man of such great merit who was already among them they let him have some intimation of the design which that Church entertain'd A regard was to be had to the inclinations of the Court the matter was insensibly prepar'd and as soon as they saw a propitious moment for Monsieur Claude's calling into the Church of Paris they took him and he was effectually call'd to serve that Flock in the year 1666. PART II. IF Monsieur Claude's Books made so much Noise in Paris when he was an hundred Leagues distant 't is easie to judge that he was much more talk't of when it came to be known that he was to make his constant abode in that Town in order to serve the Church that met at Charenton I know not after what manner the Port Royal did receive the News and whether those Gentlemen seeing that this Learned Minister fixt his residence in that great City did not think of him what skilfull Politicians say of a Prince that settles himself in Italy that it was an ill prospect and an Eye-sore be it as it will it does not appear that they stir'd in the least to traverse this calling it was not unknown at Court and this was sufficient for Monsieur Claude A discourse there was of an answer of the Authour of the perpetuity of the Faith to Monsieur Claude's second Book he very quietly expected its coming out however it did not appear for some time which is a mystery I have no design to shrift into it no ways availing my Subject and 't is sufficient that I say how that another Writer stood forth to supply Monsieur Claude's Adversaries room but I am as yet a Stranger whether 't was out of kindness to Monsieur Arnaud great men are not over fond of such kind of Assistance as being willing to distance from them all that can inculcate the least suspicion of humane weakness But to what purpose all this when people have diligent Friends they prevent us whether we will or no and it is a kind of Civility which we should not dare to complain of This Dispute made too much Noise to leave a Society at rest that presumes it has a right to decide upon all matters its Emulation was rous'd and for fear any other shou'd gain the Victory it immediately caus'd one of its Champions to enter the Lists to rob Monsieur Arnaud of the Crown he already laid hold of and which he is said onely to have lost by being too much a Formalist Father Noüet a Jesuite wrote against Monsieur Claude and they did not stay for the Printers being at work upon the first Leaf for the giving it approbation all concur'd towards the speedy stopping the Progresses this second answer made and Father Noüet's Book was put forth with all expedition as a happy dike in opposition to this torrent This Father Noüet's work has its Beauties and its goodness like those actions of great consequence which at the Bar defend an ill cause with a great deal of art a vast knowledge of Antiquity though little back't by truth a design of writing Gentleman like but most commonly unseasonably us'd being sometimes travers'd by the bare heat of Disputation and for the sake of the cause he defended Monsieur Claude might handsomely have forborn answering this Book as being to face Monsieur Arnaud who only seem'd to require time for writing that he might collect all his Forces and overwhelm him with his last stroke nevertheless he past over these difficulties and making it a point of Honour still to maintain this Dispute against an able Doctour chosen by the most Learned Society of the Church of Rome he answer'd Father Noüet's Book and this is the third work of his composing upon this important matter This answer was Monsieur Claude's favourite Book he spoke of it modestly in the main which indeed was his Character but there was nevertheless to be observed in his Discourses a fondness for this composure and I have known deserving persons that were of the same opinion with him upon this point The Preface to this Book is admirable and affords a most noble Idea of the Authour's design Monsieur Claude had occasion in this Dispute to follow a Tract which Monsieur Arnaud had diverted him from Father Noüet thought fitting to upbraid him in some manner for having abandon'd the holy Writ in this controversie this Accusation is curious falling from a Jesuit's Pen. Monsieur Claude did not fail to turn it to his advantage it gave him occasion to explain to us the sixth Chapter of the Gospel according to St. John it was requisite that satisfaction shou'd be given to a person that complain'd of a Ministers neglecting the word of God the Tract of the use of the senses is an accomplish'd piece nothing has been seen so well meditated upon that matter as what he says of it nothing so pat or so happy as the application he makes of it As for the passages of the Fathers which this Authour produces against them he rids himself of them like an able and gallant man for when Father Noüet produces very improperly against him Authours posterior of Pascatius he chuses them out in the Centuries 11 12 13 14 and 15. Monsieur Claude does not fail to tell him that these are improper pieces and witnesses that bear their recusation in their Forehead but he does nevertheless often examine his passages wherein he finds a sense quite opposite to Father Noüet's design The opinions of the Greeks touching the Eucharist is likewise brought in play Monsieur Claude answers it and upon that point acquaints him with