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. V.

Of what pass'd heretofore in the year 1626. touching the number of those of the said Orders admitted into the Facultie's As∣semblies; and of M. Cornet's antient conjunction with them and the Jesuits.

BEfore I proceed further in my design'd relation, it will be worth considering what was the principal ground upon which M. Cornet withstood all the said Arrests, and all the arguments us'd by MM. Broussel and Viole, to move him to see to the execution of them in the Assembly; for though it may seem a little remote from my principal matter,

yet it may be somewhat contributory to the perfect elucidation thereof.

In the year 1626. appear'd in France a Book prin∣ted at Rome, compos'd by a Jesuite nam'd Sanctarel; which Book was dispers'd there, and is still, to this day, with the permission and approbation of the Su∣periors. Assoon as it was seen in France, and the sentiments of the said Author were found seditious and contrary to the respect, obedience and subjection due to Kings, the Faculty Assembled extraordinarily on 16. March 1626. and deputed MM. Rumet, Daul∣truy, Dupuis and Chappellas to examine the said Book and make report thereof at the ordinary Assembly of the first of April following.

On which day they reported that in the 30, and 31. Chapters they found these Propositions, That the Pope may punish Kings and Princes with penalties temporal, and dispence with the obedience which their Subjects owe unto them. That this custom hath al∣waies been in the Church, even for other causes than he∣resie, as for faults committed by them, in case it were ex∣pedient, in case Princes were negligent, in cases of their incapacity, and in case of unusefulness of their Persons; with some other of the like strain to these; all which were censur'd both by the Deputies and the other Doctors of the Faculty assembled on the 1. of April, as containing a Doctrin false, erroneous, contrary to the word of God, giving ground of hatred of the Papal dignity, opening a way to Schisme, derogating upon the Soveraign authority of Kings dependant only from God, and apt to hinder the conversion of infidel and heretical Princes, to disturb the publick tranquillity, to avert Subjects from the obedience and subjection due to their Princes, and excite Rebellions, Seditions and Parricides.

This Censure was confirm'd on the day of S. Am∣brose, April 4. in an extraordinary Assembly, and publish'd forthwith, to the great satisfaction of King Lewis the Just of glorious memory, and with the applause of all France. But within a short time af∣ter, arose divers Persons even of the body of the Fa∣culty, who endeavour'd to get the said Censure re∣vok'd or at least mitigated. The sollicitations and canvasings which agitated the Faculty upon that de∣sign, and which at length prov'd ineffectual, conti∣nu'd almost a year. But that which makes to my purpose, is, that there was no hopes of such revoca∣tion but by the aid of the Mendicant Doctors which were caus'd to come for that end to Paris from the most remote Provinces by commands sent to them from the places where their Generals make their re∣sidence.

Hereupon thirty antient Doctors of the Faculty, (amongst which was M. Hardivillier, afterwards Archbishop of Bourges, M. Hollandre Curé of S. Sa∣viour, M. Faiet Curé of S. Paul, and M. Fonnellier Curé of S. Eustache last deceas'd) seeing this extra∣ordinary concourse of Mendicant Doctors, resolv'd, consequently to a Conclusion of the Faculty on 15. June 1626. to have recourse to the Court of Parlia∣ment for the execution of the 15. and 16. Articles of the Statutes, to become formally Plaintiffs, and have a pleading in their own names, if need were, to ob∣tain the Court to cause its Arrest of the year 1552. to be put in execution; which Arrest appoints the Religious Mendicant Doctors to retire into the houses of their Or∣der assoon as they had taken the Cap; and to know of the said Court whether it did not intend that the said Mo∣nastick Doctors sojourning at Paris in regard of any Of∣fices they might have there in their Covents, or because their Professions had been made there, or otherwise, should be restrain'd to a certain number, as to two at most, to have a Vote in Assemblies; and this to the end the Faculty might be at peace, and retain its rights in all freedom for the accompleshment of the service of God, of the King, and of all France. These ate the words of the Writing signed upon this matter by those thirty antient Doctors on the 16th. of July, 1626.

The arrest of the year 1552. which they mention, was issued upon occasion of a Brief obtained by the Cordeliers of Pope Julius the 3d. for the adding of two more to the number of Batchellors which might be admitted to Licences, and upon the Kings Let∣ters Patents for the verification of the said Brief; Both which, the Brief and Letters were entered into the Register, but with a charge that (conformably to the * 1.1 Oath taken alwaies and at this day by all the Mendicant Doctors so soon as they have received the Cap, to retire into the Covents of their Profession without fraud or delay) they should not fail to retire thither assoon as they had com∣menced, and so be incapable of being present in the Assemblies of the Faculty.

