CHAP. IV.
Of an Audience which I had of the Pope, Aug. 9. when I presented our Tome of S. Augustin to his Holiness.
ON Friday Aug. 9. I went to give one of our Books to the Popes Maistre de Chambre, and desired him to procure me audience that morning, to present a Copy likewise to his Holiness. VVhilst I was in the Presence-chamber, I deliver'd some to sundry Chamberlains of Honour and other Offi∣cers, who all receiv'd the same not only with te∣stimonies of civility, but also with professions of an universal and high esteem of the works of that H. Doctor. Presently after, I was introduc'd to the Pope, where having first render'd him our most humble thanks for the Congregation which he had establisht in order to our affair, I present∣ed him the Book. At first he made some difficulty to receive it, not knowing what it was, least his particular reception of it might be (as he told me) interpreted for a publick approbation. I signifi'd to him that it was nothing but S. Augustin, and that it was not to be doubted but his Holiness had such Sentiments of approbation and esteem for the doctrine and works of that H. Doctor, as his Pre∣decessors had given him example. The Pope an∣swer'd that there was no doubt but S. Austin's do∣ctrine was authoriz'd by the Church, and ought to be embraced as that of the Church it self; but eve∣ry one endeavoured to draw the same to his own side, and pretended it congruous and favourable to his Opinions. I reply'd that the preventing that disorder and foolish pretension of our Adver∣saries, was partly the design of printing this Col∣lection, in which were the principal and last works which S. Augustin had written upon the matter in contest, when the greatest difficulties possible to be brought against it, had been both by those whom he oppos'd, and those whom he instructed, impro∣ved to the highest degree to which they could be rais'd. That we had put into this collection, not only some principal passages of those works, but the works themselves intire, to the end it might be seen more clearly and certainly which was the true and undoubted doctrine of that Saint. That they whom a secret light of Conscience convinc'd that they falsly presum'd this heavenly doctrin to be consentaneous to their low and carnal opinions, thwarted this Impression purposely to hinder it; that it had been retarded a full month by their de∣vices; but at length the Tribunal of the H. Office, whither we were drawn upon this business, judg'd that there was no ground to inhibit the finishing of it. That since it had been finished, I had present∣ed Copies of it to almost all the Cardinals of whom the said Tribunal consisted, and who all receiv'd the same with satisfaction. The Pope reply'd and bid me give his to Cardinal Ghiggi, and signifie to him that he should deliver the same to his Holiness, when it was time for him to read it. I answered that I should do what he appointed, but I concei∣ved nothing hinder'd but his Holiness might re∣ceive it, and likewise read it when he thought good: That there was nothing at all new in it be∣sides the Preface, in which we had collected toge∣ther the advantageous testimonies of Saints, Popes and Cardinals touching these very works which we had caus'd to be printed. The Pope reply'd that those who had been at Rome in behalf of Jan∣senius on the part of the University of Lovain, had also made Collections, to show the authority of S. Austin's doctrine; but it was a thing concern∣ing which there was not any doubt. I rejoyn'd, that as for Jansenius, his Holinesse well knew that we had already declar'd to have nothing to do with him, and that we took no side but that of S. Au∣stin; but that the Passages in the Preface were not only to show the authority of his doctrine, but also to explicate the order and series of those works of that Father which we had caus'd to be printed; the matters which were handled in each of these works, and the occasion which induc'd S. Austin to compose them. Here I opened the Book, and read some passages of the Preface as they presented themselves. The Pope heard them willingly, and among the rest that of Pope Hormisdas, wherein it is so expresly declar'd that the Sentiments of the Catholick Apostolick and Roman Church touching the matter of Free-will and Grace are contain'd in sundry of S. Austin's works, but chiefly in two, De Predestinatione Sanctorum, and De bono Perse∣verantiae. After which the Pope receiv'd the Book which I was come to present to him.
Then he fell to speak concerning our affair, and told me we must hasten to do on our part what was necessary for the speedy dispatch of it, because he intended on his to set about it with diligence, for some reasons which he mention'd. I answer'd that we would use all possible expedition; that for that purpose my Collegues stay'd at home in order to prepare our Papers, lest, being uncertain whether his Holinesse's affairs would permit us an audience for presenting the Books, they might have lost two or three hours in his Presence-Chamber; but had they been sure of admittance, they would not have fail'd to have come also, and been partakers of the honour and comfort which I received in this conference with his Holiness. That his Holinesse might hence see how we manag'd our time, and how diligent we were to be in a readinesse to employ the Congregation which his Holinesse had granted to us. That I assur'd him, my Collegues had since notice of its erection, many times spent ten or twelve hours a day about the business The Pope reply'd that so we must do if we would have expe∣dition of him; that he was old, that he had liv'd fourscore years, and that if we hastned him not, he should go on slowly. I told him I should acquaint my Collegues with his Holinesse's desire of speed, and that the same should further oblige us to redouble our diligences; but in the mean time whilst we were doing what lay in our power, and all the Congregation were imploy'd in a serious discussi∣on of what he had to represent to them, the ti∣dings of its establishment spread throughout all