fæminarum frequentent, ne vivendi ratio illa ipsis magis arrideat, et
sic societas expectatione omnium bonorum, quæ possident, frustretur;
inducantur vero ad præstandum votum castitatis et obedientiæ in manibus
confessarii sui, ostendanturque illam vivendi rationem esse conformem
primitivæ ecclesiæ moribus, utpote lucentem in domo, et non sub modio
sine proximi ædificatione ac fructu animarum; præterquam quod exemplo
viduarum illarum evangelicarum Christo in sociis suis benefaciant de
substantia sua: denique omnia quæ in præjudicium claustralis vitæ sunt,
exponantur, eique applicent, hujusmodi instructiones illis sub secreti
sigillo communicent, ne forte ad aures religiosorum perveniant.
CHAP. XV.
_Concerning the treatment of nuns and devotees._
I. The confessors and preachers should be extremely careful not to
offend nuns, nor tempt them from their vocation, but on the contrary by
conciliating the affection, especially of the superiors, they should
bring it about, that at least the principal confessions will be heard,
and discourses delivered by themselves, receiving in return the gratitude
of the nuns; for noble and rich abbesses can render great service to the
society, both personally and through their parents and friends, so that
by the aid of the principal monasteries, they may, by degrees obtain the
favor and friendship of almost the whole city where they reside.
II. On the other hand, our devotees should be forbidden to frequent
nunneries, lest they become too fond of that manner of life, and our
society be, in that way, cheated of its expectation, of obtaining all
their property: but, let them be induced to perform the vow of chastity
and obedience, under the guidance of their confessor, having instructed
them that this is the true method agreeably to the practice of the
primitive church, rather to let their light shine through the house,
than to hide it under a bushel, useless to our neighbor and barren of
good to souls: imitating those holy widows who ministered to Christ, let
them bestow their goods on his companions: in short, let every thing
prejudicial to a cloistered life be told, and urged against it; but such
instructions as these must be given under the seal of secrecy, lest they
come to the knowledge of other orders.
CAP. XVI.
_De contemptu divitiarum palam præ se ferendo._
I. Ne sæculares nobis adscribant nimium affectum erga divitias, juvabit
nonnunquam recusare eleemosynas minoris momenti, quæ pro officiis à
societate præstitis offeruntur; quamquam ab iis qui omnino nobis sunt
addicti, etiam minimas quascumque acceptare conveniat, ne avaritiæ
arguamur, si tantum dona insigniora admittamus.
II. Negandæ erunt sepulturæ personis vilibus, in templis nostris, quamvis
valde addicti fuerint societati, ne videamur pluralitate mortuorum
divitias venari, et constet de beneficiis quæ à mortuo recipimus.
III. Cum viduis aliisque personis, quæ societati pleraque suà dederunt,
agendum erit valde resolute et acrius, cæteris paribus, quam cum aliis,
ne videamur propter considerationem bonorum temporalium illis favere
plus quam cæteris; immo idem observari convenit respectu illorum qui in
societate sunt, sed postquam bonorum suorum cessionem et resignationem in
favorem societatis fecerint; et si necesse sit à societate dimittantur,
sed omni cum discretione, ut saltem partem eorum quæ societati dederant
ei relinquant, aut morientes testamento legent.
CHAP. XVI.
_Of the outward exhibition of a contempt of riches._
I. To prevent the seculars from charging us with covetousness, it will
be occasionally proper to refuse the smaller alms, which are offered for
services performed by the society; from those, however, who are entirely
devoted to us, it is best to accept even the smallest offerings, lest we
exhibit avarice, by admitting of none, but large gifts.
II. Sepulchre in our churches should be denied to vile persons, although
they may have been greatly attached to the order, for a multitude of such
tombs, might make us suspected of covetousness, and the very benefits
received from the dead, be discovered.
III. Other things being equal, those widows and other persons, who have
given most of their effects to the society, are to be treated with more
decision and firmness, than others,—that we may avoid the appearance of
favoring them, in preference to others, on account of their munificence;
the same rule should be observed with regard to the members of the
society, but not until they have made a cession and surrender of their
wealth to it: after that, if it be necessary, they might be dismissed
from the society, but with infinite discretion, in order to secure the
present relinquishment, or the devise at death, of at least a part of
what they may have presented to the order.
CAP. XVII.
