A WARNING. 4 страница

XI. Let this be deeply imprinted on their minds, that, if they desire to enjoy perfect peace of con- science, they must, as well in matters temporal as spiritual, without the least murmuring, or inward reluctance, entirely follow the direction of their con- fessor, as one particularly allotted them by Divine providence.

12. InstrnendsG etiam per occasionem, gratius esse si personis ecclesiasticis, maxime religiosis spectatse et exemplaris vitöG eleemosynas suas dent, non ni§i conscio tum et approbante confessario.

13. Cavebunt dilligentissim^ confessarii ne quo- cumque prsetextu hujusmodi yiduse illorum poeni- tentes alios religiosos inyisant, aut familiaritatem cum illis ineant; quod ut impediant, conabuntur suo tempore deprsedicare societatem tanquäm ordinem superlatiyum prse csetaris, et utilissimum in ecclesiä, majoris auctoritatis apud pontificem et principes om- nes; perfectissimum in se, quia dimittit noxios et ini- doneos, adeöque sine spumä et fecibus vivit, quibus scutent monachi, plerumque indocti, bardi, segnes, salutis suse incurii, yentricolse, etc. ^{^[15]}^{^[16]}

SECKET INSTUCTIONS OF THE JESUITS. 71

XII. They must be also instructed upon every occasion, that their bestowing of alms to ecclesiastics, and even to the religious of an approved and exemplary life, without the knowledge and approbation of their confessor, is not equally meritorious in the sight of God.

XIII. Let the confessors take diligent care to pre- yent such widows as are their penitents, from visiting ecclesiastics of other Orders, or entering into familiar- ity with them, under any pretence whatsoever; for which end, let them, at proper opportunities, cry up the Society as infinitely superior to all other Orders; of the greatest Service in the church of God, and of greater authority with the Pope, and all princes; and that it is the most perfect in itself, in that it discards all persons offensive or unqualified, from its Community, and therefore is purified from that scum and dregs with which these monks are infected, who, generally speaking, are a set of men, unlearned, stupid, and slothful, negligent of their duty, and slaves to their bellies.

XIY. Let the confessors propose to them, and endeavor to persuade them to pay small pensions and contributions towards the yearly Support of Colleges and professed houses, but espeeially of the professed house at Rome; nor let them forget the Ornaments of churches, wax-tapers, wine, &c., things necessary in the celebration of the sacrifice of mass.

XY. If any widow does in her life-time make over her whole estate tothe Soeiety; whenever opportunity

onem, et praesertim ingruente gravi morbo aut peric- ulo vitae, aegestas, novitas et multitudo plurimorum collegiorum nondum fundatorum, inducanturque suaviter et fortiter ad sumptus faciendos, quibus, aeternam gloriam sunt fundaturae.

16. Idem faciendum cum principibus, et benefac- toribus aliis, persuadendum, inquam, ea quae perpetua sunt in hoc mundo et in altero aeternam illis gloriam ä Deo paritura. Quöd si hinc inde aliqui male- voli allegent exemplum Christi qui non habebat ubi caput reclinaret, velintque socios Jesu similiter esse pauperrimos, ostendatur et seriö imprimatur, passim omnibus, ecelesiam Dei nunc mutatam et monarch- iam factam, quae auctoriate et potentiä magnä tueri se debet, contra potentissimos inimicos, et esse lapi- dem illum parvum excisum qui crevit in montem maximum, praedictum per porphetam. ^{^[17]}

SECRET INSTRUCTIONS OF THE JESUITS. 73

offers, but especially when she is seized with sickness, or in dang er of life, let some take care to represeiit to her the poverty of the greatest number of our Colleges, whereof many just erected have hardly as yet any foundation; engage her, by a winning be- hayiour and inducing arguments, to such a liberality as (you must persuade her) will lay a certain foundation for her eternal happiness.

