The provincial letters of Blaise Pascal : $b A new translation, with historical introduction and notes, by the Rev. Thomas M'CriePascal, Blaise
Religion
The provincial letters of Blaise Pascal : $b A new translation, with historical introduction and notes, by the Rev. Thomas M'Crie
Pascal, Blaise
Jansenists -- France -- Early works to 1800; Jesuits -- Early works to 1800; Port-Royal des Champs (Abbey) -- Early works to 1800
“It is certain,” says Bayle, “that the obligation which the Romish
Church is under to respect the doctrine of St. Augustine on the
subject of grace, in consequence of its having received the sanction
of Popes and Councils at various times, placed it in a very awkward
and ridiculous situation. It is so obvious to every man who examines
the matter without prejudice, and with the necessary means of
information, that the doctrine of Augustine and that of Jansenius are
one and the same, that it is impossible to see, without feelings of
indignation, the Court of Rome boasting of having condemned Jansenius,
and nevertheless preserving to St. Augustine all his glory. The two
things are utterly irreconcilable. What is more, the Council of Trent,
by condemning the doctrine of Calvin on free-will, has, by necessity,
condemned that of St. Augustine; for there is no Calvinist who has
denied, or who can deny, the concourse of the human will and the
liberty of the soul, in the sense which St. Augustine gives to the
words concourse, co-operation, and liberty. There is no Calvinist who
does not acknowledge the freedom of the will, and its use in
conversion, if that word is understood according to the ideas of St.
Augustine. Those whom the Council of Trent condemns do not reject
free-will, except as signifying the liberty of indifference. The
Thomists, also, reject it under this notion, and yet they pass for
very good Catholics.” (Bayle’s Dict., art. _Augustine_.)
Footnote 101:
It is a singular fact that the Roman Church, which boasts so much of
her unity, and is ever charging the Reformed with being Calvinists,
Lutherans, &c., is, in reality, divided into numerous conflicting
sects, each _sworn_ to uphold the peculiar sentiments of its founder.
If there is one principle more essential than another to the
Reformation, it is that of entire independence of all masters in the
faith: “Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri.”
Footnote 102:
“The famous St. Bernard, abbot of Clairval, whose influence throughout
all Europe was incredible—whose word was a law, and whose counsels
were regarded by kings and princes as so many orders to which the most
respectful obedience was due; this eminent ecclesiastic was the person
who contributed most to enrich and aggrandize the Cistercian order.”
(Mosh. Eccl. Hist., cent. xii.)
Footnote 103:
Thomas Aquinas, a scholastic divine of the thirteenth century, who was
termed the _Angelic Doctor_.
Footnote 104:
Augustine.
Footnote 105:
Who can help regretting that sentiments so evangelical, so truly
noble, and so eloquently expressed, should have been held by Pascal in
connection with a Church which denounced him as a heretic for
upholding them!
Footnote 106:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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