hesays，\"havingbeencommunicatedbyaGermancountesstothedaughtersoftheEmpress，thebeliefthusimpressedontheirmindsthatcalumnywasonlyavenialsin，gaveriseinthecourseofafewdaystosuchanimmensenumberoffalseandscandaloustalesthatthewholecourtwasthrownintoaflameandfilledwithalarm。Itiseasy，indeed，toconceivewhatafineusetheseladieswouldmakeofthenewlighttheyhadacquired。Mattersproceededtosuchalength，thatitwasfoundnecessarytocallintheassistanceofaworthyCapuchinfriar，amanofexemplarylife，calledFatherQuiroga\"（theverymanwhomDicastillerailsatsobitterly），\"whoassuredthemthatthemaximwasmostpernicious，especiallyamongwomen，andwasatthegreatestpainstoprevailupontheEmpresstoabolishthepracticeofitentirely。\"Wehavenoreason，therefore，tobesurprisedatthebadeffectsofthisdoctrine；onthecontrary，thewonderwouldbeifithadfailedtoproducethem。Self—loveisalwaysreadyenoughtowhisperinourear，whenweareattacked，thatwesufferwrongfully；andmoreparticularlyinyourcase，fathers，whomvanityhasblindedsoegregiouslyastomakeyoubelievethattowoundthehonourofyourSocietyistowoundthatoftheChurch。Therewouldhavebeengoodgroundtolookonitassomethingmiraculous，ifyouhadnotreducedthismaximtopractice。Thosewhodonotknowyouarereadytosay：Howcouldthesegoodfathersslandertheirenemies，whentheycannotdosobutattheexpenseoftheirownsalvation？
But，iftheyknewyoubetter，thequestionwouldbe：Howcouldthesegoodfathersforegotheadvantageofdecryingtheirenemies，whentheyhaveitintheirpowertodosowithouthazardingtheirsalvation？Letnone，therefore，henceforthbesurprisedtofindtheJesuitscalumniators；theycanexercisethisvocationwithasafeconscience；thereisnoobstacleinheavenoronearthtopreventthem。Invirtueofthecredittheyhaveacquiredintheworld，theycanpractisedefamationwithoutdreadingthejusticeofmortals；and，onthestrengthoftheirself—assumedauthorityinmattersofconscience，theyhaveinventedmaximsforenablingthemtodoitwithoutanyfearofthejusticeofGod。This，fathers，isthefertilesourceofyourbaseslanders。OnthisprinciplewasFatherBrisacierledtoscatterhiscalumniesabouthim，withsuchzealastodrawdownonhisheadthecensureofthelateArchbishopofParis。Actuatedbythesamemotives，FatherD’AnjoulaunchedhisinvectivesfromthepulpitoftheChurchofSt。BenedictinParisonthe8thofMarch，1655，againstthosehonourablegentlemenwhowereintrustedwiththecharitablefundsraisedforthepoorofPicardyandChampagne，towhichtheythemselveshadlargelycontributed；and，utteringabasefalsehood，calculated（ifyourslandershadbeenconsideredworthyofanycredit）todryupthestreamofthatcharity，hehadtheassurancetosay，\"thatheknew，fromgoodauthority，thatcertainpersonshaddivertedthatmoneyfromitsproperuse，toemployitagainsttheChurchandtheState\"；acalumnywhichobligedthecurateoftheparish，whoisadoctoroftheSorbonne，tomountthepulpittheverynextday，inordertogiveittheliedirect。TothesamesourcemustbetracedtheconductofyourFatherCrasset，whopreachedcalumnyatsuchafuriousrateinOrleansthattheArchbishopofthatplacewasunderthenecessityofinterdictinghimasapublicslanderer。Inthismandate，datedthe9thofSeptemberlast，hislordshipdeclares：\"ThatwhereashehadbeeninformedthatBrotherJeanCrasset，priestoftheSocietyofJesus，haddeliveredfromthepulpitadiscoursefilledwithfalsehoodsandcalumniesagainsttheecclesiasticsofthiscity，falselyandmaliciouslychargingthemwithmaintainingimpiousandhereticalpropositions，suchas：ThatthecommandmentsofGodareimpracticable；thatinternalgraceisirresistible；
