The Virgin Mary Misrepresented by the Roman Church, Chapter 1 · Section 4
SECT. IV. The Hiſtory of the Embaſſie from Two Kings of Spain to Rome, to obtain a Deciſion of the Controverſy about the Immaculate Conception.
UPON occaſion of what I ſaid laſt, how the Pope has been loudly importun'd, to put an End to Controverſies, I cannot well paſs over that famous Hiſtory of the Embaſſy from Philip III. and IV. Kings of Spain, to Pope Paul V. and Pope Gregory XV. for deciding this Controverſy about the Conception of the Virgin, which is given us by Luc. Wadding, a Franciſcan aLegatio Philippi 3. & Ph. 4. ad paul. 5. & Greg. 15. Lovan. 1624. per Luc. Waddingum., out of whom I ſhall give the ſumm of it.
At the beginning almoſt of his Story he acknowledges that though heretofore the Maculiſts might freely and without Offence have declared their Opinion; P. 3.yet now adays the contrary Opinion has ſo poſſeſſed Mens Minds, that neither the Rabble nor the ſober People, the noted Doctors or grave Biſhops can endure to hear it. This Devotion to the Virgin, he ſays, prevailed wonderfully in Spain about Eight Years before, and was chiefly excited by one Francis à ſan Jago, a Franciſcan, who was fore-admoniſhed by the Bleſſed Virgin of Guadalupa (a Place in Spain, where ſhe has a famous Image) of the Increaſe of the Veneration and Worſhip of her immaculate Conception within a few Years, though not without Contradiction and Tumult; and for a Sign of the Truth of this, ſhe beſtowed upon him a Ring. P. 4.Upon this he became a zealous Promoter of this Myſtery, and the People, eſpecially of Boetica, applauded it, ſetting up Trophies of the Virgin's Victory over original Sin, cauſing this Inſcription to be fixed on the Corners of Streets, High-ways, and on the Fronts of Churches, Mary was conceived without original Sin.
But the Maculists were not idle in promoting their own, P. 6.and oppoſing and expoſing the received and common Doctrine; calling it heterodox and abominable, reviling thoſe that diſſented from them, and following them with unſufferable Injuries; who being thus provoked prepare Revenge and War;ſo that with this Diſſention all Spain was on a Flame, which occaſioned Pope Paul V. to ſend forth his Apoſtolick Letters, dated July 6. 1616. P. 7.wherein he renewed the Conſtitution of Sixtus IV. which forbad the condemning the Opinion of the immaculate Conception for Hereſy, as alſo the … of Trent and Pius V. had done, prohibiting any to preach about this Controverſy before a promiſcuous Mu…, or to write concerning it in the vulgar Tongue either way: Although permitting learned Men in publick Diſputations of the Univerſities, and of general or provincial Chapters, where they were preſent that could underſtand the Matter, and no occaſion of Scandal likely to be given, to diſcuſs that Queſtion, and by Arguments to aſſert or oppoſe either Part, ſo that neither were aſſerted to be Erroneous, &c. Threatning Penalties againſt the Tranſgreſſors, till the Controverſy were decided by the Pope. After this the Catholick King, moved by the Complaints of the People, conſults with the Pope's Legate and other learned Prelates, whether theſe Conſtitutions of the Pope did ſufficiently extinguiſh this Flame; who gave in their Judgment in the Negative.
The Catholick King reſolves therefore to petition the Pope for a more effectual Remedy, and ſends Placidus de Toſantes, ſometimes General of the Benedictines in Spain, with Two others, to Rome about it. P. 14.Theſe obtained this Decree of the Inquiſition, confirmed by his Holineſs Aug. 31. 1617. That the Opinion of the Maculiſts, which occaſioned ſo much Scandal, Strife and Diſſention among Chriſtian People, ſhould, in no wiſe, be any longer aſſerted in publick Sermons, Lectures, Concluſions, or any other publick Acts, affirming that the Bleſſed Virgin was conceived in original Sin: Notwithſtanding it was ſtrictly and ſeverely cautioned alſo, That their Opinion ſhould not be impugned by others, no, nor ſo much as named or mentioned in the aforeſaid publick Acts; becauſe his Holineſs did not intend hereby to reprobate that Opinion, or to do it any Prejudice, but left it in the ſame State and Terms that he found it.
