The First Reflexion.

THe Book of Monsieur Arnaud is very big, and this hath been the first stumbling stone, many persons being unwilling to buy it, some by reason of its great price, and others, because they had not so much time to read it. I know many of both Religions, who never had it, upon either the one, or the other account; and it is certain, that ten times more of them would have been sold, if the Book had been of the price and bigness of his first Work. And indeed, Sir, so big a Volume scareth people, and they dare not undertake to read it, that they may not be oblieged to quit it in the middle, and possibly [Page 12] sooner, by reason of the several occupatio [...] we all have. Besides, Monsieur Arnaud, me­thinks, hath had but little care of our salvati­on; for, this Book being, in his opinion, and in that of his approbators, a plain and entire conviction of us, and an easie means to reduce us into the bosom of their Church, is it not true, Sir, That his zeal for so great a work should have obliged him to have made it more com­mon, more popular, more easie to buy, and to read it? What doth he know, whether of hundreds of persons, who have not seen his Book, and who would have read it, if it had been much less, the half, or the third part, would not have been converted? What doth he know, whether Tyre and Sidon would not have repented, if they had seen the Miracles that have been done in Chorazim and Beth­saida? So that, methinks, he should have so ordered it, either by a gratuitous impression, or by retrenching three parts of four of his Book, that all sorts of persons might have got it.

It may be, Sir, you will think this, what I say of a gratuitous Impression, somewhat new and difficult to practise. But, if you consider, that those Gentlemen of the Port Royal have made above Five hundred presents of this Book, according to the relation of their Sta­tioner, will not you avow to me, that, since the conversion of those that shall read it is concerned, those presents would have been better employed for the Salvation of Men, [Page 13] [...]han for the payment of a civility, which aim­ [...]th but at the honor of the World? Heaven [...]hould have carried it from Earth, and Cha­ [...]ity from Interest, whereto we are oftner car­ [...]ied by Custom, rather than by Inclination. And do not tell me, that this Book hath been given to Catholicks, to confirm them in their Religion: For you do not doubt, that almost none of those, to whom it hath been present­ed, had any need at all of these elucidations, nor any scruple of their Belief. You know also, that the Shepherd in the Gospel leaves his Ninety and nine sheep, of which he is as­sured, to go and seek after that one which is gone astray. And if those Gentlemen had pleased, they might have made Presents, and given Alms, acquitted themselves of the du­ties, which respect and friendship demanded of them, and gained good will among their Ad­versaries. You see well enough, Sir, that I speak for the interest of our people, and for many, who would have been very glad to have seen this Book, and were not in a condition to buy it, nor to read it after they had got it.

But let us set aside this Liberality and this Zeal; they are works of supererogation, to which a Man is not obliged; and when meer Counsels do cause trouble, pain, and some loss, we do easily exempt our selves from them. But as to the second condition, which I would have wished from Monsieur Arnaud, viz. The shortning of his Book, to make it [Page 14] more common amongst us, he cannot blame it forasmuch as it would have turned both to hi [...] own account, and to that of others, since i [...] would have taken off half his pains in com­posing it, as well as that of ours in reading it.

Do not think, Sir, that this retrenchment would have taken away any thing of the force of Monsieur Arnauds Book; on the contrary, it would have contained nothing but what is essential and solid, whereas in the condition it is now in, it may be said in the general, that it is weak and useless throughout. For, it doth not bear it self up equally; he often tells us one and the same thing, which hath no­thing but an amplification, and a paraphrase of his Refutation; and he gives us several useless and impertinent discourses. I believe, Sir, you your self have perceived this truth, and it were not difficult to make it out to any who should doubt of it. In short, the first Book might be reduced to a Douzen Lines, instead of the Twelve Chapters it contains. For, since it was onely written to Justifie the Method of the Book of the Perpetuity; that is to say, to Justifie, that the Author had not been obliged to answer to the whole Book of Monsieur Aubertin, and might have followed The way of Prescription, rather than that of Dis­cussion; It was sufficient to observe so much in three or four words, since that is a matter of common sense, and without controversie: Nor hath Monsieur Claude blamed that method [Page 15] [...]rther than to shew, that it is not so sure as [...]e other; but he hath not omitted to stick to [...]e same, and to answer to it exactly: So that was to no purpose, to go about to multiply [...]arrels, and to write a Book, to prove what [...]d not belong to the Question.

The Four following Books, viz. The Se­ [...]ond, Third, Fourth, and Fifth, and then the Twelfth, which do largely treat of the consent of the Schismatick Churches with the Church of Rome, concerning the points of the Reality, of Transubstantiation, and of the Adoration of the Eucharist, are pieces besides the busi­ness, and not at all necessary. The first Trea­tise of the Perpetuity touched but one word of it: Monsieur Claude in his first writing had answered to it in Four Lines; in the refutation Monsieur Arnaud did somewhat enlarge upon it; which did obliege Monsieur Claude to make a longer answer thereto. But all that hath been hitherto done by slight touches, and as it were transiently; whereas now Monsieur Arnaud makes it his principal. The thing is (and it is that which hath swelled the Work) that Monsieur Arnaud hath not here taken Monsieur Claudes sense aright, and labored to verifie that which was not denied him: For he pretends to prove every where, that Monsieur Claude hath been in the wrong, in denying that the Eastern Churches believe the Reality; and almost all the passages, which he alleageth, tend onely to make out the contrary. But, Sir, he hath taken pains in vain, and in this encounter [Page 16] he sights with his own shadow; because it [...] not be found, that Monsieur Claude hath nied, that the Greek Churches did believe Reality in the time of Pascasius, or that th [...] believe it still: He hath onely maintain [...] that they never believed Transubstantia [...] and Adoration; which is far differing fr [...] the other. For, although we may well a [...] from Adoration and Transubstantiation to [...] ality, yet may we not conclude also from t [...] Reality to Transubstantiation and Adoratio [...] seeing that the Lutherans do reject these t [...] latter; and yet believe, as you do, that th [...] take with the Mouth of the Body, the tr [...] Body and the true Blood of Jesus Christ. S [...] that, if Monsieur Arnaud would precisely [...] fute the opinion of Monsieur Claude, he m [...] make it his business to prove, That the Gree [...] and other Eastern Churches have believe Transubstantiation, and adored the Eucharist but this he hath not so much as thought of, an [...] yet hath made a strange noise of what he f [...] thereth upon Monsieur Claude, though Mo [...] sieur Claude hath not said it. And so he ha [...] produced with much pomp and shew suc [...] testimonies and allegations, which are not [...] all to the purpose of that contest, which is b [...] twixt them.

But it may be, Sir, you will not believe m [...] upon my word, and you will hardly perswad [...] your self, That Monsieur Arnaud shoul [...] have deceived himself in a matter of this nature, where there needs no more but to read [Page 17] [...]t is therefore just, I should make this good [...]o you, and alledge before you those passages, [...]here Monsieur Claude speaks of it, because [...]ou have told me, That you have not seen his [...]rst writing. It is therefore this, what he hath [...]aintained: There remains onely for me to say a word touching the opinion of the Greeks, and of [...]he other Christians, which the Author saith, do [...]gree with the Roman Church; which is, That I maintain, that Transubstantiation, and the Ado­ [...]ation of the Sacrament, are two things unknown [...]o the whole Earth, except the Roman Church; for neither the Greeks, nor the Armenians, nor the Russians, nor the Jacobites, nor the Aethio­pians, nor any other Christians, but those that submit themselves to the Pope, believe any thing at all of those two Articles. This is all he saith of it in that place; where you see plainly, [...]hat he speaks not a word of the Real Presence, and that he confines himself to the two points of Transubstantiation and Adoration: And after [...]he same manner doth he declare himself in his Answer to the Second Treatise of the Perpe­tuity, the Second Part, the Eighth Chapter, viz. I should have nothing more to do concerning this, if the Author had not, as he hath, called in to his succors the Schismatick Churches; but since he hath thought fit to joyn the question of their condition, with that of the condition of the Latins, it is just to satisfie him also in that. I said therefore about the end of my Answer, that the Adoration of the Sacrament is a thing, wherewith the whole world is unacquainted, ex­cept [Page 18] the Roman Church, &c. And in the seque [...] of that Chapter, he answers to what Monsieu [...] Arnaud had alleaged upon the subject of thi [...] Adoration; and this is one of the Points denied by Monsieur Claude. Of the other, viz. Transubstantiation, he speaks in his third part, the eighth Chapter, where he examines the proof [...] of Monsieur Arnaud, but he speaks no where of the Manducation of the Body of Christ; and if he saith sometimes (which is very sel­dom) that the Greeks, or the Fathers, have not believed the Real Presence, he presently ex­plains himself, calling it afterwards, the Local Presence, and such an one as is believed at Rome, to shew, That he speaketh onely of the manner of Manducation. But it is time, to run through the other Books of his Volume.

The Sixth may be reduced to a most certain, and most evident Proposition, which is, That the words which express what is to be believed of the Eucharist, have always been explained by Be­lievers, either in a Literal Sense, or in a Meta­phorical Sense, and that therefore the Church hath always distinctly believed, either the Real Presence, or the Real Absence. These are the words of Monsieur Arnaud in the Preface; whereupon he adds afterwards, That none other perhaps than Monsieur Claude would have ob­lieged him to treat of this point, and that every man of good sense must agree in it at first sight. Whence you see, Sir, that instead of this Sixth Book, there needeth onely four or five Lines, according to the acknowledgment of Monsieur [Page 19] Arnaud; and that the sole wilfulness of Monsieur Claude hath been the cause of this length. But if this wilfulness is imaginary, if Monsieur Claude hath not onely agreed to, but also positively maintained, what Monsieur Arnaud imputeth to him to have denied, is it not true, That we ought also to cut away this Sixth Book as useless, and supposing a thing which is not? But it is easie to verifie this last Proposition, in the two parts of the Note of Monsieur Arnaud: One knows not, whe­ther he accuseth Monsieur Claude for having denied the principle he puts, and the conse­quence; or, whether he accuseth him onely for having denied the sequel, although he agree about the principle; that is to say, One knows not, whether he will say, that Monsieur Claude would not acknowledge that the words, This is my Body, this is my Blood, have been always taken in the Literal Sense, or in the Metapho­rical Sense, and that consequently Believers have always had a distinct belief of the Pre­sence or Absence Real? Or, whether he meant onely, that Monsieur Claude agreeing about the Thesis, hath denied the Consequence which Monsieur Arnaud draws from it. For his words relate to both these parts; yet I will believe, that Monsieur Arnaud hath onely thought of the Consequence, since the whole Book of Monsieur Claude speaks of nothing else, but of the Metaphorial Sense of the Sa­cramental words, and that particularly the fourth, fifth, and sixth Chapters of the Second [Page 20] Part, are onely spent to evince, That the Expressions of the Fathers, calling the Eucharist th [...] Body of Christ, could be taken in no other, b [...] a Metaphorical Sense.

Let us see therefore, whether Monsieu [...] Claude hath denied, that Believers have always had a distinct belief of the Presence o [...] Absence Real, as Monsieur Arnaud impute [...] to him in his whole Sixth Book. For my part▪ I know not, whether I mistake, but methinks, that Monsieur Claude hath maintained the contrary in many places. In his first Answe [...] (Pag. 9) he saith; The Body of Christ is believed to be present in the Eucharist four mann [...] of ways: And after he hath explained them he adds, And all the ways of Presence a [...] Real, each in its kinde or order: This truth hat [...] been always believed, and is so still. And afterwards in his Fifth consideration, which hat [...] been the principal subject of the dispute upo [...] this matter, he saith (Pag. 12) Before th [...] Transubstantiation came into the World, every one believed, That Jesus Christ is present in th [...] Sacrament, and that his Body and Blood a [...] there really received by the Believing Communi [...] cants. But in the Third Chapter of his Second Answer, you have two precise passages Thus when the Author tells us (saith Monsieu [...] Claude) that those who took the Instructions o [...] the Fathers in a Metaphorical Sense, had [...] distinct and clear Idea of the Real Absence; i [...] he means, that they believe Christ to be Corporally Present in Heaven, without thinking on wh [...] [Page 21] was said afterwards, that he is at the same time [...] Heaven, and on Earth; there, after the [...]anner of a Body; here, after the manner of [...] Spirit: To reject formally this opinion, I avow, [...]hat Believers had in that sense a very distinct [...]dea of the Real Absence. And af [...]erwards (Pag. 273.) he maintain that in the first Eight Centuries, The Positive Doctrine, which we be­ [...]ieve, was then taught so clearly, strongly and distinctly, that it dispelled all the difficulties, which could arise from these Expressions; The Bread is the Body of Christ, the Bread is chan­ged into the Body of Christ. Is not this enough, Sir, to prove that Monsieur Claude hath not maintained, as Monsieur Arnaud imputes to [...]im; That for the space of a thousand years, people knew not what the Eucharist was, and that Believers had not a distinct knowledge of the Real Presence or Absence.

But if you suspect Monsieur Claude, if his words, his protestations, his complaints are not sufficient to you, I shall furnish you with a witness which you will not reject, and that is Monsieur Arnaud himself, who hath written the Fourth Chapter of this Sixth Book pur­posely to prove, That Monsieur Claude (Pag. 551.) hath entangled himself in two con­siderable faults; the one is, that he hath explain­ed his sentiment amiss; and the other, that he hath granted him in effect all he desired. By the first, he pretends that Monsieur Claude hath not refuted what was the Question, and that he hath indiscreetly carried the Dispute to the [Page 22] distinct belief of Transubstantiation, which [...] did not think upon; since he onely though [...] on the Real Presence, separate from all the difficulties, which the circumstances and the way [...] of this Presence may beget. By the Second h [...] maintains, that Monsieur Claude grants in th [...] matter of the Real Presence or Absence, a [...] what is sufficient to his design.

Thus you see a truth avowed by both parties. Monsieur Claude hath disputed agains [...] the distinct belief of the Transubstantiation [...] and Monsieur Arnaud hath never maintaine [...] this distinct belief. Monsieur Arnaud hat [...] maintained the distinct belief of the Real Presence, and Monsieur Claude grants it, even by the acknowledgment of his Adversary. Wh [...] need then, to examine at large the Systeme o [...] Monsieur Claude, since it clashes not with th [...] Sentiments of Monsieur Arnaud? And to what purpose, to make a Book to prove, Tha [...] there hath always been in the Church, a distinc [...] belief of the Real Presence, if Monsieur Claud [...] hath not denied it; if he hath strongly stoo [...] up for it, at least for the space of the fir [...] Eight Centuries; and if he hath spoken onely of Transubstantiation in reference to the Nint [...] and tenth? But let us pass on to the othe [...] Books.

The Positive proofs, saith Monsieur A [...] naud in his Preface, That have been alleage [...] in the Seventh and eighth Book, to show, Th [...] the belief of the Real Presence, and of Transubstantiation was established in the Gre [...] [Page 23] Church, and in the Latin, in the eighth, ninth, and tenth Centuries, are onely Accessary proofs, and such as we might be altogether without. We shall not quarrel with him concerning this, we being much of his minde, that these two Books might have been very well spared. And so he would have oblieged us in retrenching them.

There is onely the Ninth, which is Essential, continues Monsieur Arnaud, because it shews the impossibility of the Change; and yet in this Book there are things, which are not necessary but to confound the stubbornness of Monsieur Claude, and which an Adversary of more sincerity than he, would have saved us the pains of writing. So that the whole Volume of Monsieur Ar­naud might have been reduced to this Ninth Book, and even of this somewhat might have been pruned away.

The Tenth (so goes on Monsieur Arnaud) contains some useful consequences, but such as are onely designed for a further clearing of the truth. But if these consequences be of use, yet the Book is very useless, because it con­tains nothing but what hath often been said before; and that, besides that in each Chapter Monsieur Arnaud shews the sequels of his Examen and Ratiocinations, each Book hath at the end a Chapter express, which con­tains the breviate, the Conclusion and the Consequences; or, if you will, one Book contains the Consequences of two or three precedent ones. And so this Tenth Book can [Page 24] be nothing else but a tedious Repetition o [...] what hath been very often alleaged.