Consentaneously to the said Statute, to the cu∣stom observed in all times in the Faculty since the ad∣mission of the Religious Mendicants thereto, to the said Arrest of the year 1552. and to the purport of the above-mentioned Writing of the 6th. of July, an Arrest was issued by the Parliament on the 24th. of the same Month, which was explained and con∣firmed by another of the first of August following, by which the number of Religious Mendicants capable of entrance and a deliberative voyce in the Assemblies of the Faculty was restrained to two of each Order at the most.

To the invalidating of those Arrests one was pas∣sed in the Council Nov. 2. 1626. whereby the cog∣nisance of the matter was interdicted to the Parlia∣ment, and it was ordained, That notwithstanding those Arrests of Parliament, all Mendicant Doctors might be present at our Assemblies in what number they pleased.

There is come to my hands the Copy of a Letter written by Fillessac Dean of the Faculty to Cardinal Richlieu touching the said Order of the Council, which may inform the Reader in what manner and by what instigations the same was passed. I shall in∣sert it intire here, to that purpose.

A Letter of M. Fillessac to Cardinal Richlieu.

My Lord,

'TIs not onely your Place of Superintendent of the Sorbonne, whereof I am the least, but your na∣tural Goodness, which every one acknowledges, and of which all good Servants of the Kings and true French∣men are daily sensible of, that gives me boldness to repre∣sent to you our just complaints and real apprehension of the persecution intended against us. The Arrest of Council given in favour of the Religious Mendicants some daies since, wherewith all Paris rings, furnishes us with most certain proof, and undoubted ground of be∣lief of the mischief which is projected against us. Your in∣comparable gentleness and benignity will give me full li∣berty to represent to you freely & without dissembling any thing, that which most of all grieves us. Inimici nostri sunt Judices; M. the Keeper of the Seals is our Judge

and Adversary too. This is verified by sundry reasons. First, it is known how that above twenty years ago he contracted a strict amity and familiarity with Doctor du Val. The same hath been cemented and diligently continued by the common administration wherewith they are intrusted by the Carmelites; the one for temporal, the other for spiritual concernments. I omit what other correspondences they have usually together; every one knows that the said Doctor du Val is our principal Ad∣versary, and hath raised all his tempests in favour of the Religious for the accomplishment of his designs. The first President hath informed some of our Doctors that the said M. du Val came to him to recommend the Religious Mendicants. On the other side, every one knows that Cardinal Spada persues this affair with all eagerness, and hath so perfect a correspondence with the Keeper of the Seals, that when his Majesty placed him in that Office, the Cardinal being informed thereof, said in the presence of some Bishops, Io non temo piu, per∣che Marillaco a i Sigilli Reali, I am out of fear now since Marillac hath the Royal Seals. Moreover we see in the Sorbonne the daily commerce of the said du Val with the said Cardinal, who according to the instru∣ction he received at his comming into France could not do otherwise. For, as I understand by Letters from Rome, one of the Nuntio's Instructions was, that he should lodge as near as might be to the Sorbonne, and have perpe∣tual correspondence with Doctor du Val whom he might make use of as a Spy upon the Sorbonne. Lastly it hath constantly been observ'd that the Keeper of the Seals is one of the most resolute Defenders and Protectors of the Jesuites: and that, whenever the said Fathers have had need of his assistance. Now that these Fathers are not profess'd Adversaries of the Sorbonne, no Person can deny; all Paris having seen the experience thereof in their Sermons, Pasquils and defaming Libels, I shall adde that they have Doctor du Val amongst us who serv'd them as a powerfull instrument in our Assemblies when the question has been about securing us amongst them; and he being admonish'd that he acted against his Oath and against his Mother the Faculty, answered that he could not act against the said Fathers, quia, said he, commiserunt mihi secretum suum. Furthermore, we are not ignorant how the Keeper of the Seals is extremely confirm'd in his aversion towards us by Father B. who hath great influence over him, either by occasion of the common imployment they have had from the Carmelites, or for other reasons. Now this Father cannot patiently bear the particular Decree made in the Colledge of Sor∣bonne for execlusion of such Doctors from the said Col∣ledge as have enter'd or shall hereafter enter into the Congregation of the said Father; which is also the grievance of the said Doctor du Val, who, as intimate Friend of the aforesaid Father B. hath perverted and sollicited seven Doctors of the College of Sorbonne; to found and establish the said Congregation by becoming the first associates of the same, to the great scandal of the College. You see, my Lord, our just fear of ruine, which is pursu'd by our enemies with so great violence and eagernesse. You see our adversaries openly profess'd, without comprehending those who out of interest dare not declare themselves; in the number of which I shall rec∣kon a Cardinal, who speaking of your most generous de∣sign for the building of your Sorbonne, said, he estee∣med it highly for it self, but was sorry it should be in∣tended for Schismaticks. However, my Lord, if that pretended Arrest must be signify'd to us, We most humbly beseech you, that it be not done publickly in our Assembly on the next day after the Holy-dayes, which will be Wednesday. To conclude, what ever victory our Adversaries may gain over us, this glory will re∣main ours to posterity, that we thirty who were depress'd for being faithfull to our King, and true Frenchmen, signed this common cause in behalf of the King and France.

