122 



CHARACTER OF THE LAST 



Ganganelli evinced, in the fequel, that he effected 

 the diffolution of the fociety, not with the hafty autho- 

 rity of an articled magiftrate, but in confequence of a 

 mature and impartial inveftigation of the merits of the 

 caufe. " Give me time to examine into this important 

 4C affair, on which I am to pronounce a decilive de- 

 *' cree was his anfwer to the earneft follicitations of 

 the houfe of Bourbon, I am the common father of 

 <f all the orthodox, particularly the religious, and can- 

 " not annihilate a famous order, without fuch motives 

 " as will be my juftiflcation in the light of God and of 

 *' the world." That he might make no falfe ftep in 

 this arduous bulinefs, he convoked a peculiar deputa- 

 tion of five impartial cardinals arid two or three learn- 

 ed prelates, appointed experienced advocates to plead 

 in behalf of the jefuits, and inftituted a formal procefs, 

 that terminated in a fentence, which, after a long in- 

 veftigation, he confirmed, as fovereign judge. 



Before, however, he took this definitive meafure, he 

 required of pere general Ricci, that he would at once 

 proceed to a thorough reform of his order. But he 

 trill adhered to his old device : Sint ut funt, aut non 

 lint. Such pertinacity, as it exceeds all bounds, al- 

 moft furpafTes belief. It is fomething fimilar to the in- 

 flexible ffcubbornnefs of a Simon at the liege of Jerufa- 

 lem. The benevolent Titus offered him peace ; the „ 

 city and temple being now in his hands ; if he would 

 but fubmit, with the remaining inhabitants, to the obe- 

 dience of the roman people. But no ; he would rather 

 the city were reduced to a heap of rums, and the whole 

 nation of the jews exterminated, than profit by the em- 

 peror's grace. 



Had 



