forasinwhichhecommitted’ignorantly，andwithzeal’？Isitnotenough，toandfromtheGospel，thatthosewhocrucifiedJesusChristhadneedofthepardonwhichheaskedforthem，althoughtheyknewnotthemaliceoftheiraction，andwouldneverhavecommittedit，accordingtoSt。Paul，iftheyhadknownit？IsitnotenoughthatJesusChristapprisesusthattherewillbepersecutorsoftheChurch，who，whilemakingeveryefforttoruinher，will’thinkthattheyaredoingGodservice’；teachingusthatthissin，whichinthejudgementoftheapostle，isthegreatestofallsins，maybecommittedbypersonswho，sofarfromknowingthattheyweresinning，wouldthinkthattheysinnedbynotcommittingit？Infine，itisnotenoughthatJesusChristhimselfhastaughtusthattherearetwokindsofsinners，theoneofwhomsinwith’knowledgeoftheirMaster’swill，’andtheotherwithoutknowledge；andthatbothofthemwillbe’chastised，’
although，indeed，inadifferentmanner？\"SorelypressedbysomanytestimoniesfromScripture，towhichhehadappealed，theworthymonkbegantogiveway；and，leavingthewickedtosinwithoutinspiration，hesaid：\"Youwillnotdenythatgoodmen，atleast，neversinunlessGodgivethem\"—
\"Youareflinching，\"saidI，interruptinghim；\"youareflinchingnow，mygoodfather；youabandonthegeneralprinciple，and，findingthatitwillnotholdgoodinregardtothewicked，youwouldcompoundthematter，bymakingitapplyatleasttotherighteous。Butinthispointofviewtheapplicationofitis，Iconceive，socircumscribedthatitwillhardlyapplytoanybody，anditisscarcelyworthwhiletodisputethepoint。\"
Myfriend，however，whowassoreadyonthewholequestion，thatIaminclinedtothinkhehadstudieditallthatverymorning，replied：\"This，father，isthelastentrenchmenttowhichthoseofyourpartywhoarewillingtoreasonatallaresuretoretreat；butyouarefarfrombeingsafeevenhere。Theexampleofthesaintsisnotawhitmoreinyourfavour。Whodoubtsthattheyoftenfallintosinsofsurprise，withoutbeingconsciousofthem？Dowenotlearnfromthesaintsthemselveshowoftenconcupiscencelayshiddensnaresforthem；andhowgenerallyithappens，asSt。AugustinecomplainsofhimselfinhisConfessions，that，withalltheirdiscretion，they’givetopleasurewhattheymeanonlytogivetonecessity’？\"Howusualisittoseethemorezealousfriendsoftruthbetrayedbytheheatofcontroversyintosalliesofbitterpassionfortheirpersonalinterests，whiletheirconsciences，atthetime，bearthemnoothertestimonythanthattheyareactinginthismannerpurelyfortheinterestsoftruth，andtheydonotdiscovertheirmistaketilllongafterwards！\"What，again，shallwesayofthosewho，aswelearnfromexamplesinecclesiasticalhistory，eagerlyinvolvethemselvesinaffairswhicharereallybad，becausetheybelievethemtobereallygood；andyetthisdoesnothinderthefathersfromcondemningsuchpersonsashavingsinnedontheseoccasions？\"Andwerethisnotthecase，howcouldthesaintshavetheirsecretfaults？
HowcoulditbetruethatGodaloneknowsthemagnitudeandthenumberofouroffences；thatnooneknowswhetherheisworthyofhatredorlove；
andthatthebestofsaints，thoughunconsciousofanyculpability，oughtalways，asSt。Paulsaysofhimself，toremainin’fearandtrembling’？
\"Youperceive，then，father，thatthisknowledgeoftheevilandloveoftheoppositevirtue，whichyouimaginetobeessentialtoconstitutesin，areequallydisprovedbytheexamplesoftherighteousandofthewicked。
Inthecaseofthewicked，theirpassionforvicesufficientlytestifiesthattheyhavenodesireforvirtue；andinregardtotherighteous，thelovewhichtheybeartovirtueplainlyshowsthattheyarenotalwaysconsciousofthosesinswhich，astheScriptureteaches，theyaredailycommitting。