_De mediis promovendi societatem._
I. In primis in hoc incumbant omnes, ut etiam in rebus parvi momenti
unum semper sentiant, et saltem exterius dicant, sic enim, quantumcumque
res mundi hujus turbidæ fuerint, societas semper necessario augebitur et
confirmabitur.
II. Sic omnes lucere nitantur doctrina et exemplis, ut reliqui religiosi,
præsertim ii qui de clero sunt, pastores, &c. superentur, tandemque
vulgus omnia à nostris tantum præstari optet; quin immo hoc palam
dicatur, non requiri in pastoribus doctrinam tantam, modo suo munere bene
fungantur, consilio enim societatem juvare posse, quæ idcirco studia
summopere commendata habet.
III. Fovendi reges ac principes hac doctrina, quod fides catholica in
præsenti statu persistere nequeat sine politismo, sed ad hoc magna opus
discretione; hac ratione nostri grati erunt magnatibus, et ad intimiora
consilia adhibebuntur.
IV. Foveri poterunt novis, lectissimis, et certissimis undiquaque
transcriptis.
V. Neque parum conferet, si magnatum et principum dissensiones caute
ac secreto nutriantur, etiam cum mutua virium infractione; quod si
animadverteretur verisimiliter conciliandos, societas quam primum illos
pacificare contendet, ne aliunde præveniatur.
VI. Ingeneranda omnibus modis, præsertim vulgo et magnatibus, opinio
de societatis erectione per singularem providentiam divinam, juxta
prophetias _Joachimi_ abbatis, ad hoc ut ecclesia depressa ab hæreticis
elevetur.
VII. Tum magnatum et episcoporum gratia obtenta, occupandi pastoratus et
canonicatus, ad reformationem cleri exactiorem, qui olim sub certo regulo
cum episcopis suis vivebant, et ad perfectionem tendebant, ac tandem ad
abbatias, et prælaturas adspirandum, quas, attenta ignavia ac stupiditate
monachorum, ubi vacaverint, non erit difficile assequi: etenim ex re
ecclesia omnino foret, si omnes episcopatus à societate tenerentur, immo
sedes apostolica possideretur; præsertim si pontifex bonorum omnium
princeps temporalis fieret; quare omni ratione temporalia societatis,
prudenter tamen et secreto paulatim extendenda, neque dubium quin tunc
aurea sæcula et pax continua ac universalis, et consequenter benedictio
divina ecclesiam comitaretur.
VIII. Quod si spes non affulgeat ad hæc perveniendi, cum equidem
necesse sit ut veniant scandala, pro tempore invertendus erit status
politicus, et incitandi principes nostris familiariter utentes ad bella
mutua et importuna; ut sic ubique societas imploretur ac impendatur
reconciliationi publicæ, ut communis boni auctrix, et primariis
beneficiis et dignitatibus ecclesiasticis compensetur.
IX. Denique hoc saltem conabitur societatis efficere, acquisita principum
gratia et auctoritate, ut ab iis à quibus non amatur, saltem timeatur.
CHAP. XVII.
_Of the method of advancing the interest of the society._
I. On this subject, it should be the grand effort of all, to be always
uniform in sentiment, or at least, to declare to others that they are so,
even in relation to the smallest matter, from whence it must necessarily
be, no matter how great the disturbance of human affairs, that the
society shall be continually increased and strengthened.
II. Let all so endeavour to shine, by their learning and their conduct,
that other orders, and especially such members of them as preach, are
pastors, &c., may be so eclipsed, that at length the common people may
desire that we exclusively, should perform all offices; let it be openly
taught, however, that learning alone is not sufficient for pastors, but
they must be well grounded in their peculiar duties, for the society can
help them with counsel, which for that very reason, sets so great a value
on its acquirements.
III. Kings and princes ought to be impressed with the truth that
under present circumstances, the Catholic faith cannot exist without
politism—but this demands great discretion; for which purpose our members
must have rendered themselves acceptable to the great, and acquainted
with their most secret purposes.
IV. They should have the advantage of the most recent, important, and
certain information, from every quarter.
V. It would be advantageous, if we could cautiously and secretly foment
dissentions amongst nobles and princes, even to the mutual wasting of
their strength; but if they seem likely to be reconciled, the society
should immediately endeavor to pacify them, lest it should be effected by
some other intervention.
