal Barberin's counte∣nance, which could not proceed but from his con∣ceiving that he had told me too much, or from his being at a losse what answer to make me; so that I presently perceiv'd, that from whencesoever that alteration proceeded, there was more in the busi∣nesse then his Eminence was willing to tell me; and after he had told me in general termes, that he had heard the Cardinal of S. Clement speak advan∣tageously of me, I durst not presse him further. But I well saw that something had been spoken in that way, in some place where they had been toge∣ther, which they were not often, saving in the Congregations of the H. Office. This, with the Jesuit's intelligence, was a certain evidence that it must needs have been in those Congregations; and that if it was there, that the Cardinal of S. Clement had spoken of me with advantage, it must be ga∣ther'd from thence, that seeing complaints had been made of me, there had been some who spoke not of me in the same manner.

I began also to perceive that those complaints must needs have been carri'd to the Pope, because it is the order us'd by the Congregation of the H. Office, for the Cardinals of whom it consists, to assemble at la Minerva the Dominicans house eve∣ry Wednesday morning: Then for the Secretary or Assessor of the said Congregation to go to the Pope in the afternoon, to acquaint his Holinesse with what was handled in the morning by the As∣sembly

of Cardinals, that his Holinesse may be pre∣par'd for the determination which he is to make thereof the next day, and may have the night to reflect thereon: Then for the same Cardinals to re-assemble on Thursday morning at the Pope's Palace, where in his Holinesse's presence they speak anew to all the things whereof they consulted the day foregoing, and deliver their last sentiments, which the Pope having heard, determines himself to that which seemeth good unto him.

In this conjuncture Letters of the 17. of March arriv'd to me from Paris, certifying me; that the Bishops who went to the Nuntio, and some others with them, had at length resolv'd to write to the Pope touching the Letter of M. de Vabres, to be∣seech his Holinesse, that if he intended to make any decision about those matters, he would so do it as that it might put an end to the contests amongst Catholick Divines, establish peace amongst them, clear up and settle the truth which both sides ought to acknowledge; all which cannot be done but in a solemn Congregation, like that which was appoin∣ted by Clement VIII. and Paul V. especially consi∣dering the speciosity of these matters, which have been very much embroyl'd by the processe of time, and the malice of men. Moreover, that they had resolv'd, that seeing Letters are but dead remon∣strances, lasting sometimes no longer then they are reading, to send also some Divines to be living solicitors for the procuring the effect of the Let∣ters, and obtaining the erecting of such a Congre∣gation. It was signifi'd also, that the same Pre∣lates pitcht upon me for one of the Delegates; and being I was already upon the place, they de∣sir'd me to stay there expecting the arrival of the rest, who were to come to me, and would be the bearers of their Letters.

I was enjoyn'd further to double my vigilance in the mean time about this affair, because it was likely that the Letter of M. de Vabres would be brought to effect; that all possible means would be us'd to bring it about; that there was lately a Letter obtain'd from the Queen, in which her Ma∣jesty press'd his Holinesse to have regard to that of so many Prelates, and to the needs of her people, and for that purpose to passe a determination upon the contested Propositions, which were presented to him for his decision.

