History of the Jesuits: Their origin, progress, doctrines, and designsNicolini, G. B. (Giovanni Battista)
History
History of the Jesuits: Their origin, progress, doctrines, and designs
Nicolini, G. B. (Giovanni Battista)
Jesuits -- History
If the letter which we are about to transcribe, written by him in 1560,
two days before his death, is not to be numbered among the prophecies, it
is nevertheless an extraordinary prediction, which came to be fulfilled
in every point. Here is this remarkable letter:—“God grant that it may
not happen to me as is fabled of Cassandra, whose predictions were not
believed till Troy was captured and burned. If the members of the Society
continue as they have begun, God grant that the time may not come when
kings will wish to resist them, but will not have the means of doing
so.”[71]
But we have anticipated.—The hideous colours in which he pourtrayed
the disciples of Loyola made such an impression in Salamanca, that the
Jesuits were not allowed to establish themselves in it. In vain did the
Pope, taking up the cause of the Jesuits, by a bull reprove the conduct
of Cano. In vain did the General of the Dominicans issue a circular to
all his subordinates, in which, after a long eulogium on the Society,
he says that “it ought to be praised and imitated, and not assailed
with calumnies.”[72] Cano, disregarding both the Papal brief and his
general’s circular, and being supported, at least secretly, by the
civil authorities, boldly held out against the order. What could his
adversaries do? Persecution and revenge were impossible against a subject
of the emperor, who was then at war with the Pope, and yet Cano must
be got rid of. Well, one fine morning he was strangely and agreeably
surprised with the news, that that same Pope who had threatened and
censured him had now conferred upon him the bishopric of the Canaries.
Dazzled and flattered, the friar yielded at first to the temptation,
and left Salamanca for his bishopric. But soon, very soon, he perceived
why he had been sent so far away. Resolved, therefore, to baffle his
enemies’ cunning, he resigned the Episcopal dignity, and returned to
Salamanca, the undoubted and indefatigable adversary of the order. He
died Provincial of his order, and much respected.
About the same epoch, 1548, the University of Alcala also declared
against the order. The contest lasted for a considerable time; and even
after many of the doctors were, by the usual mysterious arts, gained
over to the cause of the company, Dr Scala persisted in his opposition,
and did not refrain from attacking them till he was called before the
Inquisition, and threatened with an _auto-da-fé_.[73]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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