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

CHAP. III.

Visites made in the end of June and begin∣ning of the moneth of July, wherein I discover'd the objections made a∣gainst the Houres. Notice of putting me into the Inquisition.

I spent Monday the 17th. of June in answering the Letters I receiv'd at my arrival, and I advertis'd the Prelates who writ the same to me of what had pass'd since in the visites which I made about the affair wherewith they did me the honour to charge me. I spent Tuesday the 18th. in providing me a Lodging in the society of the French Priests which are at S. Lewis, that so I might be in a place more sutable to my conditi∣on and employment then I could be in an ordinary Inne; such persons as it was requisite for me to addresse to for the obtaining of the said Lodging, I acquainted with the occasion of my return; a∣mongst others, M. du Noiset Dean of the Rota on whom it absolutely depended as being the supe∣rior of the said Society. On Wednesday I went to Tivoly, where M. le Bailly de Valancey the King's Ambassador to the Pope was still retir'd, to salute him and inform him also (according as I was oblig'd) of the Commission I had the ho∣nour to be charg'd with. He made me a very courteous reception, and promis'd to do what he could at that distance, to facilitate and hasten my audience of the Pope, whereunto I signifi'd to him my great desire to be admitted without delay in regard of the importance there was in the Pope's being speedily advertised of the nature of the af∣fair whereof I was to speak, that so surprisals and circumventions might be prevented, which were otherwise much to be feared.

Returning at night from Tivoli, I understood Cardinal Barberin had sent for me to come to him that evening; and hearing I was gone to Tivoly, sent again to tell me I should come to him the next day about seven a clock in France. I adde this word in France, because in Italy they begin to count the houres from the time of sun-set, and reckon twen∣ty four till the next day at the same time. Upon this account it is not frequent to make an appoint∣ment at seven a clock in the morning because when the dayes are longer, that would be about three in the morning; and therefore to intimate at our seven a clock, they say at eleven a clock. But for that I write in French and for the use of French∣men who for the most part would not understand the Italian reckoning; should I use it, especially when I mention'd thirteen a clock, eighteen a clock, and one and twenty a clock; I conceive it fitter to reduce their computation to ours as often as I have occasion to mention it, as I have done above, without adding the two words in France; because they are alwayes to be understood.

On Thursday morning (June 20.) at seven a clock I went to Cardinal Barberin according to his order. He told me he sent for me to tell me that it was requisite that I went to visite several persons whom he nam'd, to acquaint them with what I had said to him in favour of the Houres, either by an∣swering the accusations made against them, or in∣forming them of what greast esteem they were in France with persons of understanding and honour who judg'd thereof impartially. The persons he nam'd for me to visite, were my LL. the Cardinals Roma, Spada, Ginetti and Cechini, my Lord Al∣bizzi and the Master of the sacred Palace.

After this I accompani'd Cardinal Barberin to the Pope's Palace, whether he repair'd to the As∣sembly of the H. Office, which is held, (as I said above) every Thursday in presence of his Ho∣linesse; and having pass'd into the Presence cham∣ber I there entertain'd as many persons as I could with the businesse which occasion'd my return, du∣ring the time of the Assembly; which being end∣ed, and M. Albizzi hapning to be neer enough to me for me to acquaint him with my purpose of going to wait upon him; according to the direction of Cardinal Barberin, I would not lose this op∣portunity of surmounting the difficulty there was in breaking our businesse to a man openly declar'd in sundry cases against what ever I could pretend, and wholly engag'd in the wayes and interests of

the Jesuits. Neverthelesse he very civilly receiv'd what I said to him concerning the design which brought me back, and told me I should always be welcome to him.

