forasinwhichhecommitted’ignorantly，andwithzeal’？Isitnotenough，toandfromtheGospel，thatthosewhocrucifiedJesusChristhadneedofthepardonwhichheaskedforthem，althoughtheyknewnotthemaliceoftheiraction，andwouldneverhavecommittedit，accordingtoSt。Paul，iftheyhadknownit？IsitnotenoughthatJesusChristapprisesusthattherewillbepersecutorsoftheChurch，who，whilemakingeveryefforttoruinher，will’thinkthattheyaredoingGodservice’；teachingusthatthissin，whichinthejudgementoftheapostle，isthegreatestofallsins，maybecommittedbypersonswho，sofarfromknowingthattheyweresinning，wouldthinkthattheysinnedbynotcommittingit？Infine，itisnotenoughthatJesusChristhimselfhastaughtusthattherearetwokindsofsinners，theoneofwhomsinwith’knowledgeoftheirMaster’swill，’andtheotherwithoutknowledge；andthatbothofthemwillbe’chastised，’
　　although，indeed，inadifferentmanner？"SorelypressedbysomanytestimoniesfromScripture，towhichhehadappealed，theworthymonkbegantogiveway；and，leavingthewickedtosinwithoutinspiration，hesaid："Youwillnotdenythatgoodmen，atleast，neversinunlessGodgivethem"—
　　"Youareflinching，"saidI，interruptinghim；"youareflinchingnow，mygoodfather；youabandonthegeneralprinciple，and，findingthatitwillnotholdgoodinregardtothewicked，youwouldcompoundthematter，bymakingitapplyatleasttotherighteous。Butinthispointofviewtheapplicationofitis，Iconceive，socircumscribedthatitwillhardlyapplytoanybody，anditisscarcelyworthwhiletodisputethepoint。"
　　Myfriend，however，whowassoreadyonthewholequestion，thatIaminclinedtothinkhehadstudieditallthatverymorning，replied："This，father，isthelastentrenchmenttowhichthoseofyourpartywhoarewillingtoreasonatallaresuretoretreat；butyouarefarfrombeingsafeevenhere。Theexampleofthesaintsisnotawhitmoreinyourfavour。Whodoubtsthattheyoftenfallintosinsofsurprise，withoutbeingconsciousofthem？Dowenotlearnfromthesaintsthemselveshowoftenconcupiscencelayshiddensnaresforthem；andhowgenerallyithappens，asSt。AugustinecomplainsofhimselfinhisConfessions，that，withalltheirdiscretion，they’givetopleasurewhattheymeanonlytogivetonecessity’？"Howusualisittoseethemorezealousfriendsoftruthbetrayedbytheheatofcontroversyintosalliesofbitterpassionfortheirpersonalinterests，whiletheirconsciences，atthetime，bearthemnoothertestimonythanthattheyareactinginthismannerpurelyfortheinterestsoftruth，andtheydonotdiscovertheirmistaketilllongafterwards！"What，again，shallwesayofthosewho，aswelearnfromexamplesinecclesiasticalhistory，eagerlyinvolvethemselvesinaffairswhicharereallybad，becausetheybelievethemtobereallygood；andyetthisdoesnothinderthefathersfromcondemningsuchpersonsashavingsinnedontheseoccasions？"Andwerethisnotthecase，howcouldthesaintshavetheirsecretfaults？
　　HowcoulditbetruethatGodaloneknowsthemagnitudeandthenumberofouroffences；thatnooneknowswhetherheisworthyofhatredorlove；
　　andthatthebestofsaints，thoughunconsciousofanyculpability，oughtalways，asSt。Paulsaysofhimself，toremainin’fearandtrembling’？
　　"Youperceive，then，father，thatthisknowledgeoftheevilandloveoftheoppositevirtue，whichyouimaginetobeessentialtoconstitutesin，areequallydisprovedbytheexamplesoftherighteousandofthewicked。
　　Inthecaseofthewicked，theirpassionforvicesufficientlytestifiesthattheyhavenodesireforvirtue；andinregardtotherighteous，thelovewhichtheybeartovirtueplainlyshowsthattheyarenotalwaysconsciousofthosesinswhich，astheScriptureteaches，theyaredailycommitting。
