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. XIII.

Proposals made to me by Cardinal Bar∣berin about the Doctrine of the Tho∣mists. The Beginning of the Congre∣gations before the Pope. His Holi∣ness's reconcilement with Signora Olympia by whom he is entertain'd at Dinner upon the day of the An∣nunciation with his kindred, who endeavour to deter him from the Congregations, but in vain.

MArch the 4th. Cardinal Barberin return'd to me our VVriting De Gestis, and upon the 5th. I carried him our Summary. He askt me why we did not wholly joyn with the Dominicans? I answer'd him, that they did their own business, and we ours; that we might have our particular aimes and pretensions, though their Doctrine was no-wise different from ours, at least at the bottome. He fell to speak of Jansenius, and said, that he admitted the same Sufficient Graces which the Thomists taught; for which he cited Chap. 3. lib. 4. I answer'd him that I could not tell, having not read the Book; but that no doubt there are such small Graces as the Thomists call Sufficient, and acknowledge as well as we not to be such real∣ly in the sense wherein the VVorld takes the word Sufficient, since they do not suffice, there being need, besides these Graces, of that which is Ef∣fectual by it self, to perform the good action which would not be done without it. He askt me whether I had the Writing intituled Jansenius a Thomistis damnatus? I told him I had it, but did not speak of it to his Eminence, because it would shame M. Hallier, who had been the Distributor of it under the Paedagogy of the Jesuites, and whom I knew his Eminence honour'd with his af∣fection.

In the afternoon I receiv'd a Visit from an in∣telligent person, who inform'd me, 1. That next week una Congregatione Papale a Congregation in his Holiness's presence was to be held. 2. That F. Lezzana had been retain'd by the Pope to be of the Congregation instituted for examining the Pro∣positions, but was, by he knew not what insinu∣ation of M. Albizzi with the Pope, excluded. For proof of which he told me, that Monsiguor Sa∣crista inform'd him that he, was that Father who said he was going to take the Oath requir'd by the Congregation; that afterwards he was left out without any thing spoken to him; and that though he was very patient and submissive to Provi∣dence, yet he had testifi'd to Cardinal Ginetti some resentment of the stir. 3. That before the Commis∣sary of the H. Office had consider'd upon the Propo∣sitions, he was much animated against them; during which tempest M. Albizzi made use of him to sound the minds and opinions of others before they were apppointed for the Congregation. 4. That like∣wise the Master of the Sacred Palace had the Pro∣positions in abhorrence, as he who told me this found when asking of him permission to read the Writing compos'd upon them, which begins In Nomine Domini, &c. for he answer'd him (Guar∣dateri d' imbe' vervi di queste cose) Beware of being infested with such things; and that to obtain such permission he was fain to carry a Friend, who was well known to the Master of the Sacred Palace, to assure him thar he was a man not likely to be sur∣priz'd by heretical Sentiments, per inhereticarsi. 5. That the Fathers Delbene, Luca Vadingo, and the General of the Augustines were at first of ano∣ther mind than what they were of after they had carefully studied these matters.

Thursday the 6th. I learnt at la Minerve, that the General of the Dominicans, despairing to get audience of the Pope, intended to take the oppor∣tunity of the Congegation of the H. Office at which he is alwayes present, to present a Memo∣rial to the Pope, that his Holiness would please to afford him the audience which he had so often sought in vain. He promis'd me himself also, to cause his Fathers to draw up a Relation of the Conference which they had had with M. Hallier and his Collegues, not to publish, but to preserve in the Archives of their Covent ad perpetuam rei memoriam.

