Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

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question. It was the policy of Rome which was
consulted. The Abbe Renaudot relates, that, on
entering once the cabinet of the pope, who was
fond of literary men, he found him reading Ques-
neFs book.—" This is an extraordinary performance,"
said the pontiff; " we have no one at Rome
capable of writing in this manner. I wish I could
have the author by me."—Yet this very man issued
first the decree, and then the bull, which condemned
the work. On the feeble mind of Louis, superstition
and the Jesuits had taken up their seat. The
prince who revoked the edict of Nantz in the prime
of life, was not likely, in the last stage of decrepi-
tude, to resist the influence which sought to over-
throw an individual foe.
But it is more lamentable to observe, that Bossuet
and Fenelon seemed to have joined in the persecu-
tion. The former had, some years before, defended
the book ; but he appears to have shrunk from pro-
tecting it or the Author, when popularity took an-
other course. And Fenelon, the amiable, the lovely,
the pious Fenelon, took an active part in hastening
the condemnation at Rome. His correspondence,
lately published, demonstrates the interest he felt,
and exhibits the commendations he bestowed, with
his own hand, on the divine who drew up the bull.
Haughty orthodoxy and mystical devotion, are thus
found to yield to the torrent of papal authority, and
to lend their aid to support a corrupt and tyrannical
church.
The greatest difficulty was found in obtaining the
reception of the bull. Nine French bishops, assem-
bled under the cardinal de Noailles, determined to