282 F. WINTEETON I

adversaries then enjoyed at the Papal Court ; but the doctrine which they considered to be so dangerous to the Church also escaped condemnation, merely because they gave way for a moment to a very natural desire of glory. Had they been satisfied with taking the offensive, ' physical premotion ' might not have been anathematised ; but, given the position in which the Romish Church then stood, it would certainly have been forbidden as dangerous. Instead of which, the Jesuits got nothing but a great deal of trouble. The trouble brought upon them was in fact so great that they stood in great jeopardy of losing their reputation of purity in the faith, which, to an Order that could hardly count fifty years of existence and had already made almost as many enemies as there were monks in the whole world, was of supreme importance. To parry this blow, the fifth General Congregation published the following decrees, in 1594, a few years before the Order was called to account by Clement VIII. , and whilst the quarrel was raging the most fiercely between Thomists and Molinists, each treating the other party as Calvinists or Pelagians. The italics are of course wanting in the original. " The Committee appointed to examine the doctrines and methods of our schools, having carefully discussed and fully debated the question, and laid before the Congregation their conclusions as to what concerns the speculative part and choice of opinions, the Congregation has approved their sentence. And firstly, it has unanimously declared that the theological and scholastic doctrine of St. Thomas, being more weighty, safer, more approved and better agreeing with our constitutions than any other, is to be followed by our Professors. " Let our teachers follow St. Thomas, as to Scholastic Theology ; and in future let those alone be promoted to the chairs of Divinity who are well affected towards the same. As for such as are unfriendly, or even indifferent to him, let them not be allowed to teach. But, for the conception of the B. V. Mary " [about which St. Thomas is known to have held opinions that are now heterodox], " and as to the question of solemn vows " [which most especially interested the Society], " let them follow the opinion that is most comm.only received and followed by theologians at present. " Should the opinion of St. Thomas be doubtful, or should Catholic doctors not agree upon questions which St. ThfMUM has not treated, our Pro- fessors are free to choose whichever side they prefer. " In matters of any considerable importance, our Professors must not depart from Aristotle's doctrine, unless when the latter holds an opinion not generally admitted at present, and still more when he contradicts the true faith. " They must never speak of St. Thomas otherwise than with reverence, following him with ready minds whenever they can, and when they cannot, separating from him with due respect and as against their will. " They must introduce no new questions, nor any opinion that is not held by some author of note, without having consulted their Superiors ; nor should they defend any proposition repugnant to the axioms of philo- 'sophers and the common sentiment of the Schools. And let them know