This was received with great Joy in Spain by the People, who favoured the immaculate Conception; they feaſted and entertained themſelves with Plays and Shows, judging that their Buſineſs was ſufficiently do…. But others that were wiſer foretoldthe contrary, and that it would give Occaſion to greater Scandals: And ſo it proved; for the Maculiſts raiſed new Tumults, and the Diſorders were increaſed, and both Parties broke out into cruel and …ailing Invectives againſt each other. The King therefore, by the Advice of his Council, determined to ſend a new Embaſſy to the Pope, to move him that he would command the Maculiſts wholly to be ſilent, till he had decided the Controverſy. P. 22.Whilſt he was preparing and conſulting about the Perſon that ſhould carry this Embaſſy, the King receives a Letter from the Pope, wherein he deſires him to forbear urging him farther for a Deciſion of the Controverſy, ſubſcribing with his own hand, That he had done what was expedient in the laſt Decree, and all that he could do (totum quod pot…it) in this matter.
The King thereupon thinking to deſiſt, he is ſo alarm'd afreſh with the News of Tumults from divers Cities and Kingdoms, that he reſolved upon a new Embaſſy, and chuſes for it Amonius de Treio, ſometimes General of the Franciſcans, whom he choſe to be Biſhop of Soſa, who came with the King's Letters to Rome, dated 24 Sept. 1618. P. 30.Together with which he delivered ſeveral other Pacquets of the ſame Import with the Kings, folliciting the Deciſion, viz. A Pacquet from the Kingdom of Portugal, another of Spain; Letters of the Arch-Biſhop of Tokicum and his ſuffragan Biſhops; Letters of the Arch-Biſhop of Compoſta… and his Suffragans: Another Bundle of Letters from all the Univerſities of Spain; another from the Fathers Confeſſors to the King and Prince, and other learned Doctors of the Order of the Pr…cticants; with other Three Bundles of Letters from the Praefects and Provincials of all the Orders except one. To all which the Pope, after he had commended the Piety of the King, and the Devotion of the Kingdoms to the Bleſſed Virgin, anſwered, P. 31.That he could do no more than he had done in this Controverſy, and that the Matter required more nature Conſideration than he could afford it.
On the ſame Day he viſited and delivered the King's Letters to ſeveral Cardinals and Embaſſadors of Princes, declaring the King's Deſires, and begging their Aſſiſtance in this Matter, that concerned the Honour of the Bleſſed Virgin: And gave an Account of all to his Maſter in a Letter dated Decemb. 23. 1618. Wherein he informs him what he had done, andthe Difficulties of the Affair; telling him, among other things, P. 41.that the Pope's Anſwer was, That God had not … red, nor his Conſcience as yet dictated any … him, beſides that which was before comm… in his late Decree, and then was asked on his Majeſty's Behalf. The Embaſſador could do no more that Month, becauſe of the approaching Feaſt of the Nativity of our Lord. After the Feſtival was over the Embaſſador offers to the Pope an Oration, P. 44.containing an humble Petition and a ſad Complaint againſt the Actions and Interpretations of the Maculiſts, who wreſted the laſt Decree, and made it to favour themſelves. He complained alſo, That ſince the Decree they taught their Opinion more eagerly, that no body offered to repreſs their Exceſſes, that in Desks and Pulpits they detracted from the Credit of their Adverſaries, calling them Ignorant, Ideots, Simple, Fools, &c. P. 51.He repreſented the Scandals alſo that muſt needs ariſe from the different Obſervations of her Feaſt, whilſt inſtead of celebrating her Conception without Sin, ſome celebrated her Sanctification from Sin. To all this, and more, which the Embaſſador urged, the Pope, after he had commended the pious Affection of the King, told him, by way of Anſwer, P. 54.That Popes could not always ſatisfy the Deſires of Kings and Princes, eſpecially in thoſe things which are determined not by an humane, but by a divine Sentence, ſuch as require not Man's Judgment, but the Inſpiration of the Holy Ghoſt, and an inward Impulſe; and the Spirit breathes when and where it lifteth: (By which Anſwer we may perceive, what Opinion the Pope would have the People have of his Determinations.) The Embaſſador alſo offered an Apology for his Maſter, P. 56.whom ſome had reflected upon as too buſy about Eccleſiaſtical Affairs, as if he would conſtrain the Pope againſt his Mind: He offered alſo a Second Oration to the Pope, P. 79.in which he complained of the Scandals in Spain, and repreſented the Advantages of a Definition, and concluded with this Speech to the Pope. P. 89.Conſider the Loſs of many Souls, the Diſcord of the Church, the Diſſentions of Cities, and the great Dangers that hang over Kingdoms, all which you only are able to obviate and prevent. The Pope ſtill perſiſted in his Denial, that he could not then define the Controverſy. In the Interim the King gives his Embaſſador notice of the Continuation of the Scandals, and ſent him Three Sermons, preached at … and elſewhere, in which the Adverſaries urged their … the Decree. P. 91.He complained alſo of the Theſes … at Doway, and of a Book of Fr. Sylvius, in which he diſputes againſt the immaculate Conception. The Pope anſwered, That theſe Abuſes ſhould be puniſhed.
