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.

The Verification of the Original of the Memoires of M. Pegna Dean of the Rota touching the Congregations de Auxiliis. Sundry things which we did during the rest of January and the beginning of February.

THe Dominicans had lent me the last Summer with much goodness and confidence, the Original of the Writings of M. Pegna, sometimes Dean of the Rota under the Papacy of Clement VIII. who had had the curiosity to observe day∣ly what pass'd in the Congregation de Auxiliis. I intended faithfully to restore what was so courte∣ously lent me, but I was willing to keep a Copy or two compar'd with the Original, to have Re∣course thereunto in case of need, and derive such Light and advantages from the same as it afforded for the cause of Truth, the Honour of the H. See, and that of the Consultors who had been imploy'd in that Congregation. Wherefore before I tran∣scribed my Copies, that I might be assured, the Original was the hand of M. Pegna, I had oft de∣sired M. Noiset his Successor in that Office, to whom I had very free access, to shew me some of the Records of their Tribunal of the hand∣writing

of M, Pegna. At length on Sunday the 28. of Jan. M. du Noiset sent to Brousse and I when we repaired thither, an antient Notary of their Tribunal nam'd Peter Cottuen, giving him order to do all necessary things for us that we desired. When this Notary had shew'd us several Papers written with the hand of M. Pegna, and we found that they were all like that of the Book which I had, we pray'd him to get us two persons expert or sworn for the verification of Writings. He fetcht two, who were name Andreas Albercius, and Franciscus Pignocatus; and they acknow∣ledg'd that the Book which I had was of M. Peg∣na's hand: whereupon they drew an Act or Me∣morandum which was de••ver'd to us the same day.

On Tuesday the 30. of January we went to the Ambassador to acquaint him with all that pass'd in the Audience which we had had of the Pope. The Ambassador gave us very fair opportunity, for he lead us out to walk with him to the Church of St. Martin, where we heard Mass, and after∣wards he carri'd us back to dine with him.

In the afternoon we visited Cardinal Roma, who confirm'd to us what he had always promis'd, that we should not fail to be heard in this affair as amply as we could wish, and declar'd to us that he promis'd the same again.

On Wednesday morning the last of this month, we waited upon Cardinal Barberin de la Minerve. Whilst he was there, we visited F. Barelier. When the Cardinal came forth, he carri'd us to S. Jacques des Incurables, where he said Mass, and serv'd the poor at Dinner whom he treated that day, and we assisted his Eminence to serve them. That afternoon we visited the Marquis del Buffalo, then F. Ʋbaldino, (who amongst other things speaking of the Pope and of Divinity, reiterated plainly what I have above reported, that is was not his Profession, Non è la sua Professione;) and after∣wards the General of the Dominicans, whom we entertain'd amply and calmly concerning the mat∣ter of our Affairs, and he very well receiv'd what we said. One thing remarkable he told us, viz. That Cardinal Lugo whilst he was a Jesuite, en∣deavour'd to engage him in a Ligue against the Book of Jansenius.

The first observable thing that occur'd in Fe∣bruary, was, that on Monday the fifth day of that month one came and told me from a good hand, that F. Fani a Dominican and Companion of the Master of the sacred Palace, having read F. Annat's Book, found two Calvinistical Propositi∣ons in it, notwithstanding which he forbore not to give it his Imprimatur, on condition that they should be expung'd. That this condition very much displeas'd the Author, who went forth∣with to complain thereof to M. Albizzi: That M. Albizzi to content him, and revenge the In∣jury done to such an ancient Jesuit as F. Annat by so young a Dominican, presently writ to the Printer, that without taking heed to the Restri∣ction of the Imprimatur, he should not fail to print all that the Jesuites appointed him. That F. Fani going to the Printer to see whether F An∣nat had taken care to expunge those two Calvani∣stical Propositions out of this Book, and how the places were corrected; he there found M. Albiz∣zi's Letter contrary to the correction which he had enjoyn'd. That he took and compar'd a Copy thereof before a Notary, and carried the same to the Master of the sacred Palace, who being in∣form'd of the whole matter on the foregoing Wednesday, acquainted the Congregation of the H. Office therewith, who gave a check to M. Albizzi for so doing, and enjoyn'd him to med∣dle no more with things that belong'd not to the functions of his place.

