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ers are then granted to the General of the Society, "i that the said states may freely all who desire to be, or shall mitted into the Order; and p granted to the members to themselves to the education

just and forcible, the historical refe rences accurate, and the conclusion no stronger than the premises appear abundantly to warrant. It is our intention to pass over much the same ground with the author; and, in so doing, we shall either resort to our own stores, or take the liberty of to direct colleges and semin drawing upon him, as may best serve to hear confessions, to prea our purpose. If we are not mis- administer the sacraments." taken, the whole view of the subject will be such as to justify, if not, what the author demands, a legislative interference to resist the landing of a Jesuit upon our shores, yet such representation from every part of Europe to the Court of Rome, as may at once teach her that she cannot with impunity let loose the ministers of intrigue and of crime upon nations where these crimes are already recorded in letters of blood.

And, in the first place, it may be well to examine the instrument by which the Order is restored. Jesuitism had already been revived in 1801, under the auspices of the very wise and amiable Emperor Paul, and in Sardinia, in 1804, by King Ferdinand. But such partial restoration ill satisfied the more ambitious members of that, at all times, ambitious body. Accordingly a bull was obtained from Rome in August, 1814, in which the present pope declares that he should deem himself guilty towards God, if, amidst the dangers of the Christian republic, he should neglect to employ the aids which the special providence of God had put in his power, and if, placed in the bark of St. Peter, and tossed by continual storms, he should refuse to employ the vigorous and experienced powers who volunteer their services." It then declares, that the pope, "in virtue of the plenitude of apostolic power, and with perpetual validity, had decreed, that the concessions made to the Jesuits

"The bull is then directe inviolably observed, in all times, and that it shall never mitted to the judgment or re any judge, with whatever po may be clothed, declaring void any encroachment on thos lations, either knowingly o ignorance,"

The bull of Clement XI abolished the order, is then e ly abrogated-and it is, lastly that "if any one shall attemp audacious temerity to infringe pose any part of that ordinance thereby incur the indigna Almighty God, and of th Apostles."

It has already been int that had the crimes charge the Society of Jesuits been able, rather upon the spirit times than upon the inst had they originated, rather vices of a few individuals co with that Society than in the of the Order itself; had th rather the accidental than sary fruits of its constituti might have deemed it right less on the subject. But appears to be, that, taking nature and the state of soc they are, we cannot concei such an Order could exist world, and such consequenc arise.

But this is a mat proof rather than of ass and we will therefore be laying before our readers so count of the Society, drawn

from accredited historical autho- The primary object of all the monastic orders (as is justly stated by the author of the pamphlet,) is to separate men from the world. The object of Jesuitism, on the contrary, was to make them masters of the world. And the modes of government in these distinct orders correspond with their distinct objects. The other orders are to be considered as voluntary associations, in which whatever affects the whole body is regulated by the common suffrage of all its members. But Jesuitism was purely despotic.

rities, and partly from the "Secreta Monita," or the hidden Rules of the Order-rules carefully concealed during that long period in which men felt the blow, without seeing the hand which struck it-rules, the discovery of which at once armed all Europe against the Society. The first copy of the "Secreta Monita" was discovered in the Jesuits' College at Paderborn, in Westphalia; and a second at Prague. A preface directs that they shall be communicated, even to the initiated, with the utmost caution; and as the result of personal experience, not as the written rules of the Order. And, in the case of their falling into the hands of strangers, 66 they must be positively denied to be the rules of the society."

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The founder of the society was, as is well known, Ignatius Loyola, one of those sly enthusiasts whose folly never so gets the better of their cuncing as to prevent their pursuing the worst ends by the most efficient means. He soon the reluctance of the court of Rome to establish a society, of which all saw the inutility, and many the danger, by a general pledge to obey the papal mandate every part of the world, without reward or support. And, under the sanction of a bull thus obtained, and granting every privilege which enthusiasm or art could desire, the society, in half a century, obtained settlements in every Catholic country; its members multiplied; its wealth increased; and all Europe felt the controlling influence of its genius and power. The rules of the Order were not, however, completed by the founder of the institution: they were enlarged and perfected by some of the most distinguished followers of Loyola; and, in particular, Lainez is supposed to have been the author of the "Secreta Monita."

Christ. Observ. No. 159.

