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
We also beg to be permitted to give the humble opinion which we have
formed of him, after having carefully perused what has been said
regarding him—and much more, after a dispassionate examination of
the facts connected with his life. Without doubt, Ignatius, during
his illness, felt disposed to change his dissipated course of life,
and, as happens in every sudden reaction, he, from being a profligate
freethinking officer, went to the other extreme, and became a rigid and
bigoted anchorite. No penances were too severe to expiate his numerous
sins, and no devotion was too fervent to atone for his past irreligion.
So he thought at the moment, and, we think, conscientiously. But after
the first burst of his devotion—after the deep contemplation into which
he was plunged had given place to the felt necessity of acting in one
way or another, we are led to believe, and have already expressed that
belief, that his natural ambition rose, and that all his thoughts were
turned upon the surest method of accomplishing some great and uncommon
exploit, by which he might render himself famous. As devotion was the
principal requisite for success in the path which he had chosen, Ignatius
was a fervent devotee, first by calculation, and then by habit—but not
the less zealous for all that. Had his whole thoughts been absorbed
with that one object—the salvation of his soul—his devotion would have
been less ostentatious, and, without wavering between one project and
another, he would have been contented with an humble and retired life,
or would have spent it in unquestionable works of charity—in ministering
to the sick, as he had begun in the Hospital of the Theatines. It cannot
be denied, however, that Ignatius, after his conversion, was very
humane, compassionate, and charitable, and that his private conduct,
in the later part of his life, was moral and unimpeached. He treated
his disciples with much kindness, and never denied them what he could
grant without inconvenience. On the other hand, he was imperious to the
last degree, and could not endure the slightest contradiction. An old
Jesuit priest, who had been once guilty of disobedience, was scourged
in his own presence. One instance will perhaps serve to depict Loyola
more effectively than words can. He had sent Lainez as provincial to
Padua. Lainez, who had had an immense success at the Council of Trent,
and who was in fact superior to any one then belonging to the Society,
at first refused this secondary post, but at last obeyed. Hardly had
he, however, entered upon his functions, before Ignatius drained his
province of all the best professors, whom he summoned to Rome. The
provincial remonstrated. It was the Lainez, Ignatius’ bosom friend—his
right hand—the glory of the company—the man who had been chosen to be a
cardinal. But Ignatius disregarded all these considerations, and without
even entering into any discussion, simply wrote to him, thus: “Reflect
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