In the afternoon of the same day I went to Car∣dinal Roma's Palace, but I could not speak with him, because a Congregation of Cardinals was there, the very same persons whose names Cardinal Barberin had mention'd to me in the morning, and because I was not yet so well inform'd of things as to know that M. Albizzi were there too, I went likewise to visite him; but not finding him, and be∣ing in the quarter of Saint Onuphrio, I went to see M. Holstenius who was retir'd thither a little while before to take the aire and recover strength after a sicknesse. We were two houres together, and I inform'd him amply of my commission. He told me, I must fore-arme my self with patience; for without doubt the Pope would not grant the Congregation which I came to demand; and here∣upon forgetting his having formerly related to me a conference which he had with the Pope touching this matter, he rehearsed all the same again as I have set it down in the 2. Part, Chap. 10. This oblig'd me to make an overture to M. Holstenius with which he might acquaint the Pope if he thought meet, namely, that there came into my mind a way by which his Holinesse might disingage himself very hansomely of the businesse, and like∣wise oblige the Bishops of France according to that saying of Scripture, honore invicem praevenientes; and that was, by remitting to themselves the de∣cision of the Propositions whereof his judgment was desired. And my meaning in this was not to decline the Congregation which I came to re∣quest, but that the overture being accepted, and the Bishops of France finding themselves oblig'd by such reference or remission to search through∣ly into the marters in question, the cause might be judg'd by persons better inform'd, and more so∣lemnly then I conceiv'd it could be at Rome in the Congregation I desired, in case the Pope should grant it; or in case he should not, (as I had cause to fear by the averseness which M. Holstenius re∣presented to me, his Holinesse had against it) that at least in regard of such reference the Bishops of France might not be excluded from it. But M. Hol∣stenius reply'd to my overture, that the Pope would not be willing to remit to the Tribunal of Bishops a cause brought to that of his Holinesse, which is superior to theirs. But though I was somewhat earnest in shewing that the Pope doing this of his own accord after the submission of the Bishops to him, the rights of his Holinesse would not be prejudic'd thereby, and there would be al∣wayes room to recur to him, in case any one found himself injur'd by the judgment passed by the Bishops; neverthelesse M. Holstenius conti∣nu'd firm, that there was no ground to hope any successe of such overture.

On Friday the 24th. of June I went to salute M. Gueffier ancient Resident for the King at Rome, and after my coming from him I went to the Cardi∣nal of S. Clement. In the afternoon I repair'd a∣gain to Cardinal Roma, with whom I spoke also: and all that I added in these three visites to the general intimation of the businesse for which I re∣turn'd, was, onely what I said touching the Houres to Cardinal Roma, who profess'd not to have lately heard any speech of them. He added that perhaps they would not be mention'd before them in the H. Office, but onely in the Congre∣gation of the Index; and that the general prohi∣bition of translating into the vulgar tongue any thing of the H. Scripture and the Offices of the Church was the principal cause of all the stir about them.

It is not impertinent to set down what hindred me from speaking thereof to the Cardinal of S. Clement, who is also one of the Congregation of the H. Office, where all matters of this na∣ture use to be handled. The truth is he was ex∣cluded from the consultations held about these particular matters, and they were regulated without advising with him about them. This course was resolv'd upon for that in certain cases where some thing was propounded against those who spoke thereof according to S. Augustin's sentiments, and amongst others where M. Jansenius was impeach'd, He had explicated things too much, and so hand∣somly withstood those who struck at him, that what they endevor'd had neither issue nor suc∣cesse. Wherefore, for the acting with more li∣berty and lesse contradiction, and for the more equitablenesse and surenesse of resolutions, and for the easier dispatching them, it was pleaded re∣quisite to exclude such as might have any interest therein; and for a pretext of excluding the Cardinal of S. Clement as a Dominican, Cardinal Lugo was also excluded as a Jesuite; and of seven or eight Cardinals that usually assist at the common consul∣tations of the whole Congregation of the H. Of∣fice, the four abovemention'd, Roma, Spada, Gineti and Cechini were taken to make a particu∣lar Congregation, before which all matters any wise relating to these Controversies were to be proposed. For this reason without speaking to him of the Houres, I only inform'd him in general of the cause of my return, and how sensible I was of the testimonies of kindnesse which he had given me in my precedent visites to him.

Saturday morning being S. John Baptist's day was spent at Chappel, whether the Cardinals re∣pair to celebrate that Festival in the Church of S. John of Lateran.

In the Afternoon I went to visite M. Albizzi, to whom I layd forth the most largely and sweetly I could the matter of my commission, and the order I had to request the Pope, that it would please his Holiness to erect a solemn Congregation in which all the Parties concern'd in the matters of the Pro∣positions might be heard before his Holinesse de∣creed any thing thereupon. M. Albizzi having heard me patiently, answer'd that he had not yet heard any speech of those Propositons; and he gave me some hope that in case of proceeding to do any thing about them or examine them, he would cause me to be advertis'd of it: but other∣wise, I must know that in this businesse no par∣ties were to be heard; because parties are not to be heard in matters of doctrine, but onely when the question is about persons; that in the business of the Propositions, there was no question about any person, there not appearing any Author that had advanc'd them. That which mov'd M. Al∣bizzi to answer me at first that he had heard no