This Remonstrance of M. Fillessac to Cardinal Richelieu did not hinder the Arrest from having its course; after which, the sollicitations and canva∣sings to get the abovemention'd Censure revok'd, were renew'd more then ever. But the Parliament check'd the torrent of those canvasings and sollicita∣tions, by several Arrests issued forth to maintain it, and by an order given to the President le Jay, and four Counsellors of this Grand Chamber to repair to the Sorbonne (as accordingly they did) to hinder all innovation touching this affair in the Assembly of the moneth of February 1627. in which it was to be fear'd one might happen, unlesse the Parlia∣ment interpos'd its authority to prevent it.

Matters stood in this posture till the year 1631, when the University of Paris having maturely weigh'd the prejudice it receiv'd as well from the said Arrest of the Council of 2 Novemb. 1626, as from another of the same Council of 18 July pre∣ceding, concerning the same matter; and having gravely consider'd what necessity there was both for its own interest and that of the King and State to provide against the said Arrests, they repair'd to the late King at St. German's to present to him a Petition, in which they complain'd of those two Arrests, as having been pass'd by surprise, contrary to all right, and upon false suppositions; for which reasons they beseech'd his Majesty the same might be vacated. M. the Rector went to wait upon the King with this Petition, and spoke to his Maje∣sty concerning the importance of this affair three quarters of an hour. The King heard him with attention and pleasure. He receiv'd himself the Petition which the Rector held in his hand, and caus'd it to be reported in his Council in his own pre∣sence; Whereupon on 8 July 1631, an Arrest was pass'd, whereby the aforesaid two of 18 July & 2 Nov. 1626, and all others prejudicial to the Statutes and Privileges of the University were an∣null'd; and hereof Letters Patents were expedited for the University.

M. Cornet could not be ignorant of all this; for I reviv'd the memory thereof to all the world in the Assembly of 1 Octob. 1648. when it was needfull to mention the same in answer to those two Arrests of the Council of 8 July, and 2 Nov. 1626. which had been signify'd to me anew that day by the Order and at the desire of the Mendicant Doctors. Ne∣verthelesse he forbore not in the Assembly of 4 Nov. to oppose those very two Arrests to the in∣junctions which M. Broussel and Viole us'd to him to see to the execution of those of the Parliament, ac∣cording to the duty of his place.

But it seems there is no great reason to wonder that M. Cornet so little valued those Letters Patents of 8 July 1631. sixteen years after they had been granted to the University; seeing that so soon as they were granted he set himself with all his might to hinder the effect they might have, causing him∣self by a party wholly of Mendicant Doctors to be install'd before the end of three Moneths in the Of∣fice of Syndic; in which he would not want means to requite the good turns which he should receive from them, and to continue the fidelity and corre∣spondence

he had sworn with them. I shall menti∣on nothing that pass'd in that election besides what I have learn'd from another Letter of M. Fillessac to Cardinal Richelieu dated Nov. 5. 1631. the Copy of which is come to my hands, together with the Cardinal's answer. And here they follow.

Another Letter of M. Fillessac, Dean of the Faculty, to Cardinal Richelieu.

My Lord,

ACcording to the command you were pleas'd to lay upon me, to give you an account of the election of our Syndic, I shall tell you in the first place, that God having visited me with his merciful justice by afflicting * 3.1 one of my Domesticks, I was constrain'd to leave Paris; and in my absence on the first of October, according to our Sta∣tute, the election of a Syndic was ta∣ken into consideration, the term of the former be∣ing expir'd. In this Assembly fifty Doctors were present. But when I return'd to Paris, I was de∣sirous to know how the business pass'd. Divers Doctors of our Fraternity coming to see me, re∣presented to me two considerable defects; one, in the person; the other, in the form of the ele∣ction.