　　"Sotrueisit，indeed，thattherighteousoftensinthroughignorance，thatthegreatestsaintsrarelysinotherwise。Forhowcanitbesupposedthatsoulssopure，whoavoidwithsomuchcareandzealtheleastthingsthatcanbedispleasingtoGodassoonastheydiscoverthem，andwhoyetsinmanytimeseveryday，couldpossiblyhaveeverytimebeforetheyfellintosin，’theknowledgeoftheirinfirmityonthatoccasion，andoftheirphysician，andthedesireoftheirsouls’health，andofprayingtoGodforassistance，’andthat，inspiteoftheseinspirations，thesedevotedsouls’neverthelesstransgress，’andcommitthesin？"Youmustconcludethen，father，thatneithersinnersnoryetsaintshavealwaysthatknowledge，orthosedesiresandinspirations，everytimetheyoffend；thatis，touseyourownterms，theyhavenotalwaysactualgrace。Saynolonger，withyourmodernauthors，thatitisimpossibleforthosetosinwhodonotknowrighteousness；butratherjoinwithSt。Augustineandtheancientfathersinsayingthatitisimpossiblenottosin，whenwedonotknowrighteousness：Necesseestutpeccet，aquoignoraturjustilia。"Thegoodfather，thoughthusdrivenfrombothofhispositions，didnotlosecourage，butafterruminatingalittle，"Ha！"heexclaimed，"Ishallconvinceyouimmediately。"AndagaintakingupFatherBauny，hepointedtothesameplacehehadbeforequoted，exclaiming，"Looknow—seethegroundonwhichheestablisheshisopinion！Iwassurehewouldnotbedeficientingoodproofs。ReadwhathequotesfromAristotle，andyouwillseethat，aftersoexpressanauthority，youmusteitherburnthebooksofthisprinceofphilosophersoradoptouropinion。Hear，then，theprincipleswhichsupportFatherBauny：Aristotlestatesfirst，’thatanactioncannotbeimputedasblameworthy，ifitbeinvoluntary。’""Igrantthat，"saidmyfriend。"Thisisthefirsttimeyouhaveagreedtogether，"saidI。"Takemyadvice，father，andproceednofurther。""Thatwouldbedoingnothing，"
　　hereplied；"wemustknowwhataretheconditionsnecessarytoconstituteanactionvoluntary。""Iammuchafraid，"returnedI，"thatyouwillgetatloggerheadsonthatpoint。""Nofearofthat，"saidhe；"thisissureground—Aristotleisonmyside。Hearnow，whatFatherBaunysays：’Inorderthatanactionbevoluntary，itmustproceedfromamanwhoperceives，knows，andcomprehendswhatisgoodandwhatisevilinit。Voluntariumest—thatisavoluntaryaction，aswecommonlysaywiththephilosopher’
　　（thatisAristotle，youknow，saidthemonk，squeezingmyhand）；’quodfitaprincipiocognoscentesingulainquibusestactio—whichisdonebyapersonknowingtheparticularsoftheaction；sothatwhenthewillisledinconsiderately，andwithoutmaturereflection，toembraceorreject，todooromittodoanything，beforetheunderstandinghasbeenabletoseewhetheritwouldberightorwrong，suchanactionisneithergoodnorevil；becauseprevioustothismentalinquisition，view，andreflectiononthegoodorbadqualitiesofthematterinquestion，theactbywhichitisdoneisnotvoluntary。’Areyousatisfiednow？"saidthefather。
　　"Itappears，"returnedI，"thatAristotleagreeswithFatherBauny；butthatdoesnotpreventmefromfeelingsurprisedatthisstatement。What，sir！isitnotenoughtomakeanactionvoluntarythatthemanknowswhatheisdoing，anddoesitjustbecausehechoosestodoit？Mustwesuppose，besidesthis，thathe’perceives，knows，andcomprehendswhatisgoodandevilintheaction’？Why，onthissuppositiontherewouldbehardlysuchathinginnatureasvoluntaryactions，fornoonescarcelythinksaboutallthis。