"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.

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"The sectaries, understanding the agreement 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 displeased the generality of the catholics, conde"scended so far, as to sign a letter which gave an "assurance of maintaining a friendly correspondence "with the other missioners: but as to the articles "of agreement, he said, they were liable to several exceptions. The letter †, by his order, was com

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, who edited the Memoirs of Panzani, and the gentleman, who answered him.

* Dodd, vol. iii. p. 134.

+ 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 66 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

"municated to the deputies; and they, in return, "sent him a copy of their agreement, and, at the

"But having, afterwards, heard all this from another quarter, "I profess," says the good father, "in the name of myself "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 charity of the "labourers in the vineyard. We also promise, that we will "all exert our endeavours, that,--(to use the words of the in"strument), 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 desires it to be understood, that, by his assent to the instrument, he neither admitted nor denied the authority of doctor 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), Panzani 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.

"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.

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same time, desired, he would meet them, in "order to remove the difficulties he apprehended.

"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 "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 VIII, 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 necessity, we have written that, which appeared to us necessary "to preserve entire the dignity of the apostolic see. "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.

Nor

"In the second article the seculars promise to permit the "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.”

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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.

“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 "respective privileges, made no account of it.-"Father Blond replied in a second letter full of "caution and reserve, viz. That his holiness

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having 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."

CHAP. LVII.

ATTEMPTS TO ESTABLISH AN OFFICIAL INTERCOURSE

BETWEEN THE SEE OF ROME AND THE ENGLISH GOVERNMENT.

THE

agency

of Panzani and his attempts to effect a friendly communication between Rome and London appear to have been generally known by some con

temporary writers :-but the only authentic information, which we possess of them, is contained in the work which we have cited under the title of Panzani's Memoirs; we shall now transcribe so much of them as relate to these communications.

"The two secretaries Windebanck and Cottington, "encouraged Panzani not to let fall the business of a reciprocal agent, because, by that means, the "re-union of the kingdom with the church of Rome

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might come to pass. Panzani had written to car"dinal Barberini about it, even at the beginning, "when first it was proposed to him by Windebanck; "and the cardinal applied his mind to it, seriously; "so, in answer, he ordered Panzani that he should "consult father Philip*, what hopes there might "be about the foresaid union of the kingdoms "and what means to cultivate it. Father Philip, "as a wise man and well acquainted with the affairs "of that nation, assured, that every day good

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signs appeared, as well in the king, as in the "ecclesiastics and laity of the kingdom, towards "such an union; but that however, it was to be "looked upon as a most difficult business, by rea"son of the severity of the laws against the catholics;

seeing that those, who really desired an union, "durst not discover it, but rather, through fear, "took occasion to shew the contrary disposition; "and the same apprehension appeared in the king, "of his own nature most fearful: from these things, a great inconvenience followed, to wit, that none

A friar; the queen's confidential chaplain,

VOL. IV.

G