In another Visite I understood that the Consul∣tors had order to be ready to deliver their Votes or Sentiments in writing upon the third Sunday of Lent (if my Informer was not mistaken in the day)

and that the Congregation was thenceforward to be held before the Pope, but that they were all charged to take their measures so, that no one might speak above a quarter of an hour. I learnt also in the same Vi••ite, that the Consultors dis∣affected to the Propositions, finding the mind of them, and conceiving that any thing was lawful for them in the Congregations held at Cardinal Spada's House, made great clapping of hands and noise there, and M. Albizzi with them, crying Avant Heretick, Avant Lutheran, when the well-affected to the Propositions spoke the best things to defend them. In fine, that the five Cardinals oftentimes slept and snor'd there; sometimes all together; so that one of the Consultors seeing them in that posture, took the liberty to say to another these words. At least if there be any that keeps Sentinel, aiming thereby to hold the Con∣sultors in their duty, that heed might be given to what was spoken, and the same afterwards re∣ported to those that slept, Al meno se fosse qualche d' uno che facesse la Santinella. But whether they slept or wakt, certain it is that the manner of handling things in the Congregation upon the In∣formation of one party alone was very unfit to in∣struct them in the matters whereof they were to judge. Which made us many times with eyes of compassion look upon those Cardinals, who ha∣ving spent their lives in imployments for the most part more Secular then Ecclesiastical, and Political then Theological, and being engag'd in an innu∣merable multitude of other businesses, were ap∣pointed to give their own judgements, and form that of the Pope upon the most difficult matters of all Divinity, and upon which judgement cannot be passed without temerity, unlesse care be taken for instruction therein by exact, assiduous and deliberate reading of the Scripture and the Fa∣thers.

Immediately after Dinner I receiv'd a Note, sig∣nifying to me, 1. That the Congregation would be held on Monday following before the Pope. 2. That his Holiness was so prepossessed that no good was to be hop'd. 3. That nothing was thought upon but a Condemnation. 4. That it was said of Monsignor Gavotti, that he began to doat, because he very well understood the do∣ctrine of S. Augustine, and remembred also what passed under Clement VIII. and Paul V. 5. That all things tended to mischief, and to prevent the Dominicans of time to interest themselves in this affair. 6. That there was no place for saying a∣ny thing in order to stop the course of this mis∣chief. The Original of the said Note was thus:

La Congregatione è stabilita per lanedi. Pare il Papa prevenuto in modo, che nulla si spera di buono. Le prattiche si famo per condennare. Null' altra cosa più si medita. Monsignor Gavotti è tenuto per semo. Ogni cosa tende al male, & a fare presto, per levare campo a Domenicani. Non si può parlare.

In the Evening I learn'd that a Letter from the Nuntio in Flanders giving intelligence of the death of M. Calenus who had highly defended Jansenius, being read in the morning in the Assembly of the H▪ Office, the Pope was displeas'd that he was enter∣tain'd with nothing but that affair, and said angerly that he would end it, Voglio finir sta cosa. And that Card. Barberin, Spada, and a third, with M. Albizzi talking together about the Propositions, before the Pope's comming, Cardinal Spada said, We will condemn those Propositions; They must be con∣demn'd. They will not obey the Bull; but hold these Opinions, because they say the Book is not condemned, but only prohibited. It must be con∣demn'd; and more he said to the same purpose.

All these unacceptable Items oblig'd us to go on Friday the 7th. to desire audience of the Pope, to know what was determin'd upon our two last Me∣morials which our Advocate left with him, and to take occasion to speak to him the most plainly and earnestly we could concerning our present needs. But we could not be admitted: Monsig∣nor Fagnani, and the Inqusitor of Spain took up all the time.