XVI. The same art must be used with princes and other benefactors; for they must be wrought up to a belief, that these are the only acts which will per- petuate their memories in this world, and secure them eternal glory in the next: but should any persons out of ill-will pretend to trump up the example of our Saviour, who had not whereon to lay his head, and from thence urge that the Society of Jesus ought to distinguish themselves by their poverty, in answer to such insinuations as these, we must seriously inculcate on the minds of all, that the state of the church, being altered from what it was, and now changed into a monarchy, it cannot maintain its ground against mighty enemies, unless supported by great authority and power, and that it is that little stone which was foretold by the prophet should be hewn out of the rock, and afterwards rise in a vast mountain.

XVII. Those who are inclined to acts of charity, and the adorning of temples, should be frequently told that the height of perfection consists in with- drawing their affections from earthly things, thereby making Christ and his followers possessors of them.

18. Sed quia minus semper sperandum 4 viduis quse liberos suos ad seculum dirigunt, videbimus.

CAPUT VIII.

Quomodö faeiendum ut filii et filice viduarem religio-
mm aut devotorium statum amplectantur.

1. Sicut matribus fortiter, sic nostris suaviter in hac materiä est agendum Matres, nimirum, instru- endse ut proli suse reprehensionibus, castigationibus, etc., molestse sint 4 teneris ; dum provectiores prse- sertim filise fuerint, muliebrem ornatum et clenodias illis negent, optando ssepe et Deum rogando ut ad statum ecclesiasticum adspirent et pollicendo insig- nem dotem si moniales esse voluerint. Exponant ssepe difficultates quse in matrimonio sunt omnibus communes, et si quas ipssemet in particulari expertse sint, dolendo quöd cselibaturn suo tempore, matrimonio non prsetulerint, denique sic agant continuö. ut filiaß prsesertnn, tsedio vitse apud matrem tali modo transigendse, de statu religioso cogitent.

SECftET IKSTKUCTIOKS OE THE JESUITS. 75

XVIII. But since our expectations must necessarily be less from widows that educate their children for the business of the worid; we shall now proceed to lay down methods proper for preventing this inconvenience.

CHAPTER VIII.

How widows are to be treated, that they may embrace
religion, or a devoted life.

I. As it will behove the widows to act with resolution, so must we proceed with gentleness upon this occasion. Let the mothers be instructed to use their children harshly, even from their cradles, by plyingthem with reproofs and frequent chastisements, &c. And when their daughters are near grown up to discretion, let them be especially denied the common dress and Ornaments of their sex; at all times offering up prayers to God, that he would inspire them with a desire of entering into a religious Order, and promising them very plentiful portions, on condition they would become nuns; let them lay before them the many inconveniences attending every one in a married state, and those in particular which they themselves have found by woful experience; often lamenting the great misfortunes of their younger years, in not having preferred a single life. And lastly, let them persist to use them in this manner,

2. Cum filiis conversentur nostri familiariter, si- quidem ad societatem nostram apti yisi fuerint, in- troducantur opportune in collegium, et ostendantur, explicenturque illis ea, quae quoquo modo grata fu- tura, et ad societatem amplectendam invitatura cre- duntur, ut sunt horti, vineae, domus rurales, et prae- dia, ubi nostri sese recreant; narretur illis itineratio ad diversa regna, communicatio cum principibus mundi, et quaecumque juvenilem aetatem oblectant, in refectorio et cubiculis exterior mundities, blanda conversatio inter nostros, regulse nostrse facilitas, cui tarnen compromissa est gloria Dei, ordinis denique nostri super alios prseeminentia, et colloqui simul faceta cum piis commisceantur.

3. Moneantur quasi ex revelatione interdüm ad re-

ligionem in genere, deinde caut£ insinuetur perfectio et commoditas nostrse prae cseteris; exponanturque tum in publicis exhortationibus, tum in privatis col- loquiis, quam sit grave contra vocationem divinam’ calcitrare, tandem que inducantur ad facienda exer- citia spiritualia, ut de statu vitae deligendo conclu- dant. .

