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. XVI.

In what manner we were at length con∣strained to take occasion of the Pope's return from taking the aire to present our Writings and Memorials to him. A Conference with the Ambassadour, and other things which I learnt till the Festivals of Christmasse in the year 1652.

VVHilst my Collegues waited in the Pope's Presence-chamber for an opportunity to present our Writings and Memorials to him, I was with the Ambassador to see whether he intended to go to his usual audience upon Friday following; and if so, to beseech him to procure one for us in order to the presentation of these Papers, and to desire him to read them. The Ambassadour told me that he did not know whether he should go to audience on Friday or no, and that he would not go without being first assur'd that the Pope would receive him as he ought to receive the King of France's Ambassador: but in case he did go, he would certainly obtain for us our desired audi∣ence. I signifi'd to him all that we had formerly said to the Pope, and that the Memorials and Wri∣tings which we were to present to him, were so clear, that there was no need of our adding there∣unto any thing by word of mouth, saving a request to read them; for which in case we had no admit∣tance during his audience, it would suffice us if we could by his mediation present the said Wri∣tings and Memorials to the Pope during the ap∣proaching Festivals, at the ending of a Chappel or other solemnity.

After this, all that we did out of our Lodging till Sunday the 22d. consisted in three familiar visits of which I made one to the General of the Au∣gustins upon Thursday the 18th. who told me that they had been so extraordinarily hastened in their Congregations that he had not had time to read half what he wisht, in order to prepare himself for what he was to say. The second with M. Valcrois∣sant to F. Tostat a Minime, who had been Confessor to the Abbot de S. Cyran during his imprisonment in Bois de Vincennes, and who render'd such fair testimonies of his vertue and after so Christian a manner, that it well appear'd that he had conver∣sed with him besides in Confession. And the third, all alone to F. Luca Vadingo on Friday the 20th. who told me that many of the Consultors wonder'd that they were set about this affair and pass'd judgement upon it, una sola parte informante, be∣ing informed but by one side. That nevertheless we should do well to continue as we did, and not fail to make our Remonstrances in time and place for not being heard. He ask'd me also to let him see our Writings but not to tell any that I had shown them to him.

The Ambassador was not at audience on Friday; & we could not reasonably hope to make use of his mediation for presenting our VVritings and Me∣morials to the Pope on Sunday the 22d. at the end of Chappel. Wherefore we were constrain'd to ex∣pect the Popes return from taking the aire, which the fairness of the day caus'd us to hope he would not fail to do. It prov'd so; and at his return when he came near the Presence-chamber, he stood still. M. de Valcroissant presented our Wri∣tings and Memorials to him saying, H. Father, This is the Book of our Writings which we be∣seech your Holiness to have upon your Table, and these two Memorials we pray that your Holiness will please to read. The Pope askt what side it was for. It was answered that it was upon account of some Bishops of France in behalf of S. Augustine per Sant' Agostino. The Pope repeated the words, per Sant' Agostino with reflection. And then ha∣ving consider'd us a little more attentively, he said, So, So, qui è; I know, I know what it is. M. de Valcroissant added that it was in reference to clear∣ing the Five Propositions and defending them in the sense of S. Augustine. VVhereupon the Pope ma∣king a sign to one of his Officers which follow'd him, that he should take the Book and bring it to him, he gave us his benediction, and as he with∣drew, said, Si vede adesso, & lo considererò ancora io, This affair is now under examination, and I will like∣wise examine it afterwards.

Returning from Monte Cavallo we went to the Ambassadors house, to advertise him of what we had newly said to the Pope; but finding him re∣tir'd to write into France, I went thither again the next day about dinner time. VVhen I had gi∣ven him the abovementioned account, he answe∣red, That he had alwayes told me that they would use all necessary speed; and I replying that they had not hitherto us'd too much, since we could not yet obtain that our first writings might be com∣municated, he began with a higher tone, and told me that such communication might draw out the affair in length, and that it was requisite I knew that the King would have it dispatcht, and would allow but two Religions in his State, the Catho∣lick and the Calvinist. I answer'd the Ambas∣sador that on our part we would do all we could to accelerate the expedition of it; but I believ'd the Kings interest was not so much to have it di∣spatcht, as to have it dispatcht well, according as the Catholick Religion, which I believe we defen∣ded, requir'd; and that if the King were minded to have but two Religions in his Dominions, I did not think that he would admit the Molinisme which we opposed. But I entered upon a more considerable reflection, which the Ambassador approv'd, and told me he would accordingly write that day into France, namely, that being the event of the judgement which was to be made in this affair was uncertain, and probably enough might and ought to be made against the intentions of the Doctors our Adversaries, it seem'd to me impor∣tant for the honour of the King, not to concern himself in their behalf, to the end that if they should come to be condemn'd as they deserv'd to be, it might not be said that his Majesty was en∣gaged in a Party which was worsted. The Am∣bassador retain'd me to dine with him. After din∣ner we fell again upon these matters, in reference

