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C. Dallas + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The New Conspiracy Against the Jesuits Detected and Briefly Exposed + with a short account of their institute; and observations + on the danger of systems of education independent of + religion + +Author: R. C. Dallas + +Release Date: October 3, 2010 [EBook #33836] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE NEW CONSPIRACY *** + + + + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Keith Edkins and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="10" style="background-color: #ccccff;"> +<tr> +<td style="width:25%; vertical-align:top"> +Transcriber's note: +</td> +<td> +A few typographical errors have been corrected. They +appear in the text <span class="correction" title="explanation will pop up">like this</span>, and the +explanation will appear when the mouse pointer is moved over the marked +passage.<br /><br /> +French extracts are reproduced as printed, with hardly any accents. +</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p class="cenhead">THE</p> + +<h2><b>N<span class="gsp"> </span>e<span class="gsp"> </span>w C<span class="gsp"> </span>o<span class="gsp"> </span>n<span class="gsp"> </span>s<span class="gsp"> </span>p<span class="gsp"> </span>i<span class="gsp"> </span>r<span class="gsp"> </span>a<span class="gsp"> </span>c<span class="gsp"> </span>y</b></h2> + +<h2>AGAINST THE JESUITS</h2> + +<h3>DETECTED AND BRIEFLY EXPOSED;</h3> + +<p class="cenhead">WITH A</p> + +<h3>SHORT ACCOUNT OF THEIR INSTITUTE;</h3> + +<p class="cenhead">AND</p> + +<p class="cenhead">OBSERVATIONS ON THE DANGER OF SYSTEMS OF</p> + +<p class="cenhead">EDUCATION INDEPENDENT OF RELIGION.</p> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="short" /> + +<h2>B<span class="gsp"> </span>Y R. C. D<span class="gsp"> </span>A<span class="gsp"> </span>L<span class="gsp"> </span>L<span class="gsp"> </span>A<span class="gsp"> </span>S<span class="gsp"> </span>, E<span class="gsp"> </span>S<span class="gsp"> </span>Q.</h2> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" /> + +<blockquote class="b1n"> + + <p>Omnes qui se Societati addixerunt, in virtutum solidarum ac + perfectarum, et spiritualium rerum studium incumbant.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p><span class="sc">Institutum Soc. Jesu</span>, ed. Pragæ, 1757, vol. ii, p. 72.</p> + </div> + </div> + +</blockquote> + +<blockquote class="b1n"> + + <p>The causes which occasioned the ruin of this mighty body, as well as + the circumstances and effects with which it has been attended in the + different countries of Europe, are objects extremely worthy of the + attention of every intelligent observer of human affairs.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p><span class="sc">Robertson's Charles V</span>, vol. iii, p. 225.</p> + </div> + </div> + +</blockquote> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" /> + +<h3>L<span class="gsp"> </span>O<span class="gsp"> </span>N<span class="gsp"> </span>D<span class="gsp"> </span>O<span class="gsp"> </span>N<span class="gsp"> </span>:</h3> + +<p class="cenhead">P<span class="gsp"> </span>R<span class="gsp"> </span>I<span class="gsp"> </span>N<span class="gsp"> </span>T<span class="gsp"> </span>E<span class="gsp"> </span>D F<span class="gsp"> </span>O<span class="gsp"> </span>R J<span class="gsp"> </span>A<span class="gsp"> </span>M<span class="gsp"> </span>E<span class="gsp"> </span>S R<span class="gsp"> </span>I<span class="gsp"> </span>D<span class="gsp"> </span>G<span class="gsp"> </span>W<span class="gsp"> </span>A<span class="gsp"> </span>Y<span class="gsp"> </span>, P<span class="gsp"> </span>I<span class="gsp"> </span>C<span class="gsp"> </span>C<span class="gsp"> </span>A<span class="gsp"> </span>D<span class="gsp"> </span>I<span class="gsp"> </span>L<span class="gsp"> </span>L<span class="gsp"> </span>Y.</p> + +<p class="cenhead">1815.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>C. WOOD, Printer,</p> + <p>Poppin's Court, Fleet Street.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" /> + +<p><!-- Page v --><span class="pagenum"><a name="pagev"></a>{v}</span></p> + +<p class="cenhead">TO</p> + +<p class="cenhead">T<span class="gsp"> </span>H<span class="gsp"> </span>E R<span class="gsp"> </span>I<span class="gsp"> </span>G<span class="gsp"> </span>H<span class="gsp"> </span>T H<span class="gsp"> </span>O<span class="gsp"> </span>N<span class="gsp"> </span>O<span class="gsp"> </span>U<span class="gsp"> </span>R<span class="gsp"> </span>A<span class="gsp"> </span>B<span class="gsp"> </span>L<span class="gsp"> </span>E</p> + +<h2>G<span class="gsp"> </span>E<span class="gsp"> </span>O<span class="gsp"> </span>R<span class="gsp"> </span>G<span class="gsp"> </span>E C<span class="gsp"> </span>A<span class="gsp"> </span>N<span class="gsp"> </span>N<span class="gsp"> </span>I<span class="gsp"> </span>N<span class="gsp"> </span>G<span class="gsp"> </span>, M. P.</h2> + +<p class="cenhead"><span class="scac">HIS MAJESTY'S AMBASSADOR EXTRAORDINARY TO</span></p> + +<p class="cenhead"><span class="scac">THE COURT OF PORTUGAL, <i>&c.</i> <i>&c.</i></span></p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>SIR;</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>Your absence from this country, and the observation of the historian, + which I have adopted as a motto, will plead my excuse for dedicating this + volume to you, without a previous intimation of my wish for that honour + to my work and to myself. "The causes <!-- Page vi --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="pagevi"></a>{vi}</span>of the ruin of the + society of Jesuits, with its circumstances and effects, are worthy of + your attention." I have bestowed a considerable degree of labour in + making myself acquainted with them, and, having been induced to throw the + result of my inquiries into the form of a book, I know not to whom I can + better present it than to a man, who, among the services which he has + been active in rendering to his country, in her legislation and letters, + has been the liberal advocate of the catholic body in general, and who, I + am confident, will be pleased to see any society, or any individual, + rescued from opprobrium, which time and colouring may have fixed on + character. You are on the spot, Sir, where the Jesuits were persecuted + with the greatest virulence; a circumstance, to <!-- Page vii --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="pagevii"></a>{vii}</span>my apprehension, not + the most favourable to the investigation of truth, as it may well be + imagined, that the prejudices, which were raised by the unprincipled and + unrelenting minister of Joseph I, of Portugal, have too strongly + enveloped it to be easily removed: but there are minds gifted with a + discernment approaching to intuition, and, if any man can unweave the + web, which has been spun around this unfortunate society, to your + penetration may it be trusted. I have examined the subject with sincerity + and disinterestedness, and, from conviction, I feel such interest in the + establishment of the facts which I have stated, and the conclusions which + I have drawn, that I dare hope that what I here offer to your + consideration will one day be corroborated by testimony and <!-- Page + viii --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="pageviii"></a>{viii}</span>talents, that shall remove all the doubt + which the feebleness of my pen may leave upon it.</p> + + <div class="contents"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>I have the honour to be,</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="i2">Sir,</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="i4">Your most obedient and</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="i6">humble Servant,</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="i8">R. C. DALLAS.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p><i>September 4, 1815.</i></p> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" /> + +<p><!-- Page ix --><span class="pagenum"><a name="pageix"></a>{ix}</span></p> + +<h3>PREFACE.</h3> + + <p>Having formerly occupied my thoughts on the subject of promoting the + knowledge and practice of religion among the Negroes in the West Indies, + I was naturally led to inquire into the means, which had been + successfully adopted in the catholic islands. I traced them to the + enthusiastic labours of the clergy in general, particularly the Jesuits. + The conduct of the fathers of that society in South America, not only + excited in me admiration, but the highest esteem, veneration, and + affection, for that enlightened and persevering body in the Christian + cause, who had spread over the immense regions of that <!-- Page x + --><span class="pagenum"><a name="pagex"></a>{x}</span>continent more + virtue and real temporal happiness than were enjoyed by any other quarter + of the globe, as well as a well founded hope of eternal felicity, by the + redemption of mankind through Christ. This undeniable merit made such an + impression on my mind, that I never gave credit to the horrors, which + have been attributed to the society.</p> + + <p>Among the objects of my attention, during a late residence in France, + the restoration of the order became an interesting one, affording me some + pleasing conversations, and inducing me to search into authorities + respecting the actions and character of men, whom I had learned to + venerate and to love, the result of which was a confirmation of my early + predilection. On my return from the continent a short time since, I met + with a pamphlet <!-- Page xi --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="pagexi"></a>{xi}</span>lately published, entitled "A Brief Account + of the Jesuits," the ostensible object of which is to render the order + odious, but the real one is seen to be an attempt to attach odium upon + catholics in general, in the present crisis of the catholic question. I + learned, from a literary friend, that this pamphlet had originally + appeared as Letters in a newspaper, and that they had been answered in + the same way, but that the answers had not been republished. These I + obtained and perused. I received much satisfaction from them, and thought + them worthy of being preserved. They did not, however, appear to me + sufficiently full upon the subject, and I therefore resolved to publish + them in the form of a pamphlet, with a preliminary statement. I + consequently renewed my inquiries, and the more I inquire the more am I + satisfied, that my veneration for this body of Christian instructors is + not misplaced. <!-- Page xii --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="pagexii"></a>{xii}</span></p> + + <p>It is perfectly evident to me, that there was an unjust conspiracy, + which originated in France, to destroy the Jesuits; and that it + terminated successfully about the middle of the last century. It is not + an easy task to unfold to its full extent the injustice and various + iniquities of it, since even respectable historians have been led away by + the imposing appearance, which the then undetected and half-unconscious + ingenious agents of jacobinism had, by every expedient of invention, of + colouring, and of wit, given to the hue and cry raised by those bitter + enemies of the order, the university and parliaments of France, and by + some ministers of other governments, particularly by the marquis de + Pombal, the minister of the king of Portugal. It is not my intention to + undertake so laborious a task, but I trust, that the following exposition + will unfold sufficient <!-- Page xiii --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="pagexiii"></a>{xiii}</span>of the injustice, which has been so + unfeelingly and indefatigably heaped upon the Jesuits, to convince every + unprejudiced man, that the suppression of the order has been injurious to + society, and that the revival of it, far from being dangerous, must be + beneficial. I am not afraid, that this expression of my sentiment will + draw upon me any suspicion of disaffection to the state, or the + established church; my sentiments are well known to my friends, and have + been more than once publicly professed. The benefit, which I think will + arise from the restoration of the society, will consist more particularly + in the active and zealous cultivation of Christian virtues, and a spirit + of <span class="scac">LOYALTY</span> among the catholics of all + countries, whether protestant or catholic; and, unless we mean to say, + with some of the furious reformers, that the religion of the catholics is + to be <!-- Page xiv --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="pagexiv"></a>{xiv}</span>extirpated altogether, it is absurd to + say, that they shall not have their best and most active instructors.</p> + + <p>When this volume had nearly gone through the press, in the course of + reading I met with the following curious passage, extracted from a Letter + to a Noble Lord by a Country Gentleman, entitled "Considerations on the + Penal Laws," &c. published by the Dodsleys, of Pall-Mall, so long ago + as 1764, about two years after the suppression of the Jesuits in France, + and eleven previous to their total suppression by Clement XIV; I insert + it, as I think it will not be unacceptable to the reader:—"The + rising generation are now forming their principles on the writings of + Voltaire, Rousseau, D'Argens, and the philosopher of Sans-Souci; to whom + may be added a long catalogue of authors of our own <!-- Page xv --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="pagexv"></a>{xv}</span>country. In <span + class="sc">France</span> <i>grave magistrates already celebrate and</i> + <span class="scac">THE FIRST COURTS OF JUDICATURE</span> echo with the + praises of <i>Julian and Diocletian</i>; calculations are made, and the + period is pretended to be fixed, when Christianity is to be no more. The + powerful weapon of ridicule is employed not against popery alone, but to + render contemptible the whole Jewish and Christian revelation." The + <i>grave magistrates</i>, and <i>first courts of judicature</i>, are no + other than <i>the French parliaments</i>, who, we are informed by a + member of the lower house, were "ever ready to support the national + independence<a name="NtA1" href="#Nt1"><sup>[1]</sup></a>:" we see by + what steps, and we have felt with what success.</p> + + <p>In the following pages, I have shown, <!-- Page xvi --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="pagexvi"></a>{xvi}</span>that those <i>courts of + judicature</i> (which, far from being the immediate organs of the + monarchs of France, as the same member asserts, were, for the greater + part of the last century, in constant opposition to them, and the organs + of rebellion) had conspired to effect the destruction of the Jesuits; + and, I suspect, that "the mass of information," which supplies the proofs + of the nascent revolutionary spirit, and which is to be met with in the + histories of all Europe, are documents resulting from the piques and + resentments of Pombal and other arbitrary ministers, who chose to take + the consciences of their princes under their own care. These documents, + afforded indeed by a most respected character, are nevertheless open to + all the objections that arise from the principles and history of the + intrigues of the ordinances alluded to. There is however some decency in + recurring to <!-- Page xvii --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="pagexvii"></a>{xvii}</span>ordinances to found charges upon; the + enemies of the Jesuits were not always so nice, as the following extract + from one of their calumniators will show:—"When the Jesuits + revolutionized Portugal, in 1667, and placed on the throne the infant don + Pedro, sir Robert Southwell was there, as our ambassador from Charles II. + His very curious correspondence with the duke of Ormond and lord + Arlington is extant, and is a precious fragment of a great political + event. The silent intrigues of the Jesuits do not seem to have been known + to sir Robert; but, according to the <i>Recueil Chronologique</i>, + published by <span class="sc">the court of Portugal</span>, it is evident + they were the principal actors, who, having overturned the monarchy, + afterwards suppressed the democracy, and then, substituting an apparent + aristocracy, reigned for some time over Portugal, concealed under that + <!-- Page xviii --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="pagexviii"></a>{xviii}</span>cloak." This is a fine specimen of the + warfare carried on against the society. The ambassador's ignorance of the + intrigues of the Jesuits is not brought forward as a proof of their + innocence, but as a reason why we should believe Pombal. As to the + revolutionizing Portugal, and placing don Pedro on the throne, the + ambassador could have been no stranger to the real causes of don Pedro's + being proclaimed regent during the life of his brother Alonzo, from the + incapacity of the latter, and the intrigues, first of his mother, and + afterwards of his wife, the princess of Nemours.</p> + + <p>I would here leave the reader, with this fact fresh on his mind, to + enter upon the book before him, but that I wish to detain him a moment + longer to request him to carry also along with him the asseveration <!-- + Page xix --><span class="pagenum"><a name="pagexix"></a>{xix}</span>of + the author, that he is entirely unconnected with the individuals of the + body, whose character it is the object of this volume to place in a just + point of view. Though familiar with accounts of the society, I am + unacquainted with a single individual of it. The interest I feel is that + which has been inspired by their virtues, and by the injustice and + cruelty of their enemies, which I have ascertained to my complete + conviction.</p> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" /> + +<p><!-- Page xxi --><span class="pagenum"><a name="pagexxi"></a>{xxi}</span></p> + +<p class="cenhead">C<span class="gsp"> </span>O<span class="gsp"> </span>N<span class="gsp"> </span>T<span class="gsp"> </span>E<span class="gsp"> </span>N<span class="gsp"> </span>T<span class="gsp"> </span>S.</p> + +<table class="nobctr" summary="Contents." title="Contents."> +<tr><td class="nspacsingle"> </td><td class="nspacsingle" style="text-align:right"> PAGE</td></tr> +<tr><td class="nspacsingle"> INTRODUCTION </td><td class="nspacsingle" style="text-align:right"> <a href="#page1">1</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="nspacsingle" style="text-align:center" colspan="2"> CHAPTER I.</td></tr> + +<tr><td class="nspacsingle"> <i>Remarks on the Objects of the Author of +"A brief Account of the Jesuits," and +on his mode of conducting his Argument</i> </td><td class="nspacsingle" style="text-align:right"> <a href="#page5">5</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="nspacsingle" style="text-align:center" colspan="2"> CHAPTER II.</td></tr> + +<tr><td class="nspacsingle"> <i>Inquiry into the Character of the Authorities +against the Jesuits, and of +those in favour of them; with a notice +of some of the Crimes imputed to +them</i> </td><td class="nspacsingle" style="text-align:right"> <a href="#page23">23</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="nspacsingle" style="text-align:center" colspan="2"> CHAPTER III.</td></tr> + +<tr><td class="nspacsingle"> <i>Of the Order of the Jesuits, with the +prominent features of the Institute</i> </td><td class="nspacsingle" style="text-align:right"> <a href="#page173">173</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="nspacsingle" style="text-align:center" colspan="2"> +<!-- Page xxii --><span class="pagenum"><a name="pagexxii"></a>{xxii}</span> +CHAPTER IV.</td></tr> + +<tr><td class="nspacsingle"> <i>Character of Pombal. Summary Observations, +and a brief notice of the tendency +and danger of Education independent +of Religion</i> </td><td class="nspacsingle" style="text-align:right"> <a href="#page229">229</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="nspacsingle"> THE LETTERS OF CLERICUS </td><td class="nspacsingle" style="text-align:right"> <a href="#page261">261</a></td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> + +<tr><td class="nspacsingle" style="text-align:center" colspan="2"> APPENDIX.</td></tr> + +<tr><td class="nspacsingle"> <i>The Bull of Clement XIII</i> </td><td class="nspacsingle" style="text-align:right"> <a href="#page335">335</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="nspacsingle"> <i>The Judgment of the Bishops of France +in favour of the Jesuits</i> </td><td class="nspacsingle" style="text-align:right"> <a href="#page346">346</a></td></tr> +</table> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="cenhead">ERRATUM, or Omission, Page <a href="#page81">81</a>.</p> + + <p>At the end of Henry IV's speech, add a reference to Dupleix, the same + historian referred to in page <a href="#page72">72</a>. The speech is + also to be found in the Memoirs of the Minister Villeroi, the confidant + of Henry IV, in the Pleadings of Montholon, in the French Mercury of + 1604, and in Matthieu, Henry IV's historiographer, whom that prince + himself furnished with memoirs for his history. De Thou himself reports + it, but in a mangled way, and professedly as <i>an extract</i>, yet + clearly enough to corroborate the substance of it.</p> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" /> + +<p><!-- Page 1 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page1"></a>{1}</span></p> + +<p class="cenhead">THE</p> + +<h3>NEW CONSPIRACY</h3> + +<h3>A<span class="gsp"> </span>G<span class="gsp"> </span>A<span class="gsp"> </span>I<span class="gsp"> </span>N<span class="gsp"> </span>S<span class="gsp"> </span>T T<span class="gsp"> </span>H<span class="gsp"> </span>E J<span class="gsp"> </span>E<span class="gsp"> </span>S<span class="gsp"> </span>U<span class="gsp"> </span>I<span class="gsp"> </span>T<span class="gsp"> </span>S<span class="gsp"> </span>,</h3> + +<p class="cenhead"><i>&c.</i> <i>&c.</i></p> + +<h3>INTRODUCTION.</h3> + + <p>If there were a question whether there should be a change in the + religion of the state, or whether the sceptre of Great Britain were + better placed in the hand of a protestant or a catholic prince, my voice, + slender as it is, should eagerly profess my attachment to the monarchy, + and to the church of England. But no such question exists, or is likely + to exist, in the contemplation of British subjects, of any persuasion or + denomination whatever. It is with this conviction <!-- Page 2 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page2"></a>{2}</span>on my mind, that I have + resolved to publish the result of my inquiries respecting the Jesuits, + and to show, that they do not merit the virulent slanders with which they + have been attacked, or the treatment, horrid and inhuman, which they were + made to suffer. A violent pamphlet, entitled "A brief Account of the + Jesuits," lately republished from a newspaper, shall serve to direct me + over the mass of abuse, which I purpose to clear away in such a manner as + to enable the reader to proceed, without prejudice, to the perusal of the + following Letters, to which partiality might otherwise be attributed. + They are replies to some of the charges of the writer of the pamphlet, + and they also appeared in a newspaper, with the signature of + <i>Clericus</i>, the assailant having assumed that of <i>Laicus</i>, + which I mention, as it may be convenient for me to use these names + occasionally.</p> + + <p>I purpose, 1st, to make some remarks on the objects of the author of + the pamphlet, in his attack upon the Jesuits, and on his mode <!-- Page 3 + --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page3"></a>{3}</span>of conducting his + argument: 2dly, to examine the character of the authorities against the + Jesuits, called by the writer historical evidences; and of those in + favour of them; and to notice some of the charges against the society: + 3dly, to give a brief account of the order, and of the fundamental + character of it, with the prominent features of the Institute of Loyola, + contrasted with the libellous <i>Monita Secreta</i>: and, 4thly, to + conclude with observations arising out of the preceding subjects, and on + the necessity of making religion the basis of education.</p> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" /> + +<p><!-- Page 5 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page5"></a>{5}</span></p> + +<h3>CHAPTER I.</h3> + +<blockquote class="b1n"> + + <p><i>Remarks on the Objects of the Author of "A brief Account of the + Jesuits," and on his mode of conducting his Argument.</i></p> + +</blockquote> + + <p>The professed objects of the author of a pamphlet, entitled "A brief + Account of the Jesuits," as stated in a preface, are "to examine the + propriety of extending papal patronage and protestant protection to the + Jesuits, and, as stated in page 2 of the pamphlet, to show, that <i>the + revival of the order</i> is so pregnant with danger as to call for the + interference of parliament." The plan he pursues to effect these objects + is, to give a summary of the history of the order, to furnish some + <i>historical evidences</i> in support of its correctness, and to argue + from these for the affirmative of his proposition. The plan is well + enough laid; but the author <!-- Page 6 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page6"></a>{6}</span>has executed it in such a manner as to make it + evident, that he was not in search of truth, that he deceives himself if + he thinks he was, that he is only a violent and abusive disputant, that + he is an enemy to the catholics in general, and that, the question on + their claims being exhausted, he renovates the combat by attacking them + through the sides of the Jesuits. When an advocate handles a cause, which + it is his <i>duty</i> to gain for his client, we know, that he brings + forward every fact, and urges every argument, that tends to support the + positions on which his cause hinges, sedulously masking every + circumstance that contravenes his statement, and avoiding every + suggestion that weakens his reasoning upon it. But the man, who is in + pursuit of truth, of whatever nature it be, looks at his object on all + sides; he handles it, not to make of it what he wishes, but to determine + what it is; he analyses, he re-composes; he takes the good and the bad as + he finds them, and truth results from his investigation. Let us see which + of these two characters belongs to the writer of the pamphlet. Every word + of his <!-- Page 7 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page7"></a>{7}</span>"Historical Summary" is intended to place the + Jesuits in an odious point of view; nor is a single sentence admitted + into it by which one could be led to imagine, that any thing good had + ever originated from them, or that they were not universally demons in + the shape of men. The writer goes in search of matter to compile his + Summary, and he finds an account of the Jesuits composed on the authority + of various publications, which have appeared at different times. In a + part of this narrative, he finds all that has been said to blacken the + order, and, also, a genuine passage of their history, which no man of any + feeling can read without enthusiastic admiration; now, would the writer, + who was in search of truth, have selected only that which was calculated + to produce condemnation, without giving his reader an opportunity of + comparing facts and drawing his own inferences? Yet this is really the + case with this enemy of the catholic cause, whose Summary is verbatim + extracted from Robertson's Charles V, as far as it answered the purpose + of <!-- Page 8 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page8"></a>{8}</span>his + attack. Who, after reading the part selected, would suspect, if he did + not know it before, that the following paragraph, from the same elegant + pen, closed the character of the Jesuits, and must have confounded the + eye of their assailant, since it failed to wring a tribute of praise from + his heart?—"But as I have pointed out the dangerous tendency of the + constitution and spirit of the order with the freedom becoming an + historian, the candour and impartiality <i>no less requisite in that + character</i> call on me to add one observation: That no class of regular + clergy in the Romish church has been more eminent for decency, and even + purity of manners, than the major part of the order of Jesuits. The + maxims of an intriguing, ambitious, interested policy, <i>might</i> + influence those, who governed the society, and might even corrupt the + heart, and pervert the conduct of <i>some individuals</i>, while the + greater number, engaged in literary pursuits, or employed in the + functions of religion, was left to the guidance of those common + principles, which restrain men from <!-- Page 9 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page9"></a>{9}</span>vice, and excite them to + what is becoming and laudable<a name="NtA2" + href="#Nt2"><sup>[2]</sup></a>."</p> + +<p><!-- Page 10 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page10"></a>{10}</span></p> + + <p>The author, in a note, acknowledges, that his Summary does not + <i>wholly</i> lay claim to <!-- Page 11 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page11"></a>{11}</span>originality. It is, in fact, <i>all</i> + copied: why then did he not cite his authority? and, when he was copying, + why did he omit to copy the passages that stared him in the face? Clearly + from an attorney-like motive, because it would have injured his cause, + and would have prepossessed his reader with an idea, that, whether the + charges against some of the rulers of the order were well-founded or not, + the generality of the Jesuits were estimable men, devoting themselves to + the good of mankind, and who had spread over the earth a very + considerable share of human happiness: clearly because he foresaw, that + his reader would argue with himself, that if, in despotic times, only a + few busied themselves with political affairs, while the body at large + were good men, engaged in zealously promoting the welfare, both temporal + and eternal, of their fellow-creatures, it would be unnatural to suppose, + that, in the present enlightened times, the many would become corrupt, or + even the few engage again in intrigues dangerous to society; and that he + <!-- Page 12 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page12"></a>{12}</span>would conclude, that the labour of the + author resolved itself into a new attempt against tolerating the catholic + religion; while in favour of toleration he would find, in addition to the + suggestions of his reason, his memory supplied with innumerable, + irrefragable arguments, which for years past have resounded throughout + the empire, in the houses of parliament as well as in the remotest + villages, enforced by princes of the realm with all the energy of + learning and of eloquence, as well as by individuals of every class of + men, in speeches, and in writings, in books, pamphlets, and the columns + of such newspapers as are open to liberal discussion<a name="NtA3" + href="#Nt3"><sup>[3]</sup></a>.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 13 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page13"></a>{13}</span></p> + + <p>The writer of the pamphlet, not satisfied with omitting whatever might + tend to defeat his object, industriously rakes out the most atrocious + imputations from the avowed enemies of the Jesuits, and classes their + authorities with genuine history, taking them for granted, never + examining the hands through which they passed, happy in having one and + only one great name on his side, that of the celebrated and very + extraordinary genius, Pascal. When the Provincial Letters were alluded + to, as attacking a supposed lax system of morals, did not truth require + that they should be stated to have been the satirical effusions of a + writer, who had espoused the cause of the Jansenists, the violent + opposers of the Jesuits; and that the ridicule which they contained had + been declared by another great wit, who was no enemy to ridicule, nor + friend to religion (Voltaire), to be completely misapplied. A lover of + truth, when <!-- Page 14 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page14"></a>{14}</span>balancing opinions as proofs, would not have + failed to quote from him the following passage: "It is true, indeed, that + the whole book (<i>the Provincial Letters</i>) was built upon a false + foundation; for the extravagant notions of a few Spanish and Flemish + Jesuits were <i>artfully</i> ascribed <i>to the whole society</i>. Many + absurdities might likewise have been discovered among the Dominican and + Franciscan casuists, but this <i>would not have answered the purpose</i>, + for the whole raillery was to be levelled only at the Jesuits. These + letters were intended to prove, that the Jesuits had formed a design to + corrupt mankind; a design which no sect of society ever had, or can + have."</p> + + <p>With such enemies as the Jansenists, will it be thought extraordinary, + that a thousand fabrications of those days blackening the Jesuits may be + referred to? With such enemies as in later times appeared against them, + in the host of new philosophers and jacobins, is it wonderful that there + should be modern forgeries? <!-- Page 15 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page15"></a>{15}</span>One such suffrage, as that which I have + quoted from Robertson, is of itself sufficient to outweigh folios of + charges originating in the jealous passions of a rival sect, in the + effusions of a mad mistaken philosophy, or in magisterial persecution, + which, to use the vigorous language of a living genius, in "the + destruction of the Jesuits, that memorable instance of puerile + oppression, of jealousy, ambition, injustice, and barbarity, for these + all concurred in the act, gave to public education a wound, which a whole + century perhaps will not be able to heal. It freed the phalanx of + materialists from a body of opponents, which still made them tremble. It + remotely encouraged the formation of sanguinary clubs, by causing the + withdrawing of all religious and prudent congregations, in which the + savage populace of the Faubourg St. Antoine were tamed by the disciples + of an Ignatius and a Xavier. Such men as Porée and La Rue, Vaniere and + Jouvenci, in the academic chairs; Bourdaloue, Cheminais, Neuville, + L'Enfant, in the pulpit; <!-- Page 16 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page16"></a>{16}</span>Segaud, Duplessis, and Beauregard<a + name="NtA4" href="#Nt4"><sup>[4]</sup></a>, in the processions of the + cross, in the public streets and ways, were, perhaps, alike necessary to + secure tranquillity in this world and happiness in the next<a name="NtA5" + href="#Nt5"><sup>[5]</sup></a>."</p> + + <p>In assisting my memory, I have been led to compare the writer's + extracts from Robertson with the pages of the historian himself, and I + have found him, not only occasionally disfiguring the style on points of + little moment, by turning the words, but giving to the author's words a + sense which they were not intended to bear, by means of Italic types and + additions. For instance: the historian says, "As it was the professed + intention of the order of Jesuits to labour with <!-- Page 17 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page17"></a>{17}</span>unwearied zeal in + promoting the salvation of men, this engaged them, of course, in many + active functions." On reading Robertson's work, would any one imagine, + that the author meant to insinuate, that the intention was insincere, and + a mere cloak to political vices? Is it not clear from all he writes, as + well as from this passage taken singly, that he gave the Jesuits credit + for their sincerity in devoting themselves to the salvation of men? Yet + has the writer of the pamphlet, by causing the word <i>professed</i> to + be printed in Italics, called upon his reader to take his sense of + Robertson's words, and to believe, that the word <i>professed</i> implies + deceit, instead of the <i>open</i> and <i>declared</i> intention of the + Jesuits. Not content with this low falsifying of Robertson's ideas by + Italic implication, he practises the same trick by an Italic addition of + some lines of his own to the text of the historian, as follows: "<i>their + great and leading maxim having uniformly been, to do evil that good might + come</i>." Can any thing be more reprehensible? <!-- Page 18 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page18"></a>{18}</span></p> + + <p>I will adduce one instance more of the disingenuousness of this + writer. Speaking, <i>exclusively</i>, of the Jesuits, he charges + <i>them</i> with "rendering Christianity utterly odious in the vast + empire of Japan<a name="NtA6" href="#Nt6"><sup>[6]</sup></a>," and with + "enormities in China Proper." To have implicated other priests would not, + as Voltaire observed, answer the purpose: the Jesuits, as before, must be + isolated to be recrushed. Now, in this, as in the other accusations, we + shall find the anti-catholic writers including other orders. Let us see + what one of these writers says upon this occasion: after speaking of the + pride, avarice, and folly of the clergy, he tells us of an <!-- Page 19 + --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page19"></a>{19}</span>execution of + twenty-six persons, "in the number whereof were <i>two foreign + Jesuits</i>, and several other fathers of the <i>Franciscan</i> order." + And a little after, the same writer says, "some <i>Franciscan</i> friars + were guilty at this time of a most imprudent step: they, during the whole + of their abode in the country, preached openly in the streets of Macao, + where they resided; and of their own accord built a church, contrary to + the imperial commands, and contrary to the advice and earnest + solicitations <i>of the Jesuits</i><a name="NtA7" + href="#Nt7"><sup>[7]</sup></a>." The authority of the Encyclopedia + Britannica will not be objected to by the enemies of the catholics; nor, + I presume, will that of Montesquieu, who gives a very different reason + for the Christian religion being so odious in Japan: "We have already," + says he, "mentioned the perverse temper of the people of Japan. The + magistrates considered the firmness which Christianity inspires, when + they attempted to make the people renounce their faith, as in <!-- Page + 20 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page20"></a>{20}</span>itself most + dangerous: they fancied that it increased their obstinacy. The law of + Japan punishes severely the least disobedience. They ordered them to + renounce the Christian religion: they did not renounce it; this was + disobedience: they punished this crime; and the continuance in + disobedience seemed to deserve another punishment<a name="NtA8" + href="#Nt8"><sup>[8]</sup></a>." As to the enormities in China, we shall + find, upon inquiry, that the Jesuits were not more responsible for those. + The following is an extract from a geographical account of China: "P. + Michael Rogu, a Neapolitan Jesuit, first opened the mission in China, and + led the way in which those of his order that followed him have acquired + so much reputation. He was succeeded by P. Ricci, of the same society, + who continued the work with such success, that he is considered by the + Jesuits as the principal founder of this mission. He was a man of very + extraordinary talents. He had the art of rendering himself agreeable <!-- + Page 21 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page21"></a>{21}</span>to every + body, and by that means acquired the public esteem. He had many + followers. At length, in 1630, the Dominicans and Franciscans took the + field, though but as gleaners of the harvest after the Jesuits; and now + it was that contentions broke out." This is not the place to enter + particularly into the charges brought against the order; all I here mean + to show is, with what want of candour the Jesuits are reviled; and I + think, after what has been stated, it cannot be doubted, that the chief + object of the writer of the pamphlet is to excite a ferment against the + catholic claims, nor that his mode of conducting his proposed inquiry is + that of a violent partizan, and not that of a genuine philosopher in + search of truth. Indeed, he almost assures us of it himself at the + conclusion of his preface, where he says: "It may, perhaps, appear from + the <i>inquiry</i> (<i>that is, the attack</i>), that the crimes of the + order are fundamental, and not accidental." In omitting, therefore, to + cite documents, which show that they are not fundamental, does he not + admit, <!-- Page 22 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page22"></a>{22}</span>does he not plainly say, <i>I have a point + to gain, in which candour has no part; and</i>, quocumque modo, <i>it + must be gained</i>? Such is the case, and I must allow him great + perseverance in collecting titles of volumes long since forgotten; but to + the lovers of truth, to the nation at large, and to the parliament in + particular, or at least as far as my unpractised voice can be heard, I + exclaim, <i>hunc cavete</i>, et similes ei.</p> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" /> + +<p><!-- Page 23 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page23"></a>{23}</span></p> + +<h3>CHAPTER II.</h3> + +<blockquote class="b1n"> + + <p><i>Inquiry into the Character of the Authorities against the Jesuits, + and of those in favour of them; with a notice of some of the Crimes + imputed to them.</i></p> + +</blockquote> + + <p>Having seen how little credit is due to the spirit of the pamphlet + before us, let us inquire what credit is due to the authorities produced + against the Jesuits, and take a view of those in favour of them; and + afterwards briefly notice some of the crimes imputed to them.</p> + + <p>In stating the results of my inquiry respecting the authorities, it + may save some trouble to begin with those on which Robertson founded his + account of the order. I am persuaded that, had he written at the present + era, his <!-- Page 24 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page24"></a>{24}</span>authorities would have been sought in very + different sources, and his whole account of the order of Jesus would have + been very different to what it is. Far from impeaching that elegant + writer with wilful misrepresentations, or want of caution in selecting + those authorities, I readily give him credit for seeking the best he + could obtain when he wrote; and the more, from his taking some pains, in + a note<a name="NtA9" href="#Nt9"><sup>[9]</sup></a>, to inform his + readers, that he believes his two principal authorities, Monclar and + Chalotais, to be respectable magistrates and elegant writers. But I + maintain, that, if he had seen them in the point of view in which they + have since appeared, as leaders on of the jacobinical philosophy, and of + the French revolution, it is not likely that he would have honoured their + fabrications with the weight of historical testimony: that their + <i>Comptes Rendus</i> were fabrications we shall presently see. Let us + first view the list; <i>viz.</i> Monclar, Chalotais, D'Alembert, Histoire + des Jesuites, the French Encyclopedie, Charlevoix, Juan, and <!-- Page 25 + --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page25"></a>{25}</span>Ulloa. As the + three last names are authorities in favour of the Jesuits, I shall not + notice them at present. D'Alembert and the Encyclopedie may go together, + for he and Diderot, who wrote the article <i>Jesuite</i> in that work, + were the chief directors of it. To men, who have recovered from the stun + of jacobinism, it is hardly necessary to say, that the destruction of the + Jesuits was of the first importance to the success of D'Alembert and + Diderot's philosophical reform of human nature. The article written by + the latter was completely refuted by a French Jesuit named Courtois, but + only the writers against the order were read or cited. When the Jesuits + first appeared in France, the parliament hated them as friends of the + pope; the university as rival teachers. These two bodies combined to + exterminate them. The university was perpetually bringing actions against + them before the parliaments, but they found protection from the throne + and the ministry. The university was exasperated at the desertion of + their scholars, who flocked to the Jesuit schools, and at <!-- Page 26 + --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page26"></a>{26}</span>the loss of + their emoluments called <i>landi</i>, paid by students to the professors: + the Jesuits taught gratuitously, and the high reputation of the + celebrated Maldonado enraged the doctors beyond measure. The parliaments + and the doctors were the chief fomenters of the league; and they were + seconded by all the religious orders, the Jesuits excepted. The + parliament, headed by Harlay, made flaming harangues and arrets: the + doctors of the university and friars exhibited fanatical processions and + sermons; they pronounced Henry III and Henry IV excommunicated tyrants; + they canonized Jacques Clement; they rewarded his mother and family; they + openly preached regicide. Their rage equalled that of the modern + jacobins. They all, of course, detested the Jesuits, who, we may believe, + were also obnoxious to the Hugonot party. When the league was expiring, + by the conversion of Henry IV, the parliaments and university, + constrained to abjure it, were nevertheless determined upon effecting the + banishment of the Jesuits before <!-- Page 27 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page27"></a>{27}</span>the king could enter on his government. The + doctors renewed their suits, and employed as advocates Arnaud, Pasquier, + and Dollé, who went into the courts with certainty of success. Completely + successful they would have been, but for the wisdom of the minister, the + duke de Sully, who, though a leader of the Hugonots, and consequently not + biassed in favour of the Jesuits, indeed evidently their enemy, was too + nobly minded to give an advantage to their assailants, which his master + would not have done. He stopped the proceedings, by interposing the + authority of the absent king, "which," said he, "is not to be compromised + <i>pour une pique de pretres et de theologiens</i><a name="NtA10" + href="#Nt10"><sup>[10]</sup></a>." The prosecutors and the judges, + disconcerted for the time, resolved to lose no opportunity to effect + their object, and they soon found one in the crime of Chatel, in which + they triumphed without a shadow of proof. Not a Jesuit was ever proved to + have entered into the league: no writer accuses them of it, the advocates + <!-- Page 28 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page28"></a>{28}</span>just mentioned excepted; and their + invectives, amassed in <i>Les Extraits des Assertions</i>, are the sole + foundation of all that is said by Monclar, Chalotais, and the other + authors of the <i>Comptes Rendus</i>.</p> + + <p>It was necessary to enter into this detail to enable the reader to + trace the foul sources of the chief authorities on which Robertson + relied: but what shall we think of them, in spite of that historian's + compliment to the elegance of their pens, when we hear, that these + <i>procureurs</i> were but the <i>nominal</i> authors of their respective + <i>Comptes Rendus</i>, the mean instruments of the ingenious atheists, + who were preparing France for the age of reason, the liberty of + jacobinism, and the murders of philosophy? That presented by Chalotais + was written by D'Alembert himself; that of Riquet, procureur general of + the parliament of Thoulouse, was composed by Comtezat, a notoriously + debauched priest; that of Monclar, of Aix, was sent to him from Paris, + with a promise of being the next chancellor of France, if he would adopt + it, and <!-- Page 29 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page29"></a>{29}</span>engage his parliament in the cause. The + venerable president of that parliament, D'Eguilles, refusing to concur in + the measure, was, through his means, banished, and his adherents with + him, by a <i>lettre de cachet</i>. Monclar died repentant, and retracted + all that he had said in presence of the bishop of Apt, who made a minute + of the fact. As for Chalotais; would the historian have cited him had he + seen the following character of that lawyer, drawn by a pen not inferior + to his own, distinguished by various works of genius, and which was + employed on one of the most interesting portions of English history, when + his sovereign, having occasion for his talents in a trying crisis of his + affairs, called him to his councils?<a name="NtA11" + href="#Nt11"><sup>[11]</sup></a> "The procureur general of Bretagne, La + Chalotais, eager to possess popularity, in order that he might arrive at + power, <!-- Page 30 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page30"></a>{30}</span>enthusiastic in his friendships, violent in + his hatred, both of which were to him concerns of interest rather than of + sentiment; blending with these private principles the formidable powers + of his public ministry, being the oracle of a parliament, which, + consisting of the first nobility of the country, always acted in concert + with, and never in opposition to the States; this man had it in his power + to arm his ambition or his vengeance with the sword of justice; he could + give a legal sanction to tumult, and make trifles appear of serious + importance; he could convert the most vapid declamation into the gravest + denunciation, and, in a word, could assist the party, that he chose to + espouse, with the whole artillery of <i>decrees</i> and <i>arrets</i>, + which may be regarded as the <i>ultima ratio</i> of the parliament, on + the same principle, that cannon are the <i>ultima ratio</i> of kings. The + instant that such a man took part in the dispute, it might well be + expected, that the whole province would be immediately thrown into + universal confusion. In the year 1764, the duke D'Aiguillon, <!-- Page 31 + --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page31"></a>{31}</span>commandant of + Bretagne, a peer of France, grand nephew of cardinal Richelieu, nephew of + the then minister, lastly a friend of the Jesuits, and in great favour + with the dauphin, was denounced in the parliament of Bretagne, by the + procureur general on his arrival in Paris. This man, who was the violent + enemy of that society, was also the devoted agent of the king's mistress, + and of the prime minister, who were leagued together to bring about the + destruction of the Order."</p> + + <p>So much for the reliance to be placed on La Chalotais. There remains + another authority of Robertson's to be noticed, <i>viz.</i> "The History + of the Jesuits." He does not mention the name of the author of it, but no + doubt it was Coudrette's, as he would otherwise have felt it incumbent + upon him to make some distinction. This man was a decided partizan of the + French parliaments, and well known to be an inveterate enemy of the + Jesuits. As his character is well drawn in the following <!-- Page 32 + --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page32"></a>{32}</span>Letters<a + name="NtA12" href="#Nt12"><sup>[12]</sup></a>, I shall say nothing more + of him here, than that his work evidently appears unworthy of being + referred to as an authority.</p> + + <p>From what has been already said, and from the neglect shown by + Robertson to the multitude of other writers adopted as authorities in the + pamphlet before me, it is but too evident that there long existed a + conspiracy against a society, whose principles and energy awed infidelity + and rebellion, and whose superior talents excited jealousy and hatred. + Let us, however, see what kind of men they are to whom the new accuser of + the society refers us for proofs of their being such demons as he has + represented them. We will afterwards take a view of those, who think and + write differently, and we shall be able to determine on which side + authority lies.</p> + + <p>I will not pretend to go numerically through the catalogue presented + in the pamphlet. <!-- Page 33 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page33"></a>{33}</span>Publications infinitely multiplied deluged + Europe for the purpose of overwhelming the Jesuits; an infinity of + references, therefore, if not of authorities, remains at the service of + their enemies, and it would be useless and tiresome, if not impossible, + to wade through them. I shall principally notice those on which the + conspirator before me places his bitterest reliance, such as are most + inveterate, most profuse and blackening in their accusations; touching + slightly, however, or not at all, on those sufficiently refuted in the + succeeding Letters. To refute all that was printed against the devoted + society of Jesus would require a complete history of the destruction of + the Order<a name="NtA13" href="#Nt13"><sup>[13]</sup></a>, but within the + limits of this brief exposition it is not possible to go very deep into + the scrutiny of the malice, and of the means resorted to for the purpose + of effecting it. To remove some of the thick, poisonous weeds, which + mantle the surface of the subject, so as to show the body clear <!-- Page + 34 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page34"></a>{34}</span>beneath, is + the extent of my present undertaking; and, if I appear concise, one + consideration is in my favour, namely, that imputations advanced by a + thousand different writers are not <i>multiplied</i> but <i>repeated</i>, + and that reverberations of falsehood are still falsehood. We have already + seen, that even the powers and ingenuousness of a Robertson have been + unable to extract from them the voice of truth.</p> + + <p>France has produced the greatest number of writers against the + society. The speeches and publications of those in the times of the + league, as I have said, furnished the original matter to the authors of + the <i>Comptes Rendus</i>; the theme of regicide, the tales of the + Jesuits Varade, Gueret, Guignard, the whole guilt of the league, &c., + to which more recent matter, particularly lax doctrines of morality, has + been added. This is all collected in the <i>Extraits des Assertions</i>, + a work evidently replete with studied fabrications, as is shown by + Beaumont, archbishop of Paris, Montesquiou, bishop of Sarlat, and in the + <!-- Page 35 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page35"></a>{35}</span><i>Reponse aux Assertions</i>. I believe, + that this <i>Reponse</i> and the <i>Apologie de l'Institut</i> are the + only works written in defence of the society, which the Jesuits publicly + avowed. These are unanswerable, and should be referred to by + historians.</p> + + <p>The characters of Prynne and De Thou are drawn in the following + Letters<a name="NtA14" href="#Nt14"><sup>[14]</sup></a>. De Thou was a + parliamentarian. Of Prynne I shall farther observe, that, besides his + notoriety as a factious agent, lord Clarendon informs us, that he had + been looked upon as a man of reproachful character previous to the + infamous severities of the star chamber, which was the means of his + obtaining consideration, for those of his profession, and others, + thought, that persons, in his situation of life, should not be treated so + ignominiously<a name="NtA15" href="#Nt15"><sup>[15]</sup></a>. His + character may be viewed in Hume's History<a name="NtA16" + href="#Nt16"><sup>[16]</sup></a>; and here let me observe, that <!-- Page + 36 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page36"></a>{36}</span>it was not + only the catholics he attacked, but the manners of the times and the + church; for which he was punished. Prynne was a thorough-paced puritan: + through him and others of the same stamp the existing house of commons + were glad to debase the government, and they absolutely reversed the + sentence, which had been passed on him and other libellers. "The more + ignoble these men were," says Hume, "the more sensible was the insult + upon royal authority<a name="NtA17" href="#Nt17"><sup>[17]</sup></a>." + What writer, valuing his own respectability, would cite such a creature + as this? One of a sect, who, the writer of the pamphlet himself tells us, + were united with the Jesuits, to whom their pulpits were open, for the + purpose of overawing the parliament, and compelling it to destroy the + king. This too is cited from Prynne, to whom he refers for <i>much + valuable evidence</i>.</p> + + <p>The pamphlet says, "see Rapin." The name has something less barbarous + in the sound than <!-- Page 37 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page37"></a>{37}</span>most of the others cited by the writer. Let + us see Rapin. We find, in the pages of this historian, the names of + Jesuit and catholic indiscriminately used, as accused of plots, suffering + the rack, and confuting the accusations brought against them by the most + persuasive simplicity of their protestations of innocence, and the + intrepidity of their deaths. The pretended plots, in the days of + Elizabeth and of the Stuarts, cited by a writer in 1815, against the + toleration of the catholics<a name="NtA18" + href="#Nt18"><sup>[18]</sup></a>! Well, but see the <i>state trials,</i> + the <i>actio in proditores</i>, drawn up by our own judges, &c.<a + name="NtA19" href="#Nt19"><sup>[19]</sup></a> "Nothing," says <!-- Page + 38 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page38"></a>{38}</span>Hume, "can be + a stronger proof of the fury of the times, than that lord Russel, + notwithstanding <!-- Page 39 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page39"></a>{39}</span>the virtue and humanity of his character, + seconded the house of commons in the barbarous scruple of the sheriffs" + on the power of the king to remit the hanging and quartering of <!-- Page + 40 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page40"></a>{40}</span>lord + Stafford, that innocent victim to his pure attachment to God. Afterwards, + when lord Russel was himself condemned, the king, in remitting the same + part of the sentence for treason, said, "he shall find, that I am + possessed of that prerogative, which, in the case of lord Stafford, he + thought proper to deny me."</p> + + <p>I cannot here refrain from contrasting the intelligence, the spirit, + and the wisdom of that great and distinguished statesman, Charles James + Fox, with the tame and adoptive, though virulent, disposition of a + writer, who, in another part of his pamphlet, has dared to warn every man + from speaking in favour of the catholic priests of Ireland, lest he + should be provoked to overwhelm the whole body with damning + proofs—proofs charitably kept <i>in petto</i>, by this insinuator + of more than he chooses to say. Speaking of one of the imaginary popish + plots, Mr. Fox expresses himself thus: "Wherefore, if this question were + to be decided upon the ground of authority, the reality of the plot <!-- + Page 41 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page41"></a>{41}</span>would be + admitted; but there are cases, where reason speaks so plainly, as to make + all argument drawn from authority of no avail, and this is surely one of + them." And, a few pages after, we have the following striking passage: + "Even after the dissolution of his last parliament, when he had so far + subdued his enemies as to be no longer under any apprehensions from them, + the king did not think it worth while to save the life of Plunket, the + popish archbishop of Armagh, of whose innocence no doubt could be + entertained. But this is not to be wondered at, since, in all + transactions relative to the popish plot, minds, of a very different cast + from Charles's, became, as by some fatality, divested of all their wonted + sentiments of justice and humanity. Who can read, without horror, the + account of that savage murmur of applause, which broke out upon one of + the villains at the bar swearing positively to Stafford's having proposed + the murder of the king? And how is this horror deepened when we reflect, + that in that odious cry were, probably, <!