Hearing that the Pope had occasionally spoken to Monsignor Fagnani concerning our affair, I vi∣sited him the next day in the afternoon. He told me, that the Pope having ask'd him whether he had heard of it, he answered, No; his Holinesse seem'd troubled about it, and intimated a purpose to end it, telling him that he caus'd prayers to be made for it (the Vice-Gerent had sent by his or∣der, to put a Bill upon the Sacristies, to recom∣mend it to the prayers of those who said Masse, and likewise to some Covents to enjoyn the saying a Masse of the H. Ghost and Litanies: all which was done with very little Ceremony, and in such sort that we, who observed the most we could all things pertaining to our affair, had not taken no∣tice of it, if F. Petit who had care of the Sacristie of S. Louis, had not told us that he believed the Bill sent thither concern'd us, and if a Monastick of la Minerve had not by chance intimated the same thing to me concerning those Letanies.) M. Fag∣nani added that he told the Pope that his Holinesse did very well; that he could not be too circumspect in an Affair of that importance; that though his Holiness was assisted by the H. Spirit in Canonizing of a Saint, yet many things were striictly heeded, for fear there might be some suborn'd witness; and that in the matter of so abstruse a doctrine as this was, and wherein the Faith and the Belief of the Faithfull were concern'd, there was more danger of a surprize, and consequently more need of all possible precautions. That the Pope seem'd to consider upon, and be well pleased with what he said.

After Cardinal Ghiggi had given us notice that Cardinal Pamphilio was added to our Congregati∣on, and something blamfd us for not having pre∣sented a Copy of our Writing to him, to take a∣way all occasion of displeasure, we thought fit to do it with the best grace and most ceremony we could. VVherefore we caus'd a new Copy to be made by the same Amanuensis who made that which we presented to the Pope. Being finisht towards the end of this month, we got it bound exquisitely, and besides the two Writings and their Summary, which we had presented to the Cardinals, we added the same Epistle prefix'd to

that given to his Holinesse; And before all a par∣ticul••r Epistle to this Cardinal, which we subscri∣bed upon S. Thomas his day; whereof a faithfull Translation follows:

To my L. the most Eminent and Reverend Card. Pamphilio.

MY LORD,

OUr H. F. Pope Innocent X. the Vicar of Jesus and Successor of S. Peter in the See of Rome, hath at this day no greater Cause to decide then this, since the Grace which makes us Christians, is therein is disputed, and S. Augustin whom the H. See hath own'd by perpetual approbation ever since Innocent the First, called in question. It suffices, my Lord, that you know thus much, that you may be convinc'd what part to take, and what care this Cause of Faith requires of you in so important an occasion.

When Pope Innocent X. chose you among o∣thers to support the weight of the Churches af∣fairs, and employ your Ministry in the negotiati∣ons which concern the H. Apostolick See, he en∣gaged you wholly to his own person, not onely by the Purple wherewith he adorned your Emi∣nence, but also by the society of his Family and Name, which is a very strict alliance; and was pleased to communicate to you all the lustre and glory of his Papacy; Your Eminence enter'd not into the Pamphilian Family by the quality of your birth, but by the consideration of your merits; not by the advantages of blood, but ver∣tue; so that there lyes an indispensible necessity upon you contributing with so much more ardor the fidelity of your services to the dignity and ho∣nour of Innocent X. as this link which unites you to him, being an effect of vertue, is much more great and considerable then those which are deri∣ved from Consanguinity. We fear not then, my Lord, that it will be a diverting your Eminence from the care of the great affairs which exercise you, when we beseech you to read the Writings which we present to you, and to employ some time in examining with great care the whole Cause in question, there being nothing in the whole Church more considerable for the honour and reputation of Innocent X. then this affair con∣cerning the grace of Jesus Christ.

The reading of all things which have pass'd in this Difference will encrease your Eminences vi∣gilance and care, because you will find how just∣ly their designes are to be suspected, the begin∣nings wherof are full of so many intrigues and deceits. Neither the canvasings nor the solicita∣tions of our Adversaries, nor the ostentation of the favor of the Grandees of the Times, nor the false Protestations which they make to defend the Faith and uphold the dignity of the H. See, will be capable of shaking you, because you will fear on one side their surprising his Holinesse, as they have already many times endevor'd, and on the other you will be lead to suspect that cause of in justice which hath needed so great a number of subtleties to support it.