VI. The opinion that the society was produced by a remarkable
interposition of divine providence, for the restoration of the church,
depressed by heretics, according to the revelation of the abbot
JOACHIM, ought to be sedulously inculcated, on the great, as well as the
common people.
VII. As soon as the favor of distinguished men and bishops is
conciliated, let our members secure the cases and canonries, for the
complete reformation of the clergy, who once lived under certain
regulations with their respective bishops, and advanced toward
perfection; then they should aspire to abbacies and prelacies,
which, if we consider the sloth and stupidity of the monks, might be
easily obtained when they become vacant: for it would be exceedingly
advantageous to the church for all the bishopricks to be held by the
society, indeed for it to possess the apostolic see; especially when
his holiness once more becomes a great temporal prince: wherefore let
every method be used, prudently and secretly by degrees, to enlarge the
temporalities of the society, as there can be no doubt, but that the
golden age of constant and universal peace would then abide, and with it,
the divine blessing, upon the church.
VIII. But when the hope of attaining to this state may not be bright,
and inasmuch as offences needs must come, we must temporarily change
our policy, and excite princes whose friendship we enjoy, to mutual and
fierce contests; in order that the society may be solicited and employed
every where for the general pacification, and then as the constant author
of good, be compensated with the principal benefices and ecclesiastical
dignities.
IX. In fine, let the society, by acquiring the favors and authority of
princes, endeavor at least to effect this,—that all shall fear, who will
not love us.
Transcriber’s Note
Corrections to punctuation and capitalisation are not noted. List of
substantive changes made to the text (chapter, paragraph):
LATIN
Præfatio, “illaqua” changed to “illaque” (illaque non nisi)
Præfatio, “secietas” changed to “societas” (ab initio cavit societas)
Præfatio, “hæe” changed to “hæc” (hæc monita deveniant)
Præfatio, “cofirmando” changed to “confirmando” (idque per illos
confirmando)
Præfatio, “opponant urque” changed to “opponanturque” (opponanturque his
monita nostra generalia)
I, title, “alicujos” changed to “alicujus” (alicujus loci Fundationem)
I, I, “Societatam” changed to “Societatem” (ubi dicitur Societatem)
I, I, “iuvisendi” changed to “invisendi” (et incarcerati invisendi)
I, I, “excipiendœ” changed to “excipiendæ” (et generatim excipiendæ)
I, IV, “euendem” changed to “eundem” twice (eundem videantur ... eundem
modum)
I, VII, “pretinm” changed to “pretium” (Summum pretium)
II, VI, “Austræ” changed to “Austria” (in domo Austria)
II, VI, “Poliniæ” changed to “Poloniæ” (Galliæ, Poloniæ, &c.)
II, VII, “quæa” changed to “quæ a” (quæ a cubiculis sunt)
II, VIII, “concientiis” changed to “conscientiis” (conscientiis magnatum
regendis)
III, IV, “seperioribus” changed to “superioribus” (et aliis superioribus
ecclesiasticis)
III, V, “monarchis” changed to “monachis” (et monachis non expectandum)
III, VIII, “concionatoriœ” changed to “concionatoriæ” (primariæ cathedræ
concionatoriæ)
III, IX, “quibusapud sedema pototicam” changed to “quibus apud sedem
apostolicam” (in quibus apud sedem apostolicam negotium promoveatur)
III, X, “out” changed to “aut” (aut magnates legationem obire)
IV, I, “virosqne” changed to “virosque” (Nostri principes, virosque
illustres)
IV, V, “commenden” changed to “commendent” (sed commendent necessitatem)
IV, V, “at” changed to “et” (provinciæ et collegii)
IV, V, “domicubiculo” changed to “domi cubiculo” (at collegii, domi
cubiculo)
IV, V, “instrucn” changed to “instructo” (simpliciter instructo gaudeant)
