Lives of the most eminent literary and scientific men of France, Vol. 1 (of 2)Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft
Science
Lives of the most eminent literary and scientific men of France, Vol. 1 (of 2)
Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft
Authors, French -- Biography
fanaticism of his brother." Louis did not like Fénélon.[108] His
elevation of character appeared to him pretension; and in the principles
he instilled into his royal pupil he saw the condemnation of himself.
These principles were so moulded by the spirit of Christianity, that he
could not object; but he gladly availed himself of the archbishop's
error, to destroy, as much as he could, the general esteem in which he
was held, and to visit him with heavy penalties. Madame de Maintenon
also became unfriendly: in matters of religion, she always adopted the
views of Louis. Her good sense made her see the evil of quietism; and
now that Fénélon was accused of it, she withdrew her kindness and
support. Louis XIV. angrily denounced all the adherents of madame Guyon;
he upheld Bossuet in demanding a formal retractation of the doctrines
inculcated in the Maxims of the Saints; he refused to permit Fénélon
to repair to Rome; his work having been referred to the pope, for a
decision on it; but at once exiled him; that is, ordered him to repair
immediately to his diocese, and there to remain. Fénélon wrote to
madame de Maintenon, to deplore the king's displeasure; and declared his
readiness to submit to the decision of the holy see with regard to his
book. He then quitted Paris: he stopped before the seminary of St.
Sulpice, where the years of his early manhood had been spent in
seclusion and peace; but he would not enter the house, lest the king
should manifest displeasure towards its inhabitants for receiving him.
From Paris he proceeded at once to Cambray.
[Sidenote: 1697.
Ætat.
46.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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