\"Sotrueisit，indeed，thattherighteousoftensinthroughignorance，thatthegreatestsaintsrarelysinotherwise。Forhowcanitbesupposedthatsoulssopure，whoavoidwithsomuchcareandzealtheleastthingsthatcanbedispleasingtoGodassoonastheydiscoverthem，andwhoyetsinmanytimeseveryday，couldpossiblyhaveeverytimebeforetheyfellintosin，’theknowledgeoftheirinfirmityonthatoccasion，andoftheirphysician，andthedesireoftheirsouls’health，andofprayingtoGodforassistance，’andthat，inspiteoftheseinspirations，thesedevotedsouls’neverthelesstransgress，’andcommitthesin？\"Youmustconcludethen，father，thatneithersinnersnoryetsaintshavealwaysthatknowledge，orthosedesiresandinspirations，everytimetheyoffend；thatis，touseyourownterms，theyhavenotalwaysactualgrace。Saynolonger，withyourmodernauthors，thatitisimpossibleforthosetosinwhodonotknowrighteousness；butratherjoinwithSt。Augustineandtheancientfathersinsayingthatitisimpossiblenottosin，whenwedonotknowrighteousness：Necesseestutpeccet，aquoignoraturjustilia。\"Thegoodfather，thoughthusdrivenfrombothofhispositions，didnotlosecourage，butafterruminatingalittle，\"Ha！\"heexclaimed，\"Ishallconvinceyouimmediately。\"AndagaintakingupFatherBauny，hepointedtothesameplacehehadbeforequoted，exclaiming，\"Looknow—seethegroundonwhichheestablisheshisopinion！Iwassurehewouldnotbedeficientingoodproofs。ReadwhathequotesfromAristotle，andyouwillseethat，aftersoexpressanauthority，youmusteitherburnthebooksofthisprinceofphilosophersoradoptouropinion。Hear，then，theprincipleswhichsupportFatherBauny：Aristotlestatesfirst，’thatanactioncannotbeimputedasblameworthy，ifitbeinvoluntary。’\"\"Igrantthat，\"saidmyfriend。\"Thisisthefirsttimeyouhaveagreedtogether，\"saidI。\"Takemyadvice，father，andproceednofurther。\"\"Thatwouldbedoingnothing，\"
hereplied；\"wemustknowwhataretheconditionsnecessarytoconstituteanactionvoluntary。\"\"Iammuchafraid，\"returnedI，\"thatyouwillgetatloggerheadsonthatpoint。\"\"Nofearofthat，\"saidhe；\"thisissureground—Aristotleisonmyside。Hearnow，whatFatherBaunysays：’Inorderthatanactionbevoluntary，itmustproceedfromamanwhoperceives，knows，andcomprehendswhatisgoodandwhatisevilinit。Voluntariumest—thatisavoluntaryaction，aswecommonlysaywiththephilosopher’
（thatisAristotle，youknow，saidthemonk，squeezingmyhand）；’quodfitaprincipiocognoscentesingulainquibusestactio—whichisdonebyapersonknowingtheparticularsoftheaction；sothatwhenthewillisledinconsiderately，andwithoutmaturereflection，toembraceorreject，todooromittodoanything，beforetheunderstandinghasbeenabletoseewhetheritwouldberightorwrong，suchanactionisneithergoodnorevil；becauseprevioustothismentalinquisition，view，andreflectiononthegoodorbadqualitiesofthematterinquestion，theactbywhichitisdoneisnotvoluntary。’Areyousatisfiednow？\"saidthefather。
\"Itappears，\"returnedI，\"thatAristotleagreeswithFatherBauny；butthatdoesnotpreventmefromfeelingsurprisedatthisstatement。What，sir！isitnotenoughtomakeanactionvoluntarythatthemanknowswhatheisdoing，anddoesitjustbecausehechoosestodoit？Mustwesuppose，besidesthis，thathe’perceives，knows，andcomprehendswhatisgoodandevilintheaction’？Why，onthissuppositiontherewouldbehardlysuchathinginnatureasvoluntaryactions，fornoonescarcelythinksaboutallthis。