IV, V, “quœ” changed to “quæ” (quæ in palatio sunt)
IV, V, “prœsto” changed to “præsto” (magnatibus præsto esse videantur)
IV, VI, “susipcione” changed to “suspicione” (et suspicione se eximant)
IV, VI, “iut” changed to “uti” (uti supradictum est)
V, I, “liquo” changed to “aliquo” (religiones in aliquo excellant)
V, III, “institure” changed to “instituere” (docenda instituere volunt)
V, III, “quœ” changed to “quæ” (quæ ab ipsismet pueris)
V, V, duplicated phrase “magnatibus ac” removed (scholasticis, magnatibus
ac magistratibus)
VI, I, “œtatis” changed to “ætatis” (opus patres provectæ ætatis)
VI, I, “prœsertim” changed to “præsertim” (dirigantur præsertim in ordine)
VI, II, “quam vis” changed to “quamvis” (quamvis sacellanum habeant)
VI, II, “præcique” changed to “præcipue” (celebratione missæ et præcipue)
VI, VI, “pnæitentiæ” changed to “pænitentiæ” (præsertim pænitentiæ in quo)
VI, VI, “tentiones” changed to “tentationes” (sensa et tentationes)
VI, VI, “conscientæ” changed to “conscientiæ” (quotidianum examen
conscientiæ)
VI, X, “cofessarius” changed to “confessarius” (prospiciatque
confessarius)
VI, X, “consanguiniee” changed to “consanguineis” (cum consanguineis et
affinibus prohibendæ)
VI, XI, “praœsertim” changed to “præsertim” (opera præsertim eleemosynas)
VI, XI, “prœstabit” changed to “præstabit” (nulla ratione præstabit)
VII, title, “conservandoe riduæ” changed to “conservandæ viduæ” (Quomodo
conservandæ viduæ, et)
VII, title, “quœ” changed to “quæ” (de bonis quæ habent)
VII, II, “prœter” changed to “præter” (si præter communem affectum)
VII, II, “nostran” changed to “nostram” (societatem nostram)
VII, III, “imiserint” changed to “emiserint” (Si emiserint votum)
VII, V, “rigidœ” changed to “rigide” (nimis rigide in confessione)
VII, V, “morosœ” changed to “morosæ” (ne morosæ nimis fiant)
VII, XI, “omnio” changed to “omnino” (omnino sine murmuratione)
VII, XIII, “apeoque” changed to “adeoque” (adeoque sine spuma)
VII, XIII, “vivi” changed to “vivit” (et fecibus vivit)
VII, XIII, “monarchi” changed to “monachi” (quibus scatent monachi)
VII, XIV, “damorum” changed to “domorum” (collegiorum et domorum
professarum)
VII, XIV, “præcique” changed to “præcipue” (præcipue domus professæ)
VII, XV, “vito” changed to “vita” (Quod si in vita)
VII, XV, “peridaculo ... funtorum” changed to “periculo ... fundatorum”
VII, XVI, “principipibus” changed to “principibus” (cum principibus, et
benefactoribus)
VII, XVI, “incuam” changed to “inquam” (persuadendum, inquam, ea quæ)
VII, XVII, “summan” changed to “summam” (summam perfectionem in eo)
VIII, I, “cleonidas” changed to “clenodias” (ornatum et clenodias illis
negent)
VIII, I, “ipsæment” changed to “ipsæmet” (quas ipsæmet in particulari)
VIII, I, “vitœ” changed to “vitæ” (tædio vitæ apud matrem)
VIII, IV, “vita” changed to “vitæ” (ut tædio vitæ afficiantur)
IX, I, “prætur” changed to “præter” (ut præter largitiones)
IX, I, “fidelum” changed to “fidelium” (quotidianos fidelium, careant)
IX, II, “spirituallia” changed to “spiritualia” (ad exercitia spiritualia
sunt alliciendi)
IX, III, “tanem” changed to “tamen” (suos (opportune tamen) de)
IX, III, “confessorio invientur” changed to “confessario invitentur”
(honeste ab eodem confessario invitentur)
IX, III, “sodolitatem” changed to “sodalitatem” (si vir ad sodalitatem
frequentandam)
IX, IV, “acquirent” changed to “acquiret” (ex asse hæreditatem acquiret)
IX, V, “contiuuo” changed to “continuo” (sit, continuo rectorem moneat)
IX, VII, “couducta” changed to “conducta” (per pactum aliquod conducta)
IX, VII, “debitarum” changed to “debitorum” (et gravamen debitorum)
IX, XI, “prœsertim” changed to “præsertim” (tempore morbi præsertim
periculosi)
IX, XV, “roligiosos” changed to “religiosos” (alios religiosos et
ecclesiasticos)
