Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

55
any of them, jointly or separately, or shall treat of them by way
of dispute, either publicly or privately, unless it be to impugn
them, shall, ipso faclo, without any other declaration, incur the
censures of the church, and all the other penalties appointed by
the law against such delinquents.
However, by our condemning in express terms the aforesaid
propositions, it is by no means our intention in any manner to
approve of other things contained in the same book; especially,
since in the course of our examination thereof, we found in it
many other propositions very like those which have been condemned
as above-mentioned, nearly related to them, and tainted
with the same errors; and likewise not a few, which, under a
certain imaginary pretence of a persecution carried on at this time,
do foment disobedience and contumacy, and recommend them
under the false name of Christian patience, which therefore we
thought it too tedious, and not in the least necessary particularly
to recite ; and finally, which is yet more intolerable, because we
found even the sacred text of the New Testament corrupted with
damnable errors, and in many things conformable to another
French translation done at Mons long since condemned, but disagreeing
very much with, and differing from the vulgar edition,
(which has been approved in the church by the use of so many
ages, and ought to be looked upon as authentic by all the orthodox,)
and besides all this, frequently wrested with the greatest
perverseness to strange, foreign, and often hurtful senses.
For which causes, we, by our apostolical authority, made known
by the tenor of these presents, do again forbid, and in like manner
condemn the said book, as being very artfully contrived on
purpose by good words and fair speeches, as the apostle expresses
it, that is, under a false appearance of godly instruction, to deceive
the hearts of the simple; whether it bear the forementioned
title or any other, wherever, and in whatever other language,
edition, or version, hitherto printed, or hereafter to be printed,
(which God forbid;) as we also in like manner do prohibit and
forbid all and singular books or pamphlets in defence thereof, as
well written, as printed and already published, or which may
perhaps be published, (which God forbid;) enjoining all and every
one of the faithful not to read, transcribe, keep, or use any of the
said books, under the pain of excommunication to be incurred,
ipso facto, by those who act contrary hereto.
We require, moreover, our venerable brethren, the patriarchs,
archbishops, bishops, and other ordinaries of places, and also
the inquisitors of heresy, that they restrain and coerce all those
who shall contradict and rebel against this constitution, by the
censures and penalties aforesaid, and the other remedies of law
and fact, and even by calling to their assistance, if there be occasion,
the secular power.
Our will also is, that the same credit be in all respects given
even to the printed copies of these presents, subscribed by any