As for the Eleventh, Monsieur Arnau [...] saith nothing of it, and he hath reason, it be­ing a piece, which serveth not at all to the main subject of the contest, and regards onely Personal Complaints, wherein Readers are bu [...] little concerned.

The Second Reflexion.

Tis strange enough, that M. Arnaud hath taken the pains of composing a Volume of [...] hundred and fiftysheets, of which not so [...]uch as the tenth part is absolutely necessary, [...] I have shew'd from his own words; and [...]at yet he hath not been willing to terminate [...]at famous Controversie, which keeps both [...]arties in exspectation, and hath referred the [...]nswer to one part of M. Claude's Book to [...]nother tlme.

He giveth us notice of this design even in [...]is very Preface, and declareth himself parti­ [...]ularly about it in the second Book, the first [...]hapter; His Book, saith he, in speaking of [...]he Book of M. Claude, Is properly the mix­ [...]ure of two Books, of which the one respects the [...]reatise of the Perpetuity, the other, the common [...]ause of the Church: He hath blended and con­ [...]ounded them out of design, and we shall di­stinguish them out of a contrary design. We shall [...]herefore represent first, the proofs of the Book of [...]he Perpetuity, and the precise Answers he makes thereto: which shall be the subject of this Vo­ [...]ume, and so contain the Answer to his first Book. And we shall reserve for a second Volume, what be alledges in general against the cause of the Church, and what the Church alledges against [Page 26] the Doctrine of the Calvinists; which shall m [...] the Answer to his second Book.

Truely, Sir, 'tis to abuse ones leisure, [...] give us accessary proofs, and such as we can [...] without, of things not essential, of con [...] quences said over and over again; and yet divide the Book of M. Claude into two part for to Answer but to one of them, in a Boo [...] ten times as big. It had certainly been mu [...] better, to have omitted the things which we [...] not absolutely necessary, and to have take pains in the main, and in the essentials.

And 'tis this management of M. Arnaud which hath been the second reason, why m [...] have not been so earnest to have his Book and which hath not so greatly satisfied Peopl [...] because they exspect the second Volume as t [...] most important.

For, what advantage soever M. Arna [...] may attribute to his method of Prescription which he hath examined in this first Volume that of Discussion, which he reserveth for th [...] other, is the most sure, and the least perple [...] ed; the inconveniencies, which he findes [...] this, being found in his, because that is to ex [...] min the reasonings he alledgeth to show t [...] impossibility of the change, which we preten [...] to have hapned in the time of Paschasius in th [...] belief of the Eucharist; and it must discu [...] besides the proofs which we produce to evince [...] that all the World was not, as he pretends, o [...] the sentiment of Paschasius, and that he ha [...] many Adversaries.

So that, if there be difficulties and prolixi­ [...]es to know aright the belief of the Fathers in [...]is matter, for as much as some want that ne­ [...]ssary help of profiting thereby, which is the un­ [...]rstanding of Tongues; others have not leisure [...] make this examen with a reasonable care and [...]actness; and others have not reach enough to [...]mpare so many proofs together, as Monsieur Arnaud saith; Why will not he admit, [...]hat the same obstacles are found in his Me­ [...]hod? Have the Simple and Ignorant, for [...]hose sake it hath been principally brought to [...]ight, the knowledge of Tongues, which is ne­cessary to learn the History of the time of [...]aschasius, and of the opinion of the Greeks and Latins? Have they more leisure to make this examen with a rational care, then that of the sentiment of the Fathers of the six first Centuries? Have they capacity enough to compare the proofs, which he and M. Claude shall produce in their Books; and not enough to compare the proofs of the Cardinal du Perron, and M. Aubertin?

Sir, I must needs confess my ignorance, and I understand not the difference there is be­tween the difficulties of these Methods; on the contrary, I find, that that of M. Arnaud hath two things to clear, whereas the other hath but one; For, that of Prescription must examin the force and truth of the reasons up­on which 'tis grounded, and besides examins, as well as that of Discussion, the passages of many Greek and Latin Authors, which were neces­sary [Page 28] to be alledged by both sides, to know [...] verity of the suppositions of this Book of P [...] petuity.

But then, it is certain, that what remains t [...] be done by M. Arnaud, is much more impo [...] tant than what he hath done; for, a man re [...] sons very ill of the impossibility of a thing when another proveth, that the thing hath act [...] ally been done. M. Claude maintains, th [...] there hath been made a Change in the D [...] ctrine of the Eucharist, and that the Antie [...] Church was of our belief; which he will prov [...] by the Writings of the Fathers of that time And M. Arnaud imagines, that we may satisfie our selves upon bare reasonings, by whic [...] he pretends to prove the impossibility of thi [...] Change. You see, Sir, that We go naturally t [...] work, to know whether the thing have happen'd, when there are great appearances fo [...] it, when our men do positively maintain it▪ and offer proofs to evince it; and, that i [...] such a case as this we do little hearken to those, that will perswade us by some abstra [...] and Metaphysical ratiocinations, (having need of proof) that the thing could not b [...] done.

Add thereto the evident advantage of the proof of this fact above the Method of Pre­scription, which is, that there is never an end in Ratiocinations. Our mind is too fierce to confess it self overcome by the wit of ano­ther; it acknowledges no Superiors in this kind of disputes, and alwayes finds answers, [Page 29] [...]hether true or apparent, to disentangle it [...]f, either in the difficulty of the question, or [...] the strength of our wit, or in the weakness [...] that of our Adversary: whereas we do [...]ore easily acquiesce in the truths, which the [...]her Method teacheth us, because in that case [...]e do not yield to the reasoning of our adver­ [...]ry, but to the authority of the Antient Church, and to the Testimonies of the Fathers, who assure us of the practice and doctrine of their time, and by that means of the true sense of the Passages of the Scripture, which are contested.

The Third Reflexion.

THat Imperious and Insulting way, where M. Arnaud deals with M. Claude ev [...] where, is none of the least reasons, which h [...] kept our People from reading his Boo [...] There are found in it at every turn injuri [...] and expressions of contempt; and it seem [...] that his Treatise was made on purpose [...] paint him in the blackest colours, that can [...] used for the picture of the most extravaga [...] of men. He doth perpetually descend fro [...] the Cause to the Person, and without staying as other Authors do, to refute in particul [...] what is oppos'd against him, he presently fal [...] upon the genius, spirit and humour of M▪ Claude, of which he taketh pleasure to dra [...] an odd Picture; so that, if he be to be [...] liev'd, there never was a Writer more extravagant, more ridiculous, more absurd, mor [...] deceitful, and more prevaricating, than M▪ Claude. If I should give you the collectio [...] I have made of the fine qualities, which M▪ Arnaud gives him, I assure my self, that yo [...] would startle at it, and I perswade my sel [...] even of the sincerity of M. Arnaud, that if h [...] saw this pourtrait, he would disown it, and blame the heat of the dispute, which hat [...] made him write so many things contrary to hi [...] profession, and to the Laws of Christianity. [...] shall only give you here a pattern of it, by [Page 31] which you may judge of the whole Piece. It [...] in the first Chapter of the seventh Book, p. [...]14, where speaking of the genius of M. Claude, [...]e hath these words: His Spirit (of M. Claude) [...], as by divers Experiments we have already [...]een able to discover, never to regard how things [...]re in deed, but only how he would desire they should be; to have no respect to truth, nor so much as to probability, but only to the interest of his cause; to dispose of Histories and real Events with more liberty, then men dispose of the Chime­rical adventures of Romances; to build upon the vacuum of his imagination, as upon the most real and the most solid foundation; not to stick to make all the World speak and think madly, so they do but speak and think according to his desires and pretensions; to preferr the most petty reasons to the strongest and clearest proofs; and, topropose and deliver all that in a fierce, bold, contemning and insulting manner; by giving to himself such ap­plauses, as he would gladly receive from others, and treating his Adversaries, as he would that others should treat them.

Some do imagine, that there are secret rea­sons, that have obliged M. Arnaud, thus to exceed the bounds that ought to be in the Dis­putes of Learned Men. I will not dive into them; but I am assured, that those transports are not alwayes equitable, and because I have examined the cause thereof carefully, I would show you two or three examples of it, if it were not besides the subject of this Discourse, nor an undertaking of what is M. Claude's [Page 32] province, who hath the Pen in hand to send himself, and needs no Second.

But, at least you will not think it strang [...] that we are scandalized to see the publick D [...] fendant of our Cause so evil entreated, a [...] that this manner of proceeding gives us an opinion of that which is maintain'd by [...] Arnaud.

The Fourth Reflexion.

IF we have cause to be concerned for Mon­sieur Claude, this observation will show, That we have a more sensible interest, and which more directly relates to us all, consider­ing it concerns the generality of our Churches. And indeed, Sir, I was surprised to see, that Monsieur Arnaud makes a stay to reproach us with the irregularities of the first Authors that forsook their Communion, and to wrangle about their Mission, in a Book which hath nothing at all to do with that; besides that he knows, that we have answered a thousand times those ungrounded Objections.

But there is more than this, which is, that Monsieur Arnaud fathers those opinions up­on us, which are none of ours, and goes about to decry our Religion from Consequences, which he deviseth at pleasure, or which he borrows from those, who have invented them. I will onely relate to you Three Examples of them.

In the Third Chapter of the First Book, pag. 19. He weaves a prolix Discourse, to shew, that we have no short way of knowing the true Church, and that a man must examine in particular all the Points that are proposed. It is not difficult to answer what he saith [Page 34] thereupon, but I leave that to Monsie [...] Claude, who will not fail to make it out, Th [...] the way of the Scripture is much more easi [...] shorter, and furer, than that of the Church by the very acknowledgment of many of the [...] own Doctors. I onely note, that in that Ratiocination he accuseth us as if we believed That it is possible, that the Church shoul [...] subsist no more. Whence he infers, That w [...] cannot avoid discussing all the Dogmes of a Sects, present and passed, subsistent and ex­tinct, and to search in the Catalogue of a [...] the Heresies, Whether we may not finde ther [...] the Church of Jesus Christ.

I know not, what may have made Monsieu [...] Arnaud to impute unto us such a pretty Vision: But this I know, that never any man o [...] our Communion hath said it, and I challenge Monsieur Arnaud to shew me one onely Au­thor amongst us, who hath believed, that it could come to pass, that the Church should subsist no more. We believe just the contrary, and know, That the World doth not subsist but upon the accompt of the Church; that there hath never been a moment, and that there never will be any, to the end of the World, wherein it can be said with truth, that there is no true Church. Jesus Christ, who cannot lie, hath promised to be with us to the end of the World, and to secure his Church against the power of Hell. We say indeed, That some of the parts of this Universal Church can perish, and that that Eternal Sub­sistence [Page 35] is not fastned to the Church of Rome, [...]r the Grecian, nor the Aethiopian, nor to [...] her particular Members; we have too sad [...] experience to doubt of it. We say also [...]rther, That the true Church hath her degrees of Light, as the Moon; that she is at times [...] oppressed by Tyrants, and so obscured by the darkness of Errors, that one can hardly discern her; and that a great Prophet cryed out, That he was alone remaining in the midst of Idolaters, when God answered, to comfort him, That he had reserved Seven thousand Souls, that had not bowed their knees to Baal. But these things conclude nothing against the existence of the Church, and Monsieur Ar­naud is much out, when he saith, That, ac­cording to us, it is possible, she should subsist no more.

He hath no more reason in another place of his Work, (in the Tenth Book, chap. 1. pag. 6.) where he saith, That we have introduced amongst us Detestable Morals, which constitute an essential part of our Religion. I profess to you, Sir, that I could hardly believe my own eyes; I imagined, that they failed me, or that the Printer had mistaken: I read it over and over, an accusation so heinous, so scan­dalous, so ungrounded; and with all that, I could not resolve to believe, that such a thought had escaped a clear-sighted, wise, and sincere man, and one that so much preacheth up Integrity and Candor: But I was yet much more astonished, when I was assured, that he [Page 36] was at work to publish our Morals, that as the first Book we shall see of him, and t [...] he pretends to justifie, that they are such, he hath described them here in short.

Sir, you are one of his Friends, coun [...] him to employ his time better, and to lea [...] such calumnies to those base and ridiculo [...] Spirits, those Quacks of Religion, those i [...] norant Methodists, the Cutlers, Apothecari [...] &c. that are the famous Disciples of o [...] Veron. Tell him, that a Doctor of the Sor [...] ought not to amuse the World with such trif [...] and fictions; that it becomes him to be mo [...] serious, and to say nothing, but what he [...] clearly prove.

I know not, how he will order himself making this Book; but I am very well assure that, in what manner soever he compose it, [...] most simple will presently discover the wea [...] ness; the honester sort, even of their Relig [...] on, will look on it with contempt; and it w [...] work nothing amongst us, and his reputati [...] will but suffer the more by it.

Yet I doubt not, but the Book will sel [...] we do naturally love Detractions and Nove [...] ties; and when Monsters are not in a cond [...] tion to hurt us, they commonly excite o [...] curiosity. The Book will certainly have th [...] advantage, that it will teach us things we kno [...] not.

But, Sir, whence may Monsieur Arnaud we this new Light? where hath he made this [...]w Discovery? How comes he to see amongst [...], what never any one of ours hath seen; [...]d how comes it to pass, that we have not [...]en aware of these Detestable Morals, of [...]hich he speaketh so positively? Whence [...]omes it, that none of those, that have for­saken our Communion, and listed themselves [...] yours, never thought on it to accuse us of [...]at Loosness, nor have taken for a Motive of [...]eir Change, such Detestable Morals? Whence [...]mes it, that your most famous preachers search with care, and read with esteem, the Sermons of Monsieur de Moulin, Monsieur Mestrezat, Monsieur le Faucheur, Monsieur Daillé, Mon­sieur Gache, and other Ministers, without [...]ving there found, what Monsieur Arnaud [...]proaches us with, although those writings do [...]eifly treat of Manners? Whence comes it, that even our Fellow-Citizens of your Religi­on, that your Magistrates have hitherto made no complaint of our Conversation? How comes it to pass, that the Edicts of His most Christian Majesty have not thundred against those Detestable Morals? And how is it, that they suffer in the Kingdom such a pernicious irregularity, and a Religion, which for its Essential part hath Morals of that nature?

Truly, Monsieur Arnaud hath made a strange step, and he saith too much to be be­lieved. For the crime, which he chargeth us with, is the blackest and the most execrable [Page 38] that can be imagined, and never was so m [...] said of the most barbarous and the most i [...] pious Nations. There are among Heath [...] some infamous people, who glory in what call Vice, and know not what we call Vertu [...] but those Crimes are not authorised by Law and are no Essential part of their Religio [...] They are people, whom the Justice of G [...] giveth over to the disorders of their corrup [...] ed nature, and who even sin not in many thi [...] they do, because they have no knowledge n [...] rule, to direct them what they ought to do, to avoid: But that Christians, enlightned the Light of the Gospel, should make pr [...] fession of Detestable Morals by a principl [...] their Religion, is so surprising, that I can [...] hold telling you again, that I can hardly co [...] ceive, how Monsieur Arnaud came to fall [...] to such a delusion, as to believe and spe [...] it.

When he is maintaining against us, that o [...] Senses and our Reason are mistaken in the m [...] ter of the Eucharist, he is not the onely m [...] that maintains it; their whole Church saith [...] same thing: And to prove this Propositio [...] he alledges the Power of God, the Text the Holy Scripture, and the Testimonies the Fathers; but here Monsieur Arnaud go [...] about to do something more; for witho [...] proof, and without miracle he will, that o [...] Senses and our Reason are perpetually goi [...] astray; and although we read and hear da [...] Exhortations to Piety, Ho [...]iness, and Repe [...] [...]nce, [Page 39] he will that these things speak nothing of [...]hat they speak, and that this is nothing but Detestable Morality.

I know, that certain Spirits of the mean­ [...]st rank have drawn ridiculous consequences out of some of our Tenents, and accused us, That we make God the Author of Sin; that we make all Sins equal; that we deny the ne­cessity of good Works; that we Preach Li­bertinism, and the infallible assurance of Sal­vation, how sinful soever we be; but none hath been yet found, that hath gone so far, as to affirm in general, that our Morals are De­testable.