Howmanyoathsingambling，howmanyexcessesindebauchery，howmanyriotousextravagancesinthecarnival，must，onthisprinciple，beexcludedfromthelistofvoluntaryactions，andconsequentlyneithergoodnorbad，becausenotaccompaniedbythose’mentalreflectionsonthegoodandevilqualities’oftheaction？Butisitpossible，father，thatAristotleheldsuchasentiment？Ihavealwaysunderstoodthathewasasensibleman。\"\"Ishallsoonconvinceyouofthat，saidtheJansenist，andrequestingasightofAristotle’sEthics，heopeneditatthebeginningofthethirdbook，fromwhichFatherBaunyhadtakenthepassagequoted，andsaidtothemonk：\"Iexcuseyou，mydearsir，forhavingbelieved，onthewordofFatherBauny，thatAristotleheldsuchasentiment；butyouwouldhavechangedyourmindhadyoureadhimforyourself。Itistruethatheteaches，that’inordertomakeanactionvoluntary，wemustknowtheparticularsofthataction’—singulainquibusestactio。Butwhatelsedoeshemeansbythat，thanthecircumstancesoftheaction？Theexampleswhichheadducesclearlyshowthistobehismeaning，fortheyareexclusivelyconfinedtocasesinwhichthepersonswereignorantofsomeofthecircumstances；
suchasthatof’apersonwho，wishingtoexhibitamachine，dischargesadartwhichwoundsabystander；andthatofMerope，whokilledherownsoninsteadofherenemy，’andsuchlike。\"Thusyouseewhatisthekindofignorancethatrendersactionsinvoluntary；namely，thatoftheparticularcircumstances，whichistermedbydivines，asyoumustknow，ignoranceofthefact。Butwithrespecttoignoranceoftheright—ignoranceofthegoodorevilinanaction—whichistheonlypointinquestion，letusseeifAristotleagreeswithFatherBauny。Herearethewordsofthephilosopher：
’Allwickedmenareignorantofwhattheyoughttodo，andwhattheyoughttoavoid；anditisthisveryignorancewhichmakesthemwickedandvicious。
Accordingly，amancannotbesaidtoactinvoluntarilymerelybecauseheisignorantofwhatitisproperforhimtodoinordertofulfilhisduty。
Thisignoranceinthechoiceofgoodandevildoesnotmaketheactioninvoluntary；itonlymakesitvicious。Thesamethingmaybeaffirmedofthemanwhoisignorantgenerallyoftherulesofhisduty；suchignoranceisworthyofblame，notofexcuse。Andconsequently，theignorancewhichrendersactionsinvoluntaryandexcusableissimplythatwhichrelatestothefactanditsparticularcircumstances。Inthiscasethepersonisexcusedandforgiven，beingconsideredashavingactedcontrarytohisinclination。’\"Afterthis，father，willyoumaintainthatAristotleisofyouropinion？AndwhocanhelpbeingastonishedtofindthataPaganphilosopherhadmoreenlightenedviewsthanyourdoctors，inamattersodeeplyaffectingmorals，andthedirectionofconscience，too，astheknowledgeofthoseconditionswhichrenderactionsvoluntaryorinvoluntary，andwhich，accordingly，chargeordischargethemassinful？Lookfornomoresupport，then，father，fromtheprinceofphilosophers，andnolongeropposeyourselvestotheprinceoftheologians，whohasthusdecidedthepointinthefirstbookofhisRetractations，chapterxv：’Thosewhosinthroughignorance，thoughtheysinwithoutmeaningtosin，committhedeedonlybecausetheywillcommitit。And，therefore，eventhissinofignorancecannotbecommittedexceptbythewillofhimwhocommitsit，thoughbyawillwhichinciteshimtotheactionmerely，andnottothesin；andyettheactionitselfisneverthelesssinful，foritisenoughtoconstituteitsuchthathehasdonewhathewasboundnottodo。’\"TheJesuitseemedtobeconfoundedmorewiththepassagefromAristotle，Ithought，thanthatfromSt。Augustine；butwhilehewasthinkingonwhathecouldreply，amessengercametoinformhimthatMadamelaMarechaleof—，andMadametheMarchionessof—，requestedhisattendance。So，takingahastyleaveofus，hesaid：\"Ishallspeakaboutittoourfathers。Theywillfindananswertoit，Iwarrantyou；wehavegotsomelongheadsamongus。\"