more than one History which he knew not or which he was minded to dissemble because it did not favour his cause This Authour is not ever happy in his citations as not being willing to take the pains of going to the Fountain head ours complains of his neglects Father Noüet is hardy and makes no scruple of often altering passages Monsieur Claude has much adoe to be moderate upon this point he exclaims sufficiently so as that the Reader may be advertis'd of the Snare that is laid for him Never did Authour know how to avail himself better of the advantages that are offer'd him if Father Noüet speaks of reading of the Fathers as of a vast Forest our Authour draws thence an argument that Christian Faith is less involv'd in holy Writ than in Tradition which is a Woody Countrey by a Jesuits own confession when this Writer is angry at the Primitive Ages of the Church to which Monsieur Claude wou'd bring him back that he says they have given us more Martyrs than Writers and Doctours our Authour derives an advantage from his ill humour and shews the reason why the Church of Rome refuses this Testimony if Monsieur Claude sets Monsieur Arnaud against Father Noüet it is without any design of setting them at odds 't is through the silence of the Pagans in respect of Transubstantiation and the
happy age wherein to spread its darkness He proves so well that these three things have concurr'd in the change of belief upon the subject of the Eucharist that all his reasons are as so many demonstrations against which there is no offering any thing that can weaken the proof of them The Authour of the little Tract of the perpetuity of the Faith of the Catholick Church touching the Eucharist hath acted in this Debate as shrewd men do who have nice concerns to defend in the Courts of Justice for though you produce against them a vast number of Witnesses considerable both for their Worth and their Dignity they plainly perceive that the onely way to Ward off the Blow that wou'd otherwise destroy them is to endeavour to invalidate the proof by reproaches good or bad which robs these witnesses of all Credit and thus you have a vast field open to contempt to foul language and imposture Nay and we have seen such as by a cunning slight suggested to them by their danger endeavour to derive advantage from the testimony that has been urg'd against them however opposite it may be to their Justification and this is much the Character of that Authour Monsieur Claude understood his design very well he trac'd him exactly through all his windings and as it highly behov'd him to maintain the Dignity Integrity and Authority of the testimonies which Messieurs Blondel and Aubertine had produc'd we may affirm that he did it with all the evidence and all the strength that can be desir'd in a disputation of that nature which turn'd much more upon matters of fact than upon questions of right Monsieur Claude having not been able to get the Prohibitions taken off that had been exhibited against his officiating his Pastourship in Nismes or in any other Town of Languedoc departed from Paris after six months abode in that Town and repair'd to Montauban certain it is that he had not then any settlement in his mind as seeing no appearance for it yet did he live much at his ease though he was not altogether unconcern'd at the Troubles he was made to suffer he overcame them by submitting himself with an absolute resignation to the Providence of God and this course of submission to the Decrees of Heaven which is ever the best did not fail to prosper with him he had not the trouble of wishing or of being tyr'd with expectation of seeing his desires accomplish'd the Church of Montauban prevented him and gave him not leasure to solace himself after the hardship of a long Journey he arrived there on the Saturday preach'd on the Sunday following being Communion day The Church assembled for his Vocation a Place was offer'd him he accepted it and the Synod authoris'd the choice of the Church He had serv'd eight years the Church of Nismes when he setled in that of Montauban where he staid but four years but with so much delight that I have heard him often say that that time compos'd the sweetest and happiest period of his Life He there liv'd in a perfect Union with his Collegues being cherisht and esteem'd by his Church and being charm'd with the Beauties of that Climate which he look't upon as his second place of Nativity having there perform'd his Studies There did he compose his answer to the second Tract of the perpetuity of the Faith of the Eucharist but did not imagine that the Manuscript he had left at Paris wou'd one day become a subject of Disputation because it was onely made for the instruction of Monsieur de Turenne who declar'd himself to be satisfied with it nevertheless this Work was three years after taken to task and the Authour of the perpetuity of the Faith of the Catholick Church touching the Eucharist made an answer thereunto For a long time not any Book about Religion had been seen in France that made so much noise as this the Authour not onely attackt the ashes of a dead person that are seldom fear'd as he had done in his former Tract which slightly ran over the Book of Monsieur Aubertine he knew he had to doe with another Authour who was not to be slighted which inspir'd him with a design of writing after a more