But I must confess to you my being sur­prised on this occasion: I have, without thinking on it, put Monsieur Arnaud among these Spirits of the last rank, who feed onely on poisons, and who cannot speak of their Adversaries, without making Satyres: For after I had written, what you have just now read, I have found a passage in his Ninth Book (Chap. 9. p. 931.) which confirms what I have told you, touching the design of Mon­sieur Arnaud of writing our Morals, and teacheth me part of the Principles, upon which apparently he must build this great Work.

He speaks in that place of Penitential Ex­ercises, and saith, That it is not to be wondred, that they seem vain and superstitious to the Cal­vinists, that is, to a sort of people who are assured of their Salvation, who believe that their greatest irregularities do not make them loose the quality [Page 40] of being the Children of God; and that althoug [...] they wallow in the shamefullest disorders, th [...] are nevertheless as Just as the Blessed Virgin their pretended imputative Righteousness not being susceptible of plus or minus, of more or les [...] And somewhat after that, he saith again, Th [...] we believe the Penitential Works to be useles [...] both to satisfie for the sins passed, and to assu [...] us of our Salvation; of which we esteem o [...] selves to be sure already without repentance an [...] good works. And as he is not a man to advanc [...] things of this nature without proof, he assure [...] us in the Margent, That all these accusations sha [...] be made good in an express Treaty.

Thus what I was told, that he was busie i [...] writing our Morals, is found true, and i [...] the execution of what he hath promised i [...] this place. And it appears also by these Specimens, that he will draw up against us th [...] same accusations, which I have just now spoke of.

Indeed, Sir, this is intolerable, that Monsieur Arnaud should so licentiously abuse th [...] credit he hath gained, that he should go abo [...] to imitate troubling Busi-bodies, and to warrant such impertinent calumnies, which hav [...] been so often and so solidly refuted? Doth h [...] not know, that in matter of accusation, bar [...] suspition and apparences are not sufficient, an [...] that there must be positive proofs, and as clear as the Sun? Doth he not remember what him­self hath said (in his Second Book, Chap. 6 p. 153.) That we ought well to distinguish b [...] [...]een [Page 41] Consequences, and Tenets formally main­ [...]ined. For it cannot be concluded, That those [...]o maintain an opinion, maintain all the con­ [...]quences of it, if those consequences are ill de­ [...]iced; and although they were well deduced, it not just to impute them to them, if they advow [...]hem not, and it do not appear, that they have [...]en them, and approved of them.

Let Monsieur Arnaud take his measures by his own Maxim, let him in the Examen of our Morals alledge none, but our clear and formally maintained passages, without petti­foggery, without equivocation, and without consequences drawn after his phancy; and I am sure, that, if he will keep within these bounds, as he is obliged to do, his Book will be soon made, or rather not be made at all.

In the mean time, Sir, although I believe, that you are too intelligent to have made any ill judgment of our Morals, upon the Autho­rity, or rather the Passion of Monsieur Ar­naud, I shall, by way of anticipation, in a few lines refute the Book he is writing of them, and to shew you the places whence he must take, what we believe in this matter.

We have therefore no other Morals than those, which Jesus Christ hath taught us; and the Prophets and Apostles are our Casuists and Doctors, which we consult in all our difficul­ties. The sum of these Morals is, To love God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our thoughts, and our neighbor as our [Page 42] selves, not doing to others what we would [...] have done to us.

The Authentick Acts, wherein we expl [...] at large our Sentiments in this matter, are o [...] Confession of Faith, and our Catechism. The [...] it is, Sir, where you may see these Moral which Monsieur Arnaud calls Detestable. B [...] I am apt to believe, that he will be alone [...] his party, and that you will not be of his op [...] nion, when you shall have understood, thi [...] there we teach, That God governs and orde [...] all things by his Providence even the Wicked and DevilsIn the Confessi­on of Faith, Art. 8. Art. 8, 22. Without being the Author [...] Sin, and that their wickedne [...] cannot be imputed unto him since his Will is the supream an [...] infallible Rule of all equity. That we are regene­rated to newness of Life by Faith, which given us Grace to live holily, and in the fear of God, and which is so far from making us remiss in the duty of a good and holy life, that on the contrary it begets and excites it in us, neces­sarily producing good Works. Catechism. Sect. 25. That we ought not to take the Name of God in vain, nor speak of him, but with fear and humility: Ibid. Sect. 26, 27. That we ought to mortifie our flesh, and to renounce and deny our selves that so God may govern us by his Spirit. Ibid. Sect. 28, 29, 30. That we ought to observe the Ordinance instituted in the Church for hearing the Word of [Page 43] God, and having communion in the Publick Pray­ers and Sacraments: That we ought to obey Fa­ther and Mother, honor them, and assist them to the best of our power: That we ought not onely be without all violence and hatred, but love our neighbor, and procure his Salvation with a sincere affection: That we ought to abstain from all im­purity, and keep our selves chaste, not onely in deed, but also in our desires, words, and gestures: That we ought not to take an other mans goods, neither by force nor by craft and ill practices: That perjury and evil speaking are sins condemned by the Law of God: That we ought to be so per­fect, that not onely evil actions, disorderly af­fections, and simple desires to sin are blameable, but that even the thoughts, and the simple temp­tations to evil, although we do not consent thereto, are criminal before the severe Tribunal of Gods Justice.

This, Sir, is the Abridgment of our Morals, that make an Essential part of our Religion; which, I am sure, you will not think Detestable, and by it you may see, how great is the trans­port of Monsieur Arnaud, and whether I had not cause to make this injury one of the Motives, which hath made him very suspectful to us, and turned us away from reading his Book: Not to insist now, that he hath given matter to Monsieur Claude of a just recrimi­nation, and to examine the Morals of the Je­suits, and that of the Jansenists, which have raised so much noise; together with the Re­gulations of the Church of Rome, for the tax [Page 44] of the Absolution of every sin, of the Bull of Indulgence, of Dispensations, and th [...] like.

The third Example, which I shall alledge is not less considerable. You know, that the Doctrine of the Gospel consists in these two▪ points, namely Faith and Repentance; Belie [...] and a good Life. Monsieur Arnaud accuseth our Morals to be detestable, and he doth no less concerning our Doctrine; since he affirms, That although the Trinity and all the other Myste­ries of our Faith be asserted by innumerable, very clear, and very convincing proofs both in Scrip­ture and Tradition, yet these proofs sound very ill in the mouths of the Calvinists, who so weaken them by their false principles, that they make them incapable to perswade the Socinians and all others that are in an error: And one may see, that these detestable Hereticks have done no more but advanced the principles, which the Calvinists have furnished them with, by not enduring to be kept within those arbitrary bounds, to which the first Reformers thought fit to confine themselves: So that this Heresie may in reason be called an Extension of Calvinism. Those false principles, of which he speaks, are, That we renounce the Tradition and Authority of the Church, and that we reduce our selves to the Scripture alone, explained by our Reason, and by our private Spirit.

You cannot but see, Sir, that this discourse is altogether injurious, and that first of all, it insinuates into the mindes of those who read [Page 45] [...], as if we had a great Conformity with the [...]ocinians, and our Religion were an Abridg­ [...]ent of their Heresie, seeing that their Heresie [...]s said to be nothing but an Extension of our Religion. Whereas hitherto there hath not [...]een, God be thanked, any contestation be­ [...]wixt us about these important truths, which those unhappy men fight against; and the most impudent calumny never durst quarrel with us upon this point: And our Confession of Faith, our Catechism, the writings of our Doctors against these Hereticks, and all your own wri­ters themselves do highly justifie us. Whence then hath Monsieur Arnaud this sullen bitter­ness? Doth he think, he shall be believed up­on his word, and that an accusation of this nature shall be received without proof? He will say, it may be, (and that is all that can be said, somewhat to excuse him;) That he meant not to charge us, as if we did formally maintain the errors of the Socinians about the Trinity, but onely, that we have the same principles concerning the Rules of our Faith; that both they and we reject the Authority of the Church; that without this Authority Heretickes cannot be convinced; and that thus, the Socinians being gone out from us, and even having driven farther, than we, this principle, that the Scripture alone is the Rule of Faith, we have furnished them with arms to fight against our most Sacred Mysteries.

But if he would say no more than this, he hath very ill delivered himself, and for so [Page 46] eloquent a man as he is, his Discourse nec [...] too much comment to make it to be understood: For a man shall never conclude a [...] thing else from it, but that we partake of th [...] Heresie of the Socinians, which is a meer calumny; and it is always very ill argued, t [...] accuse people of all the Errors of those, wit [...] whom they have some things common: It i [...] as if I should say, that the Roman Religion i [...] an extension of the Errors of the Greeks, and that it hath advanced their principles, because both do pray for the dead, and you believe a Purgatory, which is not believed by the Eastern Churches. It may well be said, that both have some common opinions; but that infers nothing for the rest of their Tenents: And although the Socinians cut away the Au­thority of Councils, and of Tradition, from being Rules of Faith, as well as we do, yet it cannot be said without injustice, that their Heresie is an extension of our Belief in general. All that can be concluded from it, is, that we have that principle common; which signifies nothing, forasmuch as there is no Heresie, which hath not something common with the true Church. And not to pass out of our Argu­ment, the Socinians believe and adore one onely God; they believe, and desire Hea­ven; they believe and fear Hell, as well as we: Is it therefore to be said, that we there­fore hold their other Tenents, which we detest and oppose both, with all our power? Cer­tainly Monsieur Arnaud hath taken his mea­sure [Page 47] very ill in this matter. But, Sir, you [...]ay observe besides, that he not onely mis­ [...]kes in this conclusion, but that the Passion he [...]d to decry our Religion by such an odious [...]mparison, hath hindred him to see divers [...]otable faults, upon which he hath built that [...]onsequence, in such a manner, that there are hardly more lines than faults in his Ratioci­nation.

First, It is not true, and it is even dange­rous to affirm, That the Mystery of the Trinity hath need of Tradition, and of the Authority of the Church. If the holy Scriptures did not clearly assert it, we should always be doubt­ful, because that Tradition and the Authority of the Church are not common principles, and they have need of a great discussion to be known.

Secondly, It is not true, that we renounce Tradition and the Authority of the Church in this point, nor in many others. Our Confession of Faith receiveth the Creeds of the Apostles, of Nice, and of Athanasius; the Councils, that have confirmed them, and the Doctors, that have maintained them against Hereticks. We onely desire, that whatever men do say may be examined by the Word of God, which is the onely Rule of our Faith, and to which the Church is subject, according to the Senti­ment of the Fathers, and the cheif Doctors. And as to the private Spirit, by which Mon­sieur Arnaud saith we believe the Scriptures are to be expounded, that is a mear Chimera, [Page 48] which hath been so often refuted, that it i [...] wonder, he should amuse people with t [...] kinde of Objections.

Thirdly, It is not true neither, that the S [...] cinians do absolutely reject the Councils, [...] the Fathers, nor that they have advanced [...] principles about this point, as Monsieur [...] naud saith; their Books are full of passag [...] of the Antients, which they expound af [...] their way, but they will not suffer that th [...] should be opposed to the holy Scriptur [...] Monsieur Arnaud himself cites a place [...] Socinus, which destroys wh [...] he saith here.The first Book. cap. 5. pag. 42. All th [...] things (it is Socinus speaki [...] of the Fathers, and of t [...] Councils) and others of the same kinde are serve men of understanding and good sense, on [...] to let them know, what was the Faith of t [...] Church at that time, and to induce them not [...] recede without reason from the Doctrines th [...] were then received: But to go about, resolute to maintain opinions against the clear Testimoni [...] of the Scriptures, because the Fathers approve [...] them, is, to endeavor to subvert designedly t [...] Divine Truth.

Fourthly, The Ratiocination which Mo [...] sieur Arnaud maketh upon what I have bee [...] examining, is not square, and cannot be maintained. For though it were true, that w [...] should altogether reject the Authority of Tradition, and of the Church, since the Socini­ans do the same, how do we, by this principle [Page 49] [...]ervate in respect of them the proofs of the [...]inity? And how can Monsieur Arnaud [...]agine, that we should convince them more [...]sily, if we received that Authority, seeing [...]at they reject the same equally? Doth he not [...]ow, that we do not reasonably combat [...]ainst our Adversaries, by our principles, but [...]ely by theirs, or by common principles, in [...]hich they agree with us? So that, maintain­ [...]g as Monsieur Arnaud doth, that we weaken [...]e proofs of the Trinity, by rejecting the [...]uthority of the Church, and that if we did [...]ceive the same, we should more strongly op­ [...]ose those Hereticks; it is just, as I should say, [...]hat a man who should reject the Gospel, [...]ould weaken the proofs of the Deity and [...]carnation of Jesus Christ, in respect of the [...]ews; for it is the same thing to dispute [...]gainst the Socinians by Tradition since they [...]enounce it, as to dispute against the Jews by [...]e Gospel which they believe not. Before we [...]n act by the authority of a principle, it is [...]ecessary, that all the parties should agree [...]bout it, or we must prove the authority of [...]hat principle.

Thus you see, that Monsieur Arnaud, to make an odious comparison to our disadvant­age, hath drawn a false consequence, and built upon false Propositions.

You will say doubtless, that these Reasons, which regard the out-work of Monsieur Ar­nauds Book; his particular conduct, his way of writing, his resentments, and his personal [Page 50] differences with Monsieur Claude, do [...] weaken the substance of the truth he th [...] establisheth, nor the proofs of the Book of [...] Perpetuity, and that, that at least must h [...] made some impression on those, who have [...] the leisure and care of reading it all; and, you know, that I am of that number, you wo [...] also know, what I think of that, and will [...] be content to know onely, what others ha [...] said or might have said of it.

It is easie, Sir, to satisfie you also in t [...] point, and I shall therefore add to the for [...] Reflexions, such other Observations as shall [...] you see, that when Monsieur Arnauds Bo [...] shall be considered onely in its Essential pa [...] severed from all the Objections I have be [...] examining, the weakness of his proofs a [...] reasonings, (which are, often enough, ver [...] embarussing and contradictory) doth there so evidently appear, that he could not expe [...] from it a very favorable success.

But, Sir, you will remember, if you pleas [...] what you desired of me, and what I promise you; which is, you know, that I underta [...] not to examine Monsieur Arnauds Book that concerns Monsieur Claude particularly who will acquit himself, I am sure, very we [...] and very generously of it. My design onely to tell you, what effect this Book hath ha [...] amongst us, and how it hath been received b [...] us, together with the Reasons in general which have kept it from making that famou [...] progress, which you thence exspected. Wha [...] [Page 51] [...]ath been observed of it already, hath fur­ [...]ished Reasons considerable enough, and what [...] am going to note further, will furnish other [...]ore important ones, because it will more [...]early touch the Ratiocinations of Monsieur Arnaud about the Ground of the Defence of [...]is Book concerning the Perpetuity.

The Fifth Reflexion.

YOu know, Sir, that the only design of t [...] Book about the perpetuity of the Faith of [...] Catholick Church concerning the Eucharist, an [...] of the Treatises which have been written a [...] terwards for its defence by M. Arnaud, is [...] shew, that the Change, which We say hath happen'd in this point, is impossible, and nothi [...] but a Chimera and Fiction of our Ministers.

You know also, that the two Grounds [...] this proposition do consist, in the Union of th [...] Greek Churches (about this point) with th [...] Latin Church at the time, at which we a [...] sign this change, which is in the ninth an [...] tenth Century; and in the Distinct belief, whic [...] all the people of the World had then and before, of the Real Presence of the Body o [...] Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, in consequence o [...] which he was there adored by all Christians.

To speak the truth, this was no ill fetch, an [...] if it were well proved, the consequences which are drawn from thence, would be ver [...] strong: For, it is not to be conceiv'd, th [...] an Innovation of this nature should insensibl [...] slide into the Universal Church; that th [...] Greeks, separated from the Latins, shoul [...] have taken new Tenents from these, which the look'd no otherwise upon than irreconcileab [...] enemies; that none should have perceiv'd [Page 53] [...]ther that the one part did no longer adore [...]hat made their chief worship, and the prin­ [...]pal subject of the ordinary Adoration of all Nations, or that the other part did begin to [...]dore what they were not wont to adore, and [...]hich was nothing but a creature; or lastly, if [...] Change so considerable had been perceiv'd, [...]hat all the World should have remain'd in [...]lence; that no publick complaints should [...]ave been made on one or the other side; and [...]hat there should have been no Councils assem­bled to remedy it, as was done when Beren­ [...]er opposed himself in the Eleventh Age to [...]he Opinion of the Roman Church about this point.