On Wednesday morning, Feb. 6. we went to Monte Cavallo to thank the Popes Maistre de Chambri, for the audience which he had procur'd us, and to tell him that in that Audience we had spoken to his Holiness of a particular affair which was urgent, and abont which we conceiv'd our selves oblig'd to present him a new Memorial; which Memorial we desir'd him to deliver with∣out delay. We told him also that the Affair of which we were to inform the Pope, being of the nature of those which are held at Rome the most secret, we had made two Copies, whereof one was seal'd, the other open in the ordinary form; & that we would leave with him which he pleas'd. He refer'd it to our own choice. We perceiving that he was willing to have that which was open, conceiv'd that civility oblig'd us to repose that confidence in him (in which nevertheless we did ill; for had we given him the seal'd Copy, he would no doubt have deliver'd it the same day to the Pope, without troubling himself about what was contain'd in it; whereas giving him that which was unseal'd, he had the curiosity to look into it, and the quality of the matter made him backward to deliver it; this and other delayes which superven'd, almost made that Memorial of no use, as I shall relate hereafter) But so it was, that we left t••e unseal'd Copy of the Memorial with the Popes Maistre de Chambre, who promis'd to deliver it to his Holiness the same day.

We went afterwards to visite F. Delbene, who repay'd our Visit in the afternoon: in both which Entertainments nothing pass'd but after the gene∣ral way in which we treated this affair, as I have above in imated.

On Thursday Feb. 8. we visited Padre Bordone, whom we found very inclinable to be inform'd fully of the bottom of our Controversies, and very ready to receive such Impressions thereof as S. Prosper and S. Augustin might give him: in the reading which he promis'd us he would not fail to undertake them with care and diligence.

On the ninth M. Brousse and I went to the Popes Presence-Chamber to know of his Maistre de Chambre what he had done with our Memorial. He told us that that Memorial was about an affair of too great consequence, and fit only to be treated by an Ambassador. That to confess the Truth, he conceiv'd that by our giving it open to him, we were willing that he should read it; that he did so, and afterwards could not resolve to present it to the Pope. That the Pope had a Nephew who did not stand for nothing. That if we thought good, we might address to him to present to it his Holiness; or if we lik'd better, we might come the Sunday following for an Audi∣ence, and present it our selves, We accepted this last condition, and took back our Memorial,

being unable by all our Reasons to perswade this Maistre de Chambre to do us that Office, or sa∣tisfie his fears.

On Saturday the 10. M. Brousse and I were at Laurence Church in Damazo to hear a Ser∣mon of F. Mariana; Cardinal Barberin hapned to be then in a little Chappel right against the Pul∣pit; and understanding that we were in the Church, he caus'd us to be call'd, and Seats plac'd for us near his Eminence. The Preacher spoke very much in his Sermon of Effectual Grace, and of its necessity to all Christian actions; and he ended with a Prayer to God to beg his assistance and pro∣tection for the defence of that Grace, against those who impugn'd, and us'd all their endeavours to ru∣ine the same.

On Sunday the 11th. we went to the Pope's Presence-Chamber to be introduc'd to Audience, and to present him our Memorial. But lest the Pope should think we came to have his Answer upon our principal Affair, and therefore suspect us of Impatience, I brought it seal'd, and in∣treated the Maistre de Chambre to take it in his hand, and when he acquainted the Pope that we desir'd Audience, to tell his Holiness that we (de∣sir'd it to present that Memorial to him; upon the outside of which, the Subject it contain'd, was written according to the Custome. I added, that if the Pope pleas'd to hear us a little touching that matter, he might cause us to enter; otherwise, if he took our Memorial, it was sufficient. But the Maistre de Chambre would by no means med∣dle with it. We waited therefore to have Audi∣ence, till all that the Pope admitted were ended, but we could have none. Of which speaking to a friend that understood those Affairs, and of the necessity that our Memorial were speedily deli∣ver'd, lest if it were long delay'd, F. Annat's Book against the Publication of which it was de∣sign'd, might be finisht and publish'd, my friend advis'd us to wait upon Monsignor Ghiggi, and intreat him to deliver it to the Pope without de∣lay.

