tion, which attends those who are supposed to have used the mask of sanctity, for the gratification of private interest and personal malice. It is more than probable that during this period, were sown those seeds which afterwards matured in the suppression of the order of Jesuits. So terminated a quarrel, which perhaps originated in an innocent difference of sentiment, on an abstruse point, which has divided the opinions of mankind in every age. A point, however, which, whilst in all ages it has divided men of the first talents in opinion, has not in any separated the most truly pious in mutual esteem and Christian love.

This controversy soon engaged the attention of all France. Nor was an active part in it long confined to the ecclesiastics only.

It was before observed, that Cardinal Richelieu had formerly, when Bishop of Luçon, had some acquaintance with M. de St. Cyran. He respected his piety, for he had then no projects with which it could interfere. He admired his talents, for they

were not called forth in competition with his own. He well knew the high estimation in which M. de St. Cyran was held in the church. He wished therefore to gain him over as a powerful engine of ecclesiastical influence. With this view, the minister sought his early friend. He courted his intimacy, and offered him benefices, M. de Cyran was aware of his views. He treated the Cardinal with that respect his situation demanded; but he declined his overtures. The Cardinal's esteem was converted into dislike. It was increased on the publication of the catechism of Luçon. M. de Richelieu piqued himself on being yet more eminent as a theologian than as a politician. He considered it presumptuous in M. de St. Cyran to teach the necessity of the disinterested love of GOD, after he had published that it was superfluous. It was not long before M. de St. Cyran experienced the effects of his resentment.

The Cardinal was exceedingly anxious to annul the marriage of his enemy Gaston, Duke of Orleans, with his second wife Mar

garet, Princesse of Lorraine. He had long had this project at heart. It was necessary to strengthen his influence by some powerful sanction, in order to overcome the scruples which conscience suggested to Louis XIII. He applied to the court of Rome. Both the apostolic see and the foreign universities declared, to his great disappointment, the marriage to be valid. Highly incensed but unabashed, the Cardinal remained firm to his purpose. Far from yielding the point, the undaunted minister called a general assembly of the most celebrated amongst the regular and secular clergy in France. He proposed the question. They had not courage to brave the weight of his displeasure. An unwilling assent was extorted, and the marriage was declared null by parliamentary edict (arrêt de parlement).

The vindictive temper of the minister was well known. Many of the French clergy, intimidated by his despotic power, gratuitously vindicated this iniquitous de

cree,

M. de St. Cyran maintained an unbroken silence. Cardinal Richelieu was very anxious to obtain the assent of so distinguished a character. He wished the sanction of a man who was well known to possess so extensive an influence. The strict morality of M. de St. Cyran would not bend to the will of the minister. On the other hand, his prudence prevented him from uttering a rash censure, which he knew would not only be fruitless, but would serve as a pretext for his own ruin.

The Cardinal meanwhile was resolved either to extort M. de St. Cyran's assent, or to involve him in destruction. Magnificent offers were made on the part of the minister to obtain his sanction, whilst secret emissaries were at the same time employed in proposing artful questions to him. They hoped under the pretence of religious scruples, to surprise him into a censure which would effect his ruin.

Both these methods

were alike ineffectual. M. de St. Cyran's silence was inviolable.

The Cardinal's enmity was thus bereft of

every ostensible plea, when, most opportunely for him, the contest on Jansenism arose. The pretext he had so long assiduously sought, was now spontaneously presented. The Cardinal espoused the cause of the Jesuits. No less than fifteen new accusations appeared against M. de St. Cyran.

The Cardinal declared himself ready to exercise his authority in behalf of the church. M. de St. Cyran's friends were for a time expelled from Port Royal. He was himself seized as a heretic, and immured in the dungeon of Vincennes.

His house was beset on the evening of Ascension-day, by two and twenty armed guards. They kept watch all night, with the hopes that some circumstance might transpire, to which a malignant interpretation might be affixed. For the Cardinal felt very anxious to fabricate a cause which might justify the detention of a man so highly respected. In this, however, he was foiled. A perfect stillness reigned within the house, which was the habitation of