And therefore M Claude, who saw very well, that these Principles could not be grant­ed without some prejudice to him, deny'd them both, and maintain'd, that the Greeks did not acknowledge Transubstantiation, be­cause this is the only medium you admit to make men believe the Real Presence, such as you receive it; that Paschasius, the Introdu­cer of this opinion, doth not establish it but by craft, by keeping the ancient termes, and by way of explication of the Faith of his Pre­ [...]essors; that the Adoration which is oppo­sed as an invincible medium to make people find the Change, if there had been any, was unknown to the Greeks and Latins of that time.

But what injurious reproaches hath not M. Claude exposed himse f to by this denyal? [Page 54] What storms and tempests hath he not raised The Schooles did never so much exclaime against the opinion of the Motion of the Ear [...] And if he had openly maintained in the Pulp [...] at Charenton, that Paris was destroyed, and ha [...] no more any being in nature; or that 'tis v [...] ry dark at full noon when the Sun shine brightest, and the Air is least over-cast, [...] could not have been accused of a great [...] blindness, and a more ridiculous temerity than to advance, that the Greeks did not b [...] lieve Transubstantiation, the Local Presenc [...] and Adoration, in the ninth and tenth Cent [...] ry, and that they have still the same Sentiment [...] Indeed, saith M. Arnaud on this occasion, ( [...] his Refutation, p. 465.) 'Tis not tolerable [...] advance evident falsities with that confidence without alledging proofs, and a man can hard recede more from sincerity.

But, if the proofs, he produceth himself o [...] these two Essential points, conclude nothing and are not necessary, neither by our Princ [...] ples, nor by his own; if he himself destroy by his own Maxims what hath been establish in his Book of the Perpetuity; may we not say that his wrath is unjust, that he hath ensnare [...] himself in his own net, that he evidently con­tradicts himself, that his Book of the Perpetui [...] ty can produce no effect, and that his defenc [...] is weak, and to no purpose?

Let us then briefly examine these two Capi­tal and sole Grounds of his Book of the Per [...]tuity, [Page 55] and let us refute them by M. Arnaud, [...]heir own Defendant.

The First consists, as I said, in the Union of [...]he Greeks with the Church of Rome about the [...]ucharist in the time of Paschasius, whom we [...]ffirm to have introduced in the Ninth Cen­tury the opinion of the Substantial Presence, and of Transubstantiation; and which got strength, and increased, and diffused it self through all the West, during the Tenth Age.

'Tis pretended, that this Change could not be made, because the Oriental Churches had at that time the same belief which we now oppose, and which they could not receive from Pascha­sius, nor the Latin Church, seeing they had perhaps never heard of the former, nor seen his Book, neither were they in a condition to receive from the latter any Change in their Te­nents, by reason of the animosity which was be­tween these Churches; On the contrary, the Greeks would have been very glad to have ex­claim'd against the conduct of the Latins, if they had met with so fair an occasion, since they declared and publisht their demeanour in Writing about far slighter matters.

To destroy this ratiocination, which is strong, if it were true; We have asserted, that neither at the time of Paschasius, nor in the following Century, the Schismatick Churches did at all believe Transubstantion, nor the Adoration of the Sacrament. So that, if M. Arnaud does not prove this Proposition, the first Pillar of his Edifice in the Book of the [Page 56] Perpetuity falls to the ground: But, if it b [...] himself that furnishes most of the Instrumen [...] to pull down this Pillar, his Enemies wi [...] discourse of it sufficiently, and his Friends as you, Sir, and I, who have a great estee [...] for him, shall not be able to forbear calli [...] him the Destroyer of his own workmanship.

Let us therefore examine the Proofs b [...] alledgeth of the Opinion of the Orientals, con­cerning these weighty points, in the Ninth ar [...] Tenth Age; for the Controversie is not o [...] other Ages, and the force of the ratiocinatio [...] of the Perpetuity-Book is altogether confine to these two Centuries.

For the Ninth, M. Arnaud produceth th [...] testimony of Nicephorus, Patriarch of Constan­tinople, of whom he citeth two passages, ta­ken out of two of his Treatises against the Ic [...] ­noclasts, (Image-breakers) who called the Bread and Wine of the Eucharist, the Figures and Images of the Body of Jesus Christ. Thes [...] passages are reducible to these four Propositi­ons.

The First, That the Image and the thing thereby represented are altogether opposite, in so much, that 'tis a folly to maintain, that they are the same thing.

The Second, That if sometimes the Bread and Wine were call d the Images and Anti­types of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, that was before the Consecration.

The Third, That Nicephorus and the other Greeks, adversaries to the Iconoclasts, did [Page 57] [...]t call the Oblations designed for the Sacra­ [...]ent of the Eucharist, the Image of the Body of Christ, but the Body of Christ it self.

The Fourth, That these Oblations are changed [...]to the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, after the same manner as the Bread and Wine are [...]onverted into our substance.

M. Arnaud bears himself much upon these [...]xpressions, which are nothing but Copies of the Discourses of the Fathers in the second [...]ouncil of Nice against the Iconoclasts; Mean time I am sure, that not only he would be un­willing to maintain in earnest any of these [...]our propositions, but also that he directly op­poseth them in his Treatise.

The first, That the Image is different from what it represents, and that it cannot be grant­ed, that what Iesus Christ hath given us to eat, should be both together his Image and his Body, is a Truth not to be contested, in what Tense soever it be taken. Nicephorus makes use of it to ill purpose, to prove against the Iconoclasts, that there is in the Eucharist, after the Consecration, neither Figure, nor Image, nor antitype, but only the Body and Blood of Iesus Christ, because he believed the Impana­tion of the Word, that is, that the Bread and Wine were personally united to the Body and Blood of Iesus Christ, and made one and the same Body and Blood, by this Hypostatical Union.

But M. Arnaud, who is not of this opinion, cannot alledge for himself the opinion of this [Page 58] Author, which agreeth not at all with the Belief of the Roman Church: And therefore h [...] avoweth every where, that there is Figure an [...] Antitype even after the Consecration, an [...] maintains against the position of Nicephorus that the Eucharist is Figure and Truth, Imag [...] and Body both toge her.

I know very well, that to save Nicephoru [...] and the Second Council of Nice blameless, fo [...] having condemned their Adversaries, becaus [...] they had called the Eucharistical Oblations [...] Figure and Image, although according to M. Arnaud there was one popular sense of these words, which was exclusive of the verity, an [...] another popular sense, which was not exclusive when they were apply'd to the Eucharist (where­in it would be hard to save himself from a ma­nifest contradiction:) I know very well, I say, that M. Arnaud supposeth, that at the time o [...] the II. Council of Nice and of Nicephorus, the word Figure and Image, which was not exclu­sive of the verity, was very rare, and that therefore the Iconoclasts would not use it, leas [...] those expressions should be taken in the other popular sense, which is exclusive of the veri­ty.

To this I answer two things; one, that this Distinction of Figure exclusive, and not ex­clusive of the Verity, was unknown to those Authors (the Adversaries of the Image-breakers,) and to others, who maintain'd, that the Eucharist was not an Image and Anti­type: And M. Arnaud maketh them think [Page 59] [...]d say, what they never thought nor said; [...]ey never imagin'd this distinction, nor [...]er declared themselves about it, after the [...]anner that M. Arnaud would have it; their [...]spute would have been at an end in a mo­ment, or rather there would have been no dis­pute between them, seeing the Fathers of that Council of Nice and Nicephorus had no more to do but to tell the Image-breakers, that it was true, that the Bread and Wine of the Eucha­rist were Images and Figures of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, but that they were Images which contain'd the Truth it self: their difference would have been thereby deter­min'd, since M. Arnaud believeth, that the Iconoclasts did at the bottom agree with their Adversaries.

This therefore is not the sense of the Greeks, who have asserted, that there was no Figure in the Eucharist; but, their opinion was, that there was neither Figure exclusive, nor Figure inclusive; neither Substance, nor Accidents of the common Bread, and that there was no­thing but the Body of Jesus Christ, that is, that the Bread was truly his Body by an Hyposta­tical union. And this is evident by all the expressions of those men; which I hope to prove more largely another time.

I answer secondly, That the reason, which M. Arnaud produceth to excuse Nicephorus and the Council of Nice, is not true: These very termes (of Images, Figures and Antitypes) being, saith he, in the seventh Book, Chap. 7. [Page 60] pa. 708, become less ordinary, would have a [...] pear'd offensive, because the understanding a [...] ding no more to it, they beget no more but the I [...] of what they precisely signifie; and therefore [...] is not to be wondred, that the Fathers of [...] Council of Nice were scandalized at the wo [...] Image, which the Iconoclasts employ'd, because [...] appears by the Authors of the seventh Age, the it was but little used in respect to the Eucharist.

But whence is it that M. Arnaud hath learn'd that at that time the Word Image applyed [...] the Eucharist was little used? He cannot pro­duce one only Author for it. For, to say that the Eucharist is not an Image, as Anastasius Sinaita doth, that concludes nothing, be­cause that Anastasius acknowledged in th [...] Eucharist no Figure at all, neither exclusive no [...] inclusive; nor did he ever say, that this wor [...] Image was no more in use in his time, though it had been theretofore; on the contrary, he maintains, that, if the Eucharist have bee [...] call'd an Image, that was before the Consecra­tion, that is, before it was the Eucharist. And thus Anastasius hath been alledged to ill pur­pose, as also some other Authors that have follow'd him, to prove, that the word Image, apply'd to the Eucharist, was little in use, since he denyeth, it was ever used.

Besides, Is not this observation plainly re­futed by the Council of Constantinople, against which that of Nice was called together, since that in this Assembly, composed of more then 300 Bishops, the word Image is given to the [Page 61] Eucharist? Is not such a considerable num­ [...]er of Bishops rather to be believed concern­ [...]ng what was in use in their time, than two or [...]hree particular Authors? And, if they have [...]alled the Eucharist an Image of the Body and blood of Iesus Christ, is not that a convincing proof, that the popular sense, which it had in this respect until then, as M. Arnaud will have it, did obtain still, and that therefore this ex­pression was blamed to ill purpose by the Fa­thers of Nice, and by Nicephorus?

But, let us go no further than to M. Ar­naud, to find the refutation of what he hath said concerning this matter; he will free us from all pain himself, and furnish us with an an­swer, which he cannot refuse without disown­ing his reasons.

You saw but lately in the passage I related out of him, that, according to his opinion, we are not to wonder, that the Fathers of the II. Council of Nice, and the Patriarch Nice­phorus, were scandalized at this, that the Coun­cil of Constantinople, held by the Iconoclasts, had called the Bread and Wine in the Eucha­rist a Figure and Image; for as much as from the Seventh Age that word was little more in use as to this matter.

But then M. Arnaud, remembring no more this answer, asserts on the contrary, That we are in the wrong, when we alledge for our de­fence the Passages of the Fathers, wherein the Symbols are call d by the name of Figure: And that we cannot thence conclude, (in his tenth [Page 62] Book, cap. 4. pa. 22.) that therefore the B [...] of Christ is not there inclosed, because, besil [...] that the same Language is found in the seven [...] and eighth Ages, it is found also in the eleven [...] Age, and at the time when they were condemne [...] who denied the Real presence, and yet those, w [...] were the greatest Enemies of the Error of B [...] ­renger, were neither offended nor scandalized [...] it.

So that when it pleaseth M. Arnaud, th [...] terme of Figure and Image had no more▪ from the time of the Seventh Age, that popu­lar sense, which made it to be receiv'd unde [...] the notion of a Figure, inclosing the Truth and therefore the Fathers of the II. Council o [...] Nice, and Nicephorus, had reason to be scan­dalized at it in the Eighth and Ninth Age; and afterwards when he pleaseth, this same word was in use in the seventh and eighth Age, and even in the eleventh, and was employed with­out any offence or scandal.

This shews sufficiently, how much Passion and eagerness of Victory, whatever it may cost, cloudeth in great Wits the light they had re­ceiv'd either from Nature or Grace.

The same proves also, that the Second Pro­position out of the passage of Nicephorus, is not more reasonable: For it is not true, that the Symbols were not call'd by the Fathers An­titype, Figure and Image, but only before the Consecration; The contrary might easily be proved; but it is needless, since M. Arnaud, too intelligent not to know a thing of this na­ture, [Page 63] candidly acknowledgeth the error of Nicephorus, and of the Fathers of Nice in this matter. See his seventh Book, Chap. 7. p. 708. and Ch. 8. p. 717.

The two last Propositions, drawn out of the passage of Nicephorus, viz. That the Bread and Wine are truely and properly the Body and Blood of Iesus Christ, and that it be­comes such by the vertue of the Holy Spirit, changing these Oblations into the Body and Blood of Christ, even as the Bread and Wine, and Water, are changed into our substance: These two Propositions, I say, will appear to you more formal for your Belief, and more express to prove the intention of M. Arnaud; But do not, I pray, stand upon the out-side, nor the Exterior sense of these words; con­sider them attentively, and you'l find, that these two opinions are as contrary to their Doctrine as to ours.

First, It is not true, according to you, that the Bread is the Body of Jesus Christ; and I challenge Monsieur Arnaud, to produce me onely one of your Doctors, that approveth this Proposition. On the contrary, all are a­greed amongst you, that the word this, in this Enunciation of our Saviour, Take, eat, this is my Body, doth not signifie, This Bread: And when your Writers do alledge the passages of the Fathers, which say, That the Bread is the Body, to prove the Reality, they give expli­cations to this manner of speaking, because [...]t cannot be true, being taken in this sense, [Page 64] That the Bread is the Body; for, it is m [...] certain, That the Body of Jesus Christ is n [...] made of Bread, that the substance of th [...] Bread is not his Body, that the Accident [...] which you take for the Symbols, Signs, Figures and Images of the Body of Christ, are not [...] neither, nor indeed can be.

Secondly, What Nicephorus saith of th [...] Conversion of the Bread into the Body o [...] Jesus Christ, after the manner of the change o [...] Meat into our Substance, is a meer Parado [...] amongst you, as well as amongst us; the Tra [...] substantiation hath nothing like it, and instea [...] of changing the substance of the Bread int [...] the Body of Christ, it wholly destroys th [...] Substance, and reduceth it to nothing, t [...] substitute in lieu of it the Body of Jesu [...] Christ, after an invisible and incomprehensible manner. Thus, Sir, you see, that this fir [...] Testimony of the Belief of the Greeks in th [...] Ninth Age, deposeth nothing in favor of Mon­sieur Arnaud, since himself dareth not main­tain any one of its Propositions.

This Reflexion may serve for Answer to the Second and third Testimony of Monsieur Arnaud.

Theodore Abucara, Bishop of the Latin [...] speaks like Nicephorus (in the Seventh Book o [...] Monsieur Arnaud, Chap. 9. pag. 719, 720.) viz. That the holy Spirit descends upon the Ob­lations, and by the Fire of his Divinity, con­verts the Bread and Wine into the Body an [...] [Page 65] [...]lood of Jesus Christ, just as the stomach [...]angeth the nourishment into its own Body.

And Peter of Sicily, speaking of the Pauli­ [...]n Hereticks, who said, That instead of [...]ead and Wine, Jesus Christ had given nothing [...]t words to be instead of Symbols and Figures, [...]ith, They deny the dreadful and divine Tran­ [...]bstantiation of the Body and Blood of our Lord, [...]hich is made in the Mysteries. And in another [...]ace, The Bread, saith he, is presented visibly upon [...]e Altar, and the Holy Ghost descends invisibly, [...]nctifying the Oblations, and making them, not [...]e Antitypes, but the very Body and Blood of [...]r Lord, and our God.