4. Procurent nostri ut hujusmodi adolescentes in-

SECKET IX^TSTKUCT10NS OE THE JESUJLTS. 77

that their daughters may think of a religious state, being tired by leading such a life with their mothers.

II. Let our members converse familiarly with their sons, and if they seem fit for our turn, introduce them occasionally into the College, and let everything be shown with the best face, to invite them to enter themselves of the Order; as the gardens, vineyard, country-seats, and villas, where those of our Society pass an agreeable life; let them be informed of our travels into several parts of the world, of our familiar- ity with princes, and whatever eise may be agreeable to youth: let them see the outward neatness of our refectories and chambers, the agreeable intercourse we have one with another, the easiness of our rules, which yet has the promise of the glory of God; and lastly, the pre-eminence of our Order above all others; not forgetting, amidst our discourses of piety, to entertain them also with pleasant and diverting stories.

III. Let us now and then (as if by divine inspiration) exhort them to religion in general; and then artfully insinuate the perfection and conveniences of our institution above others; and take care to set in a due light, both in public exhortations and private discourses, how heinous a crime it is to resist the immediate call of God; and lastly, let them be soothed to the performance of spiritual exercises to determine them in the choice of such a state of life.

IV. We must also take care to provide for these

structores habeant societati addictos, qui continuö invigilent et hortentur; si autem reluctentur, sub- trahantur hinc inde aliqua, ut tsedeo vitse afficiantur. Exponat mater difficultates familise. Tandem, si non itä commode fieri possit, ut suä sponte animum ad societatem adjiciant, mittantur titulo studiorum ad remota societatis gymnasia, et ex parte matris pauca submittantur solatia, ex parte vero societatis adhibeantur lenocinia, ut affectum in nos tros trans- ferant.

CAPUT IX.

De reditibus eollegiorum augendis.

1. Nemo quantüm fieri poterit ad ultimam profes- sionem admittatur, quamdiü successiones aliquas ex- spectet, nisi fratrem se juniorem habeat in societate, vel ob alias graves causas; in omnibus tarnen et ante omnia consulendum est amplificationi societatis se- cundum fines superibus notos, qui in hoc saltem con- spirent, ut ecclesia ad majorem gloriam Dei pristino nitori restituatur, et totius cleri non nisi unus sit

SECRET INSTIiUCTIONS OE THE JESÜITJS. 79

youth’s tutors that are firmly attached to our interest; who must keep a strict eye oyer them, and con- tinually exhort them to such a course of life; but sliould they seem reluctant, abridge them of some of their former liberties, that by such restraint they may become conformable. Let their mothers set forth the difficulties which the family labor under; and if, after all, they cannot be brought of their own accord to desire admission into the Society, send them to distant Colleges belonging to the Order, under the notion of keeping them closer to their studies; and from their mothers let them receive little countenance, but let our members make use of the most alluring behaviour, that their affections may be brought over

to US.

CHAPTEß IX.

Of increasing the revenues of our Colleges.

I. Never admit any person, if it can well be pre- vented, to his last degree, so long as he shall have an expectation of any estate falling to him, unless he has a brother in the Society who is younger than himself, or some other important reasons require it; but above all things, and in every action, the increase of the Society must be regarded, for ends known to the superiors; who in tliis point (no doubt) agree that, for the greater displaying of God’s glory, the church should be restored to its ancient splendor by

