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cowl。〃Juvenal； Sat。； viii。 144。 The Santones were the people
who inhabited Saintonge in France； from whom the Romans derived the
use of hoods or cowls covering the head and face。＇
And the practice of a man who mixes devotion with an execrable life seems
in some sort more to be condemned than that of a man conformable to his
own propension and dissolute throughout； and for that reason it is that
our Church denies admittance to and communion with men obstinate and
incorrigible in any notorious wickedness。 We pray only by custom and for
fashion's sake； or rather； we read or pronounce our prayers aloud； which
is no better than an hypocritical show of devotion； and I am scandalised
to see a man cross himself thrice at the Benedicite； and as often at
Grace （and the more； because it is a sign I have in great veneration and
continual use； even when I yawn）； and to dedicate all the other hours of
the day to acts of malice； avarice； and injustice。 One hour to God； the
rest to the devil； as if by composition and compensation。 'Tis a wonder
to see actions so various in themselves succeed one another with such an
uniformity of method as not to interfere nor suffer any alteration； even
upon the very confines and passes from the one to the other。 What a
prodigious conscience must that be that can be at quiet within itself
whilst it harbours under the same roof； with so agreeing and so calm a
society； both the crime and the judge？
A man whose whole meditation is continually working upon nothing but
impurity which he knows to be so odious to Almighty God； what can he say
when he comes to speak to Him？ He draws back； but immediately falls into
a relapse。 If the object of divine justice and the presence of his Maker
did； as he pretends； strike and chastise his soul； how short soever the
repentance might be； the very fear of offending the Infinite Majesty
would so often present itself to his imagination that he would soon see
himself master of those vices that are most natural and vehement in him。
But what shall we say of those who settle their whole course of life upon
the profit and emolument of sins； which they know to be mortal？ How many
trades and vocations have we admitted and countenanced amongst us； whose
very essence is vicious？ And he that； confessing himself to me；
voluntarily told me that he had all his lifetime professed and practised
a religion； in his opinion damnable and contrary to that he had in his
heart； only to preserve his credit and the honour of his employments； how
could his courage suffer so infamous a confession？ What can men say to
the divine justice upon this subject？
Their repentance consisting in a visible and manifest reparation； they
lose the colour of alleging it both to God and man。 Are they so impudent
as to sue for remission without satisfaction and without penitence？
I look upon these as in the same condition with the first： but the
obstinacy is not there so easy to be overcome。 This contrariety and
volubility of opinion so sudden； so violent； that they feign； are a kind
of miracle to me： they present us with the state of an indigestible agony
of mind。
It seemed to me a fantastic imagination in those who； these late years
past； were wont to reproach every man they knew to be of any
extraordinary parts； and made profession of the Catholic religion； that
it was but outwardly； maintaining； moreover； to do him honour forsooth；
that whatever he might pretend to the contrary he could not but in his
heart be of their reformed opinion。 An untoward disease； that a man
should be so riveted to his own belief as to fancy that others cannot
believe otherwise than as he does； and yet worse； that they should
entertain so vicious an opinion of such great parts as to think any man
so qualified； should prefer any present advantage of fortune to the
promises of eternal life and the menaces of eternal damnation。 They may
believe me： could anything have tempted my youth； the ambition of the
danger and difficulties in the late commotions had not been the least
motives。
It is not without very good reason； in my opinion； that the Church
interdicts the promiscuous； indiscreet； and irreverent use of the holy
and divine Psalms； with which the Holy Ghost inspired King David。 We
ought not to mix God in our actions； but with the highest reverence and
caution； that poesy is too holy to be put to no other use than to
exercise the lungs and to delight our ears； it ought to come from the
conscience； and not from the tongue。 It is not fit that a prentice in
his shop； amongst his vain and frivolous thoughts； should be permitted to
pass away his time and divert himself with such sacred things。 Neither
is it decent to see the Holy Book of the holy mysteries of our belief
tumbled up and down a hall or a kitchen they were formerly mysteries； but
are now become sports and recreations。 'Tis a book too serious and too
venerable to be cursorily or slightly turned over： the reading of the
scripture ought to be a temperate and premeditated act； and to which men
should always add this devout preface； 'sursum corda'； preparing even the
body to so humble and composed a gesture and countenance as shall
evidence a particular veneration and attention。 Neither is it a book for
everyone to fist； but the study of select men set apart for that purpose；
and whom Almighty God has been pleased to call to that office and sacred
function： the wicked and ignorant grow worse by it。 'Tis； not a story to
tell； but a history to revere； fear； and adore。 Are not they then
pleasant men who think they have rendered this fit for the people's
handling by translating it into the vulgar tongue？ Does the
understanding of all therein contained only stick at words？ Shall I
venture to say further； that by coming so near to understand a little；
they are much wider of the whole scope than before。 A pure and simple
ignorance and wholly depending upon the exposition of qualified persons；
was far more learned and salutary than this vain and verbal knowledge；
which has only temerity and presumption。
And I do further believe that the liberty every one has taken to disperse
the sacred writ into so many idioms carries with it a great deal more of
danger than utility。 The Jews； Mohammedans； and almost all other
peoples； have reverentially espoused the language wherein their mysteries
were first conceived； and have expressly； and not without colour of
reason； forbidden the alteration of them into any other。 Are we assured
that in Biscay and in Brittany there are enough competent judges of this
affair to establish this translation into their own language？ The
universal Church has not a more difficult and solemn judgment to make。
In preaching and speaking the interpretation is vague； free； mutable； and
of a piece by itself； so 'tis not the same thing。
One of our Greek historians age justly censures the he lived in； because
the secrets of the Christian religion were dispersed into the hands of
every mechanic； to expound and argue upon； according to his own fancy；
and that we ought to be much ashamed； we who by God's especial favour
enjoy the pur