I grant, that they speak not in these terms [...] Charenton, but Monsieur Arnaud must also [...]cknowledge with the same sincerity, that nei­ [...]er do they speak so in the Sorbonne, and that [...]ere they will never say, That after the Con­ [...]cration there is no Figure and Antitype in [...]e Sacrament, and that the Body of Jesus [...]hrist is made of Bread, as our Bodies are [...]ourished and increased by the meat we eat. [...]nd this sufficeth me to shew, That these [...]estimonies are useless to Monsieur Arnaud; [...]r, he hath undertaken to prove, That the [...]reek Church was in the Ninth and tenth Ages [...]f the same opinion, which now obtains in the [...]hurch of Rome, about the Reality, Transub­ [...]antiation, and Adoration. This is his main [...]oundation, and these Testimonies are not able [...]o prove it, because they are not of your opini­ [...]n, and do believe what you believe not.

If you shall ask me, what then was the Belief in this point, I will tell you, that sin [...] Anastasius Sinaita, and possibly before, t [...] Greeks did believe, that the Bread was hyp [...] statically united to the Body of Jesus Chr [...] making by this means one and the same Bod [...] as the Body of Jesus Christ, united to the D [...] vinity, doth constitute one onely Person which maketh that we say, Man is God, a [...] God is Man. Some did declare themselv [...] more grosly and more rudely than others, [...] rather carried this opinion to unconceivab [...] extravagancies, and to affrightful Erro [...] For, they believed, that by reason of t [...] Change, and of this Assumption of the Bre [...] into the Body of Christ, which made it o [...] and the same Body, this Body of our Savio [...] was seen, felt, eaten, bruised by the Teet [...] and in the Stomach reduced to the conditio [...] of common meat.

These, Sir, are the Testimonies, whi [...] Monsieur Arnaud reciteth to prove, that th [...] Greeks in the Ninth Age were of your opi [...] on. Judge you, whether he hath hit well; a [...] let him not say now, that we attribute to th [...] Greeks amiss, the Heresie of Stercoranism. hope to shew that in another piece; here I sha [...] content my self to prove it by Monsieur A [...] naud himself, who contradicts himself in th [...] point so evidently, that I am altogether su [...] prised at his not perceiving it, or that he ha [...] not been advertised of it by so many Learne Bishops, and Doctors of the Sorbonne, wh [...] [Page 67] have given him their Approbation with so much pomp, and will perswade us, that they have read his Book very attentively. Indeed, a good advertisement upon that and the like other contradictions, would have been much more advantagious to him, than all their En­comiums. But let us make proof of this Ac­cusation.

Monsieur Claude answering the Objection drawn from the pretended union of the Greeks and Latins in the Council of Florence, had said, That if by vertue of this union the Greeks seem to have tacitly suffered the Tran­substantiation of the Latins, the Latins have likewise suffered the Stercoranism of the Greeks, and that there was no more reason to con­clude from thence, that the Gresks are Tran­substantiators, than that the Latins are Ster­curanists.

Hereupon Monsieur Arnaud asserts, (in his Fourth Book, Chap. 3. pag. 356.) That this Stercoranism of the Greeks is a meer Chimera, which hath not any solid ground; that it is true, that Hubert had accused Nicolas of it, but that that was from a consequence at random, and that there appears not any trace or sign of it in all the Writings of the Greeks. And some Lines after he affirms, That it is a thing very false, and very improbable, that the Greeks have held this Error. He had asserted the same thing before (in his Second Book, cap. 6.) in answering an accusation of Cardinal Hubert, who did ob­ject to Nicolas this Stercoranism, and of [Page 68] Dalger, who chargeth all the Greeks there with.

But now, as if Monsieur Arnaud were an [...] mated by two opposite Spirits, or had lost hi [...] memory, he hath changed his minde since h [...] Fourth Book to the Seventh. We are goi [...] to finde him to be in a good understandi [...] with Monsieur Claude about this point, a [...] to confirm what just now he called a pu [...] Chimera, and a thing very false, and very in­probable.

Examining the difficulties, which occur i [...] a passage of Anastasius, a Religious Man o [...] Mount Sina, which he had alledged to mak [...] out the Belief of the Greeks of the Seventh Age, and not being able to extricate himself he is constrained, after Monsieur de Marca, to grant, that this Author was a Stercoranist believing, That the Body of Jesus Christ wa [...] corruptible in the Sacrament; and he endea­vors also to prove, That this was the opinion of Anastasius, by comparing other places of the same Author. He alledges the example which he had already produced elswhere of that Sicidite Fryar, who taught under the Em­peror Alexius Junior, that the Body of Jesus Christ was corruptible, and who had at that time some Followers, (in his Seventh Book, Chap. 2. pag. 629.) And thence he concludeth, That it would not be at all strange, the like thought [...] were come into the minde of Anastasius Sinaita. He confirms the same thing in his discourse upon the Book of Bertram (which is in the [Page 69] [...]welfth Book of this Volume, Chap. 3. p. 33.) [...]here, speaking of the Belief of those, against [...]hom he thinks Bertram had written, and [...]ho imagined, as he esteems, that there was [...]o vail nor figure at all in the Eucharist, and [...]hat the object of Faith was not distinguished [...]om that of Sense, and that the very Body of Christ was properly seen and felt, he adds, We may gather from divers places of this piece, [...]hat this opinion, though difficult, falls yet na­ [...]urally enough into the minde, since it seems it is [...]hat of Anastasius Sinaita, and of those other Greeks, who have said afterwards, that the Body of Jesus Christ was corruptible in the Eucharist; so that there is no cause to wonder, that there were men in the Ninth Age, which understood the Eucharist in the same sence, as it was under­stood of many Greeks.

Thus you may see it sufficiently proved, That Monsieur Arnaud asserts in one place, that there have been Greeks Stercoranists, and in another, that Stercoranism is a Chimera, and that there appears not any trace of it in their Writings. When you see him, Sir, you may ask of him the untying of this contradiction. But let us see, whether the Testimonies of the Tenth Age will be more favorable to him than those of the Ninth, we have been exami­ning.

He reciteth but two of them; but both do savor of the barrenness of the Deserts, whence he hath taken them, and they are useless, and deserve rather pitty than answer.

The first (in the Seventh Book, Chap. 9. pag. 722. and in the Refutation, pag. 243.) i [...] drawn out of an Extract of the Life of a [...] Anchorite called Luc, who being gone to con­sult the Archbishop of Collen, to know what he should do to receive the Divine Mysteries that Archbishop answered him, That if by [...] inevitable necessity a Priest could not be had up [...] their Mountain, they must put on the sacred Table the Vessel, wherein the pre-sanctified My­steries are, then spreading a Linnen Cloth, th [...] must lay down the sacred little parts, and bu [...] ing incense, they must sing Psalms sutable to th [...] Mystery, or the Canticle called Trisagion, tog [...] ther with the Creed; then adoring it by bendin [...] three times the knees, and joyning the hands, they shall take with their mouth the sacred Body [...] Jesus Christ our Lord. See how Monsieur A [...] naud hath cited this passage in his Refutatio [...] of the First Book of Monsieur Claude, wher [...] you sinde the word adoring in bigger Letters to shew the importance of it, and that there in consists the force of the Argument which i [...] taken out of this place. Monsieur Claude d [...] complain of it in his Answer, and accused th [...] Author of Falsification, because the word [...] doring is not in the Greek.

Is it not true, Sir, that if, before havin [...] seen the Book of Monsieur Arnaud, this di [...] ference had been barely related to you, an [...] you had been well perswaded, that this word which is contested, is not in the Text, yo [...] would doubtless have believed at first, tha [...] [Page 71] Monsieur Arnaud was too candid not to own frankly, that the Latin Interpreters, which he followed, made him err, and that he should have consulted the Greek Text in an allega­tion of that consequence: Yet you may see, that your conjecture would have been in vain, since Monsieur Arnaud doth not yield to the truth which he seeth, but labors to confirm this Traduction by windings and turnings, and by subtleties unworthy a man of his understand­ing and credit.

Let us freely avow, Sir, that the spirit of man is a strange piece; there is no evidence, he will not darken; no darkness, for which he will not pretend to finde light, when he findes himself engaged to maintain what he hath ad­vanced, and believeth, That it were a shame for him to retreat one step in the face of his adversary; but let us avow also, That truth hath an admirable power, and it she be not always crowned by the hands of her own ene­mies, she is often opposed with so much weak­ness, that it is easie to see her advantage, and withal the perplexities entangling those who resist her motions.

You see here a manifest example. Monsieur Arnaud grants, that in the Text there is one­ly this, And then bending the knees three times; and that the word adoring is not there; and yet he goes about to maintain this Translation. Is not this an effect of that self-love, which casts away many of the greatest men, and which is never laid down but in our grave? [Page 72] Can it be the sole passion of contesting with Monsieur Claude even of the clearest things What may have obliged him to be obstinate against such an evidence? Can it be a defect of his understanding, and can he seriously be­lieve, that a Translator hath the liberty th [...] to add to his Text, and so strangely to satisfie [...] it by a paraphrase and an explication of his own phancy, under the pretence of having translated it according to the Sense, and not according to the Letter? Or can he believe, that to bend the knees, may be faithfully rendred by the word adore? You may make such Re­flexions upon it as you please; as for me, I am altogether perswaded, that Monsieur Ar­naud is deceived, and that he saith nothing to maintain his Proposition, but what is extream­ly weak. But since I have not undertaken to refute his Book, and that that were to usurp the right of Monsieur Claude, I keep my self within the subject of this Letter.

For this purpose, you will please to ob­serve two things, which will shew you the de­lusion of Monsieur Arnaud in the Allegation of this passage.

First, That according to the truth of the Text he concludeth nothing, nor proveth at all the point, for which it is cited.

Secondly, That even according to the false Latin Translation, which Monsieur Arnaud hath followed, it is alledged to ill purpose, and maketh nothing for the opinion of the Greeks.

There needs no great discourse to prove [...]hese two truths; a little common sense is sufficient to discover their evidence.

For first, all that can be drawn from the true place, is this, That the Eucharist is called the Body of Christ, and that it is received kneeling. But this is not to any purpose; be­cause, if all those who use this expression and this ceremony, are of your Religion in this point, you will not finde many, against whom the claps of the fulminating Council of Trent can be justly directed, in regard that the Lu­therans receive the Eucharist kneeling, and believe they eat the true Body of Jesus Christ; and those of our Communion in England take also the Sacrament on their knees; and there is not any Protestant person either in France or elswhere, who doubts that he eateth and drinks truly and really the Body and Blood of Christ: We onely differ about the manner of this Manducation; we distinguish the Sign from the thing signified, and we stick not to give to the Sacrament the name of the Body of Christ, conformably to the words of its In­stitution, the more to note the truth and effi­cacy of the Union there is betwixt them

Whence you see, that such kinde of expressi­ons as these, which in the Letter seem more conform to your Belief, are yet not contrary to ours; they have their warrantable use; they are very true according to their inten­tion, and are not at all incompatible with our Sentiments: Which is plainly made out, [Page 74] in that we make use of them without scruple; and it is a Rule, which Monsieur Arnaud hath laid down, and for the proof of which h [...] employs the Fourth Chapter of his Tenth Book: That when those, who believe a Do­ctrine, use terms which are objected to them as inconsistent with their Doctrine, it is a [...] evident mark, That those expressions may stand very well with their belief, and are no [...] in reason to be opposed as being contrary to them. For example, he saith, It is objected to us, that the Fathers have often called the Sa­crament of the Eucharist, the Figure, the Antitypes and Symbols of the Body of Christ; tha [...] they have given it the name of Bread, Wine the Fruit of the Vine; that they have said, i [...] was not Common Bread; that they have assert­ed, that the Body of Jesus Christ, which w [...] receive in the Sacrament, is Spiritual and My­stical. But, notwithstanding all these Confor­mities with our ordinary expressions, Monsieur Arnaud esteems not, that they prejudice at all the Sentiment of the Fathers, or that it may be concluded from thence, that they did not believe the Reality and Transubstantiation, be­cause the highest Transubstantiators have used the same terms; which may have their truth, respect being had to what is exterior to the Sacrament.

By the Application of which Rule, you see, Sir, it is not difficult to answer, not onely to this passage, but also to all those, which Mon­sieur Arnaud, and your other Doctors can [Page 75] [...]edge out of the Fathers, where the Eucha­ [...] is called the Body of Christ, since that is [...]erm which we do not reject, and which may [...]ve a very true sense according to us; and [...] cannot be objected to us, because it is not compatible with our Belief, but consists with as naturally, as it doth with yours.

But I answer Secondly to this passage, that Monsieur Arnaud is very much out, when he [...]oposeth it to us as the minde of the Greek Church. It is an instruction of the manner, how an Anchorite is to receive the Sacrament, in the absence of a Priest; and he that speaketh and giveth the instruction, is an Archbishop subject to the Church of Rome, as Monsieur Ar­naud hath said himself, Pag. 244. of the Refu­tation. For, though he be a Greek by Nation, and have written in Greek, that concludeth not, that these men were of the Greek Re­ligion; so that, although there were in the Text, then adoring or bending the knees thrice, (as Monsieur Arnaud had translated it) yet it were no great wonder, that in the Tenth Age, in which time we grant, that Transubstan­tiation was received in the Church of Rome, [...]an Archbishop, subject to this Church, should speak conformably to what was practised in his time.

The second example of the Opinion of the Greeks of the Tenth Age, will not prove more favorable to Monsieur Arnaud than the first. It is of a She-saint called Theochriste, (in the Seventh Book, chap. 9. pag. 726.) who [Page 76] prayed a Hunter, that had by chance met b [...] in the Isle of Paros, to bring her the next ye [...] the Eucharist; which having been done b [...] him, this holy Woman took it with great r [...] ­spect, cast herself on the ground, and w [...] tears in her eyes said that Verse of the So [...] of Simeon: Lord, now lettest thou thy serv [...] part in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy Saour, which thou hast prepared before the face [...] all people.

This passage, which hath been cited by Car­dinal Perron, is taken out of Metaphrastes, [...] Author whom Cardinal Barronius accuse [...] for often delivering Fables, Lies, and Pha [...] cies; so that in reason, we may suspect what ever he relateth. But to wave this, as also that, in all appearance, this Author was a Stercoranist, since he speaks, somewhat before this place, of a piece of the Flesh of Jesus Christ which is a thought, no more savoring of Rome than of Geneva; Monsieur Claude had an­swered very well, that this passage could not work in us what it aimed at, since the Reform­ed Churches of this Kingdom, after the Com­munion fall down upon their knees, and sing the whole Song of Simeon, and yet do no [...] therefore believe Transubstantiation, nor the Adoration of the Sacrament. Besides, he ob­serveth, that this History shews the contrary of what is pretended, since, if then it had been believed, as it is now, that it were the very Body of Jesus Christ, they would not have trusted a Hunter with it, to have [Page 77] [...]rried it upon his Faith to any one.

Monsieur Arnaud answers nothing to this [...]st note, which yet is not inconsiderable; [...]d to the first, he contents himself to say, [...]at the application, which this Saint made of [...]i [...] Verse of Simeon, is an effect of the balief of [...]e Real Presence, which the Calvinian devotion [...] it self will never raise to this motion; and if [...]y Calvinists practise it, it is upon this ac­ [...]mpt, that the truth of the Ancient Faith, [...]hich they have abolished out of their hearts, [...]mains yet engraven in some of their actions and [...]ords.

If Monsieur Arnaud is satisfied with such [...]swers as these, a very little will content [...]im. As for us, we are more difficult, and [...]re far from believing, that a Ceremony, which [...]e our selves practise, should be contrary [...]o us. Monsieur Arnaud is deceived; first, [...]n that he remembers not his own maxim, which [...] lately noted upon the former passage, viz. [...]hat there are expressions, which seem con­ [...]rary, or which in one sense are contrary, but [...]et in another sense agree very well; which is [...]hen proved, when those expressions are used [...]y those, who are of a belief contrary to [...]hat, which is pretended to be conform to the very same expressions. Secondly, in that Mon­sieur Arnaud imagines, that this part of the Song of Simeon produceth a motion repug­nant to our Tenents; which is not so, since all our Churches have used it for so long a time, without finding this repugnancy. This cometh [Page 78] from thence, that Monsieur Arnaud is li [...] versed in our way, and that having been [...] therto employed in other affairs, and [...] against many other Adversaries, he hath [...] yet had much leisure to peruse our Books, [...] seen our Belief otherwise than in some [...] your most famous Doctors, such as are [...] Cardinals Bellarmine and Perron, who disge [...] it very often, and impute opinions to [...] which we have not. And it is from this infe [...] ed Spring, that Monsieur Arnaud intend [...] draw our Morals, which he means to fig [...] against, with consequences built in the A [...] And if he frames also our Doctrine after [...] mode, certainly we shall appear to be strang [...] people; we see already a proof of it in [...] Book, where he saith frequently, that we believe, we receive nothing in the Sacrament [...] but the Figure of the Body of Christ; which is very far from our Sentiments. Were it [...] for this want of knowing what we believe Monsieur Arnaud would never go about [...] object against us such kinde of passages, no [...] others, that are more formal, which we ma [...] use of as well as you.