It was now within four or five dayes to the time set for our departure: We had only some adieus to make, and were in the croud of Ceremonies of the Festivals, which we desir'd to see, and other incumbrances which alwayes accompany the pre∣paration for a Journey out of a great City. I did not omit to go see that man whom I had found so quick-sighted in the temper of the Roman Court, and all other circumstances of this affair, and who at length consented to the Expedient of this Dele∣gation, in regard of the extreme needs which I had alledg'd to him for it: I imparted to him all that was signifi'd to me by the Letters which I had re∣ceiv'd. He was surpriz'd to see things so forward from France: He told me, that he had yielded to the said Delegation, but not to have it put in exe∣cution till things were in more forwardnesse at Rome: That it was requisite to allow time to those who were busi'd at Rome in drawing up some in∣structions touching these disputes, for the informa∣tion of some Cardinals (on whom the affair was likely to depend) concerning the true estate in which they are: That till a fit mothod were taken to make their Eminences understand what was in∣tended to be represented to them, no good was to be expected therein. This excellent man alledg'd some other reasons which I touch'd above, and re∣peat not here, whereunto I oppos'd the extreme needs of putting some obstacle to the powerfull solicitations us'd by the Jesuits for compassing the evil effect which they propos'd to themselves from M. de Vabres's Letter. He told me, that he was convinc'd more then I, what urgent necessity there was of applying some remedy to this mischief, which encreas'd every day; but that it was not al∣wayes a fit time to apply remedies though necessa∣ry; and that it behoved to wait for circumstances fit for the procuring that redresse which was hop'd for: That as for the evil effect which I fear'd, there was no probability of its coming to passe so soon; and besides if it did, inasmuch as it would be a thing against order and truth, and without hearing of parties, it could not be valid, but there would al∣wayes be room to recurre to this course. That he remain'd firm in this mind, and that it behoved to beseech the Bishops of France to suspend the exe∣cution of their good intentions till things were more hopefully prepar'd at Rome. That incessant care should be us'd to prepare them without noise; and that if it should please God to blesse that care, I should not fail of being timely advertis'd there∣of, to the end the good purposes of those Bishops might not only be accomplish'd as much as lay in them, but also follow'd by a successe worthy of their patience and zeal.

This was the substance of the answers which I made on Easter Monday, April the 10th. though more at large then they are here recited, to the Letters which I mention'd. Namely, that consi∣dering all these reasons, and that their Letter was not sent to me, and possibly would not be sudden∣ly, and being willing to accompany my friend in returning, as I had done in coming, I should with∣out fail depart from Rome on the ensuing Thursday for France. I added, that neverthelesse, that I might not seem to abandon a cause so important and just, nor fail in corresponding to the hope which my LL. the Bishops had of my submission to their Orders, nor wholly of my own motion over∣throw the resolution which they had taken; in ex∣pectation of a reply to the reasons which I sent them, I signifi'd what course I intended to take in my Journey, and how I might meet their Letters at the principal Cities through which I should passe, that so, if they pleas'd to give me new Orders about what I represented to them, I might receive and obey the same.

All things were thus dispos'd for our departure; and I was yet ignorant of what had particularly pass'd touching the complaints made of me. There remain'd but two days more, and one of them was to be imploy'd in going to Tivoli, to take leave of M. the Embassador, who was still retir'd there since his going out of Rome; which was ac∣cordingly done: The other was so taken up with other visits active and passive, that there remain'd one yet to make in the morning of our departure to the Cardinal d' Este, to take leave of his High∣ness,

which we did likewise. But after I left him, I had the good fortune to light upon a person who was very well inform'd of that which troubled me, and who told me thereof with sufficient freedom. For having profess'd his joy for seeing me depart in the good posture wherein I stood, and told me transiently, that the Jesuit often mention'd had reason for what he said, and that I had escap'd fair: To put him upon a fuller discovery of what con∣cern'd my departure, I answer'd, That I had not been ignorant of the clamour made to the Pope about me, though without cause given by me; but yet if I had been well assaulted, I was also well defended. My friend by this believed that I understood the whole secret, so that no longer scrupling to speak plainly of it, he was much pleas'd to tell me all the circumstances he knew thereof, and I to hear them. He told me that the business was come to an even lay; and had not a Cardinal pleaded hard for me, I was in danger of making a troublesome residence at Rome. That the reason hereof was, for that in the discourses I had had with some of the Cardinals, I had testifi'd some affection for Jansenius; (yet I said nothing of him besides what is related above) That upon the least discovery of the inclinations of ones heart, especi∣ally in matters so odious as these, the rest would be presumed; consequently it was gather'd, that I had more of such affection then I had made show of: in a word, that I was a Janseniste, and that it was requisite to arrest me, and put me in the prison of the Inquisition. That upon this the Cardinal who spoke in my defence, declar'd that I had also visited him two or three times, and had indeed testi∣fied to him some zeal for S. Augustins Doctrine, but said not so much as one word to him of Jansenius. That he demanded what proof there was of the accusation brought against me? Where were the books, or the Writings by which I might be con∣victed of that whereof I was accus'd? That he said, Such haste must not be us'd towatds a person be∣longing to so famous a Body as the Faculty of Pa∣ris, which might resent the injury done to one of its Doctors for words spoken into the air, for sin∣gle hear-say, without proof under hand, without conviction. That were I guilty of what I was charged with, yet it would be necessary to have something before them, whereof to inform the publick, and justifie the proceedings held against me. That should such a thing be done, it would be disapprov'd by all the world, for that I was come to Rome only upon occasion of the H. year or Jubile; and so little in order to treating any affair there, that all I waited for to return into France, was only till the solemnity of the Festivals of the approaching Easter were past; that there∣fore he did not see just ground enough to resolve upon arresting me. That in fine the Pope amidst this variety of opinions finding himself amus'd by these reasons, inclin'd to my side, and pronounc'd his sentence upon my affair in these two words; Lasciatelo andare, Let him go.