thatJesusChristdidnotdieforallmen；andothersofasimilarkind，condemnedbyInnocentX：hethereforeherebyinterdictstheaforesaidCrassetfrompreachinginhisdiocese，andforbidsallhispeopletohearhim，onpainofmortaldisobedience。\"Theabove，fathers，isyourordinaryaccusation，andgenerallyamongthefirstthatyoubringagainstallwhomitisyourinteresttodenounce。And，althoughyoushouldfinditasimpossibletosubstantiatethechargeagainstanyofthem，asFatherCrassetdidinthecaseoftheclergyofOrleans，yourpeaceofconsciencewillnotbeintheleastdisturbedonthataccount；foryoubelievethatthismodeofcalumniatingyouradversariesispermittedyouwithsuchcertaintythatyouhavenoscrupletoavowitinthemostpublicmanner，andinthefaceofawholecity。AremarkableproofofthismaybeseeninthedisputeyouhadwithM。Puys，curateofSt。NisieratLyons；andthestoryexhibitssocompleteanillustrationofyourspiritthatIshalltakethelibertyofrelatingsomeofitsleadingcircumstances。Youknow，fathers，that，intheyear1649，M。PuystranslatedintoFrenchanexcellentbook，writtenbyanotherCapuchinfriar，OnthedutywhichChristiansowetotheirownparishes，againstthosethatwouldleadthemawayfromthem，withoutusingasingleinvective，orpointingtoanymonkoranyorderofmonksinparticular。
Yourfathers，however，werepleasedtoputthecapontheirownheads；
andwithoutanyrespecttoanagedpastor，ajudgeinthePrimacyofFrance，andamanwhowasheldinthehighestesteembythewholecity，FatherAlbywroteafurioustractagainsthim，whichyousoldinyourownchurchuponAssumptionDay；inwhichbook，amongothervariouscharges，heaccusedhimofhavingmadehimselfscandalousbyhisgallantries，\"describedhimassuspectedofhavingnoreligion，asaheretic，excommunicated，and，inshort，worthyofthestake。TothisM。Puysmadeareply；andFatherAlby，inasecondpublication，supportedhisformerallegations。Now，fathers，isitnotaclearpointeitherthatyouwerecalumniators，orthatyoubelievedallthatyouallegedagainstthatworthypriesttobetrue；andthat，onthislatterassumption，itbecameyoutoseehimpurifiedfromalltheseabominationsbeforejudginghimworthyofyourfriendship？Letussee，then，whathappenedattheaccommodationofthedispute，whichtookplaceinthepresenceofagreatnumberoftheprincipalinhabitantsofthetownonthe25thofSeptember，1650。BeforeallthesewitnessesM。Puysmadeadeclaration，whichwasneithermorenorlessthanthis：
\"ThatwhathehadwrittenwasnotdirectedagainstthefathersoftheSocietyofJesus；thathehadspokeningeneralofthosewhoalienatedthefaithfulfromtheirparishes，withoutmeaningbythattoattacktheSociety；andthat，sofarfromhavingsuchanintention，theSocietywastheobjectofhisesteemandaffection。\"Byvirtueofthesewordsalone，withouteitherretractionorabsolution，M。Puysrecovered，allatonce，fromhisapostasy，hisscandals，andhisexcommunication；andFatherAlbyimmediatelythereafteraddressedhiminthefollowingexpressterms：\"Sir，itwasinconsequenceofmybelievingthatyoumeanttoattacktheSocietytowhichIhavethehonourtobelongthatIwasinducedtotakeupthepeninitsdefence；
andIconsideredthatthemodeofreplywhichIadoptedwassuchasIwaspermittedtoemploy。But，onabetterunderstandingofyourintention，Iamnowfreetodeclarethatthereisnothinginyourworktopreventmefromregardingyouasamanofgenius，enlightenedinjudgement，profoundandorthodoxindoctrine，andirreproachableinmanners；inoneword，asapastorworthyofyourChurch。ItiswithmuchpleasurethatImakethisdeclaration，andIbegthesegentlementorememberwhatIhavenowsaid。\"