After this the Embaſſador gave in a Third Paper, P. 92.wherein he ſets forth the weightineſs of the Matter, and after he had given large Encomiums of the Virgin out of divers Authors, he complained that her Sanctity was called in Queſtion, and the Controverſy managed irreligiouſly and irreverently; and one declared, that ſhe was conceived juſt as other Women, and that Mary's Conception was not more pure than that of Mahomet. He added, it was a vain thing to diſſemble the Difference, and not to take away the Cauſe of it, which otherwiſe would end in Contempt of Mary, the Grief and Horror of the People, and a Decay of Devotion towards the Mother of God.
He repreſented what Advantage the Hereticks made of theſe Contentions, P. 103.to deride the Unity of the Church ſo much boaſted of. He ſaid it was horrible, P. 106.That while the Prieſts offered the Body of Chriſt in honour of the immaculate Conception, there ſhould be found thoſe among themſelves, that ſhould deride and inſult, ſaying, That it was to be rejected, and that all was Figments and Chimaera's, &c. At the Concluſion of his Oration, P. 113among other things, he urged the Pope withal to make a Deciſion, he mentioned this, That hereby the Truth of thoſe many Miracles wrought by God and the Saints in teſtimony of the immaculate Conception, would be more apparent, and the Certainty of many Revelations confirmed. (Which was well urged, ſince any one would think they themſelves did not give Credit to what they would have us believe, when the Pope knows not what to ſay to the Matter after all.)
The Pope replyed, That he ſtood well affected to the immaculate Conception, but intimated that his Definition would not remove the Diſturbances, ſince the Maculiſts inſiſted, P. 116.That theirs was the unanimous Doctrine of all the Fathers, and in particular produced the Teſtimonies for it of S. Auſtin, Lumbard and Bonaventure. The Embaſſad or underſtanding that the Adverſaries had collected the Sentences of the Fathers, and offeredthem to the Pope, ke…p… in a Fourth Popes wherein …s ſhewed, that the Authority of the holy Fathers indeed was great, eſpecially in eſtabliſhing weak Opinions; but to counterfeit it was dangerous: That the Doctors were falſly cited by the Adverſaries, and Three only truly. That every Doctor might erre, which S. Auſtin confeſſes of himſelf, and if S. Thomas had lived now, he would have been of another Mind; and he concluded, P. 129.That there was none after the Apoſtles who were not Popes that might not erre: And then turning to the Pope, In thee alone, and the Biſhops in thy Chair, no Error has Place, in thee Truth is eſtabliſhed, and in thy Seat has ſet up her venerable and perpetual Throne; from that Throne no Lye can ever ariſe. After he had thus flattered the Pope, he obtained of him a Book of P. de Vincentia a Dominican, in which the Sayings of the Fathers were collected for the Maculiſt's Opinion, which were taken out of Two Books of Vinc. Bandellus, which fiercely oppoſed the immaculate Conception. And the Orator endeavoured in a Fifth Paper to ſhow, that theſe Books contained ſuch things as were condemned by the Bull of Sixtus IV. Particularly he gave in the Heads of Bandellus his Books, which contained the ſevereſt Charges againſt the Opinion of the Immaculiſts; as that it was a mortal Error, full of Falſity, Impious and Pernicious; that it was injurious to the Blood of Chriſt, making her neither to be reconciled nor juſtified by it; that an Opinion founded in the holy Scriptures, was to be preferred before the Determinations of Pope and Council; That the Immaculiſts did contradict Scripture, and perniciouſly depraved them, and defended the Hereſy of Pelagius and Julianus, in their Expoſitions: He affirms, P. 134.That the Perſons to whom Revelations are ſaid to be made, concerning the Virgin's immaculate Conception, were ſuſpected Perſons, addicted to carnal Vices, and diſcovering that they had nothing of Spirituality in them: P. 140.That the Miracles brought to confirm it, were wrought by the Devil, who, by God's Permiſſion, healed ſome Infirmities upon invoking the immaculate Conception; that ſo he that was Filthy might be Filthy ſtill. After many ſuch Charges (which may be ſeen in the Hiſtory) he produced the Teſtimonies of Two hundred and ſixty famous Doctors who were againſt it: This Work of Bandelis, which was in many Hands that made ill uſe of it, the Embaſſador urged, that it might by an Edict be put among the Catalogue of prohibited Books. But the Pope made anſwer, That the Conſtitution of Sixtus IV. (which begins Grave nimis, &c.) was ſufficient.