I accounted my self much beholding to the pro∣vidence of God, the protection of that Cardinal, and the goodness of the Pope, for the rendring of this sentence in my favour; very happy in know∣ing of it, and most oblig'd to this friend for having so clearly unfolded this mystery which I discerned but very obscurely before. Yet I took notice to him of but half my obligation; however being otherwise much my friend, congratulating my self with him for Gods deliverance of me from the aforesaid danger; I embraced him, and took my leave. After which it remain'd only to dine, and so to horse, which we did about noon 13 April 1651. intending to lie at Monterose.

CHAP. XIII.

A Letter written from Florence to ex∣cuse my self absolutely from returning to Rome, notwithstanding my pro∣mise. My most considerable Obser∣vations at Milan.

VVHen I saw my self out of Rome, I had time upon the way to consider more at∣tentively the danger I had incurr'd, and was more astonisht at the project against me, then I had been when the several notices were first given me thereof. I scarce believ'd what I saw, and ad∣mired how I had escaped the danger, having been so near falling into it. I resolv'd positively not to put my self into the like again, for that it would seem a tempting of God to hazard my self anew to so evident peril. And whereas the reason which brought me off, was the Popes considering that I was ready to depart from Rome to return into France, I resoiv'd to write by the first Post, to make my most humble excuses to my LL. the Bi∣shops, from the promise made in my last of return∣ing to Rome if they appointed me; that so if they persisted in the design of sending some one thi∣ther, they might think, without delay, of some other then me.

Assoon as we arrived in Florence, I did so, and signified by those Letters of the 20 of April, not only that I should not return to Rome as I had pro∣mis'd to do, in case I should by the way receive or∣der for it of my LL. the Bishops, and the Letters to the Pope; but that I should write to a Father of the Oratory, a judicious, zealous and pious person, named F, Petit. (whom I had intreated to open in my absence such Pacquets as were sent to me, and to perform such things in my behalf as re∣quired haste, but could not see him after my re∣ceiving of that last intelligence) not to meddle with any thing, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 do ought of what I had instructed him, because considering the state of things not fit to be told at this time, it would not be safe ei∣ther for the cause or his person, for him (any more then for me) to do any thing whatever about this affair, without express order and authentick power.

I signified by the said Letters expresly, that this resolution was not to be alter'd; of which such as I should acquaint by word of mouth at Paris con∣cerning the grounds thereof, would be convinc'd; that however I hop'd the Pope would not hasten to determine any thing for all the sollicitations made to him; and I intimated among other rea∣sons I had for it, that dining with the Ambassador

the day before our departure, and in the Converse after Dinner having read the Bishop of Valence's Letter to the Archbishop of Tholouse, he heard it silenty till the place where M. de Valence expresses his fear, lest the affair were hastned at Rome, and the Pope determined it before it were well exa∣min'd; at which place the Ambassador who had abundant experience of the Popes resolv'd silence touching these matters, said these words, True indeed, 'tis well said; ha! he cares not; I have spo∣ken to him about it a hundred times, and could never draw one word from him.