Spiritus; quocirca frequenter monenclum est et pas sün promulgandum, societatem partim constare ex professii adeö mendicis, ut praeter largitiones quoti- dianas fidelium, careant omnibus omninö, partim etiam aliis patribus pauperibus quidem sed qui possident bona stabilia, ne sint in gravamen populi pro studiis äc functionibus suis, ut sunt caeteri mendi- cantes; indeöque seriö inculcent confessarii princi- pum, magnatum, viduarum, et aliorum ä quibus Societas multum sperare potest, ea quae hanc materiam, concernunt, ut dum spiritualia illis conferunt et di- yina, ad minimum terrena et temporalia ab illis re- recipiant, neque yix unquäm omittant occasiones re- cipiendi cum offertur. Si autem promissum fuerit et differatur, prudenter in memoriam revocetur, quantüm tarnen fieri potest omnem affectum erga diyitias dissimulando. Quöd si qui ex confessariis siye magnatum siye aliorum ad hsec in praxin redi- genda minus industrius yideatur, tempori et caute amoyeatur, alio in locum eus suffecto; et si necessa- rium sit ad majorem poenitentium satisfactionem, ad remotiora collegia relegetur, dicendo societatem plu- rimum illius persona ac talentis ibidem indigere. Nuper enim audiyimus juvenes yiduas immaturä morte prseventas, negligentiä nostrorum supellecti- lem yalde pretiosam, templis societatis dicatam non

SEC 11 ET IXSTI1UCTI0XS OE THE JESU1TS. 81

the perfect harmony of all its clergy. Wherefore let it frequently, in every place, be publishecl, that the Society consists partly of professors so very poor, that, excepting the daily alms of the faithfnl, they are entirely destitute of the common necessaries of life; and partly by otliers, poor indeed, but possessed of some little matters, by help whereof they subsist, being, neither for their stndies, nor the duties they perform, an incumbrance to the people, as other mendicants are. Therefore let confessors of princes, and noblemen, widows and others, (from whom our expectations may reasonably be large) with great seriousness inculcate this notion, that while we administer to them in divine and spiritual things, they at least should, in return, contribute to us of their earthly and temporal: and let no opportunity ever be slipt of receiving from them whatever is offered: and if anything be promised, and the performance delayed, take care to remind them thereof with prudence, and in such a manner as may best conceal our love of riches. But should any con- fessor, either of noblemen, or others, seem the least negligent to put in practice these rules, let him, at a proper opportunity, be removed, and put another more fit in Iris room; and should it be necessary, for the greater satisfaction of the penitents, let him be sent to one of the rnost distant Colleges, saying, that a person of his ability would be there of much greater Service to the Society: for we have lately been in- formed that several young widows, being snatched away by sudden death, did not bequeath to us their

legässe, cö quöd tempestive acceptata non esset; ne- que est ad similia acceptanda tempus, sed bona poen- itentium yoluntas spectanda est.

2. Praelati, canonici, partores, aliique opulenti ec- clesiastici industriis variis ad exercitia spiritualia sunt alliciendi, et paulatim sic mediante affectu erga- res spirituales societati conciliandi, deinde eorum lib- eralitas paulatim prognosticanda.

3. Non negligant confessarii interrogare poeniten- tes suos (opportune tarnen) de nomine, familiä, affin- ibus, parentibus, amicis bonis dein spectare successi- ones illorum, statum, intentionem ac resolutionem; quam si nondüm sumpserint societati favorabilem, 'oportebit persuadere; quöd si spes alicujus utilitatis prima fronte affulgeat, quiä non expedit de Omnibus simul interrogare, jubeantur sive titulo majoris eluci- dationis conscientise sive poenitentise medicinalis, hebdomatim confiteri, et honesta ab eodem confessario invitentur ut, quöd unä vix inquirere non potuit, pluribus inquirat. Quöd si successerit ex voto, si femina fuerit, ad persistendum in frequenti confessi- one et visitatione; si vir ad sodalitatem frequenten- dam, et familiaritatem nostrorum, quoque modo indu- catur.

SEC RET 1N ST R Lf CT IONS OE THE JESCiTS. 88

valuable effects through the negligence of some mem- bers wlio did not take care to accept of tliem in due time ; for in getting tliese things, regard is not to be liad to the time, but the good inclination of the penitent.