sinewey and more elaborate manner Whether the event prov'd answerable to his good intentions is a point which I leave the Readers to judge of it onely appears as to me that Monsieur Claude was not of that opinion and that if he found more art in the second Tract than in the former more wit and more care to conceal the weakness of the matter which the Authour therein defends yet did he not therein observe the more solidity He saw in it somewhat less sincerity and eruptions of mind against persons of merit and probity to whom the publick has not done the same Justice as this Authour To remain mute when the whole Kingdom speaks such silence seem'd affected to Monsieur Claude the Roman Catholicks said openly that this last Book made their cause triumph and that it would not be answer'd the Protestants did not speak with so much arrogance though they had much greater confidence being necessitated to curb their sentiments when they were treated with ill Language and to make semblance of fearing Books that did not perplex them much at the bottom and this piece was of that rank Monsieur Claude ventur'd the repose of his Life by answering it the event did but too well justifie him he nevertheless determin'd to maintain his first Tract by refuting the Book which made so much noise at that time and this is the piece bearing the Title of an answer to the second Tract of the perpetuity of the Faith of the Eucharist this work is of a much larger bulk than the former though it turns much upon the same principles it was necessary to be more particular in Citations in the choice of proofs in the order and light wherein they were to be set and the consequences that are to be thence derived and this course is perhaps what is most difficult in a disputation of the nature of this under our consideration Monsieur Claude knew it very well and on that account did he contrive a method painfull for himself but easie and usefull for his Readers he onely took what was most essential in the passages of the Fathers and which was serviceable to his Subject he says not too much for fear of wearying out attention he says sufficient to illustrate his matter the Arguments he brings upon these testimonies are short but persuasive whether that he backs his own cause or attacks that of the Church of Rome and because it is a subject containing ungratefull matter by reason of the same expressions of the Ancients which are often reiterated in this kind of conflict Monsieur Claude thought fitting to enliven his matter with a gayety of discourse yet without deviating from the Character of a wise and Majestick Writer The Authour of the Treatise
Prepossessions was minded to vent his spleen The distinction of this Authour is curious he says that there may be in the Church a negative separation that onely consists in abstaining from the practice of Doctrines that we do not believe he is of a pretty temporizing humour by insinuating that it would not have been ill contriv'd in our Fathers had they onely proceeded so far but he cannot pardon them the positive separation which is properly what is called set apart it appears plainly that this Authour's maxims do not pass for Standard truth at this day when there wou'd be so fair an occasion to put them in practice Many unhappy persons are there who wou'd thank this Authour if he cou'd procure them the enjoyment of that negative separation whereof he speaks till such time as we find the results which nature reason and faith do presuppose But perhaps the things wou'd go too far if so great a complaisance was had for this negative for there is found much less danger in seeing the mysteries profan'd than in giving the least suspicion that the number of the true Converts was not very great This Authour makes a mock of us with his distinction for besides that a good Conscience with this worldly management in matter of Religion the little support there is at this day from the Roman Church for those that do not relish its tenets and the racks which on this account it puts on their minds and their hearts induce us to believe that the same maxims wou'd have been practis'd upon our Fathers at the time of the Reformation and that they would not have spar'd the negative separation Our Authours would have written upon this matter for the Church of Rome has never ceast exclaiming that the calling of our Pastours was not Legitimate and all that has followed that ill principle could not have any character of Justice and goodness The Libraries are full of Books that have been written by Doctours of both Parties but this Monsieur Claude's work is the best that has been seen upon this Subject Possibly time having given occasion to new objections has likewise furnisht Monsieur Claude with the occasion of making new discoveries in this matter but what is particular and which is a result of the beauty of his Genius is that he writes with so much clearness states his principles so well and with so much exactness makes the application of them to the Ministry of the Protestants that we are immediately sensible of the necessity of their consequences Thus for example when they debate with him the calling of the first Reformers he contents himself with proving that Ministry is to the Church even in opposition to the Pastours that it is a right that cannot be alienated either by the consent of the