After this the Embaſſador put in a Sixth Paper, P. 149.to prove, that the Difference of the Adverſaries in celebrating the Feaſt of the Conception, was not to be tolerated, and that it was fit they ſhould be commanded to celebrate it unanimouſly with the univerſal Church. The Pope returned that he had often dealt about it, and deſired that this Myſtery might be equally celebrated by all; but it was always anſwered by the Maculiſts, That they did the ſame with others under the Name of Her Sanctification (not Conception) which comprehended all. Whereupon in a Seventh Speech, P. 172.the Orator endeavoured to ſhow, That the Catholick Church in the Feaſt of the Bleſſed Virgin's Conception, did now, and always, intend nothing elſe thereby, than to celebrate her Preſervation from original Sin, ſo that in no Inſtant ſhe was actually ſubject to it. The Pope ſaid he did not doubt of this, that the Church intended by their Worſhip of the Conception to profeſs that Mary was preſerved from original Sin; but it was better in this turbulent and cala…tions State of the Emp…re, to ſtudy and endeavour Peace at Home, than by ini…ing to beget inteſtine Broils. Notwithſtanding this Anſwer, …he Embaſſador offered an Eighth Paper, P. 201.to ſhow how great the I…ity was between the Opinions; and that an Opinion which … time was probable, at another time might … improbable; That Truths do not appear all at …, but ſome are reſerved for every Age: That many … …nted dubious by the Ancients, are now look'd upon as certain and unqueſtionable; ſuch as the Validity of the baptiſm of Hereticks; the ſeeing the divine Eſſence before the … of Judgment; That Angels are incorpor…; and … …ned lately created by God, and ſuch like: … applied to this Matter of the Conception, which, though it was not ſo clear in the Ages before, yet after the Appearance of Scotus (about the Year 1300.) who opened the Controverſy with all Accuteneſs, the Maculiſt's Opinion did …, and the Contrary ever after got Ground of it: After this he endeavoured to prove his own Opinion about the immaculate Conception, by various Reaſons, too large to be repeated. The Pope madeAnſwer, P. 234.That he acknowledged the great Probability of the Immaculiſt's Opinion, and that its State and Terms were better; but the Adverſaries ſtill maintained, That theirs ſtill kept its Place, and had not loſt all Probability, nor that the pious Opinion was ſo undoubted and irrefragable, that for its Sake the Contrary ſhould be exploded: Nay they further added, That if it ſhould come to a Definition (which ſome ſay is impoſſible) that the Sentence muſt needs go on their Side, becauſe of the Authority of the Scripture, the Doctors, and S. Thomas; nor that it could, at leaſt ought not, be carried for the Pious one.
The Embaſſador not being yet ſatisfied, he adds a Ninth Treatiſe, P. 236.to prove that the Controverſy concerning the Virgin Mary's Conception might be ended by a definitive Sentence of the Church, and that no other Sentence, but for her immaculate Conception, could be propounded by the Church with certainty of Faith; and gave many Reaſons to ſhew the Expediency of doing it as ſoon as might be. The Pope reply'd, P. 289.That there was no need of Arguments to prove that the Controverſy was capable of Deciſion; he knew well how much he was able to do in it; neither did he doubt of his Power, but of the Conveniency and Neceſſity of defining it; That this was by no means a fit Seaſon for the Examination and exact Determination of this Matter.
Thus things ſtood whilſt this Embaſſador managed them: P. 291.But, when by reaſon of this Delay of the Pope in defining (to which he could not be brought by all theſe repeated Urgings) the Differences in Spain increaſed daily; the King choſe a more illuſtrious Embaſſador, the Duke Abuquerquius, and ſent him to Rome. Where the firſt thing he met with was a Complaint, P. 295.That the Maſter of the Sacred Palace, had prohibited the making any more Medals of the Conception, and confiſcated thoſe which he found made. Theſe Medals had been coined for the Spaniards, and on one ſide had the Image of the Body of Chriſt and of the Chalice, with this Inſcription, Alabado fia el ſantiſſimo Sacramento: That is, Let the moſt holy Sacrament be praiſed. On the other ſide was an Hieroglyphick Image of the immaculate Conception … F…s's Cord, aThis is … the Indulgences, at … holy Bull of the Cra…o … by Gregory XIII. and approved by the Inquiſition, dated a Liſ…on 1588. Apr. 6. viz. The Image of the Virgin in Metal, cloathed with the Sun-Beams, e…ed with Stars, with the Moon at her Fec…, and the Cord of S. Francis round about.… peccato original … original Sin. This th… … com…ed of to the Pope and his Dutcheſ… humbly begged, that there might be Leave granted to … and diſperſe them as formerly. He referred to Matter to Cardinal Gobellatius, who, after often …, told them, That he thought their Deſire could be granted together with Indulgences, if theſe Words piè creditur (it is piouſly believed) P. 30…were allowed to the former Inſcription, to prevent the Miſtake of the People, and the Fear of the Adverſaries, that it might not … that the Matter was define for the …. Opinion exploded. This the Embaſſador upon … would not conſent to, but inſiſted, that in Favour of the Dutcheſs the Medals might be allowed without Exception: But nothing was further done in it.