speech of them, was no doubt a purpose not to open himself in any sort unto me; and neverthe∣less in the Sequel of his discourse, he fell to speak of them as one that had not been ignorant till then of what pertain'd to that Attempt. I re∣ply'd, That though matters of doctrine do not di∣rectly, and of themselves relate to persons, but may be consider'd apart; yet the Christian Faith being as dear to Christians as the apple of their eyes, there are no affairs more important to per∣sons then these, when there are persons who will interesse themselves therein, either to answer the calumnies and false accusations made against the purity of their sentiments, or to accuse other per∣sons of pernicious Tenets against the purity of the Faith and Christian Morality. That this held good in this case, if ever it did in any; and that the Bishops in whose behalf I spoke, interposing to beseech the Pope to do that Justice to the Catho∣lick Divines at difference about these matters, as to examine who they are that defend the truth with simplicity, and who they are that assault it with Artifice; they well deserv'd that the Pope should have regard to their Address which is so equitable, and that which his Holiness will find in the end to have been made more for his inte∣rest then their own. M. Albizzi answer'd me, That the Pope was the Master, ann would take what course seem'd good unto him; that for making Articles of faith, he needed not to stand upon what may be represented to him, or con∣sider what sentiments Divines are or are not of: but 'tis sufficient that he make his decision as seem∣eth good to him, and as the H. Spirit (whose as∣sistance cannot fail him in regard of the infallibi∣lity which God hath promis'd him) shall dictate to him: That this Decision being made, all Di∣vines are oblig'd to conform and submit thereun∣to. That nevertheless his Holiness may, before he pronounce any thing, do the favour to those who desire it of him, and interpose in the judge∣ment of the Propositions, as to hear or receive in writing what they will represent to him: that so all being consider'd, he may decree what he shall think fit. I took heed as much as I could not to exasperate this person whom I knew already prepossess'd in that behalf of the Jesuites, and not to give him any hold against me; and therefore without insisting further upon the word Party which he would not admit, or upon what he said the Pope might or might not observe in his Judgements, I contented my self with what he gave me in this first Visite, and said, That all we desir'd, was that the Pope would receive and hear what should be represented to him touching this affair according to the Custome and forms al∣ways observ'd in the Church: He answer'd, That if all of them were observ'd, and all that would be reply'd and rejoin'd on one side and the other were heard, there would be never an end; and the Pope in the mean time not condemning opi∣nions that deserv'd it, might be suspected to fa∣vour them; as it hapned to Honorius who was accounted a Heretick by some that decry'd him, be∣cause he had not speedily enough condemned the Hereticks which arose in his time. M. Albizzi mention'd this story in such a manner as made me think it would be made use of to the Pope to in∣duce him to condemn the Propositions, by telling him, That unless he condemn'd them, he would be accus'd of mantaining them. But not to infer a∣ny thing from what M. Albizzi said which was not essential to my business, I thought it enough to tell him clearly and in express terms, That I was not come to avert the Pope from condemning the bad sense of which the Propositions are capable; but to beseech him to examine that which is man∣tain'd to be Catholick, and to erect a Congre∣gation in which all the Divines opposing or de∣fending the same may be fully heard, that so it may be afterwards declar'd by him who of them mantain the Truth, and by supporting the same, a firm and lasting Peace may be establish'd a∣mongst them. All this conference pass'd between M. Albizzi and me very gently and civilly.

After this I put him upon the Subject of the Hours, in reference to which Cardinal Barberin advis'd me to visit him. He spoke of them at first as a business forgotten and no more thought of. Afterwards he fell to declaim against them; and to let me see how worthy they were of Censure; he told me the translation of the first Command∣ment, wherein Images are spoken of, was cor∣respondent to that of Geneva. He read out of the Hours thus; Vous ne ferés point d' idole, ny D' IMAGE TAILLEE, ny aucune figure, pour les adorer; You shall not make any Idol or GRAVEN IMAGE, or any figure, to adore them: Then he shew'd me a Geneva Bible wherein the Command∣ment is translated, and there finding the words Graven Image; he pretended to have found the correspondence of which he complain'd: But I told him, the words Graven Image are the sense of the Scripture word SCƲLPTILE, and I represented to him; that the ill use made by Hereticks of this Commandment, consisted not in the words Graven Image, but in their not ac∣knowledging that God forbids only the making graven Images for adoration, which is noted in express terms by the Author of the Hours, and therefore he is so far from being justly accusable of conformity with Geneva, that on the contrary it is visible his Version is wholly different from it, and absolutely sutable to the sentiment of Ca∣tholicks. M. Albizzi very well understood the reason of this difference; but he answer'd me, that it might serve for the learned, but not for the simple people; and that these words To adore them, added in the translation of the Hours, were so far from rendring them more excusable, that on the contrary they were thereby the more faulty, because the Vulgar will take and understand them as if they ought not to fall upon their knees before Images: I answes'd him, that if his objection were good against this translation, because of the bad sense which may be put upon those words against the interpreters meaning, it would also be good against the very words of the Text of Scripture; of which the same abuse and false interpretation may be made; but as nothing can be charg'd a∣gainst the H. Scripture from them, so neither can any thing be concluded from the same to the pre∣judice of the Translator, who had therein faith∣fully acquitted himself. M. Albizzi made to me some further objections against the Houres, but because they are the subject of a memorial which