I observ'd too both in these and my last letters from Rome, that if any Delegates came, it was ab∣solutely necessary, that they wholly abstain from the name of Jansenius, how well perswaded soever they were of the truth of his opinions and fidelity in explicating those of St. Augustine, and how ar∣dent soever they were for the interests of the par∣ticular cause of that Prelate; because if they should, there would not only be nothing gotten by it to his advantage, but they would also ruine the grand affair for which they were sent to Rome; That for certain, things were in such a posture there, since the haereo fateor, &c. that assoon as the name of Jansenius were heard out of their mouths, they would be in an inevitable danger of rendring the rest of their most just and necessa∣ry Remonstrances altogether unprofitable.

We were at Florence, and the parts adjacent near three weeks; partly in expectation of a passe∣port for Milan, which was there sollicited for us by M. Rinuccini Resident in that City for the great Duke of Tuscany. Thence we went to Bononia, Modena, Parma, Mantua, and after staying so long in those places as was requisite to see them and salute the several Dukes of them, we came down to Venice, arriving thereon Ascension day, whereon that famous Ceremony of renewing the Republicks alliance with the Sea, is celebrated. We departed thence for Genua through the Dut∣chy of Milan; all which State we saw, together with that great and goodly City which gives name to it. We were led round the great cover'd Galle∣ries on the top of the antient square Fortress in the middle, which commands all the Bastions of the new Citadel, which is so handsome, so regular and well fortifi'd. One afternoon we went to M. Stella, Canon of the Cathedral, who shew'd us his Closet so worthy to be reckon'd for a Rarity, not only in regard of the curiosities it contains, but also for the exquisite things made by his own hand belonging to the Mathematicks, the Op∣ticks, and Musical instruments which are in so great number, that there is about fifty several kinds made by himself, and which he knows how to use very skilfully. He shew'd us the great Ho∣spital, and the Seminaries built by S. Charles; and also the great Chrystal Shrine, in which his body still intire cloth'd with his Pontifical Ornaments, is so well preserv'd, notwithstanding the injuries of time, which hath begun to invade the eye-brows and the end of the nose, that he seem'd to me (by his left cheek, on which side he is seen) to have some aire of the pictures which passe about of him. But I cannot forget the particular courteousnesse of M. Rinuccini, who brought us to the knowledge of this Canon, and shew'd us many other civilities. He accompani'd us with the said Canon to the Ca∣thedral Church; the design of which is so vast, and the structure so magnificent, as well fot the Marble, of which it is all built without, as for the great number of exquisite statues about it in a thousand places. He conducted us into divers o∣ther places of the City. He invited us to dine with him a day or two after our Arrival, the Marquis of Caracena having sent him a very great fish on Thursday; we were desired to be at the eating of it the next day; but he season'd it, amongst ma∣ny other delightful things which came into dis∣course, with a question he made, which is worth the setting down here, to shew many Ecclesiasticks, who shall read it one day, the just reproaches which we sometimes deserve to receive from the people of the world. He told me, he wonder'd that almost all the Writers of this age employed themselves chiefly in two things; the one, in amplifying more and more the Popes power, and extending every day his authority much beyond the bounds which our Lord gave him: The se∣cond, in making men go as near as is possible to criminal actions forbidden by the Laws of God and the Church, and exciting them to commit the same with impunity, and without any remorse of conscience, by using all sorts of subtilties to sever from them the sinfulness which blackens them, and inspires a horror of them. He askt me how it came to be so? And he was not ill satisfi'd with my answer, which imported, That I wonder'd at it as well as he, and that his asking me the reason of it, was a sign that he knew it no more then I.

CHAP. XIV.

A Letter from Paris receiv'd at Genua, obliging me to return to Rome. It prevail'd above my resolution to the contrary. My return to Rome.