II. Let various wiles be used to draw prelates, canons, pastors, and other rieh ecclesiastics to the exercise of spiritual acts, that through their affec- tion for holy things, we may gradually gain them to the Society; and by that means promise our- selves to be in some measure partakers of their liberality.

III. Confessors must remember to sift out of their penitents, at proper opportun!ties, what family, relations, parents, friends, and effects, they have; then learn their reversions, state, intention, and resolution, which they must endeavor to mould in favor of the Society, if it be not so already. If, at first trial₅ we have prospect of advantage, (it being improper to pry into all things at once,) let the same confessor, under pretence of better Clearing their conscience, or doing some soul-saving penance, strictly enjoin them to make weekly confessions: and gravely, and with a seeming honest intention, invite them to it, that he may have the better opportunity to propose the questions, at several times, which he could not so conveniently offer at once. The matter succeeding according to his wish; if it be a female penitent, let all ways be tried to induce her to persist in frequent confessions, and

4. Quae de yiduis dicta sunt, eadem agenda circa mercatores, cives opulentos, et conjugatos prole ca- rentes, intelligantur; ä quibus non rarö societas ex asse haereditatem acquiret, si prudenter hae praxes executioni mandentur. Potissimüm autem haec ob- seryanda erunt, circa opulentas devoterias nostros frequentantes, quae si non sint parentibus valde nobilibus natae tantüm ad summum poterit yulgus ob- murmurare.

5. Rectores collegiorum conabuntur habere noti- tiam domorum, hortorum, praediorum, yicarum, pa- gorum, caeterumque bonorum, quae & primariis nobilibus, mercatoribus aut civibus possidentur, et si fieri potest, gravaminum ac redituum, quibus onerantur; sed caute id praeständum et efficacissime per confessi- onem, sodalitatem, ac privata colloquia. Quöd si confessarius pcenitentem diyitem adeptus sit, con- tinuö rectorem moneat, et omni modo foyere conetur. ^{^[18]}

SECEET INSTItUCTIONS OE THE JESUITS. 85

constant attendance on the Service of the church. If a male, to frequent the Company of the members of our Society, and to endeavor to enter into a familiarity with them.

IY. What has been said, in relation to widows, must be rnade use of towards merchants, rieh citizens, and married people who are are childless; whose entire estates the Society may often acquire, provided theseT rules be prudently put in practice ; but, chiefly they must be observed with respect to rieh female devotees, who often converse with our members_:upon whose account the common people can but grumble at most, unless they happen to be descended from very noble families.

V. Let the rectors of Colleges endeavor to procure through Information of the houses, gardens, farms, vineyards, villages, and other effects belonging to the prime nobility, merchants and citizens; and (if possible) of the taxes and rents with which they are incumbered; but this may be done with caution, and most effectually at confessions, in familiär conversa- tion, and private discourses. And whenever a con- fessor has got a rieh penitent, let him immediatety inform the rectors, and try all winning artifices to secure him.

VI. But the whole suecess of our affairs turns chiefly on this point; viz. That all our members, by studying a compliaTice with every one’s humor, work themselves into the good graces of their penitents, and others they converse with; to which end,

ter ad loca quae a divitibus et nobilibus inhabitantur, provinciales provideant ut multi mittantur; ut pro- vinciales id prudentiüs ac feliciüs faciant, rectores de messe illos accuratö instruere suo tempore memine- rint.

7. Inquirant etiam an contractus et possessiones, per receptiones filiorum in societatem, ad illam trans- ire possint; et si fieri potest explorent an bona aliqua sic per pactum aliquod conducta, vel aliter collegio cadere possint, ut post tempus societati cedant ad quem finem societatis necessitas, et gravamen debito- rum omnibus praesertim magnatibus et divitibus in- timanda erunt. ^{^[19]}

SEC RET INSTUCTIONS OE THE JESÜJLTS. 87

where places are inhabited by the rieh and noble, there let the provincials take care to send a consider- able number: and that tliey may perform this with rnore prudence and success, let the rectors not omit giving thera full instruction (as occasion requires) what a plentiful harvest is like to crown their endeavors.