I cannot altogether blame him in this; h [...] doth what he can, he hath no better coynt [...] pay that, which he stands engaged for; and [...] he cannot oppose good Reason and Authority he pretends to save himself in the croud [...] his witnesses, good or bad: But, if he ha [...] found any Greeks of those Ages, who ha [...] said, That the Sacrament of the Eucharist is [...] [Page 79] [...]s a testimony of the union we have with Jesus [...]hrist, forasmuch as he is not onely once dead [...]nd risen again for us, but also feeds and nou­ [...]shes us truly with his Flesh and Blood, that [...]e may be one with him, and have communion in [...]is life; and though he be in Heaven until he [...]ome again to judge the whole world, yet we are [...]o believe, that by the secret and incomprehensible [...]ertue of his Spirit, he nourishes and quickens [...]s with the substance of Body and Blood. Or such words as these, That we must believe those promises, which Jesus Christ, who is the infallible truth, hath pronounced with his own mouth, viz. That he will make us truly partakers of his Body and Blood, that we may possess him wholly, so that he may live in us, and we in him: Or, That God there gives us really and effectually what he represents: Or, That this Mystery surpasseth the reach of our senses, and the whole order of na­ture. If, I say, Monsieur Arnaud had found some of the Greeks speaking after this manner, with what pomp would not he have set them out? He would not have failed to tell us, that between those people and us, there were no good understanding at all; such words as these, The Body and Blood of Christ, Reality, Substance of the Body and Blood of Christ: And these, We must believe in the promises of Jesus Christ, who will make us truly partakers of his Body and Blood; that in this Mystery we are not to stand upon our Senses, nor the order of Nature: Such expressions, I say, would be, according to Monsieur Arnaud, as so many [Page 80] Thunder-claps against us, and as formal De [...] sions for you, as the Council of Trent it se [...] Mean time, Sir, if you would know, ho [...] much he would finde himself deceived, a [...] with what little ground he would object the [...] passages as contrary to us, you may observe the [...] they are the very terms of our own Confessio [...] of Faith, and of our Liturgy.

You may thereby judge, that these express [...] ­ons, which are common to both parties, a [...] which they both make use of, are not prop [...] to decide our Controversie, and that they can­not in reason be objected against the one, o [...] the other; that there must be other proofs t [...] d [...]c [...]are, what was the opinion of those, who used them; that the doctrine elswhere justi­fied will shew and determine the sense o [...] those expressions, but that they being alon [...] cannot precisely make out the doctrine of those who have used them.

This Observation might serve for an Answer to the whole Book of Monsieur Arnaud; mean time this is not a place to consider it at large, I hope I shall one day set it out better in another Treatise, wherein, God permitting, I shall prove, that the true Belief of the An­tient Church about this point of the Eucharis [...] is very hard to be known, that there are in­numerable perplexities in it, and that, if the Fathers have believed the Reality, as I see no reason to doubt but they did, they have believed it in such a manner, which neither you, nor we, nor any other Christian Society would approve of.

You may see, Sir, by this examen, that M. Arnaud hath not performed what he had pro­ [...]ised for the Defence of his Book of the Per­ [...]etuity, as to the matter of his first suppositi­on, whereby he did pretend to show the Im­possibility of the Change (which we maintain [...]o have hapned in the Church about the Ninth [...]nd Tenth Age,) upon this accompt, that the [...]chismatick Churches had the same Belief with [...]he Roman; which could not be but by a con­ [...]inual succession of the same Doctrine, which [...]hey had received from their Ancestors, and could not have taken from Paschasius, as a person unknown to them: You may see, I say, the weakness of this ground by that of the proofs, which he hath produced of the Belief of the Greeks in those two Centuries.

But there is more than this; for Monsieur Arnaud doth not onely not prove, That the Greeks were of your opinion in the time of Paschasius, and the following Age; but he altogether forgets the other Schismatick Socie­ties, about whom he made so much noise, who were comprehended in the first Supposition, and from whose opinion, as well as from that of the Greeks, he did pretend to draw the Fundamental Reasons of his Systeme.

I know very well, that he treateth in his whole Fifth Book of the Belief of the Orien­tal Churches, of the Muscovites, the Syrians, the Armenians, the Nestorians, the Jacobites, the Maronites, the Cophtes, and the Ethi [...]pians: I know also, that Monsieur Claude having said, [Page 82] that in the Examen of the Change, happen [...] in the Ninth and tenth Century, The questi [...] was not of the whole Earth, but of the We [...] that is, of the Communion of the Pope: Mo [...] sieur Arnaud greatly triumpheth; and y [...] may see, how he paraphraseth upon th [...] words, according to the sense he attributes [...] Monsieur Claude, viz. Let it be so, that [...] is not the Question, I will not put my self to [...] trouble of explaining, how the Doctrine of [...] Real Presence and of Transubstantiation was introduced in the East, in the Patriarchats of Co [...] stantinople, of Alexandria, of Jerusalem, [...] of Antioch, in the Churches of the Armenia [...] the Nestorians, the Jacobites: Nor will I at [...] trouble my self to divine, how it hath penetrat [...] into Ethiopia, Muscovy, Mesopotamia, Geor­gia, Mingrelia, Moldavia, Tartaria, and [...] Indies. It is better to say, It is not there; t [...] will make the shorter work, and by this mea [...] I shall free my self from a great embarasment (in the Ninth Book, Chap. 3. pag. 886.) And after he had affirmed in the following Page that it is material to know, how the Belief o [...] the Real Presence could be introduced int [...] all those Countreys, as well as into the Lati [...] Church, he addeth (Pag. 888.) I see very well that Monsieur Claude, as bold as he is, succum [...] under the greatness of this undertaking, he is ter­rified with it, he renounces it, he asketh grace he would gladly that that might not make a part of the question. The question is not, saith he, of the whole Earth; what shall one say? The [...] [Page 83] is no way of contenting him: It is the question, in despight of him, since this Belief is established over all the Earth: It is a thing, which depends neither from him, nor from me: It is a necessary part of this great question, and which draws after it all the rest. Thus, since by a forced confession of his weakness he acknowledgeth, that be cannot say, There is made an Ʋniversal Change of Be­lief in all the East, he must abandon all the rest, and acknowledge, that all his means are ruined, all his engins shattered, all his projects overturn­ed, and all his Suppositions destroyed.

But for all this, Monsieur Arnaud is very much out, and he saith nothing in his whole Fifth Book, that may serve to prove the first Supposition of the Book of the Perpetuity. To shew you plainly his illusion, you may remem­ber, that, to prove the Impossibility of the Change, which we say was made by Paschasius in the Ninth and tenth Age in the Point of the Eucharist, the Author of the Perpetuity, and Monsieur Arnaud after him (if him­self be not that Author, as it is very likely he is) hath taken for his first Supposition, that it was impossible, this Change should be­fal the whole Earth, because the Greek Churches, and the others separated from the Communion of Rome, could not have heard any thing of Paschasius, and were enemies to the Latin Church, of which they would have scorned to receive new opinions in such an important point.

To support this ratiocination, it hath be [...] suppos'd, that at the time, to which We assign [...] this Change, all the Oriental Churches did be­lieve the Real Presence, such as you believe i [...] now; and because M. Claude would not gra [...] this, M. Arnaud hath undertaken to prove it.

To this end, he hath begun with the Gre [...] Church, and pretends to have made out th [...] Belief she had in the Ninth and Tenth Age. He hath done more, for he hath recited her senti­ments in the Seventh and Eighth Age, which preceded Paschasius, and in the Ages which have follow'd him untill now. I have exami­ned above, what he hath said about the Nin [...] and Tenth Age, because there are no other but those, that are essential and able to serve the question.

But as to the other Oriental Churches, M. Arnaud looses his ground; for although the whole force of the supposition of the Book, he defends, consists in proving their conformity with the Latin Church in the Ninth and Tenth Age, he sets that time aside, and almost all the Ages following unto our times, and contents himself to prove, that in the latter Ages, but principally in that, wherein we now are, those great Societies have been, and are found to be in your Belief of the Reality, which very thing he proveth but very weakly, and which was not that which was properly denied by Mr. Claude, who had concluded himself to asser [...] and maintain, that Transubstantiation and the [Page 85] [...]doration of the Sacrament were received on­ [...]y in the Roman Church, without speaking of [...]he Real Presence.

Now in this proceeding M. Arnaud is very [...]alpably deceived two wayes, (for I will ra­ [...]her say, that he is deceived, then that he would [...]eceive his Reader;) the first, in that he [...]raggeth to have done, what he hath not done, [...]or thought on; the other, in that all his proofs [...]ould be useless, if they were without excep­ [...]ion.

The proof of these two Assertions is easie. For, as to the first, there needs no more but to use our eyes, and read his passages.

In the Ninth Book, p. 865. M. Arnaud, speaking of the Change made by Paschasius, saith; This vision supposeth, that the Real Pre­sence hath not been believed but in the Latin Church, and we have shew'd, that it hath been acknowledged formally and clearly by the whole Greek Church, and by all the Orient, both before and after Berenger.

And, in the ninth Book, Chap. 3. pa. 889. M. Arnaud saith again; If he tell us, that 'tis Paschasius that hath invented this Doctrine, and that it could not fall into any other Mans mind than his; we shall shew him the infinite number of Christians, who know neither Paschasius nor [...]his Book, and yet in all times have made pro­fession of this Doctrine: And so he is convin­ced of temerity and imposture. If he tell us, that the Popes have contributed by their Authority and Violence to make it to be received, we show [Page 86] him those vast Nations, where the Popes exercise i [...] Jurisdiction at all, and which yet do as much a [...] here to the Belief of the Real Presence, as the peo­ple that submit most to the Holy See.

In the ninth Book, Chap. 10. pa. 951. 'T [...] certain (saith M. Arnaud) that one of th [...] most remarkable circumstances of this Change [...] Belief touching the Eucharist, is, that it must [...] suppos'd to have hapned at the same time in [...] the parts of the World, and in all the Christi [...] Societies, in the East, in the West, among the L [...] tins, the Greeks, the Muscovites, the Armenian [...] the Nestorians, the Indians, the Cophtes, the A [...] thiopians, the Jacobites. This circumstance al [...] shows clearly the Impossibility of this pretend [...] Change; wherefore we thought our selves oblig [...] to show so largely, that all the Societies, separ [...] ted from the Roman Church, were united wit [...] the same in the point of the Real Presence, and [...] Transubstantiation; and I think, we shall [...] be complain'd of, that we have not proved [...] enough.

It is then very certain, that, according [...] M. Arnaud, the Belief of the Schismatic [...] Churches in the time of Paschasius, is an es­sential Circumstance against the Change, [...] which this Monk is accused. It is also certain that M. Arnaud pretends to have proved th [...] Belief in an invincible manner; he is high [...] content; and he insults thereupon over M [...] Claude very fiercely: but in truth 'tis a mee [...] bravado; he hath not so much as thought [...] it, and those clear and formal proofs, thos [...] [Page 87] proofs, which he taketh to be so satisfactory, are visions of the passion of M. Arnaud.

Take the pains to read his whole Fifth Book; if you can find there one only passage, pro­ving, that the Oriental Churches, the Musco­vites, the Armenians, the Nestorians, &c. did believe in the time of Paschasius, and before Berenger, the Real presence and Transubstan­tiation, I will undergoe such a condemnation as you shall passe upon me: But I am well assu­red, you will not find a word there of that as­sertion.

I am contented to keep you company in this discussion, and to assist you in the examen. Let us then follow M. Arnaud, and see, whether he hath acquitted himself of this important proof, as he braggs; but this shall be only within the compass of the design of this Let­ter, that is, in the Circumstance of the Time; This being sufficient for me, who leave the rest to M. Claude.

In the four first Chapters he treateth of the Belief of the Muscovites: but M. Arnaud, who confesseth, (in the fifth Book, Chap. 1. pa. 424.) that he speaketh only of the opini­ons they have at present, to conclude from thence what they believed formerly, doth him­self sufficiently shew us, that these people are to be taken out of the Catalogue of those, whom he pretends to have believed Transub­stantiation in the time of Paschasius.

'Tis the same with the Syrians, of whom he speaketh in the fifth Chapter, and for the opi­nion [Page 88] of whom in the Ninth and Tenth Age [...] produceth not one certain passage.

He examins the Sentiment of the Arme [...] ans in the 6, 7, 8, and 9 Chapters. But th [...] ancientest testimony is taken since Berenge [...] and consequently without that fatal Epoch [...] which is in question: Besides, he grants, th [...] these people have been accused long agoe, th [...] they believe not the Real Presence and Trasubstantiation, by Authors of their Religion against whom he finds difficulty enough to de­fend them; and even at present Thomas Her­bert, an English-man, who hath travelled i [...] their Country, relateth in the second Impres­sion of his Book, that they believe not th [...] Real Presence; which Mr. Arnaud could no answer, but by accusing his Interpreter of a signal Imposture, and affirming, that there i [...] no such thing in the English Original: B [...] this accusation, which doubtless was pronou [...] ced too rashly and too passionately, come from thence, t [...]at M. Arnaud got the Book o [...] the first Impression interpreted to him, where th [...]t Note of this Author is not; whereas M▪ Vilfort hath translated into French the Secon [...] Impression, where it is, as you know, Sir, th [...] M Arnaud hath acknowledged himself.

In the Tenth Chapter he treateth of the Ne­storians; and in the Eleventh of the Jacobites Therein he applyeth to both the same rules, and goes about to prove their Belief by Nega­tive proofs; but besides the weakness of such a testimony, he finds no Authors to support [Page 89] [...]ose proofs but in the Thirteenth Age, that is, [...]ur Ages after Pascasius.

The Maronites (of whom he speaketh in the [...]welfth Chapter) submitted themselves to the [...]hurch of Rome at the end of the Twefth [...]ge, and although that Union did cool for [...]ome time, yet it was very solemnly renew'd [...]nder the Popes Leo X. and Clement VIII; so [...]hat 'tis certain, they do now follow the Roman [...]eligion, except certain Greek Ceremonies. M. Arnaud agreeth to these Truths, so that if [...]e means to oppose to us with reason the ex­ [...]mple of that People, he must prove, that in [...]he Ninth and Tenth Age they did believe Transubstantiation; and this it is, what M. Arnaud pretends to make out by positive pas­sages, taken out of the Notes of Abraham E­thollensis, a Maronite, upon the Catalogue of the Chaldaick Books of Abdiesu.

The first is ascribed to Iohn Maron, who lived, as he saith, between the Sixth and Seventh Age, where 'tis said, That the Bread, which Iesus Chr [...]st took into his hands, blessed, consecrated, and called his Body, is the Body and Blood taken from the Vir­gin Mary; And that the same hand, which in the beginning took the dust of the earth, and by chang­ing it, formed the Body of Adam, changeth also this Bread, and maketh of it the Body of the Word, taken from the blessed Virgin, and by changing this wine maketh of it the blood taken from the same.

The second is taken out of the Syriack Con­stitutions of the Church of the Maronites, put into the Arabick Tongue by David Arch­bishop [Page 90] of the Maronites, in the Year 105 where 'tis said, That the Apostles did eat Flesh, and drank the Blood; that the Bread [...] made Flesh, and the Cup is truly the Blood [...] Christ.