Accordingly in the Afternoon we repaired to M. Ghiggi, but not finding him at home, we re∣turn'd thither again the next day, and were told that he gave no audience that day, in regard of the Dispatches that he was preparing for France. But the prejudice which this Affair might suffer by delay, made us resolve to tell his Maistre de Chambre that we had sought eight days to deliver that seal'd Paper to the Pope, and for that it was about a very urgent matter, and that was the day of the Curriers departure, we were desirous to send word that we had put it into a sure hand that would not fail to deliver it to the Pope. The Gen∣tleman willingly undertook it, and assur'd us very civilly, that he would not fail to acquit himself of his Commission.

As we had been in the Chappel on Candlemas day at the Ceremony and Distribution of the H. Tapers, and had each receiv'd one from the Popes hand, so we were there also upon Aswednesday at that Ceremony, and there receiv'd Ashes like∣wise from the hand of his Holiness. In the Af∣ternoon we began our Visits, and after many fruitless ones to Monsignor Ghiggi, to the Procu∣rator general of S. Marcello, to F. Hllarion, &c. we made one with successe to M. Noiset, to thank him for an other which he made to us the first of this moneth, and other civilities receiv'd from him, particularly the verification of the O∣riginal which I had of the history or rather the me∣mories of M. Pegna.

My impatience to learn whether our Memori∣al were deliver'd to the Pope, caus'd me to go a∣lone towards evening to Monsignor Ghiggi. He who had it in charge, told me that Monsignor Ghiggi said, that being a Memorial it ought to go directly to the Pope's Maistre de chambre; yet for this time, and not to draw it into con∣sequence, he would do us that office to his Ho∣linesse. I could not obtain to speak with him, but was referr'd to another time. However, I un∣derstood that his order and place was to unseal all the letters which he receiv'd for the Pope and Cardinal Pamphilio; and so our Memorial being seal'd in forme of a Letter, he had no doubt opened, and probably spoken of it to his Ho∣linesse.

On Thursday the 15. we visited Cardinal Pa∣lotta, who at our coming was ready to say Masse, which we heard. After which we were scarce sate down to lay open to him the subject of our vi∣site, but the time being come for him to go to the Sermon at S. Laurence in Lucina, we were oblig'd to remit part to another day: which he pray'd us to do and to leave with him if we could some Instruction in writing concerning what we had to say to him; then we visited the F. companion of the Comissary of the H. Office, Cardinal Lanti who was sick, Cardinal Fran∣ciotti who assented that the authority of S. Au∣gustin was sacred and inviolable, Cardinal Car∣pegna who heard us very calmely and gravely; and after them the Procurator General of the Ca∣pucines.

On Fryday the 16th. going to learn newes of our Memorial from a particular friend, he could not tell me any, but inform'd me that two or three dayes ago two Cardinals being in a Coach to∣gether, and meeting us, one said to the other, There go the Jansenists, (or some equivalent word) and the other who knew our sentiments, undertook our defence, and gave his companion an account of our negotiation with the Pope. He told me also that Cardinal Rapaccioli was a great in∣timate of Cardinal Barberin, and therefore we should do well to visite him, and when we did so, to give him to understand that our affair had no affinity with that of Jansenius. This friend told me one thing which seem'd strange, namely that the Jesuites presented a Memorial in the Spanish tongue to Clement VIII. in February 1602. which was neither the common language of the Western Church, nor the natural one of the Country where the Pope resided. He added that the Je∣suites who presented, were of the same Country with Molina, for whose defence they were newly arriv'd from Spain, that Clement VIII. well un∣derstood that language; but besides thar memorial they deliver'd others also in Latin.

