Bossuet and his contemporaries

Front matter

eee ce tnin ies eoanped ants

tae Rbasioed fore ry soo haa hesmen ia aataa s Aenea em itowen eae: i amage o> ae ee 0 eden hen et Se ne ti OBA? Stee my pee nee tb fesiyt

ae paket tt Shue Sontecwastase ts a eG S M2)

Chapter II. Bossuet As A Preacher

Visit of Anne of Austria and Louis XIV. to Metz—S. Vincent’s ‘‘Messieurs des Mardis”—Mission of Metz— Correspondence with S. Vincent de Paul—Bossuet sent x CONTENTS.

PAGE to Paris—Preaches before the Queen—Panegyric of S.

Joseph— Queen Marie Thérese—Advent and Lent Stations—Muse Historique—Sermons before the King —Bossuet’s Three Styles of Preaching—History of his Manuscript Sermons—Deforis’ Edition—Lachat’s Edition—Bossuet’s Eloquence—Madame de Sevigné— Louis XIV. and Bossuet’s Father—Journal des Savans —Flattery of the Period—Quotations from Sermons preached before the King—The Duties of Kings—Elévations—Quotation of Scripture—Of the Fathers—Of Classical Authors—Sainte Beuve and Criticisms—Bossuet’s Extensive Reading—Marginal Notes—Anecdotes —Sermon on Death . 5 : : é : . “62

CHAPTER SIT BOSSUET IN PARIS.

Bossuet’s Dwelling and Friends—Death of the Duc de Foix —Exposition de la Doctrine Catholique—Turenne— Panégyriques—Bossuet resigns the Archdeaconry of Metz to his Father—Priory of Gassicourt—Death of Bishop Bédacier—Port-Royal—Jansenius—The Five Propositions—The Arnaulds—Archbishop Péréfixe— Death of Anne of Austria—Nicole’s Perpetuité de la Foi—The Mons Testament-—Letters to the Maréchal de Bellefonds—Faculty of Theology—Bossuet appointed Bishop of Condom—Queen Henrietta Maria of England —Her Escape to France—Murder of Charles I.—The Queen’s Death—Her Funeral Oration — Henrietta d’Angleterre, Duchess of Orléans, becomes Bossuet’s Pupil—Her Sudden Death—Her Funeral Oration— Impression on the Paris World—Madame de la Valliére 11 7

CONTENTS. xi

COAL LER TV.

BOSSUET PRECEPTOR TO THE DAUPHIN.

PAGE

Death of President de Périgny—Bossuet appointed in his place—His Difficulties as to the See of Condom—His Consecration—Resignation of the See—Pecuniary Difficulties—The Dauphin—Bossuet’s Views as to his Education— Religious Instruction — Classical — Bossuet’s Love of Homer—Conversation with the Bishop of Autun—Virgil—History—Letter to Pope Innocent concerning the Dauphin’s Education—Pére Gratry’s Criticisms of Bossuet’s Philosophy—Traité de la Philosophie

*—La Logique—Du Libre Arbitre—Histoire Universelle—Politique Sacrée—Marriage of the Dauphin— His Character—Bossuet appointed Chaplain to the Dauphiness—Her Description by Mme. de Sevigné— Birth of the Duc de Bourgogne — Death of the Dauphiness—The Dauphin’s Second Marriage—Wars —His Death—His Coldness and Slackness towards Bossuet . . ‘ - ‘ ; : ; NG Cale:

CHAPTER’ 'V.

BOSSUET A BISHOP.

Bossuet elected a Member of the Académie Francaise— Discours—His Habits of Life—Society—Allée des Philosophes—Gatherings of Literary Men—Louise de la Vallitre—Her Penitence—Consults Maréchal de Bellefonds—Correspondence with Bossuet—She leaves the Court—Mademoiselle de Blois—The Duchess joins the Carmelites and takes the Habit—Takes the Veil— xil CONTENTS.

PAGE Bossuet preacher on the Occasion—Her After Life and

Death—Madame de Montespan—The Curé of Versailles refuses her Communion—Louis XIV. consults Bossuet—He tries to separate the King from her— Letters to Louis XIV.—The King relapses—Bossuet’s last Efforts—Mademoiselle de Fontanges—Conversion of Mademoiselle de Duras—The Minister Claude— Death of the Duc de Rochefoucauld—Bossuet’s Correspondence . , : : : : , . 203

CHAPTER VI

BOSSUET IN THE ASSEMBLY.

Bossuet thought of as Archbishop of Lyons—Bishop of Sens, Beauvais, etc.—Nominated Bishop of Meaux—Assembly General—Letters to Dr. Dirois and de Rancé— Struggle between the Pope and the Gallican Church— Affair of the Régale—Louis XIV.’s Declaration—Bossuet preaches before the Assembly—The Four Articles —De Harlay—Declaration of the Clergy of France— Confirmed by the King’s Edict—Indignation at Rome —Letters to Dr. Dirois—Bossuet’s Defence of the Gallican Church ‘ . j i ? : See.

CHAPTER WL BOSSUET AT MEAUX.

Bossuet’s Installation at Meaux—First Sermon in the Cathedral—Retreat at la Trappe—Letter on the Adoration of the Cross—The Palace at Meaux—Bossuet’s House-

CONTENTS. xiii hold—Contrast of that of his Successor. de Bisye tia

Habit of Night Work—Diocesan Work—Offices— Manner of performing Ceremonies—Preparation for Preaching — Visitations — Missions — Conferences — Synods—Catechisms—Hospitals, Religious Houses— Irregularities of the Abbey of Jouarre Reformed— Letters to the Abbess—Bossuet’s Dislike of Party Spirit —His Literary Friends—Fénelon—Calvinists—Interview with the Capets—Traité de la Communion sous les deux éspeces, and other Controversial Writings— Moderation in dealing with Protestants— Funeral Oration’ of the Queen Maria Thérese—Her Character— Funeral Oration of the Princess Palatine—Of Chancellor Le Tellier—Character of the Archbishop of Rheims— The Great Condé—-His Death — Funeral Oration . es : ; : : : . ey

CHeanlreR Vill BOSSUET IN CONTROVERSY.

Histoire des Variations—Letter to Dr. Bull on his Book— Jurieu—Basnage—Dr. Dupin—Cardinal Sfondrati— Lord Perth—Conyersion of the Duke of Richmond— Quietism—Feénelon—Early Life—Appointment as Preceptor to the Duc de Bourgogne—Contrast between the Duke and his Father—Fénelon appointed Archbishop of Cambrai—Molinism—Quietude—Bossuet’s Writings on Quietism—Madame Guyon—Conferences of Issy—Cardinal de Noailles—Appeal to the Pope— Intrigues at Rome— Madame de Maisonfort — The Abbé Bossuet—Cabals and Jealousies—Condemnation of Fénelon’s Book—Bossuet’s Vehemence . ; 29 xiv