As much as our Adversaries have plac'd their hope in humane artifices, in winding and captions subtleties of words, and in termes which they have invented to vilifie and disparage our persons; so much have we taken care to establsh our hope only in the assistance of God's grace, in sinceri∣ty and upright dealing, in the integrity of the H. Apostolick See and in the the equity of Inno∣cent X. We hope therefore, my Lord, that you will employ all your credit with his Holiness, to promote the Congregation which we have demanded of him, as being the most advantage∣ous means of ruinning all kind of Deceits, of clearing truth, and procuring peace, and which all the world, as well as we, conceiv'd establisht be∣fore we had the honour to present these Writings to him, to the end the whole Church may know and posterity one day relate how prevalent sim∣plicity and fair dealing, truth and justice were un∣der the Papacy of Innocent X. when he was assisted with the Counsels of a Cardinal who was the emulator of his Glory as well as Heir and successor of his name.

And although in all these things our own inte∣rest is lesse imported then that of the H. See, and we could be quiet henceforward, if we were not mov'd with the concernments of truth, the H. See, and the spouse of Jesus Christ, and the peace and edification of the Faithfull; neverthelesse all these these things make so sensible an impression upon our minds, that we shall consider as a sig∣nal benefit all the offices which your Eminence shall do for us with his Holinesse towards pro∣curing the successe of a demand so just and neces∣sary.

We are,

My LORD,

Your Eminences Most humble and obedient servants,

• Noël de la Lane Doctor in Divinity of the Faculty of Paris, and Abbot of Nostre Dame de Valcroissant.
• Lovïs de S. Amour Doctor in the sacred Parisian Faculty of Divinity, of the House and society of Sorbonne.
• Lovïs Angran Licentiate of the same sa∣cred Faculty of Paris, and Canon of the Cathedral Church of Troies.

March 7. 1653.

Sunday March 9. with the Letters from Paris I receiv'd the Advertisement of F.L' Abbé so injuri∣ous to S. Augustin and the H. See, and by which that Father so manifestly discovers their design a∣gainst S. Augustin's doctrine. I thought fit to shew it to as many persons as I could, that so the evil purposes of those Fathers might be more and more known, especially it coming to Rome so op∣portunely the day before the first Congregation was to be held before the Pope. Amongst others I went to show it to Cardinal Spada and the Gene∣ral of the Augustines, and left Copies of it with them; adding more largely by word of mouth what was written to me concerning it. I found the

General of the Augustines shut up, to study against the next day's Congregation. Yet I was admitted to speak with him, and he told me that they did not yet precisely know what would be treated of the next day before the Pope, whether all the Propositions or only one; but it behov'd them to prepare for all and leave themselves to be govern'd by Grace.

Monday the 10th. the Congregation was held before the Pope in the afternoon. All that I could learn concerning it, was, that the Pope first made a short discourse, declaring that he intended not that in any thing which might be done in the pro∣gresse of this affair, the doctrine either of S. Au∣gustin or S. Thomas should be prejudic'd. 2. That the Consultors had more time and liberty to speak then they expected. And 3. That it lasted two houres and a half.

Wednesday the 12th. I repaired to see Cardinal Barberin before his going to la Minerve, but met him coming down staires. He took me into his Coach, and askt me the same question which we had done eight dayes before, Why we did not de∣clare that we held no other opinions then the Thomists? I answer'd him as I had done formerly. But the same day he told the General of the Do∣minicans, as I heard on Friday following, that we refus'd to subscribe the sufficient Grace of the Thomists, because haply in my discourse I had said that although we acknowledg'd those Graces which they styl'd sufficient, yet we could not agree to use that Terme; being those Graces were not truly sufficient for the Action in regard whereof they were so call'd, though effectual for their pro∣per Effect; nor that they were given generally to all the world without excepting any person, as some of their modern Authors have taught, but not all either the best or the most ancient. Now I wonder'd much that such a discourse by the by, could serve his Eminence for a ground to tell that General seriously and without distinction, that we deny'd to subscribe the sufficient Grace of the Thomists, when it was propounded to us; as if it had been propounded seriously that we migbt make a solid Declaration, and as if we had abso∣lutely deny'd those sorts of Graces.