Howmanyoathsingambling，howmanyexcessesindebauchery，howmanyriotousextravagancesinthecarnival，must，onthisprinciple，beexcludedfromthelistofvoluntaryactions，andconsequentlyneithergoodnorbad，becausenotaccompaniedbythose’mentalreflectionsonthegoodandevilqualities’oftheaction？Butisitpossible，father，thatAristotleheldsuchasentiment？Ihavealwaysunderstoodthathewasasensibleman。""Ishallsoonconvinceyouofthat，saidtheJansenist，andrequestingasightofAristotle’sEthics，heopeneditatthebeginningofthethirdbook，fromwhichFatherBaunyhadtakenthepassagequoted，andsaidtothemonk："Iexcuseyou，mydearsir，forhavingbelieved，onthewordofFatherBauny，thatAristotleheldsuchasentiment；butyouwouldhavechangedyourmindhadyoureadhimforyourself。Itistruethatheteaches，that’inordertomakeanactionvoluntary，wemustknowtheparticularsofthataction’—singulainquibusestactio。Butwhatelsedoeshemeansbythat，thanthecircumstancesoftheaction？Theexampleswhichheadducesclearlyshowthistobehismeaning，fortheyareexclusivelyconfinedtocasesinwhichthepersonswereignorantofsomeofthecircumstances；
　　suchasthatof’apersonwho，wishingtoexhibitamachine，dischargesadartwhichwoundsabystander；andthatofMerope，whokilledherownsoninsteadofherenemy，’andsuchlike。"Thusyouseewhatisthekindofignorancethatrendersactionsinvoluntary；namely，thatoftheparticularcircumstances，whichistermedbydivines，asyoumustknow，ignoranceofthefact。Butwithrespecttoignoranceoftheright—ignoranceofthegoodorevilinanaction—whichistheonlypointinquestion，letusseeifAristotleagreeswithFatherBauny。Herearethewordsofthephilosopher：
　　’Allwickedmenareignorantofwhattheyoughttodo，andwhattheyoughttoavoid；anditisthisveryignorancewhichmakesthemwickedandvicious。
　　Accordingly，amancannotbesaidtoactinvoluntarilymerelybecauseheisignorantofwhatitisproperforhimtodoinordertofulfilhisduty。
　　Thisignoranceinthechoiceofgoodandevildoesnotmaketheactioninvoluntary；itonlymakesitvicious。Thesamethingmaybeaffirmedofthemanwhoisignorantgenerallyoftherulesofhisduty；suchignoranceisworthyofblame，notofexcuse。Andconsequently，theignorancewhichrendersactionsinvoluntaryandexcusableissimplythatwhichrelatestothefactanditsparticularcircumstances。Inthiscasethepersonisexcusedandforgiven，beingconsideredashavingactedcontrarytohisinclination。’"Afterthis，father，willyoumaintainthatAristotleisofyouropinion？AndwhocanhelpbeingastonishedtofindthataPaganphilosopherhadmoreenlightenedviewsthanyourdoctors，inamattersodeeplyaffectingmorals，andthedirectionofconscience，too，astheknowledgeofthoseconditionswhichrenderactionsvoluntaryorinvoluntary，andwhich，accordingly，chargeordischargethemassinful？Lookfornomoresupport，then，father，fromtheprinceofphilosophers，andnolongeropposeyourselvestotheprinceoftheologians，whohasthusdecidedthepointinthefirstbookofhisRetractations，chapterxv：’Thosewhosinthroughignorance，thoughtheysinwithoutmeaningtosin，committhedeedonlybecausetheywillcommitit。And，therefore，eventhissinofignorancecannotbecommittedexceptbythewillofhimwhocommitsit，thoughbyawillwhichinciteshimtotheactionmerely，andnottothesin；andyettheactionitselfisneverthelesssinful，foritisenoughtoconstituteitsuchthathehasdonewhathewasboundnottodo。’"TheJesuitseemedtobeconfoundedmorewiththepassagefromAristotle，Ithought，thanthatfromSt。Augustine；butwhilehewasthinkingonwhathecouldreply，amessengercametoinformhimthatMadamelaMarechaleof—，andMadametheMarchionessof—，requestedhisattendance。So，takingahastyleaveofus，hesaid："Ishallspeakaboutittoourfathers。Theywillfindananswertoit，Iwarrantyou；wehavegotsomelongheadsamongus。"
