GENERAL OP THE JESUITS. I2J 



Had Ricci had the benefit of the fociety at heart, 

 he would furely have averted Its total overthrow, by 

 fabmitting it to any reform, even though it might pro- 

 bably be attended with considerable lofs : like a pru- 

 dent mariner, who, without hentation, carts the coft- 

 lieft treafures into the furges of the fea, as the price of 

 redemption for his fhip and his life. The church her- 

 felf has no need to decline a reform, if ihe has ftarted 

 alide from the path of discipline. There are numerous 

 examples of refpectable orders who have fubmitted to 

 undergo a reform. Under this pretext the fociety 

 would have renovated its vigour, and always have pur- 

 sued its former courfe. Was the fraternity of Jefus 

 accufed with jufHce of certain faults ? it was but reafo- 

 nable, that, at leafh in the eyes of the world, it mould 

 feem difpofed to correct them. Was it innocent of 

 the charge ? then the ready adoption of a reform would 

 have tended to confirm their good principles and efta- 

 blim their innocence. An order that refufes to fubmit 

 to the conduct of the fovereign head of the church, 

 and frowardly perfTrTs in its old ways, under the gui- 

 dance of its own fuperior, immediately afrumes the 

 form of a feet, which has nothing lefs in view than the 

 welfare of the church. 



Notwithstanding whatever could be alledged, the 

 pere general delivered it as his final determination, that 

 he would listen to no reform. Nay, he exerted all pof- 

 fible means to induce the pope to diffolve the fociety. 

 While the deputation of cardinals was employed in 

 lifting the various complaints that were brought against 

 it, and its fate was nearly decided, he caufed the most 

 daring and Scurrilous libels to be difperfed igainfr. the 



pope. 