-- Page 42 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page42"></a>{42}</span>mingled the voices of men + to whose memory every lover of the English constitution is bound to pay + the tribute of gratitude and respect! Even after condemnation, lord + Russel himself, whose character is wholly (this instance excepted) free + from the stain of rancour or cruelty, stickled for the severer mode of + executing the sentence, in a manner which his fear for the king's + establishing a precedent of pardoning in cases of impeachment (for this, + no doubt, was his motive) cannot satisfactorily excuse<a name="NtA20" + href="#Nt20"><sup>[20]</sup></a>." Now what does the writer of the + pamphlet before me say? "It is fashionable, with many reasoners, to treat + all history as a fable, and to set up for themselves in matters of + policy, in defiance of the testimony of antiquity. These persons would + assign the same office to the records of past ages, as they would to the + <i>stern lights</i> of a vessel, which serve only to throw a light over + the path which has been passed, and not over that which lies before us. I + trust, however, that there are yet many among us who <!-- Page 43 + --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page43"></a>{43}</span>have not been so + taught." It is, indeed, but too fashionable to put up fantastic reasoning + against authority, and particularly against sacred authority; but reason, + which knows to distinguish the nature of authority; reason, which is bold + in the affairs of men, and humble in its permitted intercourse with God; + reason, as Fox and Hume, and all historians worthy the title, convince + us, steps not out of its province when it interposes to rectify + misleading records or historical assertions; and in no case is it more + eminently required than in the history of the order of Jesus, which + passion, interest, and ability have united to disfigure. What is meant by + the allusion to <i>stern lights</i> I am at a loss to conjecture. I am + not much disposed, in a work of this kind, to go into verbal or + rhetorical criticism; but when a man writes with such pompous and + despotic decision as this author does, one has a right to expect of him, + when he amuses himself with figurative language, a clear notion of what + he aims at. When, therefore, he insinuates that such reasoners as Hume + <!-- Page 44 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page44"></a>{44}</span>and + Fox are reprehensible for serving records of past ages like <i>stern + lights</i> of a vessel, instead of like modern moons to carriages (for + moons evidently ran in the writer's head), we are puzzled between what he + says and what he means. From his own words we are bound to take it for + granted that he means to condemn reasoning, and to approve of a + pertinacious adherence to records, however inconsistent and + contradictory; whereas, by his intended simile, he blames the reasoners + for making use of records; for, if stern lights must serve as a simile, + records are certainly more analogous to them than to carriage moons, + which are concurrent aids, that show the driver nothing but the way + before him, and are not of the least use to those travellers who are + coming after on the same road; stern lights, on the contrary, are + intimations at sea, from those who go before to those who follow, of the + track to be pursued. The truth, I believe, is, that the author does not + know the use of stern lights, and imagines that mariners illuminate aft + to amuse fishes in <!-- Page 45 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page45"></a>{45}</span>the wakes of their ships. Records, no doubt, + are moral, as ship lanthorns are physical lights to guide; but treachery + or ignorance, in either, may mislead, in which case the seaman will + consult his compass and the inquirer his reason<a name="NtA21" + href="#Nt21"><sup>[21]</sup></a>.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 46 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page46"></a>{46}</span></p> + + <p>But to return from this digression to Rapin. We learn from him, that + Elizabeth herself, <!-- Page 47 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page47"></a>{47}</span>whom no one will charge with + over-tenderness, reprobated the cruelties practised upon the catholics. + "Meanwhile," says he, "the queen sent for the judges of the realm, and + sharply reproved them for having been too severe in the <i>tortures</i> + they had made these men suffer<a name="NtA22" + href="#Nt22"><sup>[22]</sup></a>." We have only to reflect on this + passage of <!-- Page 48 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page48"></a>{48}</span>Rapin, to appreciate the evidence furnished + by the state trials of those days, the <i>actio in proditores</i>, and + the reporters of "Criminels de Lege Majesté," so often cited by the + enemies of the Jesuits. It was not only in catholic countries, we see, + that the rack and other modes of torture were made the tests of truth; + but they have been so long abhorred by Englishmen, that I fondly believed + that there was not one among us who would allow himself to cite the + efficacy of them as a proof in any argument. Their <i>inefficacy</i>, + indeed, may justly be cited in testimony; for what they extort is in all + probability false, what they fail to extort is in all probability true. + If this reasoning be sound, how many blameless, how many virtuous men has + the hand of party in this country consigned to cruel deaths<a + name="NtA23" href="#Nt23"><sup>[23]</sup></a>! In addition to what Rapin + <!-- Page 49 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page49"></a>{49}</span>states of Elizabeth, it is not irrelevant to + add here what Camden reports of her on the same subject: he tells us + expressly, that she thought most of the priests were innocent, or, which + is the same thing, that she did not believe them guilty. His words are, + <i>Plerosque tamen ex misellis his sacerdotibus exitii in patriam + conflandi conscios fuisse non credidit</i><a name="NtA24" + href="#Nt24"><sup>[24]</sup></a>.</p> + + <p>Of the fairness of their trials in still later times, those of Charles + II, we have specimens in Hume's History. Why was not Hume quoted by the + writer of the pamphlet? We find more of Jesuits in his pages than in + Rapin's, and something against them too; but Hume, like Robertson, was + guided by principle <!-- Page 50 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page50"></a>{50}</span>on this subject; that is, he stated the + character of the order from the pictures which he had received of it; + but, at the same time, he exposed the injustice of the trials in which + the Jesuits were involved, and the invalidity of the evidence produced + against them. The whole of his sixty-seventh chapter is, in fact, however + unintended, a memorial in favour of the Jesuits, and a philippic on their + enemies. As these pages may fall into the hands of some persons who may + not have the opportunity or the leisure to read this portion of his + history, I shall make the following extract, as a testimony of the horrid + injustice practised in former times; and I am very much mistaken if any + man of feeling and sound intellect will read it without indignation + against the Oateses and Bedloes of the present day.—"But even + during the recess of parliament there was no interruption to the + prosecution of the catholics accused: the king found himself obliged to + give way to this popular fury. Whitebread, provincial of the Jesuits, + Fenwic, <!-- Page 51 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page51"></a>{51}</span>Gavan, Turner, and Harcourt, all of them of + the same order, were first brought to their trial. Besides Oates and + Bedloe, Dugdale, a new witness, appeared against the prisoners. This man + had been steward to lord Aston, and, though poor, possessed a character + somewhat more reputable than the other two; but his account of the + intended massacres and assassinations was equally monstrous and + incredible. He even asserted, that two hundred thousand papists in + England were ready to take up arms. The prisoners proved, by sixteen + witnesses from St. Omers, students, and most of them young men of family, + that Oates was in that seminary at the time when he swore that he was in + London: but, as they were catholics, and disciples of the Jesuits, their + testimony, both with the judges and jury, was totally disregarded. Even + the reception, which they met with in court, was full of outrage and + mockery. One of them saying, that Oates always continued at St. Omers, if + he could believe his senses; 'you <!-- Page 52 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page52"></a>{52}</span>papists,' said the chief + justice, 'are taught not to believe your senses.' It must be confessed, + that Oates, in opposition to the students of St. Omers, found means to + bring evidence of his having been at that time in London: but this + evidence, though it had, at that time, the appearance of some solidity, + was afterwards discovered, when Oates himself was tried for perjury, to + be altogether deceitful. In order farther to discredit that witness, the + Jesuits proved, by undoubted testimony, that he had perjured himself in + father Ireland's trial, whom they showed to have been in Staffordshire at + the very time when Oates swore that he was committing treason in London. + But all these pleas availed them nothing against the general prejudices. + They received sentence of death; and were executed, persisting to their + last breath, in the most solemn, earnest, and deliberate, though + disregarded, protestations of their innocence<a name="NtA25" + href="#Nt25"><sup>[25]</sup></a>."</p> + +<p><!-- Page 53 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page53"></a>{53}</span></p> + + <p>I must not forget, that I am still producing the authorities quoted + against the Jesuits. Having been led by these into adducing the + favourable testimony of Hume, I mean not to dissemble his objections to + the order: these are, their <i>zeal for proselytism</i>, and <i>their + cultivation of learning for the nourishment of superstition</i>. The zeal + for proselytism, in itself, can be no crime; and, if unconnected with the + treasons, persecutions, and vices, so abundantly charged upon the + catholics, it is a natural sentiment of the mind. It is indeed that + propensity, which, so violently condemned in catholics, has been the + chief propagator of every sect since the reformation to the present + moment, and not without symptoms of rebellion, and even of king-killing. + Some instances, to show this, will not be uninteresting here. The heads + of the reformers, in Scotland, as we are informed by Hume, being + <i>desirous</i> to <i>propagate</i> their principles, entered privately + into a bond, or association, and called themselves the <i>congregation + of</i> <!-- Page 54 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page54"></a>{54}</span><i>the Lord</i>, in contradistinction to the + established church, which they denominated the congregation of Satan. The + tenour of the bond was as follows:—"We, perceiving how Satan, in + his members, the antichrist of our time, does cruelly rage, seeking to + overthrow and to destroy the gospel of Christ and his congregation, + ought, according to our bounden duty, to strive, in our master's cause, + even unto the death, being certain of the victory in him. We do therefore + promise, before the majesty of God and his congregation, that we, by his + grace, shall, with all diligence, continually apply our whole power, + substance, and our very lives, to maintain, set forward, and establish, + the most blessed word of God and his congregation; and shall labour, by + all possible means, to have faithful ministers, truly and purely to + minister Christ's gospel and sacraments to the people: we shall maintain + them, nourish them, and defend them, the whole congregation of Christ, + and every member thereof, by our whole power, and at the hazard of our + <!-- Page 55 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page55"></a>{55}</span>lives, against Satan, and all wicked power, + who may intend tyranny and trouble against the said congregation: unto + which holy word and congregation we do join ourselves; and we forsake and + renounce the congregation of Satan, with all the superstitions, + abomination, and idolatry thereof; and moreover shall declare ourselves + manifestly enemies thereto, by this faithful promise before God, + testified to this congregation by our subscriptions.—At Edinburgh, + the third of December, 1557."—Hume adds; "Had the subscribers of + this zealous league been content only to demand a toleration of the new + opinions, however incompatible their pretensions might have been with the + policy of the church of Rome, they would have had the praise of opposing + tyrannical laws enacted to support an establishment prejudicial to civil + society: but, it is plain, that they carried their views much farther; + and their practice immediately discovered the spirit by which they were + actuated. Supported by the authority, <!-- Page 56 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page56"></a>{56}</span>which they thought + belonged to them as the congregation of the Lord, they ordained, that + prayers in the vulgar tongue should be used in all the parish churches of + the kingdom; and, that preaching and the interpretation of the scriptures + should be practised in private houses, till God should move the prince to + grant public preaching by faithful and true ministers. Such bonds of + association are always the forerunners of rebellion; and this violent + invasion of the established religion was the actual commencement of it<a + name="NtA26" href="#Nt26"><sup>[26]</sup></a>."</p> + + <p>Whatever the catholic zeal may have produced, nothing can exceed the + insolence and seditious spirit of the reformers. Knox's usual appellation + of the queen of Scotland, the unfortunate Mary, was <i>Jezebel</i>. "The + political principles of that man, which he communicated <!-- Page 57 + --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page57"></a>{57}</span>to his brethren, + were as full of sedition as his theological were of rage and bigotry<a + name="NtA27" href="#Nt27"><sup>[27]</sup></a>." Was there no treason, was + there no regicide doctrine in the following brutal speech, which he + addressed to her? "Samuel feared not to slay Agag, the fat and delicate + king of Amalek, whom king Saul had saved: neither spared Elias Jezebel's + false prophets, and Baal's priests. Phineas was no magistrate, yet feared + he not to strike Cozbi and Zimri. And so, madam, your grace may see, that + others than chief magistrates may lawfully inflict punishment on such + crimes as are condemned by the law of God<a + href="#Nt27"><sup>[27]</sup></a>."</p> + + <p>Is it not the zeal for proselytism, that daily thins the established + church of England, and increases the congregations of the innumerable + denominations of sectaries, which are tolerated in this country, and of + which each, if it could, would make its own universal? Even in private + and temperate characters, a conformity of <!-- Page 58 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page58"></a>{58}</span>soul is one of the bases + of friendship. The desire of impressing our sentiments and opinions upon + the minds of those we love is the source of intercourse; we should be + dumb without it. It is not wonderful, that this spring of the social + system should extend to the principles of religion; and to say, that a + Christian is zealous to make a Pagan a Christian is to bestow the highest + praise upon him. If the reformed missionaries deserve this praise, it + cannot be refused to the Jesuits. Nothing, in fact, can be more laudable + than such a zeal, and all that can be objected to it is foreign to its + real nature. The treasons and crimes, which have been imputed to the + Jesuits, Hume himself has shown were falsely charged to them. Vice is not + inherent in any profession of faith; it is inherent in the corrupted + nature of man. Compare a Knox with a Bordaloue, a Prynne with a + Beauregard or a Bossuet, and we shall be blind if we do not perceive the + difference between the zeal which actuates the Christian, and that which + leads to treason and to crime. <!-- Page 59 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page59"></a>{59}</span></p> + + <p>Hume's other objection to the Jesuits was, "their cultivation of + learning for the nourishment of superstition." Now we very well know how + far his idea of superstition extended, and that it did not fall short of + the whole system of revealed religion. It is not necessary to dwell long + upon this objection. The superstition which is injurious to mankind, must + be the offspring of ignorance; and, no one denies, that ignorance and + superstition were very prevalent in the dark ages of the world, and even + long after the revival of letters; no one denies, that weak and + illiterate minds, of whatever persuasion, are yet prone to it. What is + meant by the superstition <i>nourished by learning</i> can only be the + impression of mysteries, which the understanding, however puzzled, finds + sufficient grounds to entertain, and on which to build hopes of an + immaterial and immortal connexion with the Supreme Being. This kind of + superstition, or rather this religious impression, has ever been + cherished by the noblest minds, and forms a prominent part of the + character of learned <!-- Page 60 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page60"></a>{60}</span>men of all persuasions. Attached, myself, to + the church of England, it is, nevertheless, clear to me, that the + Reformation has generated the most absurd superstitions; and I cannot + conceive that there is a man, of unbiassed mind and good sense, who would + not rather embrace all that has been retrenched from the catholic creed, + than adopt the spurious abominations and blasphemies which, every where, + under the screen of toleration, disgrace the world. But I am not here + entering into a defence of the Roman church, or into a derision of the + vagaries which have sprung from imaginary rationality, or misapplied + enthusiasm; my only purpose was to speak of Hume's authority; and I shall + quit the subject of superstition to turn to that of casuistry, to which + he also alludes.</p> + + <p>And here it is that the deadliest blow is aimed against the Jesuits. + If their system of morality makes virtues of "prevarication, perjury, and + every crime, when it serves <i>ghostly</i> purposes," the reproach is + fatal. On this head, the writer <!-- Page 61 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page61"></a>{61}</span>of the pamphlet gives us a string of + casuists, to confound the order at once. Desirous either of clearing away + or substantiating this charge, and recollecting the remark of Voltaire, + which I have already cited, that "the extravagant notions of a few + Spanish and Flemish Jesuits were <i>artfully</i> ascribed <i>to the whole + society</i>," I inquired more particularly into the character and objects + of the casuists of the order; and, the more I reflected, the more I was + convinced of the malignity of the adversaries of the society, on whom the + charge might well be turned, changing Hume's derisive epithet of + <i>ghostly</i> into two other qualifying words, <i>viz.</i> + <i>rebellious</i> and <i>revolutionary</i>; for who will deny that + <i>prevarication</i>, <i>perjury</i>, and <i>every crime</i>, have been + resorted to, and justified for rebellious and revolutionary purposes?</p> + + <p>In such a number of casuistical writers, it may be imagined, that some + have erred. The Jesuits never wished to defend them. It may be presumed, + that the number of errors was not great, <!-- Page 62 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page62"></a>{62}</span>since their enemies found + it necessary to commit so many falsifications to make up the volume of + <span class="sc">Assertions</span>. In many instances, the author of that + book attributes to the casuist, opinions which he only cites to refute. + In moral theology the Jesuits had two rules, from which few of them ever + deviated; one was, to follow the opinions which were most <i>common</i>; + the other, never to defend an opinion when prohibited or condemned by the + holy see. Some of their casuists taught doctrines, which, in their time, + were the most usual in schools, but which were afterwards condemned or + prohibited at Rome. Their enemies imputed these doctrines to them as + crimes. The Dominican and Franciscan casuists might have been equally + charged; but, as Voltaire observed, it would not have <i>answered the + purpose</i>.</p> + + <p>The chief casuists, collected to <i>answer the purpose</i> in the new + conspiracy against the Jesuits, are the following: Lamy, Moya, Bauny, + Berruyer, Casnedi, and Benzi. Since, next to the <i>Monita Secreta</i>, + that infamous forgery so <!-- Page 63 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page63"></a>{63}</span>completely exposed in the subsequent + Letters, the writer of the pamphlet relies on the immoral doctrines to be + found in the writings of these priests, let us see on what foundation + they stand. I shall first observe, that the <i>Apology for the + Casuists</i>, said to be published by the Jesuits, so far from being + avowed as a work of their own, was disavowed by the superiors of the + order, and condemned by the pope and many prelates. It was written by + Pere Pirot, who seemed, in a manner, determined to justify Pascal's + Satires, by defending certain opinions, in spite of their having been + condemned, as D'Avrigny informs us, in his <i>Memoires Chronologiques et + Dogmatiques pour servir à l'Histoire Ecclesiastique depuis 1600 jusqu'en + 1716, &c.</i><a name="NtA28" href="#Nt28"><sup>[28]</sup></a> The + author laments the hard fate of religious societies, of which he + observes, <i>que toute faute personelle dans le jugement du public + devient une faute generale, et les enfans portent l'iniquité de leurs + peres jusqu'à la troisieme et la quatrieme generation</i>.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 64 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page64"></a>{64}</span></p> + + <p>The <i>Course of Theology</i>, by <span class="sc">Lamy</span>, is + classed with the <i>Apology</i>, as justifying murder, &c. This + author was a Neapolitan, whose name was <span class="sc">Amici</span>, + and the work, from which the charge in question is extracted, consists of + nine volumes folio! The proposition attributed to him, to blacken him as + a Jesuit, was not his, nor ever adopted by him. It had been taught, long + before, by the celebrated casuist Navarre, and others totally unconnected + with the Jesuits. Amici mentions it, and alleges the reasons which had + been given in support of it, but adds, <i>nolumus a nobis (hæc) ita sint + dicta ut communi sententiæ adversentur, sed tantum disputandi gratia + proposita</i>. The proposition was omitted altogether in the second + edition of his work, and, being formally condemned by Alexander VII, in + 1665, was never after defended by any catholic divine.</p> + + <p><span class="sc">Moya</span> seems to have been a very virtuous man, + though, perhaps, rather indiscreet in his zeal for the credit of his + society. The facts are <!-- Page 65 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page65"></a>{65}</span>these: a book had been published by one + Gregory Esclapey, reproaching the Jesuits with teaching many erroneous + doctrines. To this work Moya published an answer, under the name of + Guimenius, in which he professedly abstains from all inquiry into the + merits of the doctrines; but, being imputed to the Jesuits by their + adversary, he undertakes to show, that they were not responsible for + them, as they did not originate with them, having been taught by the + older divines, previous to the existence of the order. The doctrines were + condemned at Rome in 1666, and Moya, in the third edition of his work, + proves the justice of the condemnation, by entering into a refutation of + them.</p> + + <p><span class="sc">Bauny</span> lived at the same time. He was the + intimate friend and confidant of the famous cardinal de la Rochefoucault, + archbishop of Sens, and reformer of the Benedictines. He was afterwards a + zealous missionary in Bretagne, under the bishop of St. Pol de Leon. He + died of his missionary labours. If he treated other <!-- Page 66 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page66"></a>{66}</span>with lenity, it is + certain he did not spare himself. His "Somme des Pechés" was written, as + he informs us, by the positive order of a bishop, probably the bishop of + St. Pol, and it was published by order of the bishop, unaccompanied by + the sanction or approbation of any Jesuit; nor was it used in their + schools, consequently, its doctrines are nowise attributable to the + society. It contains several relaxed propositions, deservedly censured by + the French clergy in 1642.</p> + + <p><span class="sc">Berruyer</span> is stated by the pamphlet-writer to + have been convicted of blasphemy, and condemned by Benedict XIII and + Clement XIII. This is not true; he never was convicted of blasphemy. He + was not a casuist. His "Histoire da Peuple de Dieu" was censured and + condemned by Benedict XIV and Clement XIII. He was a man of much + erudition, and master of an agreeable and graceful style, but fond of + extraordinary opinions. The chief faults imputed to him are, that he <!-- + Page 67 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page67"></a>{67}</span>disparages the simplicity and majesty of the + inspired books, by rhetorical tropes and figures, and modern phraseology; + and that he discourses on the humanity of the Redeemer in a manner that + seems to favour the ancient heresy of the Nestorians. The French Jesuits + disavowed the work, and submitted unanimously to the condemnation of it. + It is rather surprising, that this author should have been cited among + the casuists by the writer of the pamphlet, who, if he had read the + imputed blasphemy, would have found in it something of protestant + principles, pushed even beyond the reform adopted by our church, refusing + the Virgin Mary the title to her being mother of our Saviour in his + divine nature. But what does this signify? It is enough to have heard + that the book was condemned by a pope, no matter which; it could not have + been condemned without being blasphemous; and who could suspect, that a + Jesuit had any correspondent sentiment with protestants? <!-- Page 68 + --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page68"></a>{68}</span></p> + + <p><span class="sc">Casnedi</span> was of a noble and ancient Milanese + family; a man of great learning, zeal, and piety. He maintained, that the + moral merit or demerit of an action depended upon the belief and + intention of the agent. A very simple and incontrovertible proposition; + but, being expressed in ardent terms, not unlike those used by the + fanatical orators of the present day, it makes a flaming show among the + articles of impeachment now instituted against the whole society of + Jesus.</p> + + <p><span class="sc">Benzi</span> is represented in several French and + Italian libels in the foul colours copied by the writer of the pamphlet. + He was a respectable and much injured man. He was universally revered in + Venice, where he was a distinguished director and preacher. Far from + teaching the horrors imputed to him, he merely gave an opinion, in + writing, on being consulted, whether certain trespasses were to be + considered as cases <i>reserved</i> or <i>not reserved</i>. It was merely + a <i>questio juris</i>, a technical opinion, and not a <!-- Page 69 + --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page69"></a>{69}</span>decision on the + subject matter. Malice and calumny did the rest.</p> + + <p>This, I believe, is the <i>triumphant</i> list of casuists drawn up, + rank and file, to confront and confound the whole society to which they + are said to have belonged. The philosopher Bayle tells us, that the + writers in those days "had only to publish boldly whatever they chose + against the Jesuits, they might be certain of convincing an infinite + number of people. The prejudice against them had become so general, that, + let them bring forward what proofs they might, it was not possible for + them to undeceive the world." And he adds; "But I cannot imagine how the + rules of morality suffer such an abuse of public prejudice<a name="NtA29" + href="#Nt29"><sup>[29]</sup></a>." Had he lived till now, he would have + seen, that there are heads of the nineteenth century which <i>can + imagine</i> it very virtuous to excite, foment, and augment prejudice on + the same subject, in order <!-- Page 70 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page70"></a>{70}</span>to gratify the vanity of writing, or the + unfounded spleen of a less relenting philosophy than his own.</p> + + <p>The great sources of <i>such historical proofs</i> as have been + amassed by the new conspiracy against the Jesuits being proved to be + impure and unworthy of credit, it becomes as unnecessary as it is + disgusting to wade through the mud and filth of the mass of obscure + pamphlets referred to by the writer of the pamphlet, such as "Prynne's + hidden Works of Darkness," and "Rome's Masterpiece," "Remarks of a + Portugueze," "A true and certain Relation of sundry Machinations and + Plots of the Jesuits," "The Anatomy of Popish Tyranny," "Recit des + desseins les plus Secrets des Jesuites," "Jesuites Marchands," "Recueil + des Procès contre les Jesuites," "Idée generale des Vices," &c. + &c. There is, however, one more of the catalogue, which I will + notice, to prove still farther the dishonesty of the means taken by the + new conspirators to blacken the Jesuits; it is <!-- Page 71 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page71"></a>{71}</span>"Le Franc Discours, or + the Memorial presented to Henry IV against them." Did it not become an + inquirer into the truth of the accusations, to state the answer of Henry + IV to the accusers of the Jesuits? An answer which, in itself alone, is + enough to vindicate the society, and unveil the immense and complicated + engine so long since put in motion for its destruction; and so + irresistibly and successfully employed, in the course of time, by the + framers of it. Pius VII is not the first, who has recalled the Jesuits; + the great and good Henry IV recalled them, after they had been banished + from his kingdom by the machinations of their enemies. Then it was, that + he was memorialed; that remonstrance upon remonstrance was laid before + him: but Henry was not easily imposed upon by passionate asseverations, + nor made the dupe of envious persecutions. On the parliament delaying to + give effect to his edict for the re-establishment of the Jesuits, he + informed them, that he was determined to be obeyed; but he admitted a + deputation of some of their members, with <!-- Page 72 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page72"></a>{72}</span>their first president, + Harlay, at their head, who went to the palace to state anew their + remonstrances. Dupleix, a French historian, says, that Harlay made a long + harangue to the king, which "was rather an invective, filled with all the + abuse and outrage in the pleadings of Pasquier and Arnaud; in the + Catechism of Pasquier, and in the work entitled <i>Franc Avis</i>, + against the society, than the speech of a statesman<a name="NtA30" + href="#Nt30"><sup>[30]</sup></a>." Henry's reply lies at this moment + before me on the table, and, I think, I should be wanting to the cause of + truth and justice, if I neglected to insert it here. It is rather long + for a quotation, but it cannot be tedious, and I am certain, that every + unprejudiced reader will be gratified with the perusal of it.</p> + +<blockquote class="b1n"> + + <p>"It is very kind, it is very kind of you to be so careful of my person + and my kingdom. I know your meaning perfectly; but you do not know mine. + You have started difficulties, to <!-- Page 73 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page73"></a>{73}</span>your thinking, very great + and considerable, and little know, that I have thought on and considered + them all these eight or nine years past; and that the best resolutions + for the time to come are taken from reflections on things past, which I + am acquainted with better than any person whatever. You set up for mighty + statesmen, and understand state affairs no more than I do the drawing the + report of a cause. As to the affair of Poissy<a name="NtA31" + href="#Nt31"><sup>[31]</sup></a> things would have gone much better for + the catholics, if all of you had acted your part as well as a Jesuit or + two, who, very luckily, happened to be there. There clearly appeared, not + the ambition, but the abilities of the Jesuits; and I do not understand + how you can make those ambitious, who refuse dignities and prelacies, and + make a vow to God never to aspire to any preferment; and, who seek + nothing in this world besides serving all that are willing to employ + them, without any <!-- Page 74 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page74"></a>{74}</span>view of interest or recompence. If the name + of Jesuit displease you, why not find fault with those, who stile + themselves religious of the Trinity; why not say, that your daughters are + as much religious as the nuns, called here daughters of God<a + name="NtA32" href="#Nt32"><sup>[32]</sup></a>; and that you are as much + of my order of the Holy Ghost as my knights and myself? For my part, I + would as soon, or rather, be called Jesuit, than Augustinian or + Dominican. As to the churchmen, who except against them, ignorance has + always borne a grudge to learning; and I observed, when I began to speak + of re-establishing the Jesuits, that two sorts of persons opposed this + design; those of the pretended reformed religion, and churchmen of + irregular conduct, which has gained them still greater credit and + reputation. If the Sorbonne you talk of has condemned them, it was, quite + like you, without knowing them; and, if the old Sorbonne would not own + them out of jealousy, the new Sorbonne is very proud of, and esteems + them; if <!-- Page 75 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page75"></a>{75}</span>they were not fixed in France before, God + has reserved for me the honour, which indeed I esteem a favour, of + settling them; and, if they were only provisionally admitted heretofore, + they shall henceforward have a permanent settlement, both by edict and + arret. The will of my predecessors kept them here, mine shall establish + them. The university opposed them, either because they excelled others + (witness the vast concourse of scholars to their colleges), or because + they were not incorporated in the university, which will not be refused + when I order it; and when I shall see that they stand in need of being + better regulated. You say, that the greatest men of your parliament have + learned nothing from them: if the oldest are the most learned, you are + certainly right; they had ended their studies before the Jesuits had + opened their schools. Other parliaments, I am credibly informed, do not + say so; nor, indeed, does all yours. They teach better than others; that + is the true reason why, since their absence, your University is quite + abandoned, and students <!-- Page 76 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page76"></a>{76}</span>flock after these masters to Douay, and + other places, within and without my kingdom. You say, they engage the + brightest geniuses, they examine and pick out the best for their society: + I commend them for it. When I raise troops, I chuse those who are likely + to turn out the best soldiers. Were there no room for favour amongst you, + would you admit any, but what were worthy of being members, and of having + a seat in your parliament? I heartily wish you received such only as are + quite deserving, and that virtue were always the badge and distinctive + mark in posts of honour. If the Jesuits served the public with ignorant + masters and preachers, you would despise them; and now, that they employ + in your service men of wit and capacity, you are not pleased. As to the + great estates, you say, they possessed, it is all calumny and imposture; + and I very well know, by the account of the estates re-annexed to the + crown, that seven or eight masters could not be maintained at Bourges and + Lyons; whereas, when the Jesuits were there, they were thirty or forty + <!-- Page 77 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page77"></a>{77}</span>in + number. But should there be any difficulty in this respect, I have + provided against it in my edict. To call them a <i>factious society</i>, + for being concerned in the <i>league</i>, is a reproach that falls only + on the times. They thought they did well: many others were concerned, + with whom they were mistaken and deluded; and they own now, that they + have found my intentions quite contrary to what they had preconceived. + But, I am inclined to believe, they acted with less malice than others, + and that the same disposition, with the favours they receive from me, + will make them as affectionate to me, even more so, than they ever were + to the <i>league</i>. It is objected, they get footing in cities and + towns by all means they can: so do others: I myself got into my kingdom + as well as I could. It must be owned, that, with their wonderful patience + and regular way of life, they may compass what they will; and <i>their + great care not to change or alter any thing in their institute will be + the cause of their stability and long continuance</i>. The vow of + obedience they make <!-- Page 78 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page78"></a>{78}</span>to the pope will not subject them more to + his will, than the oath of allegiance they have taken to me will bind + them not to undertake any thing against their natural sovereign. But + their vow does not extend to every thing, as is vainly pretended; they + only make a vow of obeying the pope, when he is pleased to send them to + labour for the encouragement of infidels; and, in fact, the Indies are + converted by them. As to the opinion of the pope, I know he esteems them + greatly; so do I. But you do not tell me, that the pope was upon the + point of seizing cardinal Bellarmine's Works, at Rome, for not allowing + him as great an extent of jurisdiction as other divines do: and you + studiously conceal what the Jesuits have lately maintained, that, though + the pope could not err, Clement might be mistaken. Upon the whole, I am + persuaded, that they say no more than others of the papal authority; and + that, if opinions are to be tried, you must quarrel with those of the + catholic church. It is said, that the king of Spain employs Jesuits; I + tell you, that I am <!-- Page 79 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page79"></a>{79}</span>determined to do the same; why should France + fare worse than Spain? Since all the world judges them useful to the + public, let me tell you, I think them necessary to my kingdom. As to the + doctrine, imputed to them, of withdrawing churchmen from obedience to + sovereigns, or teaching subjects to attempt on their lives, it is proper + to see, on one side, what they say, and, on the other, what they teach + their scholars. What convinces me there is no such thing is, that, for + these thirty years past, that they have taught in France, above fifty + thousand scholars have been brought up in their colleges, have conversed + and lived with them, and not one has yet been found, in that vast number, + who pretends to have heard any such discourse among them, or any thing + coming up to the doctrine with which they are reproached. What is more, + ask protestant ministers, that have lived and studied under them, how the + Jesuits live: to be sure, they will not spare them, were it only to + justify their leaving the society. I know the question has been put to + many, and nothing <!-- Page 80 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page80"></a>{80}</span>could ever be got from them, but that their + conduct and morals were without exception. Barriere was not encouraged, + as you pretend, by any Jesuit. The first notice of that attempt I had + from a Jesuit: another told him, he would be damned if he dared to go + upon any such design. Châtel never accused them, nor could any torments + extort any charge against Varade, or any other Jesuit. If any one had + been accused, how came you to spare him? The other Jesuit, that was + seized, was taken up on account of some printed papers found in his + chamber. After all, though a Jesuit had done that foul deed, which I am + resolved to forget, must all the Jesuits suffer, must all the apostles be + banished for one Judas? At that time God was pleased to humble and to + save me, for which I give him thanks: he teaches me to forgive all + offences; and I have done it, freely and willingly, for his sake. I pray + daily for my enemies; so far am I from remembering what is past, as you + advise me to do, not very like good Christians, for which I do not thank + you. <!-- Page 81 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page81"></a>{81}</span>The Jesuits are natives of my kingdom, and + born my subjects; I will not harbour any suspicion against those whom + their birth has placed under my government; and, if there should be any + danger of their communicating my secrets to the enemies of France, I will + take care to let them know only what I think fit. Let me manage this + affair; I have gone through many others much more difficult: and now I + charge you to think of nothing farther, than doing what I bid and command + you to do."</p> + +</blockquote> + + <p>With such a speech in existence, is it not a disgrace to any man to + cite against the society the remonstrance that gave occasion to it? I + have done, then, with this writer's impure and disgraceful authorities; + and I should here proceed immediately to the respectable, the noble, the + brilliant list of authorities in favour of the Jesuits, but that I feel + it proper previously to notice another attack upon them, from a very + unexpected quarter, from one whom we are almost compelled to consider as + an unbiassed <!-- Page 82 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page82"></a>{82}</span>assailant, since (besides being a gentleman + and a member of the legislature) he does, in the very act of aiming the + blow which he gives, profess the highest admiration, respect, and regard + for them. "I am ready to admit," says sir John Hippisley, "the merit of + that body of catholics, as far as they are exercised in the secular walk + of philosophical and classical instruction; their schools and seminaries + have been the most celebrated," &c. Again; "It pains me to speak, in + these terms, of a community, comprehending many highly respected + ecclesiastics, and, in the bosom of which, many of my valuable friends + have received their education," &c. But sir John's "sense of duty + overcomes his individual partialities<a name="NtA33" + href="#Nt33"><sup>[33]</sup></a>."</p> + + <p>In consistency with these professions, sir John seems desirous of + confining his objections to some particulars; but he was unable to + conceal how willing he is to lay his axe to the tree, root <!-- Page 83 + --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page83"></a>{83}</span>and branch; for + he inserts a note to his speech, in which, not satisfied with protestant + objections, he luxuriates in the citation of the "burning of more than + fifty publications of Jesuit authors by <i>the common hangman</i>;" in + the naming of the authors, whose books were burned; and in recording the + very terms of the sentence: <i>seront lacerés et brulés, dans la cour du + palais, par l'executeur de la haute justice</i> (the high office + translated by sir John <i>common hangman</i>) <i>comme seditieux, + destructifs de toute principe de la morale Chretienne, enseignant une + doctrine meurtrière et abominable, non-seulement contre la sureté de la + vie des citoyens, mais même contre celle des personnes sacrées des + souverains</i>. To which is added, a reference to a <i>Portuguese</i> + work, for a complete list of the books burned. So much for sir John's + <i>sorrow</i> in speaking, in the milder terms of his harangue, on his + particular objections, and for <i>the preference</i> he would have given + to having his statement <i>reserved</i> for the consideration of a + <i>select committee</i>. The reader, long before he arrives at this <!-- + Page 84 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page84"></a>{84}</span>preference of secret publicity, will have + learned, from good authority, how to appreciate both the sentence and the + judges that pronounced it; which sir John, by his recording it, appears + not to have been able to do, in spite of <i>the number of his + friends</i>, to whom he might have applied for information of the spirit + that inflamed the parliament of Paris. But let us see the particular + objections made by Sir John Hippisley. Sir John states, that the general + of the order being a Russian, the acknowledgment of him by Jesuits in + other states is an instance of dependence upon foreign jurisdiction. From + this objection, it is to be presumed, that sir John credits the complete + despotism, and other horrors, which have been attributed to the character + of the general, as well as the prostitution of reason and virtue in all + the members of the order, in consequence of the vow of obedience. And he + evidently apprehends, that, if we go to war with Russia, the constitution + of Great Britain will be endangered by the plots of Jesuits in this + country! "We are," says he, "at this hour, <!-- Page 85 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page85"></a>{85}</span>on terms of amity with + Russia; within how short a period was it otherwise?" In neither country + is catholicism the established religion, yet sir John sees, that Jesuits + may busy themselves so foully with Greeks and Lutherans, that the pope + will be brought in. The objection is really absurd; but, on the + <i>despotism</i> of the general, and the <i>blind</i> obedience of the + companions of the order, I shall make some remarks, when I consider the + institute itself; at present, I shall only repeat, that these are + calumnies to which no man would be a dupe, who had ever cast his eye over + the pages of that almost inspired body of religious and moral statutes. + The general, as well as the members of the community, is bound by those + laws. A general congregation may be assembled, without his consent, and + in defiance of him, to make laws against him: and "blind obedience is a + sacrifice of passion, not of reason; Jesuits are to obey blindly, only + when they see clearly, that they may do so without a crime, nay, without + the slightest fault." The obedience which all religious, as well as + Jesuits, paid to their chief <!-- Page 86 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page86"></a>{86}</span>superior, who generally resided at Rome, was + well understood to relate merely to their professional duties. It was + first made an object of jealousy, exclusively with regard to the Jesuits, + at the time that the parliaments were studying every mode of making them + odious; and, before that time, the native country of their general was a + matter of indifference. The native country of the pope was never alleged + as a motive for rejecting his authority. The obedience of the Jesuits was + voluntary; and they knew, from their institute, that it never could + supersede the duty which they owed to the government under which they + lived. Can sir John adduce a single instance of a Jesuit's betraying the + country, or the government, which protected him? The first superiors of + the French Jesuits were Spaniards and Italians. The superior of the + Venetian Jesuits, during the famous contest between that state and Paul + V, was a Frenchman.</p> + + <p>In friendly consideration for the instructors of his numerous valuable + friends, sir John informs <!-- Page 87 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page87"></a>{87}</span>the House of Commons, that, though the + empress of Russia countenanced the re-organization of the society within + her dominions, "it was in a degraded state, to suit the views of her + policy;" and, in a note, he informs the world at large, that "a + correspondent of great consideration observed, that the empress was well + pleased with the opportunity of snapping her fingers (<i>narguer</i>) at + the courts of Versailles and Madrid, and showing them and the world at + large, that she could render the institution tractable by her superior + authority and management; that is, that she could tame wild beasts, which + <i>they</i> were forced to destroy<a name="NtA34" + href="#Nt34"><sup>[34]</sup></a>." It is not for me to <!-- Page 88 + --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page88"></a>{88}</span>divine by what + means sir John, or his correspondent, obtained such possession of the + secrets of Catherine's mind, as to be able to decide, in the face of the + world, that her conduct, in saving the Jesuits, was guided by petty + motives of private interest, and especially the secret desire <i>de + narguer</i>, in plain English to jeer and jibe, to fleer and flout, the + French and Spanish courts; but, if so, it evidently supposes some + previous cause of dissatisfaction with those courts. What that cause was + it is for sir John or his correspondent to state: to the generality of + men, I believe, it remains a mystery. I am ignorant of any such cause, + and, being in the class of ordinary observers, I ascribe the conduct of + the empress to the more generous motives, which she and her two + successors have avowed to the world. These are, the duty of providing for + their catholic subjects suitable ministers and teachers; their knowledge + <!-- Page 89 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page89"></a>{89}</span>that the Jesuits of White Russia are such; + their abhorrence of the injustice, which would strip them of their + property, of their civil state and profession, and abolish their + canonical existence, without any proof of crime or misdemeanour; and, + finally, their royal word and faith pledged to maintain inviolably the + <i>status quo</i> of the catholic religion and its ministers, as settled + in the <i>pacta conventa</i> of the cession of White Russia to their + dominion<a name="NtA35" href="#Nt35"><sup>[35]</sup></a>. These motives + <!-- Page 90 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page90"></a>{90}</span>have something in them honourable, generous, + and dignified. I revere the empress, who, acting upon them, could at once + read a lesson of justice to other monarchs, and rescue from destruction a + remnant of the persecuted society. Instead of attributing to her the + paltry spirit <i>de narguer</i>, I will, with sir John's permission, + apply to her the praise which Cicero addressed to Cæsar, in his oration + for Marcellus: "Nobilissimam familiam, jam ad paucos redactam, pene ab + interitu vindicasti!" Sir John will not refuse her this compliment, when + he discovers the extraordinary inaccuracy into which he has been betrayed + by his informer. He asserts<a name="NtA36" + href="#Nt36"><sup>[36]</sup></a>, that Catherine "secured the + tractability of these <!-- Page 91 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page91"></a>{91}</span>restless men by the <i>sine qua non</i> of + the residence of their general, <i>a subject</i>, within the state." It + is true, that their general could not conveniently reside in any other + state; but my information emboldens me to affirm, that no restraint + whatever was laid upon the Jesuits, in the election of their generals; + that they have already elected five in Russia, all of whom have been + <i>foreigners</i>. The three first were Poles, of whom one, named by sir + John, F. Carew, was of British extraction. Their late general, Gruber, + was an Austrian; the present superior is a Prussian, and is actually + expected at Rome.</p> + + <p>In a detail of restrictions he mentions the superintendence of the + seminaries being consigned to the ministry of public inspection, and + asserts, that priests of the <i>Greek</i> national church are directed to + attend the Jesuit colleges, to instruct the pupils of the Greek communion + in religion. I am unacquainted with the weight of authority to be allowed + to sir John's correspondent; but, certainly, the result of my inquiries + differs <!-- Page 92 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page92"></a>{92}</span>widely from the information communicated by + him. The Jesuits have, ever since their establishment in Russia, been + treated with unsuspecting liberality. The integrity of their institute + has been scrupulously maintained, and the authority given to the catholic + archbishop of Mohilow has ever been exactly confined within the limits + prescribed by the council of Trent. By a law of the present emperor, all + colleges were subjected to the control of the university of Petersburgh. + The Jesuits, feeling the inconvenience of this, soon had their own chief + college of Polosk erected into a university, by which they became + exempted from the temporary control. They have an establishment at + Petersburgh, called the "College of Nobles," into which young noblemen + only are admitted as pensioners, and these are educated in the regular + collegiate discipline, whatever be their religion. They attend at divine + service, and at public catechisms and instructions. The majority of them + are of the national religion, and, if their parents or they themselves + desire it, the <!-- Page 93 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page93"></a>{93}</span>superior of the Jesuits permits a priest of + the Greek church to come to the college on Sunday, where he explains the + national catechism to them in a private room. Beyond this he has nothing + to do in the house. This practice may be known at court, but it was + neither enjoined nor recommended by the court. This is the account I have + collected of the Jesuits in Russia, and, I am persuaded, that they are + not more restricted than the catholics in general, whom sir John appears + to attack through the Jesuits, for in this long note (page 36), which + seemed exclusively designed for the exposure of their Russian + degradation, he slides unexpectedly into an exposure of "the + restrictions, which attach <i>generally</i> upon the exercise of the + Roman catholic discipline." In this I have here no part to take, the + general question has passed through abler hands than mine; my subject + confines me to the society of the Jesuits, and in so doing calls upon me + to notice the advertisement prefixed to sir John Hippisley's Speech. In + that advertisement we find it to be sir John's opinion, <!-- Page 94 + --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page94"></a>{94}</span>that the bull of + Pius VII, by which the order of Jesuits is restored, should not be + published without the rescript of Clement XIV, by which it was + suppressed, as a pendant; and, in a style of triumphant irony, he leaves + it to the consideration of an author favourable to the society<a + name="NtA37" href="#Nt37"><sup>[37]</sup></a>, on comparing the + pontifical acts, "whether he can advantageously take the field against + the memorable rescript of Ganganelli, and enter the lists with the living + writers <i>of his own communion</i>, who espouse that deliberate + pontifical act; for," says he, "it does not appear, that the denunciation + pronounced by the bull of Pius VII has extinguished the ardour of the + opponents of the constitution, which he has so solemnly re-embodied. Two + publications on the subject have issued from the French press, since the + date of this bull, namely, <i>Du Pape et des Jesuites</i>, and, <i>Les + Jesuites tels qu'ils ont été dans l'Ordre Politique, Religieux, et + Moral</i>. <!-- Page 95 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page95"></a>{95}</span>The first is ascribed to the pen of a + <i>Pere de l'Oratoire</i>, the other announced as the work of <i>M. S***, + Ancien Magistrat</i>. A perusal of these tracts," continues sir John, + "and especially the brief of Pius VII, will lead to the discovery, + whether the society have been most successfully attacked or defended by + the French writers or by Mr. Plowden."</p> + + <p>The Jesuits are more obliged to sir John for this position of the + subject than, I believe, he meant they should be. I cannot judge of Mr. + Plowden's success, not having seen his publication, but I think and hope + to find it complete, from sir John's own statement in this advertisement. + I am also unacquainted with the two <i>overpowering</i> French pamphlets + alluded to; but their titles and authors are enough to convince me, that + the new conspiracy against the Jesuits extends to France, that I am + answering the pamphlets without seeing them, and that they are nothing + more than the <i>crambe repetita</i>, the dying echoes, of the + Jansenists, <!-- Page 96 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page96"></a>{96}</span>parliamentarians, and jacobins. Can sir John + have read the accounts, to be found in various authors, of the + persecution of the Jesuits, and not suspect the very appellations of + <i>Father of the Oratory</i>, and <i>Ancient Magistrate</i>? If he does + me the honour to read this sketch, he will, I hope, know what value to + set upon them. But what surprises me most is, that he does not seem to be + aware, that the Jesuits had always enemies <i>in their own communion</i>, + for, by underlining these words, he shows, that he thinks it a strong + proof of guilt when Roman catholics espouse the suppression of the order. + A moment's reflection will bring to his mind, that the most powerful of + the ancient conspiracy against the Jesuits were, at least, professed + catholics; the Arnauds, the Pasquiers, the Monclars, the Chalotais; not + to mention the D'Alemberts, Diderots, Condorcets, who, indeed, though + educated catholics, were professed atheists or deists. The same may be + said of Vatel, and some others cited by sir John. Vatel was a fanatical + deist; Dupin a notorious Jansenist; Pereira a devoted creature <!-- Page + 97 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page97"></a>{97}</span>of Pombal. + Envious men, and philosophers, do not spare others because they are of + the same religious communion. If this motive prevailed, much sparring and + abuse would be saved among protestants as well as among catholics. But, + to come to the principal point of view, in which sir John's advertisement + has happily placed the cause of the Jesuits.</p> + + <p>History shows us, that, however extensive and complete the power of + the popes may have been in former remote periods, they had a very + difficult part to sustain in later times, and that they were often + obliged to court the catholic monarchs, and to yield, that they might not + be forced<a name="NtA38" href="#Nt38"><sup>[38]</sup></a>. This was + peculiarly the case with Clement XIV, whose philosophical name, + Ganganelli, sir John significantly shoots at us through the rifle of + <i>Italics</i>, and it was his <!-- Page 98 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page98"></a>{98}</span>avowed policy, even before his elevation to + the pontificate, that the Jesuits were to be sacrificed, in spite of + their innocence, in spite of their religious and moral virtues, in spite + of his own attachment and approbation, to the necessity of preserving the + favour of the monarchs of Europe. "Portugal," says he, "will never give + up her opinion, in which I see other kingdoms that will confirm and + support her. Kings no longer live unconnected with one another, as + formerly; they form friendships, and act in concert; so that, if we are + unfortunate enough to offend one, we may offend all; and, instead of + having one enemy to deal with, we have all Europe upon us<a name="NtA39" + href="#Nt39"><sup>[39]</sup></a>."—"Little minds imagine, that one + must be displeased with a certain religious society, if one does not + support them in defiance of kings. But, besides that resisting the + potentates would only multiply storms for them, one would not, through + partiality to them, embroil oneself with all the catholic princes<a + name="NtA40" href="#Nt40"><sup>[40]</sup></a>." This is pretty plain <!