In the afternoon I had accidentally a long con∣verse with M. Joysel, all the particularities whereof, to avoid prolixity, I shall not here insert, but take notice only of three or four. First, speak∣ing of the Congregation which we su'd for, he said, it was not according to the Custome of the Church, but a thing unheard of, and never prac∣tis'd, and that they had above forty passages or examples to oppose us with in that point. Second∣ly, I speaking to him of the Writings which they deliver'd to the Consultors, and F. Annat lately printed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 first he deny'd it. Thirdly, when I af∣firm'd the same so confidently, that he could not doubt but I had certain intelligence thereof, he confess'd it, adding that it matter'd not whence a good thing were taken. And Fourthly, when I told him that this shew'd their correspondence wiih the Jesuites, he answer'd me that the condi∣tion of a Doctor were very unhappy, if it oblig'd to renounce the acquaintance and commerce of the Jesuites.

Thursday the eleventh I carri'd Cardinal Spada a Copy of the printed Preface of F. Annat's Biblio∣theca, to confirme to him further how those Fa∣thers interessed and carri'd themselves in this af∣fair. And the next day I shew'd the same to our Advocate, that he might see by the thing spoke of himself therein, the extrem impudence and shame∣lesnesse of that Writer. Our Advocate, scarcely beliving his own eyes, desir'd to transcribe what concern'd himself, that he might keep it as a proof of the spirit of Lying and bitternesse of those good Fathers. But I say'd him the labour, promising to send him an intire Copy. As for the Memorials deliver'd to him to be presented to our Cardinals, of which I askt him tidings, he said he had been with but two, namely Ginetti and Cechini, and not with the others, because those two refused to receive a of Copy those Memorials, after (as they alledg'd) the Pope had declar'd his pleasure, and signifi d that he would not grant the contradictory audience and reciprocal communication of writings demanded therein. So that our Advocate return'd the same to me, saving one Copy which he kept for himself. But to comfort me in some sort for the trouble it might be to me to see things so re∣mote from our hopes, he told me one out of friend∣ship which he hap learn't in discourse with Cardi∣nal Ginetti, who was his great friend and open'd his mind to him, namely, that his Emincence be∣liev'd that nothing would be done; or if any thing; such as would do neither hurt nor good, questo non portareble ne nocumento ne grovamento; and that we had reason to be not a little satisfi'd, because we had sav'd a Bull which our Adversaries would un∣doubtedly have extorted from the H. See, had not we come to Rome.

Fryday the 14th. after accompanying the Am∣bassador to the Pop's Palace, we went to that of Cardinal Pamphilio, to try whether we could pre∣sent our book to his Eminence before the Ambas∣sador came thither; but we could not. In his Antichambre we found the Bishop of Borgo, who in a long converse told us, that being lately in a com∣pany where F. Palavicini was, this Jesuite said of S. Augustin, that he was no great Divine, che sant' Agostino non era gran Theologo.

I made a visite in the evening, wherein I learn't two things. First that an Officer Of the Pope's chamber said that if his Holinesse could condemn us, he would willingly do it, because he saw all France wholly dispos'd to receive and cause to be executed all the Decrees which he should make, if they were against the Jansenists; but if nothing could be done against them, nothing should be done at all. Secondly that there had been a Con∣gregation the Wednesday foregoing at the Pope's Palace, which lasted three houres, and that one of the most sagacious Consultors had said to a Cardi∣nal who told it me, that all things went alla peg∣gio, were in a very bad posture there; that there was another appointed on Tuesday following, and that all who knew his Holines's accustom'd circum∣spection and slownesse, and the heavy and long manner of proceeding of the Court of Rome, (which occasion'd the Anagram and Proverb Roma Mora) wonder'd extremely at this extraordinary speed, and presag'd no good from it, because it was wholly contrary to the genius of Rome, and yet amore to that of his Holinesse.