Returning from this visite (it being unseason∣able to make any to the Cardinals, because it was the time of Sermon at the Pope's Chappel, whether they repair every Fryday in Lent) we

went to see F. Abbot Hilarion who liv'd in the House de Sainte Croix de Jerusalem. After re∣ciprocal civilities, the first thing he put us upon was the Bull of Ʋrban VIII. which he com∣plan'd much that the Jesu tes abus'd against Jan∣senius, to whom it did no prejudice as to the ground of any thing in his book: Because the book was barely prohibited for having transgress'd the pro∣hibitions of printing concerning those matters without permission. That it was clearer then the day, that those Prohibitions were violated by its publication; and that indeed all others which treated of the same matters were equally against those prohibitions, because it was equally forbid∣den to write either for, or against; That in the se∣cond place, for the Bull's saying that there is in Jan∣senius's book, Ptopositions condemned by Janse∣nius, that is to be understood, as they were con∣demn'd by the Pope, and not otherwise: but a∣mongst those which he there condemnes, there are some excepted, and it was not said that those which were excepted, were not the same that Jan∣senius taught. So that the difference not having been made by the H. See, there was reason to forbid the book and the reading of it by provision, till it were made. But yet all that was in it, might be true to the least line, and yet the said Bull have its full and intire execution. Thus this lear∣ned Monastick engag'd us to speak much of Janse∣nius; but before we parted, we told him, let the affaires of that Bishop go as they would, it was nothing to us, who had nothing to propound ei∣ther for his defence, or against the Bull; and that we stuck onely to the affair of the five Proposi∣tions in question. Of which we gave him the rea∣sons, namely the Catholick sense concerning Ef∣fectual Grace included in them, which we explica∣ted to him. He was well pleas'd therewith, and acknowledg'd every one for Catholick which we mention'd, telling us he believ'd they could be in no danger as to that sense. And at last he invited us to come the fourth sunday of Lent to see those rare and precious Reliques which are in that House whereof he is Superior.

The same day, Fryday the 16th. we went to vi∣site Cardinal Rapaccioli according as we were ad∣vised: He professd much desire to be instructed concerning our affair, whereof we inform'd him punctually enough, and when we told him we were not come for the defence of Jansenius's book, but onely for the clearing of the different senses which might be given those Propositions, he answer'd that we did prudently, because Jansenius malè au∣diebat Romae. That in this affair he should be set aside, and the Propositions examin'd without ta∣king notice of him. To which we reply'd as we had done in former visites, That when the senses of those Propositions were distingush'd and clear∣ed, and the Pope had pass'd a particular judg∣ment of them, it would be easy to find whether the doctrine of Jansenius upon this subject were Catholick or Heretical, onely by comparing those senses so cleared and judged with what is contain'd in the book of that Bishop.

We also visited Cardinal Ludovisio, who heard our account of this affair with great civility. Be∣sides the general things which we represented eve∣ry where else, we testifi'd to him that notwith∣standing the necessity of it, yet we were very back∣ward to bring this new incumbrance upon the Pope besides those which molested him already. To which he answer'd that the Pope was not a temporal Prince but by accident, that God had not establisht him such; but as for matters of Faith and Truth, they ought to be his first care. We beseecht him to remember the justice of our sute for a Congregation for the discussion of this affair, and to favour this sute with his approba∣tion and recommendation in such occasions as he might have to do it. He told us that by what we had said, he sufficiently understood the impor∣tance of it; but the same would be more appa∣rent when the Pope had appointed Judges to ex∣amine it; and if he were of the number, he would do all in his power in behalf of truth and justice.

The Procurator General of the Augustines re∣ceiv'd the next visite from us; we instructed him soundly and amply of our intentions, and con∣firm'd to him altogether, what I had formerly acquainted him with alone. The same day I en∣devor'd to speak with Monsignor Ghiggi, but was told some other houre in the day would be more proper then the Evening; yet I could not obtain to have one expressely assign'd me, because Monsignor, they said, was not at his own dis∣pose.

I durst not go thither again on Saturday, in regard of the Dispatches for Italy, but I design'd that day for some particular visites, amongst which one was to F. Dinel the Jesuite; we talk∣ed much more of the ancient acquaintance which he and I had at Court while he was the late King's Confessor, and of the singular good will which he acknowledg'd his Majesty had for me, then of the affairs of the time; saving that we spoke something about my return and my Commission to Rome, of which he acknowledg'd with me the fruit could not be but advantageous to all the world.