parties or by the strongest Law that is to say by Usurpation he adds that three wills must concur to the forming of a lawfull calling that of God that of the Church and the consent of him to whom the Ministry is directed he declares that the Ministry that is exercised among Protestants is not an upstart Ministry because it does not Preach up a new Gospel but the same which the Apostles settled in the Church but purg'd from the Errours which ignorance had shed therein With these maxims does Monsieur Claude assert our calling against all the unjust reproaches of the Church of Rome he clearly shews its Justice and necessity This Book having these great Characters it is no wonder that the publick did with joy receive it and that it did so much honour to its Authour Monsieur Claude did in 1676 cause five Sermons to be Printed which he had Preach'd at Charenton the year before upon the 22th Chapter of St. Matthew Verse 1 2 and 3. and the title of these Sermons is the parable of the Wedding Feast I should be affraid of doing him an injury if I enter'd upon the particulars of these Sermons they are too fine and too short for an extract of them to be given in this place as containing the matter of a vast Volume and if well scann'd will afford the profit of a bulky piece which few Readers run over otherwise than in haste whereas these Sermons do entertain people of sound Judgment a mighty stock of Divinity morals worthy of the Subject he explains a neatness of expression so just a way of arguing with that heat and vivacity that they must own the Authour no less fit for the Pulpit than the Study Monsieur Claude had but one Son whom he tenderly lov'd he was very glad to see that his inclinations led him towards the Ministry and that this choice he made and which ought to be so free had answer'd the inclinations of his heart He had this satisfaction to find in him a Subject proper to avail himself of his parts and example He studied in the Academies of France under the best Masters who took great care of him he returned to his Father who accomplish'd him in all things that might make him a perfect Preacher After which he was examin'd at Sedan in the month of September 1678 and judg'd very worthy of being receiv'd into the office of the holy Ministry he was demanded by the Church of Clermont in Beauvoisis fourteen Leagues from Paris in a Synod of the Isle of France and his Father had the comfort of Ordaining of him on the 9th of October 1678. Monsieur Claude did more especially excell at the head of a Company such did he appear for several years together in the consistory of Charenton such has he been seen in more than one Synod of the Isle of France wherein he was Moderator one more especially there was wherein he gave an instance of the strength of his Genius which surprised the whole Assembly For after that eight proponants had explain'd the Text he had given them the Company being taken up with more important concerns refer'd the examination of those propositions till the next day This was a troublesome disappointment to the Moderator who was to make report of those actions to the Synod but Monsieur Claude was not perplext at this accident the day following he call'd to mind all his Ideas put each in its due place forgot not so much as one single circumstance and after he had perform'd the function of a Reporter he perform'd that of a Judge he examin'd those eight propositions and spoke his opinion of them like a Master though the assembly knew his several Provinces yet was it charm'd with his memory knowledge and Judgment In case in the Synod any matters were proposed that were intricate of themselves and still more perplexing through the cloud which the ignorance or devises of the party did occasion Monsieur Claude's wit had such an excellency that in a moment it made way through all this Chaos form'd a proposition clear and precise in order to his speaking his opinion pat as if opinions were to turn upon a yea or
the power of these Gentlemen extended in this case yet did he not fail as much as in him lay of crossing the design of the Clergy of France in writing against the Circular Letters that came from that Assembly which were spread abroad under the authority of its name He imagin'd that he ow'd the Sacrifice he made them of his rest to his own Conscience and to the Salvation of his Brethren for things were then in such a posture that the bare thought of maintaining our cause was in the opinion of those Gentlemen deem'd a kind of Felony as Monsieur Claude has publickly shewn when he explains the result of that expression whatever you may say or write 't is all in vain these are the terms of their Letter Monsieur Claude does not put his Name to that little Book intitled Considerations upon the circular Letters of the Assembly of the Clergy of France of the year 1682 because this piece had other Characters enough of its Authour and that Christian prudence does not oblige us to expose our selves when there is no motive of Conscience that calls us thereunto The perusal of those reflexions is not long and to it must I refer the Curious Possibly Monsieur Claude never composed any work that has done him more honour than this as small as it is he does not deviate from the terms of a profound respect when he reflects upon the temporal grandeur of those he speaks of and to whom he thinks