I presented to the Cardinal of the H. Office, and is hereafter mention'd; I omit them at present, to avoid repetition. I shall only add, that after he had propos'd them to me, and I had answer'd him, he fell to declaim in general against the liberty of Writing and Printing which is taken in France; and drew out of his Pocket certain little French Hours for the Cavaliers, and shew'd me a little image of St. Paul, at the bottom of which were these words, S. Paul Cavalier Prince of the Apostles, and made great complaints thereof. But being unwilling to meddle with that matter, I told him, I was not concern'd in those little Hours which he shew'd me that I had not in charge to answer; but to the calumnies against those I spoke of before, and to clear the malicious suspitions endeavour'd to be cast upon Writers to whom the pub∣lick was indebted for so excellent a work. I in∣treated him again to deal with it favourably, and with Justice so far as lay in him, and so arose up to depart.

Cross the Dining-Rome there was a Screen co∣ver'd with painted silk, which divided it in two. As we were going out of the Anti-Chamber, Father Morel an Augustin, Doctor of our Faculty, was entring in at the passage of the Screen: so soon as he perceiv'd me, he was started, drew back, and hid himself behind the Screen: But suddenly (as I conceiv'd) reflecting that this his fear of my having seen him come to visit M. Albizzi might make me presume there was more corre∣spondence between them then he would have me believe there was, he came forth and shew'd him∣self, and as well as he could endeavour'd to com∣pose the disorder of the sudden astonishment, into which the first appprehension of his surprise had put him.

The days following I continu'd such Visits as I could make, both to publish the principal Sub∣ject of my delegation touching the Propositions to such as ought to be advertis'd of it, and to recom∣mend to them the affair of the Hours. To both which purposes, on Sunday morning (June 25.) I visited Cardinal Ginetti, and in the evening the Master of the sacred Palace, having pass'd al∣most the whole afternoon at Cardinal Panzirolo's Palace in attending an opportunity to speak with him; which I could not obtain that day. On Thuesday the 27. I again visited the Cardinal Spa∣da and Barberin touching the Hours, and in sum having employ'd the other days of the interval the most profitably I could in order to that busi∣ness, and having been four times at Cardinal Panziolo's Palace without obtaining to speak with him, I was refer'd for that purpose to Friday morning, July the 7.

When I was come to his Palace, I found at the entrance of his Antichamber the Master of his Chamber, who told me he waited for me there to acquaint me that I needed not wear my gown to speak with his Eminence. I had alwayes worn it hitherto in my visites, and answer'd him that I had address'd to my LL. the other Cardinals in that habit, which I wore out of respect to their Eminences. He reply'd that Cardinal Panzirolo had signifi'd to him his pleasure to dispense with me for that subjection toward himself, because per∣haps being likely to come often to him, it would be too troublesome for me always to change my habit. I answer'd that his Eminence had too great goodnesse for me, but nevertheless I should use the freedome which he gave me. So return∣ing from his Palace, within a quarter of an houre I came back thither with my Cloke, and was pre∣sently introduc'd into his Chamber, where I found him sitting up, upon bed. I had scarce begun to declare to him the businesse in very few words, but he cutt me short, and told me, that if it was concerning any thing contain'd in the Bull of Ʋr∣ban VIII. the Pope would not hear any person before obedience were perform'd to it. That if it was any thing new, his Holinesse would will∣ingly hear both the one side and the other, and certainly would not precipitate or hasten any thing. I reply'd that none of the Five Propositi∣ons was contain'd in the Bull of Ʋrban VIII. But without suffering me to enter further into the mat∣ter, he bid me go visite M. Albizzi, telling me; he was the man rely'd upon for the care of those affairs. He cutt me off so roundly that I had scarce added a word in assurance of our respect and affection to the H. See, but I was constrain'd to retire.