Theydorememberit，fathers；and，allowmetoadd，theyweremorescandalizedbythereconciliationthanbythequarrel。ForwhocanfailtoadmirethisspeechofFatherAlby？Hedoesnotsaythatheretracts，inconsequenceofhavinglearntthatachangehadtakenplaceinthefaithandmannersofM。Puys，butsolelybecause，havingunderstoodthathehadnointentionofattackingyourSociety，therewasnothingfurthertopreventhimfromregardingtheauthorasagoodCatholic。Hedidnotthenbelievehimtobeactuallyaheretic！Andyet，afterhaving，contrarytohisconviction，accusedhimofthiscrime，hewillnotacknowledgehewasinthewrong，buthasthehardihoodtosaythatheconsideredthemethodheadoptedtobe\"suchashewaspermittedtoemploy！\"Whatcanyoupossiblymean，fathers，bysopubliclyavowingthefactthatyoumeasurethefaithandthevirtueofmenonlybythesentimentstheyentertaintowardsyourSociety？Hadyounoapprehensionofmakingyourselvespass，byyourownacknowledgement，asabandofswindlersandslanderers？What，fathers！mustthesameindividualwithoutundergoinganypersonaltransformation，butsimplyaccordingasyoujudgehimtohavehonouredorassailedyourcommunity，be\"pious\"or\"impious，\"\"irreproachable\"or\"excommunicated，\"\"apastorworthyoftheChurch，\"or\"worthyofthestake\"；inshort，\"aCatholic\"or\"aheretic\"？
ToattackyourSocietyandtobeahereticare，therefore，inyourlanguage，convertibleterms！Anoddsortofheresythis，fathers！Andsoitwouldappearthat，whenweseemanygoodCatholicsbranded，inyourwritings，bythenameofheretia，itmeansnothingmorethanthatyouthinktheyattackyou！Itiswell，fathers，thatweunderstandthisstrangedialect，accordingtowhichtherecanbenodoubtthatImustbeagreatheretic。
Itisinthissense，then，thatyousooftenfavourmewiththisappellation！
YoursolereasonforcuttingmeofffromtheChurchisbecauseyouconceivethatmylettershavedoneyouharm；and，accordingly，allthatIhavetodo，inordertobecomeagoodCatholic，iseithertoapproveofyourextravagantmorality，ortoconvinceyouthatmysoleaiminexposingithasbeenyouradvantage。TheformerIcouldnotdowithoutrenouncingeverysentimentofpietythatIeverpossessed；andthelatteryouwillbeslowtoacknowledgetillyouarewellcuredofyourerrors。ThusamIinvolvedinheresy，afteraverysingularfashion；for，thepurityofmyfaithbeingofnoavailformyexculpation，Ihavenomeansofescapingfromthecharge，excepteitherbyturningtraitortomyownconscience，orbyreformingyours。
Tilloneorotheroftheseeventshappen，Imustremainareprobateandaslanderer；and，letmebeeversofaithfulinmycitationsfromyourwritings，youwillgoaboutcryingeverywhere：\"Whataninstrumentofthedevilmustthatmanbe，toimputetousthingsofwhichthereisnottheleastmarkorvestigetobefoundinourbooks！\"And，bydoingso，youwillonlybeactinginconformitywithyourfixedmaximandyourordinarypractice：tosuchlatitudedoesyourprivilegeoftellingliesextend！
Allowmetogiveyouanexampleofthis，whichIselectonpurpose；itwillgivemeanopportunityofreplying，atthesametime，toyourninthImposture：for，intruth，theyonlydeservetoberefutedinpassing。Abouttenortwelveyearsago，youwereaccusedofholdingthatmaximofFatherBauny，\"thatitispermissibletoseekdirectly（primoetperse）aproximateoccasionofsin，forthespiritualortemporalgoodofourselvesorourneighbour\"（tr。4，q。14）；asanexampleofwhich，heobserves：\"Itisallowabletovisitinfamousplaces，forthepurposeofconvertingabandonedfemales，evenalthoughthepracticeshouldbeverylikelytoleadintosin，asinthecaseofonewhohasfoundfromexperiencethathehasfrequentlyyieldedtotheirtemptations。