-- + Page 99 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page99"></a>{99}</span>language, but what follows is in more direct + terms, and, I think, is a decisive proof of the motives, which influenced + the writer in the suppression of the Jesuits, when the tiara was placed + upon his head: "Now it is, that we must make use of that wisdom of the + serpent which Jesus Christ recommends to his apostles. It is no doubt + grievous, that a religious brotherhood intended for colleges, seminaries, + and missions, and who have written much on the truths of religion, should + be deserted at a time when incredulity has broken loose with fury against + the religious orders; but the question to be decided before God is, + whether it is better to contend with the sovereigns than to give up a + religious society. For my part, I think, on seeing the storm that gathers + howling from all quarters, and which we perceive already over our heads, + that it is right for us to act ourselves without waiting, and to + sacrifice what is most agreeable rather than incur the anger of the + sovereigns, which we cannot too much dread. Let our holy father, <!-- + Page 100 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page100"></a>{100}</span>and + his secretary of state, love the Jesuits sincerely, I subscribe with all + my heart to the attachment they have for the society; but I shall always + say, notwithstanding my veneration for St. Ignatius, and the esteem in + which his disciples are held, that it is very dangerous, nay, very rash, + to, support the Jesuits in the present circumstances<a name="NtA41" + href="#Nt41"><sup>[41]</sup></a>." These sentiments of cardinal + Ganganelli would not serve well for a pendant to the brief of Clement + XIV, yet, for the sake of truth and justice, they should be always + printed together, and go down side by side to posterity. Where now is + "the formidable array of pontiffs," which show that Ganganelli "is not + the solitary impugner," among popes, of the order of Jesuits? Ganganelli + tells you, that they were tossed on a stormy sea, where they were obliged + to manage their sails dexterously, that they might not sink themselves; + and, in the very rescript which sir John has hung by the side of Pius + VII's bull <!-- Page 101 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page101"></a>{101}</span>in his appendix, he declares, that it blew + so hard from the four quarters, France, Spain, Portugal and Sicily (see + page 24), that he was under the necessity of throwing the Jesuits + overboard: "Our dear sons in Jesus Christ," says he, "having made known + their <i>demands</i> and <i>wills</i> in this matter."</p> + + <p>Clement XIV vainly flattered himself, that, by making ample + concessions to the importunity of the combined ministers, by persecuting + the Jesuits in detail, contrary to his own conviction, he should, in the + end, escape the necessity of crushing them altogether. It was the policy + of Pontius Pilate. His whole reign was one series of vexatious treatment; + even outrages against them. From the first day of his pontificate they + were the only Christians excluded from access to the common father. His + condescension only betrayed his weakness, and enhardened the ministerial + conspirators. When, at length, he found it impossible to resist them, + without incurring the loss of his states, "he gave sentence, <!-- Page + 102 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page102"></a>{102}</span>that it + should be as they required<a name="NtA42" + href="#Nt42"><sup>[42]</sup></a>." He resorted to the principle of the + high priest, in St. John, chap. ii, verse 50, the expediency of which is + so clearly announced in his Letters<a name="NtA43" + href="#Nt43"><sup>[43]</sup></a>. But here three things sorely distressed + him: the incongruity and injustice of condemning the Jesuits without a + trial, which he knew the ministers would not permit; the approbation of + their institute by the council of Trent; and the concurring approbation + of the order by nearly twenty popes, especially the very recent + constitution, or bull, of his immediate predecessor, Clement XIII, + solemnly published, and received by the whole church. The applicants for + the destruction of the order undertook to remove his scruples.</p> + + <p>I am obliged to sir John for drawing my attention to Ganganelli's + brief, which I might otherwise have passed over without much <!-- Page + 103 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page103"></a>{103}</span>scrutiny. + He is of opinion, that it should accompany the bull of the reigning + pontiff; but some connoisseurs may think, that it will show to more + advantage exhibited between the just mentioned bull <i>apostolicum</i> of + Clement XIII and that of Pius VII: it would thus have a pendant on each + side, eliciting, by a double contrast, all the effects of art. The bull + apostolicum formed a principal objection to the grand plan of + destruction, not easy to be evaded. It was so recent, so public, so + solemn, so decisive. It was a distinct and specific approbation and + confirmation of the society of Jesus; it repeated the sentiments of all + popes from Paul III; it was solicited by hundreds of bishops; it was + formally communicated to the college of cardinals, and was applauded by + them all; it was accepted by every catholic bishop; it had every + character of a formal judgment of the whole catholic church. Clement XIV + and his advisers dared not to contradict it by another bull; it would + have been a great scandal. The cardinals could not have concurred in it. + The inferior, <!-- Page 104 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page104"></a>{104}</span>and less authoritative, mode of + <i>brief</i>, or private letter, or rescript, in which it was not usual + to consult the cardinals, was adopted. In this, the difficulty presented + by the apostolicum of Clement XIII is overleaped in a short and + peremptory way, by an absurd declaration of its having been <i>extorted + rather than granted</i>, without any proof, and in defiance of the number + of circumstances which demonstrate the contrary. As sir John appears to + be unacquainted with this famous constitution of Clement XIII, published + in the beginning of 1765, and as it is perhaps the best written official + document which Rome has, for many years, sent forth, it shall be inserted + in the Appendix in its original language<a name="NtA44" + href="#Nt44"><sup>[44]</sup></a>.</p> + + <p>The more I consider Ganganelli's rescript, the more am I surprised at + the pitiful attempts made to lay down something like an apology for + injustice, and the more am I disgusted with its want of principle. It + opens with a long <span class="correction" title="Original reads `uarration'." + >narration</span> <!-- Page 105 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page105"></a>{105}</span>of the suppression of various small + religious associations by ancient popes, but it leaves us quite in the + dark as to the justice or injustice of those several suppressions. It + informs us, that several complaints had been made, at several times, to + several popes, of the Jesuits; but it omits to tell us, that those + complaints had always been either rejected, or refuted, or disregarded, + by those several popes, whose public acts attest that they were, one and + all, friends and supporters of the society<a name="NtA45" + href="#Nt45"><sup>[45]</sup></a>. The brief then recites the <i>jus</i>, + or leading maxim, on which the whole procedure hinges, and which, in + spite of <!-- Page 106 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page106"></a>{106}</span>the Roman canon, recorded in the Acts of + the Apostles, solves the pope's first difficulty, or scruple, of + punishing without trial: it is this; that <i>the slow and fallible method + of proceeding before courts of justice must be avoided</i>; that + <i>reliance must be placed</i> <span class="scac">WHOLLY</span> <i>on + that plenitude of power, which popes possess in so eminent a degree, as + vicars of Christ upon earth, and as sovereign moderators of the Christian + republic</i>; and that <i>regular orders, which they propose to + suppress</i>, ought not to be allowed <i>the faculty of producing any + arguments in their defence, or of clearing themselves from the heavy + accusations brought against them</i>. These are the words of the brief, + as given by sir John in the translation of it in the Appendix to his + Speech; in other words, <i>the accused may be punished without being + heard</i>. This requires no comment; every British heart will suggest a + just one.</p> + + <p>Let us now see how Ganganelli gets over the difficulty arising from + the approbation of the council of Trent. To the eternal disgrace of <!-- + Page 107 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page107"></a>{107}</span>this + brief, then, we find the operative or suppressing clause made to depend + upon a paltry sophism. Stating the <i>demands</i> and <i>wishes</i> of + his dear sons, the kings and ministers, with the <span class="correction" + title="Original reads `additition'.">addition</span> of pressing + solicitations from some bishops and other persons, Clement, for a salvo + to his conscience, declares (page 25), "that to choose the wisest course, + in an affair of so much importance, he determined not to be precipitate, + but to take due time to <i>examine attentively</i>, <i>weigh + carefully</i>, and <i>wisely debate</i> upon it." What was done? + "<i>First of all</i>," continues the brief, "we proposed to examine upon + what grounds rested the common opinion, that the institute of the clerks + of the company of Jesus had been approved and confirmed in a special + manner by the council of Trent! And we found, that, in the said council, + nothing more was done, with regard to the said society, than to except it + from the general decree respecting other orders. The same council + declared, that <i>it meant not to make any change or innovation in the + government of the clerks of the company of Jesus, that</i> <!-- Page 108 + --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page108"></a>{108}</span><i>they might + not be hindered from being useful to God and his church, according to the + intent of the pious institute approved by the holy see</i>." If the lines + in italics are not an especial approval and confirmation of the + institute, then must I confess, that I know not the meaning of the words + <i>approval</i> and <i>confirmation</i>. To my understanding they convey + a most decided approbation and confirmation of the institute. Well, what + succeeds the <i>imprimis</i>? What does the pontiff next examine, weigh, + and debate attentively, carefully, and wisely? The reader will look in + vain for the second head of wise deliberation; the actuating assertion + immediately follows: "actuated by <i>so many</i> and important + considerations," &c. &c., and <i>impelled by fear</i>, for that + is the import of the following sentences, "<span class="scac">WE DO + SUPPRESS AND ABOLISH THE SAID COMPANY</span>." The only possible apology, + that can be made for Clement, in this rescript, is, that he acted, as + lawyers term it, under duress. After his own avowal, while a cardinal, + can any man doubt, that he <!-- Page 109 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page109"></a>{109}</span>imagined that the intrigues going on in + France, Spain, Portugal, and Sicily, against the Jesuits, would prove + fatal to the power of Rome, if the society were protected? The whole of + the preamble of his rescript consists of the approbation of his + predecessors, and the appeals of the intriguers of the nations around him + against the Jesuits. At last, the <i>Inquisition</i><a name="NtA46" + href="#Nt46"><sup>[46]</sup></a> of Spain (see page 20), press so + strongly, that Sixtus V determines to examine the matter; but he is saved + the misfortune by death, and his successor, Gregory XIV, approves of the + institution of the society in its utmost extent, confirms their + privileges, and ordains that, under pain of excommunication, all + proceedings against the society should be quashed (page 21). In short, + neither in the multifarious preamble, nor in the short actuating clause, + does Clement XIV once advance an opinion of his <!-- Page 110 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page110"></a>{110}</span>own adverse to the + society; but throughout lends himself to the representations of foreign + cabals, to which he at last confessedly sacrifices them.</p> + + <p>All, then, that this rescript proves is, that powerful parties + prevailed, in certain states, against the Jesuits, and that Clement XIV, + notwithstanding the <i>approval</i> and <i>confirmation</i> of the + council of Trent, evinced by their declaration, as above cited; + notwithstanding the approval and confirmation of successive popes; + notwithstanding his own approval and regret (all clearly inserted in this + rescript); found himself compelled, by the pressure of unjust and + arbitrary power, to withhold his confirmation, to suppress and abolish a + society, to whom he knew it was doubtful, whether religion and piety or + science and letters were more indebted.</p> + + <p>Such is the analysis of the luminous brief of destruction, so + triumphantly referred to by sir John Hippisley; such the sanction of + peace <!-- Page 111 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page111"></a>{111}</span>and amity with the philosophical + ministers, Pombal, Choiseul, Aranda, &c. The pontifical domain was to + be saved; the portions of it already seized, Avignon, Benevento, + Ponte-Corvo, &c., to be restored; the turbulent Jesuits extinct, + harmony and concord were to bless the earth! How were these glorious + prospects realized? Every succeeding year involved the Roman see in fresh + troubles: new invasions of its spiritual and temporal rights continued to + distress the succeeding pontiff, Pius VI, and, at last, conducted him to + death in a dungeon, although, to save his domain from the grasp of + violence, he had consented, that Ganganelli's brief should subsist + unaltered.</p> + + <p>It is now evident, that the suppression of the Jesuits was the result + of the conspiracy formed against them; in Spain and Sicily by the + Inquisition, in Portugal by Pombal, and in France by the Jansenists, the + parliaments, and philosophers: how just and wise we have seen; let us now + inquire whence results their restoration <!-- Page 112 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page112"></a>{112}</span>by Pius VII. "The + catholic world demands, with unanimous voice, the re-establishment of the + society of Jesus. We daily receive, to this effect, the most pressing + petitions, from our venerable brethren, the archbishops and bishops<a + name="NtA47" href="#Nt47"><sup>[47]</sup></a>, and the most distinguished + persons, especially since the abundant fruits, which this society has + produced in the above countries (Russia and Sicily), have been generally + known." There is a striking contrast between the simplicity and direct + language of this bull, and the artful and complicated expositions with + which Ganganelli labours in his brief to lull his own conscience, and to + justify, in the sight of others, the act he thought to be necessary. And + why is the re-establishment of the society demanded? From a hope, that + they may counteract the evils, which the neglect of religious education + has suffered to spread over the world, and from a <!-- Page 113 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page113"></a>{113}</span>conviction that they + were put down by the disciples of a false philosophy combining with the + vilest of passions. In regard to protestant countries, their principles + of loyalty are conclusive in their favour; and, in spite of the popish + plots, it has been proved, that their religious doctrines never led them, + as a body, to interfere in political affairs. These motives for their + re-establishment, and my last observation, naturally remind me, that it + is time to state the authorities, so highly honourable to the society, + which I have been induced to examine and collect; there are, however, two + other circumstances mentioned by sir John Hippisley, which I cannot pass + over without notice. He objects to students for the priesthood among the + Jesuits being sent abroad, to Sicily, to obtain ordination, instead of + receiving it at the hands of their own national prelates. It appears, by + this, that sir John is not aware that, in an order, it is requisite to + obtain ordination through a superior of the order. <!-- Page 114 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page114"></a>{114}</span></p> + + <p>In all religious orders, candidates for priesthood must be presented + by their proper religious superior to some bishop. The prelate may + examine the candidate; and, if he has no canonical objection, he promotes + him to orders on the title of religious poverty; the superior, or the + order, remaining answerable for his maintenance. But no priest of the + regulars can assume any exercise of ministerial functions, in preaching, + or administering sacraments, without licence of the diocesan prelate, who + may examine, suspend, and correct him, incurring thus a certain + responsibility. Of this subjection of regulars to the established + prelates, surely, sir John must have been aware; why, then, endeavour to + alarm us with the prospect of Jesuits colonizing in the south of Italy, + for the purpose of overspreading these islands? I have reason, upon + recent inquiry, to suspect, that sir John has been misled by his Sicilian + informer, as to the voyagers for the priesthood; and the supposed system + of seeking <!-- Page 115 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page115"></a>{115}</span>furtive ordinations beyond the seas will + vanish before a plain relation of a few trifling facts. In 1806 an + ecclesiastical student, <i>on account of his health</i>, embarked for + Naples in a neutral ship, which touched at Palermo, where he remained, + having learned that Buonaparte had seized on Naples: he was joined, the + next year, by another student, who went abroad from the same motive, that + of health. To be of use to their catholic countrymen, whose number was + daily increasing, by the arrival of new regiments, they entered into holy + orders, though, it appears, they were not allowed to officiate as priests + among them. These recovered their health, and returned home. In the + course of the three ensuing years, one priest, and ten students, who were + impressed with a strong desire to study in a catholic university, went + also, at different times, to Palermo, where they experienced a similar + disappointment in their zeal. Two of the students left Sicily before they + were ordained, and one died before ordination, leaving nine, the whole + number <!-- Page 116 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page116"></a>{116}</span>ordained. The priest also died abroad. So + that, instead of nineteen, there were altogether only nine, who obtained + orders: one of these is the distinguished president of the new seminary + of education in Ireland. For the last six years, not one catholic student + has had a thought of following their example. Such trifling occasional + emigrations of a few students will neither alarm nor surprise those who + know, that, for more than two centuries, the penal laws have driven all + English and Irish catholics, who were not content to live in ignorance at + home, to seek education abroad; that this had become an invariable + custom; and that every year scores of British subjects went abroad.</p> + + <p>Sir John also objects to the Jesuits' appropriating any pecuniary + resource, arising from the wreck of their society, to the uses of a + seminary of education; he thinks it opposite to the principle, which gave + birth to the institution of Maynooth; and is for seizing, and <!-- Page + 117 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page117"></a>{117}</span>bestowing + on Maynooth, thirty thousand pounds of their money, which they are said + to have generously transmitted to Ireland, for the establishment of a + place of education (page 39 of the printed Speech). How would this agree + with that spirit of humanity, benevolence, and hospitality, to say + nothing at present of justice, which prompted the genius of Britain to + give an asylum to these persecuted servants of God, against the + relentless fury of jacobins and philosophers? Besides, the institution of + Maynooth, and the establishment intended differ widely: the college of + Maynooth is particularly designed for clerical education; that to which + the thirty thousand pounds is to be devoted is to be a seminary for + general learning; an establishment, which must be attended with most + salutary consequences to Ireland, where it will prevent emigration of the + catholic youth, and where, with religion and knowledge, it will + undoubtedly confirm and spread the spirit of <i>loyalty</i>. It would be, + I was going to say, madness; it would surely be unwise, to check, <!-- + Page 118 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page118"></a>{118}</span>on + old worn-out prejudices, the happy growth of a spirit, which has, in that + country, met much to struggle with, and only wants to be enlightened to + show itself as firm and ardent as in any part of the empire.</p> + + <p>After all, I have good grounds to know, that sir John is misinformed + respecting the source of the gift of thirty thousand pounds to the new + seminary: <i>no money has been recently transmitted from the society here + to Ireland</i>. The sum, on which the new house of education is rising, + <i>was not secured by the Jesuits from the wreck of the society</i>: it + is, strictly, the <i>private property</i> of a free Briton. This, I am + informed, on good authority, is the fact; but, supposing it had been + saved by the Jesuits from the ruin of their continental establishments, + from which they were so cruelly turned adrift, and plundered by despots, + because they were Englishmen; nay, supposing every guinea of it had been + coined at the mint of <i>king Nicolas of Paraguay</i>, could this + authorize sir John to assume the despotic <!-- Page 119 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page119"></a>{119}</span>principle of a foreign + minister, a Pombal, a Choiseul, and to decide at once, <i>de son + chef</i>, in the land of liberty, that his unoffending fellow subjects, + who, under the safeguard of the laws, are prosecuting an honourable + profession, shall again be stripped and subjected to arbitrary + confiscation? If the Ganganellian maxim, that "the accused may be + plundered without being heard," be tolerated at Rome, in the + "<i>plenitude of power</i>, which the pope possesses, as moderator of the + Christian republic," it is far otherwise in this happy land, where men, + no longer persecuted for their religious opinions, maintaining their + <i>sworn</i> allegiance to their king, are sure for their persons and + property to find safety in the laws, and protection from the + sovereign.</p> + + <p>I have spoken of sir John Hippisley's opinions freely; I trust I have + not done it coarsely. I was greatly surprised to find him taking the part + he does. Of Clement XIV I feel inclined to speak more harshly than I + have. I remember being pleased with his Letters when I was a <!-- Page + 120 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page120"></a>{120}</span>boy, upon + the same principle that I was pleased with the meeting of the <i>Etats + Generaux</i>, in 1789, at Versailles, where I was a spectator: a + philosophical pope, and a philosophical senate, were mental <i>bon + bons</i>, adapted to the puerile taste of my understanding; but, grown + old, I have no relish for either. Ganganelli degraded the tiara, and + helped to prepare the French revolution.</p> + + <p>I now return to our authorities. I have anticipated several great + names incidentally, while engaged in canvassing those cited against the + Jesuits; to these I have now to add the empress Catherine of Russia; of + many popes, Clement XIII in particular, and the very destroyer of the + society, Clement XIV; M. D'Eguilles, president of the parliament of + Thoulouse; the abbé Proyart, author of a work entitled, <i>Louis XVI + dethroné avant d'etre Roi</i>; Montesquieu, Haller, Muratori, Buffon, + Grotius, Leibnitz, Bacon, Frederick the Great, Johnson, Bausset, + Richelieu, Raynal, Juan, and Ulloa; with a multitude <!-- Page 121 + --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page121"></a>{121}</span>of historians + and biographers, to say nothing of the Jesuit writers themselves. But the + most striking testimony in favour of the society, is a formal judgment + given by the bishops of France on certain articles proposed for their + examination, by Louis XV, relative to the doctrine, the government, the + conduct, and usefulness of the French Jesuits. How any man can withstand + such an array of testimony, I am at a loss to conceive; and still more + how he can venture, at this time of day, to arm himself with the + calumnies and horrors of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, to + attack a body of men, and a code of regulations, nowise accountable for + the errors and crimes of individuals, at periods when men, in general, + were as inveterate on the score of religious doctrines, as they have + lately been on that of liberty and equality; when the Catholic and the + Hugonot were alike ferocious and cruel, in the maintenance of their + respective systems, though they scarcely equalled the fury and the + horrors demonstrated by the deists, atheists, and democratical despots, + who <!-- Page 122 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page122"></a>{122}</span>preceded the settled tyranny, which has + been just overthrown by the united force of Europe. The Jesuits were, + indeed, the great preachers of the Christian religion, such as it had + been received for ages; but they are no more answerable for the opinions + on regicide, murder, and other horrid doctrines of former distracted + times, than are the Washingtons and Franklins for the atrocities of the + Robespierres and Marats in our own days of political insanity.</p> + + <p>It will perhaps be thought necessary, that I should give something + more than the illustrious names I have cited; I shall therefore proceed + to prove, that I have not pressed them into the cause of the Jesuits, but + enrolled them on their voluntary appearance. I shall omit those, whom I + have already incidentally quoted, and arrange the others in the order in + which I have mentioned them. <!-- Page 123 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page123"></a>{123}</span></p> + +<p class="cenhead">CATHERINE II, OF RUSSIA.</p> + + <p>Catherine, when at Mohiloff, found, that the people of that part of + her dominions professed the catholic religion, and that they were very + much attached to the order of Jesuits. She appointed a catholic + archbishop of Mohiloff, and gave him a Jesuit as a coadjutor. She + permitted, at the same time, the establishment of a seminary of Jesuits, + the direction of which was confided to father Gabriel Denkiewitz, + appointed vicar-general of his order. In the year 1783, she sent the + archbishop of Mohiloff's coadjutor, whose name was Benelawski, to Rome, + as minister from the court of Russia, who carried a letter from her to + Pius VI, demanding the re-establishment of the society of Jesuits, which, + though at the time disavowed at Petersburgh, through deference to the + Greek Christians, was actually written with her own hand. The following + passages are extracted from the letter: "I know, that your holiness is + under considerable <!-- Page 124 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page124"></a>{124}</span>embarrassments. Your dignity cannot + harmonize with politics, so long as politics are at variance with + religion. The motives, which have induced me to grant protection to the + Jesuits, are founded in reason and justice, as well as on the hope of + their becoming useful to my states. This assemblage of peaceable and + inoffensive men shall live in my empire, because, of all catholic + societies, they are the best qualified to instruct my subjects, and to + inspire them with sentiments of humanity and the genuine principles of + the Christian religion. I am resolved to support these priests against + every power whatever; and, in so doing, I only perform my duty, as I am + their sovereign, and look upon them as faithful, useful, and innocent + subjects. I am so much the more desirous of seeing four of them invested + with the power of confirming at Moscow and Petersburgh, as the two + catholic churches of those cities are confided to their care<a + name="NtA48" href="#Nt48"><sup>[48]</sup></a>." The pope made the + circumstance <!-- Page 125 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page125"></a>{125}</span>known to the French and Spanish + ambassadors, who consulted their respective courts, neither of which, + however, chose openly to interfere. It was an embarrassing situation for + Pius VI; the suppression of the order was too recent; he wished neither + to treat the memory of Clement XIV with disrespect, nor to embroil + himself with France or Spain; and, in complying with the request of + Catherine, he acted with circumspection and without parade. In + considering this event, an obvious remark presents itself: for upwards of + thirty years past, the society of the Jesuits have been established in + Russia, yet we hear nothing of that empire being disturbed either with + religious or civil broils, fomented by them; though I should not be + surprised, if, on reflection, the death of Paul were to be imputed, by + the modern conspirators, to their machinations. On the contrary, the + internal tranquillity of that country was never more apparent, and the + improvement of the mind has made rapid strides. The placing of the + Jesuits in her dominions is a proof of the <!-- Page 126 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page126"></a>{126}</span>sagacity of Catherine, + and I doubt whether Russia was ever more indebted to any sovereign than + for this step, which was at once magnanimous, wise, and popular.</p> + +<p class="cenhead">CLEMENT XIII.</p> + + <p>I should not have thought of enrolling a pope among the authorities in + favour of the Jesuits, it being natural to suppose, that every pope was a + friend to the society, had I not found a list of them arrayed against + them by sir John Hippisley, on the authority of Ganganelli's rescript. + Now, that the sovereign pontiffs interfered in the proceedings and + writings of the members of the society; that they blamed them for the + dissentions in which their zeal involved them with their enemies in all + parts of the world; and that they have condemned some of the fanatical + (for this is a term as appropriate to catholic as puritan zealots), I say + some of the fanatical maxims formerly preached by individuals is not + denied, and has <!-- Page 127 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page127"></a>{127}</span>been already noticed in these pages; and + this is all that can be gathered from the rescript; but that this renders + the popes <i>impugners</i> of the order is far from being the fact, and + for this reason it is I have been induced to cite this pontiff, as well + as his successor, in the catalogue of authorities. By the word + <i>impugner</i>, I presume, that sir John means <i>assailant</i>; now, + that the disapproval of some casuists, and the blaming of untimely or + misplaced zeal of some of the society was no assailing of the order, the + following words of Clement XIII, addressed to the archbishops and bishops + of France, will, I think, sufficiently prove: "But the thing, which gives + the deepest wound to the public weal, and to the faithful, which is the + greatest insult to the apostolic see and to you, is the persecution they + have raised against the society of Jesus, which has ever supplied the + church with many able champions, and now, by the credit of a prevailing + faction, is oppressed and dissipated. Its institute, that institute, + which the Roman catholic church, <!-- Page 128 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page128"></a>{128}</span>assembled in the + council of Trent, approved of; that institute upon which our predecessors + have bestowed so many solemn encomiums; which has hitherto found + protection and received the most signal marks of favour from the kings of + France; that institute, which you yourselves, not so much out of + gratitude as from a principle of equity, have celebrated and publicly + declared, that it was of very singular service to you in your respective + dioceses, is now loaded with antiquated and groundless calumnies, is + treated as a pest, which had crept into the church, and is publicly + burned with all the marks of infamy<a name="NtA49" + href="#Nt49"><sup>[49]</sup></a>."</p> + +<p class="cenhead">GANGANELLI.</p> + + <p>Enough has been said of Clement XIV, in the foregoing pages, to + entitle me to place him among the authorities in favour of the Jesuits, + <!-- Page 129 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page129"></a>{129}</span>though the solemn act, by which he + extirpated the order, may be said to involve him among their assailants. + The motives and grounds of that act are clear, and his private opinion of + the order is no less manifest. Men, who approve of this act of Clement, + are not aware that they are approving of a corrupt maxim, with which the + enemies of the Jesuits calumniate the society. Besides, the destruction + of the order was a certain evil, and the good to arise from it, the + security and inviolability of the holy see, was far from being a certain + consequence; the contrary has been proved by subsequent events. The + growth of one generation sufficed to strip the tiara of the veneration + due to it, and to threaten every crown in Europe with ruin. Philosophical + universities and academies were every where, on the continent, + substituted for the colleges of the Jesuits; religion and reason no + longer went hand in hand in education; the latter, with all her spurious + offspring, was held up as the grand object and distinguishing character + of man; the former was neglected, <!-- Page 130 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page130"></a>{130}</span>or ridiculed, and soon + lost even its name in that of superstition. In 1773, Clement XIV + abolished the order: in 1793, a king of France was beheaded; Reason was + deified, and altars erected to her in various countries; anarchy followed + impiety; demons were chosen to rule, or rather to confound all order. A + successor of Ganganelli was torn from Rome, to die in captivity; and + others have, since, been degraded into tools of the most absolute and + heathenish tyranny that ever existed on the earth. It is very evident, + therefore, that the preservation of the power of Rome did not depend upon + the destruction of the order of the Jesuits, but, rather, that the + rescript of 1773 was a warrant for the imprisonment, if not the death, of + Pius VI, and the subsequent overthrow of the holy see. That rescript was, + therefore, the result of a short-sighted policy. It is impossible to read + Ganganelli's Letters, and deny that he was highly intellectual, virtuous, + religious, and amiable; nor would I confound the philosophy which he + cultivated, with that which is <!-- Page 131 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page131"></a>{131}</span>destructive of religious hope and + political order; but his whole conduct, in the affair of the Jesuits, + proves, that his soul was not formed to the honours of martyrdom, as he + was ready to act against his own conviction, and to sacrifice principle + to convenience; a maxim peculiarly impugned by Jesuits, and by catholics + in general.</p> + + <p>In addition to the proofs of his good opinion of the society already + given, I will here insert a passage to be found in the twelfth volume of + the Annual Register. In addressing the courts of Paris, Madrid, and + Naples, after his elevation to the pontificate, he states, that, "in + regard to the Jesuits, he could neither blame nor annihilate an + institute, which had been applauded and confirmed by nineteen of his + predecessors; that he could the less do it, because it had been + authentically confirmed by the council of Trent; and that, by the French + maxims, the general council was above the <!-- Page 132 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page132"></a>{132}</span>pope: that, if it was + desired, he would call a council, in which every thing should be + discussed with justice and equity, and the Jesuits heard in their own + defence; that he owed to the Jesuits, as to all the religious orders, + justice and protection; that, besides, the states of Germany, the king of + Sardinia, and the king of Prussia, had written to him in their behalf; + and that he could not, by their destruction, content some princes, + without displeasing others." Nevertheless, without calling a council, + without hearing their defence, he destroyed them; and, certainly, it will + ever be a matter of astonishment, that, in a cause of such magnitude, a + Roman pontiff, whatever motives may have impelled him to pronounce the + suppression, could so far assimilate himself with the ministers of + Portugal, Spain, Naples, and France, as to overlook that primary maxim, + which Rome, whether Pagan or Christian, had in all ages respected: "It is + not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that <!-- + Page 133 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page133"></a>{133}</span>he, + which is accused, have the accusers face to face, and have licence to + answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him<a name="NtA50" + href="#Nt50"><sup>[50]</sup></a>."</p> + + <p>The writer of some anecdotes annexed to his Letters, relates one, + which shows the notoriety of the fact, that his suppression of the + Jesuits was not the effect of a bad opinion of the order: as it is + applicable to the subject I will insert it here. "While the bells were + ringing, and cannon firing, to celebrate his exaltation, the general of + the Jesuits observed, with a sigh, <i>there tolls our passing-bell</i>. + Not," says the writer, "that Ganganelli was <i>hostile</i> to the + Jesuits, but because he thought it was <i>necessary</i> to attend to the + representations of the sovereigns."</p> + +<p class="cenhead">THE PRESIDENT D'EGUILLES.</p> + + <p>This gentleman was the Aristides of the French magistracy. I have + already mentioned <!-- Page 134 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page134"></a>{134}</span>him, when speaking of Monclar's <i>Compte + Rendu</i><a name="NtA51" href="#Nt51"><sup>[51]</sup></a>. His opinion of + the persecution of the society will be seen in the following passage, + which was addressed by him to Louis XV. "If the church be incessantly + outraged, by the judgments passed against the institute of the Jesuits, + the throne is still more pointedly attacked, upon the two principal + motives, which instigate the enemies of the Jesuits to work their + destruction. The first of these motives is, plainly, to deprive a + society, which is entirely devoted to the interests of its king, of the + education of youth; but more especially of the youth of the nobility. The + second, which is equally as dangerous, is, to astound all the other + bodies of the kingdom by the terrible fall of that, which seemed the most + unlikely to be shaken; and thus to make them sensible, that the hatred of + the parliaments is more to be dreaded than the protection of the king to + be coveted."</p> + +<p><!-- Page 135 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page135"></a>{135}</span></p> + +<p class="cenhead">ABBE PROYART.</p> + + <p>In his work entitled "Louis XVI dethroned before he was King," speaks + of the Jesuits in these words: "The Jesuits, considered only in the light + of public teachers, were, during their existence, the first supports of + the throne."—"The destruction of the Jesuits was the ruin of the + precious edifice of national education, and gave a general shock to + public morality." The abbé, from his many testimonies in favour of the + Jesuits, being suspected to be one of their order, openly declares, "that + he never belonged to the society, and that he owed them only truth and + justice, for that he was not even indebted to them for his + education."</p> + +<p class="cenhead">VOLTAIRE.</p> + + <p>I have already cited Voltaire, but I place him in the list here, for + the purpose of inserting some farther extracts from his Letters. When + <!-- Page 136 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page136"></a>{136}</span>he was solicited by the Jansenistical + magistrates to join with them in accusing the Jesuits of the crime of + regicide, he gave this remarkable answer, in his Letter to the Atheist + Damilaville: "I should rouse posterity in their behalf, if I accused them + of a crime, of which Europe, and Damiens himself, have acknowledged them + innocent." Writing, in 1765, three years after the suppression of the + Jesuits, to the same Damilaville, he thus exults in the realized + expectations of D'Alembert: "Victory declares for us on every side. I can + assure you, that, in a short time, the rabble alone will remain under the + standard of our enemies." In subsequent letters he declares, that "a + general revolution was making its appearance in every quarter; that + philosophy was gaining strength in the north of Germany; that similar + revolutions were taking place in Poland, Italy, and Spain." Such was the + rapid effect of the substitution of philosophical to religious education! + However borne away by the charms of <!-- Page 137 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page137"></a>{137}</span>philosophy, Voltaire + was greatly attached to the Jesuits, and had the highest opinion of them: + this he fully expresses in a letter to father de la Tour, principal of + the college of Louis le Grand, where he was himself educated, which has + been already cited.</p> + +<p class="cenhead">MONTESQUIEU.</p> + + <p>Montesquieu, mentioning the government of Paraguay, then under the + guidance of the Jesuits, as an instance, among other extraordinary + institutions formed to exalt nations to virtue, alludes to the imputed + ambition of the society to govern; to which he replies, "but it will ever + be a glorious ambition to govern men by rendering them happy. It is + glorious to the society to have been the first to give, in those regions, + the idea of religion united with humanity. By repairing the devastations + of the Spaniards, they have begun to heal one of the <!-- Page 138 + --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page138"></a>{138}</span>most dangerous + wounds the human race ever received. They have drawn wild people from + woods, secured them regular maintenance, and clothed their nakedness; but + even, had they done no more than add to the stock of industry among men, + that would have been doing a great deal<a name="NtA52" + href="#Nt52"><sup>[52]</sup></a>."</p> + +<p class="cenhead">BUFFON.</p> + + <p>"The missions," says this celebrated natural philosopher, "have formed + more men, in the barbarous nations, than the victorious armies of the + princes, who subjugated them. It is only in this way, that Paraguay has + been conquered: the gentleness, the good example, the charity, and the + exercise of virtue constantly maintained by the missionaries, made their + way to the hearts of the savages, and conquered their distrust and their + ferocity. They <!-- Page 139 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page139"></a>{139}</span>would frequently come, of their own + accord, and beg to be made acquainted with the law, which rendered men so + perfect; to that law they submitted and entered into society. Nothing can + do more honour to religion than to have civilized those nations and laid + the foundations of an empire, with no other arms than those of virtue<a + name="NtA53" href="#Nt53"><sup>[53]</sup></a>."</p> + +<p class="cenhead">HALLER.</p> + + <p>"The enemies of the society," says Haller, "disparage their best + institutions: they accuse them of inordinate ambition, on seeing a kind + of empire formed by them in distant regions; but what plan can be more + delightful, or more advantageous to humanity, than to assemble human + beings scattered widely among the gloomy forests of America, to win them + from the savage state, a state of wretchedness, to put an end to their + cruel and destructive wars, to <!-- Page 140 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page140"></a>{140}</span>enlighten their minds with the truths of + religion, and to form them into a society like the state of mankind in + the golden age? Is this not taking up the character of legislator for the + happiness of men? The ambition, that produces so much good, cannot but be + a laudable passion. No virtue ever attains that purity, which men are apt + to exact; but neither is any virtue disfigured by the passions, while + these serve to promote the general happiness<a name="NtA54" + href="#Nt54"><sup>[54]</sup></a>."</p> + +<p class="cenhead">MURATORI.</p> + + <p>It is hardly necessary to observe, that Muratori's character for + talents, piety, and virtue, stands very high in the estimation of the + learned. He was a celebrated Italian writer, a fellow of the chief + academies of Italy, of the royal society of London, and of the imperial + academy of Olmutz, and he was consulted as the oracle of <!-- Page 141 + --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page141"></a>{141}</span>the age by the + literati of Europe. He was born in 1672 and died in 1750. He was + unconnected with the society of the Jesuits, and the high praises he + bestows upon them could, therefore, only have been dictated by a just + esteem and admiration. The following extracts are from his work entitled, + <i>Il Cristianessimo felice nella missioni dé Padri dellà Compagnia di + Gesu nel Paraguai</i>; a work which may serve as a commentary on the + edicts, declarations, and manifestoes, of the court of Portugal under the + dictatorship of Pombal. "I could wish, that some one among the enemies of + the church of Rome, who carry their aversion to the Jesuits so far as to + asperse the zeal of those admirable missionaries, and their purity of + intention, in the laborious functions, which they discharge among the + infidels, would only accompany them awhile in their apostolic excursions, + to see and examine what they do, and what they suffer for the salvation + of souls. He would undoubtedly, and that very soon, lay aside former + prejudices, and, perhaps, what he had seen would suffice <!-- Page 142 + --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page142"></a>{142}</span>to make him + renounce his error." After enumerating, briefly, the charges against the + Jesuits of America, such as their making themselves petty princes; + engrossing the commerce of Paraguay; becoming dangerously wealthy and + powerful; bribing governors; robbing the Indians, under cover of pleasing + God, &c. &c., he says, "This is an abstract of the defamatory + reports spread about the world, either by word of mouth, or printed + libels, against the missionaries of Paraguay. I will advance nothing + without clear proofs. I am not afraid of affirming, that all these + imputations are calumnies and detestable forgeries, suggested by envy and + malice." He then proceeds to prove them to be such<a name="NtA55" + href="#Nt55"><sup>[55]</sup></a>.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 143 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page143"></a>{143}</span></p> + +<p class="cenhead">GROTIUS, LEIBNITZ, BACON.</p> + + <p>This triumvirate of religion and genuine philosophy were friends and + admirers of the Jesuits; they are cited or referred to in the following + Letters, I shall therefore be satisfied with naming them here.</p> + +<p class="cenhead">FREDERIC THE GREAT.</p> + + <p>"Frederic," says the elegant scholar already twice quoted<a + name="NtA56" href="#Nt56"><sup>[56]</sup></a>, "in spite of his sceptical + vanity, appeared sometimes to be convinced of the dangerous principles of + all those false philosophers, whose adulatory attentions he was weak + enough to be pleased with. In one of these moments, in which his good + sense retained the ascendency over his self-love, when the news reached + him of the proscription of the Jesuits in France, by the confidential + agents of supreme authority: 'Poor souls,' said he, 'they have destroyed + the foxes, which defended them from the jaws of the <!-- Page 144 + --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page144"></a>{144}</span>wolves, and + they do not perceive that they are about to be devoured.'" Whomever the + king of Prussia meant by the wolves, it is well known, that the same + parliament that devoured the Jesuits in 1764, were equally disposed to + devour the episcopal body in 1765.</p> + +<p class="cenhead">DR. JOHNSON. DEAN KIRWAN.</p> + + <p>It is very common to speak of superstition as a shade in the character + of Johnson; and, no doubt, a modern philosopher will object to the + authority of one so bigoted as to declare, "that monasteries have + something congenial to the mind of man." Such objections, however, shall + not divert me from enrolling him here; for, the opinion he expressed + relative to the destruction of the Jesuits was the result, not of any + superstitious motive, but of that penetration, which was not to be + blunted by the opposition of prejudices. Mrs. Piozzi tells us, that, when + he was at Rouen, "he conversed with the abbé Rofette about the + destruction of the Jesuits, and condemned <!-- Page 145 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page145"></a>{145}</span>it loudly, as a blow to + the general power of the church, and likely to be followed with many and + dangerous innovations, which might, at length, become fatal to religion + itself, and shake even the foundations of Christianity." With Dr. Johnson + let me place Dean Kirwan, who often declared, that he imbibed the noble + ambition of benefiting mankind in the college of the English Jesuits, at + St. Omer's<a name="NtA57" href="#Nt57"><sup>[57]</sup></a>.</p> + +<p class="cenhead">BAUSSET.</p> + + <p>Bausset, bishop of Meth, in a Life of Fenelon, published so lately as + the year 1809, passes a comprehensive and eloquent eulogium on the + society, of which the following sentences form but a part: "Wherever the + Jesuits were heard of they preserved all classes of society in a spirit + of order, wisdom, and consistency. Called, at the commencement of the + society, to the education of the principal families of the state, they + <!-- Page 146 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page146"></a>{146}</span>extended their cares to the inferior + classes, and kept them in the happy habits of religious and moral + virtue."—"They had the merit of attracting honour to their + religious character, by a severity of manners, a temperance, a nobility, + and a personal disinterestedness, which even their enemies could not deny + them. This is the fairest answer they can make to satires, which accuse + them of relaxed morality."—"These men, who were described as so + dangerous, so powerful, so vindictive, bowed, without a murmur, under the + terrible hand that crushed them<a name="NtA58" + href="#Nt58"><sup>[58]</sup></a>."</p> + +<p class="cenhead">JUAN AND ULLOA.</p> + + <p>The very names of these travellers suggest the virtues and the praises + of the Jesuits. It was from their volumes that Robertson took his account + of the settlement of Paraguay, and I do not think it necessary here to + extend their testimony.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 147 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page147"></a>{147}</span></p> + +<p class="cenhead">RICHELIEU.</p> + + <p>When the four ministers of Charenton presented very heavy accusations + against the Jesuits to Louis XIII, cardinal Richelieu answered them all: + for the sake of brevity, I shall extract only his reply on the charge of + regicide. "As to what you say of their doctrine, with respect to the + power they attribute to the pope over kings, you would have spoken very + differently of it, if, instead of learning it from the <i>private + writings</i> of a few particulars, you had collected it from the mouth of + their general, who, in the year 1610, made a public and solemn + declaration, by which he not only disapproves, but forbids all those of + his order, under very severe penalties, to teach or maintain it lawful, + under what pretext of tyranny soever, to attempt upon the persons of + kings and princes." <!-- Page 148 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page148"></a>{148}</span></p> + +<p class="cenhead">ABBE RAYNAL.</p> + + <p>To the foregoing testimonies, let us add that of one of the bitterest + enemies of Christianity. "The magnificence of the ceremonies," says + Raynal, "attracts the Indians to the churches, where they find pleasure + and piety united. There it is that religion is amiable, and it is at + first in her ministers that she there gains love. Nothing equals the + purity of the morals, the mild and tender zeal, the paternal solicitude, + of the Jesuits of Paraguay. Every pastor is truly the father, as well as + the director of his parishioners. There his authority is not felt, for he + orders, prohibits, and punishes, only what is punished, prohibited, and + ordered by the religion, which all of them, as well as he, worship and + cherish."—"A government in which nobody is idle, nobody works to + excess; in which food is wholesome, plentiful, and impartially partaken + by all the citizens, who are conveniently lodged, conveniently clothed; + in <!-- Page 149 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page149"></a>{149}</span>which old persons, widows, orphans, and + the sick, find a succour unknown in any other part of the globe; in which + every one marries according to inclination, and without interest; and + where large families are a comfort, without a possibility of becoming a + burthen; in which the debauchery inseparable from idleness, that equally + corrupts opulence and poverty, never accelerates the degradation, or + rather the decline of human life; in which factitious passions are never + excited, and well-regulated desires never thwarted; in which the + advantages of commerce are enjoyed; without danger of contagion from the + vices attendant on luxury; in which well-stored magazines, and mutual + gratuitous succours among nations, rendered brothers by the same + religion, afford a secure resource against the want that the uncertainty + or inclemency of the seasons may produce; in which criminal justice has + never been under the melancholy necessity of condemning a single criminal + to death, to ignominy, or to punishment of any duration; and in which the + very name of a tax or of a lawsuit is <!-- Page 150 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page150"></a>{150}</span>unknown." Listen, I + pray, to this account, from a quarter so unsuspected, of "the + <i>slavery</i> in which the Jesuits held the Indians of Paraguay, and the + <i>atrocities</i> which they exercised there;" for such is the language + of their assailant, whom one must be surprised to find unacquainted with + the writings of such an author as Raynal.</p> + +<p class="cenhead">THE BISHOPS OF FRANCE.</p> + + <p>There are forty-five names of bishops subscribed to a reply made by + them to certain articles proposed for their examination by Louis XV. + Their judgment is given at considerable length, and the testimony of it + is too valuable to be abridged. I have already referred the reader to the + document, printed at length, in the Appendix, at the end of this volume; + to enable him, however, to judge here of the importance of it, I will + insert the articles in this place. <!-- Page 151 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page151"></a>{151}</span></p> + + <p>The first is: "Of what use the Jesuits may be in France; the + advantages or inconveniences that may attend the various functions, which + they exercise under our authority."</p> + + <p>The second: "How the Jesuits behave, in their instructions, and in + their own conduct, with regard to certain opinions, which strike at the + safety of the king's person; as, likewise, with regard to the received + doctrine of the clergy of France, contained in the declaration of the + year 1682; and, in general, with regard to their opinions on the other + side of the Alps."</p> + + <p>The third: "The conduct of the Jesuits, with regard to their + subordination to bishops; and whether, in the exercise of their + functions, they do not encroach on the pastoral rights and + privileges."</p> + + <p>The fourth: "Whether it may not be convenient to moderate and set + bounds to the <!-- Page 152 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page152"></a>{152}</span>authority, which the general of the + Jesuits exercises in France."</p> + + <p>The replies fully substantiate the utility of the society, the purity + of their doctrine, the regularity of their conduct, and the consistency + of their government with their duty to their king and country<a + name="NtA59" href="#Nt59"><sup>[59]</sup></a>.</p> + + <p>Such, then, is the nature of the authorities, that rank in favour of + the Jesuits; and the reader, by comparing them with the inveterate and + corrupt spirits, which have been dragged from obscurity to destroy them a + second time, will be able to estimate their respective value, and the + motives of the new conspirators against them.</p> + + <p>Perhaps enough has incidentally appeared, in the preceding pages, to + inform the reader of the <!-- Page 153 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page153"></a>{153}</span>chief crimes imputed to the society of the + Jesuits, and to satisfy his mind of the falsehood of the imputations, as + well as of the baseness and wickedness of the means contrived for + attaching them upon those devoted victims. Many of the imputations are + also removed in the following Letters. And when I consider, that the + judgment of the bishops of France affords, on these points, a complete + refutation of the slanders which have been lavished upon the society, I + feel, that I should be wasting time, and abusing the attention of my + reader, with unnecessary repetition. A brief notice, however, of some of + the principal charges against the society, may not be unacceptable here. + Let us inquire into those of ambition, commerce, and sedition.</p> + + <p>In the searches which I have made, it appears to me, both from + narrative of facts, and from reasoning on the nature of things, that the + society of the Jesuits have been most basely slandered, as well as + inhumanly treated. What <!-- Page 154 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page154"></a>{154}</span>was their ambition? The glory of God, and + the edification of man. But, say their enemies, how were these pursued? + and were they always the real objects? The Jesuits are accused of shaping + their course to the richest and most commodious countries; with extending + the limits of the church to enlarge the circle of their commerce; with + preaching sedition; with raising, on the cross, a throne to their + ambition rather than to Christ. What do we learn from reason, and from + fact? The roads to all ecclesiastical honours, all political employments, + are shut to Jesuits, who renounce the former by a formal vow, and are + prohibited the latter by the most rigorous penalties<a name="NtA60" + href="#Nt60"><sup>[60]</sup></a>. The countries, where we hear of + Jesuits, are inhabited by cannibals, by Hurons, Iroquois, Canadians, + Illinoise, Negroes, Ethiopians, Laplanders, Tartars; they are barren + deserts, eternal snows, burning sands, gloomy forests; there did these + <i>ambitious</i> men live on wild herbs and bitter <!-- Page 155 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page155"></a>{155}</span>roots, and cover + themselves with leaves, or the skins of wild beasts; there did they run + from cave to cave by day, and sleep at night in the hollows of rocks. Are + these the abodes of luxury and wealth? It is indeed a glorious ambition + to make men happy, to teach, and to save: such is the ambition displayed + by the Jesuits, and the throne they raised on the cross was one of faith, + hope, and charity.