Much might be said to these places; [...] the latter of them, which Ethellensis relate [...] to be but a Translation made into Arabi [...] An. 1053, carrieth with it visible marks [...] its being suppositious: for, it was made lo [...] before the re-union of the Maronites with th [...] Roman Church, and yet he saith, that our S [...] ­viour at the time of the Institution of th [...] Sacrament, took Vnleaven'd Bread; which [...] an evident token, that this Book is much new­er, because that all the Greeks, and othe [...] Schismatick Societies have alwayes believed that the Eucharist was not to be dispensed wit [...] unleavened Bread. And then he saith also, tha [...] Iesus Christ lifted up this Bread with his hands which no Evangelist relateth, and therefore is meer Invention of the Author; as is that also which he alledgeth in the third place, The Jesus Christ declared to his Apostles, that the Lamb, which God had commanded Moses to of­fer, was the Figure of this Bread, which had been made Flesh and was now his Body; and that the Blood, which ran out of it when it was sacrifi­ced, was the Figure of this Cup, which was no [...] Blood.

So M. Arnaud may but quote passages, he looks not very near to them, nor examins strictly whether they be receivable. I pray, [Page 91] [...]k him, Sir, Whether he believeth in earnest, [...]t this passage be before the year 1053; and [...]hether he knows not, in what Author, he that the Author of these pretended Constituti­ [...]s of the Maronite Church, hath found this [...]mparison, which our Saviour made to his [...]postles, of the Pascal Lamb with the Bread of [...]e Eucharist; of which no Evangelist, no [...]postle, not any of the Fathers, nor any Coun­ [...]l ever hath spoken a word.

As to the first passage, if it be truly cited, [...]he Author was of the opinion, which was [...]ommon amongst the Greeks of that time, of [...]hom S. Iean Damascen made himself as it [...]ere the Head in the Eighth Age; viz. That [...]he Bread was made the Body of Christ by the [...]nion made with his natural Body, by the operation of the Holy Ghost; or he was of the opinion of those, who believed, that the Bread was the true Body of Christ, and was corruptible. But you are of neither of these two opinions. What ever it be, M. Arnaud, who quoteth this place as conform to your Be­lief, dareth not sign it; and, if he should do it, I am sure, that the number of his Appro­bators would not secure him from the Censure of the Sorbon, which will never approve of the Doctrine of this Author, viz. That the Bo­dy of our Lord is made of Bread, and his Blood of Wine, as Adam was made of the dust of the Earth: And if, notwithstanding these words, alleged by M. Arnaud in great Letters, he changeth the Bread, and maketh of [Page 92] it the Body of the Word, (which do plainly no [...] that the Bread is the matter of the Body [...] Christ,) you will not have them thus expoun [...] ed, you cannot give them a more favourab [...] sense than that of Iohn Damascen, who d [...] believe the Assumption of the Bread and i [...] Union to the Body of our Saviour: which [...] another opinion, which you reject as well [...] we. And thus both these places are altogethe [...] useless.

What he saith, in the Thirteenth Chapter, [...] the Cophtes and Aethiopians, will not serv [...] him better; for he only speaketh of the Belief they have now, which is a very ill arg [...] ment to prove their Belief in the Ninth an [...] Tenth Age. 'Tis true, he pretends to prov [...] their Opinion further off, by Liturgies of thos [...] Nations, but to no purpose for the matter i [...] hand, because he noteth not, nor can note, th [...] these pieces were in the Ninth and Tenth Age [...] such as we have them now; and secondly, be­cause all those Liturgies, which are pretended to be ancient, are not so, and additions hav [...] been made to them from time to time, as Car­dinal Bellarmin did acknowledge, who in hi [...] fourth Book of the Eucharist, Ch. 13. answer­ing the Greeks who alleged them, saith, That many things have been added to them. And indeed they are very differing from on [...] another in their several Editions; especially M. Arnaud telling us, that the Ethiopick Li­turgy is conform to that of St. Basil, suffici­ently declares to us the uncertainty of that by [Page 93] the uncertainty of this: For, though it may [...] true, that St. Basil hath made a Liturgy, [...] cannot be that, which is alleged by Proclu [...] [...]triarch of Constantinople; for in that which [...] have, the Trisagion revealed to this same [...]oclus is found; and the Greek is much more [...]ple than the Syriack. Neither can it be the [...]turgy ascribed to St. Chrysostome, which [...]ardinal Perron saith, the Egyptians, Cophtes [...]d Aethiopians used, since in this there is [...]ention made of persons, which lived long af­ [...]r St. Chrysostome.

There is then nothing certain in all that, and [...] least there is nothing certain for the time of [...]aschasius, and the Age that follow d him, [...]hich is the only point in question. For as to [...]e Age wherein we live, or the precedent [...]ges since Berenger, no consequence can be [...]rawn from thence. And this is the second il­ [...]sion of M. Arnaud touching this matter.

And indeed, since the whole force of the [...]rgument, proposed by the Author of the Per­ [...]etuity against the possibility of the change made by Paschasius, consists, in that the Greek Churches, and the others, separated from the Church of Rome, had the same Belief, which [...]his Monk is accused to have introduced; to what purpose is it to speak of the opinion, which this People entertains at present? For I enter not into an examen of the proofs of M. Arnaud; I leave that to M. Claude, and I will suppose, that all these proofs are con­vincing: But I maintain, that they are useless [Page 94] to the present Question, for as much as the cannot be any consequence drawn from the [...] lief that now is, to that which was former [...] since there may have hapned a change since [...] establishment of the Doctrine of Transubs [...] tiation in the Latin Church, either by the [...] ture and commerce of the Latins and Greek [...] or by the voyages of the Portugals and oth [...] Nations in the Oriental Churches.

The example of the Maronites manifes [...] proveth what I say; for no consequence [...] be made from the Belief they now have touc [...] ing the Procession of the H. Ghost, and U [...] leavened Bread, to that Belief which they ha [...] when the Greeks made a Schisme upon the [...] points: One cannot, I say, object to the oth [...] Oriental Churches, that there hath been [...] change about these Doctrines in the Rom [...] Church, for this reason, that the Maronit [...] would have opposed it; and to prove, that i [...] the time of the Schism this people did believ [...] the same thing with the Church of Rome, o [...] cannot allege their present Doctrine, since 't [...] certain, that this People hath changed the [...] Belief above 400 years agoe. Thus, thoug [...] it were true, that all the Eastern Churches di [...] now believe Transubstantiation, yet that co [...] cludeth nothing for M. Arnaud, because [...] change may have been introduced during th [...] space of 800 years among those Nations, a [...] it was introduced in the Western about t [...] Ninth and Tenth Age: And M. Arnau [...] argues, as if I should say, that Berenger i [...] [...]oduced [Page 95] nothing new in France about the mat­ [...]r of the Real Presence, and that this Change [...]as impossible, because that some people, ex­ [...]remely remote from this Country, and who [...]ever heard of Berenger nor his Books, were [...]ound at that time in the Belief of Berenger; [...]nd that thereupon to prove the Doctrine of [...]he People in the time of Berenger, I should [...]roduce proofs of the Belief of many Provin­ [...]es of the East and West-Indies, which have [...]ow the same opinions with Berenger; which would not be difficult to do, since the English [...]nd Hollanders setled in that Country, would be able to give us sufficient testimonies there­of, and Liturgies withal, written in the Lan­guage of those Nations.

You see, Sir, by these Examples, that to sa­isfie the argument of the Book of the Perpetui­ty, the question is not of the present opinion of the Eastern People; and by the Examen I have been making, you may find also, that the triumphs of M. Arnaud about this point are imaginary, and that he hath not proved at all, that in the time of Paschasius, and the follow­ing Age, the Schismatical Churches were of his opinion. And this is that which I undertook in the beginning of this Section to show; We must now proceed to inquire into the other supposition, on which the Author of the Book of the Perpetuity grounds his impossibility of Change attributed to Paschasius; but, this will well deserve a particular Reflexion.

The Sixth Reflexion.

IT is surprising enough, that Monsieur [...] naud should so perpetually delude his R [...] der. I have already observed to you, S [...] in my First Reflexion, that he hath fought w [...] almost nothing else, but his own shadow, [...] onely defended that which was not denied, that which was not in dispute; and I ha [...] been lately proving it more particularly to the First Supposition, in the preced [...] Section.

I intend to shew you in this, the like d [...] viation as to the Second Supposition of t [...] Book of Perpetuity. Monsieur Arnaud e [...] ploys the whole Sixth Book to maintain i [...] but (as I have already observed it in my [...] Reflexion) this whole Book is useless, s [...] it onely proveth, that the Christians had in t [...] time of Paschasius a distinct Belief of the R [...] Presence of Jesus Christ in the Sacrament, [...] of his Real Absence, and that Monsie [...] Claude had not contested with him about th [...] but onely carried the Question to Transubsta [...] tiation and Adoration.

Thus to bring things to the true state of t [...] Question again, and to the force of the Arg [...] ment of the Author of the Perpetuity, we m [...] examin them otherwise than Monsieur Arna [...] [Page 97] doth. For, since we do all agree, that the people in the time of Paschasius were to be­ [...]ieve the Presence or the Absence of Jesus Christ, we ought indeed to finde out that which maketh the difficulty, and upon which the Author of Perpetuity hath pressed his Impos­ [...]ibility of that Change, which we accuse Pas [...]hasius of. Now this cannot be the bare Belief of the Real Presence, or Absence, because of [...]he ambiguity there is in these general terms, [...]eeing that we believe both of us, that we are [...]o eat the Body of Jesus Christ, and that it is [...]resent in the Sacrament; so that the meer Doctrine of this could not cause a division in [...]he mindes of Men; there must be something [...]lse, which was, the Manner of this Presence, [...]hat is, the Transubstantiation, and the worship [...]hich necessarily followed this Doctrine, which [...]s the Adoration.

As for Transubstantiation, that hath made no [...]mpression upon the Author of the Perpetuity, [...]o form his Argument of that, he hath not [...]ad it in his eye: And Monsieur Arnaud [...]rants this in his Sixth Book and elswhere; [...]eeing very well that he was not able to prove, [...]hat the people in the Ninth and tenth Age [...]ad a distinct Belief of Transubstantiation.

But as to Adoration, that serveth for a sole [...]round to the second Supposition of the Au­ [...]hor of the Perpetuity; that he sets out on all [...]ccasion, and presseth it incessantly; and [...]hat division of the Spirits, which, according [...]o him, would have been found among Belie­vers, [Page 98] in case that Paschasius had introduce [...] new Doctrine, is grounded onely upon [...] diversity of the Worship, which it w [...] have caused; and upon this Ratiocinati [...] that they would have looked upon one ano [...] as Impious, or as Idolaters.

Mean time Monsieur Arnaud in this wh [...] Sixth Book, where he treateth of the Sec [...] Supposition of the Book of the Perpetu [...] saith not a word of this Adoration, whi [...] lone made up the force of this Second Sup [...] sition.

But as I do intend to shew his weakne [...] both these Suppositions, I am obliged to things into their true order, and to bring [...] into the right way, to examine whether hath well proved, that in the Ninth and te [...] Age, the people did so believe the prese [...] of the Body of Christ upon the Altars, as give it the Soveraign worship of Latria. [...] if he prove not that, this second Supposit [...] remains destroyed, and all the reasonings its Author, grounded upon the accusation Impiety or Idolatry, which this change wo [...] have caused, will be useless, and the Imp [...] sibility of that change, which we alled [...] grounded upon this principle, will be noth [...] but a Chimera, and a Vision.

Monsieur Claude finding, that the Supp [...] tion of the Author was convincing, if it w [...] true, hath maintained, that Paschasius be [...] his change with the Doctrine, and not with Worship; that he taught Transubstantiation, [...] [Page 99] [...]t Adoration; and that the Doctrine of the [...]rporal and Substantial Presence having been [...]ght by way of explicating the ancient [...]octrine, and having by this way little by lit­ [...] surprised and drawn to him the mindes of [...]ople, the Adoration followed after with all [...] Ceremonies and Pomps; and that conse­ [...]ently that Division of Spirits, which the [...]w opinion of Paschasius would have caused, [...]ould not have obliged the people to an open [...]pture of communion, as the Author of the [...]erpetuity did pretend, because both did agree [...] one and the same publick worship, which [...]d not yet received any Change.

He extends this Ratiocination farther, and [...] the Eighth Chapter of the second Part of is Answer to the second Treatise of the Per­ [...]etuity, refuteth accurately all what Monsieur Arnaud had there said, concerning the A­ [...]oration, and he proveth these Four particu­ [...]ars.

First, That the Adoration of the Sacra­ [...]ent was unknown to the Ancient Church.

Secondly, That the first Authors of Transub­ [...]tantiation, neither pressed it, nor publickly established it.

Thirdly, That it was not constituted by pub­ [...]ick Decrees, but some time after these Coun­cils, which condemned Berenger.

Fourthly, That the Schismatick Churches did not receive it.

How, think you, doth Mr. Arnaud clear [...]imself from these Propositions. Truly Sir, [Page 100] in a pittiful manner; and although this be t [...] most important part of his Book, he dare [...] not look the difficulty in the face, he loo [...] onely side-ways on it, he fights against it flying and speaketh almost not of it, but occasion­ally.

For the first Question, which concerns th [...] Belief of the Antient Church, he giveth ove [...] the proofs thereof to the victorious arms [...] his Adversary, and replies not a word t [...] them.

The second, which is the onely Essenti [...] for the defence of the Second Supposition o [...] the Perpetuity-Book, hath no more advantag [...] than the first, and Monsieur Arnaud give [...] not any succors to it, and that rather out o [...] weakness, than negligence.

For the two remaining, he saith somewh [...] more of them; but because what he saith o [...] them is little considerable, and serveth nothin [...] to the purpose of this discourse, I shall no [...] insist on it, but shall onely confine my self t [...] my design, and shew, as in the former Section That Monsieur Arnaud hath not at all pro­ved, that in the Ninth and tenth Age, th [...] people did adore the Sacrament of the Eucharist, and consequently hath not at al [...] made out the Second Supposition of the Boo [...] of Perpetuity, grounded on this Adoration which would have made, as he pretends the Followers of Paschasius to be looke [...] upon as Idolaters, by those who wer [...] not of his opinion, if it had been new, an [...] [Page 101] [...]hich at the same time would have obliged his [...]ollowers to hold his Adversaries for Im­ [...]ious.

I leave to Monsieur Claude to examine [...]hat concerns the Belief of the Latins and Greeks of other Ages, because that respects [...]im in particular, and maketh nothing for the [...]ook of Perpetuity.

Monsieur Arnaud treats not of this matter [...]n its true order; the Sixth Book, where he [...]peaks of the Second Supposition of the Book [...]f the Perpetuity, was the place to examine it, [...]ecause it was not to be separated from the distinct Belief of the Corporal Presence; [...]he force of the Argument of that Author consisting in the Adoration of the Body of Jesus Christ present, as I have observed above. Neither doth he handle this Question directly, and with a design to refute what Monsieur Claude had said of it; but he speaks of it oc­casionally in his Tenth Book, where he at [...]arge sets forth the consequences of the Nine foregoing Books. Let us now see what he there saith of it.

It is in the Ninth Chapter of this Tenth Book that he speaks of this Adoration, and he there employs Twelve Pages, onely to tell us these Three things.

First, That he hath proved positively in the Books preceding this, That the Adoration hath been practised over all the Earth.

Secondly, That there is an Interior Ado­ration, and another Exterior, and that the lat­ter [Page 102] is of many sorts, of which, none is necessary.

Thirdly, That the Universal consent [...] the Belief of the Real Presence (which he pre­tends to have proved) carries necessarily wi [...] it the Belief of the Adoration.

But these three Propositions are eithe [...] false, or useless to the matter under consider [...] tion.

As to the first, I do not examine the Positiv [...] Proofs of Adoration, which Monsieur A [...] naud may have alledged in his Work, as t [...] the Ages which have followed the Tenth, b [...] cause that belongs not to our Question: But assert, that he hath not one, neither of th [...] Latin nor the Greek Church, for the time o [...] Paschasius, and the Age next following; whic [...] is the thing in question in the Second Suppo­sition of the Book of the Perpetuity, that being founded upon the Presence of Jesus Chris [...] adored on the Altars by the Faithful; up [...] the impossibility of the insensible Change which we put in the Ninth and tenth Age upon the diversity of the Worship, which thi [...] Change would have introduced upon the noise and upon the rupture of the Communion▪ which this new-born Idolatry would hav [...] caused; upon the great division, which would have been in all Families, in all Towns, an [...] in the whole Earth, by such an extraordinary and surpressing innovation as this; whic [...] would have caused, that the people would [Page 103] [...]ave looked upon one another as Impious or [...]s Idolaters.