VVE arriv'd at Genua a day or two before the day of Corpus Christi. Ever since my departure from Rome I continu'd in the reso∣lution not to return thither, at least not unlesse some motives almost irresistible should arrive to alter it. The more I reflected by the way up∣on the fortune I had incurr'd, and the reason which dissipated the purposes of retaining me there, the more this resolution was fortifi'd. I was still in this mind, when I went to visite Marquis Giustiniani Resident for the King with that Repub∣lick, to salute him, and desire the Letters which he had receiv'd for me, to the end I might know what my LL. the Bishops had determin'd upon my last from Rome of the 3. of April, and upon those from Florence of the 20th of the same moneth. I hop'd all the answers I should receive, at least those to my Letters from Florence, would be so many releases of my former promise of return∣ing to Rome in case it were judg'd necessary; and I believe had it been throughly understood in France how narrowly I escap'd the nets which were lay'd for me, I had undoubtedly been dis∣pens'd with. But looking upon affairs neer hand,

and discovering them afar off, are two several things; and so are speaking of things in general, and considering them particularly. By all the Letters which I receiv'd, both those of the 28th of April in answer to mine of the 3d. and those of the 5. and 12th of May to mine from Florence, it was signifi'd to me, that I must by all means return to Rome what reason soever I had to the contrary. That there were Letters sent both to the Pope and to some of the Cardinals (of which I shall speak afterwards) which were order'd to be deliver'd to none but to my self; that I should deliver them according to their directions, and be∣ware of rendring them uneffectual by my neg∣ligence in an affair of so great importance as this in agitation, unlesse I would be responsible for all the evil sequels it might have, in case the Letters were not deliver'd through my fault or absence. None could write more expressely (speaking but in general) then I had done from Florence to evince that I ought not to return to Rome, at least not all alone; nor could more strong and urging termes be us'd then those which oblig∣ed me to return without admitting of my delibe∣ration thereon.

All which notwithstanding was no conviction to me that I ought to return to Rome. For how strong soever I had said my reasons were for not return∣ing, yet I had not discover'd the main particular. I knew it could not be divined, and was perswa∣ded that had it been known, I had been dealt with in another manner.

As I was alone upon the Port of Genua, ru∣minating upon these designes, that which was in∣tended to be taken with me at Rome, and which kept me from returning thither more then any o∣ther consideration, brought a thought into my mind which suddenly chang'd my inclination and made me slight all other obstacles which might hinder me from so doing. I consider'd that God had perhaps preserv'd my liberty against their at∣tempts and artifices who design'd to deprive me of it, only that I might employ it for his service for that of the H. See, for that of Truth, and for that of the whole Church in reference to this Af∣fair; after which I concluded that I should be guil∣ty before him of ingratitude and infidelity if I de∣murr'd longer. That seeing he had once protect∣ed me against those attempts, he could do the same against the like or greater; and if it pleas'd his Providence that I should miscarry in the next adventure, I ought cheerfully to consecrate to him my liberty and life, which I could not do in a better occasion, having herein ground to hope from his mercy that I should lose nothing in the sequel but what he would one day restore a hund∣red fold. Thus I resolv'd to return to Rome, for those purposes which I shall set down when I come to speak of my actions immediatly upon it; but I resolv'd to do it with such conditions and cau∣tions as requir'd to be heeded in such ticklish cir∣cumstances as I stood in, and expected all things to be at Rome.

The principal one was, not to appear at Rome when I arriv'd there, but to return directly back without delivering the Prelates Letters, if upon my imparting them and laying forth my commis∣sion to that excellent and judicious personage a∣bove mention'd (who did not approve the so soon beginning to stirre in this businesse) he should advise me to retire without appearing or doing any thing. As on the contrary, in case he consented to my performing what I was charg'd with, I conceiv'd I ought to do it with the great∣est publicknesse and assurance that I could; that so they who contriv'd the former bad designes a∣gainst my liberty during my stay there, might no more have the boldnesse to renew the same.