</p> + + <p>With respect to commerce. By the canons of the church, it is forbidden + to ecclesiastics, and, certainly, for good reasons. Commerce is a + profession, a pursuit, to which men devote their time, for the purpose of + obtaining a livelihood, and of amassing fortunes. It is a pursuit + inconsistent with the habits and duties of the ministers of religion. + This is the imputation meant to be thrown on the Jesuits, and which + Pombal, their great enemy, and the enemy of every virtue, endeavoured to + fix upon them. It was not difficult for them to repel this charge. They + had a depôt at Lisbon, where <!-- Page 156 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page156"></a>{156}</span>they kept effects, which served them + instead of money. These things were sold, as a proprietor of land would + sell his corn, to support the brothers of the order in America, who, + having no income, could only be supplied with commodities, in those + savage countries. If this did not militate against the spirit that + prohibits commerce to priests, as little did the kind of traffic which + was superintended by the missionaries in Paraguay, and which was, in + fact, a species of piety. With what delight does one read the account of + it, in the Voyage of Juan and Ulloa. "The Jesuits take upon them the sole + care of disposing of the manufactures and products of the Guaranies + Indians, designed for commerce; these people being naturally careless and + indolent, and, doubtless, without the diligent inspection and pathetic + exhortations of the fathers, would be buried in sloth and indigence. The + case is very different in the missions of the Chiquitos, who are + industrious, careful, and frugal; and their genius so happily adapted to + commerce, as not to stand in need of any factors. <!-- Page 157 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page157"></a>{157}</span>The priests in the + villages of this nation are of no expense to the crown, the Indians + themselves rejoicing in maintaining them, and join in cultivating a + plantation, filled with all kinds of grain and fruits, for the priest; + the remainder, after this decent support, being applied to purchase + ornaments for the churches. That the Indians may never be in any want of + necessaries, it is one part of the minister's care to have always in + readiness a stock of different kinds of tools, stuffs, and other goods; + so that all who are in want repair to him, bringing, by way of exchange, + wax, of which there are here great quantities, and other products. And + this barter is made with the strictest integrity, that the Indians may + have no reason to complain of oppression, and that the high character of + the priests, for justice and sanctity, may be studiously preserved. The + goods received in exchange are, by the priests, sent to the superior of + the missions, who is a different person from the superior of the + Guaranies; and, with the produce, a fresh stock of goods is laid in. The + <!-- Page 158 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page158"></a>{158}</span>principal intention of this is, that the + Indians may have no occasion to leave their own country, in order to be + furnished with necessaries; and, by this means, are kept from the + contagion of those vices, which they would naturally contract in their + intercourse with the inhabitants of other countries, where the depravity + of human nature is not corrected by such good examples and laws<a + name="NtA61" href="#Nt61"><sup>[61]</sup></a>." This is the commerce, the + only commerce carried on by the Jesuits; a commerce, that the apostles + themselves would have maintained as a duty. I speak of the society, and + of their spirit as a body; for I am not ignorant of the scandal which was + brought upon them by the conduct of P. Lavalette, who, under pretence of + augmenting the revenues of St. Peter's, ruined the mission at Martinique, + and the cause of the Jesuits in France. What numerous body can be + answerable for every individual of it? The circumstances attending the + conduct of Lavalette are not very clear; but to contend <!-- Page 159 + --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page159"></a>{159}</span>for his + innocence is not necessary to the character of the order, the purity and + integrity of which, however, derive a new demonstration from the very + effect produced by his misconduct, be the guilt of that what it may, for + it exonerates all the other Jesuit missionaries from the charge of + trading. This charge had long existed, previous to Lavalette's affair: + long before had hatred been upon the watch, and calumny active: long + before had both the old and new world been full of Jesuit missionaries, + and every where were they exposed to the scrutinizing looks of their + enemies: no sooner was Lavalette denounced, than all eyes were turned + upon him, and immediately all Europe rang with his name. Scarcely had + that of the bold navigator, who discovered, or that of the sanguinary + captain, who conquered America, travelled so rapidly, or with so much + noise. Innumerable libels issued from the press, and nothing equalled the + celebrity of the subject. What is the evident inference? This: that, + although their enemies were so vigilant in observing, so skilful in <!-- + Page 160 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page160"></a>{160}</span>detecting, so eager to expose such of the + missionaries, who, in spite of their institute, should become merchants, + yet Lavalette was the only one that had ever afforded them a shadow of + proof for such a charge.</p> + + <p>The accusation of preaching sedition, and sowing the seeds of revolt, + is equally unmerited. It is true, that the Jesuits were assiduous in + preventing all personal intercourse between the Indians and the Spaniards + and Portugueze, for which they were charged with a seditious intention of + throwing off the Spanish government. I know not that the throwing off of + governments should shock modern philosophers, or the modification of + religion disturb their brain; but I know, that very different motives are + assigned for this assiduity of the Jesuits, in excluding the Europeans + from the Indians; motives, which merit honour here and crowns of glory + hereafter. The reader will thank me for communicating them in the simple + and affecting language of the Spanish travellers last cited. "The <!-- + Page 161 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page161"></a>{161}</span>missionary fathers will not allow any of + the inhabitants of Peru, whether Spaniards or others, Mestizos or even + Indians, to come within their missions in Paraguay. Not with a view of + concealing their transactions from the world; or that they are afraid + lest others should supplant them of part of the products and + manufactures; nor for any of those causes, which, even with less + foundation, envy has dared to suggest; but for this reason, and a very + prudent one it is, that their Indians, who being as it were new born from + savageness and brutality, and initiated into morality and religion, may + be kept steady in this state of innocence and simplicity. These Indians + are strangers to sedition, pride, malice, envy, and other passions, which + are so fatal to society. But, were strangers admitted to come among them, + their bad examples would teach them what at present they are happily + ignorant of; but should modesty, and the attention they pay to the + instructions of their teachers, be once laid aside, the shining + advantages of these settlements would soon come <!-- Page 162 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page162"></a>{162}</span>to nothing; and such a + number of souls, who now worship the true God in the beauty of holiness, + and live in tranquillity and love (of which such slender traces are seen + among civilized nations), would be again seduced into the paths of + disorder and perdition."—"Hence it is, that the Jesuits have + inflexibly adhered to their maxim of not admitting any foreigners among + them: and in this they are certainly justified by the melancholy example + of the other missions of Peru, whose decline from their former happiness + and piety is the effect of an open intercourse<a name="NtA62" + href="#Nt62"><sup>[62]</sup></a>." It is also true, that the Indians did + revolt, if that term can be applied to an act rendered unavoidable by the + horrid avarice and despotism, which had conspired to sacrifice these + happy and innocent tribes; but so far were the Jesuits from being + instigators of the revolt, that they were in danger of being the victims + of it, of which they were well aware. The facts would form a long and + interesting <!-- Page 163 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page163"></a>{163}</span>narrative; but it is only necessary, at + present, to state a few particulars. A notion had been generated in the + imagination of Pombal, the Portugueze minister, that, in the region of + those happy settlements, there were mines of gold, unknown to the + inhabitants. On these he cast his eyes, and commenced an intrigue for + exchanging that territory with Spain, for others, at the immense distance + of three hundred leagues. This being effected, he resolved, that the + whole Indian population of Paraguay should be transported. The Jesuits + were ordered to dispose the people to transmigrate. They, at first, + ventured to represent modestly the difficulty of such a removal, and to + conjure the officers of government to consider, what an undertaking it + was, to transport, over such wildernesses, thirty thousand souls, with + their cattle and effects, to a distance of nearly a thousand miles: they + were sharply told, that obedience and not expostulation was expected. The + consequences present a history, that might draw tears from the most + obdurate. Now would have been the time for the <!-- Page 164 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page164"></a>{164}</span>Jesuits to establish + their empire, had the project imputed to them been founded. What was + their conduct? Rather than become rebels, these faithful and humble + subjects laboured earnestly to prevail upon the Indians to obey the + mandate. Their exertions, however great, were not satisfactory, and new + commands for haste were issued; a few months were allowed for an + undertaking, which, if it could be executed at all, required years. This + precipitation ruined the whole. The poor creatures, who were to be torn + from their habitations, driven to extremities, began to distrust their + own missionaries, and suspected them of acting in concert with the + officers of Spain and Portugal. From that moment they looked upon them + only as so many traitors, who were seeking to deliver them up to their + old inveterate enemies. In the course of a short time, peace, order, and + happiness, gave way to war, confusion, and misery. Those Indians, + previously so flexible, so docile, insensibly lost that spirit of + submission and simplicity, which had distinguished them, <!-- Page 165 + --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page165"></a>{165}</span>and they every + where prepared to make a vigorous resistance. The contest lasted a + considerable time, during which the Indians experienced some success, but + were ultimately defeated; some of them burnt their towns and betook + themselves in thousands to the woods and mountains, where they perished + miserably. After surveying all the plains, searching all the forests, + digging all the mountains, sounding all the lakes and rivers, to + establish the limits of the country, no mines were found, and the + director of the scheme, Gomez, finding himself the dupe of his mad + imagination and puerile credulity, wished it possible to conceal his + shame and prevent his disgrace, by having the treaty between the two + courts annulled. He even descended so low as to beseech the Jesuits + themselves to endeavour to effect the annulling of it. They, of course, + paid no attention to the entreaties of a man, whose insatiable avidity + had caused the ruin of thirty thousand of their fellow creatures; and it + was not till Charles III succeeded to the crown of Spain, that the + treaty, <!-- Page 166 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page166"></a>{166}</span>of which he had never approved, was + annulled. There was now an end to the war in Paraguay, so fatal to its + once happy, pious, and virtuous population, who, in consequence of it, + lost not only their property, but their innocence, their piety, their + docility, their gentleness, their simplicity, which were superseded by + European debauchery, hypocrisy, and perfidy; vices that formed a new and + almost insurmountable obstacle to the progress of religion, in those + immense regions, where, for so many years, it had flourished<a + name="NtA63" href="#Nt63"><sup>[63]</sup></a>.</p> + + <p>Having shown the pious nature of the ambition, which inflamed the zeal + of the Jesuits; the paternal nature of the commerce, which consisted in + necessary commodities, taken in barter for the provision of their + establishments, and not in rich products, of various countries, freighted + on wealthy speculations; and having <!-- Page 167 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page167"></a>{167}</span>shown also that their + conduct, in excluding Europeans from the Paraguay settlements, was not + the effect of a seditious disposition, I should now conclude this + chapter, did I not, as I proceed, feel more and more a desire to remove + the prejudices, which an extraordinary combination of passions and + talents, operating on the progress of human affairs, has spread over the + character of men, who appear to me to have been actuated by the sublimest + motives, such as might be attributed to angels; the glory of God, and the + benefit of mankind. The picture drawn by the abbé Barruel of one of the + ex-Jesuits, who was murdered at Avignon, in one of the revolutionary + massacres, is a genuine and convincing representation of a celestial + spirit, which never could have been nourished in a corrupt society, which + must have owed its qualities to an exalted one. This portrait cannot but + be viewed with love and admiration, and the reader would think an apology + for placing it before him superfluous. <!-- Page 168 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page168"></a>{168}</span></p> + + <p>"Avignon and the Comtat had been declared, by the assembly, united to + France. Jourdan, surnamed <i>Coup-tête</i>, was at Avignon with his + banditti. The unfortunate persons shut up in the prisons were devoted by + him to death. An immense pit was opened to serve as their grave, and + loads of sand were carried thither to cover the bodies. There were six + hundred prisoners in the castle: the hour was fixed for putting them to + death and throwing them, one after the other, into the pit. There was, at + Avignon, a virtuous priest, one of those men for whom we feel, on earth, + a veneration, like that paid to the saints in heaven. His name was + Nolhac; he had formerly been rector of the noviciat of the Jesuits at + Thoulouse, and was now eighty years old. For thirty years he had been the + parish priest of St. Symphorien, a parish, which he had taken in + preference, from its being that of the poor. During all these years, + spent in the town, he had been the father and refuge of the indigent, the + consoler of the afflicted, the adviser and friend of the <!-- Page 169 + --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page169"></a>{169}</span>inhabitants, + and he would not listen to their entreaties, to quit the place, on the + arrival of the jacobins with Jourdan and his banditti. He could never + resolve to leave his parishoners, deprived of their minister, in the + beginning of the troubles of the schism, and far less to leave them, + deprived of the consolations of religion, while under the tyranny of the + banditti. Martyrdom, the glory of shedding his blood for Jesus Christ, + for his church, or for the faithful, were, to him, but the accomplishment + of desires and wishes, which, all his life, had been formed in his soul, + and with which he knew how to inspire his disciples, when he was + directing them in the paths <i>of perfection</i>. His life itself had + been but a martyrdom, concealed by a countenance always serene, and + always beaming angelic joy, with peace of conscience. His body, clothed + with the hair-shirt, had needed the strong constitution, with which + nature had endowed him, to support him under the mortifications, + watchings, and fasts he endured, through all the activity of a minister + and the austerity of <!-- Page 170 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page170"></a>{170}</span>an anchorite. Daily at prayer and + meditation long before light; daily visiting the sick and the poor, whom + he never left without administering, together with spiritual + consolations, temporal comforts, confided to his hands by the faithful; + always poor as to himself, but rich for others, it was at length time to + consummate the sacrifice of a life wholly devoted to charity and to his + God.</p> + + <p>"M. Nolhac, whom the banditti themselves had hitherto held sacred, was + sent prisoner to the castle the very day before that on which the six + hundred victims were to be put to death. His appearance among those + unhappy persons, who all knew and revered him, was that of a consoling + angel; his first words were those of an apostle of souls, sent in order + to prepare them for appearing before the judge of the quick and the dead: + 'I come to die with you, my children: we are all going together to appear + before God. How I thank him for having sent me to prepare your souls to + appear at his <!-- Page 171 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page171"></a>{171}</span>tribunal! Come, my children, the moments + are precious; to-morrow, perhaps to-day, we shall be no longer in this + world; let us, by a sincere repentance, qualify ourselves to be happy in + the other. Let me not lose a single soul among you. Add to the hope, that + God will receive myself into his bosom, the happiness of being able to + present you to him, as children all of whom he charges me to save, and to + render worthy of his mercy.' They throw themselves at his knees, embrace, + and cling to them. With tears and sobs they confess their faults: he + listens to them, he absolves them, he embraces them with that tenderness, + which he always manifested to sinners. He had the satisfaction of finding + them all impressed by his paternal exhortations. Already had that + unspeakable pleasure, that peace which only God can give, as in Heaven he + ratifies the absolution of his minister on Earth, taken place of fear on + their countenances, when the voices of the banditti were heard calling + out those, who were to be the first victims, for <!-- Page 172 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page172"></a>{172}</span>whom they waited at the + gate of the fort. There, on the right and on the left, stood two + assassins, each having an iron bar in his hands, with which they struck + their victims, as they came out, with all their force and killed them. + The bodies were then delivered to other executioners, who mangled the + limbs and disfigured them with sabres, to render it impossible for the + children and friends of the persons to distinguish them. After this, the + remains were thrown into the infernal pit, called the ice-house. + Meanwhile, M. Nolhac, within the prison, continued exhorting and + embracing the unhappy prisoners, and encouraging them to go as they were + called. He was fortunate enough to be the last, and to follow into the + presence of his God the six hundred souls, who had carried to Heaven the + tidings of his heroic zeal and unshaken fortitude<a name="NtA64" + href="#Nt64"><sup>[64]</sup></a>."—Nolhac was a Jesuit!</p> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" /> + +<p><!-- Page 173 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page173"></a>{173}</span></p> + +<h3>CHAPTER III.</h3> + +<blockquote class="b1n"> + + <p><i>Of the Order of the Jesuits, with the prominent features of the + Institute.</i></p> + +</blockquote> + + <p>How many men are there, who never knew more of Jesuits than their + name, that have, from the hideous caricatures, which have been drawn of + them, imbibed such prejudices, and admitted such horrible impressions + against the society, as to render it a wonder, and with some a scandal, + that any person should dare to make the slightest attempt towards their + vindication. On the perusal of this volume, I trust, that the wonder and + the scandal will appear to be, that men should have so suffered their + reason to be imposed upon, and their feelings betrayed, as to be tamely + led into the views of the destroyers, <!-- Page 174 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page174"></a>{174}</span>not only of this + religious order, but of religion itself, and of social order. I will + endeavour here to give a faithful miniature of the noble original, which, + under distorted features, we have been invited to ridicule and to detest. + I do not, however, pretend to offer to the reader a deep-reasoned + discussion, but only a slight sketch of the much traduced institute of + the Jesuits, and of the pursuits and past successes of the men, who + devoted themselves to it.</p> + + <p>Jesuits were never much known in this kingdom. They were never more + than a small detachment of missionary priests, privately officiating to + the scattered catholics, like other priests, sent from the English + seminaries of Rome, Douay, Valladolid, and Lisbon. They were + distinguished only by more pointed severity of the ancient penal + statutes, which the wisdom and liberality of the legislature has + considerably relaxed. This greater severity arose, not from their + conduct, but from the general prejudice against their order; and, in + England, this <!-- Page 175 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page175"></a>{175}</span>prejudice kept pace with the esteem in + which they were held in all catholic countries. Formerly, every enemy of + catholic religion was their foe declared. Their perseverance and their + successes still provoked new hostilities. It is the remark of Spondanus, + that no set of men were ever so violently opposed, or ever so + successfully triumphed over opposition. Their assiduity, in their + multifarious relations to the public, in all countries, where they had + settlements; in their schools and seminaries, in pulpits and + confessionals, in hospitals and workhouses, in the cultivation of + sciences, in national and foreign missions; all this professional + business afforded them a large field for exertion, and enabled them to + recommend themselves to kings, prelates, and magistrates, by signal + services to the public, and thus to blunt the stings of envy and the + shafts of malice. The small number, which frequented England for nearly + two hundred years, in the face of the penal laws, had no such field of + action. They were confined to administer the rites of religion to their + brethren <!-- Page 176 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page176"></a>{176}</span>in private houses; they were necessitated + to live separate; they were forced to disguise their profession and + character, and frequently their very names; they lived under the laws, + and they were not protected by the laws; they knew, that the distorted + character, drawn of them by their foreign enemies, obtained ready credit + in this country, without inquiry or examination; and, as they could + neither act nor speak in their own defence, it has happened, that the + notion of a Jesuit is to this day <i>vulgarly</i> (I take the word in its + full meaning) associated with the idea of every crime.</p> + + <p>In foreign countries, the Jesuits formed a conspicuous body, to which + no man was wholly indifferent. They could not be viewed with the eye of + contempt. They were highly esteemed, and they were bitterly hated. In all + catholic countries, the esteem and respect, which they enjoyed, were + fully established. They were every where considered as pure and holy in + their morals and conduct, eminently zealous for <!-- Page 177 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page177"></a>{177}</span>religion, and highly + serviceable to the public. Their enemies, at all times, were either open + separatists from the catholic church, or secret enemies of it, who formed + parties for its destruction; or they were rivals, who vied with them in + some branches of the public administration of religion. From these + sources proceeded, at different times, that undigested mass of + criminations, unsubstantiated by proof, which are so inconsistently + collected in the new conspiracy against the Jesuits. It is evidently + folly to imagine, that a large body of men, connected with the public by + a thousand links, surrounded by jealous enemies, could possibly be a band + of unprincipled knaves, impostors, and miscreants. The universal favour + of the bulk of so many polished nations forbids, at once, such an idea. + Popes, kings, prelates, magistrates, everywhere protected and employed + them. Bishops and their clergy everywhere regarded them as their most + useful auxiliaries in the sacred ministry, because they professedly + exercised every duty of it, except that of <i>governing</i> the church; + <!-- Page 178 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page178"></a>{178}</span>and this they renounced by vow. The + people, in all towns, even in villages, felt their gratuitous services. A + hundred years ago, if the public voice had been individually collected in + Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, and Poland, undoubtedly, they + would rather have parted with any other, perhaps with most other + religious bodies, than with the society of Jesuits alone. A hundred years + ago, all the continental sovereigns in Europe would have concurred in the + same sentiment. With them they advised in all concerns of religion; to + them they listened as preachers; to them they intrusted the instruction + of their children, their own consciences, their souls. In those days, not + only kings, but ministers of kings, and the great bulk of their nobles + and people, believed in religion. They were sons of men, who had fought + hard battles in France and Germany, in defence of catholic unity, against + confederate sects, who had conspired to overturn it. Voltaire had not yet + appeared among them. Religion was not yet presented to them as an object + of ridicule. They <!-- Page 179 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page179"></a>{179}</span>deemed of religion with reverence and awe, + and they believed it to be the firmest support of the state and of the + throne. They venerated its ministers, and among them the Jesuits, because + they knew, that their institute was well calculated to form its followers + to the active service of the altars, which they respected.</p> + + <p>An idea of the institute of the Jesuits cannot be formed without + consulting the original code; and the first inspection of it shows the + author to have been a man of profound thinking, and eminently animated + with the spirit of religious zeal. <i>Ad majorem Dei gloriam</i> was the + motto of Ignatius of Loyola, the main principle of all his conduct. He + conceived, that a body of men, associated to promote God's greater glory, + must profess to imitate, not one or two, but, universally, all the + astonishing virtues of the Redeemer; and, in planning his institute, he + compressed them all into one ruling motion of <i>zeal</i>, which, in his + ideas, was the purest emanation of charity, the summit of <!-- Page 180 + --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page180"></a>{180}</span>Christian + perfection. He everywhere employs his first principle, as the universal + bond, or link, that must unite his society with God, and with their + neighbours; and every prescription of his institute is a direct + consequence of it. <i>The greater glory of God</i> is the first object + that occurs on opening the institute. It is the first thing, on which + every candidate is questioned; and, if he be accepted, the first thing to + which he is applied. This alone decides upon the admission and dismission + of subjects; this regulates their advancement in virtue and letters, the + preservation of their health, the improvement of their talents, the + distribution and allotment of their employments. Masters must teach, and + students must learn, only to advance the greater glory of God: this is + the rule of superiors, who command; the motive of subjects, who obey: + this alone is considered in the establishment of domestic discipline, in + the formation of laws and rules: it is the bond, which connects all, the + spring, which moves all; every impulse given to the society must <!-- + Page 181 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page181"></a>{181}</span>proceed from this; this alone must + accelerate or slacken its progress; for this alone it must be maintained; + every person in it, every thing in it, prayer and action, labour and + rest, rules and exceptions, punishments and rewards, favours and + refusals; in a word, every thing in the institute of Ignatius has one + motive, one end, one common motto, <i>The greater glory of God</i>; with + this it commences, with this it ends.</p> + + <p>Whatever may be the sentiments of persons, of different religious + persuasions, of this plan of sanctity, certain it is, that the idea of it + presents something noble; and, in the principles of the catholic church, + it embraces the height of sanctity. To men acting upon such a principle, + no virtue could ever be foreign, because every virtue in its turn might + be wanted to promote God's greater glory. The aim of Ignatius was, first, + to form them into perfect Christians; and hence he prescribes and + requires, in all his associates, the full practice of evangelical + poverty, perfect purity, and intire obedience to lawful <!-- Page 182 + --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page182"></a>{182}</span>authority; and + these virtues must be sanctioned by vow. He requires, that all and each + should emulate the other great evangelical counsels, such as + mortification of the senses, refusal of dignities and honourable + distinctions, perfect disinterestedness in their several functions, + &c. He conceived, that God's glory would be procured by the practice + of these exalted virtues; but, faithful to his principle, he judged that + God's <i>greater</i> glory required the communication, the diffusion of + them among his neighbours. He earnestly wished to bring all men to know + and adore the Son of God; and, in forming his associates for this + ministry, he was not content to teach them to be saints, he would make + them apostles. To the other obligations, which he laid upon them, he + added the solemn vow of missions, binding them, whenever required, to + carry the name of God, in the primitive spirit, to the extremities of the + globe.</p> + + <p>It would be an extravagant exaggeration to assert, that all the + followers of Ignatius <!-- Page 183 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page183"></a>{183}</span>emulated such high gifts: but it has been + allowed, in general, by the best judges in the catholic church, and, in + great measure, by persons of other communions, that a large portion of + the founder's original spirit was infused into the society, which he + formed; and that Jesuits, cultivated by the mode of government and rules + of life which he established, achieved feats in every country, which + religion must revere, and sound policy commend. Their institute does not + stop short of any perfection, which the author of it thought attainable + by human weakness. He prescribes in it a variety of means, which his + followers must employ, to yield service to all, who surround them; and, + though all could not be performed by each, he strongly confided, that his + order would never be destitute of men qualified to execute every thing + that he prescribed. Some things are exacted of all and each, others are + to be suited to the different talents of the men employed; and the common + education, which he gives to all, qualifies each to succeed in his + respective department. Every <!-- Page 184 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page184"></a>{184}</span>person, conversant in the affairs of the + catholic church, will allow, that, by the constant attention of the + superiors, not any means of helping the public, which the founder had + prescribed, was neglected by the body of Jesuits; and the general utility + resulting from all this was precisely the thing, that distinguished this + body in the catholic church, and won for it the protection of popes and + bishops, the countenance of kings and princes, the respect and esteem of + nations.</p> + + <p>As St. Ignatius, in his pursuit of absolute perfection, thought no + virtue foreign to his institute, so he judged no service, which churchmen + could yield to the public, foreign to his society. Without pretending to + enumerate the various duties and occupations, which he recommends to its + members, I select only a few, upon which he enters into more detailed + instructions, and to which he specially calls the attention of all + superiors, the zeal of all their subjects. They are, good example; + prayer; works of <!-- Page 185 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page185"></a>{185}</span>charity to the poor, the imprisoned, the + diseased; the writing of books of piety and religious instruction; the + use of the sacrament of penance; preaching; pious congregations; + spiritual retreats; national and foreign missions; and education of youth + in public and gratuitous schools. In the catholic scheme of religion, + each of these things is deemed important; and the united voice of all, + who knew Jesuits, gives them the full credit of having, during their + existence in a body, cultivated, with success, each of these several + branches. Their preachers were heard and admired in every country; their + tribunals of penance were crouded; the sick and dying were always secure + of their attendance, when demanded; their books of devotion were + everywhere read with confidence; the good example, resulting from the + purity of their morals, secured them, even in the last fatal persecution, + from inculpation, it disabled the malice of calumny. In the impossibility + of criminating living Jesuits, their worst enemies could only revile the + dead. Hospitals, workhouses, and lazarets, were the constant scenes <!-- + Page 186 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page186"></a>{186}</span>of + their zeal; their attendance on them was reckoned an appropriate duty of + their society. During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, when the + plague successively ravaged every country in Europe, many hundreds of + Jesuits are recorded to have lost their lives in the service of the + infected. Several perished, in the same exercise of charity, in the last + century, at Marseilles and Messina; and, during the late retreat of the + French army from Moscow, not less than ten Jesuits died of fatigue and + sickness, contracted in the hospitals crouded with those French + prisoners, who, a little before, had ejected them from their principal + college, at Polosk, after having plundered it of every valuable. It would + be tedious to insist upon every point; but something I must say on the + articles of missions and public schools, the two principal scenes of + their zeal.</p> + + <p>With respect to missions, the Jesuits might truly apply to themselves + the verse,</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Quæ regio in terris nostri non plena laboris?</p> + <p class="i30"><span class="sc">Æn.</span> lib. i.</p> + </div> + </div> + +<p><!-- Page 187 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page187"></a>{187}</span></p> + + <p>Their perseverance in this field of zeal was universally admired; it + secured success during more than two centuries; and the latest missionary + expeditions of their society proved, that the original spirit was not + decayed. Whoever had caught it from the institute of Ignatius was a + scholar without pride; a man disengaged from his own conveniences; + indifferent to his employment, to country, to climate; submissive to + guidance; capable of living alone, and of edifying in public; happy in + solitude, content in tumult; never misplaced. In a word, great purity of + manners, cultivated minds, knowledge without pretensions, close study + without recompence, obedience without reasoning though not without + reason, love of labour, willingness to suffer, and, finally, fervor of + zeal; such were the qualifications, which Ignatius's discernment directed + his successors in government to seek, to select, or to form; and it is an + acknowledged truth, that, at every period of the society, they always + found men of this description to lead out their sacred expeditions to the + four quarters of <!-- Page 188 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page188"></a>{188}</span>the world. These men planted Christian + faith in the extremities of the East, in Japan, in the Molucca islands; + they announced it in China, in the hither and further India, in Ethiopia + and Caffraria, &c. Others, in the opposite hemisphere, appeared on + the snowy wastes of North America; and, presently, Hurons were civilized, + Canada ceased to be peopled only by barbarians. Others, almost in our own + days, nothing degenerate, succeeded to humanize new hard-featured tribes, + even to assemble them in Christian churches, in the ungrateful soil of + California, to which angry Nature seems to have denied almost every + necessary for the subsistence of the human species. They were but a + detachment from the body of their brethren, who, at the same time, were + advancing, with rapid progress, through Cinaloa, among the unknown hordes + of savages, who rove through the immense tracts to the north of Mexico, + which have not yet been trodden by the steps of any evangelical herald. + Others, again, in greater numbers, from the school of Ignatius, with the + most inflexible <!-- Page 189 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page189"></a>{189}</span>perseverance, amidst every species of + opposition, continued to gather new nations into the church, to form new + colonies of civilized cannibals, for the kings of Spain and Portugal, in + the horrid wilds of Brazil, Maragnon, and Paraguay. Here truly flowed the + milk and honey of religion and human happiness. Here was realized more + than philosophy had dared to hope, more than Plato, in his republic, or + the author of Utopia, had ever ventured to imagine. Here was given the + demonstration, from experience, that pure religion, steadily practised, + is the only source of human happiness. The new settlements, called + <i>Reductions</i>, of Brazil and Paraguay, were real fruits of the zeal + of the Jesuits. Solipsian empires, and gold mines to enrich the society, + existed only in libels<a name="NtA65" + href="#Nt65"><sup>[65]</sup></a>.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 190 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page190"></a>{190}</span></p> + + <p>The Jesuits were advancing, with gigantic strides, to the very centre + of South America, they were actually civilizing the Abiponian barbarians, + when their glorious course was interrupted by the wretched policy of + Lisbon and Madrid. The missionaries of South America were all seized like + felons, and shipped off, as so many convicts, to the ports of old Spain, + to be still farther transported to Corsica, and, finally, to the coasts + of the pope's states. One of these venerable men, Martin Dobrizhoffer, + who had spent eighteen years among the South American tribes, has given, + in his <i>Historia de Abiponibus</i>, the best account, that exists, of + the field of his arduous mission. His work is here mentioned, because it + is not unknown in England, and his testimony<a name="NtA66" + href="#Nt66"><sup>[66]</sup></a> proves the persuasion of the best men at + Buenos Ayres, in 1767, when the Jesuits were dismissed, that, if they had + been at all times properly supported, by the courts of Lisbon and Madrid, + especially <!-- Page 191 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page191"></a>{191}</span>against the self interested European + settlers, not a barbarian, not an infidel, would then have been left in + the whole extent of South America. "This," says the author, "was boldly + advanced from the pulpit at Buenos Ares, in the presence of the royal + governor, and of a thronged auditory, and it was proved with a strength + of argument, that subdued all doubt, and wrought universal conviction." + The impression must have been strengthened by the subsequent dissolution + of all the <i>Reductions</i>, in consequence of the inability of the + royal officers to substitute other missionaries to those, whom they had + ejected<a name="NtA67" href="#Nt67"><sup>[67]</sup></a>.</p> + + <p>Different was the providence of the superiors <!-- Page 192 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page192"></a>{192}</span>in the old society, to + perpetuate the race and regular succession of those wonderful men. If + they had sent out from Europe subjects already formed to every virtue and + every science, their virtues and their learning would have been almost + useless, without the knowledge and practical use of the barbarous idioms + of the Indian tribes. Every young Jesuit in Europe was first trained, + during two full years of noviciate, to the exact practice of religious + virtues. He was next applied, during five years, still in strict domestic + discipline, to the several studies of poetry, rhetoric, logic, physics, + metaphysics, natural history, and mathematics. Seven years of preparation + qualified these proficients to commence schoolmasters, during five or six + succeeding years, in the several colleges of their respective provinces. + It was generally at this <!-- Page 193 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page193"></a>{193}</span>period of their religious career, that + several young Jesuits, instead of being employed to teach schools, were + detached from the several European provinces, to the Asiatic colleges of + Goa, or Macao, or to the American colleges of Mexico, Buenos Ayres, or + Cordova in Tucumaw, where, in expectation of priesthood, they made a + close study of the barbarous languages, which they were afterwards to + speak in their missions. These were usually selected from the number of + those, who had spontaneously solicited such a destination; and the number + of these pious volunteers being always considerable, the succession of + missionaries in the society of Jesuits could never fail. But it is time + to say something of their schools.</p> + + <p>The education of youth in schools is one of the prominent features of + the Jesuits' institute. Their founder saw, that the disorders of the + world, which he wished to correct, spring chiefly from neglect of + education. He perceived, that the fruits of the other spiritual functions + of <!-- Page 194 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page194"></a>{194}</span>his society would be only temporary, + unless he could perpetuate them through every rising generation, as it + came forward in succession. Every professed Jesuit was bound by a special + vow, to attend to the instruction of youth; and this duty was the + peculiar function, the first important mission, of the younger members, + who were preparing themselves for profession. Even the two years of + noviciate mainly contributed to the same purpose. They were not lost to + the sciences, since novices were carefully taught the science upon which + they all depend. The religious exercises of that first period tended to + give them that steadiness of character and virtue, without which no good + is achieved in schools. They then acquired a fondness for retirement, a + love of regularity, a habit of labour, a disgust of dissipation, a custom + of serious reflection, docility to advice, a sentiment of honour and + self-respect, with a fixed love of virtue; every thing requisite to + support and advance the cultivation of letters and of science in future + years. It has been already observed, <!-- Page 195 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page195"></a>{195}</span>that the serious + studies, which filled five years after the noviciate, were calculated, in + conjunction with strict religious discipline, to form them for the + serious business of conducting a school of boys during the five or six + years, which were to succeed: and, in the discharge of this duty, they + were bound to know and to follow, under the direction of a prefect of + studies in every college, the excellent documents prescribed in the + institute for masters.</p> + + <p>It is not possible in a short compass to enumerate these instructions; + but the mention of a few may suffice to prove, that nothing was + forgotten. The object of Ignatius, in charging his society with the + management of boys and youths, as it is announced in various parts of the + institute, was to form and perfect their will, their conscience, their + morals, their manners, their memory, imagination, and reason. Docility is + the first virtue required in a child: and, to subdue stiff tempers, the + remedies prescribed in the Jesuits' institute are, impartiality in the + <!-- Page 196 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page196"></a>{196}</span>master, honourable distinctions, and + mortifying humiliations, applied with judgment and discretion: then, + steady attention to maintain the established discipline and economy of + the school, which is a constant, and therefore a powerful check upon the + unruly. To secure it, says the text, hope of reward and fear of disgrace + are more powerful than blows; and, if the latter become unavoidable, + punishment must never be inflicted with that precipitation, which gives + to justice an air of violence. In inquiring into trespasses, too nice and + minute investigation must be avoided, because it inspires mistrust. The + art of dissembling small faults is often a safe means to prevent great + ones. Gentle means must always be first employed; and, if ever fear and + repentance must be impressed, the hand of some indifferent person must be + called into action; the hand of the master must be used only to impress + gratitude and respect. If his hand is never to be the instrument of pain, + his voice must never be the organ of invective. He must employ <!-- Page + 197 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page197"></a>{197}</span>instruction, exhortation, friendly + reproach, but never contumelious language, haughtiness, and affronts: he + must never utter words to boys, which would degrade them in the eyes of + their companions, or demean them in their own. In the distribution of + rewards, no distinction must be known, but that of merit. The very + suspicion of partiality to character, fortune, or rank, would frustrate + the effect of the rewards bestowed, and provoke indocility, jealousy, and + disgust, in those who received none. Nothing so quickly overturns + authority, and withers the fruit of zealous labours, even in virtuous + masters, as the appearance of undue favour. The masters's equal attention + is due to all; he must interest himself equally for the progress of all; + he must never check the activity of any by indifference, much less + irritate their self-love by contempt.</p> + + <p>It were easy to multiply, from the institute, instructions prescribed + to masters, to insure success in this first part of education, the <!-- + Page 198 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page198"></a>{198}</span>bridling of the rebel will of youth; but + Ignatius knew, that these things would never be enforced by young + masters, who had not learned the art of bridling their own. Discipline + might bind boys to outward respect, but only religion and virtue can make + them love the yoke; and no yoke is ever carried with perseverance unless + it be borne with pleasure. Religion is the most engaging and most + powerful restraint upon rising and growing passions; and to imprint it + deeply in the heart was the main business of the Jesuit schools. The rest + was accessory and subordinate. The principles of religion were there + instilled, while the elements of learning were unfolded. Maxims of the + Gospel were taught together with profane truths; the pride of science was + tempered by the modesty of piety; the master's labour was directed, as + much to form the conscience, as to improve the memory, and regulate the + imagination of his disciples. The institute directed him to instil a + profound respect for God; to begin and end his lessons by prayer; to + cherish the <!-- Page 199 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page199"></a>{199}</span>piety of the devout; to avail himself of + it as a means to attract the thoughtless to imitation; and, by a special + rule, he was charged to instruct his scholars in all duties of religion + by weekly catechisms, carefully adapted to their capacity. The + ecclesiastical historian, Fleury, remarks, in the preface to his + historical catechism, that, if the youth of his age was incomparably + better instructed than the youth of past ages, the obligation was owing + principally to the catechisms of the Jesuits' school. He had heard them + during the six years of his education in Clermont college.</p> + + <p>Ignatius places herein the capital point of education: and he well + knew, that where the grand motives of religion are not employed, an + assembly of men will commonly be a collection of vice, especially in + unexperienced youth, when growing passions always seek communication, in + order to authorise themselves by example. To this point, then, he directs + the rules of his subjects employed in education; to <!-- Page 200 + --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page200"></a>{200}</span>this he calls + the attention of every professor, the vigilance of every prefect of + studies, of every master, the solicitude of every rector, the inspection + of every provincial. The wise framers of the <i>Ratio Studiorum</i>, + which is adopted into the institute, explaining his ideas still farther, + require every master to study the temper and character of his pupils; to + distract their passions by application; to fire their little hearts with + laudable emulation. For this, they must encourage the diffident and + modest, curb the forward and presumptuous: for this they must assign to + merit alone those scholastic appellations of dignity, those titles of + <i>emperor</i> and <i>prætor</i>, puerile indeed in themselves, but not + less important to boys than are the sounds of titles, and colours of + ribbands to men. On the same principle, in much frequented colleges, each + class was divided into two rival classes, usually distinguished by the + opposite banners of Rome and Carthage, which mutually dreaded, provoked, + and defied each other, in classical duels, or in general trials of skill, + each whetting his <!-- Page 201 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page201"></a>{201}</span>memory on the edge of that of his rival; + and then would often flow those precious tears of emulation, which + watered rising genius, expanding it to fertility. Hence, again, are + prescribed those public and solemn annual rewards, distributed with pomp + and show, which reduced the self-love of youth to the love of virtue; + which enamoured them of study by the prospect of success, and, by raising + a desire of pleasing, really taught them how to please.</p> + + <p>The institute proceeds to remove from youth every species of bad + example. It directs the prefect and the master how to dissolve growing + friendships, that might be dangerous; it forbids the public explanation + of books, or of single passages, which might mislead active imaginations; + it ordains a scrutiny of all books, that come into the pupil's use; it + charges the master to watch every trespass against the rules of civility + and good manners. Falsehood and detraction, swearing, and foul words, are + to be quickly corrected, or not tolerated within the <!-- Page 202 + --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page202"></a>{202}</span>college. It + is, again, the master's particular duty to form the manners of his pupils + to decency, modesty, and politeness; to correct their errors in language, + their faults in pronunciation, their awkwardness in gestures, their + coarseness in behaviour, not less than to cultivate their memory and + regulate their imagination. For this purpose the institute, without + neglecting modern languages, prescribes, for the justest reasons, the + study of Latin and Greek, in the purest models of Athens and ancient + Rome. It joins to these the study of history, and its concomitants, + geography, chronology, and mythology; and all this must precede the + introduction of youth into the regions of eloquence and poetry, where + sportive imagination may amuse and feed itself for a while with brilliant + images and expressive language: but the institute teaches how to reduce + all this to the standard of reason and sound judgment, by the succeeding + study of philosophy and mathematics; and these, in their turn, are the + preparation for the deeper discussions of theology, which lifts the <!-- + Page 203 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page203"></a>{203}</span>soul + out of the narrow sphere of human science, and enables the mind, and, + still more, the heart, to make excursions into the immensity of God.</p> + + <p>The short sketch, which is here presented, of education among the + Jesuits, is enough to convince us, that no system was ever more solid, + more calculated to produce eminent men, in every department of civil and + ecclesiastical life. Undoubtedly it did produce a succession of them + during two hundred years; and it thus verified the decisive sentence of + Bacon, <i>Ad pædagogicam quod attinet, brevissimum foret dictu. Consule + scholas Jesuitarum</i><a name="NtA68" href="#Nt68"><sup>[68]</sup></a>. + Perhaps the real value of the system is still better proved by the + miserable state of degradation, into which public education and public + morals have sunk in catholic countries, since its utter suppression.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 204 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page204"></a>{204}</span></p> + + <p>But the founder of the Jesuits is not satisfied with suggesting what + is right; he provides, what is still more necessary, proper masters to + enforce it. He gives them two years of only spiritual, and five others of + spiritual and literary education, to train them to their important task. + With this he trusts, that their conduct will be irreproachable, that they + will be worthy to be trusted with the grand interests of letters and of + morals. He expects them to be docile, modest, and willing to be guided by + their elders, who have successfully completed their course. They must be + young enough to gain the confidence of children, and firm enough to + command respect. To animate them to assiduity in duty, they must be + provided with all necessary books; they must be stimulated to zeal by the + prospect of <i>God's greater glory</i>; they must, therefore, be + perfectly weaned from self-interest; they are required to yield continual + service to persons, from whom they must receive none; they must impart + virtue and knowledge, but never sell <!-- Page 205 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page205"></a>{205}</span>either; they must + inspire gratitude, and never profit by it; they must prove themselves + deserving of every thing, and accept nothing<a name="NtA69" + href="#Nt69"><sup>[69]</sup></a>.</p> + + <p>The society, in every period of its existence, possessed, in every + country, many excellent and distinguished professors and masters, in + every science which it professed to teach; and the <!-- Page 206 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page206"></a>{206}</span>uniformity and + steadiness of their education raised the bulk of its masters much above + the rate of decent mediocrity. It is apparent, that, in the conducting of + public education throughout a large kingdom, a body of men, well + compacted together, and properly trained to the work, must possess + superior advantages; and the world has long since agreed, that no other + body of men ever did, or could furnish so many able and useful teachers, + as the society of Jesuits constantly presented for the public service. + There were, no doubt, elsewhere, masters, able to balance, perhaps to + eclipse, the reputation of those of the society; but these men were + seldom found, except in the first chairs of great universities; they did + not diffuse learning throughout a kingdom, and the succession of them was + not uniformly continued. The Jesuits were universally spread throughout a + country, and every town had a chance of enjoying their best masters. Even + in the first universities it has been allowed, that the Jesuits' schools + were of use to the other colleges, and reciprocally <!-- Page 207 + --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page207"></a>{207}</span>received great + advantages from them. The spirit of laudable emulation stimulated both to + generous exertions, and the general interests of learning were thereby + promoted.</p> + + <p>During the five or six years which the Jesuits employed in teaching, + many of them obtained renown, and all, it may be presumed, had acquired + the ready use of the Latin language; had discovered the bent of their + talents; and had attained maturity of judgment and love of application. + At the end of their course these masters, aged from twenty-five to thirty + years, were now once more remanded to the benches, and applied, during + four years, to the study of theology, under able professors, in the + principal city and college of their province; thus forming a perpetual + colony of forty or fifty mature and improved students, such as rival + colleges could seldom equal. "At Paris," says cardinal de Maury, "the + great college of the Jesuits was a central point, which attracted the + attention of all the best writers, and of persons <!-- Page 208 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page208"></a>{208}</span>of distinction in every + rank. It was a kind of permanent literary tribunal, which the celebrated + Piron, in his emphatic language, used to style <i>La chambre ardente des + reputations literaires</i>; always dreaded by men of letters, as the + principal source and focus of public opinion in the capital<a + name="NtA70" href="#Nt70"><sup>[70]</sup></a>." What the cardinal asserts + of Paris, was equally true of Rome, Vienna, Lisbon, and other great + cities, which possessed the colleges of higher studies of the society. I + conclude with remarking, that, if any part of what is prescribed in the + institute had been retrenched from the education of Jesuits, their + society would not have deserved such commendations from Piron and + cardinal de Maury<a name="NtA71" href="#Nt71"><sup>[71]</sup></a>.</p> + + <p>If the outlines of education, which have been <!-- Page 209 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page209"></a>{209}</span>here traced from the + book of the Jesuits' institute<a name="NtA72" + href="#Nt72"><sup>[72]</sup></a>, do not win approbation, they may be + presented to the reader, at least, as an object of curiosity. Serious men + will, perhaps, think them more deserving of attention than are many of + the ephemeral vagaries, which modern adventurers in the art of training + youth daily obtrude upon the public. The Jesuits' system is recommended + by the experimental success of two centuries; and, whether the plan was + originally conceived, or only adopted and methodised, by Ignatius and his + followers, certain it is, that, from the close of the council of Trent to + the opening of the Gallic revolution, the main principles, on which it + rests, even the practical details of it, with little variation, pervaded + the education of the catholic clergy in all distinguished seminaries, + whether directed by Jesuits or by others; and they may, therefore, be + regarded as <!