Weunderstoodhimperfectlywell；and，onourbeingleftalone，Iexpressedtomyfriendmyastonishmentatthesubversionwhichthisdoctrinethreatenedtothewholesystemofmorals。Tothisherepliedthathewasquiteastonishedatmyastonishment。\"Areyounotyetaware，\"hesaid，\"thattheyhavegonetofargreaterexcessinmoralsthaninanyothermatter？\"Hegavemesomestrangeillustrationsofthis，promisingmemoreatsomefuturetime。TheinformationwhichImayreceiveonthispointwill，Ihope，furnishthetopicofmynextcommunication。Iam，&；c。LETTERVParis，March20，1656SIR，Accordingtomypromise，InowsendyouthefirstoutlinesofthemoralstaughtbythosegoodfatherstheJesuits，\"thosemendistinguishedforlearningandsagacity，whoareallundertheguidanceofdivinewisdom—asurerguidethanallphilosophy。\"
Youimagine，perhaps，thatIaminjest，butIamperfectlyserious；orrather，theyaresowhentheyspeakthusofthemselvesintheirbookentitiedTheImageoftheFirstCentury。Iamonlycopyingtheirownwords，andmaynowgiveyoutherestoftheeulogy：\"Theyareasocietyofmen，orratherletuscallthemangels，predictedbyIsaiahinthesewords，’Go，yeswiftandreadyangels。’\"Thepredictionisasclearasday，isitnot？
\"Theyhavethespiritofeaglestheyareaflockofphoenixes（alateauthorhavingdemonstratedthatthereareagreatmanyofthesebirds）；theyhavechangedthefaceofChristendom！\"Ofcourse，wemustbelieveallthis，sincetheyhavesaidit；andinonesenseyouwillfindtheaccountamplyverifiedbythesequelofthiscommunication，inwhichIproposetotreatoftheirmaxims。Determinedtoobtainthebestpossibleinformation，I
didnottrusttotherepresentationsofourfriendtheJansenist，butsoughtaninterviewwithsomeofthemselves。Ifoundhowever，thathetoldmenothingbutthebaretruth，andIampersuadedheisanhonestman。Ofthisyoumayjudgefromthefollowingaccountoftheseconferences。IntheconversationIhadwiththeJansenist，hetoldmesomanystrangethingsaboutthesefathersthatIcouldwithdifficultybelievethem，tillhepointedthemouttomeintheirwritings；afterwhichheleftmenothingmoretosayintheirdefencethanthatthesemightbethesentimentsofsomeindividualsonly，whichitwasnotfairtoimputetothewholefraternity。
And，indeed，IassuredhimthatIknewsomeofthemwhowereassevereasthosewhomhequotedtomewerelax。ThisledhimtoexplaintomethespiritoftheSociety，whichisnotknowntoeveryone；andyouwillperhapshavenoobjectionstolearningsomethingaboutit。\"Youimagine，\"hebegan，\"thatitwouldtellconsiderablyintheirfavourtoshowthatsomeoftheirfathersareasfriendlytoEvangelicalmaximsasothersareopposedtothem；andyouwouldconcludefromthatcircumstance，thattheselooseopinionsdonotbelongtothewholeSociety。ThatIgrantyou；forhadsuchbeenthecase，theywouldnothavesufferedpersonsamongthemholdingsentimentssodiametricallyopposedtolicentiousness。But，asitisequallytruethatthereareamongthemthosewhoholdtheselicentiousdoctrines，youareboundalsotoconcludethattheholySpiritoftheSocietyisnotthatofChristianseverity，forhadsuchbeenthecase，theywouldnothavesufferedpersonsamongthemholdingsentimentssodiametricallyopposedtothatseverity。\"\"Andwhat，then，\"Iasked，\"canbethedesignofthewholeasabody？Perhapstheyhavenofixedprinciple，andeveryoneislefttospeakoutatrandomwhateverhethinks。\"\"Thatcannotbe，\"returnedmyfriend；\"suchanimmensebodycouldnotsubsistinsuchahaphazardsortofway，orwithoutasoultogovernandregulateitsmovements；besides，itisoneoftheirexpressregulationsthatnoneshallprintapagewithouttheapprovaloftheirsuperiors。