　　Weunderstoodhimperfectlywell；and，onourbeingleftalone，Iexpressedtomyfriendmyastonishmentatthesubversionwhichthisdoctrinethreatenedtothewholesystemofmorals。Tothisherepliedthathewasquiteastonishedatmyastonishment。"Areyounotyetaware，"hesaid，"thattheyhavegonetofargreaterexcessinmoralsthaninanyothermatter？"Hegavemesomestrangeillustrationsofthis，promisingmemoreatsomefuturetime。TheinformationwhichImayreceiveonthispointwill，Ihope，furnishthetopicofmynextcommunication。Iam，&；c。LETTERVParis，March20，1656SIR，Accordingtomypromise，InowsendyouthefirstoutlinesofthemoralstaughtbythosegoodfatherstheJesuits，"thosemendistinguishedforlearningandsagacity，whoareallundertheguidanceofdivinewisdom—asurerguidethanallphilosophy。"
　　Youimagine，perhaps，thatIaminjest，butIamperfectlyserious；orrather，theyaresowhentheyspeakthusofthemselvesintheirbookentitiedTheImageoftheFirstCentury。Iamonlycopyingtheirownwords，andmaynowgiveyoutherestoftheeulogy："Theyareasocietyofmen，orratherletuscallthemangels，predictedbyIsaiahinthesewords，’Go，yeswiftandreadyangels。’"Thepredictionisasclearasday，isitnot？
　　"Theyhavethespiritofeaglestheyareaflockofphoenixes（alateauthorhavingdemonstratedthatthereareagreatmanyofthesebirds）；theyhavechangedthefaceofChristendom！"Ofcourse，wemustbelieveallthis，sincetheyhavesaidit；andinonesenseyouwillfindtheaccountamplyverifiedbythesequelofthiscommunication，inwhichIproposetotreatoftheirmaxims。Determinedtoobtainthebestpossibleinformation，I
　　didnottrusttotherepresentationsofourfriendtheJansenist，butsoughtaninterviewwithsomeofthemselves。Ifoundhowever，thathetoldmenothingbutthebaretruth，andIampersuadedheisanhonestman。Ofthisyoumayjudgefromthefollowingaccountoftheseconferences。IntheconversationIhadwiththeJansenist，hetoldmesomanystrangethingsaboutthesefathersthatIcouldwithdifficultybelievethem，tillhepointedthemouttomeintheirwritings；afterwhichheleftmenothingmoretosayintheirdefencethanthatthesemightbethesentimentsofsomeindividualsonly，whichitwasnotfairtoimputetothewholefraternity。
　　And，indeed，IassuredhimthatIknewsomeofthemwhowereassevereasthosewhomhequotedtomewerelax。ThisledhimtoexplaintomethespiritoftheSociety，whichisnotknowntoeveryone；andyouwillperhapshavenoobjectionstolearningsomethingaboutit。"Youimagine，"hebegan，"thatitwouldtellconsiderablyintheirfavourtoshowthatsomeoftheirfathersareasfriendlytoEvangelicalmaximsasothersareopposedtothem；andyouwouldconcludefromthatcircumstance，thattheselooseopinionsdonotbelongtothewholeSociety。ThatIgrantyou；forhadsuchbeenthecase，theywouldnothavesufferedpersonsamongthemholdingsentimentssodiametricallyopposedtolicentiousness。But，asitisequallytruethatthereareamongthemthosewhoholdtheselicentiousdoctrines，youareboundalsotoconcludethattheholySpiritoftheSocietyisnotthatofChristianseverity，forhadsuchbeenthecase，theywouldnothavesufferedpersonsamongthemholdingsentimentssodiametricallyopposedtothatseverity。""Andwhat，then，"Iasked，"canbethedesignofthewholeasabody？Perhapstheyhavenofixedprinciple，andeveryoneislefttospeakoutatrandomwhateverhethinks。""Thatcannotbe，"returnedmyfriend；"suchanimmensebodycouldnotsubsistinsuchahaphazardsortofway，orwithoutasoultogovernandregulateitsmovements；besides，itisoneoftheirexpressregulationsthatnoneshallprintapagewithouttheapprovaloftheirsuperiors。""