The former Embaſſador having received Letters from the King for his Return, before he departed he preſented two or three Tractates to the Pope. P. 335.The one was about Revelations, eſpecially thoſe of S. Briget, which he deſ…ded againſt the Adverſaries, and endeavoured to leſſen the Authority of thoſe of S. Catharine of Sena: And then applied himſelf to the Pope, exhorting him to make an End of the Difference; urging him with the Def…ons of other. Pope, which rely'd upon Revelation, … A… for Inſtance, Pope Pius I. defined the Controverſy on what Day Eaſter was to be kept, moved by a Revelation made to Friar Hermes: Ʋrban IV. inſtituted the Feſtival of Corpus Chriſti Day, upon an Inſtinct and Revelation reade to a certain Woman: Who alſo decreed Paul the Hermit to be a Saint, and to be invoc… …ly becauſe Anthony the Abbot reported (as S. Jerome ſay…) that he ſaw his Soul fly up to Heaven, and … Sanctity was revealed to him. The Feaſt alſo of Michael the Archangel was inſtituted upon the Teſtimony of the Biſhop of Sipo…es and certain rude Neatherds, concerning an Appo…tion … Mount Garganus; and then concludes pathetically; P. 373.O bleſſed Father, ſpeaking to the Pope, pity the Calamities, and remove the Contentions of Chriſtian People: Be at length overcome by the Catholick King's Prayers for the pacifying of his Kingdoms: Remember how much better it is, That the Orthodox ſhould conteſt with the inſulting Hereticks when they are united, than oppoſe and rend one another: Take away this troubleſom Doubt by one Word, and compoſe this dangerous Controverſy by thy laſt Sentence. But he might as well have ſaid all this to the Winds, and had as good an Anſwer.
Another Paper he put in, P. 375.to ſhow that the Pope was bound by his Office, to provide a timely Remedy for theſe great and growing Scandals, ariſing from the Liberty of opining in this Controverſy of the Bleſſed Virgin's Conception, and the tolerating the Maculiſt's Opinion. In which he ſhewed, out of approved Authors and authentick proceedings of Courts, how theſe Scandals had been notorious and continued, notwithſtanding all that had been yet done to hinder them, in France, in Italy, in Germany, and eſpecially in the Kingdom of Spain, in all Places of it; which Scandals he proved to continue ſtill after his Decree, ſo that there was no Remedy remaining but that of a Peremptory Definition.
The Hiſtory further tells us, That in Spain the Scandals ſtill increaſing, and Cities and People being divided into Factions, ſome Academies, and rich Cities, and whole Kingdoms did bind themſelves by Oaths and Vows, to defend the Opinion of the immaculate Conception; and we are told by others bVid. Auguſt. Barboſae Remiſſiones in Conc. Trident. Seſſ. 5.of particular Univerſities that thus bound themſelves, thoſe of Mentz, Colen, Paris, and that in all the Univerſities of Spain it was eſtabliſhed by a ſpecial Decree, That none ſhould be admitted to the Degree of Doctor, till firſt he had promiſed upon Oath never to oppoſe this Truth.
After all this Stir and doing nothing; the former Embaſſador took his Leave of the Pope; who told him that he was ſorry that he could not ſatisfy the Kings pious Wiſhes in this Matter: But, he ſaid, P. 424.that which was deſired, was not of that ſort of things, which is within the Limits of humane Diligence, or which by reaſon of Neceſſity, or worldly Inſtances, or the Power of Kings may preſently be granted, until the Spirit from on high ſhall infuſe, what in ſuch a weighty Controverſy ought to be gravely and maturely deliberated. Now ſhame on this vile Hypocriſy; who when every one may ſee this Matter wholly conducted by Intereſt, and cowardly fear of diſobliging a powerful Party, dares to talk of the Spirit from on high, and imitate the fulſome Language of a canting Enthuſiast.