"A General chosen for life by deputies from the several provinces, possessed power that was supreme and independent, extending to every person and to every case. He, by his sole authority, nominated provincials, rectors, and every other officer employed in the government of the society, and could remove them at pleasure. In him was vested the sovereign administration of the revenues and funds of the Order. Every member belonging to it was at his disposal; and by his uncontrollable mandate he could impose on them any task, or employ them in what service soever he pleased. To his commands they were required to yield not only outward obedience, their own wills, and the sentiments of their but to resign up to him the inclinations of own understandings. They were to listen to his injunctions, as if they had been uttered by Christ himself. Under his direction they were to be only passive instruments,

like clay in the hands of the potter, or mere machines incapable of resistance. Such a singular form of policy could not fail to impress its character on all the members of the Order, and to give a peculiar force to all its operations. There is not in the annals of mankind any example of such a perfect despotism exercised, be it observ ed, not over monks shut up in the cells of a convent, but over men, dispersed among all the nations of the earth." p. 5.

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every district of the society were multiplied; and tributary streams of information were incessantly rolling into the grand reservoir at Rome, to which the General alone possessed full access. M. de Chatolais has made a calculation of the number of reports thus transmitted. These amount to 6584 annually. Besides these are those communications which were called "Letters extraor. dinary." The provincials are bound not to confine themselves to the giving an account of the society, but are also to state the civil and political circumstances of the various commonwealths in which they reside. Most of these statements are

The

tion the novices are placed, thorough knowledge of their di and talents. In order that the who is the soul that animates a the whole society, may have und every thing necessary to inform ral houses are obliged to transm him, the provincials and heads of regular and frequent reports o the members under their inspe these they descend into minu with respect to the character person, his abilities natural or his temper, his experience in a the particular department for w best fitted. These reports, wher and arranged, are entered into kept on purpose, that the Gener one comprehensive view, survey of the society in every corner of observe the qualifications and tal members; and thus choose, wi information, the instruments wh

which he thinks meet to destine

to be conveyed by a particular cypher solute power can employ in any known only to the General. account given by Robertson* of the system of espionage and inspection is so curious, that we have been tempted to extract it,

"As the constitutions of the Order vest in the General such absolute dominion over all its members, they carefully provide for his being perfectly informed with respect

to the character and abilities of his sub. jects. Every novice who offers himself as a candidate for entering into the Order, is obliged to manifest his conscience to the superior, or to a person appointed by him; and in doing this is required to confess, not only his sins and defects,but to discover the inclinations, the passions, and the bent of his soul. This manifestation must be renewed every six months. The society, not satisfied with penetrating in this manner into the inmost recesses of the heart, directs each member to observe the words and actions of the novices; they are constituted spies upon their conduct; and are bound to disclose every thing of importance concerning them to the superior. In order that this scrutiny into their character may be as complete as possible, a long noviciate must expire, during which they pass through the several gradations of ranks in the society, and they must have attained the full age of thirty-three years before they can be permitted to take the final vows, by which they become professed

*Charles V. Vol. ii. p. 431.

As the object of the O to obtain influence in all qu the globe, and among all c men, they naturally becar sionaries, preachers, school and confessors. And in a sh they became almost the e and certainly the most distin instructers of youth in ever lic country. They were fessors of almost every monarch and person of dist Their wealth, ed rank. standing a vow of poverty they found little difficulty in was immense. They ob license to trade with the whom they undertook to They made themselves ma an immense province in Sou rica. And thus, althoug Loyola, in 1540, petitioned

66

to authorize the institution Order, he had only ten disc the year 1608 the number o amounted to 10,581.

In

Order possessed 24 professed 59 houses of probation, 341 ces, 612 colleges, 200 missi

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"Princes and distinguished persons must by all means be so managed that they may gain their ear, which will easily secure their hearts; so that all persons will become dependant upon them, and opposition be prevented. Since ecclesiastics secure the greatest favour by winking at the vices of the great, as in the case of incestuous marriages, &c. such persons must be led to hope that, through their aid, a dispensation may be obtained from the pope, which he will no doubt readily grant.—It will fur. ther their object, if their members insinuate themselves into foreign embassies, but especially in those to the pope.-Favour must, above all, be obtained with the dependants and domestics of princes and noblemen, who, by presents and offices of piety, may be so far biassed as to impart intelligence of their employers' inclinations and intentions.--The marriages of the houses of Austria, Bourbon, and Poland, having benefited the society, similar alliances must be formed with the like object.-Princesses and females of rank may be gained by women of their bed-chambers, who must therefore be particularly addressed, whereby there will be no secrets concealed from their members. Their confessors must allow greater latitude than those of other orders, in order that their penitents, being allured with such freedom, may relinquish others, and entirely depend on their direction and advice. Prelates must be engaged to employ the Jesuits both for confessors and advisers. Care must be taken, when

