358 P g I?*ANCE--SATIBFA CTIO N. Catholics, nor even all Jesuits, believe such things; yet these send- ments and their practical effects have so imbued the Church of Rome, and gained such ascendency, that the sound and good doctrines fre- quently maintained by some, are, for the most part, counteracted by the foregoing and kindred principles, and the practical examples flowing from them. The following from the pious and excellent Roman Ca- thelie Paschal, in his fifth provincial letter, will explain this matter, and place it in its proper light. Speaking of the Jesuits, he says :-- "Their object is not to corrupt morals: this certainly is not their de?g?: but neither is it their sole purpose to reform them: this would be bad policy. Their intention is this: having the best opinion of themselves, they think it both beneficial and necessary to the interests of religion that their reputation should be extended throughout the world, and that they should obtain the direction of every man's con- science; and as the strict maxims of the gospel are adapted to govern some people, they make lise of them whenever the occasion fayours it. But inasmuch as these maxims do not accord with the views of the generality of mankind, they dispense with them in regard to such pre- dilections, for the sake of affording universal satisfaction. On this ac- count, as they are connected with persons of every condition of life. and of every country and clime, it becomes necessary to employ casu- ists whose varieties of sentiment should suit every existing diversity- of circumstance. Hence you will easily perceive, that if they had none but casuists of lax notions, they would defeat their principal purpose, which is to please every body, because the truly religious are solicit- ous of a more rigorous leader. But as there are not many of this de- scription, they do not require many guides of the stricter class to direct them; a few of the one will suffice the other, while the multitude of lax casuists offer their services to the numerous classes that wish to be allowed an undisciplined remissness." "It is by this obliging and accommodating conduct, as father Petau calls it, that they open their arms to all the world; for if a person should apply to tl?em who was resolved upon the restration of any thing he had obtained by fraudu- lent means, do not imagine they would attempt to dissuade him from his purpose; on the contrary, they would applaud and confirm his de- termination. But ff another should present himself soliciting absolution without restitution, it would be strange indeed if they did not furnish him with expedients and guaranty his success. By this means they preserve all their friends, and defend themselves against all their ene- mies. If they should be reproached for their extreme laxity, they in- stantly exhibit to the public their austere directors, with some volumes which they have composed on the strictness of the Christian law; and with these proofs they satisfy the supe?cial, who cannot fathom their depth?t. "Thus they accommodate all descriptions of people, and are so well prepared with an answer to every' question, that in countries where a crucified Jesus passes for foolishness, they suppress the scandal of the cross, and preach only Jesus Christ in his glory, and not in a state of suffering: as in India and China, where they allow their Christians to practise idolatry itself, by the ingenious device of making them con- ,.eat an image of Christ under their cloaks, to which they are instructed to address ,nent?ll? the adoration rendered publicly to the idols Cachi,. t. ,Goocle
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