VII. Let inquiry be made, whether, by taking their children into the Order, their contracts and possessions may fall to the Society; and if so, whether, should they enter into an agreement with us, any part of their effects could be made over to the College in such a manner, that it may, after a limited time, revert unto us ; and for the better success in this affair, let the necessities of the Society, and the load of debts they labor under, be par- ticularly represented to the nobility and those that are rieh.

VIII. If it happen that the widows and rieh mar- ried people, who are our friends, have daughters only, let these be persuaded by our members to make choice of a religious life ; that a small fortune being left to them, the Society, may, by degrees, get the rest into their possession : and if they have sons who are fit for our turn, let them be allured to us, and the others be enticed, by the promise of small rewards, to enter themselves of different Orders. But should there be an only son, let no means be omitted for the bringing him over to the Society, and freeing him from all fear of his parents; let him be persuaded it

est, ostendendo etiam Deo sacrilicium gratissimum fore, si parentibus insciis et invitis aufugerit; deinde mittatur ad noyitiatum remotum, praemonito priüs generali. Qnöd si filios et Alias habeant, prius filiae in monasterium yel statum deyotiorum dirigantur, deinde filii in societatem cum successione honorum petrahantur.

9. Superiores hujusmodi viduarum et conjugatorum. confessarios suaviter et fortiter moneant, ut sese utiliter pro societate secundum haec monita impendant; quod si non fecerint, alii eorum loco substituan- ter et ipsi removeantur, sic ut notitiam cum illä fa- miliä fovere non possint.

10. Yiduae yel aliae personae deyotae, quae yidentur magno affectu ad perfectionem tendere, inducantur ad hoc tanquäm ad efficacissimum medium perveniendi ad apicern perfectionis, si omnes snas possessiones societati cedant, et yiyant annonä societatis, quae illis secundüm, exigentiam continuö administrabitur, ut sine ullä curä ac sollicitudine Deo liberiüs seryiant. ^{^[20]}

SECflET IN STK U CT ION S OE THE JESUIT«. 89

is a call from above; and shown how acceptable a sacrifice it would be to God, sliould he desert his parents without their knowledge or consent; if this be affected, let him enter his novicate in a remote College, having first given information to the general. Bnt if they happen to have both sons and daughters, let the daughters be first disposed of in a nunnery; and afterwards let the sons be drawn into the Society when they are got into possession of their sisters’ effects.

IX. Let superiors earnestly, but with mildness, advise the confessors of such widows, and married people, to apply themselves industriously for the Service of the Society, according to the instructions before laid down ; but if they will not act conforma- ble thereto, let others be substituted in their places, and they removed a good way off, to prevent them from keeping up the least correspondence with any of the family.

X. Let the widows -or other devotees, who seem with fervency to aspire at spiritual perfection, be brought to give up all they have to the Society, and be contented to live upon such allowance as we from time to time shall think they have occasion for; that, by easing their minds of the cares and anxieties of worldly affairs, they may be more at liberty for the Service of God.

XI. The better to convince the world of the Socie- ty’s poverty, let the superiors borrow rnoney on bond, of some rieh persons who are our friends, and when it

tim periculosi talis persona constanter visitetur, et omni ratione praeveniatur, ut tandem moveatur ad reddendum chirographum; sic enim nostri non agnos- centur testamento, et interim nihilominus lucrabimnr absque invidias uccedentium in bona morientis.

12. Conveniet etiam ab aliquibus personis pecu- niam snb annno reditu sumere, et eamdem nummo altiori alibi constituere, nt reditns reditnm compen- set; interim enim fieri poterit, ut amici, qui pecunias sic mntuo dederunt, misericordiä nostri moti, lucrum aut subinde etiam capitale, sive testamento, sive donatione inter vivos, societati cedant, düm collegia strunntur, aut templae aedificantnr.