\"\"But，\"saidI，\"howcanthesesamesuperiorsgivetheirconsenttomaximssocontradictory？\"\"Thatiswhatyouhaveyettolearn，\"hereplied。\"Knowthenthattheirobjectisnotthecorruptionofmanners—thatisnottheirdesign。Butaslittleisittheirsoleaimtoreformthem—thatwouldbebadpolicy。Theirideaisbrieflythis：Theyhavesuchagoodopinionofthemselvesastobelievethatitisuseful，andinsomesortessentiallynecessarytothegoodofreligion，thattheirinfluenceshouldextendeverywhere，andthattheyshouldgovernallconsciences。
AndtheEvangelicalorseveremaximsbeingbestfittedformanagingsomesortsofpeople，theyavailthemselvesofthesewhentheyfindthemfavourabletotheirpurpose。Butasthesemaximsdonotsuittheviewsofthegreatbulkofthepeople，theywaivetheminthecaseofsuchpersons，inordertokeepongoodtermswithalltheworld。Accordingly，havingtodealwithpersonsofallclassesandofalldifferentnations，theyfinditnecessarytohavecasuistsassortedtomatchthisdiversity。\"Onthisprinciple，youwilleasilyseethat，iftheyhadnonebuttheloosersortofcasuists，theywoulddefeattheirmaindesign，whichistoembraceall；forthosethataretrulypiousarefondofastricterdiscipline。Butastherearenotmanyofthatstamp，theydonotrequiremanyseveredirectorstoguidethem。Theyhaveafewfortheselectfew；whilewholemultitudesoflaxcasuistsareprovidedforthemultitudesthatpreferlaxity。\"Itisinvirtueofthis’obligingandaccommodating，conduct，’asFatherPetaucallsit，thattheymaybesaidtostretchoutahelpinghandtoallmankind。
Shouldanypersonpresenthimselfbeforethem，forexample，fullyresolvedtomakerestitutionofsomeill—gottengains，donotsupposethattheywoulddissuadehimfromit。Bynomeans；onthecontrary，theywouldapplaudandconfirmhiminsuchaholyresolution。Butsupposeanothershouldcomewhowishestobeabsolvedwithoutrestitution，anditwillbeaparticularlyhardcaseindeed，iftheycannotfurnishhimwithmeansofevadingtheduty，ofonekindoranother，thelawfulnessofwhichtheywillbereadytoguarantee。\"Bythispolicytheykeepalltheirfriends，anddefendthemselvesagainstalltheirfoes；forwhenchargedwithextremelaxity，theyhavenothingmoretodothanproducetheirausteredirectors，withsomebookswhichtheyhavewrittenontheseverityoftheChristiancodeofmorals；
andsimplepeople，orthosewhoneverlookbelowthesurfaceofthings，arequitesatisfiedwiththeseproofsofthefalsityoftheaccusation。
\"Thus，aretheypreparedforallsortsofpersons，andsoreadyaretheytosuitthesupplytothedemandthat，whentheyhappentobeinanypartoftheworldwherethedoctrineofacrucifiedGodisaccountedfoolishness，theysuppresstheoffenceofthecrossandpreachonlyagloriousandnotasufferingJesusChrist。ThisplantheyfollowedintheIndiesandinChina，wheretheypermittedChristianstopractiseidolatryitself，withtheaidofthefollowingingeniouscontrivance：theymadetheirconvertsconcealundertheirclothesanimageofJesusChrist，towhichtheytaughtthemtotransfermentallythoseadorationswhichtheyrenderedostensiblytotheidolofCachinchoamandKeum—fucum。ThischargeisbroughtagainstthembyGravina，aDominican，andisfullyestablishedbytheSpanishmemorialpresentedtoPhilipIV，kingofSpain，bytheCordeliersofthePhilippineIslands，quotedbyThomasHurtado，inhisMartyrdomoftheFaith，page427。TosuchalengthdidthispracticegothattheCongregationDePropagandawereobligedexpresslytoforbidtheJesuits，onpainofexcommunication，topermittheworshipofidolsonanypretextwhatever，ortoconcealthemysteryofthecrossfromtheircatechumens；strictlyenjoiningthemtoadmitnonetobaptismwhowerenotthusinstructed，andorderingthemtoexposetheimageofthecrucifixintheirchurches：allofwhichisamplydetailedinthedecreeofthatCongregation，datedthe9thofJuly，1646，andsignedbyCardinalCapponi。\"Suchisthemannerinwhichtheyhavespreadthemselvesoverthewholeearth，aidedbythedoctrineofprobableopinions，whichisatoncethesourceandthebasisofallthislicentiousness。
