JESUITS. 



739 



JsjsMt. member*. They refused to produce them, when re- 

 ""Y"^^ quired by court* of justice ; and it was not till the pub- 

 lic prosecutions against them in Portugal and France, 

 which terminated in their overthrow, had commenced, 

 that the mysterious volumes of the institute were un- 

 veiled to the world. But the " Secreta Manila,"* or 

 hidden rule* of the society, which were not discover- 

 ed till nearly fifty years alter the abolition of the order, 

 and which most unequivocally unfold the detestable 

 nature of the institution, were most anxiously withheld 

 from every eye, except those of the most thoroughly 

 initiated. They were directed to be communicated, 

 even to professed members, with the utmost caution, and 

 then only a* the result of personal experience, not as 

 the recorded role* of the institution. In the event al- 

 so of their foiling into the hands of strangers, it was 

 expressly enjoined, that they must be positively denied 

 to be the rales of the society. A few extracts from 

 these hidden precepts will furnish the reader with the 

 bnt exposure of the spirit and tendency of Jesuitism. 

 " Prince* and distinguished persons must by all means 

 be so managed ( by the member* of the society), that 

 they may gain their ear, which will easily secure their 

 hearts ; so that all persons will become dependent up- 

 on them, and mniusjkiuii be prevented. Since ecclesi- 

 astic* secure the greatest favour by winking at the 

 view of the gnat, a* in the case of incestuous mar- 

 sages, Ice. such persons must be led to hope, that, 

 through their aid, a dispensation may be obtained from 

 UM Pope, which he will no doubt readily grant It 

 will further their object, if their member* insinuate 

 thentssfvos into foreign embassies, but especially in 

 those to the Pope. Favour must, above all, be obtain- 

 ed with the dependent* sad JossMtici of prince* and 

 iwUsMMO, who, by primnts and office* of piety, may 

 be so far biaasad a* to impart intelligence of their em- 

 layara JacKuarimii and intentions. Princesses and fe- 

 aasss of rank may be gained by women of their bt-d- 

 who roust therefore be particularly acUressv 



their salvation, and effectually escape the pains of pur- Jesuits. 

 gatory. That the widow may dispose of her property s '~y**^ 

 to the society, she must be told of those who have de- 

 voted themselves to the service of God, and be led to 

 expect canonization from the court of Rome. Confes- 

 sors must also enquire of their penitents what family, 

 relations, friends, and estates they possess, and what 

 they have in expectancy, as also their intentions, which 

 they must endeavour to mould in favour of the society. 

 Such members as make a scruple of acquiring riches for 

 the society must be dismissed ; and if they appeal to 

 the provincials, they must not be heard, but pressed 

 with the statute, which commands implicit obedience 

 from all. Such as retain a love for other orders, for 

 the poor, or their relations, must be dismissed, since 

 they are likely to prove of little service. All, before 

 dismission, must be prevailed upon to subscribe and 

 make an oath, that they will never, directly or indi- 

 rectly, either write or speak any thing to the disadvan- 

 tage of the order; and the superiors must keep an ac- 

 count of the sins, failings, and vices, which they for- 

 merly confessed, to be used against them, if occasion 

 requires, in order to prevent their future advancement 

 in life ; and noblemen and prelates, with whom they 

 may have credit, must be prevailed upon to deny them 

 their protection. All must be caressed, who are dis- 

 tinguished either for their talents, rank, or wealth, 

 especially if they have friends attached to the society, 

 or possessed of power ; such must be sent to Rome, or 

 come celebrated university, for study ; but, if they pre- 

 fer the provinces, the professors must inveigle them 

 into a surrender of their effects to the society, and the 

 superiors must shew a particular regard to such as have 

 allured any promising youths into the society. The 

 preceptors must not chastise or keep in subjection young 

 men of good genius, agreeable persons, and noble fa- 

 milies, like their other pupils : they must be won by 

 presents, and the indulgence of liberties peculiar to 

 their age ; but on other occasions, especially in exhor- 

 tations, they must be terrified with threats of eternal 

 punishment, unless they obey the heavenly invitation 

 of joining the society. If any member expects a bi- 

 shopric or other dignity, he must take an additional 

 vow always to think and speak honourably of the so- 

 ciety ; never to have a confessor who is not a Jesuit ; 

 nor determine any affair of moment, without first con- 

 sulting the society. The society will contribute much 

 to it* own advantage, by fomenting and heightening 

 (but with caution and secrecy ) the animosities that arise 

 among princes and great men, in order that they may 

 weaken each other." 



These detestable objects and principles, however, jjj sU ,j, al) j 

 were long an impenetrable secret ; and the professed progress of 

 intention of the new order, was to promote with une- the society. 

 quailed and unfettered zeal the salvation of mankind. 

 Its progress, nevertheless, was at first remarkably slow. 

 Charles V. who is supposed, with his usual sagacity, to 

 have discerned its dangerous tendency, rather checked 

 than encouraged its advancement ; and the universities 

 of France resisted its introduction into that kingdom. 

 Thus, roused by obstacles, and obliged to find resources 

 within themselves, the Jesuits brought all their talents 

 and devices into action. They applied themselves to 

 every useful function and curious art ; and neither ne- 

 glected nor despised any mode, however humble, of 



Tb* and other institutions whl<* contributed most entntially to the power and permanence of the society, are attributed to 

 the gnuiM of Unfurl fd Aqtuiv. in* two generals who succeeded Loyola, and who were far superior to their fanatical master in 

 IB* KMUM sf yvcnuBMl iid the Lnowk. Jge f human nature. 



ad, whsrsby there will be no secrets concealed from 



must allow greater 



i those of other srsWi, n order that their 

 ing allured with such freedom, may re- 

 rs, and entirely depend on their direction 

 si," PnlsU* must be engaged to employ the 

 i both for t infill jf* and adviser*. Care must be 



found either college* 

 'the society always have the 

 that the superior of the Je- 

 1 be appointed to the cure, so 

 ' that church and it* pa- 

 dependent on the society. 

 the governor* of tsdeiaill thwart their de- 

 signs, or the Catholics or heretics oppose their founda- 

 tions, they must endeavour, by the prelates, to secure 

 the principal pulpits. Their member*, in directing 

 Iks) great, must seem to have nothing in view but God's 

 glory ; and not immediately, but by degrees, interfere 

 in political and secular matters, solemnly affirming, 

 that the administration of public affairs is what they 

 engage in with reluctance, and only ss compelled by a 

 sense of duty. In order to induce rich widows to be 

 liberal to the society, they must be provided with con- 

 who may urge their remaining unmarried, by 

 that they will thereby infallibly secure 



