"the jesuits, would appear and subscribe, as the "other deputies did, adding, that there was a "blank left in the writing for that purpose. Father "Roberts was far from being satisfied, though they "acquainted him with every particular. He even "opposed the meeting, representing it as a con❝spiracy against their society.-Panzani having "notice that father Roberts was present, took some pains to set him right, assuring him, almost with "tears in his eyes, that the only object of their meeting was peace and harmony; and he hoped "the jesuits would not stand off, but convince the "world, by signing the articles of agreement, that

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they were studious of peace, and had an equal "regard with others for the good of the mission. "The deputies also earnestly begged for their com"pliance; but to no purpose. Roberts would not

depart a tittle from his resolution, though he "seemed willing that the result of the conference "should be communicated to his order.

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Panzani, on the first meeting of the deputies, "demurred whether he should appear amongst "them, lest his presence might seem to favour the

bishop of Chalcedon's pretensions, whose case "was not yet decided at Rome. But, being as"sured that the bishop's name was no otherwise "mentioned, than as he was an eminent member "of the clergy body, he hesitated no longer. Soon "after this, Panzani made it his business to find "out Richard Blond*, provincial of the jesuits,

* He was educated at Rheims, and afterwards at Rome; in this city he was ordained priest; he was afterwards sent into

"whom he pressed very hard to join the other "orders, But he declined it, which so irritated "the deputies, that they advised Panzani to importune him no longer, for that it made him put "too great a value on his concurrence.

"The sectaries, understanding the agreement 66 amongst the missionaries was not likely to be

universal, felt a sensible trouble, as did all others "who were favourers of the projects then on foot,

"Blond, perceiving that his standing off dis"pleased the generality of the catholics, conde"scended so far, as to sign a letter which gave an "assurance of maintaining a friendly correspond66 ence with the other missioners: but as to the "articles of agreement, he said, they were liable

the English mission, and entered into the society of Jesus. He was greatly esteemed by his order, and raised to the rank of vice-provincial. He organized the missionaries of his order, by distributing them into precincts, and assigning a superior to each. In 1620, there were 19 of his order in the London, 8 in the Suffolk, 8 in the Hampshire, 10 in the Staffordshire, 12 in the Lancashire, 12 in the Leicestershire, 6 in the Lincolnshire, 7 in the Yorkshire, 11 in the Northamptonshire. 5 in the Worcestershire, and 11 in the Welch precinct.-More gives an edifying account of his virtues and missionary labours; calls him, "next after Persons, the column of the "English mission and province," and inserts at length the instructions, which he left as a legacy, and it certainly was a valuable legacy,—to the actual and future members of his order. (Hist. lib. x.) The propriety of the conduct of father" Blond in the transactions mentioned in the text is one of the numerous subjects of controversy between the gentleman, whe edited the Memoirs of Panzani, and the gentleman, who answered him.

Dodd, vol. iii. p, 134.

"to several exceptions. The letter*, by his order, "was communicated to the deputies; and they, in

* A Latin translation of it is also given by More, (Hist.lib. x. s. 16.)-Blond solemnly asserts in it, that "he was not invited "by any one to the meeting; nor heard any thing from any "one, that the presence of himself or of any one on his behalf "would be acceptable; that he knew nothing of the time or "place of the meeting, or of the persons, who were to attend "it, till after it had taken place."

"But having, afterwards, heard all this from another quar"ter, I profess," says the good father, "in the name of my"self and of all the associates committed to my care, that we "most willingly embrace this peace, so far as it regards the "common good of the catholic religion, and the mutual cha"rity of the labourers in the vineyard. We also promise, "that we will all exert our endeavours, that,-(to use the "words of the instrument), the supreme pontiff, should not "be deceived by false information, or the smallest injury "done to the honour of his most serene majesty, the queen, "or the state."

This letter is dated the 23d of November; on the 28th of the same month, father Blond addressed one to Panzani, (More, lib. x. s. 17), in which he expresses to Panzani some surprise that so solemn an instrument should have been signed, on such subjects, as promoting the public good, cherishing charity, not deceiving the pontiff, not injuring the honour of the king, facts, of which, he says, there never had been any question. He embraces the peace, that he may not appear to reject it: but he objects to the proposed meetings in every three months, as inconvenient ;-and désires it to be understood, that by his assent to the instrument, he neither admitted nor denied the authority of Dr. Smith, but left the question, as it then was, in the hands of the pope.

By a letter of the same day, (More, Hist. l. x. s. 17), Pan zani sent Blond an exact transcript of the articles which had been signed, and accompanied them, with the copy of an instrument, which, he says, had been reduced to writing, and agreed to, but not signed: it is thus expressed:

"return, sent him a copy of their agreement, and, "at the same time, desired he would meet them,

"The deputies of the religious orders promise, that they "will not, by themselves or their brethren, directly or indi"rectly, from this time, oppose themselves to the establish"ment of episcopal authority in England; or impede the "bishop or bishops there established or to be established, to "enjoy and exercise freely and quietly all the rights, privileges, "and faculties granted by the apostolic see.

"The deputies of the secular clergy promise, that they “will not, either by themselves or the bishops established or "to be established in England, directly or indirectly impede "the before-mentioned religious from peaceably and quietly "enjoying or exercising all the rights, privileges, and faculties "granted to them by the apostolic see, under their superiors, "as theretofore.

"It is also promised on each side, that, as soon as the "secular clergy shall have an immediate superior residing in "England, a treaty shall be entered upon, respecting the more 66 special conditions of the union and concord."

By his answer, dated the 4th of the following December, Blond acknowledges the receipt of Panzani's letter; refers to the bull, Britannia, of pope Urban the eighth, which has been mentioned; speaks in its praise, and observes that it would be better to acquiesce in it, and in any future regulations of the holy see, than to enter on new discussions.-"On the "articles themselves," he says, "I shall express myself in a "few words. We have not as yet, and shall not hereafter, "do any thing against them. Not one of us has ever opposed "himself to the establishment of episcopal authority in Eng"land. But being questioned by those, who had that right, "we have given our opinion; or being compelled by necess sity, we have written that, which appeared to us necessary. "to preserve entire the dignity of the apostolic see. Nor "have we heretofore impeded, nor shall we impede the bishop " of Chalcedon, or any other person, in the free exercise of "any authority committed to him by the apostolic see......

"In the second article, the seculars promise to permit the

" in order to remove the difficulties he apprehended. "-Panzani, meanwhile, renewed his protestations "of impartiality, declaring that his only view was a lasting peace amongst them. He assured the 'jesuits, they had nothing to fear from the bishop "of Chalcedon's being named with the rest; and "that the other orders, equally jealous of their

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respective privileges, made no account of it."Father Blond replied in a second letter, full of "caution and reserve, viz. That his holiness hav"ing already, by a brief, beginning Britannia, "dated May 9th 1631, given express orders, that "all controversies between the clergy and regulars "should be suppressed and silenced, it was more "advisable to stick to the letter of those orders, "and to submit to them, than, by meetings and "proposing articles of agreement, to raise grounds "for new disputes. He therefore judged it in"convenient to enter upon any new projects, "whence difficulties would certainly arise."

"regulars in their turns to enjoy their faculties: this is right, "and conformable to the intention and order of the apostolic see, contained in the brief which has been mentioned."

The further treaty suggested by the seculars, on the event of their having an immediate superior, Blond pronounces to be useless, as he presumes that, on such an event, every thing will be regulated by the holy see.

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