-- Page 210 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page210"></a>{210}</span>the source of all the virtue and learning + which adorned the catholic church in that period, and which the Gallic + revolutioners were sworn to destroy. If these antichristian conspirators + first doomed the Jesuits to annihilation, it was because their schools + were widely diffused through Europe, and were marked by them as hotbeds + of every thing which they chose to term fanaticism, bigotry, and + superstition; that is to say, zeal, faith, and devotion. These were to be + extirpated, to make room for fanaticism, bigotry, and superstition of + another kind; those of equality, reason, and philosophy. And mark with + what avidity they seized upon the spurious maxim, which had been + attributed to the Jesuits, "that it was lawful to do evil, that their + expected good might come:" falsehood, forgery, blasphemy, false witness, + murder, regicide; every crime that a bad heart could suggest, a perverted + head direct, or a venal arm perpetrate, was resorted to, to attain that + <i>summum bonum</i>, jacobinism. They had before them the <i>Monita + Secreta</i> and the Institute, and they chose the <!-- Page 211 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page211"></a>{211}</span>former for the basis of + their constitutions. I need not repeat the infamous doctrines collected + in that forgery, which was published at the end of the pamphlet, that + induced me to undertake to write these pages, and of which Clericus has + given us an account in the following Letters; suffice it to say, by way + of contrast, that horrors are there piled high one upon another, and said + to be the secret code of regulations of men, who profess to take the + institute of Ignatius for their guide, a code replete with piety and + virtue. I have already said enough to silence the remark, that men may + profess only and not act, for I have shown, that, if ever men acted up to + their professions, the Jesuits have; but it will be an agreeable task to + put some of the points of the institute, which have been distorted, into + the view in which truth requires they should be seen.</p> + + <p>First, let us glance an eye over the contents of this institute. It + contains, not only what the founder wrote, but likewise all the papal + <!-- Page 212 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page212"></a>{212}</span>bulls and briefs granted to the society; + all the decrees and canons of the several congregations, which form laws + in the society; several instructions, precepts, and ordinations, issued + by different generals, and adopted by general congregations, for + universal practice; the general <i>Ratio Studiorum</i>; the privileges + granted to the society by the holy see; the particular rules prescribed + for every office in the society, and for every class of men in it, as + priests, missionaries, preachers, students, &c. The groundwork of all + this is what the founder himself wrote; <i>viz.</i> an <i>Examen + Generale</i> to be proposed to candidates for admittance; + <i>Constitutiones Societatis Jesu</i>; an epistle <i>De Virtute + Obedientiæ</i>; a book of <i>Spiritual Exercises</i>; and, finally, many + of the particular rules of offices. The Prague edition of the Institute, + anno 1757, two small folio volumes, lies before me, and I have taken a + good deal of fruitless trouble to find out some propositions denounced by + the enemies of the Jesuits, without reference to the page or chapter. I + have found nothing but what reflects <!-- Page 213 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page213"></a>{213}</span>honour on the code. The + objects of it are the glory of God, the general good of man, and the + preservation of the society. In pursuance of the first of these, the + members make vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience; they mortify their + senses, renounce worldly honours, and preach the Gospel. The means they + use for the second consist of example, prayer, works of charity, pious + publications, preaching, educating youth, and sending forth missions. For + the third object, their preservation, they have appropriate rules of + union, discipline, reputation, freedom from party, and moderation<a + name="NtA73" href="#Nt73"><sup>[73]</sup></a>.</p> + + <p>Such is the code which has been so misrepresented. It is impossible, + within the bounds of a pamphlet, and, indeed, I have already stretched + into the latitude of a book, to give an adequate notion of it, and to + combat the opinions which have gone abroad against it. These opinions + <!-- Page 214 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page214"></a>{214}</span>are so many adopted prejudices, the + refutation of which is completely given in the <i>Apologie de + l'Institut</i>, to which I must refer the reader, who will find in it + many extracts from the institute itself; and I shall here briefly notice + the vow of obedience, and the imputed despotism of the general, about + which so much has been said.</p> + + <p>"Their blind obedience! To be as unresisting as <i>a dead body</i>, or + as tractable as <i>a stick</i> in the hands of an old man!<a name="NtA74" + href="#Nt74"><sup>[74]</sup></a>." This language, taken disjointedly, is + among the bugbears held up by the new conspirators against the Jesuits. + It must surely be allowed, that obedience is necessary in every + institution, where training the mind is an object, and the institute is + not reprehensible for excluding wilful argumentation, while it allows + every one the use of his reason. <i>Blind obedience</i> is not required + for the commission of a crime, but in duties known to be pious <!-- Page + 215 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page215"></a>{215}</span>and moral, + in actions evidently laudable. Nor is the expression of the text <i>cæca + obedientia</i>, but <i>cæca quadam obedientia</i><a name="NtA75" + href="#Nt75"><sup>[75]</sup></a>. The rule is for the better training of + the young and the inexperienced; and what school does not proceed upon it + to the extent required by the institute, which excepts whatever is + criminal, or morally wrong? It literally prescribes, that this + <i>kind</i> of <i>blind obedience</i> shall, nevertheless, be conformable + to justice and to charity; <i>omnibus in rebus ad quas potest cum + charitate se obedientia extendere</i><a name="NtA76" + href="#Nt76"><sup>[76]</sup></a>. Nay, the order of the superior is not + only to be examined, to see that it is free from a capital sin, but from + any sin whatever; <i>in omnibus quæ a superiore disponuntur ubi definiri + non possit (quemadmodum dictum est) aliquod peccati genus + intercedere</i><a name="NtA77" href="#Nt77"><sup>[77]</sup></a>. In a + word, discussion is not forbidden by the institute, but in cases where it + is evident that there is no sin; <!-- Page 216 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page216"></a>{216}</span><i>ubi non cerneretur + peccatum</i><a name="NtA78" href="#Nt78"><sup>[78]</sup></a>; a doctrine + continually repeated on this head, <i>quemadmodum dictum est</i>, that + is, <i>in quibus nullum manifestum est peccatum</i><a name="NtA79" + href="#Nt79"><sup>[79]</sup></a>. Where now is the horror of this + obedience? It will seem a paradox to say, that the rigour of it arises + from the mildness of the Jesuit government: but it is not less the fact; + for, as all violent measures and corporal punishments are excluded from + the society, a prompt moral obedience is absolutely necessary to its + existence. It thus becomes an amiable, as well as an indispensable + law.</p> + + <p>But the despotism of the general? The obedience, which the Jesuits owe + their general, is the same as that which they pay to their ordinary + superiors. It flows from the same source, and tends to the same end. + Having demonstrated the slavery of it to be a chimera, the despotism of + the general naturally vanishes with <!-- Page 217 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page217"></a>{217}</span>it. The nature of the + society required, that it should be under a single chief: to have given + to separate houses independent chiefs would have destroyed the great + objects depending upon a union of councils. It was no cenobitical order + devoted chiefly to working out their own salvation; but one, whose + members were to be spread over the whole world, to promote the glory of + God and the good of man. The institute, however, takes great care, that + the chief should not be a despot: it gives him no slaves, nor even + subjects, but friends, children, and counsellors<a name="NtA80" + href="#Nt80"><sup>[80]</sup></a>; mildness is the sceptre it bestows upon + him, and charity the throne<a name="NtA81" + href="#Nt81"><sup>[81]</sup></a>; it <!-- Page 218 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page218"></a>{218}</span>equally prohibits the + superior to govern by violence and the inferior to obey through fear<a + name="NtA82" href="#Nt82"><sup>[82]</sup></a>. The general is elected by + the whole society, who first swear to choose only him, whom they believe + to be the most worthy of the office<a name="NtA83" + href="#Nt83"><sup>[83]</sup></a>. There is nothing arbitrary or + changeable in the <!-- Page 219 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page219"></a>{219}</span>authority of the general: it is subjected + by the institute to stable and invariable laws, and his duties are + minutely prescribed. If he deviates from them, it provides for his + removal<a name="NtA84" href="#Nt84"><sup>[84]</sup></a>. Far from being a + despot, he is not even exempted from the superintendance of a monitor + chosen by the society, who observes his conduct, tells him of his faults, + points out his duties, and is consequently compelled not to excuse him in + any point<a name="NtA85" href="#Nt85"><sup>[85]</sup></a>. In spiritual + affairs, the general is subject to the pope; in temporal matters, to the + government under which he lives; and, in what <!-- Page 220 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page220"></a>{220}</span>concerns himself + personally, or the society solely, to a general meeting of the order<a + name="NtA86" href="#Nt86"><sup>[86]</sup></a>. Though elected for life, + he may be deposed for several reasons stated in the institute; and the + same hands that clothed him with power may strip him of it<a name="NtA87" + href="#Nt87"><sup>[87]</sup></a>. It has been said, that the motive for + appointing a single chief was the facility it offers for promoting more + certainly the ends of ambition. The institute strongly condemns ambition + in individuals, and still more strongly in the general<a name="NtA88" + href="#Nt88"><sup>[88]</sup></a>. One great <!-- Page 221 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page221"></a>{221}</span>charge against the + power of the general is, that his authority may injure that of + sovereigns, by withdrawing their subjects from their obedience: on the + contrary, he is expressly forbidden, by the institute, to take from a + state any Jesuit whatever, without the knowledge of the sovereign<a + name="NtA89" href="#Nt89"><sup>[89]</sup></a>. The annulling of contracts + is another source of abuse, founded on a mistaken passage in the + institute, where it is said; "Although the general, by his open letters + to particular superiors, confers on them an ample power in that respect, + yet that power may be restricted and limited by private letters." This + passage has no reference to contracts, and relates only to the power + given openly to local superiors to dismiss improper persons; and there + can be no objection to the private limiting of that power. But the most + obnoxious charge of all is, that the general of the Jesuits maintains + spies everywhere, for the purpose of diving into the secrets of courts, + and into the <!-- Page 222 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page222"></a>{222}</span>affairs of private families. The institute + contains a rule directly the reverse of this assertion, a rule by which + he is expressly prohibited from meddling in affairs that do not concern + the society, even under any pretext of piety or religion<a name="NtA90" + href="#Nt90"><sup>[90]</sup></a>.</p> + + <p>After all, then, the general of the Jesuits is not such a monster as + he has been painted, and it is absurd to suppose, that a learned and + sensible old man, who, about to give an account of his ministry to God, + has but a few years to fill the office, should consider it as the spring + of every kind of crime; it is absurd to suppose, that the brethren of the + order, who have sacrificed every thing on earth to the hope of finding + under the empire of the institute the greatest perfection of the + Christian character, should believe, that they are obliged, by virtue of + that very institute, to commit the greatest sins man is capable of; and + it is absurd to <!-- Page 223 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page223"></a>{223}</span>suppose, that, if a general were mad + enough to abuse his power, there would not be found a pope wise enough, + or Jesuits virtuous enough to depose him, conformably to the laws of the + church and of the institute.</p> + + <p>Formerly, when the Jesuits had powerful protectors, the practice was + to turn them into ridicule; now, that they have powerful enemies, the + object is to stigmatize them with every vice. Nothing is more difficult, + or more delicate, than to parry ridicule; but, to refute abuse, one has + only to expose it.</p> + + <p>In the present state of the continental powers, it seems hardly + possible, that the society of Jesuits should recover its ancient + importance, but their destruction must ever be lamented; and, since their + unrelenting enemies have tempted the public curiosity to inquire into + their history, this chapter shall be closed with a brief account of the + final catastrophe of that small portion of their body, which for two <!-- + Page 224 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page224"></a>{224}</span>hundred years was connected with England, + by the common bonds of country, language, and blood.</p> + + <p>About the year 1590, the English Jesuits obtained, from the liberality + of Philip II of Spain, the foundation of their principal college at St. + Omer; and, soon after, the bishop of that city conferred upon them an + ancient abbey, with its demesnes, situated in the neighbouring small town + of Watten. A few years later, they acquired the foundation of their + college at Liege, from Maximilian the elector of Bavaria, and likewise a + smaller settlement in the city of Ghent. In these several houses, they + applied themselves to the education of British catholic youth, and to the + formation of missionaries. In 1762, the two first-mentioned of these + establishments were subjected to confiscation by the unsparing + <i>arrêts</i> of the parliament of Paris. The inhabitants could obtain no + mercy, on the consideration of being foreigners admitted on the public + faith; they were all ejected, <!-- Page 225 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page225"></a>{225}</span>without the smallest allowance for their + support, or even for their return to their native soil. They presented + themselves to the Austrian government of the Netherlands, at Bruxelles; + they were admitted under an <i>octroi</i>, the most solemn act of that + government, and they established themselves in the city of Bruges. In + 1773, on the appearance of pope Clement XIV's destructive brief, they + were once more unmercifully pillaged, in despite of the public faith, + pledged in the <i>octroi</i>; and here the fangs of fiscal avarice were + sharpened to an uncommon edge, because it was the persuasion of that + despotic government, that, being Jesuits, they deserved no pity, and, + being English, they must be rich. At the same period, their large college + at Liege was stript of all its income, by the two courts of Munich and + Rome, and the inmates of the house were also here turned adrift, without + any allowance for their personal subsistence. In this utter distress, a + few of these persecuted men, who remained at Liege, not quite dispirited + by their calamities, were encouraged by the prince <!-- Page 226 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page226"></a>{226}</span>bishop of Liege, to + form, within the old college, a school and a seminary of priests. The + plan was sanctioned by a brief of pope Pius VI; they found friends, and + unremitting labour and industry during twenty years advanced their work + to a degree of consistency, which merited the approbation and confidence + of the public. But all this was of no avail. Utter destruction was to be + their doom. In 1794, when the French armies, by one general sweep, + overturned, in the Low Countries, every thing that related to the + religion of Jesus Christ, they were finally dislodged and scattered; + their house and all their valuables were left to the disposal of those + outrageous freebooters; waggon-loads of their best books were converted + into wadding for the cannon; their mathematical and optical cabinet was + pillaged; they retired in sorrow, each to seek a refuge, with hardly a + hope of seeing better days. Thus terminated the English province of the + society of Jesus. A few of these ancient men, who have weathered the + whole storm, are still alive, <!-- Page 227 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page227"></a>{227}</span>comforting their old age with the late + public testimony of the head of the church, that they deserved a better + fate. Having availed themselves of the indulgence of the British + government, on leaving the Netherlands they sought an asylum in their own + country. They here subsist, in the security of conscious innocence, + fearless of the prejudices and malice of a few unprovoked foes, who know + not how to harrass them but by the old weapons of misrepresentation and + slander. They have pledged their allegiance to their king and country, in + the comprehensive oath of 1791; they meddle not with general or county + politics; <i>they seek no offices of state</i>, that remaining stumbling + block in the way of the catholic nobility and gentry; they attend solely + to their own professional concerns; and, as peaceable and loyal subjects, + they may justly expect protection for their persons and for their + property. Friends of the government and of the country, friends of + monarchy, friends of public tranquillity, friends of order and <!-- Page + 228 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page228"></a>{228}</span>subordination, friends of religion, + friends of morality, friends of letters, shall they not be protected? + Ignorance, prejudice, and passion, shall not prevail against such + men.</p> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" /> + +<p><!-- Page 229 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page229"></a>{229}</span></p> + +<h3>CHAPTER IV.</h3> + +<blockquote class="b1n"> + + <p><i>Character of Pombal. Summary Observations, and a brief notice of + the tendency and danger of Education independent of Religion.</i></p> + +</blockquote> + + <p>The success of the old conspiracy against the Jesuits will not be + wondered at, when we reflect upon the character of the age in which it + was formed, and on the means that were used to mature it. Ignorance was + the lot of the generality of men: despotism pervaded courts, and tools + were never wanting to shape events to the will of the powerful. Of the + parliaments, the university, and of the Jansenists, enough has been said + to show the inveteracy and malignity with which they carried on their + unjust persecutions of the society, and to expose the <!-- Page 230 + --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page230"></a>{230}</span>causes of + their conduct; but, in the mention which has occasionally been made of + the Portuguese minister Carvalho, marquis of Pombal, the great persecutor + of the Jesuits, too little has been said to account for his hatred of + them; I will, therefore, here, make him the subject of a few pages.</p> + + <p>During the reign of John V, the Jesuits were in high favour at the + court of Lisbon. That king expired in the arms of the famous Malagrida. + Carvalho was then a real or pretended friend of the society. The Jesuits, + whom king John consulted, recommended him, with little forecast, for the + embassies of London and Vienna, and, afterwards, to his successor, Joseph + I, as prime minister. He soon, however, betrayed his jealousy of the + power and credit of the Jesuits; and he determined to effect their ruin. + The first opportunity of persecuting them arose from the treaty with + Spain, for an exchange of lands and fixing new boundaries in South + America, the motive of which we have <!-- Page 231 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page231"></a>{231}</span>already seen. The + disorder, that ensued among the Indians, the marquis imputed to the + influence and ambition of the Jesuits; whence arose the absurd fable of + the Jesuit king Nicolas, and of the project and attempt to usurp the + dominion of South America, which, with great industry and many foul arts, + he propagated all over Europe. The insurrection of the Paraguay Indians + is usually called the first cause of Pombal's hatred of the Jesuits. In + his ambitious views of engrossing all authority and power, he dreaded + opposition from the king's brother, don Pedro, who was greatly attached + to the order. A dispensation had been obtained from Rome to allow don + Pedro to marry his niece, and Pombal, with confidence of success, + endeavoured to prevent the marriage. He strove to inspire the king with + jealousy of his brother, suggested various reasons why the princess ought + to be given to some foreign prince, and recommended William duke of + Cumberland in preference to all others. The king consulting his + confessor, F. Moreira, that <!-- Page 232 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page232"></a>{232}</span>Jesuit prevailed upon his master to reject + the proposal. On that occasion, the marquis vowed vengeance, not only + against the prince and F. Moreira, but against the whole order of + Jesuits. Another grand cause of his rage against the society was but too + well known to the missionaries. The greatest obstacle to the success of + their missions among the Indians had always been the prevalence and + violence of the rich European settlers, and more frequently still of the + royal governors. They had often succeeded, by their credit at Madrid and + Lisbon, to protect the poor Indians from personal outrage and slavery, + yet it was always a difficult struggle. Pombal had made his brother, who + was called Xavier Mendoza, governor general of Maragnon, in the Brazils, + and never had the country before known a tyrant so despotic and + outrageous. The pious queen dowager, Mariana of Austria, greatly favoured + the missions. When any Jesuits sailed for Brazil, she regularly exhorted + them to attend seriously to the propagation of religion, and directed + them to inform <!-- Page 233 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page233"></a>{233}</span>her exactly of whatever obstacles they + might experience from the king's officers, and the Portuguese settlers, + promising redress for their injuries and concealment of their names. In + full confidence of her protection the missionaries often preferred + serious complaints against Xavier Mendoza, and the wrongs of the poor + Indians were frequently redressed. The minister's anger at these + accusations of his brother, of which he could not discover the authors, + almost drove him mad: but the queen dying, he contrived to get possession + of her private papers, and discovered the channel of intelligence. His + increased rage against the missionaries and Jesuits in general may be + imagined. The conduct of the Jesuits, after the earthquake in 1755, + afforded him fresh grounds of enmity. They spread themselves through the + city and the adjacent country, everywhere inviting the people to + repentance. Their sermons were everywhere attended by multitudes, their + confessionals were thronged. Penitential processions were instituted, the + city was edified. In their <!-- Page 234 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page234"></a>{234}</span>discourses, they attributed the public + calamity to a special visitation of Divine Providence, with the design of + chastising the increasing depravity of morals in all ranks, and inviting + them to repentance. The court was pleased with the exertions of the + Jesuits. The king, in particular, thanked their provincial, and ordered + the repairs of their professed house to be undertaken and defrayed by the + royal treasury. This mark of royal favour sorely mortified the minister: + he complained of the fanaticism of the Jesuits, especially of Malagrida, + who had printed a discourse on the subject of the earthquake, which was + read and highly commended by the king. His majesty had signified his + intention of making a spiritual retreat, or exercise, for a week, under + the direction of that celebrated father. The marquis, after innumerable + other artifices to discredit the Jesuits, and their doctrine of an + interfering Providence, assured the king, that a conspiracy was formed to + overturn the government; that, unless Malagrida were withdrawn, a public + sedition would ensue. The <!-- Page 235 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page235"></a>{235}</span>king, intimidated, at length consented to + his removal; but the crafty minister, dreading the resentment of the + whole city, applied, the same day, to the pope's nuncio, and stating the + king's authority and positive request, prevailed upon him to order + Malagrida to retire from Lisbon to Setubal. He then forbade processions, + or other marks of public penance and devotion, publicly alleging, that + the misfortune of the city was to be attributed solely to natural causes; + and by these and other means he succeeded in keeping the weak king in + constant dread of imaginary plots, conspiracies, and insurrections. The + king was soon completely subdued; every thing was abandoned to the + disposal of the minister, his authority and power became absolute, and he + soon displayed his real character in such a series of despotic and + tyrannical deeds as the annals of mankind cannot equal. These may be + found fully detailed in the four volumes of his life, printed at Florence + in 1785; in <i>Memoires du Marquis de Pombal</i>; in <i>Anecdotes du + Ministère du Marquis de Pombal</i>; and in various other <!-- Page 236 + --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page236"></a>{236}</span>publications. + His power with the king expired in 1777, when he was imprisoned, + impeached, and convicted, by the unanimous voices of his judges, of + enormous crimes, deserving capital punishment. The queen was prevailed + upon, by the intercession of some of the foreign courts, to remit the + sentence: he was only banished to Pombal, where he died in 1783. "Who + would think," said the abbé Garnier, in his funeral oration for Joseph I, + "that one man, by abusing the confidence and authority of a good king, + could, for the space of twenty years, silence every tongue, close every + mouth, shut up every heart, hold truth captive, lead falsehood in + triumph, efface every trace of justice, force respect to be paid to + iniquity and barbarity, and enslave public opinion from one end of Europe + to the other?" Such was Sebastian Joseph Carvalho, marquis of Pombal, the + enemy of the Jesuits, and prime promoter of their destruction. The very + enmity of such a man is a strong negative proof of innocence and virtue. + <!-- Page 237 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page237"></a>{237}</span></p> + + <p>But the cry was up; the society was to be destroyed; envy, hatred, and + malice led the chace; atheism, deism, and philosophy, with their + attendants, ridicule and sophistry, joined in the pursuit, and the victim + was hunted down. The founders, or rather the finishers and embellishers + of the modern school of reason, could not endure men, who preached + doctrines and maintained principles so opposite to their own new-fangled + systems. They knew, that respect for revealed truths, and reverence for + established authority, the two objects of their detestation, were the + main pivots on which the whole system of the education of the Jesuits + turned. <i>Deum timete, regem honorificate</i>, "Fear God and honour the + king," was their adopted maxim: religion and loyalty were never disunited + by them, and the revolutionary conspirators had determined to subvert + both. These everywhere opened schools of philosophy, as they affected to + term it; that is, schools of impiety and irreligion; where God, his + mysteries and his laws, were cited to the tribunal of proud and depraved + <!-- Page 238 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page238"></a>{238}</span>reason; where it was a rule to reject what + was not comprehended, to ridicule whatever checked and restrained + youthful passions, to begin by examining every thing incoherently, and to + end by believing nothing. Infinite were the arts by which these odious + maxims were infused; and they were all sweetened by previous lessons of + libertinism and dissoluteness, which soiled the imagination by the most + obscene productions, and corrupted the heart by the most abominable + maxims. They were multiplied under the titles of poems, histories, + dissertations, romances; they imposed upon the simple by affected doubts + of the most established truths; by impudent assertions, that religion is + now abandoned to the weak, the ignorant, the vulgar. The interest of vice + soon inveigled their disciples to re-echo the cry, that lessons, drawn + from belief and fear of the Supreme Being, are no more than the accents + of fanaticism, superstition, and bigotry<a name="NtA91" + href="#Nt91"><sup>[91]</sup></a>. <!-- Page 239 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page239"></a>{239}</span>Jesuits were the avowed + heralds of these <i>degrading</i> lessons, they were not philosophers. + "No," says D'Alembert, one of the fathers of the new system, "the Jesuits + have been teaching <!-- Page 240 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page240"></a>{240}</span>philosophy two hundred years, and they + have never yet had a philosopher in their body."</p> + + <p>In the meaning of these writers, the charge must be fully admitted. + Never did Jesuits harbour within their walls the maxims or the doctrines + of modern sophisters. They acknowledged no philosophy, that appeared to + infringe revelation or morals; but not on that account did they forego a + modest claim to the title of philosophers. Those among them, who best + deserved it, were actively employed in detecting, exposing, and refuting + the fallacies of the modern Voltairian school; and, without affecting the + peculiarity of the name, they were satisfied with being philosophers in + the ancient acceptation of the term; that is, while they inculcated + respect for divine revelation, and for established authority, they never + ceased, during two hundred years, to furnish a succession of professors, + who unfolded the principles of natural and of moral knowledge. And what + branch of human <!-- Page 241 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page241"></a>{241}</span>science was banished from their schools? + Their public lessons might be called <i>elementary</i> by deep + proficients; but they were accommodated to the capacity of the bulk of + their youthful auditors; their object was to awaken in them the love of + science, to lay the foundation on which the edifice of deep knowledge was + afterwards to rise. It is allowed, that the most distinguished scholars + in every branch, in past times, generally had been trained in the + Jesuits' schools; and can it be said, with truth, that none of the + masters, who had taught them, ever rose to eminence; that none of them + were philosophers? That they never affected to assume the title is + allowed: their philosophy was more circumspect. On their first principle + they accepted, and they taught others to accept, without hesitation, the + oracles of the church of Christ; they never blushed for their faith, or, + as it was miscalled, their credulity. They believed sublime truths, that + surpassed comprehension, because they feared God, who attests them, and + knew that he cannot deceive. <!-- Page 242 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page242"></a>{242}</span>Fixed in this first principle, they + conceived no incongruity in joining to it eager researches into the + secrets of nature, steady pursuit of improvement in every human science. + If eminence in these justly confers the title of <i>philosopher</i>, it + is strange, that the doctors of the new antichristian school should have + overlooked the names of innumerable Jesuits in every branch of science, + who were respected as philosophers, until faith in divine revelation was + reckoned to depreciate all literary merit. It would be tedious to + rehearse the multitude of names, which might be adduced; but I must + observe, that the succession of them was never discontinued; and that, in + the very last state of the society, there were men among them revered and + consulted by the most eminent professors and academicians, who disdained + to be mere disciples of Voltaire and D'Alembert. The best mathematicians + of Italy bowed to the names of Ricati and Lecchi. The most eminent + astronomers frequented the observatories of the Jesuits at Rome, + Florence, and Milan, directed by the fathers Boscovich, <!-- Page 243 + --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page243"></a>{243}</span>Ximenes, and + La Grange. Fathers Meyer and Hall were celebrated through Germany, and + the Polish Jesuit Poczobult, the royal astronomer at Wilno, was known + wherever astronomy was cultivated. The celebrated M. La Lande, and our + own astronomer, Dr. Maskelyne, did not disdain his correspondence. La + Lande, in particular, in his writings, mentions these Jesuit philosophers + with honour.</p> + + <p>It is the remark of M. Chateaubriand<a name="NtA92" + href="#Nt92"><sup>[92]</sup></a>, that, without any prejudice to other + literary societies, the Jesuits were truly styled <i>Gens de Lettres</i>, + because the whole circle of sciences was more or less cultivated among + them. It was a rare case to meet with a Jesuit devoid of scientific + knowledge. Their reputation, in this point of view, contributed much to + the esteem in which the society was formerly held, before the strange + concurrence of causes, which has not been hitherto explained, had + operated upon the <!-- Page 244 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page244"></a>{244}</span>catholic princes to discard them, and, in + so doing, to open volcanoes beneath their thrones.</p> + + <p>The destruction of the Jesuits was, literally, the destruction of that + education, in catholic countries, by which order was established on its + best and surest foundation, the belief of future rewards and punishments, + and the conviction, that man was on earth but a transient being, whose + chief object was to work out his salvation and eternal happiness in + another world; a conviction, that could only be impressed upon the mind + by the truths of revelation. It is no part of my object here to enter + into a dissertation upon the comparative excellencies and defects of + religious systems; but I maintain, that the distinguishing faculty of + comprehending religious subjects, and the disposition to be influenced by + them, interwoven in the nature of man, are proofs, that it is intended by + God that he should be principally and generally influenced by religious + motives; and that morality, with all its beauty, to be valuable, must + originate in <!-- Page 245 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page245"></a>{245}</span>that source. Let even temperate + philosophers say what they will of morality, independent of religion, + there is one striking advantage to states arising from the latter, which + the former cannot yield. Contentment and resignation are the fruits of + religion; insulated morality generates discontent, and has a perpetual + tendency to doubt the justice of the inequality of conditions in this + life; very naturally too, if the short race of it be all to which our + hopes and fears can extend. There is also a gradation in morality; there + is a confined and a <i>refined</i> morality. <i>Suum cuique tribuitur</i> + is a maxim of confined morality; the <i>refined</i> moralist is a + cosmopolite; and, still more refined, he denies the rights of <i>meum</i> + and <i>tuum</i>; and the government that suffers one man to enjoy more + than another is an unjust government, consequently man ought to seek a + just one, and so we have the revolutionary system. It is only religion, + it is only the Christian religion, which can reconcile morality to the + state of man. This is the beautiful morality which binds him in social + order, <!-- Page 246 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page246"></a>{246}</span>which gives to Cæsar what is due to Cæsar, + and, in securing to every man the rights he has obtained of property, + calls upon him to rectify the selfishness of corrupted nature; to do as + he would be done by, to love his brother as himself, and still farther to + assimilate himself to his Master and to his God, by loving his enemies. + Divine morality! which could have flowed only from a divine source! + Divine legislation! dictated by God himself! It is unfortunate, that the + nature of man will not permit the spirit, and even the outward forms, of + a religion so adapted to the actual condition of the human species to be + universal; and, that the different views taken of the text, by the + variance of the human understanding, should diverge into incongruous + systems, and excite religious dissentions. But, however this may be + deplored, it is still more deplorable, that it should ever enter into the + mind of man to establish systems of education, in which that which should + be the foundation of it is totally excluded from it; that the end of + knowledge should be separated <!-- Page 247 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page247"></a>{247}</span>from the means of it; that the rudiments + of instruction should be devoted solely to the acquisition of worldly + arts, of which the operation is to be left to the direction of ignorance + and selfishness. It is astonishing, with the experience men have so + lately and so dearly gained, that there can be found one to approve of a + system, in this country, the archetype of which has desolated Europe and + ruined France. In attributing the explosion of the French revolution to + the deistical and atheistical philosophers, I do not hesitate to + attribute the long continuation of it to the change that took place in + the forms of education; to the universities of Buonaparte<a name="NtA93" + href="#Nt93"><sup>[93]</sup></a>, to the confining of men's interests to + <!-- Page 248 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page248"></a>{248}</span>the duration of life. In this country, + there is a system in full operation, and patronized by some of the first + characters of the state, by which a very large portion of the people + will, in a few years, consist of persons able to read, write, and keep + accounts, who will have no knowledge, or an erroneous one, of the duties + and sanctions of religion, and whose morality will consequently be + dependent on their reasoning faculties; and I am very much mistaken if + those faculties will not lead to similar conceptions and similar effects + as those produced by the reasoning faculties of 1788 and 1789. This + opinion cannot be mistaken for one of intolerance. I think it would have + been happier had the whole nation been of one accord in every point of + religion; and I see, in the church of England, sufficient inducements to + have restrained minds, sensible of the danger of innovation, from making + a few points of mysterious doctrines a plea for separating from her; but + while I say this, I am far from thinking that men should be compelled + into modes of worship, <!-- Page 249 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page249"></a>{249}</span>I am only sorry to see them dissenting. I + am an advocate for the toleration of <i>conscientious</i> scruples; but + there is one thing which I think no government ought to tolerate, and + that is public schools openly professing to banish religious instruction; + for they must prove seminaries of malcontents and democrats. The luxury + and aristocracy of a few well educated rich atheists and deists afford no + objection; it is of the low and of the indigent that these schools are + formed, of persons who may be rendered the most valuable or the most + pernicious part of the community. <i>Homo sum</i>: he is not a man, who + can be an enemy to the mental improvement of his fellow creatures. The + ignorance of the lower classes is deplorable; it is the moral duty of + those in higher stations, it is the noble task of governments to raise + them on the scale of intellect; education cannot be too general, but let + it be in the true spirit of education. We are creatures, who depend + greatly, perhaps wholly, on instruction. We can in general do little of + ourselves. We must at first have <!-- Page 250 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page250"></a>{250}</span>guides, and, to borrow + the pithy expression of the famous bishop of Down, Jeremy Taylor, "if our + guides do not put something into our heads, while children, the Devil + will." The arts of reading and writing are mere mechanical instruments: + to render them a blessing the soul must be fashioned into a spring of + thought and action, and it behoves the fashioner to temper it justly. How + desirable soever it might be, that the rising generation, enjoying the + same constitution, should be united in the same mode of worship, yet, as + that blessing seems unattainable in the present state of the world, it + would be some consolation, if the various dissenters from the established + church would hold themselves bound to insist upon the Christian religion, + according to their own views of it, being taught in the new schools; and, + I am free to confess, that the dissenting ministers in general are not + deficient of zeal in impressing their religious principles on the minds + of their followers; and it is but justice to say, that the world at large + have been indebted to many of them, to Watts, <!-- Page 251 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page251"></a>{251}</span>to Hartley, and to + others: nor do I think, that the generality of dissenters can possibly + approve of that plan, which, assembling poor children to be taught + reading, writing, and figures, sends them to learn the relation between + the Creator and his creature, the corruption of human nature, and the + means of salvation, in a garret or a cellar, where want and ignorance, or + low debauchery, are to be their preceptors. It is a mistaken benevolence, + and good men of all communions should deprecate the evil, and resolve to + avert it by the establishment of schools where the principal objects of + education should be the principal things attended to, that the secondary + ones may be made subservent to them; where, while the duties of man to + God, to himself, and to society, are inculcated, the scholar may exercise + his powers with books and pens to advantage, and without danger to the + state. Nor, without previous oral instruction, should the Bible itself be + put into the hands of readers, whether children or ignorant adults. Bible + societies, consisting, beyond all doubt, of pious <!-- Page 252 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page252"></a>{252}</span>men, will diffuse good + or evil over the world according to the prudence with which the sacred + volumes are distributed. In theology, as in natural philosophy, the + uninformed mind cannot, of itself, embrace even the most incontrovertible + truths: the raising of the dead and the rotation of the earth are alike + incomprehensible; what is not immediately intelligible is not impressive, + but when once we have been taught to observe the motion of the heavenly + bodies, and are made sensible, that the power, which could assign + certainty of operation to nature, must be equal to the suspension of it, + astronomy and religion open upon us, and we fly to Newton and the + Testament; and, seeing truths unfold themselves, we willingly take much + on trust in both; certain that books, where we find so many + demonstrations, are not intended to deceive us in any one point, and the + resurrection of our Saviour becomes sooner solved than the precession of + the equinox.</p> + + <p>It is impossible to contemplate the <!-- Page 253 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page253"></a>{253}</span>advantages arising to + our fellow creatures and to society from Dr. Bell's system of education + for the poor, without delight and without grateful feelings to the + author, and, I may add, the still active director of it. Thousands upon + thousands will bless him, while he yet lives, and a perpetual series of + millions will revere his memory after he shall have joined the myriads of + spirits from whom he shall himself learn the celestial allelujahs, and + those things which it has not entered the mind of man to conceive.</p> + + <p>It would be unjust not to pay a tribute of praise, also, to the + founders of an institution, who, though dissenting in tenets, have + adopted Dr. Bell's plan for a religious education, according to their + principles: I allude to the Fitzroy free school for the instruction of + six hundred children.</p> + + <p>Catholic schools, on a similar plan, have also been established, for + the education of the poor children of catholic parents. These are <!-- + Page 254 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page254"></a>{254}</span>superintended by zealous priests, who give + religious instruction gratuitously to the pupils. All such establishments + merit encouragement, not only from members of their own communion, but + from all, who by influence or wealth are able to aid them.</p> + + <p>In making religion the basis of education, no inference can be drawn, + that the temporal interests and rights of mankind are to be neglected. + Man, born to sorrow, having but a short time to live, is assuredly more + concerned in securing an eternal than a temporal happiness; but he is + sufficiently long in his transit to render his situation on earth of + importance, and the ease and contentment of every individual should be + the object of all governments: for this are communities formed, for this + are laws made, for this does the sovereign execute the laws, and for this + are individuals required to bear and to forbear. Evil must arise, and + afflictions must be borne, but that government is the best imagined, and + the most wisely administered, <!-- Page 255 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page255"></a>{255}</span>by which the large mass of the people are + enabled to pass through the years of probation with the greatest comfort, + and are presented with opportunities of bettering their conditions and + promoting their families. But I do not mean to interweave, here, an essay + upon government and civil rights; the contemplation of the admirable + system of education among the Jesuits led to these observations on the + systems of general education, and in concluding them with expressly + stating my opinion of the grand object of national community my view is, + to leave no room for attributing the sentiments of loyalty and of + religion, which, in such a work as this, have naturally fallen from my + pen, to servility or bigotry.</p> + + <p>My subject is now come to its close: it is not to be denied, that the + restoration of the order of Jesuits has excited alarm; for we already see + a new conspiracy formed against it, possessing all the malignity, if not + all the talent, or power, of the old one. But who are the persons + alarmed? <!-- Page 256 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page256"></a>{256}</span>They can be such only as have a similarity + of spirit and of views to those of the former enemies of the society (sir + John Hippisley nevertheless excepted, whose alarm must have a very + different spring); men, who have already dared to warn the clergy of + England against instituting schools, in which children are to be + instructed in the national religion, because of the hostile feelings + which will be excited between them and the children of the anti-church + institutions<a name="NtA94" href="#Nt94"><sup>[94]</sup></a>; jacobinical + philosophers, materialists, votaries of reason and eternal sleep, and, + perhaps, some clergy, as before, of their own communion, whose interest + may be affected, and who have not penetration and virtue enough to see + and enjoy the motive and the justice of their restoration to religion and + to letters: "ignorance," said Henry IV, in his speech to Harlay before + cited, "has always borne a grudge to learning." I trust, however, and + believe, that I <!-- Page 257 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page257"></a>{257}</span>have proved enough to convince the reader, + that the Jesuits have been calumniated; that their destruction was + effected by the malice and envy of their enemies, on the one hand, and by + the pusillanimity of their proper protector on the other; that, as far as + authority extends, there is a great and brilliant balance in their + favour; that, on the ground of reasoning, the proof of their virtue as + well as of their religion does not fall short of demonstration in the + account of their institute; that they are not at war with protestant + governments, whose catholic subjects they are well known long to have + trained up in loyalty; and, that the small number now in this country + have completed those proofs of loyalty by a solemn oath of allegiance to + the king.</p> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" /> + +<p class="cenhead">THE</p> + +<h3>L<span class="gsp"> </span>E<span class="gsp"> </span>T<span class="gsp"> </span>T<span class="gsp"> </span>E<span class="gsp"> </span>R<span class="gsp"> </span>S</h3> + +<p class="cenhead">OF</p> + +<h2>C<span class="gsp"> </span>L<span class="gsp"> </span>E<span class="gsp"> </span>R<span class="gsp"> </span>I<span class="gsp"> </span>C<span class="gsp"> </span>U<span class="gsp"> </span>S.</h2> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="cenhead">Calumniare audacter; semper aliquid adhærebit.</p> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="short" /> + +<p><!-- Page 261 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page261"></a>{261}</span></p> + +<p class="cenhead">THE</p> + +<h3>L<span class="gsp"> </span>E<span class="gsp"> </span>T<span class="gsp"> </span>T<span class="gsp"> </span>E<span class="gsp"> </span>R<span class="gsp"> </span>S</h3> + +<p class="cenhead">OF</p> + +<h2>CLERICUS TO LAICUS.</h2> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="short" /> + +<h3>LETTER I.</h3> + +<blockquote class="b1n"> + + <p><i>Jesuitæ, qui se maxime nobis opponunt, aut necandi, aut si hoc + commodè fieri non potest, ejiciendi, aut certe mendaciis et calumniis opp + imendi sunt.</i>—Calv. Axiom.—Vide Becan. tom. i, opusc. + xvii, aphor. 15<a name="NtA95" href="#Nt95"><sup>[95]</sup></a>.</p> + +</blockquote> + + <p>In God's name, Laicus, who are you, and what is your aim? The order of + Jesuits, you tell us, has been <i>totally abolished</i>. Every person + <!-- Page 262 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page262"></a>{262}</span>of moderate information knows, that to + accomplish that abolition, which was not total, all the artifices of + calumny were exhausted. Neither Calvin, nor Le Courayer, nor even Laicus, + could have added a mite to the torrent of abuse of Jesuits, which + inundated Europe about fifty years ago, when the complete overthrow of + that order was finally planned and determined. The Jesuits fell; and + within a few years Rome was sacked and pillaged; two successive pontiffs + were lodged in dungeons; every French infidel, every fanatical gospeller + throughout Europe, exulted in the discomfiture of the scarlet whore; the + papacy was, on every side, pronounced to be extinct. But, behold, by the + unerring operation of Providence, the papacy is again seated on the seven + hills, and its old champions, the Jesuits, are once more called forth to + sustain the assaults of calumny. But what inept calumny, what <!-- Page + 263 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page263"></a>{263}</span>falsehoods, what inconsistencies, what + contradictions, have you, Laicus, raked together, to stifle the new life, + which they are only beginning to enjoy! Thus in days of old conspired the + Jewish pharisees to murder Lazarus, as soon as the Son of God had raised + him from the tomb.—John xii, 10. Consider, Sir—you need not + be so precipitate. Many years must yet pass, many powers must concur, to + recruit, to drill, to marshal a new body of Jesuits, capable of achieving + the mischief, which your virulent declamation imputes to their + predecessors. I have spent some years of my life in foreign countries; I + there read every libel against the Jesuits, that came in my way; but I + never found one so perfectly contemptible as your two tottering columns + in the <span class="sc">Times</span>, newspaper, of January the 27th. + They will not support either themselves, or the credit of the publication + which has received them. And yet this infamous trash must be noticed, + because it is calculated to do harm. I say again, who are you? Tell me, + if you dare. If you have written truth, why should you skulk <!-- Page + 264 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page264"></a>{264}</span>from the + light? But, alas! <i>Omnis, qui male agit, odit lucem.</i>—John + iii, 20.</p> + + <p>I need not ask again, what is your aim? Your two columns plainly tell + it. It is not to convey information to discerning men; it is to poison + the minds of the undiscriminating vulgar; it is to raise a popular cry, + which, in this country, has more than once either intimidated virtuous + ministers, or favoured the projects of bad ones. There is, you know it, + even in this enlightened nation, a mass of fanaticism and bigotry, which + may easily be called into action. If you are forty-five years old, you + may remember, that, in 1780, one extravagant religionist made the streets + stream with blood, and nearly wrapped the capital in flames. If you have + read history, you know that the projectors of the <i>exclusion bill</i> + found the profligacy of Titus Oates quite sufficient to raise an enormous + ferment throughout the nation, and to procure the legal murder of twenty + harmless Jesuits, gentlemen and priests. You distinctly disclaim the <!-- + Page 265 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page265"></a>{265}</span>merit + of novelty. Right: you dare not deviate an inch from the old beaten track + of inflammatory calumny and defamation. Your whole tale has been long + prepared and fashioned to your hands. Nothing in it is yours, but the + inconsistencies, contradictions, and scurrilous language, with which you + have pieced it together. It is copied from one or more of the ten + thousand libels, which overspread Europe fifty years ago, when the + confederate ministers of the catholic courts, the Pombals, the Choiseuls, + the Arandas, the Tanuccis, the Caunitzes, the Spinellis, the Marefoschis, + &c. had finally determined to assassinate the whole body of the + Jesuits. I have read almost every word of your two flimsy columns in the + old <i>Requisitoires</i>, <i>Comptes Rendus</i>, and <i>Arrêts</i> of the + French parliaments, from which I traced it to the Jansenists, to the + Calvinists, to the <i>Tuba Magna</i>, to Scioppius, to Hospinian, to the + <i>Monarchia Solipsorum</i>, and to the lying <i>Monita Secreta</i>: yet + this last is the only one of your foul sources, that you have the + hardiness to cite, probably because you know it to be <!-- Page 266 + --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page266"></a>{266}</span>the most + malicious. It shall be specially noticed hereafter. Now all this was long + ago refuted to the satisfaction of dispassionate men: even many of the + French parliamentarians saw cause to regret their own deed. I have heard + several of their leading men lament it, and some of them fairly + acknowledge the <i>infamy</i> of the slander, which their courts had + employed to effect it. <i>Il falloit</i> denigrer <i>les Jesuites; car + sans cela, les parlemens n'en seroient jamais venus à bout</i>, were the + words used by the late amiable and learned president Des Brosses in my + hearing. But you, Sir, are not content to suck in the black bile of the + old Gallic magistrates; you emulate the savage cruelty of Nero towards + the primitive Christians—you dress up your Jesuits in the semblance + of wild beasts, to entice your dogs to devour them.</p> + + <p>And could you not, then, see the inconsistency of representing the + whole body of Jesuits, as men systematically trained to every vice and + crime, and of acknowledging, at the same time, <!-- Page 267 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page267"></a>{267}</span>that they governed the + consciences of all monarchs, and of all their grandees; that they ruled + courts; that they were every where trusted, respected, and employed? They + enjoyed this credit during two hundred years, in all catholic countries, + and, if we must believe you, in all countries not professedly catholic, + that is, in protestant countries; and yet you require us to admit, that + all the sovereigns, prelates, and magistrates of those nations, had + neither the discernment to discover, nor the power to control the course + of their wickedness. Indeed, Sir, the best refutation of your fable would + be, a comparison of the state of religion, morality, order, and + subordination in catholic countries, while Jesuits, as you tell us, were + their teachers, preachers, and directors, with the face of public morals, + after their enemies had accomplished their destruction. Another complete + refutation of your inconsistent charge arises from the remarkable + circumstance, that, in all the countries where Jesuits were consigned to + jails, exile, infamy, and beggary, not a crime could be alleged or <!-- + Page 268 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page268"></a>{268}</span>proved against a single Jesuit; not one + was ever interrogated or suffered to plead his cause. Horrid to tell! + they were all everywhere condemned, everywhere punished unheard, untried. + This is a fact of public notoriety<a name="NtA96" + href="#Nt96"><sup>[96]</sup></a>.</p> + + <p>It is curious to observe, how your accusations turn to the credit of + the Jesuits. The strict obedience, which was enjoined and practised in + their society, is with you their crime; with every man of sense, it is + their commendation. It was, in fact, the bond, which cemented them + together, which supplied the place of monastic restrictions, incompatible + with their various duties. Without it, they would soon have fallen into + disorder, they would have been contemned; but they would not have been + employed, nor trusted, nor even persecuted. <!-- Page 269 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page269"></a>{269}</span>Another of their crimes + is their <i>ardent attachment to their order</i>. I allow it was + singular. They had a tender feeling for the good reputation of their + society, and they all well understood, that it depended upon the good + conduct of every individual<a name="NtA97" + href="#Nt97"><sup>[97]</sup></a>. But who cannot see, that this <!-- Page + 270 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page270"></a>{270}</span>admitted + fact stands in direct contradiction to that other crimination, where you + execrate their government, as <i>perfect and unexampled despotism</i>? It + is not possible, that a large body of well educated men should be + enamoured of slavery. It is a truth, that the government of the Jesuits + was the most gentle, and yet the most effective, that ever existed; and + this, if you had sense to comprehend it, arose in a great measure from + the perfection of their obedience. Let this suffice for your + inconsistencies.