to which he said divers things to me, whereof I shall here recount the principal, according to the order in which they came into my memory, and I set them down at that time. He told me that since the King was come to Paris, the wings of those whom he called Jansenists were much clipt, that his presence had dissipated above three thou∣sand of them, nay more than six. I desir'd him to name one of them to me. He told me that by Letters from Gentlemen and other persons of qua∣lity it was signifi'd to him that Monsieur such a one, and Madam such a one had renounc'd the Party. Nevertheless he named to me no person of those six thousand who were already faln off; but he men∣tioned M. Singlin and F. Desmares, whom he called two grand Pillars; that it was written to him that they hung but by a thread, and had protested that they would renounce the party assoon as the Pope had determin'd. That the Sermons preacht about it had caus'd the Barricadoes at Paris. That the Spaniards lookt upon these contests in doctrine as a fit means for fomenting the divisions of the State. That the Spaniards ca••'d not to meddle therein. I reply'd that they had meddled therein five or six years ago, when the Doctors of Lovain came to Rome to endeavour to stop the course of these divisions: but they could not compass their ••ent. He told me further that we had made a g•…•…at breach in the Sorbonne (which formerly •…•…de Rome to tremble by the ability and reputation of its Doctors) by having divided our selves and co•…•… to that pass as to put our selves under the judgement of a dozen Monks; that we were deri∣ded at Rome for having reduced our selves to these terms, &c. I answer'd the Ambassador that the H. See was the head and center of the Church; and therefore recourse had been made to it from all parts of the world, not only by ordinary Doctors as our selves, but by Councils of Bishops; and consequently the same might be done beseemingly enough. That when we demanded a Congrega∣tion from the Pope, we hop'd he would compose it not only of able Monasticks, but also of other persons of the Clergy eminent in knowledge and considerable by their Learning, as well as by the rank and authority which their Quality gave them in the Church, that so the Congregation might be suitable to the weighty matter to be de∣cided by it, to the persons that were to contend therein, and to the whole Church as being con∣cern'd in the judgement. That we already knew several of the persons whom the Pope had chosen for the Congregation held at Cardinal Spada's house, but knew not yet those whom his Holiness might adde to the same Congregation, to make it such as we had demanded of him. That it was easie for the Pope, even without going out of Rome, if he were willing to ttansact things with the ordi∣nary forms and solemnities which we had demand∣ed, to adde still to those already nominated a good number of intelligent and qualified persons who might render the Congregation full and solemn; but indeed although, as I said before, it was a thing very commendable and natural to have recourse to Rome in a time of need, yet it was really shame∣full and deplorable to be put to such needs and not to be able to regulate our selves; that therefore I confessed that they who were the cause of the division between us were extremely to blame. And hereupon I gave him a full relation of the whole affair, to let him see that neither the Pre∣lates who sent us, nor we, were the cause thereof. Thus the Conference ended; but it was very long considering that it was a day of dispatch, it being above four a clock before I could take leave of the Ambassador.

One visite more I made on Tuesday the 24th. to F. Pascaligo, who told me that he heard from a Consultor, that Cardinal Spada's Congregation was upon the 4th. Proposition; that the same Consultor said to him, that as concerning matter of Fact, he conceiv'd it was evident by the Epistle of S. Prosper; but as to the censure included in the Proposition which condemns the Semipelagians as Hereticks for having been of such an Opinion, it seem'd to him (the Consultor) that it was con∣trary to the Orders of Paul V. who had equal∣ly prohibited either party to condemn one ano∣ther.