When this Embaſſador was gone, Albuquerque, upon whom the whole Care of this Affair was devolved, inſiſts upon it afreſh, and receives the ſame delatory Anſwers from Pope Paul V. P. 431.who, upon the fourth Calends of February 1621. departed this Life, and was ſucceeded by Gregory XV. to whom this Duke applies himſelf in the Name of his Maſter; who commending, as his Predeceſſor had done, the Piety of the King, told him, he would comply with him, when time and circumſtances of Things, after a foregoing grave Examination of the Matter, would give him leave.
But preſently after Philip III. of Spain dies, and choſe to do it in the Habit of a Franciſcan, and left the care of this Embaſſy to his Son Philip IV. his Succeſſor, who confirmed Albuquerque therein.
About this time, not only the old Conteſts and Scandals which troubled Spain, but a new Occaſion of an extraordinary Embaſſador to Rome, made the King to ply the former Buſineſs: He writes therefore to Albuquerque, to urge the Buſineſs, and give the Letter to the Pope which he ſent. The Queen alſo, the Infanta of Spain, and Margaret the Daughter of Maximilian the Emperor, all wrote to the Pope. The Embaſſador had a Hearing, and a general Anſwer of good Hope was given him, That the Pope thought of nothing now, but to remove thoſe Scandals that continued, &c. A while after a new Embaſſador (Comes Montis Regij) arrives at Rome: He was ſent thither to aſſiſt at the Canonization of Five new Saints (Four of which were Spaniards) Iſadore of Madrid, Ignatius Loyola, Fran. Xaverius, Tereſia à Jeſu; and one Italian, Philip Nereus. This Count was brought in to the Pope in great State and Magnifice, P. 443.and begged in Favour to him, that the Pope would put his laſt Hand to this Buſineſs; who promiſed that ſomething ſhould be done in it before his Departure. And in order to it ſeveral Cardinals were appointed, to whom their Deſires ſhould be propoſed. Two things they offered to them. Firſt, That it was more deſirable that the Controverſy might be determined. Secondly, If by the ſtraitneſs of Time that could not be done, then in the Interim, that whatſoever did ſeem to contradict the immaculate Conception, might be removed andbaniſhed from Diſcourſes and Worſhip, in all Acts both publick and private, otherwiſe Matters would never be pacified in Spain.
The Cardinals approved of what they deſired, and repreſented it to the Pope; who, in a full Congregation of the Senate of the Inquiſition, approved the Cardinals Thoughts about prohibiting in all Acts the maintaining of tha… Opinion, which gave the People Offence, and taking away the Word Sanctification out of the Office of the Church. And upon May 24. 1622. came forth a Decree, P. 447.which repeating thoſe of Sixtus IV. and Paul V. and confirming them, farther commanded, That for the future, till this Article ſhould be determined by the Apoſtolick Chair, neither in private Diſcourſes, or in Writings, any one ſhould dare to aſſert that the Bleſſed Virgin was conceived in original Sin; nor handle any thing concerning this Opinion, excepting only thoſe, who were ſpecially privileged herein by the Pope. Alſo his Holineſs commanded, That ſince the Holy Roman Church celebrates ſolemnly the Feaſt and Office of the Conception of the Virgin Mary, That all Perſons Eccleſiaſtical and Secular, and thoſe of every Order, in the holy Sacrifice of the Maſs and other divine Offices both publick and private, ſhould uſe no other Word but that of Conception, inſtead of Sanctification, &c.
Now again the Immaculiſts, after this Decree, P. 450.are trepann'd into new Rejoicing; the Franciſcans, in their Convent on the Top of the Capitol, for Three Nights together had Fireworks and Signs of great Triumph, as if they had got the Victory.
On the Fourth of June 1622. P. 451.a Brief of the Popes was dated and ſent to the King, ſignifying, after the Commendation of his Piety, how far he had proceeded in this Affair, out of a Deſire to bring ſome Comfort to him and his Kingdoms. But then he adds, in the former canting Strain, That the Reaſon why he did not determine any thing new at preſent, was the weightineſs of the Affair, and the Example of the Popes his Predeceſſors: For we, who are placed by God over the Chriſtian World, in the Chair of Chriſtian Wiſdom, ought to hearken to the Voice of the holy Spirit, and not examine the Matter by the Poiſes of humane Reaſons: Wherefore, ſeeing the eternal Wiſdom has not yet diſcovered to the Church the Receſſes of ſo great a Myſtery, the faithful People ought to reſt ſatisfied in the Authority of God and the Roman Popes, &c.