this submission owing But after this he takes upon him a true air of greatness proceeding from the Majesty of the matter he handles insomuch that we see him march as an equal with those against whom he disputes upbraiding them with their affected mildness undermining the Foundations of an absolute Authority which they exercise over Souls and declaring to them roundly that he onely took Pen in hand to give a reason of his Faith not that he does herein own them for his Masters but to render the sentiments of the Protestants publick and the reason he alledges for it is that Religion and Conscience onely depend immediately on God. Some time after these circular Letters of the Clergy of France were notified after somewhat an extraordinary manner through all the Protestant Churches in the Kingdom The Intendents of the Provinces had order to convene the Consistories for the reading of them they had commonly among others the Prelates great Vicar in whose Diocese the Commission was perform'd As this was a case wholly new and whose influences created apprehensions our Churches waited to see what the conduct of Charenton wou'd be in this matter that so they might direct their own course by its Compass this course sped according to their desire those of the Consistory of Charenton were the first that were spoke to Monsieur Claude was chosen to answer he did it with great Prudence and steadiness and his answer serv'd for a model to most of the other Churches who were very glad to walk in the steps of so able a guide This answer was Printed 't is conceiv'd in few words but full of sense Monsieur Claude owns the august Character with which Monsieur the Intendent was invested and for which he declares that he and his Church have a profound respect he therein protests that it was from this onely Fountain of submission that proceeded the application they had used in the reading of a piece that had otherwise nothing but what was afflicting for our Churches he farther owns the mighty Station which my Lords the Prelates stand possest of in the Kingdom by the dignity of their Offices and that they thereby challenge our respects but that if they pretended to speak to us in those Letters as from off an Ecclesiastical tribunal he was bound in Conscience to declare to them that on that side we do not at all acknowledge their Authority Matters in Religion had their mode in France like other things that of Grace had for a long while possest peoples minds Monsieur Claude's dispute against Monsieur Arnaud occasion'd the sentiments of grace to be little talk't of The two parties wrote as if they had onely differ'd upon the single article of the real presence of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Sacrament of the Lord's supper This battery had no sooner ceased but that they erected that of the Authority of the Church and this seems to be what made the most noise and on which they most insisted as seeming to those Gentlemen of a more efficacious use for conversion than all the rest together During these mighty Disputes there was another kind of calmer Writers who made Christian morals their business and who ever and anon gave the publick little pieces which it greedily receiv'd as finding therein wherewithall to recreate it self from that great application which was necessary to be had for other the more lofty questions of Divinity Monsieur Claude knowing that a man of his profession ought to doe all things for all in order to the Salvation of Souls took the resolution of writing upon a Subject of Morality and composed a little Book whose Title is the examination of ones self for the being duly prepar'd for the Communion the first of the Corinthians Chapter the 11th Verse 28. This is a Tract wherein man sees himself such as he is in a faithfull mirrour Monsieur Claude does herein make appear that he throughly knew the heart of man no feeble is there but he has penetrated he follows him in all the windings he uses to conceal himself from God the World and himself he takes off that Mask shews his Nakedness his Misery conducts him to our Lord Jesus Christ as to his sovereign good In the Gospel does he take the Lessons which ought to serve to illustrate and inflame him he turns all these instructions to the use of the holy Supper Monsieur Claude does farther shew that he perfectly knew the World as an able Physician knows Poisons that is to say with no other design but to oppose their qualities These are no outragious Morals like many others they are Just yet have their severities but withall they are ever conformable to the state of man upon Earth and to his Duty and this is what renders them sensible to all the World Whereas there are those that often vend us precepts of morality so above our reach that they make no impressions upon our hearts because our hearts do not find in those pourtraits one single Character that suits with them This little Book met with a very gratious reception from all sorts of persons and indeed it must needs have a most extraordinary privilege of goodness since it carries in its front a licence of a famous Magistrate of Paris of the 7th of November 1681. Monsieur Claude's Writings made so much noise in foreign Countries and especially amongst Protestants that Groninguen caused a Professours place in Divinity to be offer'd him in its illustrious University and