We spent all the morning of Tuesday the 18th. in the Antichamber of Cardinal Pamphilio, to see whether we could present our Book to him. But his door was so inviron'd with persons desirous to speak with him, amongst whom were the Ge∣nerals of the Sommasques, the Conventual Cor∣deliers, and the Jesuites, crowding (to use M. Albizzi's words) tanquam aliqui de populo, as all the rest did, to enter where his Eminence was; that all we could do was to get out of the throng, and in expectation till it was over, talk with some Prelates whom we found in the Antichamber, a∣mongst which was the Bishop of Borgo. At length the multitude diminish'd, and many who were as earnest as we, were at last constrain'd to return as well as we without speaking to the Cardi∣nal; the Resident of Genua comming to his Emi∣nence after he had done his audience with his Ho∣linesse.

Thursday the 20th. as I was going to Cardinal Barberin, I met F. Reginald in the street, who told me that a Consultor ask'd whether he might safely affirm in the Congregation that we acknowledg'd the Sufficient Graces held by the Thomists, because he hop'd to make great advantage of such a De∣claration; for if we would do this, he hop'd that M. Hallier and his Collegues might make one in favour of Effectual Grace. I answer'd F. Reginald that there was no difficulty between the Divines of his Order and us as to the substance of those im∣perfect Graces which they term Sufficient; but that before making a Declaration of so much be∣fore a Congregation, there ought to be such a one establish'd as we demanded; and that while this continu'd to act as it begun, we could not make any before it, being resolved not to own it. As for M. Hallier and his Col∣legues, we would not hear of any Treaty with them.

When I came to Cardinal Barberin, I told him that the last time I had the honour to see his Emi∣nence, he askt me whether we agreed with the Thomists, and I was now come to satisfie him. For which purpose I presented to him the third Chapter of the Information which we had prepar'd upon the first Proposition. He answer'd me, that those Writings were very long, that all the world could not see them; That if we would present a little Memorial, and thereby declare that we held Sufficient Grace, as Alvarez and Lemos. — I reply'd that we could not give any such private Memorial, but this and every thing else should be seen in the progress of the Congregation when it should be held. He told me that the Congre∣gation made hast. I answer'd his Eminence that it was without our partaking in it, and so long as it was held in that manner we could do no o∣therwise.

I spent the afternoon at Cardinal Ghiggi's a∣partment, but he would not give me audience. The things considerable which I learnt there were these: First, That the Pope had promis'd F. Lezzana a while since to give him permission to write and print concerning the matter de Auxiliis, as this Father told me, and that he came to desire his Eminence to put his Holiness in mind of it. To which the Cardinal answer'd, that he must have pa∣tience till after Easter, and that in the mean time it would be seen what would be the result of those Congregations. And Secondly, That a Fourth Congregation was to be held before the Pope up∣on Saturday following in the afternoon; which I di∣scover'd by a Bill which I saw fixt upon the door of Cardinal Ghiggi's apartment by the Mandatario or Cursor of the H. Office, and contain'd these words, Eminentissim. & Reverendissim. Domine, Die Sabbathi 22. cnrrentis Martii erit Congregatio co∣ram Sanctissimo hora. 20. ½.

On Friday evening I receiv'd the Letters, which came from Paris the last day of February, That of my LL. the Bishops to the Pope, spoken of above, was in the packet. On Saturday the 22d. I went to tell the Pope's Maistre de chambre that we had received Letters for his Holiness from our Bishops, and desir'd to present the same to him. He ask'd me what they concern'd. I an∣swer'd, the Things treated of in the Congregati∣ons before his Holiness. He referr'd me to Mon∣day.

The same afternoon I understood that Cardinal Spada, by reason of some indisposition, was not present at the Congregation held that day; and that the General of the Dominicans went on the morning to desire Cardinal Ghiggi to help him to an audience of the Pope, which he had so long sollicited in vain.

The same person who had told me some dayes ago that all went very ill in the Congregations held before the Pope, told me on Saturday the 23d. that the day before they began to be in a bet∣ter estate.