The King ſent his Letters of Thanks to the Pope, dated July 14. 1622. P. 453.and in like manner to the Cardinal Inquiſitors; intreating them to uſe the ſame Endeavours in what remained, till his Holineſs would vouchſafe to define the Controverſy. And now all Spain ſounded their Gladneſs and erected their Trophies, and nothing but Expreſſions of Joy were ſeen or heard for ſeveral Months together.
But all this Joy was interrupted at Barcenona, Caeſar-Auguſta, and other Parts of the Kingdom, P. 455.by reaſon of a Grant the Pope made and which was publickly affixed, according to the Clauſe of the foregoing Conſtitution (excepting thoſe to whom the Pope ſhould give a ſpecial Indulgence) wherein he gave this Privilege to the Dominicans notwithſtanding the former Decree, That in any of their private Conferences among themſelves, and none elſe, they might freely and lawfully handle the Matter of the Bleſſed Virgins Conception, without incurring the Penalties contained in the ſaid Decrees. Which was dated 22 July 1622. This Grant, ſays the Author of the Hiſtory, troubled many who would have had the pious Opinion ſecured and put beyond all Doubt; but he hopes, that thoſe to whom the Pope gave this laſt Indulgence, will not abuſe it, nor break out into open Scandals, when the Permiſſion reaches no further, than to private Colloquies.
Thus we have ſeen the buſy Management of a Four Years Embaſſy, ending juſt where it began; and made a pleaſant Piece of formal Pageantry: Great Charity and Piety pretended by Two Kings, anſwered with Deceit and pious Frauds, apparently intended by Two Popes. We have ſeen pretended Infallibility ſitting in a Chair of State, and ſaying nothing: A fierce Controverſy brought before an unerring Judge, who will let no body determine ſuch Matters without or beſides himſelf; and when all earneſtly expect how he will end it, he tires them with Delays, or deceives them with doubtful Anſwers. In a Word, I verily believe that this Judge of Controverſies, has ſet a foot Ten, for one he has ever decided: For though he calls this laſt his Office, yet he is as hardly brought to this Work, as a Bear is to the Stake; and when he is, he is either fearful of the Conſequents, and dares not ſpeakout, or ſullen and will not, or crafty and puts it off, and ſays he cannot do it yet, (as in the Caſe before us, which I ſuppoſe he will leave for the day of Judgment to decide) or if it happens that once in an Age he gives us a Caſt of his Office, as he hath done in this Age, in the Caſe of Janſenius, the contending Parties might have done as wiſely to have referred the Matter to a Lottery, or the Chance of a Die, as bound themſelves to ſtand to this blind Award; for after his Deciſion they find ſuch manifeſt Defects either of Skill or Honeſty, That thoſe who are condemned, ſee no reaſon to retract or alter their Opinion, and oftentimes are ſo bold as to declare and prove him to have been miſtaken.
But though the Popes are reſolved not to define the Opinion of the Immaculiſts to be de fide, yet it is a great Comfort to them, that the Church has ſhewed a greater Propenſion and Inclination to this than the contrary. The Fathers of the Council of Baſil cSeſſ. 36.ſpake all their Mind, when they determined plainly for it, That ſhe was free from all Sin original and actual, and declared that this Opinion ought to be approved, held and embraced of all Catholicks as pious and agreeable to the Churches Worſhip, to the Catholick Faith, right Reaſon and Holy Scripture, and that it ſhall be lawful for none to preach and teach the contrary. What an unlucky Chance was it, that this Decree was not anticipated Three Seſſions; for then their Work might have been effectually done? Whereas having in the Thirty fourth Seſſion depoſed the lawful Pope Eugenius IV. the Council when it held this Seſſion which decreed the immaculate Conception was it ſelf Schiſmatical, and ſo it became invalid, not having the Pope's Confirmation herein. It is a great Comfort to them, That though (as a Jeſuit dJo. Bonifa c. de vit. & mirac. Mar. Virg. l. 1. c. 4.