IX, XV, “demonstandumque” changed to “demonstrandumque” (ad minimum
purgatorium, demonstrandumque)
X, I, “be” changed to “de” (quo de bonis propriis)
X, I, “maximan” changed to “maximam” (aversionem maximam habere)
X, II, “dicanturqne” changed to “dicanturque” (bonis, dicanturque esse)
XI, II, “moveantur” changed to “moneantur” (deinde moneantur alii)
XI, V, “cæperint” changed to “cœperint” (aut fidei sibi conciliare
cœperint)
XI, V, “par” changed to “per” (modo per probabilem)
XI, VII, “prælatos” changed to “prælati” (magnates vel prælati)
XI, VII, “reprehensioen” changed to “reprehensione” (si nihil committant
reprehensione dignum)
XII, I, “stenui operaii” changed to “strenui operarii” (debent strenui
operarii, qui scilicet)
XII, V, “iorte” changed to “forte” (ne forte fortuna)
XIII, title, “retineudi” changed to “retinendi” (et modo retinendi)
XIII, III, “ab” changed to “ad” (etiam ad villas)
XIII, III, “familtaritas” changed to “familiaritas” (ne familiaritas
pariat contemptum)
XIII, IV, “cumaliis” changed to “cum aliis” (à præceptoribus cum aliis
discipulis)
XIII, VII, “quamdui” changed to “quamdiu” (quamdiu constantes manent)
XIII, IX, “novitatis” changed to “novitiatus” (si tempore novitiatus, aut)
XIII, XI, “Poloniæ” changed to “Polonis” (quæ in _Germanis_ et _Polonis_)
XIII, XIII, “exceltia” changed to “excellentia” (ostendatur excellentia
instituti societatis)
XIV, IV, “it a” changed to “ita” (qui detinetur ita mortificetur)
XIV, IV, “affigatur” changed to “affligatur” (et undequaque affligatur)
XIV, VI, “apt” changed to “aut” (qui aut superioribus palam insurgunt)
XIV, VII, “præstitarint” changed to “præstiterint” (bene præstiterint)
XIV, VIII, “alteram” changed to “alterum” (cogatur alterum emittere)
XV, I, “potissimun” changed to “potissimum” (sed contra affectu
potissimum superiorum)
XV, II, “monastcria” changed to “monasteria” (ne monasteria fæminarum
frequentent)
XVI, I, “seculares” changed to “sæculares” (Ne sæculares nobis)
XVI, I, “præstatis” changed to “præstitis” (societate præstitis
offeruntur)
XVI, II, “nea” changed to “ne” (ne videamur pluralitate)
XVI, III, “societaii” changed to “societati” (quæ societati pleraque)
XVII, VI, “ecclæsia” changed to “ecclesia” (ecclesia depressa)
XVII, VII, “ignaoia” changed to “ignavia” (ignavia ac stupiditate)
XVII, VII, “uon” changed to “non” (non erit difficile)
XVII, VII, “prudentur” changed to “prudenter” (prudenter tamen et
secreto)
ENGLISH
Discourse, III, “loeis” changed to “locis” (in suis locis annotatæ)
Discourse, III, “posession” changed to “possession” (took possession of
the Jesuit College)
Discourse, III, duplicate word “as” removed (in 1746. This, as well)
Discourse, III, “concuring” changed to “concurring” (various and
concurring evidence)
Discourse, IV, “Venitian” changed to “Venetian” (This Venetian Jesuit
about 1596)
Discourse, IV, “Papile” changed to “Papale” (Defence of the Bellum
Papale)
Discourse, IV, “controled” changed to “controlled” (controlled this
fearful and diabolical corporation)
Discourse, V, “occured” changed to “occurred” (occurred within less than
sixty years)
Discourse, VII, “where” changed to “were” (If history were less replete)
II, XIV, “thy” changed to “they” (they will always bear)
III, VII, “appoited” changed to “appointed” (be appointed _curate_)
VI, VI, “right” changed to “rite” (the sacred rite of confession)
VII, XVII, duplicate word “to” removed (to the adorning of churches)
VII, XVIII, “well” changed to “will” (we will see)
IX, III, “feely” changed to “freely” (to come freely to the confessional)
XI, V, “soeiety” changed to “society” (bound to the society)
XIV, II, “he” changed to “be” (shall not be absolved)
XVI, II, “Sepulcre” changed to “Sepulchre” (Sepulchre in our churches)
XVII, VII, “concilliated” changed to “conciliated” (is conciliated, let
our members)