princes or prelates found either colleges or parish churches, that the society always have the right of presenting, and that the superior of the Jesuits, for the time being, be appointed to the cure, so that the whole government of that church and its parishciety-Wherever the governors of acadeioners may become dependant on the somies thwart their designs, or the Catholics or Heretics oppose their foundations, they must endeavour, by the prelates, to secure the principal pulpits.-Their members, in directing the great, must seem to have nothing in view but God's glory, and not immediately, but by degrees, interfere in political and secular matters, solemnly affirming that the administration of public affairs is what they engage in with reluc tance, and only as compelled by a sense of duty. In order to induce rich widows to be liberal to the society, they must be provided with confessors who may urge their remaining unmarried, assuring them that they will thereby infallibly secure their salvation, and effectually escape the pains of purgatory.-That the widow may dispose of her property to the society, she must be told of those who have devoted themselves to the service of God, and be led to expect canonization from the court of Rome.Confessors must also inquire of their penitents what family, relations, friends, and estates they possess, and what they have in expectancy, as also their intentions, which they must endeavour to mould in favour of the society.-Such members as make a scruple of acquiring riches for the society must be dismissed; and if they appeal to the provincials they must not be heard, but pressed with the statute which commands implicit obedience from all.-Such as retain a love for other orders, for the poor, or their relations, must be dismissed, since they are likely to prove of little service.All before dismission must be prevailed upon to subscribe and make an oath, that they will never directly or indirectly either write or speak any thing to the disadvantage of the Order; and the superiors must keep an account in writing of the sins, failings, and vices which they formerly confessed, to be used against them if occa. sion require, in order to prevent their fu ture advancement in life and noblemen

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and prelates, with whom they may have credit, must be prevailed upon to deny them their protection.-All must be caressed who are distinguished either for their talents, rank, or wealth, especially if they have friends attached to the society

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or possessed of power: such must be sent to Rome or some celebrated university for study; but if they prefer the provinces, the professors must inveigle them into a surrender of their effects to the society, and the superiors must shew a particular regard to such as have allured any promising youths into the society. The preceptors must not chastise nor keep in subjection young men of good genius, agreeable persons, and noble families, like their other pupils: they must be won by presents, and the indulgence of liberties peculiar to their age; but on other occasions, especially in exhortations, they must be terrified with threats of eternal punishment, unless they obey the heavenly invitation of joining the society-If any member expects a bishoprick or other dignity, he must take an ad ditional vow always to think and speak honourably of the society; never to have a confessor who is not a Jesuit ; nor determine any affair of moment without first consulting the society. The society will contribute much to its own advantage by fomenting and heightening (but with caution and secrecy) the animosities that arise among princes and great men, in order that they may weaken each other."

If any person is still unconvinced of the detestable object and principle of this Order, let him turn to the "Provincial Letters." Pascal has there inscribed their moral and religious principles upon a pillar which will endure, to their eternal infamy, as long as taste, genius, and truth obtain the veneration of mankind.

But it is a natural question-What have been the practical results of such a conspiracy of one part of mankind against the rest? what crimes have these traitors to the common cause of happiness and virtue actually perpetrated? This is the next question which the author of this tract endeavours to answer, by a full induction of particulars from many unsuspected authorities. But here we have occasion to notice a slight alteration of a sentiment of Robertson which may seem to warrant the little complaint we ventured, earlier in this article, to make of the strength of this writer's statements. Robert. son says (Vol. II. p. 434,) "Unhap

pily for mankind, the vast influence which the Order of Jesuits acquired by all these different means has been often exerted with the most perni. cious effect." The author of this pamphlet says, "The vast influence which the Order of Jesuits acquired, by all these different means, was constantly exerted with the most pernicious effect." The last proposition cannot perhaps be predicated of any institution, and certainly not of one to which Europe stands indebted for much classical knowledge, and for the edition of Newton that is taught in our Universities; which conveyed a partial civilization into a vast province of America; and which made known to large portions of the East, it is true, a debased Christianity, but still a religion infinitely superior, in its comforts and morals, to the blood. stained doctrines and licentious ceremonial of idolatry. There is, however, no question but the wounds in. flicted by Jesuitism upon society are deep and innumerable; that they are by no means balanced by any advantages it has imparted; that its main benefit to society, viz. the counterac tion supplied by their more active and literary spirit to the bigoted and benumbing influence of the other monastic institutions, is no longer necessary to the world; that, to reerect the society, is to call from the dead the author of a large proportion of the crimes and miseries of mankind, for three centuries.

It certainly was devoutly to be hoped, that when this evil spirit had gone out, and both Protestants and Papists had been endeavouring to occupy its dwelling with milder and holier institutions, it should not have been permitted to return, and threaten to make the last state of society worse than the first. But let us proceed to state some of the facts collected by the author.

In Portugal, they became the entire directors of the court, the

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