On Saturday (July 8.) I learn'd something ve∣ry considerable touching the Hours; but that I may give an intire account of what I have to re∣late concerning them together, I shall forbear to mention it till I have set down what pass'd in the audience which I had of the Pope on Monday the tenth, touching the principal affair: before which I will nevertheless relate what pass'd in a Visite which an Ecclesiastick made to me, to give me no∣tice of the danger wherein I was of being arrested, and what cause I had to provide for my safety.

I doubted for some time, out of what design the Ecclesiastick, who came to give me this notice, had so great a charity for me; for I knew him not but very generally, and there was nothing but his being a French man and a Priest of the Mission that could induce him to it. I conceiv'd at first, it was to fright me, and to see what impression the fears he suggested in me would have upon me: but I have been assured since, that it was with a very sincere intention and affection.

It was the first day of July that he came to me, and he was very earnest to speak with me, though I was newly let blood for an indisposition which permitted not the deferring of that remedy to another more fit season. He told me, and en∣joyned me secrecy (which I keep still in not name∣ing him) that a Doctor of our Faculty told him the day before, that I said, other Doctors were to come to Rome with me about the business which I had in charge; but there would come others thither too against me, and that neither I nor they which came after me about the same business, would be very welcome. That we were people, who besides the Propositions which were the ground of my journey, would introduce others far more pernitious. That this Doctor said there was fourteen extracted out of several Theses, presented to the Syndic by persons that defend∣ed the same opinions with us, which Propositions had been publisht and mantain'd in the Divinity Acts at Paris, had not the Syndic hinder'd it That he had Copies of them authetically com∣par'd,

and that the Originals themselves signed by the chief Masters and Directors of the Batchelors Study would shortly be brought to Rome. This Ecclesiastick repeated to me divers Propositions of those fourteen whereof the said Doctor com∣plain'd to him; but I took notice only of five. The first was, That the Pope is amongst the Bi∣shops, what A is amongst the letters. The se∣cond, That the Council of Trent was not a true Council, but a Politick Assembly. The third, That he who sins after Baptism loses the cha∣racter of it. The fourth, That Priests who fall into any sin, lose likewise the character of their Priesthood. And the fifth, That the Body of our Lord is not in the Eucharist; but as God is in the soul of the righteous. This Ecclesiastick told me, that I was liable to be accus'd as one of those who mantain these sentiments; and that under that pretext it might come to pass that I might be put into t••e Inquisition. That it was a Pri∣son very dreadfull, that it was very hard coming out when one is once there; and that if there were such a design against me, it would be put in ex∣ecution without noise. That people would come to S. Lewis (where I lodg'd) at midnight, cause the Gates to be opened by the Popes order, carry me away without telling whither, and forbid all that knew of it, to speak any thing of it under pain of excommunication. That I ought not so much to rely upon the innocence of my senti∣ments, and the candour of my proceeding where∣of I was confident, as to consider the power and credit of those who were not satisfi'd with my return. And though we are oblig'd to do many things, and hazard all sort of disgraces for the service of God, yet that when we see we cannot succeed, and 'tis not our fault, it behooveth to give way to the time, and provide for our own securi∣ty and preservation.

I answer'd this Ecclesiastick that I believ'd the Law of Nations would not be violated upon vain suspicions and extravagant calumnies of that na∣ture; That I was a publick person, being sent by considerable Prelates who would not endure that wrong should be done to me, or that I should dis∣appear without taking paines to know what were become of me: That I conceiv'd their Eminences and his Holiness too advis'd to attempt such a thing; that however, should they attempt it upon considerations leading them thereto which could not enter into my mind, they would be more troubled then I when they had me in their hands; for the more they examin'd me, the lesse would they finde cause for arresting me. That for all this if contrary to my expectation it hapned, that they would treat me otherwise and exercise any violence and ctuelty against me, I did not fear them; because the more it should please God to cause me to suffer in such innocence, and for a cause so just and necessary as this for which I was return'd, the more I should esteem my self be∣holding to his divine mercy. And therefore so long as I was in a condition to act for that cause, by God's help I should not fail so to do. Whatever else this Ecclesiastick said in the discourse he had with me about this subject, during two whole hours which he held me, notwithstanding my blood-let∣ting, he could draw no other thing from me.