On Monday we went to present the new Letter of the Bishops of Fehruary 24 to the Pope; but Cardinal Trivultio took up the greatest part of the Audience that day, and the rest was given to o∣thers.

Tuesday, being Annunciation-day, after we had accompanied the Ambassador to the Pope's Palace, we came back to la Minerve to take our places in the Quire, where we might conveniently see the distri∣bution of purses yearly made to the Pope on that day to a prodigious number of young Maidens to∣wards their preferment. There had been a long mis∣understanding in the Family of the Pamphilii's; and Signora Olympia the Pope's Sister had not seen the Pope while it lasted. The reconciliation was lately made, and being Signora Olympia dwelt in the Palace Pamphilio not far from la Minerve the Pope was invited to dine there with all his Family at the end of the Ceremony. It was agreed be∣tween the Pope's kindred (who fear'd that his ex∣traordinary attending those long and frequent Congregations in which matters were handled which he had never studied, might prejudice his health) to represent to him the danger into which he put himself, and desire him to ••a•• another course. Some of them too who knew the merit of the sute which we prosecuted, who were sen∣sible of the repulses which we suffer'd; who lik'd our Cause, and fear'd it might receive some injury by this hastiness, and least the dis-satisfaction which those who were concern'd therein should receive thereby, might produce some in the Pope; spoke to him with the rest, as well for those considerati∣ons as for that of his health, all that they could to allay the forwardnesse and ardour of his Holi∣nesse.

But all served but to heat him the more. He wonder'd at his former aversenesse to hear of this matter afar off, considering the facility which he found in it then, and the pleasure which he re∣ceiv'd from all that he could hear spoken of it. He said he never was in Congregations which gave him less trouble and more satisfaction. That they lasted but two or three hours, and that if he had not had compassion of some good old men amongst the Consultors, who were oblig'd to be alwayes standing, he should willingly have held them long∣er. And this satisfaction appear'd so great to the Pope, that himself wonder'd at it, considering his ancient aversion; and he attributed this great and so sodain change to a particular and extraordi∣nary assistance of the H. Ghost upon his person. Signora Olympia who saw the Pope so satisfied with these Congregations, ask'd him what matters were treated of in them, which could be so well-pleasing to his Holiness. The Pope answer'd her that 'twas about certain subtilties touching points of Faith which she did not understand; and yet (added he) I know not whether if you were there when one of the Consultors (whom he nam'd) speaks you would not understand them, he un∣folds them with so great plainness and clearnesse. Signora Olympia reply'd nothing; but the Prince Justinian (who was also Kinsman to the General of the Dominicans, and his good Friend, and to whose mediation this General was oblig'd to re∣cur some dayes before; to get his Memorial and the other papers presented to his Holiness) told the Pope that he understood not much in those matters but he had read all the Papers of that Ge∣neral who had intreated him to present the same to his Holiness; and as much as he could judge of them, he found them very compendious and clear; and that he believ'd that if his Holiness should read them, he would also find much satisfaction in them. The Pope gave Prince Justinian no answer, where∣by he apprehended that the Pope continu'd in his unwillingness to receive the said General's papers; And the discourse about this matter went no fur∣ther.

Cardinal Spada was not present at the two Con∣gregations held before the Pope the week forego∣ing, whether he were constrain'd to be absent by some indisposition as his Secretary told me, or whe∣ther he counterfeited a distemper to cover some dis∣content which he had receiv'd in the former Con∣gregations, as most believ'd; But on Tuesday morn∣ing I heard, that the Cardinals of the Congregation were at his Palace on Monday without the Con∣sultors; and I believe, with many others, it was partly to oblige him not to be longer displeas'd, but return the soonest he could to the Congregati∣ons, which were to continue to be held before the Pope, as accordingly the Fifth being held on Wednesday afternoon, I heard that he was carri'd thither in a Chair; which some believe was merely a Ceremony to compleat the concealment of his pretence.