But，"saidI，"howcanthesesamesuperiorsgivetheirconsenttomaximssocontradictory？""Thatiswhatyouhaveyettolearn，"hereplied。"Knowthenthattheirobjectisnotthecorruptionofmanners—thatisnottheirdesign。Butaslittleisittheirsoleaimtoreformthem—thatwouldbebadpolicy。Theirideaisbrieflythis：Theyhavesuchagoodopinionofthemselvesastobelievethatitisuseful，andinsomesortessentiallynecessarytothegoodofreligion，thattheirinfluenceshouldextendeverywhere，andthattheyshouldgovernallconsciences。
　　AndtheEvangelicalorseveremaximsbeingbestfittedformanagingsomesortsofpeople，theyavailthemselvesofthesewhentheyfindthemfavourabletotheirpurpose。Butasthesemaximsdonotsuittheviewsofthegreatbulkofthepeople，theywaivetheminthecaseofsuchpersons，inordertokeepongoodtermswithalltheworld。Accordingly，havingtodealwithpersonsofallclassesandofalldifferentnations，theyfinditnecessarytohavecasuistsassortedtomatchthisdiversity。"Onthisprinciple，youwilleasilyseethat，iftheyhadnonebuttheloosersortofcasuists，theywoulddefeattheirmaindesign，whichistoembraceall；forthosethataretrulypiousarefondofastricterdiscipline。Butastherearenotmanyofthatstamp，theydonotrequiremanyseveredirectorstoguidethem。Theyhaveafewfortheselectfew；whilewholemultitudesoflaxcasuistsareprovidedforthemultitudesthatpreferlaxity。"Itisinvirtueofthis’obligingandaccommodating，conduct，’asFatherPetaucallsit，thattheymaybesaidtostretchoutahelpinghandtoallmankind。
　　Shouldanypersonpresenthimselfbeforethem，forexample，fullyresolvedtomakerestitutionofsomeill—gottengains，donotsupposethattheywoulddissuadehimfromit。Bynomeans；onthecontrary，theywouldapplaudandconfirmhiminsuchaholyresolution。Butsupposeanothershouldcomewhowishestobeabsolvedwithoutrestitution，anditwillbeaparticularlyhardcaseindeed，iftheycannotfurnishhimwithmeansofevadingtheduty，ofonekindoranother，thelawfulnessofwhichtheywillbereadytoguarantee。"Bythispolicytheykeepalltheirfriends，anddefendthemselvesagainstalltheirfoes；forwhenchargedwithextremelaxity，theyhavenothingmoretodothanproducetheirausteredirectors，withsomebookswhichtheyhavewrittenontheseverityoftheChristiancodeofmorals；
　　andsimplepeople，orthosewhoneverlookbelowthesurfaceofthings，arequitesatisfiedwiththeseproofsofthefalsityoftheaccusation。
　　"Thus，aretheypreparedforallsortsofpersons，andsoreadyaretheytosuitthesupplytothedemandthat，whentheyhappentobeinanypartoftheworldwherethedoctrineofacrucifiedGodisaccountedfoolishness，theysuppresstheoffenceofthecrossandpreachonlyagloriousandnotasufferingJesusChrist。ThisplantheyfollowedintheIndiesandinChina，wheretheypermittedChristianstopractiseidolatryitself，withtheaidofthefollowingingeniouscontrivance：theymadetheirconvertsconcealundertheirclothesanimageofJesusChrist，towhichtheytaughtthemtotransfermentallythoseadorationswhichtheyrenderedostensiblytotheidolofCachinchoamandKeum—fucum。ThischargeisbroughtagainstthembyGravina，aDominican，andisfullyestablishedbytheSpanishmemorialpresentedtoPhilipIV，kingofSpain，bytheCordeliersofthePhilippineIslands，quotedbyThomasHurtado，inhisMartyrdomoftheFaith，page427。TosuchalengthdidthispracticegothattheCongregationDePropagandawereobligedexpresslytoforbidtheJesuits，onpainofexcommunication，topermittheworshipofidolsonanypretextwhatever，ortoconcealthemysteryofthecrossfromtheircatechumens；strictlyenjoiningthemtoadmitnonetobaptismwhowerenotthusinstructed，andorderingthemtoexposetheimageofthecrucifixintheirchurches：allofwhichisamplydetailedinthedecreeofthatCongregation，datedthe9thofJuly，1646，andsignedbyCardinalCapponi。"Suchisthemannerinwhichtheyhavespreadthemselvesoverthewholeearth，aidedbythedoctrineofprobableopinions，whichisatoncethesourceandthebasisofallthislicentiousness。