\"WhatanswerdidyourFatherCaussingivetothischargeintheyear1644？\"JustletanyonelookatthepassageinFatherBauny，\"saidhe，\"lethimperusethepage，themargins，thepreface，theappendix，inshort，thewholebookfrombeginningtoend，andhewillnotdiscovertheslightestvestigeofsuchasentence，whichcouldonlyenterintothemindofamantotallydevoidofconscience，andcouldhardlyhavebeenforgedbyanyotherbutaninstrumentofSatan。\"FatherPintereautalksinthesamestyle：\"Thatmanmustbelosttoallconsciencewhowouldteachsodetestableadoctrine；buthemustbeworsethanadevilwhoattributesittoFatherBauny。Reader，thereisnotasingletraceorvestigeofitinthewholeofhisbook。\"Whowouldnotbelievethatpersonstalkinginthistonehavegoodreasontocomplain，andthatFatherBaunyhas，inverydeed，beenmisrepresented？Haveyoueverassertedanythingagainstmeinstrongerterms？And，aftersuchasolemnasseveration，that\"therewasnotasingletraceorvestigeofitinthewholebook，\"whowouldimaginethatthepassageistobefound，wordforword，intheplacereferredto？
Truly，fathers，ifthisbethemeansofsecuringyourreputation，solongasyouremainunanswered，itisalso，unfortunately，themeansofdestroyingitforever，sosoonasananswermakesitsappearance。Forsocertainisitthatyoutoldalieattheperiodbeforementioned，thatyoumakenoscrupleofacknowledging，inyourapologiesofthepresentday，thatthemaximinquestionistobefoundintheveryplacewhichhadbeenquoted；
and，whatismostextraordinary，thesamemaximwhich，twelveyearsago，was\"detestable，\"hasnowbecomesoinnocentthatinyourninthImposture（p。10）youaccusemeof\"ignoranceandmalice，inquarrellingwithFatherBaunyforanopinionwhichhasnotbeenrejectedintheSchool。\"Whatanadvantageitis，fathers，tohavetodowithpeoplethatdealincontradictions！
Ineednottheaidofanybutyourselvestoconfuteyou；forIhaveonlytwothingstoshow：first，Thatthemaximindisputeisaworthlessone；
and，secondly，ThatitbelongstoFatherBauny；andIcanprovebothbyyourownconfession。In1644，youconfessedthatitwas\"detestable\"；and，in1656，youavowthatitisFatherBauny’s。Thisdoubleacknowledgementcompletelyjustifiesme，fathers；butitdoesmore，itdiscoversthespiritofyourpolicy。For，tellme，pray，whatistheendyouproposetoyourselvesinyourwritings？Isittospeakwithhonesty？No，fathers；thatcannotbe，sinceyourdefencesdestroyeachother。Isittofollowthetruthofthefaith？Aslittlecanthisbeyourend；since，accordingtoyourownshowing，youauthorizea\"detestable\"maxim。But，beitobservedthatwhileyousaidthemaximwas\"detestable，\"youdenied，atthesametime，thatitwasthepropertyofFatherBauny，andsohewasinnocent；andwhenyounowacknowledgeittobehis，youmaintain，atthesametime，thatitisagoodmaxim，andsoheisinnocentstill。Theinnocenceofthismonk，therefore，beingtheonlythingcommontoyourtwoanswers，itisobviousthatthiswasthesoleendwhichyouaimedatinputtingthemforth；andthat，whenyousayofoneandthesamemaxim，thatitisinacertainbook，andthatitisnot；thatitisagoodmaxim，andthatitisabadone；
yoursoleobjectistowhitewashsomeoneorotherofyourfraternity；
judginginthematter，notaccordingtothetruth，whichneverchanges，butaccordingtoyourowninterest，whichisvaryingeveryhour。CanI