ſays) our Mother the Church of Rome is dumb (he means the Pope eſpecially, who is the Churches Mouth) in this Queſtion, yet with Zachary ſhe ſometimes takes the Writing-Tables into her Hands, and does even as good (tantum non) as ſubſcribe to the Opinion of Divines that contend for it. Even thoſe dumb Popes have made very broad Signs of their Good-will towards it. Witneſs their Approbation of the Feaſt of the Conception, which if it had not been without Sin, we are told, eRaynaudus Dyptic. Mar. p. 135.had not deſerved to be celebrated, being not worthy of Veneration for it ſelf, yea hated by Job and Jeremy, becauſe of the original Stain annexed to it. Bernardinus de Buſto compoſed an Office of the Conception, which the Pope approved, and gave Indulgences to thoſe that celebrated that Office, as he himſelf tells us, fMarial. ſer. 3. p. 40.and cites ſeveral Paſſages out of it gIbid. p. 51.. Pope Sixtus IV. (as appears by his extravagant Cum praexcelſa) commanded and approved another Office of the immaculate Conception compoſed by Leonard de Nogarolis, to be ſeen in the old Roman Breviary; and though Pius V. ordered this Office to be the ſame with that of the Nativity, yet even there in the eighth Reſponſorio hRaynaud. ibid. p. 136.it is ſaid, Let all perceive thy Help, who celebrate thy holy Conception. There was alſo a religious Order erected by S. Beatrix in Spain, under the Title of the immaculate Conception, and approved by Innocent VIII. And in the time of P. Alexander VI. many Fraternities iWadding. Legatio de Concept. p. 219.were inſtituted and Temples erected in honour of the immaculate Conception, eſpecially in Portugal and Catalonia. Alſo a Rule of Nuns kRaynaud. ibid. p. 154.under the ſame Title, approved by Julius II. in divers Chapters of which Rule the immaculate Conception is aſſerted; as Cap. 2. Where a Form of Profeſſion is propoſed, and ſaid that it is made for the Love of God, and in Honour of the immaculate Conception of the bleſſed Virgin. And Cap. 3. a Garment (pallium) of a blue Colour is decreed to be uſed, to ſignify that the Soul of the Virgin, from her firſt Creation, was altogether Holy and Celeſtial. This Pope alſo granted great Indulgences lWadding. ibid. p. 220., as Leo X. did the like after him, to Perſons of both Sexes, that in Devotion carried the Image of the Conception on their Breaſt. Temples and Altars are erected to the Memory of the ſame; and Pope Julius II. Pope Adrian VI. Pope Gregory XIII. and other Popes have granted plenary Indulgences in favour of the immaculate Conception; and Pius V. mId. ibid. p. 222.when he reformed the Breviary, and took away ſome Feaſts, yet required that of the Conception to be kept by the whole Church, and moreover gave Liberty to the Franciſcans to recite the proper and old Office of the Conception. So that although they have not got of their Father what they have ſo long deſired, yet he has done ſomething for them, and they are very jocund upon it, and full of Conſolation; as the Language of one of them proclaims it, nSherlog. Anteloquium in Cantic. Sec. 2. p. 114.who thus breaks out: O bleſſed Virgin, I give immortal Thanks to thy Son, That the Days are come, in which none dare ſo much as mutter that thou waſt conceived in original Sin. Oh! how many Friends of thine have cryed to Heaven with Groans unutterable, to ſee that Day and could not ſee it; but thy poor Servant has ſeen it, ſeen it indeed, and it has greatly gladded him: But who has ſo ſteelly a Breaſt that will not be ſoftened, (none, doubtleſs, unleſs it be the hard-hearted Pope, who cannot relent) when all the World conſpires to aſſert the Innocency of the Virgins Soul, for as to the Integrity of her Body none of the Orthodox ever doubted it?
If after all this Stir about the immaculate Conception, any one be ſo curious as to ask, in what manner we are to conceive the bleſſed Virgin's Preſervation from original Sin to have been effected? They have Anſwers ready.
The laſt named Jeſuit oIdem in Cantic. c. 1. v. 8. p. 347.is of Opinion, That when God made the Covenant with Adam, he made him the Head of all Mankind, and wrapt up their Fates and Wills in his, only with a particular Exception of one Creature, and that only in one Caſe, viz. If his Son ſhould require ſuch a Creature for his Mother; for then it was not his Intention that the Will of that Creature, in order to ſinful Actions, or the loſs of Grace, ſhould be included in the Will of Adam.
Others, who as Bernardine pMarial. ſer. 9. p. 105. See alſo Galatinus de arcan. lib. 7. c. 3.ſays, ſpeculate the Matter more devoutly, think that the Seed out of which the bleſſed Virgin was to be conceived, was virtually preſerved by God in the Loins of Adam from all Infection, and tranſmitted through all Generations to her without any Stain, of which immaculate Seed ſhe was conceived moſt pure and immaculate: And he ſays, this is touched upon by the Pſalmiſt (Pſal. 89.) where God ſays (according to the vulgar Latin) I have ſworn to David my Servant, That I will prepare thy Seed for ever, and build thy Seat from Generation to Generation.