As to the first, they represented him to me as a young Doctor of about five years standing, unac∣quainted with our Statutes, Customs and Forms; besides which, he ha's alwayes been train'd up and instructed by the Jesuites, having once purposed to enter into that Society, and to that end put himself into their Novitiate, where he was indo∣ctrinated for some time; and had it not been for a sickness that befell him, he would perhaps be now of their Society, to which neverthelesse he remains allied by affection. And every one knows how little reason we have to be well pleas'd with Them, considering the scandalous Libels they have written against us heretofore, and those they publish'd lately against our Censure pronounc'd against two Books compos'd by two English Je∣suites; Now it may here be presum'd, that when ever there comes forth such like Papers from the said Society, this new Syndic will not fail to crosse the businesse, and generally all others relating to that Society, (as it hath hapned too often) which will be a perpetual cause of trouble and division amongst us. Our said Confreres make it appear, that the Syndic of our Faculty is nothing else but a Censor; and what Censure can he passe being ig∣norant of our Lawes and Customs? And besides, how will one more antient then himself take in good part any reproof or check from him, who hath no credit and authority, being a young Do∣ctor. — As for the second defect; of the fifty Doctors present at the election the first of October, four and twenty voted it fit to stay till the return of the Dean, the other twenty six chose this new Syndic; and in this number there were eighteen Religious Mendicants suborn'd by the Nuntio, and of them two were interdicted by the Faculty. You may consider, my Lord, if you please, that it was never known that his Holiness's Nuntio had any thing to do with our affairs, or to attempt to give us Syndics, to the prejudice of the Rights of the King, the Liberties of the Gallicane Church, and the Maximes of France. Now if this procee∣ding be allow'd, and this power of the Nuntio confirm'd, I think in conscience I ought to dis∣charge my self of the Deanship, before I see with my eyes the evident ruine of our Faculty by the losse of its liberty. It had been better to have re∣tain'd the former Syndic, an antient Doctor, very well vers'd in our affairs, and who knew how to maintain our discipline. These things I have re∣monstrated to the Nuntio, who is obstinate for re∣taining the new Syndic. I conceive it to as little purpose to send M. de Nantes, seeing the Abbot of St. Mark your Almoner having come to our As∣sembly hath declar'd it your intention that the said Syndic be retain'd in his office, and perform the du∣ties thereof; which neverthelesse seems not to a∣gree with the words of your Letter, which speak only of Superseding the businesse, till you be more punctually inform'd of the state of it. Giving power to the Syndic to execute the place, is a confir∣ming of him, and thwarting the tenour of the Let∣ter. Wherefore it should seem there is no more room left for Remonstrances, but much for com∣plaints, which I shall continue in my retirement, where I shall not cease to the last breath of my life to pray God for your prosperity and health, as being

Your most humble and obedient Servant, J. FILLESSAC.

Paris 5 Nov. 1631.

The answer of Cardinal Richelieu to the fore∣going Letter.

SIR,

I Have seen the Letter you writ to me, in which there are very considerable reasons. When we come to Paris, I shall be glad that you take the pains to see me, that I may advise with you about what will be necessary to be done in this matter. In the mean time, I can as∣sure you, there is no person that desires more to maintain your College in its liberty, and procure its advantage upon all occasions then my self, who am in particular, Sir,

Your most affectionate to serve you, The Cardinal de Richelieu.

Chasteau-Thierry, 15 Nov. 1631.

And is it to be wonder'd, after this Letter written with so great resentment by so eminent a Dean of the Faculty, whose remonstrances were receiv'd and esteem'd by the prime Minister of State, whose worth was so highly acknowledg'd by the Commis∣sioners of Parliament when they came into Sorbonne, Feb. 2. 1627. that in the draught of their Process verbal they professe to be sorry in behalf of the interest of France that his years were so far advanc'd; Is it to be wonder'd, I say, since this Letter and Remon∣strances became ineffectual, that M. Cornet hath al∣wayes had so great an adherence both with the Je∣suites and Mendicant Doctors, who rais'd and main∣tain'd him in the office of Syndic; and that he hath so successfully labour'd the ruine of the Faculties li∣berty in doctrine and discipline, notwithstanding any obstacles the most sagacious and faithfull Do∣ctors have endeavour'd to oppose to his dangerous practices. But when it pleases God, for the execu∣ting of his secret judgements, (many times inscruta∣ble,

but alwayes just) to humble the most great and illustrious Societies; he knowes how to •…•…ave them under the administration of such as are capable to destroy them; nor is it in the power of any mor∣tal to hinder the revolution and downfall thereof.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Item jurabitis quod sine fraude aut dilatione vos recipietis in Con∣ventum in quo pro∣fessionem fecistis.
• * 3.1

  One of his Domesticks had the Pesti∣lence.