These, Sir, are the exaggerations of the Author of the Perpetuity. But he hath laid a [...]oundation without Proof, and Monsieur Arnaud abandons him in his greatest need, [...]eeing he doth not verifie this decisive matter of fact at all. It is true, he brags to have done it; but what he hath done, belongs not to the fatal Epocha, which is in question, and at most, regards onely the time posterior, and principally the Opinions of the Oriental Church at present, because Monsieur Clau [...]e had extended thither the difference of the Adoration.

As for me, who examine onely what is essen­tial, and the true difficulty, I insist onely on the Supposition of the Book of the Perpetuity, which Monsieur Arnaud hath undertaken to defend, and I maintain, that he hath not any Positive Proof, That in the Ninth and Tenth Age the people did adore the Eucharist.

What I say, may be easily verified; there needs no more but reading, and the perusing of the places, where Monsieur Arnaud speaks of this Adoration.

Concerning the Greeks, he examines their Belief, during the Seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth Ages, in his Seventh Book; but of all that he alledges of the two last Age, which are in question; there is nothing that can serve for his subject but the two examples, which the Author of the Perpetuity had been [Page 104] to look for in Deserts, and had applied to th [...] Adoration of the Eucharist; the one is of a [...] Anchorite, called Luc; and the other, of a Solitary Woman in the Isle of Paros. But I have shewed in the precedent Reflexion, that these passages, which Monsieur Arnaud had quoted in the matter of the Real Presence, were of no use to him, the former, because it stands upon the unfaithful interpretation of the Greek Text, the word adoring, being foisted in; the other, because it concludeth nothing but by a Consequence drawn by Mon­sieur Arnaud, which is so pitiful an one, that all our Churches do practise, a [...]ter the Reception of the Sacrament, the self-same thing which was done by that Solitary Wo­man.

As to the Latin Church, Monsieur Arnaud examines the Sentiments thereof, during the Age of Paschasius, in his Eighth Book; but there is not one word in it of the Adoration of the Sacrament. Thus you see the Second Supposition of the Book of the Perpetuity, al­together destitute of Positive Proofs. Let us now examine, whether the other Propositions of Monsieur Arnaud are able to supply this defect.

The second (Pag. 74. of the Tenth Book, Chap. 9.) contains the distinction between In­terior and Exterior Adoration, and the Obser­vation he maketh, that the latter may be ex­treamly diversified, and that there is not any Exterior sign that is in its nature fixed to the [Page 105] Sovereign Adoration; this Ceremony differing [...]ccording to places and times; so that it can­not be concluded, as doth Monsieur Claude, That, if certain Exterior marks of Adoration, which are used in one Church, are not practised [...]n another, the Adoration is not believed nor practised in this Church.

But this discourse, which is very true, hath nothing that conduceth to the Question, I grant, that the Feast of the Sacrament; the Sound of the Bell for advertizing the people to adore it, either at the Mass, or when car­ried in the Streets; the Solemn Procession, wherein it is publickly adored with extraor­dinary pomp; the Confraternities established for its honor; the exposal of it made on Al­tars; are not marks absolutely necessary of the Exterior Adoration; a Church that practi­seth none of all these Ceremonies, may adore the Sacrament, and use other tokens thereof. Nor hath Monsieur Claude said the contrary, in the manner Monsieur Arnaud hath repre­sented, for to cause great exclamations against him. He hath onely asserted, That if the An­tient Church, or the Church of the time of Paschasius, had adored the Eucharist, she would not have failed (Pag. 402.) to do, at least as near as might be, the same things, which the Latin Church hath done after the establish­ment of the Transubstantiation. And in another place (Pag. 403.) he saith, That if the Anti­ents had believed what the Roman Church be­lieveth this day, they would have done, at least, a [Page 106] good part of what she doth. And so his Pr [...] position is not so general as M. Arnaud ha [...] made it.

To consider things at the bottom, M. Claud [...] hath reason, and M. Arnaud concludeth nothing: For, what ever it be else, it is not [...] answer pertinently, to examine the least of th [...] Objections of M. Claude, and to pass by th [...] rest without saying any thing to them. And i [...] this examen, it doth not satisfie the intentio [...] of the Book of the Perpetuity, to go about t [...] show, that the objection made to it is not considerable; he ought to have gone further, an [...] proved, what was alledged as matter of Fa [...] by the Author of that Treatise.

In short, although M. Arnaud endeavou [...] to winde himself, as much as he can, out of the proof of the exteriour Adoration, seeing very well that he cannot make it out; yet he i [...] constrain'd to acknowledge, that the people ought to adore the Sacrament, not only with a [...] Interiour Adoration, but also an Exteriour, by some action of outward respect (in the Tenth Book, Ch. 9. pa. 76.) and by some out­ward actions of Adoration, whatever they be, (ibid, p. 78.) And, without these visible and external marks of Worship, given to the Sa­c [...]ament, how could the proposition of the Book of the Perpetuity be maintained? How could the people look upon one another, either as Impious, or as Idolaters? How could the Novelty of this Belief and religious respect have made a Noise, and caused a rupture o [...] [Page 107] Communion, if this Worship, which would [...]ve been the cause of all the scandal, had [...]nly been Interiour, if the Adoration had on­ [...] been in the Breast, and if in the outward [...]ctions there had been no difference?

So that, it being certain, that this Adorati­ [...]n ought alwayes to have had exteriour marks, M. Arnaud was not to content himself to show, [...]hat those, which M. Claude opposeth to him, might be separated from it, and that it was suf­ficient there were others; but he ought to have shewed us, which were those other marks, and prov [...]d, that they had been observ'd in the time of Paschasius, and in the next following Age? But this he hath not thought upon; and if he should think on t hereafter, I dare say, he would not be able to give us any one posi­tive proof of the Exteriour Adoration of the Sacrament, in those two Ages, leaving him the choice of all the tokens, by which he shall en­deavour to make us acknowledge this Adora­tion.

But as he is very able and very dextrous, he hath not failed to see the weakness of these two Propositions I have been examining, that is, the weakness of the positive proofs of the Adoration; wherefore, for his last and prin­cipal defence, he maketh consequences his re­fuge, when he saith (the same Chap. p. 73.) The Adoration is really inclosed in the Belief of the Real Presence, and absolutely inseparable from it; so that, having proved the Consent of the Societies of the East, in the Doctrine of the [Page 108] Real presence, we have proved their Consent i [...] the Adoration. Mean time (so he saith som [...] pages after, viz. p. 78.) M. Claude, by an in­credible subversion of reason and common sense, by committing in one and the same subject all th [...] faults that can be committed in it, at the sam [...] time that he will not acknowledge, that the D [...] ctrine of the Real presence cannot be sever'd from the interiour Adoration, and from some kind of exterior worship, and that he pretends, that since Paschasius unto Alger, that is, for near 300 years, the Real Presence hath bee [...] believed without adoring Jesus Christ in the Eu­charist, is not wanting at the same time to dra [...] extravagant conclusions from these particular wayes of Adoration, which are not necessary consequences of the Doctrine of the Real Presence, nor of the Adoration, to the end that he may she [...] by the defect of these Practises among certain peo­ple, that they did not adore Christ in the Eucha­rist.

Behold, Sir, a terrible Censure, and a fierce accusation against honest M. Claude. Yet I think not, that he will find any great dif­ficulty in freeing himself from it, and what he is accused of, is so easie to be overthrown, that 'tis matter of wonder, how Mr. Arnaud came to be so prejudiced against his Adver­sary, that he did not perceive his own delu­sion, and the distemper of his Gall. If a man would proceed against him with the same stile, would there not be more reason to accuse him for drawing extravagant conclu­ [...]ons [Page 109] from divers particular wayes observed [...] the celebration of the Eucharist, as of [...]ceiving it on the knees, or of saying a [...]erse out of the Song of Simeon after the [...]ommunion; which he objects to us as in­ [...]incible proofs of the Adoration; although [...]hey be not only no inseparable marks there­of, but besides so indifferent things, that Pro­ [...]estants themselves do observe them? Whereas M. Claude hath all on his side, [...]nd reasoneth very well, when he proves, that the Sacrament hath not been adored, [...]n a time when nothing was said, nor done of what is said, and done now about this matter. And this note remains inviolable, until Mr. Arnaud shall destroy it by a proof of con­trary actions, or by alledging other Ceremo­nies than those, which are at this day in use: which is that he hath not done, nor will be able to do. So that I see not, what cause he had to make so much noise. Nor is there more cause for the ground of Mr. Arnauds Proposition; and I do maintain, that if there be an incredible subversion of reason and common sense, it is to be met with in the discourse of M. Arnaud rather, than in that of M. Claude.

And indeed the Proposition of M. Ar­naud is false, both in its principle and con­sequence; he layes an ill foundation, and if it were certain, the conclusion, he draws from thence, is not warrantable. Thus may be re­turned to him what he so liberally bestows on [Page 110] M. Claude, by saying with more Justice, th [...] he hath done, That he hath committed in [...] and the same subject all the faults that [...] be committed in it.

First, It is not true, That the Adoration really included in the Belief of the Real P [...] sence, and altogether inseparable therefrom. F [...] which we need no other proof but the practi [...] of the Lutherans, who do very well separa [...] these two Beliefs, and believe the Real P [...] sence, without adoring neither the Euchar [...] nor Jesus Christ, inclosed in the Sacrament.

But because it may be answer'd, that t [...] Lutherans do what they do because they believe not the Transubstantiation as you, a [...] do fear, least they should adore the substan [...] of the Bread together with the Body of Christ I say secondly, two things: First, that there [...] as much danger to Adore the Accidents, whic [...] remain according to you, as the Substance the Bread, which remains according to them and that therefore this consideration should oblige you to separate the Adoratio [...] from the Belief of the Real Presence. Secondly, that all the necessary consequences of a [...] opinion have not alwayes their effect, as M. Claude had noted p. 421, who had alleged some examples of it, to which M. Arnau [...] would not take the pains to answer. However [...] be, there are great reasons, in my opinion, no [...] to Adore the Sacrament as you do, although the Corporal presence be believed; and these are the reasons, which I hope I shall have op [...]ortunity [Page 111] one day to shew you (in another [...]reatise) or the like, which might oblige Pas­ [...]basius and his Followers not to introduce this [...]doration into the Publick Service of the [...]hurch; so far is it from being a necessary [...]onsequence to adore Jesus Christ on the Al­ [...]ars, and under the Accidents of Bread, that [...]n the contrary, in this conjuncture, 'tis a ne­ [...]essary sequele of the Soverain veneration we [...]owe him, not to Adore him there, least we [...]hould fall into the sin of Adoring the Crea­ture in stead of the Creator, or at least joint­ly with him.

Besides, 'tis not true, that M. Arnaud hath proved the Consent of all the Societies of the East, in the Belief of the Real Presence, in the Ninth and Tenth Age, as I have show'd above, and by consequence 'tis not true, that he hath proved their Consent in the Adoration. So that there is neither positive nor consequential proof of the chief matter in controversie betwixt him and M. Claude: And by the Examen of these three propositions, you see, Sir, that the Se­cond supposition of the Book of the Perpetuity, grounded upon the Adoration of the Eucha­rist, on which he laid the greatest stress, hath not been better defended than the First; And that so we must not wonder, that this Work hath not had that effect amongst us, which he expected from it, because that, besides the ex­traneous and accessary reasons, I have obser­ved in my four first Reflexions; I have made out, that he hath not at all proved the pre­tended [Page 112] impossibility of that Change, of wi [...] we accuse Paschasius; and that the two Supp [...] sitions of the Book of the Perpetuity, on wh [...] that impossibility was grounded, are Supp [...] sitions in the Air, Chimerical, without P [...] and Reason.

Thus you see, Sir, in general, what are [...] thoughts concerning the Book of Monsie [...] Arnaud, and the Reasons, which, in [...] Judgment, have kept it from finding that applause and success, which many expected fro [...] it. It may be, you will not be of my minde However, you have required, I should te [...] you without complacency, what I believed of it. I have done it with a design, onely to please you, notwithstanding the troublesom [...] interruptions I have from the unhappy Sui [...] of Law, which have detained me in this Tow [...] these two years, remote from my House, and from my Books. And this consideration may also excuse the faults of a Tract I have made in haste, and among so many Distractions. I do not pretend to meddle in so famous a Contro­versie, as this is, between two such Illustrious Champions; although I could not be accused of temerity, if I did, since the Cause is common, and that others have sometimes ap­peared in the field, without being called to it. Yet, Sir, if any one should go about to quar­rel with me for it, you will not take it a­miss, that I make you the cause thereof, and call upon you for my warrant, to shew to the Republick, that your command alone did cause [Page 113] my engagement, and that I could not refuse to your merit, and to the honor of your friend­ship, a thing of this nature.

At least, I perswade my self, that those two persons will have no cause to complain of my conduct. For, as to Monsieur Arnaud, it is indifferent to him, to combat with one or the other, besides that, I look not at all [...]or an answer from him; this Discourse was not made for that purpose: And if I accuse him of weakness in his reasonings and proof, [...] confess ingenuously, that it is rather the fault of the matter, than of the Workman. But he would follow a Plane, which the Author of the Perpetuity had traced against the Rules; and [...]e would prove the Belief of the Real Pre­ [...]ence by abstract and metaphysical by ways, [...]nd by meer Ratiocinations, which are not [...]ble to prove it. He would pass on further, [...]nd maintain, That the Fathers had believed [...]ransubstantiation and the Adoration of the [...]acrament; and this is a meer Paradox. Thus [...]e subject, he hath undertaken to defend, hath [...]onstrained him to conclude himself within [...]ertain Suppositions, impossible to be main­ [...]ained. He hath wanted neither dexterity, or light, nor heat; but he hath wanted a [...]bject capable to receive the form which was [...]tended for it. I am therefore not unwilling [...] acknowledge his merit and his great parts; [...]d, all I can say about this matter, is, That [...] hath done in it whatever could be done, al that he hath defended a very ill cause with [Page 114] a very good grace, and an admirable abun­dance.

As to Monsieur Claude, I believe not, that he will be offended at this small dis­course. It was not made for his defence; I should be presumptuous, if I thought, he needed a second; and if I should offer hi [...] so weak an one, in case he needed any. H [...] work, which hath made such a noise, whic [...] hath charmed his Friends, and astonished [...] Adversaries, which hath expressed Elogie [...] from the most passionate persons for your Religion, maketh us hope for another, whic [...] shall accomplish his Triumph, and assure [...] him the Victory, which Monsieur Arna [...] hath gone about to dispute with him, rath [...] by Number than Valor, and rather by t [...] Bigness, than the Reasons of his Book. Ne [...] ther do I attempt any thing upon his right; leave him still all the particulars to be exa [...] ned; I enter even but a little upon the esse [...] tial considerations, neither do I speak of th [...] farther, than I was obliged to answer the d [...] sign of this Discourse. Certainly we foll [...] very different ways, and as we have no c [...] merce together, and that he will not see t [...] Discourse before it is published, nor I but then, I believe not, that we do mee [...] the same path. I do not pretend to share his Laurels, and as my whole end hath b [...] onely to satisfie you, I there stop the wh [...] success of this Discourse, wherein I have [...] onely the Right of Nations, and the Libe [...] [Page 115] received in the Republick of Letters, to [...]eak ones minde of the work of another.

But it is time to make an end of this Tract, [...]hich is too long already, and much longer, [...]an I purposed to make it at the beginning. I [...]ve no more to add to it, but onely this re­ [...]uest, that you would continue to love me; wish it with all my heart; you are good and [...]enerous, and therefore I promise to my self [...]at favor, notwithstanding the Disputes of [...]ome and Gerova, since in the hopes, that we [...]all meet one day in Heaven in the same [...]inde, and the same felicity, I am on Earth as [...]uch as I can be