saymorethanthis？Youperceivethatitamountstoademonstration；butitisfarfrombeingasingularinstance，and，toomitamultitudeofexamplesofthesamething，Ibelieveyouwillbecontentedwithmyquotingonlyonemore。Youhavebeencharged，atdifferenttimes，withanotherpropositionofthesameFatherBauny，namely：。\"ThatabsolutionoughttobeneitherdeniednordeferredinthecaseofthosewholiveinthehabitsofsinagainstthelawofGod，ofnature，andoftheChurch，althoughthereshouldbenoapparentprospectoffutureamendment—etsiemendationisfuturaespesnullaappareat。\"Now，withregardtothismaxim，Ibegyoutotellme，fathers，whichoftheapologiesthathavebeenmadeforitismosttoyourliking；whetherthatofFatherPintereau，orthatofFatherBrisacier，bothofyourSociety，whohavedefendedFatherBauny，inyourtwodifferentmodes—theonebycondemningtheproposition，butdisavowingittobeFatherBauny’s；theotherbyallowingittobeFatherBauny’s，butvindicatingtheproposition？Listen，then，totheirrespectivedeliverances。HerecomesthatofFatherPintereau（p。8）：\"Iknownotwhatcanbecalledatransgressionofalltheboundsofmodesty，astepbeyondallordinaryimpudence，iftheimputationtoFatherBaunyofsodamnableadoctrineisnotworthyofthatdesignation。Judge，reader，ofthebasenessofthatcalumny；seewhatsortofcreaturestheJesuitshavetodealwith；andsayiftheauthorofsofoulaslanderdoesnotdeservetoberegardedfromhenceforthastheinterpreterofthefatheroflies。\"NowforFatherBrisacier：\"Itistrue，FatherBaunysayswhatyouallege。\"（ThatgivestheliedirecttoFatherPintereau，plainenough。）\"But，\"addshe，indefenceofFatherBauny，\"ifyouwhofindsomuchfaultwiththissentimentwait，whenapenitentliesatyourfeet，tillhisguardianangelfindsecurityforhisrightsintheinheritanceofheaven；ifyouwaittillGodtheFatherswearbyhimselfthatDavidtoldalie，whenhesaidbytheHolyGhostthat’allmenareliars，’fallibleandperfidious；ifyouwaittillthepenitentbenolongeraliar，nolongerfrailandchangeable，nolongerasinner，likeothermen；ifyouwait，Isay，tillthen，youwillneverapplythebloodofJesusChristtoasinglesoul。\"Whatdoyoureallythinknow，fathers，oftheseimpiousandextravagantexpressions？Accordingtothem，ifwewouldwait\"tilltherebesomehopeofamendment\"insinnersbeforegrantingtheirabsolution，wemustwait\"tillGodtheFatherswearbyhimself，\"
thattheywillneverfallintosinanymore！What，fathers！isnodistinctiontobemadebetweenhopeandcertainty？HowinjuriousisittothegraceofJesusChristtomaintainthatitissoimpossibleforChristiansevertoescapefromcrimesagainstthelawsofGod，nature，andtheChurch，thatsuchathingcannotbelookedfor，withoutsupposing\"thattheHolyGhosthastoldalie\"；and，ifabsolutionisnotgrantedtothosewhogivenohopeofamendment，thebloodofJesusChristwillbeuseless，forsooth，andwouldneverbeappliedtoasinglesoul！\"Towhatasadpasshaveyoucome，fathersbythisextravagantdesireofupholdingthegloryofyourauthors，whenyoucanfindonlytwowaysofjustifyingthem—byimpostureorbyimpiety；andwhenthemostinnocentmodebywhichyoucanextricateyourselvesisbythebarefaceddenialoffactsaspatentasthelightofday！Thismayperhapsaccountforyourhavingrecoursesofrequentlytothatveryconvenientpractice。Butthisdoesnotcompletethesumofyouraccomplishmentsintheartofself—defence。Torenderyouropponentsodious，youhavehadrecoursetotheforgingofdocuments，suchasthatLetterofaMinistertoM。Arnauld，whichyoucirculatedthroughallParis，toinducethebeliefthattheworkonFrequentCommunion，whichhadbeenapprovedbysomanybishopsanddoctors，butwhich，tosaythetruth，wasratheragainstyou，hadbeenconcoctedthroughsecretintelligencewiththeministersofCharenton。