13. Utiliter etiam societas sub nomine mercatornm, divitum nobis addictornm negotiari poterit; sed re- spiciendnm certum ac copiosum lucrum, etiam in Indiis, qnae societati non tantüm animas, verum etiam opes multas hactenüs, Deo favente, subministrarunt. ^{^[21]}

SECEET INSTEUCTIONS OE THE JESU1TS. 91

zs due defer the payment thereof. Afterwards let the person who lent tlie money (especially in time of dangerous sickness) be constantly visited, and by all methods wrought upon to deliver up the bond; by this means we shall not be mentioned in the deceased’s will; and yet gain handsomely witliout incurring the ill-will of the heirs.

XII. It will also be proper to borrow money of some at a yearly interest, and dispose of it to others at a higher rate, that the income on one hand may more than ans wer the outgo on the other. Form the meantime it may happen that our friends, to whom we-are indebted, compassionating the necessities of the Society, when they find us engaged in erecting of Colleges, or building of churches, may by will, or donation in their life-times, forgive us the interest, and may be the principal.

XIII. The Society may also advantageously traffic under the borrowed name of some rieh merchants, our friends; but never witliout a pros- pect of certain and abundant gain; and this may be done even to the Indies, which hitherto, by the bountiful favor of God, have furnished us not only with souls, but also plenteously supplied our coffers with wealth.

XIV. In whatever places our members reside, let them never omit to provide a physician who is firm to the interest of the Society: him let them recom- mend to the sick, and prefer before all others ; that he, in return, by extolling our Society above all other

dans, efficiat ut passi apud primarios aegrotos et praesertim moribundos vocemur.

15. Confessarii sint assidui in visitandis aegris po- tissimum qui periclitantur, et ut alios religiösos ac ecclesiasticos inde honeste eliminent, procurent super- iores, ut tempore illo quo confessarius discedere cog- itur ab aegroto, continuö alii succedant, et segrotum in bonis propositis foveant; interim incultiendus erit prudenter horror inferni, etc., ad minimum purgato- rium, demonstrandumque, quöd sicut aqua exstinguit ignem, sic eleemosyna extinguit peccatum; nusquam autem melius eleemosynas impendi posse quäm in hujus modi personarum alimentum ac subsidium qui ex yocatione suä profitentur charitatem erga salutem proximi; sic enim illius participes faciendos, et satis- facturos segrotos pro peccatis propriis, quia charitas operiit multitudinem peccatorum; describi potest quoque charitas. tanquam vestis illa nuptialis, sine quä nemo admittitur ad mensam ccelestem. Denique ex scripturä et sanctis patribus alleganda erunt, quae, respectu habito ad capacitatem aegroti, efficacissima judicabuntur ad illum permoyendum. ^{^[22]}

SECRET INSTRUCTIONS OE THE JESUITS. 93

religious Orders, may occasion us to be called to all persons of distinction, when afflicted with sickness, but cliiefly to such as are past liopes of recovery.

XV. Let tlie confessors be constant in visiting the sick, but especially such as are thought to be in danger; and that the ecclesiastics and members of other Orders may be discarded with a good pretence, let the Superiors take care that when the confessor is obliged to withdraw, others may immediately succeed, and keep up the sick person in his good resolutions. At this time it may be advisable to inove him by apprehensions of hell, &c., at least of purgatory; and teil him, that as fire is quenched by water, so sin is extinguished by acts of charity; and that alms can never be better bestowed than for the nourishment and support of such who by their calling profess a desire to promote the salvation of their neighbor. Thus will the sick become partakers of our merit, and by it atone for the sins they have committed; for charity covers a multitude of sins. This virtue may be also represented to them as that wedding-gar- ment, without which no one is admitted to the heavenly feast. Next let some passages be quoted out of the sacred writ, and holy fathers, which (regarcl being had to the sick person’s capacity) shall be judgecl most proper for persuading him to a compliance.

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