</p> + + <p>Among your direct falsehoods, I rank your assertion, that their + constitutions were framed by Laines and Acquaviva, both generals of the + society: that the former was the author of your favourite libel, the + <i>Monita Secreta</i>, and that it was brought to light at the end of the + seventeenth century. This point shall be resumed. To mention all your + falsehoods, I must copy your two columns: but I cannot omit arraigning + you as a shameless impostor, for your assertion in <i>Italics</i>, that + the Jesuits had obtained from <!-- Page 271 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page271"></a>{271}</span>the holy see a special licence to trade. + In fact, there never was a more idle calumny, than that Jesuits ruled the + papal court, and possessed enormous wealth. It was an object of laughter + even with those who re-echoed the tale in the loudest tone. The Jesuits + never possessed a single post in the Roman court, to which power and + influence were attached. Some of these belonged to more ancient orders; + and, in those orders, the Jesuits generally found rivals and opponents. + Not having the sources of power, they never possessed any other + influence, either at Rome or elsewhere, than that which virtue and + abilities occasionally give to individuals.</p> + + <p>To these enormous, I would rather say abnormous, misshapen lies, I + add, in finishing, your assertion, that <i>the Jesuits took part in every + intrigue, in every revolution</i>. You are not ignorant, it seems, that + revolutions are always preceded by intrigues. Now, Laicus, you must + patiently submit to be branded with the title of <span + class="scac">SPLENDIDE MENDAX</span>, until you produce <!-- Page 272 + --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page272"></a>{272}</span>undeniable + proof, that the Jesuits were concerned in the intrigues, which produced + the several revolutions of Denmark, Sweden, and Russia, of the United + Provinces in 1570, of Portugal in 1640, of England in the same year, and + again in 1688, and, more recently, in the revolution, which wrested the + American States from the British crown. I will rub off the <i>splendide + mendax</i> from your forehead when you prove, that any one of these + revolutions was contrived, or conducted, by Jesuits. It is a remarkable + circumstance, that, amidst the fiercest rage of unceasing wars, the two + great rival houses of Bourbon and Austria vied with each other in esteem + and affection for the Jesuits. During the reigns of Philip II, and his + three immediate successors in Spain; during the reigns of Maximilian, of + the three Ferdinands, and Leopold, in Germany; during the reigns of Henry + IV, and of the three Louises, who succeeded him, in France, the Jesuits + obtained their most distinguished settlements in those various kingdoms. + If ever a history of the <!-- Page 273 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page273"></a>{273}</span>destruction of the Jesuits be written, it + will show, that, purposely to bring forward the grand revolution, from + which Europe is now struggling to recover, they were expelled from all + the situations, in which European monarchs and prelates, the guardians of + church and state, had placed them. This is the only revolution, in which + Jesuits ought to be named. And here I advise you to meddle no more with + this matter. <i>Melius non tangere, clamo.</i> Inquiry, or even chance, + may betray your real name. If this happen, I shall add with the poet,</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p><i>Flebis, et insignis tota cantaberis urbe</i>.</p> + <p class="i24"><span class="sc">Hor.</span> Sat. i, l. 2.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>Mean time your antagonist is</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>CLERICUS.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="short" /> + +<p><!-- Page 274 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page274"></a>{274}</span></p> + +<h3>LETTER II.</h3> + + <p>SIR;</p> + + <p>In my last, I engaged myself to say a word on your <i>Monita + Secreta</i>. This rancid libel, indeed, refutes itself. No man of common + sense will allow even the possibility of a large body of men being + governed, or of attaining credit and power by such absurd maxims, under + the inspection of so many powerful princes, wise ministers, and learned + prelates. Certainly these lords of church and state could not be so + blind, during one hundred and fifty years, as to tolerate, to cherish a + gang of thieves, and to intrust to them the public instruction of the + people, and the education of youth. Such a set of maxims would not have + held together a band of professed forgers or swindlers, during a single + <!-- Page 275 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page275"></a>{275}</span>year. And the contriver of them, you tell + us, was Laines, whom you incautiously allow to have been a man of + <i>superior abilities in the science of government</i>. The folly of + imputing such trash to Laines must appear evident to all who know, that + he was one of the most distinguished divines and preachers of his age; + that he was deputed, in three different pontificates, as pontifical + theologian to the council of Trent; that his harangues were considered + almost as oracular by the fathers of that venerable assembly; that his + manners were as saintly as his learning was extensive, that he was + specially selected by Pius IV to confute the Hugonots in the conference + at Poissy; that, on his return from that embassy, he refused the dignity + of cardinal, with which the pope offered to distinguish his eminent + merit; and, that he ended his career in 1565, seven years after he had + been elected general of the young society. Now, say, what time could a + man so busied in theological and missionary labours in Italy and France, + command to conduct commercial <!-- Page 276 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page276"></a>{276}</span>speculations in India, as you in your + odious libel assert?</p> + + <p>But alas, why should Laicus spare Laines, when he has dared to + blaspheme the great, the renowned Francis Xavier, as a monster of + cruelty, as an extortioner of Indian wealth? As if such senseless insult, + at the distance of two hundred and sixty years, could disparage the + revered merit, or obliterate the tribute of admiration and praise, which + mankind have agreed to give him, and which sober protestants have not + refused: such are Baldeus and Hackluyt, cited in the wonderful life of + that famous apostle, by Bouhours, translated into English by our + Dryden.—See p. 766, 767.</p> + + <p>The maxims of Xavier and Laines, consigned in your <i>Monita + Secreta</i>, were first brought to light, you tell us, at the close of + the seventeenth century, about one hundred and forty years after the + decease of the supposed author; and yet you have not a shadow of proof to + allege, that they <!-- Page 277 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page277"></a>{277}</span>made any sensation in the world; that any + prince, prelate, or magistrate, that any man whatever gave credit to + them. Would you know, Sir, the origin of your despicable <i>Monita</i>? + Not in the days of Laines, not at the close, but in the early years of + the seventeenth century, a Jesuit was dismissed with ignominy from the + society in Poland, an uncommon circumstance but judged due to his + misconduct. The walls of the city of Cracow were soon covered with sheets + of revengeful insults; and, in the year 1616, this outcast of the society + published his fabricated <i>Secreta Monita</i>, with a view to cover his + own disgrace, or to gratify his revenge. "Whether he attained either of + these objects," says the elegant historian, Cordara (a name well known in + the republic of letters), "I cannot determine; but certain it is, nothing + was ever more ineptly silly, than this work: <i>Quo opere, ut modeste + dicam, nihil ineptius.</i>"—Vid. Cordara, Hist. Soc. Jes. page 29. + Cordara would have made an exception in favour of Laicus, if he had lived + to read <!-- Page 278 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page278"></a>{278}</span>his Letters in the Times. The libel, + however, though condemned and prohibited at Rome by the Congregation of + the Index on the 10th of May, 1616, was industriously propagated, meeting + every where its merited contempt. It was victoriously refuted by Gretser, + who died in 1625, seventy-five years before the work was discovered, if + the admirable Laicus is to be believed. This refutation, which was not + wanted, may be read in Gretser's works, edit. of Ratisbon, 1634<a + name="NtA98" href="#Nt98"><sup>[98]</sup></a>.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 279 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page279"></a>{279}</span></p> + + <p>Laicus affirms, that an edition of the <i>Monita</i> was dedicated to + sir Robert Walpole in 1722. Though every assertion of such a writer may + be doubted, yet, admitting the truth of this, which I cannot disprove, a + probable reason for it may, I think, be assigned. From the period of the + accession of the <!-- Page 280 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page280"></a>{280}</span>House of Hanover, in 1714, a negotiation + had been on foot for the repeal of the penal laws. It miscarried, + principally from the still subsisting attachment to the House of Stuart, + and partly from the enmity openly professed against the Jesuit + missionaries by a small number of catholics, priests and laymen, who + insisted, that they should be excepted from the expected act of grace. + During the first years of George I, several angry libels and invectives + were industriously circulated, purposely to indispose the public against + them; and it is observable, that the same jealousy and party rancour had + influenced the negotiations instituted in favour of catholics in the + reign of Charles II, and even during the usurpation of Cromwell. The + edition of Laicus's cherished libel, in 1722, if it be a reality, was + probably published on the same principles; and this reflection will soon + lead me to detect the ultimate view of Laicus and his associates in the + present effusions of slander, which they are scattering abroad. This + point may be reserved for future examination. <!-- Page 281 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page281"></a>{281}</span></p> + + <p>It is not possible to dwell upon all the wilful falsehoods of the + second Letter, with the same extent which I have given to the fable of + the <i>Monita</i>. The power of the general of the Jesuits is nicely + ascertained in the volumes of the Institute; and, indeed, a true account + of it cannot be drawn from any other source. Now I assert, that every + word written upon it in the Institute, stands directly in contradiction + to your description of it in your second Letter. It was said of an + ancient painter, <i>Nulla dies sine linea</i>: I say of your wild rant, + <i>Nulla linea sine mendacio</i>. In the books of the Institute, the + general's power is balanced and checked in a stile, that has been admired + by the deepest men in the science of legislation, cardinal Richelieu and + others; and all this has been repeatedly sanctioned, confirmed, and + extolled by popes, who, according to you, were at once governed and + opposed, ruled and thwarted, overswayed and disobeyed, and sometimes + murdered by Jesuits. What idiots these popes must have been! In what + chapter of the Institute did <!-- Page 282 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page282"></a>{282}</span>Laicus discover the power or the practice + of admitting men of all religions into the society? Could men, of various + religious persuasions have ever coalesced into one regular system of + propagating exclusively the Roman catholic religion, which, as well as + persecution of protestants and their own aggrandisement, you allow to + have been at all times the main object of Jesuits? Who can believe, that + <i>protestant Jesuits</i> would ever have submitted to persecute + protestants? Who can imagine unanimity of mind, heart, and action among + men, who disagreed in the fundamental principle? In what historian, or in + what tradition, has Laicus found, that pope Innocent XIII was murdered, + or murdered by <i>Jesuits</i>? Strange, that the discovery of such a + crime should have been reserved for Laicus, ninety-one years after the + death of that pontiff<a name="NtA99" href="#Nt99"><sup>[99]</sup></a>! + Who, before Laicus, ever wrote, <!-- Page 283 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page283"></a>{283}</span>that the assassin of Henry III of France + was <i>instigated</i> by Jesuits? Wait another number of the <span + class="sc">Times</span>, Laicus will improve: he will roundly assure us, + that the miserable Jacques Clement actually was a Jesuit. No man + conversant in the history of France ever doubted of the civil wars of the + sixteenth century having originated with the rebellious Hugonots; but no + man before Laicus ever attributed all the horrors of that dismal period + to Jesuits. The famous league opposed the succession of the Bourbons in + the person of <!-- Page 284 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page284"></a>{284}</span>Henry IV; and the whole guilt of their + proceedings against Henry IV is exclusively ascribed to Jesuits. And yet + this very monarch, whom Laicus calls <i>the greatest and best king of + France</i>, was perhaps, of all men that ever wore a crown, the warmest + friend and protector of the Jesuits. Possibly I may be wrong in this + assertion; because the glory of Henry IV, in this particular, is + certainly rivalled, if not exceeded, by the illustrious favour and + protection afforded to the persecuted Jesuists by the late empress + Catharine of Russia, and by the present magnanimous emperor Alexander. + Henry IV condescended to refute in public the passionate imputations of + the president Harlay against the Jesuits. His son, Louis XIII, and his + grandson, the famous Louis XIV, imitated his example, in their esteem of + the society; and because this was undeniable, behold Laicus, by a bold + effort of genius, has transformed the renowned monarch, Louis XIV, into a + Jesuit professed of four vows. How a Frenchman must scout such ribaldry! + But enough of these extravagancies. <!-- Page 285 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page285"></a>{285}</span>In reading them, I + began to suspect, that Laicus's aim might be to ridicule the revilers of + Jesuits, by imputing to the latter things evidently false, clearly + inconsistent, absolutely impossible. Thus, I well remember it, when the + absurd tale of the Jesuit king Nicolas of Paraguay amused the Laicuses of + the day, the writer of one of the Holland gazettes, in his description of + that king's battle against the Spanish and Portuguese troops, endeavoured + to turn the fable into ridicule by asserting, that king Nicolas had + displayed much bravery, and had fought until three capuchins were shot + under him in the action. But I apprehend, that Laicus and his prompters + do not rave merely for sport. Their real views will gradually appear: + they are not quite unknown to</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>CLERICUS.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="short" /> + +<p><!-- Page 286 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page286"></a>{286}</span></p> + +<h3>LETTER III.</h3> + + <p>SIR;</p> + + <p>At the close of your first Letter, you promise to refer, in your next, + to the evidences for the statements, which you have made. I was curious + to see upon what historical evidence such a mass of forgeries could rest. + In labouring through your second Letter, I discovered much intrinsic + evidence, that you are a still improving adept in the art of bold and + unsupported assertion, but not a shadow of proof, that your rants were + ever believed by any man before yourself. The only authority cited in it + is of one Collado, who asserted, that the conduct of the Jesuits was the + occasion of the abolition of Christianity in Japan; but whoever has read + the history of <!-- Page 287 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page287"></a>{287}</span>Christianity in those islands will deny + the position, upon grounds more certain than those on which it is + advanced. The whole of your second Letter is no more than an unconnected + congeries of the grossest impostures. In my second I marked out a few; I + shall presently indicate some others; and I shall leave my readers to + determine, whether you have substantiated your first calumnies, only by + the production of new ones.</p> + + <p>I have searched your third Letter in quest of evidence, of proof, of + historical support; and I find, that the two most prominent names in it + are Prynne and De Thou. I may here remark, that it is highly illiberal + and unjust to uphold imputations of guilt, even against the worst of + culprits, solely upon the asseverations of their declared enemies; and, + if these enemies stand otherwise convicted of malicious calumnies, this + circumstance alone must go far towards the acquittal of the accused. Now, + it is well known, <!-- Page 288 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page288"></a>{288}</span>that Prynne and De Thou wrote in the most + turbulent times, amidst the distractions and rage of civil wars, + occasioned in England and in France by restless sectaries; that they were + both inflamed with party rage, and never spared their adversaries. If, + then, their testimony is to be admitted as irrefragable, in the present + times, in one point, why not in another? If, without a shadow of proof, + we must believe with Prynne and you, that the Irish massacre and the + British civil wars were to be imputed to Jesuits, and especially to + Cuneus, the pope's nuncio, and cardinal Barberini (who, by the way, never + were Jesuits), we must also believe every thing written by that foul + mouthed lawyer against Charles I, against episcopacy, and against the + famous archbishop Laud. But we know, that the fellow's ears were twice + bored and cropped in the pillory for his defamatory libels, and that his + cheeks were seared with the letters S. L. (seditious libeller.) I believe + my readers will agree, that the stigma might, with propriety, be + transferred to the unblushing front of the retailer of his falsehoods. + <!-- Page 289 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page289"></a>{289}</span>Before I speak of De Thou, I will mention + only a few of your insufferable fabrications, which hardly Prynne himself + would have ventured to utter. 1. "In matters both of <i>faith</i> and + practice, the members of the society are bound to obey the society, and + not the church<a name="NtA100" href="#Nt100"><sup>[100]</sup></a>." In + what part of their Institute is this canon found? It was unknown to the + council of Trent, and to the several popes, whose confirmation and + commendation that Institute obtained. 2. "They have invariably opposed + episcopacy, and they have <i>repeatedly</i> attacked the decrees of + general councils, especially that of Trent<a name="NtA101" + href="#Nt101"><sup>[101]</sup></a>." It should seem, that, in a + protestant country, <i>attacks</i> upon catholic councils would not be + deemed very enormous sins. But, since they have been <i>repeatedly</i> + committed by Jesuits, it would have been easy for Laicus to convict them, + at least, in one instance. Why has it been omitted? 3. "The society has + prisons, <!-- Page 290 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page290"></a>{290}</span>independent of secular authority, in which + refractory members are put to death; a <i>right</i> which Laines obtained + for them<a name="NtA102" href="#Nt102"><sup>[102]</sup></a>." Quere, from + whom did he obtain it? From the pope? In what bullarium then may the + grant be found? Did Jesuits ever attempt to use this <i>right</i>? Did + secular sovereigns quietly acquiesce in such a glaring usurpation of + their most undoubted right? Of what avail could such a privilege have + been to the Jesuits, who always had the power to dismiss refractory + members from their society, as they dismissed Jerom Zarowicz, Antonio de + Dominis, abbé Raynal, and many others? Poor Laicus cannot answer one of + these questions. He has disclaimed all pretension to novelty; he is + satisfied with copying malignity; and, to the shame of the Encyclopedia + Britannica, he has transcribed this impudent forgery from vol. ix of that + work (<i>page</i> 510, <i>art. Laines</i>), where, without a shadow of + proof or of probability, it is roundly stated, that "Laines, <!-- Page + 291 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page291"></a>{291}</span>general of + the Jesuits, procured from pope Paul IV the privilege of having prisons + independent of the secular authority, in which they (the Jesuits) put to + death refractory brethren." 4. "One peculiar object of the society is to + direct and aid the operations of the Inquisition<a name="NtA103" + href="#Nt103"><sup>[103]</sup></a>." It is not easy to ascertain the + precise source of this falsehood. Probably it is not borrowed from + foreign libels, because, in all catholic countries, it was universally + known, that Jesuits never had any concern in the administration, or + proceedings, of the Inquisition. 5. "The Jesuits usurped the sovereignty + of Paraguay, and held the Indians in slavery<a name="NtA104" + href="#Nt104"><sup>[104]</sup></a>." This has been a thousand times said; + and it has been as often demonstrated, to the satisfaction of impartial + inquirers, that the Jesuits were the steady friends and defenders of the + liberty of the Indians, and that the success of their missions in South + America was a glorious triumph of <!-- Page 292 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page292"></a>{292}</span>humanity and religion, + hardly to be equalled in the history of the Christian church. 6. "They + formed two conspiracies against king Joseph of Portugal, and his whole + family<a name="NtA105" href="#Nt105"><sup>[105]</sup></a>." In spite of + the prepotency of the cruel minister Pombal, truth has prevailed, and the + world remains convinced, that not even one conspiracy was ever formed + against king Joseph of Portugal, either by Jesuits, or by any other + persons. 7. "The Jesuits beheaded eighty Frenchmen and hung five hundred + friars for maintaining the rights of Anthony king of Portugal, in the + island of Tercera, where they had compelled him to take refuge, after + having disposed of his crown<a name="NtA106" + href="#Nt106"><sup>[106]</sup></a>." All this is a blundering confusion + of the adventures of the bastard Portuguese prince Antonio, prior of + Crato, and of the history of king Alfonso, who, a hundred years later, + was deposed and confined in the island of Tercera. Whoever has looked + into Portuguese <!-- Page 293 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page293"></a>{293}</span>history may remember, that Antonio's + pretensions to the crown were settled, not by Jesuits, but by the duke of + Alva, at the head of a Spanish army of twenty thousand men. He may have + read, that several persons were executed in Tercera, for supporting + Antonio's cause, by the commanders of a Spanish armament; but no man has + read, that five hundred friars were put to death, or ever existed at one + time, in the island of Tercera. Whatever the case may be, the Jesuits had + no concern in what befel the pretender Antonio, or king Alfonso, or the + poor friars of Tercera. 8. "The Jesuits deposed the grand duke of Muscovy + with great bloodshed, for a creature of their own<a name="NtA107" + href="#Nt107"><sup>[107]</sup></a>." When did all this happen, and who + was the grand duke? Laicus will not easily answer these questions. 9. "A + memoir of cardinal Noailles leaves no doubt of Louis XIV having taken the + four vows of the Jesuits<a name="NtA108" + href="#Nt108"><sup>[108]</sup></a>." On this <!-- Page 294 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page294"></a>{294}</span>point the policy of the + Jesuits appears to have been defective. If they had sent good father + Louis XIV to a foreign mission, for instance, to Canada or Brazil, in + execution of his fourth vow, and had bestowed his crown upon some other + creature of their own, as they had transferred that of poor king Anthony, + probably they might have ruled Europe with less trouble. Father Louis XIV + was not always disposed to be a submissive subject<a name="NtA109" + href="#Nt109"><sup>[109]</sup></a>.</p> + + <p>I mention two facts more, because they are new—not related by + Prynne, nor even by the <!-- Page 295 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page295"></a>{295}</span>learned writer of the historical articles + in the Encyclopedia Britannica, whose words, in his article "Jesuits," + you have so exactly copied into your Letters. 10. "Pope Urban VIII," you + say, "transmitted a bull to the Jesuits' vice-provincial, Stillington, + commanding all catholics to be aiding in the civil war, for which they + should receive indulgences, such as power of releasing others from + purgatory, and of eating fish at prohibited times, and if <i>he</i> + should be killed, of being placed in the Martyrology<a name="NtA110" + href="#Nt110"><sup>[110]</sup></a>." The gross absurdity of this + narration is evident without a comment<a name="NtA111" + href="#Nt111"><sup>[111]</sup></a>. The other is still more + extraordinary. 11. You invite us to consult "the important memorial + presented by Parsons the Jesuit, to king James II, for bringing in + popery<a name="NtA112" href="#Nt112"><sup>[112]</sup></a>." This Parsons + is a most <!-- Page 296 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page296"></a>{296}</span>wonderful Jesuit. You have already sported + him as the associate of Campion to assassinate queen Bess in 1581, that + is, one hundred and four years before James II became king of England; + and it is very certain, that he died and was fairly buried at Rome, in + the month of April, 1610; that is, twenty-three years before king James + II was born. I omit many other Jesuitical pranks, which you allege, + relative to English history, because every reader may find the refutation + of them, only by looking into Dr. Milner's celebrated Letters to Dr. + Sturges, where the profligacy of Elizabeth and her ministers, and the + futility of the assassination-plots, with which they charged Jesuits and + other priests, are evinced to demonstration. It is now time to think of + De Thou.</p> + + <p>This writer's character is well drawn by the learned professor of + Lovain, Dr. Paquot:—<i>Thuanus audax nimium; hostis Jesuitarum + imcabilis; calumniator Guisiorum; protestantium exscriptor, laudator, + amicus; sedi apostolicæ et</i> <!-- Page 297 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page297"></a>{297}</span><i>synodo Tridentinæ, totique rei + catholicæ parum æquus.</i> De Thou was fully animated with the general + and prevalent spirit of the parliament of Paris, in which he held the + rank of <i>president a mortier</i>; and this spirit led them at all times + to advance their own importance, by favouring every party that opposed + either the church or the crown. Their constant aim was to balance the + power of the monarch, and to depress the spiritual authority of the holy + see and the bishops. During the active administration of Louis XIV, they + were confined to their proper functions of civil and criminal justice; + but in the times, which preceded and followed that reign, they were + leaguers, and favourers of the Hugonots, and abettors of the Fronde, and, + lastly, open protectors of the Jansenists. De Thou never publicly seceded + from the catholic church; he was satisfied with insulting it. His + abilities were great; the elegance of his style is engaging: but, as he + wrote solely to favour the Hugonots, his narrations are compiled only + upon their memoirs, or they are sports of his own <!-- Page 298 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page298"></a>{298}</span>imagination. He + professes to write the history only of his own times; and, consequently, + his story rests upon his own credit, unsupported by vouchers: his <i>ipse + dixit</i> is the whole proof. He is wonderfully fond of detailing + conspiracies against princes, and, in these fabulous tales, he completely + sacrifices the dignity of the historian; he sinks into a romancer and a + comedian. He leads his conspirator through cities and provinces, to + gather associates; the pope, or the king of Spain, or some cardinal, + directs the plot; he has at his finger-ends the closest secrets of the + conspiracy; he recites letters, which were never written; and, most + commonly, Jesuits, but sometimes Dominicans, even Capuchins, are his + principal actors. These men give anticipated absolution to the assassin; + they promise him the crown and palm of martyrdom; they impart to him the + pope's benediction; and, to use your odious cant, they give him the + sacrament upon it. All this is sweet reading to bigoted sectaries; and, + with them, the word of De Thou is paramount to demonstrative proof. <!-- + Page 299 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page299"></a>{299}</span></p> + + <p>I have sketched De Thou's character, because he stands foremost among + the modern corrupters of history, too successfully followed by Voltaire, + by Hume, by Robertson, and a throng of servile imitators in France and in + England, whose historical romances have so much contributed to render + religion odious, and to plunge mankind into scepticism and + infidelity.</p> + + <p>Having already mentioned the writer of the historical and biographical + articles in the Encyclopedia Britannica, I here recommend to Laicus to + cultivate a more intimate correspondence with that accurate compiler, if + he be still engaged in historical pursuits. They will thus reciprocally + gather improvement by communication of their respective discoveries; they + will mutually support each other, and advance the common cause in which + they are engaged. How strange it is, that the historian of the + Encyclopedia, so well informed of whatever concerns Jesuits, should not + have known, that Louis XIV was a professed member of that order, bound by + four solemn <!-- Page 300 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page300"></a>{300}</span>vows; <i>viz.</i> of voluntary poverty, + perpetual chastity, and entire obedience to the general of the society in + all things, and likewise to the pope with respect to foreign missions! + Surely he would have enriched the Encyclopedia with this prominent fact, + so undoubtedly ascertained by Laicus and cardinal de Noailles. How + strange again it is, that the penetrating Laicus should have been + ignorant, that this very Louis XIV, this professed Jesuit, so far forgot + the humility of his religious profession, as to arrogate to himself the + worship and honours, which religion appropriates to the Divinity! And yet + this important fact, which had escaped all the writers of that royal + Jesuit's life, is consigned to posterity for an historical truth, in the + seventh volume of the Encyclopedia Britannica, page 432, in the following + words: "He (Louis XIV) was so blinded by flattery, that he arrogated to + himself the <i>divine honours</i>, paid to the pagan <i>emperors of + Rome</i>." The circulation of this fact by Laicus, would at one stroke + have crushed the Jesuits, and would have conciliated immortal <!-- Page + 301 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page301"></a>{301}</span>honour and + credit to the <span class="sc">Times</span>. Who can contemplate the + historical labours of these three worthies, the historian of the + Encyclopedia, the editor of the <span class="sc">Times</span>, and the + incomparable Laicus, without thinking of the fate of their predecessor + Prynne?</p> + + <p>It is remarkable, that while the Jesuits were thus insulted by Prynnes + and De Thous, and their numerous disciples, they were everywhere + befriended by princes and states, who freighted them to foreign missions + at the public expense, and who multiplied their colleges and settlements + throughout Europe, in which they quietly assisted the clergy in the + functions of religion, and successfully conducted those schools, which + our famous Bacon so much admired: <i>Consule scholas Jesuitarum</i>, is + his well known text; <i>nihil enim quod in usum venit, his + melius</i>.—De dign. et augm. Scient. l. 6. He had already said (l. + 1) of the Jesuits, "<i>Quorum cum intueor industriam solertiamque, tam in + doctrina excolenda, quam in moribus informandis, illud <!-- Page 302 + --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page302"></a>{302}</span>occurrit + Agesilai de Pharnabaso: Talis cum sis, utinam nostor esses</i>."</p> + + <p>The testimony of Bacon overbalances ten thousand Encyclopedists, and + all their servile transcribers. To cover them with confusion, I finish + with citing two of the most celebrated names, that have ever graced any + of the various sects, known by the common appellation of + protestants—I mean the great Grotius and Leibnitz. The latter + maintained a constant correspondence with Jesuits, even with the + missioners in China. His letters, which yet exist, prove that he was, and + that he gloried in being, their friend; that he rejoiced in their + successes, and was grieved by their afflictions and sufferings. The Latin + text, which I would wish to transcribe from the learned Grotius, is + rather long, and it would be enervated by translation. (See Grotius Hist. + 1. iii, p. 273. edit. Amstelod. an. 1658.) Here he employs the nervous + style of Tacitus, to describe the origin of the Jesuits, the purity of + their morals, their zeal to propagate <!-- Page 303 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page303"></a>{303}</span>Christianity, to + instruct youth, the respect which they had justly acquired, their + disinterestedness, their prudence in commanding, their fidelity in + obeying, their moderation in all their dealings, their progress and + increase, &c. &c. "<i>Mores inculpatos, bonas artes, magna in + vulgum auctoritas ob vitæ sanctimoniam</i>.—<i>Sapienter imperant, + fideliter parent.—Novissimi omnium, sectas priores fama vicere, hoc + ipso cæteris invisi.—Medii fœdum inter obsequium et tristem + arrogantiam, nec fugiunt hominum vitia, nec sequuntur</i>, &c."</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>You may hear once more from</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="i8">CLERICUS.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="short" /> + +<p><!-- Page 304 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page304"></a>{304}</span></p> + +<h3>LETTER IV.</h3> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p><i>Ecce iterum Crispinus, et est mihi sæpe vocandus</i></p> + <p><i>In partes.</i></p> + <p class="i30"><span class="sc">Juv.</span> Sat. 4.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>What! Laicus once more! And is he not then prostrate on the ground, + gagged and muzzled beyond the possibility of barking? His ignorance, his + falsehoods, his sophistry, have been sufficiently branded; yet, + spider-like,</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Destroy his slander and his fibs—in vain,</p> + <p>The creature's at its dirty work again.</p> + <p class="i30"><span class="sc">Pope.</span></p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>Undoubtedly he never deserved, and never would have received even a + first answer, if it had not been apparent, that his venal pen was guided + and paid by mischief-makers of deeper views: and hence arises the + necessity of noticing this fourth effusion, to disable the retailers of + <!-- Page 305 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page305"></a>{305}</span>his falsehoods from vainly boasting, that + slander unanswered is acknowledged truth. I write not to Laicus, but to + his prompters, and to his readers, if there be any left.</p> + + <p>They may observe, that the imputations in this fourth Letter are + two—king-killing continually practised, and immoral doctrines + continually taught by Jesuits: and to this is added a short summary of + authorities, by which all this trash is upheld. It would be an easy, but + now uninteresting task, to disprove these several imputations; and this + has long since been victoriously done. It may suffice to know, that they + were all advanced by party men, maddened by civil and religious rage: + they are registered only in the murky pages of antiquated libels, and + they are here reproduced for the dishonest purpose of blackening virtue, + which triumphed over them, when they were fresh. Pamphlets of Hugonots, + libels of loose catholics, declamations of rival teachers, who + apprehended their own humiliation in the success of the Jesuits, + <i>Plaidoyers</i>, <!-- Page 306 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page306"></a>{306}</span><i>Requisitoires</i>, and harangues of + <i>Pasquiers</i> and <i>Harlays</i>, sworn enemies of the society, + <i>Arrêts</i> of their courts of parliament, ever intent to curtail the + spiritual authority of the church, and to abridge the power of the + reigning monarch, in order to advance their own. Such are the men, such + the passions, which invented accusations of regicide against the Jesuits + in France during the horrid confusion of the Hugonotic wars. At the + return of public tranquillity, they all sunk into oblivion during the + period of one hundred and fifty years, until Jansenism and Deism renewed + them, in 1760, and the ensuing years, as a powerful engine to accomplish + the utter destruction of their known and common enemies. It is needless + to disprove each imputed fact: I will only, for a sample, refute the + first, which stands in Laicus's foul calendar. It is the assertion, that + the Jesuit Varade was implicated in the guilt of the assassins of Henry + IV, Barriere and Chatel. Now Varade was defended and cleared by an + advocate, to whom no reply could be made: this was Henry IV himself, who, + in his famous answer to the parliamentary president <!-- Page 307 + --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page307"></a>{307}</span>Harlay, + vindicated the honour and the innocence of that Jesuit and of all his + associates, in a strain of eloquence, which Harlay and his coadjutors + felt to be irresistible. The royal orator concluded his victorious + defence of his friends, by advising all his hearers to forget the past + excesses of civil discord, and not to exasperate smothered passions, by + mutual reproaches, into new crimes. The employers of Laicus would do well + to follow this advice.</p> + + <p>Though Henry IV was not the model of a perfect king, I have always + thought his conduct towards the Jesuits a strong proof, that his return + to the religion of his forefathers was sincere. The parliament, which had + opposed him, while he headed the Hugonot party, opposed him now from the + motives above alleged, and determined to deprive him of the services of + the Jesuits, on whom they knew that he greatly depended, for the + re-establishment of the catholic religion. They drove the Jesuits from + France with every mark of ignominy, before Henry was strong enough to + support them. When <!-- Page 308 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page308"></a>{308}</span>his power was consolidated, he restored + them to their country, and he chose one of them for his preacher, + confessor, and bosom friend. This was the celebrated father Cotton, whom + Laicus impudently names in his list of Jesuit regicides. In such rage of + faction, it is no wonder that the parliament erected a pillar to the + infamy of the persecuted Jesuits. It was not quite so tall as the British + monument, which still attests to the heavens, in the words of the lord + mayor, Patience Ward, that the city of London was burnt by the malice of + the catholics, in 1666. The difference is, that in calmer times the + Gallic column, with all the calumnies of Harlay, was erased, but Patience + Ward, who had been put into the pillory for perjury, still lies + uncontradicted<a name="NtA113" href="#Nt113"><sup>[113]</sup></a>. To the + article of regicides I add, that <!-- Page 309 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page309"></a>{309}</span>the attempt on the life + of Louis XV, in 1757, was not imputed to Jesuits, either by parliaments, + or by Jansenists. The calumny in the fourth Letter is, I imagine, the + undisputed property of Laicus or his prompters<a name="NtA114" + href="#Nt114"><sup>[114]</sup></a>.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 310 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page310"></a>{310}</span></p> + + <p>On the second head of accusation—immoral doctrine—I wish + to be short. The purity of the Jesuits' doctrine and morals was solemnly + attested by the most qualified judges, a special assembly of fifty + cardinals, archbishops, and bishops, of the Gallic church, convened by + Louis XV; and their report was confirmed by many other prelates, who were + not deputed to that assembly. A stronger proof of their innocence was the + absolute inability of their enemies to convict a single Jesuit of four + thousand, who were spread through France, of any immoral principle, + doctrine, or practice. The parliament still pursued their beaten track. + <i>Il faut denigrer les Jesuites</i> was their maxim. Envy, with her + hundred jaundiced eyes, was every where on the watch to discover a flaw. + Malice, with her hundred envenomed tongues, stood ready to echo it + through the globe. Fruitless industry! <!-- Page 311 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page311"></a>{311}</span>The poor parliament was + reduced to spare the living Jesuits, not from any regard for truth, but + because they knew, that their calumnies would not be believed. They + therefore impeached the doctrine and morals of all deceased Jesuits, who + had existed during two hundred years, and they intrusted the delicious + task of blackening the dead to the impure pens of Jansenists, headed + principally by Dom. Clemencet. From this man's foul laboratory proceeded + the <i>Extraits des Assertions</i>, a monstrous compilation of forged and + falsified texts, purporting to contain the uniform doctrine, taught + invariably at all times by the whole society of Jesus, and to exhibit a + fair picture of their morals. The parliament sanctioned, and addressed + this abominable book to every bishop, and to every college in France. + Every bishop in France felt himself and religion insulted by it; and + almost every bishop condemned and forbade it to be kept or read. The + celebrated archbishop of Paris, De Beaumont, in particular, demonstrated + the forgeries and artful falsifications, which it contained, and it was + moreover solidly refuted by <i>La Reponse aux</i> <!-- Page 312 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page312"></a>{312}</span><i>Assertions</i>. This + laboured piece of Jansenistical malice seems to be unknown to Laicus and + his associates, though he has copied and cited several of the vile + libels, which were industriously circulated, to convey the indecent + impurities of the book <i>Des Assertions</i> to every corner of France. + In this point the shameless Laicus has faithfully imitated his models, or + rather he has confined himself to one, whom he calls Coudrette; and, with + his usual effrontery, he turns this obscure man into a repentant Jesuit, + acknowledging and expiating his crimes by an unreserved confession of + their foulness. His magic pen has already changed into Jesuits three such + perfect <i>disparates</i>, as Louis XIV, the miserable Jacques Clement, + and the weak English archpriest Blackwell. It has, upon motives equally + invidious, transformed to Jesuits two churchmen of the first rate merit, + the cardinals Allen and Barberini, because these two prelates were, at + different periods, concerned in the religious affairs of England, and + were thereby obnoxious to the then prevailing sects, though neither of + them had any other connexion with Jesuits, than the <!-- Page 313 + --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page313"></a>{313}</span>intercourse of + friendship and esteem. But Coudrette a Jesuit! How can this be credited? + New personages in comedies are introduced to excite new interest; and was + Coudrette ever before named in this island? Indeed his name is so very + obscure, that it is difficult to find, even a Frenchman, who ever heard + it. It has however obtained a small niche in two French historical + dictionaries, the first of which, <i>par une societé des + gens-de-lettres</i>, though friendly to the Jansenists, styles Coudrette + <i>un ennemi acharné des Jesuits</i>. The other, by the well known abbé + Feller, a man of very general information, asserts, that Coudrette had + been from his youth, <i>de tres bonne heure</i>, a violent partisan of + Jansenism, closely connected with the abbé Boursier, one of the heroes of + the sect. In 1735 and 1738, during the ministry of cardinal de Fleury, he + was confined by a <i>lettre de cachet</i> first at Vincennes, then in the + Bastille, for his intrigues, cabals, and libels against the church; and + of course he was canonized as a saint in the <i>Nouvelles + Ecclesiastiques</i>, the well known <!-- Page 314 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page314"></a>{314}</span>Jansenistical gazette. + When the parliaments denounced open war against the Jesuits, he came + forward a volunteer in the cause, and printed his <i>Histoire general des + Jesuites</i> in the course of 1761: but Coudrette and his history were + perfectly forgotten in France before 1762. How could a copy of it have + escaped into England? It has found its proper repository on the shelves + of Laicus, or his employer<a name="NtA115" + href="#Nt115"><sup>[115]</sup></a>.</p> + + <p>I have done with Laicus and his authorities. He promises a commentary + upon his own performance. It has not, I believe, yet appeared, <!-- Page + 315 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page315"></a>{315}</span>even in + the Times. Mine shall be very short.</p> + + <p>Though I have proved Laicus and his associates to be unprincipled + impostors, I have said nothing of them and their assertions, but what + every man of virtue and information knows to be true. Every prince, every + observer knows, that the overthrow of the society of Jesus was the first + link in the concatenation of causes, which produced the late horrible + successes of rebellion and infidelity. They all know, that the Jesuits, + when their body was intire, were among the most active supporters of + religion, learning, good order, and subordination to established powers, + though, perhaps, professing religious creeds different from their own. + Above all, they know, that Jesuits were every where <i>staunch and steady + friends of monarchy</i>. Who then will wonder, that the renowned + Catherine of Russia protected them in their greatest distress, + unbendingly maintaining the full integrity of their institute, even in + the smallest points? Who will be <!-- Page 316 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page316"></a>{316}</span>surprised, that the + heroic Alexander continues to distinguish them by fresh favours? Who will + cavil at Pius VII, in this new dawn of public tranquillity, for his + endeavours to recover their services? Who will blame other princes for + imitating his example? Possibly the good pontiff may conceive himself + more bound than other princes, to make some compensation to the few + remaining Jesuits, because he was a witness of the aggravated cruelties + inflicted upon them and their superiors, at the time of the suppression + by his predecessor Clement XIV. But the motives and the conduct of these + princes present matter too ample to be treated at present by</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>CLERICUS.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="short" /> + +<p><!-- Page 317 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page317"></a>{317}</span></p> + +<h3>LETTER V.</h3> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="i30"><i>Servetur ad imum</i></p> + <p><i>Qualis ab incepto processerit, et sibi constet.</i></p> + <p class="i30"><span class="sc">Horace.</span></p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>SIR;</p> + + <p>I might spare myself the trouble of answering your fifth, concluding + Letter, because I believe it will be read by few, and credited by none. + You seem afraid of being called an alarmist. Good Sir, be easy. No man of + common information, or of common sense, will catch the alarm of danger + from your pretended conclusions. Your impotent cries of danger to church + and state are like the cries of a madman, who should scream out "Fire, + Fire," in the midst of a deluge<a name="NtA116" + href="#Nt116"><sup>[116]</sup></a>. Thus, even if your <!-- Page 318 + --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page318"></a>{318}</span>pretended + conclusions descended in a right order of logic from your premises, the + slightest view of the present state of things would convince every + thinking man of the inutility of taking precautions, where no danger can + possibly exist. But what must every thinking man conclude, when he knows, + that your miserable inferences descend from a mass of forgeries, + calumnies, imputations equally groundless and malicious; when he traces + them up to a string of gratuitous suppositions, wantonly assumed and + totally devoid of proof? If he has looked into my four Letters, he has + recoiled with disgust from that sink of ribaldry, inconsistency, + contradiction, and falsehood, which provoked them; and he has said, that + though Clericus has swept away only a part of the dirt, which you have + collected, he has sufficiently showed, that the rest, which he has left + untouched, is equally odious and noisome. In fact, upon a slight review + of your audacious criminations, I cannot discover even one, which is + supported by truth; no, not one, which I would not undertake to brand + with the stigma of falsehood. <!-- Page 319 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page319"></a>{319}</span></p> + + <p>And what then can engage me to meddle with your final observations and + inferences? Certainly not the apprehension, that men of sense and + knowledge will ever acquiesce in them; but because they are all intended + to feed some of the worst passions, that canker the human heart, to + gratify disappointed anger, fretful jealousy, and revengeful spite. That + these sour passions are apt to rankle in narrow hearts is not a novelty. + I have caught them, in late years, venting themselves against your + enemies the Jesuits, through newspapers and other prints, in tales nearly + as absurd and fictitious, as was the alarming story in the reign of + Charles II, of thirty thousand pilgrims and lay brothers, embodied at St. + Andero, ready to invade old England under the conduct of the general of + the Jesuits. Now your monstrous stories coming upon the back of these + fables, must lead every man of sense to conclude, that not the + consideration of public security, but the accomplishment of some private + view must have prompted this wantonness of slander. But <!-- Page 320 + --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page320"></a>{320}</span>supposing for + an instant, that all and each of your random accusations of ancient + Jesuits were as true, as all and each are undeniably false; allowing that + your columns in the Times could arrest a reader, unacquainted with + continental history, in a state of hesitation and doubt; yet he must at + least say: "These bad men, like the ancient giants, have been + exterminated, they have long since disappeared, we have survived their + criminal practices, why is the alarm bell sounded in the <span + class="correction" title="Original reads `preset'.">present</span> + times?"—"But," cries Laicus, "there once was a body of English + Jesuits, and, during the whole term of their existence, 'our fathers + spent restless nights and uneasy days. Dr. Sherlocke, living under dread + of popery and arbitrary power, could enjoy no repose, when every morning + threatened to usher in the last dawn of England's liberty.' I trust this + quotation will not be without its use<a name="NtA117" + href="#Nt117"><sup>[117]</sup></a>." "Yes, these English Jesuits laid + upon us '<i>a yoke, which was too heavy for <!-- Page 321 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page321"></a>{321}</span>our fathers to + bear</i>,' and the pope is again trying to fasten it upon our shoulders." + &c.<a name="NtA118" href="#Nt118"><sup>[118]</sup></a></p> + + <p>I allow it, Sir; there formerly existed a body of English Jesuits. It + was violently crushed and annihilated more than forty years ago. I look + in vain for the yoke, which they imposed upon our fathers: I have read + something of the yoke, which they themselves bore. It is described in + letters of blood, in the penal statutes of Elizabeth and the first James. + During a full century, half the gibbets of England witnessed the + unrelenting severity of persecution, which these injured men quietly and + meekly endured. They were a body of catholic priests, always esteemed and + cherished by English catholics; and, at every period of their existence, + they counted in their society many members of the best and most ancient + families among the British gentry. They risked their lives by treading on + their native soil. They devoted themselves to <!-- Page 322 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page322"></a>{322}</span>administer the comforts + of religion in secret to their suffering brethren; and they then slunk + back to their hiding holes in the hollows of walls and roofs of houses. + They never possessed a single house, school, or chapel, in which they + could recommend themselves to their countrymen, by the peaceable + functions of their profession: they were never otherwise known to the + British public than when, surprised by priest-catchers, they were dragged + to jail, and from jail to the gallows. Thus lived the Jesuits, in this + their free country, from the twenty-second year of Elizabeth to the + thirtieth of Charles II. This is all the progress that they made, in a + full century, towards <i>their own aggrandizement</i>, which, says + Laicus, "is the main object of all their labours<a name="NtA119" + href="#Nt119"><sup>[119]</sup></a>."</p> + + <p>When the scene of blood was finally closed, in 1680, by the execution + of eight innocent Jesuits in one year, not to mention a dozen <!-- Page + 323 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page323"></a>{323}</span>others, + who died in jail, many of them under sentence of death, the Jesuits still + remained an inoffensive body of catholic missionary priests. Their object + was to assist their catholic brethren; and, having obtained some + foundations from the liberality of foreign potentates, they applied + themselves to give to the expatriated youth of their own country the + education, which the partiality of the laws denied them at home. In these + pacific occupations they persevered, without experiencing any jealousy on + the part of government, even during the two rebellions of 1715 and 1745; + because, since the accession of the House of Brunswick, it has been a + principle with our monarchs never to persecute any man for conscience, + never to harass inoffensive subjects.</p> + + <p>At the present day, that royal principle, with all its consequences, + and they extend far, is widely diffused throughout the empire. Every man + in it acknowledges the impossibility of converting the millions of his + majesty's catholic subjects to any other assignable mode of faith; <!-- + Page 324 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page324"></a>{324}</span>and + every thinking man must feel the importance and, at the present day, the + necessity, of attaching these millions to the common cause of the empire, + and to the cordial support of one common government. Sound policy will + always forbear to sour and to fret subjects, by jealous suspicions and + invidious distinctions. It will always incline wise rulers of states to + provide, for their subjects, ministers of religion, who are firmly + attached to their government, and who may feel that they have nothing to + fear from it, while they do not provoke its sword. Such was the conduct + of continental governments in past times; and they everywhere judged it + prudent to intrust, in a great measure, the national education of their + youth to the active order of Jesuits, who, at the same time, were + preachers, and catechists, and confessors, and visitors of hospitals and + prisons; and who always had in reserve a surplus of apostles, armed with + a cross and a breviary, ready to fly to every point of the heavens, to + the extremities of the globe, to create in the wilds of America and Asia + new <!-- Page 325 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page325"></a>{325}</span>empires for the God of the Gospel, new + nations of subjects for France, Portugal, and Spain. The political + services rendered by Jesuits to those crowns have often been + acknowledged; yet, alas! how have they been requited? When the venerable + missioners of the society of Jesuits were dragooned out of Portuguese and + Spanish America, the loss of millions of Indians, whom they had + civilized, nay, the loss of the territorial possession was loudly + predicted to those misguided courts. The first part of the prediction has + long since been fulfilled. All the power of France, Spain, and Portugal, + could not replace the old tried missioners of Canada, California, + Cinaloa, Mexico, Maragnon, Peru, Chili, and Paraguay. The Jesuits were + destroyed; the civilized natives, deprived of their protectors, + disbanded, and relapsed into barbarism.</p> + + <p>Equally impotent and unavailing was all the mighty power of France, + Spain, Portugal, and Austria to fill the void, left by the discarded + Jesuits, in the quiet ministry of schools at home. <!-- Page 326 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page326"></a>{326}</span>Cast a retrospect on + the former state of Europe. There were, in all considerable towns, + colleges of Jesuits, now, alas! struck to ruins, in which gratuitous + education was given. They were temples, in which the language of religion + hallowed the language of the Muses. They were seminaries where future + senators, magistrates and officers, prelates, priests, and cenobites, + &c., received their first, that is, the most important part of + education. Not even an attempt was made to supply the room of the ejected + instructors, excepting, perhaps, for form sake, in a few great cities; + and here what a woful substitution! The Jesuits of Clermont college, in + Paris, had, for two hundred years, quietly instructed and trained the + flower of the French nobility, to religion, patriotism, and letters. + Within a few years after the expulsion of the old masters, Clermont + college vomited forth, from its precincts into France, Robespierre, and + Camille des Moulins, and Tallien, and Noel, and Freron, and Chenier des + Bois, and Porion, and De Pin, and other <!-- Page 327 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page327"></a>{327}</span>sanguinary demagogues + of that execrable period; names of monsters, now consigned to everlasting + infamy. The game was, indeed, by this time, carried rather farther than + the Pombals, the Choiseuls, the Arandas, and others, who had planned the + ruin of the Jesuits, had either designed or foreseen; but the mound was + thrown down, and how could the torrent be withstood?</p> + + <p>What thinking man shall now wonder, that the much tried pontiff, Pius + VII, having, during his captivity, seriously pondered the connexion of + causes and effects, should wish to retrieve the ancient order of things, + should even hasten to second the wishes and requests of his fellow + sufferers—I mean the surviving princes and prelates, who so sorely + rue the mistakes of their immediate predecessors? It is very remarkable, + that the false policy of these latter was first discerned and publicly + disapproved by two acute sovereigns, who were not of the Roman communion, + the magnanimous Catherine of <!