Atothertimes，youattributetoyouradversarieswritingsfullofimpiety，suchastheCircularLetteroftheJansenists，theabsurdstyleofwhichrendersthefraudtoogrosstobeswallowed，andpalpablybetraysthemaliceofyourFatherMeynier，whohastheimpudencetomakeuseofitforsupportinghisfoulestslanders。Sometimes，again，youwillquotebookswhichwereneverinexistence，suchasTheConstitutionoftheHolySacrament，fromwhichyouextractpassages，fabricatedatpleasureandcalculatedtomakethehairontheheadsofcertaingoodsimplepeople，whohavenoideaoftheeffronterywithwhichyoucaninventandpropagatefalsehoods，actuallytobristlewithhorror。Thereisnot，indeed，asinglespeciesofcalumnywhichyouhavenotputintorequisition；norisitpossiblethatthemaximwhichexcusesthevicecouldhavebeenlodgedinbetterhands。Butthosesortsofslandertowhichwehaveadvertedarerathertooeasilydiscredited；and，accordingly，youhaveothersofamoresubtlecharacter，inwhichyouabstainfromspecifyingparticulars，inordertoprecludeyouropponentsfromgettinganyhold，orfindinganymeansofreply；as，forexample，whenFatherBrisaciersaysthat\"hisenemiesareguiltyofabominablecrimes，whichhedoesnotchoosetomention。\"Wouldyounotthinkitwereimpossibletoproveachargesovagueasthistobeacalumny？Anableman，however，hasfoundoutthesecretofit；anditisaCapuchinagain，fathers。YouareunluckyinCapuchins，astimesnowgo；andIforeseethatyoumaybeequallysosomeothertimeinBenedictines。
ThenameofthisCapuchinisFatherValerien，ofthehouseoftheCountsofMagnis。Youshallhear，bythisbriefnarrative，howheansweredyourcalumnies。HehadhappilysucceededinconvertingPrinceErnest，theLandgraveofHesse—Rheinsfelt。Yourfathers，however，seized，asitwouldappear，withsomechagrinatseeingasovereignprinceconvertedwithouttheirhavinghadanyhandinit，immediatelywroteabookagainstthefriar（forgoodmenareeverywheretheobjectsofyourpersecution），inwhich，byfalsifyingoneofhispassages，theyascribedtohimanhereticaldoctrine。
Theyalsocirculatedaletteragainsthim，inwhichtheysaid：\"Ah，wehavesuchthingstodisclose\"（withoutmentioningwhat）\"aswillgallyoutothequick！Ifyoudon’ttakecare，weshallbeforcedtoinformthepopeandthecardinalsaboutit。\"Thismanoeuvrewasprettywellexecuted；
andIdoubtnot，fathers，butyoumayspeakinthesamestyleofme；buttakewarningfromthemannerinwhichthefriaransweredinhisbook，whichwasprintedlastyearatPrague（p。112，&；c。）：\"WhatshallIdo，\"hesays，\"tocounteractthesevagueandindefiniteinsinuations？HowshallIrefutechargeswhichhaveneverbeenspecified？Here，however，ismyplan。Ideclare，loudlyandpublicly，tothosewhohavethreatenedme，thattheyarenotoriousslanderersandmostimpudentliars，iftheydonotdiscoverthesecrimesbeforethewholeworld。Comeforth，then，mineaccusers！andpublishyourliesuponthehouse—tops，inplaceoftellingthemintheear，andkeepingyourselvesoutofharm’swaybytellingthemintheear。Somemaythinkthisascandalouswayofmanagingthedispute。
Itwasscandalous，Igrant，toimputetomesuchacrimeasheresy，andtofixuponmethesuspicionofmanyothersbesides；but，byassertingmyinnocence，Iammerelyapplyingtheproperremedytothescandalalreadyinexistence。\"Truly，fathers，neverwereyourreverencesmoreroughlyhandled，andneverwasapoormanmorecompletelyvindicated。Sinceyouhavemadenoreplytosuchaperemptorychallenge，itmustbeconcludedthatyouareunabletodiscovertheslightestshadowofcriminalityagainsthim。Youhavehadveryawkwardscrapestogetthroughoccasionally；butexperiencehasmadeyounothingthewiser。For，sometimeafterthishappened，youattackedthesameindividualinasimilarstrain，uponanothersubject；