I cast my businesse accordingly, and projected to arrive at Rome a day or two after Thursday or on Thursday it self; that so before another Thurs∣day (which is the day for ordinary consultations about things and persons relating to matters of do∣ctrine) I might either be upon my way back if it were requisite, or make known my quality of Envoy from the Bishops of France, which would secure me from all kind of enterprises and vio∣lences, and render my person sacred and inviola∣ble by the Maximes of the Law of Nations. For I consider'd that if on the contrary I should arrive at Rome only a day or too before Thursday, and my return should by mishap come to be disco∣ver'd before I could publish it with the solemnities requisite, I might fear least those who had be∣fore spoken to the Pope against me, would not let passe the following Assembly withour adver∣tising his Holiness thereof, without convincing him that their accusations were well grounded, and that my departure from Rome had been onely a meer trick; without confounding the Cardinal whose goodness had defended me, by shewing him that he was mistaken in his judgment of me; and without causing him to look upon me from thence forward as a wilely and suspected person, and to consent with themselves to my restraint; and that whereas his former pleading had induc'd the Pope to say Let him go, his Holinesse after this seeing me return'd might say to M. Albizzi, Cause him to be apprehended. Which he would have been ve∣ry glad to execute immediately, and to which for certain there would have been no want of his dili∣gence.

And although the Letters found with me ought in good justice to procure my release the next day, yet it was to be fear'd lest they might be suppressed or kept (at least) til another time, the Officers employ'd to arrest me being perswaded that it was for the interest of the H. see, that M. de Vabres's letter have its intire successe; and that three or four Bishops (as M. Albizzi slightingly said to me even after he had seen their Letters) by whom I was sent, ought no otherwise to be consider'd then enemies to the H. See as well as my self.

But, supposing all the justice I could desire were done me after such my Apprehending, and I were restor'd the next day to a full liberty of acting according to the commissions I had receiv'd, could I do it with any honour? could I have con∣fidence enough to appear in Rome after having been disparag'd by such an ignominy? and would not the cause intrusted to me (already but too much decry'd) receive prejudice thereby? would it be fit to commit the same to others? who would undertake it after its being thus discredited?

These were the considerations which oblig'd me to retard my departure from Genua two or three dayes, that so I might take post with the Ordinary Courrier of France, and arrive toge∣ther with him at Rome about the end of the week according to his custome. But a Gally being to go almost empty from Genuá to Civita Vecchia to fetch home a Resident of this Republick with the Pope after his accomplishing his time, who wait∣ed onely for the said Gally to carry him back, and it being ready to set sail in the afternoon of the Saturday following; and experien'd people assuring me that it was morally impossible ac∣cording to the quality of the time and season for it to be more then two or three dayes in reach∣ing to Civitá Vecchia; I took it as an opportuni∣ty offer'd me by divine Providence for the secon∣ding of my resolution and voyage: intending, in case it arriv'd at Civitá Vecchia some dayes before Thursday, to stay there till its going from thence; and in case the fair weather continu'd not according to expectation, then to land and take horse at the shore where it staid, that so what ever happned I might arrive at Rome at the end of the week.

Saturday afternoon being come, I took leave of the Gentleman for whose sake I undertook this journey, and of some others whom we were acquainted with at Rome and found at Genua as the little Rendes-vows appointed for the meeting of all our company, to passe together into France. There was also a Canon of Noion call'd M. Wiar a very accomplisht and prudent man; with whom we had been ever since our departure from Rome; they had all the goodness towards me (as well as the Gentleman my friend) to accompany me to the Gally, where was the place of our separation.

Our voyage was, for my design, of just the length I wisht. For we arriv'd at Civitá Vecchia on Wednesday about three in the afternoon, with one man more then we were at Genua, who was as well pleased as my self with being at Civitá Vec∣chia, though upon a very different ground. He was a Neapolitane, a goodly personage, of a sprightly aspect, and about 50. years old; we found him in the open Sea alone in a little skiffe which he row'd along as well as he could with two oars, and his shirt hois'd up instead of a sail. We took him and his skiffe by the way into our Gally, he told us that the Spaniards had taken him by force from Naples to bear armes, and carry'd him to the garrison of Portolongone, from whence he escaped in that manner.

Asson as we landed at Civitá Vecchia I gave or∣der to have horses ready to depart in the even∣ing, intending, to travel all night, that so I might arrive (as I did accordingly) the next morning at Rome at the same time that the Assembly of the In∣quisition was holden before the Pope, whither no person was likely to carry them the news; and also might have a whole week free, wherein to order my affairs, and shew my self publickly before they could any wise consult about me.