　　Youmustgetsomeofthemselvestoexplainthisdoctrinetoyou。Theymakenosecretofit，anymorethanofwhatyouhavealreadylearned；withthisdifferenceonly，thattheyconcealtheircarnalandworldlypolicyunderthegarbofdivineandChristianprudence；asifthefaith，andtradition，itsally，werenotalwaysoneandthesameatalltimesandinallplaces；
　　asifitwerethepartoftheruletobendinconformitytothesubjectwhichitwasmeanttoregulate；andasifsouls，tobepurifiedfromtheirpollutions，hadonlytocorruptthelawoftheLord，inplaceofthelawoftheLord，whichiscleanandpure，convertingthesoulwhichliethinsin，andbringingitintoconformitywithitssalutarylessons！"Goandseesomeoftheseworthyfathers，Ibeseechyou，andIamconfidentthatyouwillsoondiscover，inthelaxityoftheirmoralsystem，theexplanationoftheirdoctrineaboutgrace。YouwillthenseetheChristianvirtuesexhibitedinsuchastrangeaspect，socompletelystrippedofthecharitywhichisthelifeandsoulofthem，youwillseesomanycrimespalliatedandirregularitiestoleratedthatyouwillnolongerbesurprisedattheirmaintainingthat’allmenhavealwaysenoughofgrace’toleadapiouslife，inthesenseofwhichtheyunderstandpiety。TheirmoralitybeingentirelyPagan，natureisquitecompetenttoitsobservance。Whenwemaintainthenecessityofefficaciousgrace，weassignitanothersortofvirtueforitsobject。Itsofficeisnottocureonevicebymeansofanother；
　　itisnotmerelytoinducementopractisetheexternaldutiesofreligion：
　　itaimsatavirtuehigherthanthatpropoundedbyPharisees，orthegreatestsagesofHeathenism。Thelawandreasonare’sufficientgraces’forthesepurposes。Buttodisenthralthesoulfromtheloveoftheworld—totearitfromwhatitholdsmostdear—tomakeitdietoitself—toliftitupandbinditwholly，only，andforever，toGodcanbetheworkofnonebutanall—powerfulhand。Anditwouldbeasabsurdtoaffirmthatwehavethefullpowerofachievingsuchobjects，asitwouldbetoallegethatthosevirtues，devoidoftheloveofGod，whichthesefathersconfoundwiththevirtuesofChristianity，arebeyondourpower。"Suchwasthestrainofmyfriend’sdiscourse，whichwasdeliveredwithmuchfeeling；forhetakesthesesaddisordersverymuchtoheart。Formyownpart，Ibegantoentertainahighadmirationforthesefathers，simplyonaccountoftheingenuityoftheirpolicy；and，followinghisadvice，IwaitedonagoodcasuistoftheSociety，oneofmyoldacquaintances，withwhomInowresolvedpurposelytorenewmyformerintimacy。Havingmyinstructionshowtomanagethem，Ihadnogreatdifficultyingettinghimafloat。Retaininghisoldattachment，hereceivedmeimmediatelywithaprofusionofkindness；
　　and，aftertalkingoversomeindifferentmatters，Itookoccasionfromthepresentseasontolearnsomethingfromhimaboutfastingand，thus，slipinsensiblyintothemainsubject。Itoldhim，therefore，thatIhaddifficultyinsupportingthefast。Heexhortedmetodoviolencetomyinclinations；but，asIcontinuedtomurmur，hetookpityonmeandbegantosearchoutsomegroundforadispensation。Infacthesuggestedanumberofexcusesforme，noneofwhichhappenedtosuitmycase，tillatlengthhebethoughthimselfofaskingmewhetherIdidnotfinditdifficulttosleepwithouttakingsupper。"