andhedefendedhimselfafterthesamespiritedmanner，asfollows：\"Thisclassofmen，whohavebecomeanintolerablenuisancetothewholeofChristendom，aspire，underthepretextofgoodworks，todignitiesanddomination，bypervertingtotheirownendsalmostalllaws，humananddivine，naturalandrevealed。Theygainovertotheirside，bytheirdoctrine，bytheforceoffear，orofpersuasion，thegreatonesoftheearth，whoseauthoritytheyabuseforthepurposeofaccomplishingtheirdetestableintrigues。
Meanwhiletheirenterprises，criminalastheyare，areneitherpunishednorsuppressed；onthecontrary，theyarerewarded；andthevillainsgoaboutthemwithaslittlefearorremorseasiftheyweredoingGodservice。
EverybodyisawareofthefactIhavenowstated；everybodyspeaksofitwithexecration；butfewarefoundcapableofopposingadespotismsopowerful。
This，however，iswhatIhavedone。Ihavealreadycurbedtheirinsolence；
and，bythesamemeans，Ishallcurbitagain。Ideclare，then，thattheyaremostimpudentliars—mentirisimpudentissime。Ifthechargestheyhavebroughtagainstmebetrue，letthemproveit；otherwisetheystandconvictedoffalsehood，aggravatedbythegrossesteffrontery。Theirprocedureinthiscasewillshowwhohastherightuponhisside。Idesireallmentotakeaparticularobservationofit；andbegtoremark，inthemeantime，thatthispreciouscabal，whowillnotsufferthemosttriflingchargewhichtheycanpossiblyrepeltolieuponthem，madeashowofenduring，withgreatpatience，thosefromwhichtheycannotvindicatethemselves，andconceal，underacounterfeitvirtue，theirrealimpotency。Myobject，therefore，inprovokingtheirmodestybythissharpretort，istolettheplainestpeopleunderstandthat，ifmyenemiesholdtheirpeace，theirforbearancemustbeascribed，nottothemeeknessoftheirnatures，buttothepowerofaguiltyconscience。\"Heconcludeswiththefollowingsentence：
\"Thesegentry，whosehistoryiswellknownthroughoutthewholeworld，aresoglaringlyiniquitousintheirmeasures，andhavebecomesoinsolentintheirimpunity，thatifIdidnotdetesttheirconduct，andpubliclyexpressmydetestationtoo，notmerelyformyownvindication，buttoguardthesimpleagainstitsseducinginfluence，ImusthaverenouncedmyallegiancetoJesusChristandhisChurch。\"Reverendfathers，thereisnoroomfortergiversation。Youmustpassforconvictedslanderers，andtakecomfortinyouroldmaximthatcalumnyisnocrime。Thishonestfriarhasdiscoveredthesecretofshuttingyourmouths；anditmustbeemployedonalloccasionswhenyouaccusepeoplewithoutproof。Wehaveonlytoreplytoeachslanderasitappears，inthewordsoftheCapuchin：\"Mentirisimpudentissime—
Youaremostimpudentliars。\"Forinstance，whatbetteranswerdoesFatherBrisacierdeservewhenhesaysofhisopponentsthattheyare\"thegatesofhell；thedevil’sbishops；personsdevoidoffaith，hope，andcharity；
thebuildersofAntichrist’sexchequer\"；adding，\"Isaythisofhim，notbywayofinsult，butfromdeepconvictionofitstruth\"？Whowouldbeatthepainstodemonstratethatheisnot\"agateofhell，\"andthathehasnoconcernwith\"thebuildingupofAntichrist’sexchequer\"？Inlikemanner，whatreplyisduetoallthevaguespeechesofthissortwhicharetobefoundinyourbooksandadvertisementsonmyletters；suchasthefollowing，forexample：\"Thatrestitutionshavebeenconvertedtoprivateuses，andtherebycreditorshavebeenreducedtobeggary；thatbagsofmoneyhavebeenofferedtolearnedmonks，whodeclinedthebribe；thatbeneficesareconferredforthepurposeofdisseminatingheresiesagainstthefaith；thatpensionersarekeptinthehousesofthemosteminentchurchmen，andinthecourtsofsovereigns；thatIalsoamapensionerofPort—Royal；