-- Page 328 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page328"></a>{328}</span>Russia, and the far famed Frederic III, of + Prussia. These sovereigns were not ignorant of the various artifices, + which had distorted the good sense of the catholic princes. They knew how + to elude and disappoint them, when they were practised upon themselves. + The empress Catherine especially, in despite of Rome, Versailles, Lisbon, + and Madrid, maintained, with a resolute and strong hand, the several + houses of Jesuits, which she found in her new Polish dominions; she would + not suffer even the smallest alteration to be made, in any of their + statutes or practices. Her two successors have settled them in their + capital, and in other parts of their empire; and at this day, the + glorious Alexander, far from mistrusting those fathers, openly cherishes + and favours them, at once as blameless ministers of the catholic + religion, and as trusty servants of government, earnestly labouring to + endear the new sceptre of the czars to the catholic Poles, lately united + to their empire<a name="NtA120" href="#Nt120"><sup>[120]</sup></a>.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 329 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page329"></a>{329}</span></p> + + <p>Most undoubtedly, next to the purity of religion, the best and dearest + interest of the Jesuits always was, and always must be, public + tranquillity, order, and subordination of ranks. In tumults and + confusion, they must unavoidably be sacrificed. To favour the daring + projects of civil and religious innovators, their body was devoted to + destruction; and the extinction of it was presently followed by the + universal uproar of the Gallic revolution. Hence their name is odious to + Buonaparte. In his progress through Germany, he drove them from Ausburg, + and Friburg, and other towns, where the magistrates and inhabitants had + succeeded to preserve a small remnant of their body, though without hope + of perpetuating it by succession. In 1805 the court of Naples, convinced + of its past error, reinstated the Jesuits, to the universal joy of the + capital; and immediately Napoleon seized <!-- Page 330 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page330"></a>{330}</span>the kingdom, and + dismissed them. Other princes have equally regretted the rash deed of + their destruction. Even the emperor Joseph II once assured me in private + conversation, that he much lamented the suppression of the order of the + Jesuits. He repeatedly said, that, in his mother's time, in which it was + accomplished, he was never consulted upon the measure, and that he would + never have acceded to it.</p> + + <p>Our country has happily escaped the horrors of modern revolution; but + our country has had its alarms. To prevent the recurrence of them, it + must surely be sound policy to trust, favour, and protect all those + persons, who, from a motive of self-preservation, as well as of duty, + will always employ their influence among the lower orders of society, to + maintain peace and tranquillity in the several religious classes, which + form the bulk of the people, however denominated. With regard to the + numerous body of catholics, this line of conduct has been uniformly + pursued by their Irish bishops, by the <!-- Page 331 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page331"></a>{331}</span>English apostolic + vicars, and by all the missionary priests, Jesuits, and other regulars, + who have appeared among us: and, I add, in finishing, that, in this + respect, they would all be co-operators and steady allies of the bishops + and clergy of the establishment, who can have no greater interest, at the + present day, than to preserve general tranquillity. Protestant and + catholic prelates, with their respective dependants, all equally + professing zeal for purity of doctrine, though differing in their tenets, + would thus be friends <i>usque ad aras</i>, and general peace would be + the precious fruits of their agreement. Thus we have often seen catholic + and protestant legions, Austrians and British, arrayed under the same + banners, and successfully pursuing their warfare against a common enemy. + This matter is susceptible of extension, but Laicus would not understand + it. I finish this Letter, as I ended the first, seriously advising him to + meddle no more with this subject.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>CLERICUS.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" /> + +<h2>A<span class="gsp"> </span>P<span class="gsp"> </span>P<span class="gsp"> </span>E<span class="gsp"> </span>N<span class="gsp"> </span>D<span class="gsp"> </span>I<span class="gsp"> </span>X<span class="gsp"> </span>;</h2> + +<p class="cenhead">CONTAINING</p> + +<h3>T<span class="gsp"> </span>H<span class="gsp"> </span>E B<span class="gsp"> </span>U<span class="gsp"> </span>L<span class="gsp"> </span>L O<span class="gsp"> </span>F C<span class="gsp"> </span>L<span class="gsp"> </span>E<span class="gsp"> </span>M<span class="gsp"> </span>E<span class="gsp"> </span>N<span class="gsp"> </span>T X<span class="gsp"> </span>I<span class="gsp"> </span>I<span class="gsp"> </span>I<span class="gsp"> </span>,</h3> + +<p class="cenhead">AND THE</p> + +<h3>JUDGMENT OF THE BISHOPS OF FRANCE,</h3> + +<p class="cenhead">IN FAVOUR OF THE JESUITS.</p> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" /> + +<p><!-- Page 335 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page335"></a>{335}</span></p> + +<h3>APPENDIX.</h3> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="short" /> + +<h3>No. I.</h3> + +<blockquote class="b1n"> + + <p><i>Sanctissimi in Christo Patris et Domini nostri Domini Clementis + Divina Providentia Papæ XIII, Constitutio qua institutum Societatis Jesu + denuo approbatur.</i></p> + +</blockquote> + +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">Clemens Episcopus Servus Servorum Dei, ad perpetuam rei memoriam.</span></p> + + <p>Apostolicum pascendi Dominici Gregis munus beatissimo apostolo Petro, + ejusque successori Romano pontifici delatum à Christo Domino, nulla + locorum, nulla temporum conditio, nullus humanarum rerum respectus, nulla + denique ratio circumscribere, aut suspendere potest, quominus idem + Romanus pontifex ad omnes ejusdem officii partes, nullâ ex iis + prætermissâ, nullâ neglectâ, curas suas dirigere debeat, atque omnibus + incurrentibus in ecclesia necessitatibus providere. Harum partium inter + præcipuas, postrema non est regularium ordinum approbatorum ab apostolica + sede tutelam genere, ac fortibus piisque viris, qui eisdem regularibus + ordinibus sese solemni sacramento addixerunt, suamque pro tuenda, atque + <!-- Page 336 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page336"></a>{336}</span>amplificanda catholica religione, agroque + dominico excolendo, strenuam operam impendunt, alacritatem addere et + animum, languidos et infirmos excitare, et corroborare, jacentibus + afflictisque consolationem afferre, præcipue verò ab ecclesia fidei suæ + et custodiæ concreditâ, omnia, quæ in animarum ruinam in dies + suboriuntur, scandala summovere.</p> + + <p>Institutum societatis Jesu ab homine conditum, cui ab universali + ecclesia idem, qui sanctis viris cultus et honor tribuitur, à fel. + record. prædecessoribus nostris Paulo III et Julio itidem III, Paulo IV, + Gregorio XIII, et Gregorio XIV, Paulo V, diligenti examine perpensum, + approbatum, sæpius confirmatum, et ab iisdem pluribusque aliis ad + novemdecim prædecessoribus nostris ornatum peculiaribus favoribus et + gratiis; episcoporum, non modò hujus, sed superiorum etiam ætatum + præconio commendatum, ut maxime frugiferum, et fructuosum, et ad + promovendum Dei cultum, honorem, et gloriam, æternamque animarum salutem + procurandam aptissimum; potentissimorum, piissimorumque regum, et + clarissimorum in Christiana republica principum præsidio, et tutela usque + munitum; cujus ex disciplina novum prodiêre viri in sanctorum, vel + beatorum numerum relati, quorum tres martyrii gloriam sunt consequuti; à + pluribus sanctitate claris viris, quos beatos in cœlo novimus + sempiternâ perfrui gloriâ, collaudatum; quod ecclesia universa longo + duorum sæculorum spatio in suo sinu aluit et fovit, ejusque professoribus + præcipuam sacri ministerii partem semper commisit magno cum emolumento + animarum; quod ipsa denique catholica ecclesia in Tridentina synodo + declaravit ut pium; hoc idem institutum novissimè fuerunt, qui per pravas + interpretationes, tum privatis <!-- Page 337 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page337"></a>{337}</span>sermonibus, tum scriptis etiam typis in + lucem editis irreligiosum, et impium appellare, contumeliis lacerare, + probo et ignominiâ afficere non sunt veriti, atque eò devenerunt, ut + privatâ suâ non contenti opinione, hujusmodi virus de regione in + regionem, nullis non adhibitis artibus, derivare, atque undequaque + diffundere sint aggressi, neque adhuc cessant, incautis, si quos + inveniant, Christi fidelibus, ut in proprios pertrahant sensus, subdolè + propinare: quo in ecclesiam Dei nihil injurium magis, nihil + contumeliosius, quasi adeo erraverit turpiter, ut, quod impium, et + irreligiosum est, solemniter existimaverit Deo carum et pium, eòque + decepta sit flagitiosiùs, quo diuturnius, ad annos scilicet amplius + ducentos, cum maximo animarum detrimento, sinui suo tantam hærere labem, + et maculam sustinuerit. Huic tanto malo, quod eo longiùs dissimulatum, + tanto altiùs radices agit, viresque acquirit in dies, diutius differre + remedium, justitia, quæ sua cuique asserere et fortiter tueri jubet, et + pastoralis nostra erga ecclesiam sollicitudo non sinit.</p> + + <p>Ut igitur tam gravem injuriam à sponsa ecclesia divinitus nobis + concredita, atque etiam ab hac apostolica sede propulsemus, et hujusmodi + injustas, irreligiosasque voces in animarum perniciem, et seductionem, et + contra omnes æqui, bonique rationes longe lateque diffusas, nostrâ + authoritate apostolicâ compescamus; ut clericis regularibus societatis + Jesu, id a nobis pro justitia exigentibus, suus maneat status, eâdem + nostrâ authoritate firmiùs constabilitus; eorumque nunc temporis summè + afflictis rebus aliquod afferamus levamen: ut demum venerabilium fratrum + nostrorum episcoporum, qui ex omnibus regionibus catholicis eandem + societatem nobis per litteras <!-- Page 338 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page338"></a>{338}</span>magnopere commendârunt, et ex ea maximas + utilitates in suis quisque diœcesibus se capere profitentur, justis + desideriis obsecundemus; motu proprio, et ex certa scientia, deque + apostolicæ potestatis plenitudine, omnium prædecessorum nostrorum + inhærendo vestigiis, hâc nostrâ perpetuò valiturâ constitutione, eodem + modo, ratione et formâ, quibus ipsi edixerunt, et declarârunt, nos quoque + edicimus, et declaramus; institutum societatis Jesu summopere redolere + pietatem et sanctitatem, tum ob præcipuum finem, quo maxime spectat, + defensionem scilicet, propagationemque catholicæ religionis, tum ob + media, quæ adhibet ad ejusmodi finem consequendum, quod vel ipsa nos + hactenus docuit experientia; cum ex eadem disciplina tam multos ad hanc + usque ætatem prodiisse novimus orthodoxæ fidei propugnatores, sacrosque + præcones, qui invicto animi robore terrâ marique subiêre pericula, ut ad + gentes inmanitate barbaras evangelicæ doctrinæ lumen afferrent, et + quotquot idem profitentur laudabile institutum, partim intentos juventuti + religione et bonis artibus erudiendæ, partim operam dare spiritualibus + exercitiis tradendis, partim assiduè versari in sacramentis præcipuè + pœnitentiæ et eucharistiæ administrandis et ad eorum frequentiorem + usum fidelibus excitandis; tum homines in agris degentes divini verbi + pabulo recreare; ac propterea idem institutum societatis Jesu ad hæc + eximia perpetranda, divinâ providentiâ, excitatum, ipsi quoque + approbamus, et <span class="correction" title="Original reads `prædecessorm'." + >prædecessorum</span> nostrorum approbationes ejusdem instituti + apostolicâ auctoritate nostrâ confirmamus: vota, quibus iidem clerici + regulares societatis Jesu juxta idem eorum institutum se devovent Deo, + grata illi et accepta esse declaramus: spiritualia exercitia, <!-- Page + 339 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page339"></a>{339}</span>quæ ab + iisdem clericis regularibus traduntur fidelibus à mundi strepitu semotis + per dies aliquot, ut de æternâ fui ipsorum salute seriò et unicè + cogitent, ut maxime conducibilia ad reformandos mores, et ad Christianam + pietatem hauriendam nutriendamque, magnopere probamus, et laudamus: + congregationes præterea, seu sodalitia, non modo adolescentium, qui ad + scholas ventitant societatis Jesu, sed quævis alia, sive scholarium + tantum, sive aliorum Christi fidelium tantum, sive utrorumque simul sub + invocatione beatæ Mariæ, seu quovis alio titulo erecta, et quæ in iis pia + opera ferventi studio exercentur, probamus, præcipuamque erga beatam Dei + Genitricem semper Virginem Mariam devotionem, quæ in iis sodalitiis + alitur, et promovetur, magnopere commendamus, nostrorumque fel. record. + prædecessorum Gregorii XIII, Sixti V, Gregorii XV, et Benedicti XIV + constitutiones, quibus ea sodalitia approbârunt, nos apostolicâ + auctoritate nostrâ confirmamus, cæterasque omnes constitutiones à Romanis + pontificibus prædecessoribus nostris in ejusdem instituti societatis Jesu + functionum approbationem, et laudem conditas, quarum singulas hic haberi + volumus pro insertis, auctoritate itidem nobis à Deo traditâ, apostolicæ + confirmationis nostræ robore, per hanc nostram constitutionem, munitas + volumus, et si opus sit, velut à nobis ex integro conditas, editasque + censeri præcipimus, et mandamus.</p> + + <p>Nulli ergo omnino hominum liceat hanc paginam nostræ approbationis, et + confirmationis infringere, vel ei ausu temerario contraire: si quis autem + hoc attentare præsumpserit, indignationem Omnipotentis Dei et beatorum + Petri et Pauli apostolorum ejus se noverit incursurum. <!-- Page 340 + --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page340"></a>{340}</span></p> + + <p>Datum Romæ apud Sanctam Mariam Majorem*, anno incarnationis Dominicæ + millesimo septingentesimo sexagesimo quarto, septimo idus Januarii, + pontificatûs nostri anno septimo.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>C. Card. Pro-Datarius. N. Card. Antonellus.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Visa, De Curia J. Manassei.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>L. Eugenius.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>(Loco Plumbi.)</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p><i>Registrata in Secretaria Brevium.</i></p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>* Curia Romana annum inchoat à Feste Annuntiationis B. Mariæ, quod + incidit in diem 25 Martii, adeoque septimus idus Januarii 1764, coincidit + cum 7 Januarii hujus anni 1765, secundùm nostram computandi rationem.</p> + +<p class="cenhead"><i>Translation.</i></p> + +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">Clement, Bishop, Servant of the Servants of God, for a perpetual record.</span></p> + + <p>The apostolic office of feeding the Lord's flock, conferred by the + Lord Christ on the most blessed apostle Peter and his successor the Roman + pontiff, no state of time or place, no regard of human affairs, in short, + no consideration whatever, can so circumscribe or suspend as that the + same Roman pontiff may not direct his care to all the duties of the said + office, without exception or omission, and provide for all the wants + which may occur in the church. Among those duties it is not the least to + <!-- Page 341 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page341"></a>{341}</span>give protection to the regular orders + approved by the apostolic see, and to those worthy and pious men, who + have, by a solemn vow, devoted themselves to the regular orders, + strenuously labouring for the defence and increase of the catholic + religion, and in cultivating the Lord's vineyard, to invigorate and + encourage, to animate and confirm the languid and weak, to console the + downcast and afflicted, but chiefly to remove from the church, entrusted + to his faith and custody, all scandals, which from time to time spring up + to the destruction of souls.</p> + + <p>The institute of the society of Jesus, composed by a man held in + honour by the universal church, which sanctifies holy men, has, by our + predecessors of happy memory Paul III and Julius III, Paul IV, Gregory + XIII and Gregory XIV, and Paul V, been diligently examined, approved, and + often confirmed, and by them and nineteen others of our predecessors + honoured with peculiar favours; has been publicly extolled by bishops, + not only of this age but former ones, as extremely efficient in promoting + the worship, honour, and glory of God, and eminently adapted to the + salvation of souls; and has been patronised by the most powerful and + pious kings, and most celebrated princes in the Christian republic: from + its discipline nine persons have been numbered among the saints, three of + whom obtained the glory of martyrdom; it has received the united praises + of many men renowned for sanctity, now enjoying eternal glory in heaven; + the church has cherished it in her bosom for the long space of two + centuries, and has ever committed the chief part of the sacred ministry + to its professors, with great gain of souls; finally, it was pronounced + pious by the catholic church herself in the council of Trent: yet there + have lately <!-- Page 342 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page342"></a>{342}</span>appeared some, who, by wicked + interpretations, have dared, not only in conversation but in writings and + publications, to call this very institute irreligious and impious, to + revile it, and represent it as wicked and shameful; and have gone such + lengths, that, not content with their own private thoughts, they have + endeavoured, using every art, to convey the like poison from country to + country, and to pour it out everywhere; nor have they yet ceased, + where-ever they can find any of the faithful off their guard, to instil + craftily their own notions into their minds; than which there can be + nothing more injurious, nothing more offensive to the church of God, as + if she had so shamefully erred, as solemnly to deem what is impious and + irreligious devout and acceptable to God, and had been the more + scandalously imposed upon for having so long, namely, for more than two + hundred years, with the greatest loss of souls, suffered such a stain to + remain in her bosom. Neither justice, which commands that all should + receive what belongs to them and be protected in their rights, nor my + pastoral solicitude for the church, can suffer any farther delay in + putting a stop to this so great evil, which shoots its roots the deeper + the longer it remains unnoticed.</p> + + <p>In order, therefore, that we may remove so serious an injury from the + espoused church divinely committed to our charge, and also from this + apostolic see; and that, by our apostolic authority, we may check such + unjust and impious assertions, spread far and wide to the seduction and + ruin of souls, and entirely regardless of equity and reason; that the + constitution of the regular clerks of the society of Jesus may remain + undisturbed, according to their appeal to us for justice, and be more + firmly established by the same our authority, and that we may afford <!-- + Page 343 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page343"></a>{343}</span>them + consolation in the present grievous state of their affairs; and, lastly, + that we may comply with the just desires of our venerable brothers the + bishops, who, from every part of the catholic world, have written to us + letters greatly extolling the said society, all declaring that they were + of the greatest use to them in their respective dioceses; of our own + accord and certain knowledge, and by the plenitude of the apostolic + power, following the footsteps of all our predecessors, in this our + constitution to be in perpetual force, in the same mode and form in which + they have proclaimed and declared we also proclaim and declare, that the + institute of the society of Jesus is replete with piety and holiness, as + well on account of the chief end it has in view, namely, the defence and + propagation of the catholic religion, as on account of the means which it + directs to be used for that end, hitherto confirmed to us by experience + itself; for we know that, even down to these times, its discipline has + produced many defenders of the orthodox faith, and pious preachers, who, + with unshaken constancy of mind, have encountered dangers by sea and by + land to bear the light of the gospel to barbarous nations; and, indeed, + those who profess the said laudable institute are always earnestly + employed, some in educating youth in the practice of religion and the + learned sciences, others in the direction of spiritual exercises, others + again in the assiduous administration of the sacraments, especially those + of penance and the eucharist, in exciting the faithful to a frequent use + of them; likewise in refreshing the inhabitants of country places with + the divine food of the word of God: and as it evidently appears, that the + said institute of the society of Jesus has been established by the Divine + Providence <!-- Page 344 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page344"></a>{344}</span>for these great ends, we also approve it, + and, in virtue of our apostolical authority, we confirm the approbation + of our predecessors bestowed on the said institute: we declare, that the + vows by which the said regular clerks of the society of Jesus devote + themselves, according to the said institute, to God, are acceptable and + pleasing to him: we approve in the highest degree of the spiritual + exercises, which the regulars of this society recommend to the use of the + faithful, who occasionally retire from the noise of the world to meditate + in serious solitude on the means of obtaining eternal salvation, as being + highly conducive to the reformation of manners, and to the establishing + and nourishing of Christian piety: we likewise approve of their + congregations or associations; and not only of those for the use of + youth, who attend the schools of the society of Jesus, but also of all + other congregations, whether established for scholars only, or for others + of the faithful in Christ, of either or both at once, dedicated to the + blessed Mary, under whatever title they are formed, in which pious works + are fervently practised, especially that particular devotion towards the + blessed Virgin, which these institutions nourish and promote; and we, in + virtue of our apostolical authority, confirm the constitutions of our + predecessors of happy memory, Gregory XIII, Sextus V, Gregory XV, and + Benedict XIV, by which they approved of these associations, together with + all other constitutions enacted by our predecessors the Roman pontiffs, + in approbation of the offices of the said institute, each one of which we + wish to be considered as here inserted and confirmed by the strength of + our apostolic authority transmitted to us by God, as well as effectually + protected by this our constitution; and, if it be necessary, <!-- Page + 345 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page345"></a>{345}</span>we desire + and order, that they may be considered as fresh constitutions, enacted + and promulged by us in due form.</p> + + <p>It is not, therefore, allowable for any person to infringe, upon any + account, this decree of our approbation and confirmation, or rashly to + attempt to oppose its authority: and, if any one should be so + presumptuous as to attempt it, be it known to him, that he will incur the + indignation of Almighty God, and of the blessed apostles Peter and + Paul.</p> + + <p>Given at Rome, at St. Mary the Greater, &c. &c.</p> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="short" /> + +<p><!-- Page 346 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page346"></a>{346}</span></p> + +<h3>No. II.</h3> + +<blockquote class="b1n"> + + <p><i>The Judgment of the Bishops of France, concerning the Doctrine, the + Government, the Conduct, and Usefulness of the French Jesuits.</i></p> + +</blockquote> + +<blockquote class="b1n"> + + <p><span class="sc">Most Gracious Sovereign,</span></p> + +</blockquote> + + <p>The noble sentiments of faith and religion, which have ever + distinguished our kings, have induced your majesty, after the example of + your august predecessors, to suspend the decision of an affair so closely + connected with the doctrine and discipline of the church, till you had + taken the advice of the bishops of your realm.</p> + + <p>As the time your majesty was pleased to allow us for examining the + points in question was very short, we applied ourselves to the task with + more than ordinary diligence and assiduity; it being one of our chief + duties to concur with your majesty's pious views in whatever it may + please you to propose for the good of religion, or for the maintaining of + good order and tranquillity in the kingdom. We have therefore examined, + with all the care which the importance of the subject required, the + different articles, concerning which your majesty has done us the honour + to consult us, and we think it our duty to communicate our sentiments in + the following manner:— <!-- Page 347 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page347"></a>{347}</span></p> + + <p><span class="sc">Article I.</span> "Of what use the Jesuits may be in + France: the advantages or inconveniences that may attend the various + functions, which they exercise under our authority."</p> + + <p>The end for which the Jesuits' order was first instituted being the + education of youth; the ministerial labours, catechising, preaching, and + administring the sacraments; the propagation of the Gospel; the + conversion of infidel nations; and the gratuitous exercise of all manner + of works of charity towards their neighbour; it is evident this + institution is calculated both for the good of religion and the advantage + of the state.</p> + + <p>This consideration induced pope Paul III to approve the new order by + the bull <i>Regimini</i>, 1540; and the popes, his successors, by long + experience, being sensible of the great advancement of religion, owing + chiefly to the labours of the Jesuits, favoured them with the most + distinguishing marks of their good-will and protection. The fathers of + the council of Trent call it a holy institution, and, by an extraordinary + privilege, dispense with the religious of this society in the general law + they had made for other orders concerning their vows. The great promoter + of piety and church discipline, St. Charles Borromœus, took care to + inform the fathers of that council how much he esteemed this order, and + how desirous the pope was to favour those religious, on account of the + visible advantages arising to the church from their zealous endeavours. + The ambassadors sent by other princes to represent them in that council + had the same favourable opinion of the Jesuits, as plainly appears from + their proposing the establishment of these religious in Germany, as the + most efficacious means to restore religion and piety in the empire. <!-- + Page 348 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page348"></a>{348}</span></p> + + <p>However, it cannot be denied, but the novelty and singularity of this + order, the many privileges granted them by the popes, and the great + extent and generality of the exercises in which they are conversant, + according to their calling, exposed them to the jealousy and opposition + of other religious orders. The universities, the mendicant orders, and + others, tried all means to hinder their establishment in France: your + majesty's parliaments, in their remonstrances, laid open the many + inconveniences, that might attend their being admitted into this kingdom: + Eustace de Bellay, the then bishop of Paris, opposed them, and even the + clergy of France, in their assembly at Poissy, anno 1561, expressed a + diffidence and apprehension, that the Jesuits might encroach upon their + rights; for, though they consented to their admission, they did it with + such restrictions and limitations as then seemed proper to secure the + rights and jurisdiction of the bishops.</p> + + <p>Anno 1574, the clergy of your kingdom, having been apprised of the + credit and the approbation this institution had gained in the council of + Trent, in conformity to the judgment of that general assembly, declare by + their deputies, upon the article concerning the profession of novices + after one year's probation, that, by <i>this rule, their intention was + not any way to derogate from or to make any change in the good + constitutions of the clerks of the society of Jesus, approved by the holy + apostolic see</i>.</p> + + <p>It appears even, that the Jesuits, by their behaviour, had got the + better of those prejudices, which had formerly been conceived against + their order, seeing that, in the year 1610, when so great a storm was + raised against them, Henry de Gondy, bishop of Paris, gives their <!-- + Page 349 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page349"></a>{349}</span>character in words very different from + those of his predecessor, Eustace de Bellay, <i>viz.</i> that <i>the + order of the Jesuits was greatly serviceable both to church and state, on + account of their learning, piety, and exemplary behaviour</i>.</p> + + <p>Hence it was, that, in the general assembly of the states, anno 1614 + and 1615, both the clergy and the nobility so pressingly desired the + re-establishment of the Jesuits, for the instruction of youth, in the + city of Paris, and the erection of other colleges in the different towns + of the kingdom: this they recommended to their deputies as a matter of + the greatest concernment, desiring they would most earnestly address his + majesty, in order to obtain a favourable and speedy answer; <i>the + assembly being sensible how greatly the order of the Jesuits, by their + learning and industry, had contributed, and, with God's assistance, would + again contribute towards the maintaining of faith and religion, the + extirpation of heresies, the restoration of piety and morality</i>, + &c. Again, in the assembly of the clergy, anno 1617, we find the + Jesuits' schools proposed as the most proper means to revive and imprint + piety and religion in the minds of the people.</p> + + <p>Nothing, perhaps, is better calculated to convince us how high an idea + your majesty's royal predecessors had of the usefulness of this body of + men, than the patents, which they were pleased to grant, for the erecting + many of their colleges in your dominions: this was particularly + remarkable in the letters patent, granted by your majesty's great + grandfather Louis XIV, of glorious memory, for their establishment in the + college of Clermont, wherein he says, <i>that in this he had no other + view than to</i> <!-- Page 350 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page350"></a>{350}</span><i>support, countenance, and encourage + those religious in their laborious employments for the education of youth + in all useful sciences, and particularly in the knowledge of whatever may + concern their duty towards God, and towards those who are placed over + them for the government of the people</i>. But this he afterwards + expressed in a more emphatic manner, when he was pleased to give his own + august name to that college.</p> + + <p>The Jesuits are also of great service in our dioceses, by enforcing + and giving new life and vigour to piety and religion, by their sermons, + their spiritual instructions, their missionary excursions, their + congregations, spiritual retreats, &c., performed with our + approbation and authority.</p> + + <p>For these reasons we are persuaded, that to deprive the people of + their instruction would be extremely prejudicial to our dioceses. And, in + particular with regard to the education and instruction of youth, it + would be a very difficult task to find persons capable of serving the + public to equal advantage, especially in the country towns, where there + are no universities.</p> + + <p>The religious of other orders, who, by their vows and state of life, + are not devoted to this kind of labour, as they are little conversant in + the method of teaching, and strangers to that disagreeable confinement + and subjection, which is inseparable from that employment, are too much + taken up with the other necessary observances of their order to give that + constant and due attendance, which is requisite for the education of + youth.</p> + + <p>As to other clerks regular and priests living in community, they have + not a sufficient number of persons to supply the place of the Jesuits. + The secular clergy, <!-- Page 351 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page351"></a>{351}</span>indeed, with the allowance of the bishop, + may undertake this employment: but, not having been brought up to it from + their youth, they would not much relish this kind of life, nor have they + equal experience or skill in the business. Add to this, that, as most of + our dioceses have not near a sufficient number of priests to answer all + the duties of the ministry, it would not be possible for us to fill up + the places that would become vacant by the removal of the Jesuits.</p> + + <p>Shall we then have recourse to the laity? alas! few of these are to be + found of that turn of mind as willingly to embrace so laborious and + disagreeable an employment as is that of teaching; fewer still, whose + talents and qualifications are equal to it.</p> + + <p>The Jesuits in France are possessed of a hundred colleges: if these + were removed, where could we find a sufficient number of schoolmasters + and professors of equal parts to fill up the vacancies in all these + colleges? As the Jesuits make up one community and incorporated body of + men, they have this peculiar advantage, that, amongst all the religious, + whom they train up to this exercise, they can make choice of such as are + most likely to succeed and to answer the expectation of the public; and, + if any one should misbehave, in a moment's warning they can provide + another in his room; an advantage not to be expected in religious orders + that are not so strictly addicted to this employment; nor amongst + persons, who, though otherwise duly qualified, still want numbers for the + business; much less amongst laymen, who, by their state of life, are free + to choose for themselves, and no way concerned about their + successors.</p> + + <p>Adhering, therefore, to the judgment of the vicars of <!-- Page 352 + --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page352"></a>{352}</span>Christ and of + the council of Trent concerning the society of Jesus, and in conformity + to the testimony, which the clergy of your majesty's kingdom, the kings + your august predecessors, and your whole kingdom, have given of the + usefulness of the Jesuits in France, we are persuaded, that, if due care + be taken to prevent any abuse, that may insinuate itself in the exercise + of their functions, this religious body cannot but be of very great + service both to church and state.</p> + + <p>In our examination of the third article, we shall have the honour to + present your majesty with some regulations, which we conceive to be the + best adapted for preventing all such abuses.</p> + + <p><span class="sc">Article II.</span> "How the Jesuits behave in their + instructions and in their own conduct, with regard to certain opinions + which strike at the safety of the king's person; as likewise with regard + to the received doctrine of the clergy of France, contained in the + declaration of the year 1682; and in general with regard to their + opinions on the other side of the Alps."</p> + + <p>Our history informs us, that, in the infancy of the society in France, + the Calvinists used their utmost endeavour to hinder the growth of a body + of men raised on purpose to oppose their errors, and to stop the + spreading contagion: to this end they dispersed into all parts a + multitude of pamphlets, in which the Jesuits were arraigned, as + professing a doctrine inconsistent with the safety of his majesty's + sacred person; being well assured, that the imputation of so atrocious a + crime was the shortest and securest way to bring about their ruin. These + libels soon raised a prejudice against the Jesuits in <!-- Page 353 + --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page353"></a>{353}</span>the minds of + all those, who had any interest in opposing their establishment in + France, and some communities even joined in the impeachment. The crimes, + which are now laid to their charge, in the numberless writings, that + swarm in all parts of your majesty's dominions, are no other than those + which were maliciously forged and published above one hundred and fifty + years ago. It is not from such libels as these, that we are to form a + just idea or rational judgment of the Jesuits' doctrine or behaviour: + such wild and groundless accusations did not deserve our attention, and + the little notice we took of them may be a convincing proof to your + majesty of the Jesuits' innocence.</p> + + <p>And, indeed, the inviolable fidelity of the bishops of your kingdom, + and their sincere attachment to the crown, is too well known to leave any + room for suspecting, that they could be either so blinded as not to + discover that, which, as is pretended, is visible to the whole world; or, + if they had perceived it, that they should so far have forgot their duty + to God, to religion, to your majesty, as to encourage such treasonable + doctrine by a criminal silence, and trust the most sacred functions of + the ministry to persons convicted of publicly professing the same.</p> + + <p>We will not here pretend to refute or to give an exact account of a + doctrine, which will not bear the light, and can no way be exposed to the + public without danger of infection; of which we may truly say, what St. + Paul said of a certain vice, "that its very name should never be heard + amongst Christians." And it is with the greatest grief we see all the + particulars of this damnable doctrine publicly explained in the French + tongue, and purposely <!-- Page 354 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page354"></a>{354}</span>dispersed in all parts of your kingdom in + an infinity of libels, the reading of which has done more prejudice to + your majesty's subjects than could possibly have been caused by reading + the fanatic authors themselves, who have treated of that subject. We + shall only observe, that, in order to render the Jesuits more odious to + the public, care has been taken to hold them forth as the first broachers + of a doctrine, that was published long before they had a being. Their + enemies have spared no pains to confound and perplex all our ideas + concerning this doctrine, jumbling together, at all events, right or + wrong, truth and falsehood, in order to bring the Jesuits in guilty: they + are ever urging against them a certain period of our history, which, as + it equally involves all states and conditions<a name="NtA121" + href="#Nt121"><sup>[121]</sup></a>, ought to be blotted out of our + annals, and never more be mentioned amongst us.</p> + + <p>Whatever may be objected against the foreign Jesuits Mariana, + Santarel, Suarez, and Busembaum, this is most certain, that the decree of + their general, Acquaviva, appeared so satisfactory to your parliament of + Paris, that, in the year 1614, they desired to have the same renewed; and + it is well known, that, when those books first appeared in France, the + Jesuits, in their declarations to the parliaments, disowned them in so + clear, precise, and express terms, as did honour to their body, and + gained them the applause of the whole nation. Lastly, their behaviour in + the year 1682, and the declarations, which they have lately made to us, + and which they desire to have registered at the respective offices in our + spiritual courts, as a lasting and authentic testimony of their loyalty + and fidelity, leave no room to doubt of their abhorrence and detestation + of <!-- Page 355 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page355"></a>{355}</span>any doctrine or opinion that may in any + wise intrench upon the safety of the sacred person of sovereigns; or of + their entire acquiescence to the maxims established by the clergy of your + kingdom, in the four articles of 1682.</p> + + <p>We must likewise observe to your majesty, that the instructions of the + Jesuits in our dioceses are all performed in public; innumerable persons, + of all conditions, are witnesses of what they teach; and we have the + honour to assure your majesty, that they never were accused at our + tribunals of teaching any such doctrine as is now imputed to them. Let us + inquire of those, who have been brought up in their colleges, who have + frequented their missions, their congregations, their retreats, we are + persuaded there is not a man in the nation, who can attest, that he ever + heard them teach a doctrine contrary to the safety of your majesty's + person, or to the received maxims of the kingdom. On the contrary, in + justice to their character, we must all confess, that the constant theme + and subject of their school exercises is to celebrate the memorable deeds + and heroic actions of our monarchs, and their whole study to impress in + their hearers the most dutiful sentiments of loyalty and respect towards + your majesty.</p> + + <p><span class="sc">Article III.</span> "The conduct of the Jesuits with + regard to their subordination to bishops; and whether, in the exercise of + their functions, they do not encroach on the pastoral rights and + privileges."</p> + + <p>It cannot be denied but that, if the Jesuits were to avail themselves + of the many and great privileges which, at different times, have been + granted to them by the see apostolic, they could not be said to live + subordinate, either to bishops or to their ecclesiastical superiors. But + <!-- Page 356 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page356"></a>{356}</span>we are to observe, that these privileges + were granted them by a communication and participation of such as had + been granted to the mendicant orders, and to the other religious, long + before they came into the world; and, with regard to these, we find a + decree in the <i>explanation of their rule</i> (art. xii, p. 447), that + they are to make use of their privileges with the greatest caution and + moderation, and with no other view than for the spiritual advantage of + their neighbour; for, being bound by their fourth vow, immediately upon + the first notice of his holiness's command, to embark, in order to preach + the Gospel to the most remote and barbarous nations, these privileges + become absolutely necessary in places where neither bishops nor other + pastors are to be found. We may also take notice, both with regard to the + bull of Paul III, and those of his successors, that there is a wide + difference between their approbation of the first plan of the institute, + or of the additions that were afterwards made for the perfecting of the + same, and the <i>privileges</i> granted to that society, which are merely + accessory to the institute; for these bulls, being written in the + ordinary style of the court of Rome, the dispositions made by them cannot + be brought into precedent, or have any other force than that which is + allowed them by the pope's decretals and the laws of the kingdom, both + which have long since declared, that privileges granted by the court of + Rome, contrary to the jurisdiction of bishops, or derogatory to the due + subordination of the faithful to their pastors, are of no effect without + their consent, and, if they any way concern the state, without the + approbation of the sovereign.</p> + + <p>However, we find, even to the year 1670, that the Jesuits, as well as + the other mendicant orders, used their <!-- Page 357 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page357"></a>{357}</span>best endeavours to + maintain these privileges, against the common law and the jurisdiction of + bishops, on pretence, that the discipline of the council of Trent, which + had abolished them, was not received in France. We read in the acts of + our bishopricks, that attempts to this purpose were made by the Jesuits + at Quimper, at Agen, at Sens, and at Rhodez, where, in conjunction with + the mendicant orders, they carried on their suits at law for a long time + against the bishops of those dioceses.</p> + + <p>But since that time the Jesuits are not known to have formed any such + pretensions; on the contrary, they have renounced all those privileges, + which may any way seem to intrench, either on the established maxims of + the kingdom, or on the liberties of the Gallican church; and, as they + still persist in that renunciation, and have expressed the same, in the + clearest terms, in the declaration, which they lately presented to us, + nothing more can reasonably be demanded of them with regard to this + article.</p> + + <p>But to prevent any abuse, that possibly may hereafter arise, and to + keep religious orders in due subjection and subordination to their + ordinaries, after having examined, with all diligence, the complaints + that at different times have been made by the bishops, concerning the + attempts of the Jesuits, and of other religious, contrary to the rights + of pastors and the episcopal jurisdiction, we have agreed on the + following regulations, grounded on the canon law and the discipline of + the Gallican church.</p> + + <p>1. That the Jesuits and all other religious, who pretend to be + exempted from the jurisdiction of their bishops, and to hold an immediate + dependence on the see apostolic, shall not be allowed to preach or + confess in our dioceses, <!-- Page 358 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page358"></a>{358}</span>without having been examined by the + bishop, or his vicars, or others, whom he may appoint for that purpose, + and without being approved by him; which approbation he may limit or + revoke, as he shall think fit.</p> + + <p>2. That they shall not be permitted to receive children to their first + communion, though they be their own scholars, without the consent of the + curate or bishop of the diocese; and, during the fifteen days of Easter, + they shall not hear any annual confessions without their permission.</p> + + <p>3. That they shall send all their penitents, even their own scholars + and pensioners, to receive the paschal communion in the parish church, + unless they have a dispensation from the curate or bishop.</p> + + <p>4. That they shall not confess any person that is in danger of death + without advertising the curate thereof.</p> + + <p>5. That in the missionary excursions, which they make with our + consent, they shall take care that the curates be not defrauded of their + dues.</p> + + <p>6. That they shall not admit any priest, whether secular or regular, + though otherwise approved, to assist them in the labour of their + missions, without the express consent of the bishop.</p> + + <p>7. In their lessons of divinity, whether public or private, they shall + teach the four propositions of the French clergy, assembled 1682; and, as + often as the bishop of the diocese or the archbishop shall require it, + they shall be bound to let them see their books or lectures of + philosophy, or of moral or scholastic divinity, which they make use of in + their seminaries or other houses where they teach, either in public or + private.</p> + + <p>8. They shall not publicly defend any theses, <!-- Page 359 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page359"></a>{359}</span>without having them + first examined and approved by the bishop.</p> + + <p>9. Whenever it shall seem good to the bishop, he shall be allowed to + see and examine the books they make use of for the instruction of their + own colleges or other houses.</p> + + <p>10. In teaching the rudiments of the Christian religion, they shall + use the catechism of the diocese where they live. In one word, the + bishops shall have full inspection and superintendence over all their + instructions, whether public or private.</p> + + <p>11. They shall not gather any congregation, or set on foot any + confraternity or retreat, without the consent of the bishop, who is to + judge whether the faithful may not thereby be hindered from duly + frequenting their parish churches, a thing so earnestly recommended by + the sacred canons.</p> + + <p>12. These congregations shall never be allowed to meet at the hours + when the office or divine service is performed in the parish church; and + the bishop shall regulate these meetings as he shall judge most expedient + for the advancement of piety and religion in his diocese; and, when he + shall think fit, may repeal any such licence before granted.</p> + + <p>13. They shall not be allowed to publish any indulgence without having + it first examined and approved by the bishop. By all which we do not + intend any way to derogate from any other rights, which the French clergy + may have over the Jesuits or other regulars.</p> + + <p>14. In the exercise of the different duties of their calling they + shall not encroach upon the rights of chapters, curates, universities, or + any body of men, who are permitted to teach in this kingdom. <!-- Page + 360 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page360"></a>{360}</span></p> + + <p>We are sensible of the great advantages that must attend the due + execution of these regulations, for the maintaining of true faith and + morality, for preserving the liberties of the Gallican church, and + securing to bishops, chapters, universities, and to all orders of men, + the invaluable possession of their rights and privileges; for which + reason we humbly implore your majesty's authority and protection, which + alone can give them due sanction and stability, to the end that all your + subjects may teach one and the same doctrine, and, by a due subordination + of all the parts, may contribute to the good order, peace, and well being + both of church and state.</p> + + <p><span class="sc">Article IV.</span> "Whether it may not be convenient + to moderate and set bounds to the authority which the general of the + Jesuits exercises in France."</p> + + <p>We have examined the Jesuits' institute with the greatest care and + attention, as to what concerns the authority of the general, or the + obligation of obedience in the subjects; and have the honour to assure + your majesty, that we have found these as much limited and restrained by + the Jesuits' rule as by that of any other order. For instance; parte vi, + Declarat Constitut. tom. i, p. 408, it is said, <i>Let our obedience be + always most perfect, as well in the execution as in our will and + judgment, performing all that is commanded with the greatest alacrity, + spiritual joy, and perseverance; persuading ourselves, that all is right + which is commanded; denying and rejecting, by</i> a kind of blind + obedience, <i>any private judgment or opinion of our own to the contrary. + And thus we are to behave with regard to whatever our superior may + command, when</i> <!-- Page 361 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page361"></a>{361}</span><i>it does not appear to be any way + sinful, as has been elsewhere observed by us.</i></p> + + <p>Hence it plainly appears, that the Jesuits are never bound to obey + their general's orders, when, by obeying him, they would be found guilty + of the least sin at God's tribunal. We find, that most other religious + orders, according to the stile of their rule, profess obedience <span + class="correction" title="Original reads `to to' over line break." + >to</span> all their superiors' commands, which are not repugnant to + faith or morality. But what danger can be apprehended, either to the + church or state, from that obedience, which is not sinful on any account, + which is neither prejudicial to religion nor hurtful to the rights or + properties of any of your majesty's subjects? We may add, that this rule + of obedience doth not particularly concern the general, but equally + regards all other subordinate superiors, who, by virtue of their + subjects' vow, have equal claim to their obedience: whence it also + appears, that St. Ignatius did not think fit to vest the general with any + other authority over the whole society than that which the superior of + every religious community ought to have over his subjects.</p> + + <p>Those expressions, <i>that they are to abandon themselves to the + disposition of their superior, as if they were a dead body</i>, &c. + cannot give offence to any but such as are strangers to the language of + the ascetick writers, and who are not able to form an idea of any + perfection or Christian accomplishment, that doth not suit with their own + state and condition. We should never end were we to lay before your + majesty what we find in the fathers and masters of a spiritual life, or + in the rules of other religious orders, concerning this article of + obedience; it may suffice to observe, that they all make use of the <!-- + Page 362 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page362"></a>{362}</span>like + or even harder expressions; all propose the same examples and + comparisons, or others to the same purpose.</p> + + <p>But, after all, it is evident, by the fundamental law and constitution + of the society, that a general congregation has a far greater power and + authority over the general than he can pretend to over the society. The + same general assembly, or representative body of the order, which creates + him general, names also and appoints his assistants, who have a watchful + eye upon his behaviour, and, when they observe any great fault in his + conduct, or defect in his administration, are bound by oath to inform + against him, and to denounce him to the society; and if the case be + notorious and scandalous, or if there be danger in delay, the provincials + or superiors of provinces may convene themselves without waiting for the + summons or writs<a name="NtA122" href="#Nt122"><sup>[122]</sup></a> from + the assistants, and immediately proceed to the arraignment, trial, and + deposition of the general<a name="NtA123" + href="#Nt123"><sup>[123]</sup></a>, <!-- Page 363 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page363"></a>{363}</span>whom also, if they + judge it necessary, they may dismiss and eject out of the society. There + is not, perhaps, to be found a general of any other religious body, who + has so absolute and perpetual a dependence on his order; it being well + known, that the general of the Jesuits has not power to dispose of the + least thing in his own behalf or to his private advantage, nor can so + much as command any other diet or apparel, than that which is assigned + him by the society<a name="NtA124" + href="#Nt124"><sup>[124]</sup></a>.</p> + + <p>It is true, indeed, that the general alone can dispose of all the + places and employments of the order, but this he cannot do without taking + the advice of his counsel<a name="NtA125" + href="#Nt125"><sup>[125]</sup></a>; and nothing, perhaps, discovers the + wisdom of St. Ignatius more than his having left all places of trust in + his order to the free disposal of the general, by which means he has + secured the subjects from that partiality and injustice which might be + apprehended from their immediate and subaltern superiors, who, by the + intercession and solicitation of friends, relations, or benefactors, are + too often prevailed upon to prefer persons of little merit to others more + deserving. He has effectually banished from his order all intrigues and + cabals for the gaining of preferment, evils which are not easily guarded + against, and are <!-- Page 364 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page364"></a>{364}</span>often the cause of fatal divisions in + communities, of scandalous law-suits, of jealousies, hatred, and the + entire subversion of union, charity, and the primitive spirit of the + order. St. Ignatius has, with great judgment, provided against this + disorder, and secured the peace and regularity of the whole body, by + stripping all the places of preferment in this society of those temporal + advantages, which are commonly annexed to them in other orders, whence + the most ambitious person amongst them will hardly think it worth his + while to make interest for a place, which carries with it no natural + allurement of ease or convenience, and has little else but the empty name + of superiority to recommend it.</p> + + <p>In an order, that was to be wholly devoted to the service of the + public, it was necessary, that such a plan of government should be + established as should leave no room for subjects to doubt, but that all + the places and employments were given to persons the most deserving, and, + according to the best rules of human prudence, the most capable of + filling them to advantage. This assurance frees them from all anxiety and + solicitude concerning the dispositions of superiors, either with regard + to themselves or others, and they have no other concern but to comply + faithfully with the duties of their institute, to perfect themselves and + benefit their neighbour in that employment, which is assigned them by + their superior, whose orders and appointment they respectfully embrace as + the disposition of Divine Providence.</p> + + <p>With regard to the authority of the general over the temporalities of + the order, we find<a name="NtA126" href="#Nt126"><sup>[126]</sup></a>, + that he has power <!-- Page 365 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page365"></a>{365}</span>to make all kinds of contracts in behalf + of the colleges and houses of the society, though he is not allowed to + convert any thing to his own private use or advantage<a name="NtA127" + href="#Nt127"><sup>[127]</sup></a>. He cannot transfer the revenues of + one college to another, nor assign any part of them for the maintenance + of <i>Profest Houses</i><a name="NtA128" + href="#Nt128"><sup>[128]</sup></a>, which are not to have any rents, but + are entirely to subsist upon charity. The donations, which are made to + the body, without being assigned to any determinate use, are at the + general's disposal<a name="NtA129" href="#Nt129"><sup>[129]</sup></a>, + who may sell them, and annex them to any house, as he shall judge most + expedient for promoting God' honour and the good <!-- Page 366 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page366"></a>{366}</span>of religion; but with + this caution, that, when such donations are made by persons who enter + into the society, they be not alienated from the province<a name="NtA130" + href="#Nt130"><sup>[130]</sup></a>, unless, perhaps, the great distress + of some house in another province should call for immediate relief. And, + with regard to places that are subject to the dominion of different + princes, the general is not allowed to make any such translation of + property from one territory to another, without their consent<a + name="NtA131" href="#Nt131"><sup>[131]</sup></a>, but he can never + appropriate to his own use, or make over to his relations, any part of + that which is given to the society, without incurring certain danger of + being deposed from his office<a name="NtA132" + href="#Nt132"><sup>[132]</sup></a>. Hence it is plain, that the <!-- Page + 367 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page367"></a>{367}</span>general is + no more than a kind of steward and administrator of the goods and + possessions belonging to the society, the property whereof is wholly + vested in the colleges and other houses.</p> + + <p>It doth not appear to us, that this manner of administration can be + any way prejudical to the colleges of the order; neither can it with + reason give umbrage to the state, or cause any distrust in the + government, their general having no power to dispose of the possessions + belonging to the colleges in your majesty's dominions, contrary to the + laws and established customs of your kingdom; nor can it be supposed, + that such an attempt would ever escape the vigilance of our magistrates, + the faithful depositaries of your majesty's authority.