Youmustgetsomeofthemselvestoexplainthisdoctrinetoyou。Theymakenosecretofit，anymorethanofwhatyouhavealreadylearned；withthisdifferenceonly，thattheyconcealtheircarnalandworldlypolicyunderthegarbofdivineandChristianprudence；asifthefaith，andtradition，itsally，werenotalwaysoneandthesameatalltimesandinallplaces；
asifitwerethepartoftheruletobendinconformitytothesubjectwhichitwasmeanttoregulate；andasifsouls，tobepurifiedfromtheirpollutions，hadonlytocorruptthelawoftheLord，inplaceofthelawoftheLord，whichiscleanandpure，convertingthesoulwhichliethinsin，andbringingitintoconformitywithitssalutarylessons！\"Goandseesomeoftheseworthyfathers，Ibeseechyou，andIamconfidentthatyouwillsoondiscover，inthelaxityoftheirmoralsystem，theexplanationoftheirdoctrineaboutgrace。YouwillthenseetheChristianvirtuesexhibitedinsuchastrangeaspect，socompletelystrippedofthecharitywhichisthelifeandsoulofthem，youwillseesomanycrimespalliatedandirregularitiestoleratedthatyouwillnolongerbesurprisedattheirmaintainingthat’allmenhavealwaysenoughofgrace’toleadapiouslife，inthesenseofwhichtheyunderstandpiety。TheirmoralitybeingentirelyPagan，natureisquitecompetenttoitsobservance。Whenwemaintainthenecessityofefficaciousgrace，weassignitanothersortofvirtueforitsobject。Itsofficeisnottocureonevicebymeansofanother；
itisnotmerelytoinducementopractisetheexternaldutiesofreligion：
itaimsatavirtuehigherthanthatpropoundedbyPharisees，orthegreatestsagesofHeathenism。Thelawandreasonare’sufficientgraces’forthesepurposes。Buttodisenthralthesoulfromtheloveoftheworld—totearitfromwhatitholdsmostdear—tomakeitdietoitself—toliftitupandbinditwholly，only，andforever，toGodcanbetheworkofnonebutanall—powerfulhand。Anditwouldbeasabsurdtoaffirmthatwehavethefullpowerofachievingsuchobjects，asitwouldbetoallegethatthosevirtues，devoidoftheloveofGod，whichthesefathersconfoundwiththevirtuesofChristianity，arebeyondourpower。\"Suchwasthestrainofmyfriend’sdiscourse，whichwasdeliveredwithmuchfeeling；forhetakesthesesaddisordersverymuchtoheart。Formyownpart，Ibegantoentertainahighadmirationforthesefathers，simplyonaccountoftheingenuityoftheirpolicy；and，followinghisadvice，IwaitedonagoodcasuistoftheSociety，oneofmyoldacquaintances，withwhomInowresolvedpurposelytorenewmyformerintimacy。Havingmyinstructionshowtomanagethem，Ihadnogreatdifficultyingettinghimafloat。Retaininghisoldattachment，hereceivedmeimmediatelywithaprofusionofkindness；
and，aftertalkingoversomeindifferentmatters，Itookoccasionfromthepresentseasontolearnsomethingfromhimaboutfastingand，thus，slipinsensiblyintothemainsubject。Itoldhim，therefore，thatIhaddifficultyinsupportingthefast。Heexhortedmetodoviolencetomyinclinations；but，asIcontinuedtomurmur，hetookpityonmeandbegantosearchoutsomegroundforadispensation。Infacthesuggestedanumberofexcusesforme，noneofwhichhappenedtosuitmycase，tillatlengthhebethoughthimselfofaskingmewhetherIdidnotfinditdifficulttosleepwithouttakingsupper。\"Yes，mygoodfather，\"saidI；\"andforthatreasonIamobligedoftentotakearefreshmentatmid—dayandsupperatnight。