On Sunday the 18th. after we had been to ac∣company the Ambassador to Chappel, I went to Monsignor Ghiggi's house, but not finding him I return'd thither in the afternoon, and stay'd to speak with him till six a clock at night. I told him we were constrain'd to have recourse to him for our Memorial, by reason of the difficulty and delay of audience from the Pope, and the fear lest the book should come forth in the mean time. He said it was a matter that did not belong to him, yet he had spoken of it to the Pope, who told him he had given order that the book should not come forth without having been first well perus'd, &c. I did not think fit to give Monsignor Ghiggi such an answer as would have been more material then that which I made him. I ought to have told him, that it was difficult to weigh the consequences of the impression of that book without having first examin'd things to the bottome, as we desir'd they might be, and the parties heard. But having thank'd him for his good office, I onely said, That with what ever care it might be perused, we had to do with peo∣ple that had many wiles and subterfuges, that ex∣plicated their writings on way to the Examiners be∣fore printing, and afterwards understood them ano∣ther, and made what use of them they pleas'd. That, for instance, they took this course to draw the

Dominicans into the same complotment with themselves, perswading them that they both de∣fended the same kind of Grace which they call suffi∣cient; though they knew very well, that that which the Dominicans hold (besides which learned Di∣vines maintain that there is requisite Effectual Grace, to determine the Will to a good action) is wholly different from their own, which they so subject to the Will, as to make the good or bad use of it wholly to depend upon that Faculty. Mon∣signor Ghiggi fell upon the Political reason that there was, not to permit either side to print such sort of books, and that it was requisite to forbid all the world equally so to do. I answer'd, that it would be good in the interim; but at length it was requisite to manifest which side had reason, which defended the Truth and the Faith, and so come to a solemn decision, which would bring all parties to accord. He made great difficulties as to this, in regard he saw that while the H. See re∣membred and consider'd that Clement VIII. & Paul V. had labour'd so much in these matters without de∣termining any thing, it would be loth to reassem∣ble new Divines to labour therein. I acknow∣ledged that certainly it would be very difficult; but I told him that it was the more necessary, in regard those two Popes forbore to define any thing or to publish their definitions, only to spare the Jesuites, upon hope that they would by degrees return to the good and holy doctrin of the Church which they had forsaken; but instead of doing so, they were become more and more remote from it, and therefore it was time to reduce them: Tempus faci••ndi, Domine; dissipaverunt legem tuam. Monsignor Ghiggi would not believe what I said; but I added that it would be very easie to verifie it by most clear reasons and indubitable proofs; that we knew how all things passed under those two Popes, that we had the Memoires thereof, ei∣ther the Originals, or such as were compar'd therewith, and that amongst others we had at Paris many Pieces concerning these matters sign∣ed by Clement VIII. his own hand. Monsignor Ghig∣gi was astonisht at this, but I assur'd him of the truth it. Then we fell to speak of our Memorial; and he confirm'd to me again that the Pope told him he would take order in it, and that he believ'd the impression of the book was stopt, till his Ho∣linesse further signify'd his pleasure about it. He said we might neverthelesse continue our diligences in the ordinary manner, and that for his part, he could do no more in it then what he had done. He spoke also of prohibiting either side to print any thing touching these matters. I answer'd, that we could not consent to prohibitions that were common to us with them; that the same would be ineffectual with them, and prejudicial to the cause which we maintain'd; that they would not obey the same on their part, but make use of them for a pretext to oppose and persecute us. I added, that the shortest course, most honourable for the H. See, most edifying for the Church, most expe∣dient against the reproaches of its enemies, and most advantagious for our adversaries and our selves, was to examine and declare which of us was in the right; That we did not endeavour ab∣solutely to hinder the impression of the said book; that we should be glad it were publisht; because, to judge by the other outrages which that party hath divulg'd, it might be presu∣med that this would give us new advantages a∣gainst them as well as their former Libels: but all we propos'd to our selves in our prosecution a∣gainst it, was only to hinder it from coming forth as authoris'd and approv'd by the H. See: Provi∣ded this particular were secur'd, we were not fur∣ther sollicitous. This Conference ended, as it began, with very great reciprocal civilities, with telling the newes of the time, as he was doing me the honour to reconduct me to the stairs.