</p> + + <p>But it may appear dangerous to some, that so many thousands of your + majesty's subjects should have a dependence upon one man, and be engaged + to a foreigner by motives of conscience and inclination; and it may seem, + that, in times of trouble and intestine divisions, the danger is still + more to be apprehended. In answer to this objection we beg leave to + observe, that, in your majesty's dominions, there are other religious + orders far more numerous than the Jesuits, and who, by their vow of + obedience, have no less dependence on their foreign generals; whence it + is highly unreasonable, that the Jesuits should be marked out as the only + object of our fears and jealousies on that account: to say the truth, + there is no society or body of men in the nation, who may not give + trouble to the state, and some cause of fear, <!-- Page 368 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page368"></a>{368}</span>should they deviate + from their duty, or forget the obedience due to their lawful superiors. + Are we then immediately to suppress all these most serviceable + corporations, and deprive ourselves of that which is a real good and + advantage to the whole kingdom, for the apprehension of a remote and + imaginary evil? The Jesuits certainly are not less bound by your + majesty's laws than the rest of your subjects; and, if from things past + we may be allowed to form a judgment of their future behaviour, we have + little or no reason to fear any disturbance from that quarter. It is well + known, that, in the year 1681, during our disputes with Rome concerning + benefices, the pope's briefs were conveyed into the hands of the Jesuits + in France, with express orders, both from his holiness and from their + general, to disperse them immediately about the kingdom; but they, + without much deliberation, on the 20th of June, produced the packet in + open court, and, by their candid behaviour in that critical conjuncture, + deserved that remarkable compliment from the first president, M. de + Novion, <i>that it was lucky those papers had fallen into the hands of + persons of their prudence and discretion: that they had too good heads to + be imposed upon, and hearts too loyal to be corrupted</i><a name="NtA133" + href="#Nt133"><sup>[133]</sup></a>. We are also assured by the general + advocate, Talon, <i>that no one could reasonably tax the Jesuits, whose + behaviour on that occasion was fully justified by the bitter reproach and + severe reprimand they afterwards underwent, both from the pope and their + own general</i><a name="NtA134" href="#Nt134"><sup>[134]</sup></a>. This + one short passage of our history may convince us, <!-- Page 369 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page369"></a>{369}</span>more effectually than + all the reasonings in the world, that the Jesuits, according to their + rules, do not profess any other obedience to their general than is + consistent with their duty towards their king and country.</p> + + <p>We are moreover convinced, that this obedience of the Jesuits to their + general, as prescribed by their rule, and their fourth vow, by which they + cannot be fully bound to the order till they have attained the age of + thirty-three, are the two essential principles, and, as it were, the + foundation stones, on which the whole edifice of their constitution is + raised: these cannot be changed without overthrowing the whole building; + neither can any alteration be made in them without forming a new + constitution, very different from that to which the Jesuits have bound + themselves by vow. These two fundamental articles discover to us the + extraordinary wisdom of their founder, who, with great judgment and + forecast, has thus provided against the growth of any dangerous + irregularity in the order, and secured such a constant tenor of + government, as was necessary to qualify the religious subjects for the + great duties of their calling.</p> + + <p>It was, doubtless, for these reasons, that the council of Trent so + highly commended and approved of this institute: that the late pope, + Benedict XIV, in the bull <i>Devotum</i>, anno 1746, called them most + wise laws and institutions, <i>ex præscripto sapientissimarum legum et + constitutionum</i>, &c.: that the clergy of France, anno 1574, stiled + them <i>good and sound regulations</i>: lastly, that the great Bossuet + assures us, that in this <i>rule he discovered numberless strokes of + consummate wisdom</i><a name="NtA135" href="#Nt135"><sup>[135]</sup></a>. + Which <!-- Page 370 --><span class="pagenum"><a + name="page370"></a>{370}</span>testimonies are greatly confirmed by the + example of those other religious orders, which have sprung up in the + church since the first establishment of the Jesuits, whose founders have + framed good part of their rule after the model of this institute.</p> + + <p>All which things considered, we are of opinion, that no alteration can + be made in the Jesuits' rule, with regard to the power and authority of + the general. And your majesty will give us leave to observe, that, if it + were expedient to make such a reform, it would neither be agreeable to + the ecclesiastical law, nor to the avowed practice of all ages, nor in + particular to the discipline of the church of France and the established + maxims of your courts of parliament, to undertake an affair of this + nature without the concurrence and joint consent of his holiness the + supreme pastor of the church, of the bishops of France, and of a general + congregation of the Jesuits: we might add, without the consent of all the + professed Jesuits, as such an alteration in their dependence on their + general would affect the very vitals of the order, and change the whole + constitution.</p> + + <p>For these one hundred and fifty years, our history affords one only + instance (of 1681) in which this authority of their general might have + been any way prejudicial to the state; and if, on that occasion, the + loyalty of the French Jesuits underwent a very severe trial, it had no + other effect than to convince the whole kingdom how well they deserved + that honourable testimony of your parliament, that their prudence guarded + them against all surprise, and their loyalty against corruption.</p> + + <p>But nothing, perhaps, can be of greater weight in this matter than the + judgment of your majesty's royal <!-- Page 371 --><span + class="pagenum"><a name="page371"></a>{371}</span>predecessor Henry IV, + of glorious memory<a name="NtA136" href="#Nt136"><sup>[136]</sup></a>, + who, in the midst of all his troubles, when the kingdom was in the + greatest ferment, and he beset by persons, who spared no pains to instil + into his mind the greatest distrust of the Jesuits, desired no other + security for their good behaviour than this alone, that he might have one + of that body ever near his person in quality of preacher to his majesty, + and that a French assistant should be established with the general at + Rome.</p> + + <p>Your majesty is still possessed of the same security; and, since we + are taught by the experience of a hundred and fifty years, that this is + abundantly sufficient for the purpose, there can be no need of any + farther caution or new regulation; especially as the Jesuits, in the late + declaration, which they had the honour to present your majesty, have + assured us in the most express terms, that, if their general was to + require any thing of them contrary to the laws of your kingdom or to the + obedience and respect due to your majesty, they neither could nor would + pay any regard to such commands; and that their vow of obedience, as it + is explained in their rule, doth no way bind them to such a compliance. + This so peremptory declaration of the Jesuits, and the wise dispositions + of the edict in 1603, leave no room to apprehend any danger from the + general's abusing his authority to the prejudice of your majesty's + kingdom. We are, &c.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The cardinal <span class="sc">de Luynes</span>.</p> + <p>—————— <span class="sc">de Gesvres</span>.</p> + <p>—————— <span class="sc">de Rohan</span>.</p> + <p>The archbp. of <span class="sc">Cambray</span>.</p> + <p>——————— <span class="sc">Reims</span>.</p> + <p>——————— <span class="sc">Narbonne</span>.</p> +<!-- Page 372 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page372"></a>{372}</span> + <p>——————— <span class="sc">Embrun</span>.</p> + <p>——————— <span class="sc">Ausch</span>.</p> + <p>——————— <span class="sc">Bourdeaux</span>.</p> + <p>——————— *.</p> + <p>——————— <span class="sc">Arles</span>.</p> + <p>——————— <span class="sc">Toulouse</span>.</p> + <p>The bishop of <span class="sc">Langres</span>.</p> + <p>—————— <span class="sc">Mans</span>.</p> + <p>—————— <span class="sc">Valence</span>.</p> + <p>—————— <span class="sc">Macon</span>.</p> + <p>—————— <span class="sc">Bayeux</span>.</p> + <p>—————— <span class="sc">Amiens</span>.</p> + <p>—————— <span class="sc">Noyon</span>.</p> + <p>—————— <span class="sc">S. Papoul</span>.</p> + <p>—————— <span class="sc">Comminges</span>.</p> + <p>—————— <span class="sc">S. Malo</span>.</p> + <p>—————— <span class="sc">Die</span>.</p> + <p>—————— <span class="sc">Apollonie</span>.</p> + <p>—————— <span class="sc">S. Paul-de-Leon</span>.</p> + <p>—————— <span class="sc">Chartres</span>.</p> + <p>—————— <span class="sc">Rhodez</span>.</p> + <p>—————— <span class="sc">Sarlat</span>.</p> + <p>—————— <span class="sc">Orleans</span>.</p> + <p>—————— <span class="sc">Meaux</span>.</p> + <p>—————— <span class="sc">Arras</span>.</p> + <p>—————— <span class="sc">Blois</span>.</p> + <p>—————— <span class="sc">Metz</span>.</p> + <p>—————— <span class="sc">Angouleme</span>.</p> + <p>—————— <span class="sc">Verdun</span>.</p> + <p>—————— <span class="sc">Senlis</span>.</p> + <p>—————— <span class="sc">Angers</span>.</p> + <p>—————— <span class="sc">Digne</span>.</p> + <p>—————— <span class="sc">Autun</span>.</p> + <p>—————— <span class="sc">Vence</span>.</p> + <p>—————— <span class="sc">Evreux</span>.</p> + <p>The coadjutor of <span class="sc">Strasbourg</span>.</p> + <p>The bishop of <span class="sc">Leictoure</span>.</p> + <p>—————— <span class="sc">Troyes</span>.</p> + <p>—————— <span class="sc">Nantes</span>.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p><i>General Agents for the Clergy.</i></p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>M. l'abbé <span class="sc">de Broglie</span>.</p> + <p>M. l'abbé <span class="sc">de Juigné</span>.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="short" /> + +<p><!-- Page 373 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page373"></a>{373}</span></p> + +<p class="cenhead"><i>A Copy of the Letter of the Archbishop of Paris, +dated January 1, 1762.</i></p> + +<blockquote class="b1n"> + + <p><span class="sc">Most Gracious Sovereign</span>,</p> + +</blockquote> + + <p>If, in company of the other prelates, I did not add my name to the + answer which they had the honour to present your majesty, it was not that + I differed in the least from their judgment as to the four articles, + which your majesty was pleased to propose to their examination, + concerning the usefulness, the doctrine, the conduct, and the government + of the Jesuits. I am very sensible that, in point of virtue and learning, + there is no bishop in the nation to whom I ought not to give the + precedency; and, in this view, would willingly have subscribed after all + my brother bishops: but there is a regard due to the dignity of the see, + to which your majesty has graciously been pleased to call me, and I must + not take a step, that may interfere with those prerogatives, which, after + the example of your august predecessors, you think it your duty to + maintain. No other consideration could have prevented my setting my hand + to a testimony so much to the advantage of the Jesuits of your kingdom: + and, whilst I have the honour to assure your majesty of my entire + adherency to that solemn act, I once more beg leave to implore your + justice and supreme authority in behalf of a religious body, <!-- Page + 374 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="page374"></a>{374}</span>eminent + for learning and piety, and well deserving your royal protection, for the + great services, which, during the two last ages, they have rendered both + to church and state.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>(Signed) CHRISTOPHER,</p> + <p>Archbishop of <span class="sc">Paris</span>.</p> + </div> + </div> + +<h3>T<span class="gsp"> </span>H<span class="gsp"> </span>E E<span class="gsp"> </span>N<span class="gsp"> </span>D.</h3> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" /> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>C. WOOD, Printer,</p> + <p>Poppin's Court, Fleet Street.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" /> + +<h3>NOTES</h3> + +<div class="note"> + <p><a name="Nt1" href="#NtA1">[1]</a> See Substance of a Speech of Sir + John Coxe Hippisley, Bart. published by Murray, 1815.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt2" href="#NtA2">[2]</a> Robertson's Charles V, vol. iii, p. + 225.—To supply the malicious omission of the pamphlet writer, I + will here insert the historian's report of the Jesuits in South America. + "But it is in the new world that the Jesuits have exhibited the most + wonderful display of their abilities, and have contributed most + effectually to the benefit of the human species. The conquerors of that + unfortunate quarter of the globe had nothing in view but to plunder, to + enslave, and to exterminate its inhabitants. The Jesuits alone have made + humanity the object of their settling there. About the beginning of the + last century they obtained admission into the fertile province of + Paraguay, which stretches across the southern continent of America, from + the bottom of the mountains of Potosi to the confines of the Spanish and + Portuguese settlements on the banks of the river de la Plata. They found + the inhabitants in a state little different from that which takes place + among men when they first begin to unite together: strangers to the arts; + subsisting precariously by hunting or fishing; and hardly acquainted with + the first principles of subordination and government. The Jesuits set + themselves to instruct and to civilize these savages. They taught them to + cultivate the ground, to rear tame animals, and to build houses. They + brought them to live together in villages. They trained them to arts and + manufactures. They made them taste the sweets of society, and accustomed + them to the blessings of security and order. These people became the + subjects of their benefactors, who have governed them with a tender + attention, resembling that with which a father directs his children. + Respected and beloved almost to adoration, a few Jesuits presided over + some hundred thousand Indians. They maintained a perfect equality among + all the members of the community. Each of them was obliged to labour, not + for himself alone, but for the public. The produce of their fields, + together with the fruits of their industry of every species, were + deposited in common store houses, from which each individual received + every thing necessary for the supply of his wants. By this institution, + almost all the passions, which disturb the peace of society, and render + the members of it unhappy, were extinguished. A few magistrates, chosen + by the Indians themselves, watched over the public tranquillity, and + secured obedience to the laws. The sanguinary punishments, frequent under + other governments, were unknown: an admonition from a Jesuit; a slight + mark of infamy; or, on some singular occasion, a few lashes with a whip, + were sufficient to maintain good order among these innocent and happy + people."—Charles V, p. 219.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt3" href="#NtA3">[3]</a> The author of the following + Letters, who owed the publication of them to the liberality of the editor + of the <span class="sc">Pilot</span>, complained of the refusal of the + editor of the <span class="sc">Times</span> to admit into that paper a + vindication of character, though he had opened his pages to the blaster + of it. As newspapers in modern times have erected themselves into a kind + of tribunal of the dernier resort, the editors should not forget the + indispensable maxim of all courts of justice, and <i>concede alteri parti + occasionem audiri</i> should be a standing rule with them, or they must + submit to pass for the star-chambers of jacobinism, or of some other + party.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt4" href="#NtA4">[4]</a> D'Alembert said to one of his + intimates, with whom he had been to hear the celebrated sermon preached + by P. Beauregard against the apostles of infidelity, "These men die + hard."</p> + + <p><a name="Nt5" href="#NtA5">[5]</a> The passage above cited, though not + published with his name, is well known to have proceeded from the pen of + M. de Lally Tolendal.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt6" href="#NtA6">[6]</a> It is well known, that the Dutch, + at this time, did every thing in their power to undermine the Portuguese + in Japan, and that they fabricated tales of the Jesuits to alarm the + government, which, they said, was to be subverted, the emperor to be + dethroned, and the people made slaves to the pope. In consequence of + these slanders, no Christian was suffered in the empire; when, to + preserve their commerce, the Dutch abjured Christianity, and, in proof of + their sincerity, consented to tread publicly upon the cross at certain + times.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt7" href="#NtA7">[7]</a> Encyclopedia Britannica.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt8" href="#NtA8">[8]</a> Spirit of Laws, book v, chap. + 14.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt9" href="#NtA9">[9]</a> Robertson's Charles V, vol. iii, + page 224.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt10" href="#NtA10">[10]</a> See Sully's Memoirs.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt11" href="#NtA11">[11]</a> This passage is also from the + pen of M. Lally Tolendal.—When I was at Paris, in the autumn of + 1814, he was engaged on the Life of Charles I, of England. After the + return of Bonaparte, Louis XVIII appointed him one of his ministers.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt12" href="#NtA12">[12]</a> See Letter IV.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt13" href="#NtA13">[13]</a> This, if well executed, would be + a very interesting work, and it is not impossible, that it may be + attempted.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt14" href="#NtA14">[14]</a> See Letter III.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt15" href="#NtA15">[15]</a> Lord Clarendon, vol. i, page + 73.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt16" href="#NtA16">[16]</a> Hume's History of England, vol. + vi, page 297, &c.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt17" href="#NtA17">[17]</a> Hume's History of England, vol. + vi, page 378.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt18" href="#NtA18">[18]</a> On the subject of the popish + plots, see Dr. Milner's Letters to a Prebendary.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt19" href="#NtA19">[19]</a> As to the judges of those times, + see what a picture is drawn of a chief justice by the most celebrated of + our historians:—"To be a Jesuit, or even a catholic, was of itself + a sufficient proof of guilt. The chief justice (sir William Scroggs), in + particular, gave sanction to all the narrow prejudices and bigoted fury + of the populace. Instead of being counsel for the prisoners, as his + office required, he pleaded the cause against them, browbeat their + witnesses, and on every occasion represented their guilt as certain and + uncontroverted. He even went so far as publicly to affirm, that the + papists had not the same principles which protestants have, and therefore + were not entitled to that common <i>credence</i>, which the principles + and practices of the latter call for. And, when the jury brought in their + verdict against the prisoners, he said, 'You have done, gentlemen, like + very good subjects, and very good Christians, that is to say, like very + good protestants.'"—Hume's History of England, vol. viii, ch. 67, + p. 91. See also what the same author says in his third appendix: "Timid + juries, and judges, who held their offices during pleasure, never failed + to second all the views of the crown. And, as the practice was anciently + common, of fining, imprisoning, or otherwise punishing the jurors, merely + at the discretion of the court, for finding a verdict contrary to the + direction of these dependent judges, it is obvious, that juries were then + no manner of security to the liberty of the subject."—Vol. v, p. + 458. And, if these be not enough, take conviction from the pen of one of + the most penetrating geniuses of the age: "The proceedings on the popish + plot," says Mr. Fox, in his History of James II, "must always be + considered as an indelible disgrace upon the English nation, in which + king, parliament, judges, juries, witnesses, prosecutors, have all their + respective, though certainly not equal shares. Witnesses, of such a + character as not to deserve credit in the most trifling cause, upon the + most immaterial facts, gave evidence so incredible, or, to speak more + properly, so impossible to be true, that it ought not to have been + believed if it had come from the mouth of Cato: and, upon such evidence, + from such witnesses, were innocent men condemned to death and executed. + Prosecutors, whether attornies and solicitors-general, or managers of + impeachment, acted with the fury which, in such circumstances, might be + expected; juries partook, naturally enough, of the national ferment; and + judges, whose duty it was to guard them against such impressions, were + scandalously active in confirming them in their prejudices, and inflaming + their passions. The king, who is supposed to have disbelieved the whole + plot, never once exercised his glorious prerogative of mercy. It is said + he dared not. His throne, perhaps his life, was at stake."—History + of James II, by the right honourable Charles James Fox, page 33.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt20" href="#NtA20">[20]</a> Fox's History of James II, page + 40.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt21" href="#NtA21">[21]</a> I was unwilling to interrupt the + reader at the last quotation from Mr. Fox, but I beg leave here to say a + few words relative to the insinuated calumny on the catholic priests of + Ireland, to which I then alluded. As I have before observed, it is easy + to see, that this attack, under cover of assailing the Jesuits, is aimed + at catholics in general. The priests in Ireland are charged, in the + pamphlet, with great venality and corruption of morals, and this, the + writer says, may be affirmed without the fear of contradiction. To notice + this slander is allowing myself to be led from my particular subject into + the general one; I will not, therefore, dwell upon it, but, referring the + reader to a volume of indisputable authority, though written by a + catholic (Dr. Milner's Inquiry into certain vulgar Opinions, Letter + xviii), for an interesting account of the Irish clergy and of the Irish + poor, I will content myself with extracting a note, or rather reference, + from page 182 of the book. "If, gentlemen, you are not under the + influence of very gross prejudice, you will, in receiving representations + of the necessitous state of Ireland, maturely weigh the allegations of + men, who have stigmatized, and still stigmatize as the last of mankind, + some of the most deserving and useful men in the community. There are + among them preachers and teachers of the first excellence: there are men + of profound erudition, men of nice classical taste, and men of the best + critical acumen. They are not formed, it is true, to shine in the + drawing-room or at the tea-table; nor are such qualifications very + desirable in churchmen; for you well know, that the refined manners of + fashionable life are often as incompatible with Christian morality, as + the grosser vices of the vulgar herd. Their manners are, in general, + decent; but their exertions are great, their zeal is indefatigable. See + them in the most inclement seasons, at the most unseasonable hours, in + the most uncultivated parts, amidst the poorest and most wretched of + mankind! They are always ready at a call; nothing can deter them; the + sense of duty surmounts every obstacle! And there is no reward for them + in this world! The good effects of their zeal are visible to every + impartial and discerning mind; notwithstanding the many great + disadvantages under which it labours. For instance, you may often find a + parish so extensive and populous as to require two or three clergymen + properly to serve it, and yet the poverty of the parish is such as to be + scarcely able to maintain one in a tolerably decent manner. I could point + out many other disadvantages, but I forbear at present," + &c.—"After all, the good effects are so conspicuous, that, I + repeat it, the lower orders of Irishmen are better instructed in the + doctrines of Christianity than the lower orders of Englishmen."</p> + + <p>I cannot speak of the catholic priests in Ireland from my own + knowledge, but the information I have received, from friends well + acquainted with the subject, fully corroborates this character of them. + With such a character, already drawn before the public with genuine marks + of candour, is it possible that any writer to the public should, in + calumniating it, say, that there was no fear of his being contradicted? + Was he not contradicted, if I may use the expression, by anticipation? + But uncongenial records are useless things, like <i>stern lights</i>.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt22" href="#NtA22">[22]</a> Rapin's History of England, vol. + ii, page 344.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt23" href="#NtA23">[23]</a> Hume says, that Campion was put + to the rack, and, confessing his guilt, was publicly executed. The + confession of guilt is not so clearly proved as the putting to the rack. + In the life of Campion the confession is denied; and what Hume himself + says immediately before is strong against the imputed guilt, that he and + Parsons were sent to explain the bull of Pius, and to teach that the + subjects of Elizabeth were not bound by it to rebel against + her.—See vol. v, chap. xli, page 238.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt24" href="#NtA24">[24]</a> Page 327, edition 1615.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt25" href="#NtA25">[25]</a> Hume's History of England, vol. + viii, chap. lxvii, page 110.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt26" href="#NtA26">[26]</a> Hume's History of England, vol. + v, chap. xxxviii, page 22, &c.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt27" href="#NtA27">[27]</a> Hume.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt28" href="#NtA28">[28]</a> Tom. ii, p. 375.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt29" href="#NtA29">[29]</a> Bayle, article Loyola.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt30" href="#NtA30">[30]</a> Dupleix's History of France.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt31" href="#NtA31">[31]</a> An assembly of the clergy was + held at Poissy, in 1561, where James Laynez, then general of the Jesuits, + refuted the impieties of Beza, in the presence of the French court.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt32" href="#NtA32">[32]</a> Filles Dieu.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt33" href="#NtA33">[33]</a> See the Substance of a Speech of + Sir John Coxe Hippisley, Bart., &c.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt34" href="#NtA34">[34]</a> Sir John informs us (ibid. page + 37), that "there is evidence fully on record" to show, that Frederic III, + of Prussia, acted, with respect to the Jesuits, upon the "same principles + which influenced the measures of the empress Catherine." According to the + principles I have thought myself bound to ascribe to her, this + concurrence is not unlikely; but, it is very unlikely, that he preserved + them in his dominions through the sad ambition of showing a power of + managing them. He had declared, that he retained them, in order to + furnish <i>the good seed</i> to catholic princes, who might one day wish + to recover the plant.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt35" href="#NtA35">[35]</a> The fifth article of the + <i>pacta conventa</i>, confirmed by the empress's edict of September 5, + 1772, runs in these words:—"Catholici utriusque ritûs in his + provinciis inhabitantes, quæ augustissimæ Russiarum imperatrici ex pacto + convento cesserunt, ad civilem statum quod attinet, omnibus + possessionibus bonisquæ suis fruentur. In iis vero quæ ad religionem + spectant, <i>omnino</i> conservabuntur <i>in statu quo</i>: videlicet, in + eodem libero exercitio cultûs et disciplinæ suæ, cum omnibus templis et + bonis ecclesiasticis, <i>eodem modo</i> quo possidebantur cum ii + catholici sub dominium majestatis suæ imperialis venerunt. Nec majestas + sua imperialis nec ejus successores utentur unquam suprema potestate et + auctoritate in detrimentum <i>statûs quo</i> catholicæ Romanæ ecclesiæ in + commemoratis provinciis." This fifth article was afterwards formally + accepted and agreed to by the empress, the king of Poland, and the pope, + in the diet of Poland, September 18, 1773, five weeks after the + suppression of the society at Rome. The nuncio Garampi had laboured in + vain to obtain the exclusion of the Jesuits from the benefit of it.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt36" href="#NtA36">[36]</a> Additional note, page 36.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt37" href="#NtA37">[37]</a> Mr. Plowden, whose book, I am + sorry to say, I have not read.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt38" href="#NtA38">[38]</a> "Popes," says the very pontiff + on whom sir John relies, "are pilots, steering almost always through + boisterous seas, and, of course, must spread or shorten sail according to + the weather."—Ganganelli's Letters, Letter cxii.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt39" href="#NtA39">[39]</a> Ganganelli's Letters, Letter + cxii.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt40" href="#NtA40">[40]</a> Ibid.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt41" href="#NtA41">[41]</a> Letter cxii.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt42" href="#NtA42">[42]</a> St Luke, chap. xxiii. verse + 24.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt43" href="#NtA43">[43]</a> Letter cxii.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt44" href="#NtA44">[44]</a> Appendix No. I.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt45" href="#NtA45">[45]</a> Urban VII is placed at the head + of the roll of the pontiffs hostile to the Jesuits. If sir John will take + the trouble of looking into Sacchinus's History, part v, book x, page + 505, he will there read, that, as soon as pope Urban VII was elected, he + discharged from prison an innocent Jesuit, whom his violent predecessor, + Sixtus V, had confined, publicly declaring him to be free from guilt, and + suspicion of guilt. This, says the historian, was the first, and it was + also the last, act of government of pope Urban VII, who presently was + taken ill, and died on the twelfth day after his election, September 27, + 1590.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt46" href="#NtA46">[46]</a> After this, under the hand of + Ganganelli, when pope, what can we think of those, who attempt to mislead + the public mind by asserting, that the Jesuits were connected with the + Inquisition?</p> + + <p><a name="Nt47" href="#NtA47">[47]</a> This is directly in + contradiction to sir John Hippisley's remark of the influence of the + Jesuits being considered as so exceptionable, even by prelates of their + own community.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt48" href="#NtA48">[48]</a> Castéra's History of Catherine + II.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt49" href="#NtA49">[49]</a> Clement XIII's Letter of the 9th + July, 1763, to the archbishops and bishops of France.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt50" href="#NtA50">[50]</a> Acts of the Apostles chap. xxv, + verse 16.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt51" href="#NtA51">[51]</a> See page <a + href="#page29">29</a>.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt52" href="#NtA52">[52]</a> Spirit of Laws, Book IV, chap. + vi.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt53" href="#NtA53">[53]</a> Dissertation on the Varieties of + the Human Species.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt54" href="#NtA54">[54]</a> Tracts on several interesting + Subjects in Politics and Morals.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt55" href="#NtA55">[55]</a> See the English edition of his + work, called "A Relation of the Missions of Paraguay," pages 113, 181, + <i>et passim</i>.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt56" href="#NtA56">[56]</a> M. Lally Tolendal.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt57" href="#NtA57">[57]</a> See the Life prefixed to his + Sermons.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt58" href="#NtA58">[58]</a> Bausset's Life of Fenelon, vol. + i, page 21, &c.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt59" href="#NtA59">[59]</a> Appendix, No. II.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt60" href="#NtA60">[60]</a> See the Institute, vol. ii, p. + 74.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt61" href="#NtA61">[61]</a> Juan and Ulloa, Vol. II. chap. + xv, p. 179 and 180.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt62" href="#NtA62">[62]</a> Juan and Ulloa, Vol. II, chap. + xv, p. 182 and 184.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt63" href="#NtA63">[63]</a> See Memoirs of the Ministry of + Carvalho, Marquis de Pombal.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt64" href="#NtA64">[64]</a> Barruel's <i>Histoire du Clergé + pendant la Revolution Françoise</i>, page 152.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt65" href="#NtA65">[65]</a> Infinite are the false reports, + made by interested writers, of the missions of South America. The solid + refutation of them may be found in many Spanish works, but more agreeably + in the <i>Histoire du Paraguay</i> of Charlevoix, the voyage of Juan and + Ulloa, and the <i>Cristianesimo Felice</i> of Muratori, already + cited.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt66" href="#NtA66">[66]</a> See vol. i, page 58.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt67" href="#NtA67">[67]</a> In 1768, when the Jesuit + missionaries from Spanish America arrived at Cadiz, a number of them, + natives of northern countries, were shipped off to Ostend, to make their + way to their respective homes. Their poor garments were almost worn to + rags. A new hat was given to each, with a very small pittance in money, + proportioned to the distance to which he was to travel. Those, who came + from California, reported, that, before they were brought away from + Mexico, the priests, who had been sent into California, to take their + abandoned stations, returned in the ship, in which they had been sent + out, refusing, one and all, to dwell in such a country.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt68" href="#NtA68">[68]</a> De dign. et aug. Scient. I. + 7.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt69" href="#NtA69">[69]</a> It was a law of the society, + with which the general could not dispense, that no rewards or alms were + to be demanded or accepted, whereby the spiritual and literary duties of + the institute might seem to be recompensed. Even the usual honorary + retributions, attached to spiritual functions, and regulated by the + canons, were excluded. Hence, when clergymen of other descriptions had + preached a course of sermons in royal chapels, they were usually, and + very justly, complimented with some considerable benefice, frequently a + mitre: when Jesuits had performed the same duty with success, they were + thanked in the king's name, and informed, that his majesty would be glad + to hear them another year. Perhaps this law of the Jesuits, and their + renunciation of church dignities by vow, were among the motives, which + engaged princes to employ them so much in spiritual concerns.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt70" href="#NtA70">[70]</a> Cardinal de Maury's "Eloge de M. + l'Abbe Radonvilliers, prononcé le 7 Mai, 1807."</p> + + <p><a name="Nt71" href="#NtA71">[71]</a> See cardinal de Maury's "Essai + sur l'Eloquence, Panegyriques, Eloges, &c." vol. ii, printed at + Paris, 1810.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt72" href="#NtA72">[72]</a> They are found, principally, in + the fourth part of their "Constitutions," in the rules of provincials, + rectors, prefects of schools, masters, and scholastics, and in their + <i>Ratio Studiorum</i>.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt73" href="#NtA73">[73]</a> See the chapter of part x, + entitled "De modo quo conservari et augeri totum corpus Societatis in suo + bono statu possit," vol. i, p. 445, of the Prague folio edition.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt74" href="#NtA74">[74]</a> Institute, vol. ii, p. 408, + Prague folio edition.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt75" href="#NtA75">[75]</a> Institute, vol. ii, p. 408, + Prague folio edition.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt76" href="#NtA76">[76]</a> Ibid. vol. i, p. 407.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt77" href="#NtA77">[77]</a> Ibid. vol. i, p. 408.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt78" href="#NtA78">[78]</a> Institute, vol. i, p. 373.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt79" href="#NtA79">[79]</a> Ibid, vol. i, p. 408.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt80" href="#NtA80">[80]</a> "Filiis suis, ut convenit, + compati noverit."—Institutum Const., Pars IX, vol. ii, c. i, p. + 4.</p> + + <p>"Conferet secum viros, qui consilio polleant, habere, quorum operâ in + iis quæ statuenda sunt . . . uti possit."—Ibid., vol. i, p. + 425.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt81" href="#NtA81">[81]</a> "Vir sit (generalis) . . . in + omni virtutum genere exemplum . . . ac <i>præcipuè</i> in eo <i>splendor + charitatis</i> . . . sit conspicuus."—Institutum Const., vol. i, p. + 135.</p> + + <p>"Advertendum quod primo in <i>charitate ac dulcedine</i>, qui peccant, + sunt admonendi."—Ibid. vol. i, p. 375.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt82" href="#NtA82">[82]</a> "Conferet etiam, circumspectè et + ordinatè precipære . . . ita ut subditi se potius ad <i>dilectionem</i> + majorem quàm ad timorem suorum superiorem possint + componere."—Ibid., vol. i, p. 426.</p> + + <p>"Ut in spiritu <i>amoris</i> et non cum perturbatione timoris + procedatur, curandum est."—Ibid., vol. i, p. 407.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt83" href="#NtA83">[83]</a> "Juret unusquisque, priusquam + det (<i>suffragium</i>) quod eum nominat, quem sentit in Domino magis + idoneum."—Ibid., vol. i, p. 431.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt84" href="#NtA84">[84]</a> "Si accidiret ut valde negligens + vel remissus esset, &c. . . . tunc enim coadjutor vel vicarius qui + generalis officio fungatur, est eligendus."—Institutum Const., vol. + i, p. 439.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt85" href="#NtA85">[85]</a> "Habet ergo societas cum + præposito generali (et idem cum inferioribus fieri possit) aliquem qui + accedens ad Deum in oratione, postquam divinam bonitatem consulerit et + æquum esse id judicaverit, cum modestia debita ac humilitate, quid + sentiat in ipso præposito requiri ad majus obsequium et gloriam Dei, + admonere teneatur."—Ibid., Pars IX, c. iv, n. 4, p. 439.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt86" href="#NtA86">[86]</a> See Part IX, chap. iv, of the + Constitutions, entitled "De auctoritate vel providentia quam Societas + habere debet erga præpositum Generalem," vol. i, p. 439.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt87" href="#NtA87">[87]</a> Ibid.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt88" href="#NtA88">[88]</a> "Erit etiam summi momenti, ut + perpetuò felix societatis status conservetur, diligentissimè ambitionem, + malorum omnium in quavis republica vel congregatione matrem + submovere."—Institutum Const., vol. i, p. 446.</p> + + <p>"Qui autem de ambitione hujusmodi convictus esset, activo et passivo + suffragio privetur, ut inhabilis ad eligendum alium (generalem), et ut + ipse eligatur."—Ibid., vol. i, p. 430.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt89" href="#NtA89">[89]</a> Institutum Const., vol. i, p. + 490.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt90" href="#NtA90">[90]</a> Institutum Const., vol. i, p. + 422.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt91" href="#NtA91">[91]</a> When Dr. Priestley went to + Paris, to enjoy personally the happy improvement of human affairs, at the + conclusion of the eighteenth century, the glorious star of reason was + culminating. He was known to be a materialist, consequently very + naturally taken for an atheist, or at least a naturalist, if I may use + the expression, and the arms of the fraternity were open to receive a man + so highly distinguished for his chemical discoveries. They eagerly + entered into discourse with one, who had denied man a soul, and, after + pouring forth their own sublime theories of eternal sleep and energies of + nature, they gave him a pause to utter <i>his</i> sublimities; and + presently the room echoed with laughter and information that the doctor + <i>believes: Le docteur croit, le docteur Priestley croit</i>. Some, who + had not heard the conversation, ran to inquire what he believed. + <i>Comment! croit-il l'immortalité de l'ame? Point de tout; il convient + que l'homme n'a point d'ame. Bien! que croit-il donc? Il croit, + l'immortalité du corp. Que diable! quelle bizarerie! Mais, chez docteur, + expliquez nous cela</i>. The doctor discoursed on matter, and necessity, + and of Jesus Christ as a mere man. Finding that he believed + <i>something</i> their astonishment was great; and, for some time, <i>le + docteur croit</i> was a bye-word.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt92" href="#NtA92">[92]</a> Genie du Christianisme, tom. + viii.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt93" href="#NtA93">[93]</a> By his edicts on this subject, + the youth of France were to be brought up at his schools throughout the + empire; these schools, in every town and village, were all dignified with + the appellation of university, the masters of which were appointed by the + principal of the school at Paris, and to be under his control. The + mathematics and a military spirit were ordered to be the chief things + attended to: all boys, of whatever age, wore uniforms and immense + cornered hats.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt94" href="#NtA94">[94]</a> A writer in the Times, cited in + the Quarterly Review of Oct. 1811, p. 302.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt95" href="#NtA95">[95]</a> The Jansenistical apostate monk, + Le Courayer, alleges a powerful motive to enforce this doctrine: it is + this; "By destroying the credit and reputation of the Jesuits, Rome must + be subverted: and when this is once effected, Religion will reform + itself."—<i>Hist. du Conc. de Trente, ed. d'Amsterdam</i>, 1751, p. + 63.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt96" href="#NtA96">[96]</a> That the ministers Pombal, + Choiseul, Aranda, Tanucci, &c. should have adopted this summary mode + of execution at Lisbon, Paris, Madrid, Naples, &c. creates now little + surprise, devoted as they were to the views of the philosophers.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt97" href="#NtA97">[97]</a> It will be readily allowed, that + the form of limited monarchy is best calculated to insure the happiness + of subjects. Besides this general advantage, many other features of the + Jesuits' institute strongly conspired to produce union of minds and + hearts among the members. One main cause of it, however, was accidental, + and extrinsic to their government and statutes. This was the unceasing + pressure of unmerited outward hostility, which, of course, closed them + into a more compact phalanx. In the last persecution, a thousand + stratagems were devised to create disunion among them, and to engage them + to solicit their own dissolution. Their enemies were everywhere + disappointed and enraged. They were reduced to assassinate the body, + which they could not decompose. In every country, they employed merciless + soldiers, and still more unfeeling lawyers, to tear off the Jesuits' + cassocks; and everywhere they found the country watered with the Jesuits' + tears. Jesuits were everywhere fond of their profession. Can this be a + crime?</p> + + <p><a name="Nt98" href="#NtA98">[98]</a> After some search I have + discovered, that Jerom Zarowicz, or Zarowich, was the name of the + discharged Polish Jesuit, who forged and published the <i>Monita + Secreta</i> in 1616. Subsequent editions, as might be expected, were + swelled with fresh matter. Henry a Sancto Ignatio, a Flemish Carmelite + friar, and an avowed partisan of the Jansenists Arnaud and Quesnel, + trumpeted forth the <i>Monita</i> in his <i>Tuba Magna</i>, a violent + invective against the Jesuits, which he printed at Strasburg in 1713, and + again in 1717, just at the period when Quesnel was condemned by the + famous bull <i>Unigenitus</i>.</p> + + <p>While the minister Pombal was persecuting the Jesuits in Portugal, + Almada, his agent at Rome, filled that capital and all Italy with + outrageous libels against the suffering victims, composed and distributed + chiefly by a knot of friars of different orders, who were in his pay, and + printed at the press of Nicolas Pagliarini. Some of the former were + banished, and the latter was condemned to the galleys. His punishment was + remitted by the meek pontiff Clement XIII, and the culprit escaped to + Lisbon, where he was employed, honoured, and rewarded by Pombal. I have + before me two of these libels, printed in 1760, of which, one is an + Italian translation of the <i>Monita Secreta</i>, preceded by a preface + of 137 pages, and followed by a long appendix. The performance, like that + of Laicus, is a wild, incoherent assemblage of impostures and insults, + all written, as the author acknowledges, <i>con uno stile basso e + andante</i>, because he professes to write for the lower classes of + readers, <i>per illuminare il minuto populo</i>. In fact, his manner and + language are almost as low and groveling as those of that eminent adept + in the <i>stile basso e andante</i>, Laicus of the Times.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt99" href="#NtA99">[99]</a> Not having elsewhere met with + this monstrous calumny, I incautiously ascribed the invention of it to + Laicus. But in one of the Italian libels, mentioned in the last note, the + writer, having informed the <i>minuto populo</i> of Italy, that the + Jesuits are professed poisoners, gives the proof in these words: "Perhaps + pope Innocent XIII was snatched from us by Jesuitical barbarity. There + would be no doubt of it, if only the surgeon of that pope, who is still + alive (in 1760), would be pleased to declare, that the Jesuits had + infused poison through the sore in the old pontiff's leg. But he is + silent, through dread of the Jesuits' vengeance." This is called + <i>illuminating the minuto populo</i>. Laicus catches the ray, and + reflects it, with lustre improved, upon our <i>minuto populo</i>, when he + assures them, that Innocent XIII <i>was <span class="scac">UNIVERSALLY + UNDERSTOOD</span> to have been murdered by the Jesuits</i>. Such is the + progress of genius.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt100" href="#NtA100">[100]</a> See Letter II.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt101" href="#NtA101">[101]</a> Ibid.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt102" href="#NtA102">[102]</a> See Letter II.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt103" href="#NtA103">[103]</a> See Letter II.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt104" href="#NtA104">[104]</a> Ibid.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt105" href="#NtA105">[105]</a> See Letter II.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt106" href="#NtA106">[106]</a> Ibid.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt107" href="#NtA107">[107]</a> See Letter II.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt108" href="#NtA108">[108]</a> See Letter III.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt109" href="#NtA109">[109]</a> Voltaire, in his History of + Louis XIV, had the assurance to write, that our king James II was a + Jesuit. Abbé Millot, a pitiful imitator of Voltaire, who had been + dismissed from the society of the Jesuits, obtained a seat in the French + academy, and published <i>Elemens de l'Histoire de France</i>. In this + meagre work, not to be outdone by his master, he has the impudence to + advance, that St. Louis IX, king of France, was a Dominican friar. All + this passes for history with certain readers, who are not quite among the + <i>minuto populo</i>.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt110" href="#NtA110">[110]</a> See Letter III.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt111" href="#NtA111">[111]</a> Urban VIII was elected pope + in 1625. I have before me an authentic list of all the superiors of the + Jesuits in England from 1623 downwards to 1773, in which no name like + Stillington appears.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt112" href="#NtA112">[112]</a> See Letter III.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt113" href="#NtA113">[113]</a> Pope, indeed, has + contradicted the calumny in his energetic verse,</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p><i>Where London's column, pointing at the skies,</i></p> + <p><i>Like a tall bully, lifts the head, and lies.</i></p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>In spite of which, the column is still allowed to disgrace the first + city in the world, though it totters, and daily nods destruction around + it.—<i>Ed.</i></p> + + <p><a name="Nt114" href="#NtA114">[114]</a> It must be acknowledged, that + this calumny has been too hastily placed to the credit of Laicus. He has + not the honour of the invention. Calumny it certainly is. Whoever knows + the angry temper of the parliament of Paris, in 1757, when their + opposition to the king, and their fury against the archbishop De Beaumont + and the Jesuits, were wound up to an uncommon height, must allow, that + they would have been delighted with the detection of the slightest + symptom, the most distant presumption of guilt, in any Jesuit. The + wretched culprit Damiens was frequently interrogated with this view. He + constantly denied that he had any accomplice, but owned, that he had + conceived the idea of his crime, from frequently hearing the table talk + of members of the parliament, on whom he waited; his design being, as he + pretended, only to make the king more attentive to the voice and + complaints of the people. Notwithstanding the certainty of this, one of + the above mentioned Italian libels, written <i>per il minuto populo</i>, + informs them roundly, that the Jesuits were accomplices of Damiens, and + that two Jesuits were <i>privately</i> hanged for it in the + <i>Bastille</i>. But why was not Laicus equally trusted with the secrets + of that state prison? Possibly he has learned this lesson from his oracle + Coudrette. He cannot however glory in the invention.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt115" href="#NtA115">[115]</a> It may be suspected, that + Coudrette is really the writer, to whom, suppressing his name, Robertson + so often refers his readers, in his account of Jesuits, in the Life of + Charles V. Perhaps he was ashamed to name such an author. But he had + already forfeited his title to historical impartiality, by acknowledging, + that his unfavourable account of the Jesuits is derived from the + <i>Comptes Rendus</i> and <i>Requisitoires</i> of La Chalotais, attorney + general of the parliament of Bretagne, who, not less than Coudrette, was + truly <i>un ennemi acharné des Jesuites</i>.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt116" href="#NtA116">[116]</a> "They," said Dr. Johnson, + "who would cry out <i>Popery</i> in the present day, would have cried + <i>Fire</i> in the time of the deluge."</p> + + <p><a name="Nt117" href="#NtA117">[117]</a> See Letter V.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt118" href="#NtA118">[118]</a> See Letter V.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt119" href="#NtA119">[119]</a> See Letter V.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt120" href="#NtA120">[120]</a> The preservation of the + society of Jesus in the Russian empire, in spite of innumerable + solicitations, schemes, and intrigues employed to procure its + suppression, would form a curious morsel of <i>particular</i> history, + highly honourable to the court of Petersburg and creditable to the + Jesuits.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt121" href="#NtA121">[121]</a> The French League.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt122" href="#NtA122">[122]</a> Si acciderit aliquod ex + peccatis (avertas id Deus), quæ sufficiunt ad præpositum officio + privandum, simul atque res per sufficientia testimonia, vel ipsius + affirmationem constaret, juramento adstringantur assistentes ad id + societati denuntiandum.—Cap. V. art. iv, p. 440.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt123" href="#NtA123">[123]</a> Et si res devulgata et + communiter manifesta esset, non expectatâ quatuor assistentium + confirmatione, provinciales alii alios vocando convenire debent, et ipso + primo die quo in locum hujusmodi congregationis ingredientur, ubi aderunt + quatuor qui convocarunt, cum aliis congregatis, rem is aggrediatur cui + omnia notoria sunt, et accusatio dilucidè explicetur. Et postquam auditus + fuerit præpositus, foras egredi debebit, et antiquissimus ex + provincialibus simul cum secretario aut alio assistente, de latâ re + scrutinium faciat, et primò quidem an constet de peccato quod objicitur, + deinde an ejusmodi sit ut propter id officio privari debeat; et idem + suffragia promulget, quæ ut sufficiant duas tertias partes excedent; et + tunc statim de alio eligendo agatur, et si fieri potest, non inde priùs + egrediatur quàm societas præpositum generalem habeat.—Ibid. p. + 440.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt124" href="#NtA124">[124]</a> Prima ad res externas + pertinet vestitûs, victûs et expensarum quarumlibet, quæ omnia vel + augere, vel imminuere poterit societas prout præpositum ipsum ac se + decere et Deo gratius fore judicabit et tunc societatis ordinationi + acquiescere oportebit.—Cap. IV, art. ix, p. 439, tom. i.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt125" href="#NtA125">[125]</a> Numero autem hujusmodi + assistentium quidem quatuor......... et quidem illi ipsi esse poterunt de + quibus supradictum......... quamvis autem res graviores ab iis tractandæ + sint, statuendi tamen facultas, postquam eos audierit, penès præpositum + generalem erit.—Cap. VI, art. i, p. 444, tom. ii.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt126" href="#NtA126">[126]</a> Est item penès præpositum + generalem omnis facultas agenda quosvis contractus emptionum aut + venditionum quorumlibet bonorum temporalium mobilium tàm domorum quàm + collegiorum societatis, et imponendi aut redimendi quoslibet census super + bonis stabilibus ipsorum collegiorum, in eorumdem utilitatem et bonum, + cum facultate sese liberandi, restitutâ pecuniâ quæ data fuerit. Alienare + autem aut omninò dissolvere collegia vel domos jàm creatas societatis + sine generali ejus congregatione præpositus generalis non + poterit.—Cap. III. col. ii, p. 336, tom. i.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt127" href="#NtA127">[127]</a> Cum autem quidquam privatæ + utilitatis ex redditibus quærere vel in suum usum convertere non possit, + est valde probabile quòd majori cum puritate ac Spiritu constantiùs ac + diuturniùs procedat in iis quæ ad bonum regimen collegiorum ad majus Dei + ac Domini nostri obsequium provideri convenit.—Cap. I, tit. i, p. + 392.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt128" href="#NtA128">[128]</a> Transferre vel differre domos + vel collegia jam creata, aut in usum societatis professæ redditus eorum + convertere præpositus generalis, ut in 4 part. dictum est, non + poterit.—Cap. IV, art. xlviii, p. 438.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt129" href="#NtA129">[129]</a> De his vero quæ societati ita + relinquuntur ut ipsa pro suo arbitratu et regat et disponat (sive illa + bona stabilia sint; ut domus aliqua vel prœdium non alicui certo + collegio ab eo qui disponit, relinquit determinare applicatum vel + annexum, sive mobilia cujusmodi sunt pecunia, triticum et quœvis + alia mobilia) idem generalis disponere poterit, aut vendendo, aut + retinendo, aut huic vel illi loco id quod videbitur applicando, prout ad + majorem Dei gloriam senserit expedire.—Cap. III, art. vi, p. 437. + col. ii, tit. 2.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt130" href="#NtA130">[130]</a> Declaratum est ut hæc bona + tantùm in eâdem provinciâ et non alibi generalis debeat distribuere, pag. + 493, item, pag. 702, ibid. eadem provincia in quâ, 1 cap. 30, partis + constitutionum distribuenda esse dicuntur bona nostrorum quæ illi + societati dare volunt, intelligenda est, in quâ sunt ipsa bona, non autem + in quâ quis societatem ingreditur, aut versatur. Sumitur autem provinciæ + nomen more societatis, prout scilicet uni præposito provinciali + subest.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt131" href="#NtA131">[131]</a> Quod si in eâdem provinciâ + plura sint dominia diversis principibus subjecta, adjecit congregatio + diligenter servandam esse eamdem constitutionem ut scilicet in + transferendis hujusmodi fratrum nostrorum bonis ex uno Dominio in aliud + ejusdem provinciæ societatis, ratio haberetur regum, principum et aliorum + potestatum, ne in eis causa ulta offensionis detur, sed ad majorem + ædificationem omnium et spiritualem animarum profectum et gloriam Dei + omnia cedant.—Tom. i. p. 511.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt132" href="#NtA132">[132]</a> Sexta locum habet in + quibusdam casibus (quos speramus per Dei bonitatem, aspirante ipsius + gratiâ, nunquam eventuros) cujusmodi essent peccata mortalia in externum + actum prodeuntia, ac nominatìm, copula carnalis: vulnerare quemdam: ex + redditibus collegiorum aliquid ad proprios sumptus assumere: vel pravam + doctrinam habere. Si quid ergo horum acciderit, potest ac debet societas + (si de re sufficientissimè constaret) eum officio privare, ac si opus + est, à societate removere. In omnibus præ occulis habendo quod ad majorem + Dei gloriam et universale bonum societatis fore judicabitur.—Cap. + XII, art. vii, p. 440, tom. i.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt133" href="#NtA133">[133]</a> Page 215, tome iv, dés + Mémoires du Clergé.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt134" href="#NtA134">[134]</a> Page 451 du même volume.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt135" href="#NtA135">[135]</a> Maximes et Réflections sur la + Comédie, ed. de 1674, p. 138, 139.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt136" href="#NtA136">[136]</a> Henry IV finished the letter, + which he deigned to the general assembly, with these words: "Vos hortamur + ad retinendam instituti vestri integritatem et splendorem."</p> + +</div> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The New Conspiracy Against the Jesuits +Detected and Briefly Exposed, by R. C. 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