Yes，mygoodfather，"saidI；"andforthatreasonIamobligedoftentotakearefreshmentatmid—dayandsupperatnight。""Iamextremelyhappy，"hereplied，"tohavefoundoutawayofrelievingyouwithoutsin：goinpeace—youareundernoobligationtofast。However，Iwouldnothaveyoudependonmyword：stepthiswaytothelibrary。"Ongoingthitherwithmehetookupabook，exclaimingwithgreatrapture，"Hereistheauthorityforyou：and，bymyconscience，suchanauthority！ItisEscobar！""WhoisEscobar？"Iinquired。"What！notknowEscobar！"criedthemonk；"thememberofourSocietywhocompiledthisMoralTheologyfromtwenty—fourofourfathers，andonthisfoundsananalogy，inhispreface，betweenhisbookand’thatintheApocalypsewhichwassealedwithsevenseals，’andstatesthat’Jesuspresentsitthussealedtothefourlivingcreatures，Suarez，Vasquez，Molina，andValencia，inpresenceofthefour—and—twentyJesuitswhorepresentthefour—and—twentyelders。’"Hereadme，infact，thewholeofthatallegory，whichhepronouncedtobeadmirablyappropriate，andwhichconveyedtomymindasublimeideaoftheexellenceofthework。Atlength，havingsoughtoutthepassageoffasting，"Oh，hereitis！"hesaid；"treatiseI，example13，no。67：’Ifamancannotsleepwithouttakingsupper，isheboundtofast？Answer：Bynomeans！’Willthatnotsatisfyyou？""Notexactly，"repliedI；"forImightsustainthefastbytakingmyrefreshmentinthemorning，andsuppingatnight。""Listen，then，towhatfollows；
　　theyhaveprovidedforallthat：’Andwhatistobesaid，ifthepersonmightmakeashiftwitharefreshmentinthemorningandsuppingatnight？’"
　　"That’smycaseexactly。""’Answer：Stillheisnotobligedtofast；becausenopersonisobligedtochangetheorderofhismeals。’""Amostexcellentreason！"Iexclaimed。"Buttellme，pray，"continuedthemonk，"doyoutakemuchwine？""No，mydearfather，"Ianswered；"Icannotendureit。"
　　"Imerelyputthequestion，"returnedhe，"toappriseyouthatyoumight，withoutbreakingthefast，takeaglassorsointhemorning，orwheneveryoufeltinclinedforadrop；andthatisalwayssomethinginthewayofsupportingnature。Hereisthedecisionatthesameplace，no。57：’Mayone，withoutbreakingthefast，drinkwineatanyhourhepleases，andeveninalargequantity？Yes，hemay：andadramofhippocrasstoo。’I
　　hadnorecollectionofthehippocrass，"saidthemonk；"Imusttakeanoteofthatinmymemorandum—book。""Hemustbeaniceman，thisEscobar，"
　　observedI。"Oh！everybodylikeshim，"rejoinedthefather；"hehassuchdelightfulquestions！Onlyobservethisoneinthesameplace，no。38：
　　’Ifamandoubtwhetherheistwenty—oneyearsold，isheobligedtofast？
　　No。ButsupposeIweretobetwenty—oneto—nightanhouraftermidnight，andto—morrowwerethefast，wouldIbeobligedtofastto—morrow？No；
　　foryouwereatlibertytoeatasmuchasyoupleasedforanhouraftermidnight，notbeingtillthenfullytwenty—one；andthereforehavingarighttobreakthefastday，youarenotobligedtokeepit。’""Well，thatisvastlyentertaining！"criedI。"Oh，"rejoinedthefather，"itisimpossibletotearone’sselfawayfromthebook：Ispendwholedaysandnightsinreadingit；infact，Idonothingelse。"Theworthymonk，perceivingthatIwasinterested，wasquitedelighted，andwentonwithhisquotations。
　　"Now，"saidhe，"foratasteofFiliutius，oneofthefour—and—twentyJesuits：
　　’Isamanwhohasexhaustedhimselfanyway—byprofligacy，forexample—
　　obligedtofast？Bynomeans。Butifhehasexhaustedhimselfexpresslytoprocureadispensationfromfasting，willhebeheldobliged？Hewillnot，eventhoughheshouldhavehadthatdesign。’Therenow！wouldyouhavebelievedthat？""Indeed，goodfather，Idonotbelieveityet，"saidI。"What！isitnosinforamannottofastwhenhehasitinhispower？