\"\"Iamextremelyhappy，\"hereplied，\"tohavefoundoutawayofrelievingyouwithoutsin：goinpeace—youareundernoobligationtofast。However，Iwouldnothaveyoudependonmyword：stepthiswaytothelibrary。\"Ongoingthitherwithmehetookupabook，exclaimingwithgreatrapture，\"Hereistheauthorityforyou：and，bymyconscience，suchanauthority！ItisEscobar！\"\"WhoisEscobar？\"Iinquired。\"What！notknowEscobar！\"criedthemonk；\"thememberofourSocietywhocompiledthisMoralTheologyfromtwenty—fourofourfathers，andonthisfoundsananalogy，inhispreface，betweenhisbookand’thatintheApocalypsewhichwassealedwithsevenseals，’andstatesthat’Jesuspresentsitthussealedtothefourlivingcreatures，Suarez，Vasquez，Molina，andValencia，inpresenceofthefour—and—twentyJesuitswhorepresentthefour—and—twentyelders。’\"Hereadme，infact，thewholeofthatallegory，whichhepronouncedtobeadmirablyappropriate，andwhichconveyedtomymindasublimeideaoftheexellenceofthework。Atlength，havingsoughtoutthepassageoffasting，\"Oh，hereitis！\"hesaid；\"treatiseI，example13，no。67：’Ifamancannotsleepwithouttakingsupper，isheboundtofast？Answer：Bynomeans！’Willthatnotsatisfyyou？\"\"Notexactly，\"repliedI；\"forImightsustainthefastbytakingmyrefreshmentinthemorning，andsuppingatnight。\"\"Listen，then，towhatfollows；
theyhaveprovidedforallthat：’Andwhatistobesaid，ifthepersonmightmakeashiftwitharefreshmentinthemorningandsuppingatnight？’\"
\"That’smycaseexactly。\"\"’Answer：Stillheisnotobligedtofast；becausenopersonisobligedtochangetheorderofhismeals。’\"\"Amostexcellentreason！\"Iexclaimed。\"Buttellme，pray，\"continuedthemonk，\"doyoutakemuchwine？\"\"No，mydearfather，\"Ianswered；\"Icannotendureit。\"
\"Imerelyputthequestion，\"returnedhe，\"toappriseyouthatyoumight，withoutbreakingthefast，takeaglassorsointhemorning，orwheneveryoufeltinclinedforadrop；andthatisalwayssomethinginthewayofsupportingnature。Hereisthedecisionatthesameplace，no。57：’Mayone，withoutbreakingthefast，drinkwineatanyhourhepleases，andeveninalargequantity？Yes，hemay：andadramofhippocrasstoo。’I
hadnorecollectionofthehippocrass，\"saidthemonk；\"Imusttakeanoteofthatinmymemorandum—book。\"\"Hemustbeaniceman，thisEscobar，\"
observedI。\"Oh！everybodylikeshim，\"rejoinedthefather；\"hehassuchdelightfulquestions！Onlyobservethisoneinthesameplace，no。38：
’Ifamandoubtwhetherheistwenty—oneyearsold，isheobligedtofast？
No。ButsupposeIweretobetwenty—oneto—nightanhouraftermidnight，andto—morrowwerethefast，wouldIbeobligedtofastto—morrow？No；
foryouwereatlibertytoeatasmuchasyoupleasedforanhouraftermidnight，notbeingtillthenfullytwenty—one；andthereforehavingarighttobreakthefastday，youarenotobligedtokeepit。’\"\"Well，thatisvastlyentertaining！\"criedI。\"Oh，\"rejoinedthefather，\"itisimpossibletotearone’sselfawayfromthebook：Ispendwholedaysandnightsinreadingit；infact，Idonothingelse。\"Theworthymonk，perceivingthatIwasinterested，wasquitedelighted，andwentonwithhisquotations。
\"Now，\"saidhe，\"foratasteofFiliutius，oneofthefour—and—twentyJesuits：
’Isamanwhohasexhaustedhimselfanyway—byprofligacy，forexample—
obligedtofast？Bynomeans。Butifhehasexhaustedhimselfexpresslytoprocureadispensationfromfasting，willhebeheldobliged？Hewillnot，eventhoughheshouldhavehadthatdesign。’Therenow！wouldyouhavebelievedthat？\"\"Indeed，goodfather，Idonotbelieveityet，\"saidI。\"What！isitnosinforamannottofastwhenhehasitinhispower？