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Nowhere was this fructuating idea of the sacrifice, the immolation of man for God and of the present in prospect of eternity, more rigorously understood and practised than amongst the disciples of John du Vergier de Hauranne, Abbot of St. Cyran. More bold in his conceptions than Cardinal Berulle and St.
Cyran, was however, a pupil of Jansen, a Dutch ecclesiastic, whose views on abstruse questions of grace were condemned by the Jesuits; and as the Port-Royalists would not disown the doctrines attributed to him, they were discouraged and persecuted throughout Louis's reign, more because he was jealous of what would not bend to his will than for any real want of conformity.
And all this was owing to the example and influence of one little girl, who had been thrust into a position for which she had certainly shown no liking. In the last twenty-five years of Angélique's life her religious views underwent a change, and her confessor, St. Cyran, who shared them, was imprisoned, on a charge of heresy, at Vincennes.
After such a statement as that there could be no longer question of friendship between Vincent and St. Cyran, although the latter, anxious not to break with a man who was held in such universal esteem as Vincent de Paul, tried to persuade him that he, St.
If you do but speak her name again before me I will run you through." Receiving no answer, he departed with Cyran, while the others gathered about their host. There was a heavy rumble in the throat of Antipater a tiger-like, Herodian trait and then a volley of oaths came out of it. He trembled with rage and flung his sword far across the dim atrium with a shout of anger.
But although he hated the heresy with all the strength of his upright soul, Vincent's charitable heart went out in pity to those who were infected with its taint, and it was with compassion rather than indignation that he would speak of St. Cyran and his adherents.
Before long he had seen forming, beside Port Royal and in the solitude of the fields, a nucleus of penitents, emulous of the hermits of the desert. M. Le Maitre, Mother Angelica's nephew, a celebrated advocate in the Parliament of Paris, had quitted all "to have no speech but with God." Cyran and his saintly requirements. The director's power over so many eminent minds became too great.
"You are gone mad," said Appius, "and I pray the gods to bring you back. It may be the fair Vergilius forgets you." She turned, quickly, and her voice trembled as she whispered: "Nay, he also has the great love in him. He could not forget." Cyran, the pretty slave-girl, came soon with their evening repast. Arria bade her sit beside them.
The master brought a wreath of laurel to the young tribune, saying: "'Tis from the king." Vergilius seemed not to hear. Tenderly he raised the lifeless body of Cyran in his arms. The spectators were cheering. "Hail, victor!" they shouted. "Hail, victor!" he whispered, looking into the dead face. "Blessed be they who conquer death." The day was near its end.
Cyran, narrowed, however, and absorbed by obstinate resistance, a few theologians dying in exile, and leaving in Holland a succession of bishops detached from the Roman church, this was all that remained of one of the noblest attempts ever made by the human soul to rise, here below, above that which is permitted by human nature.
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