I will endeavour, as briefly as I can, to give the substance of M. Gérin's evidence.
The Edict of March 20th ordered that the Four Articles should be registered in all the Universities and Faculties of Theology, and taught by their professors.
The Faculties of Theology in Paris were composed of 753 doctors. The houses were those of the Sorbonne, Navarre, the Cholets, St. Sulpice, several religious orders, and others.
Of these, Fleury tells us that the regulars, to a man, maintained the infallibility of the Pontiff; that the congregations of secular priests were of the same opinion.
We have before us a secret report, drawn up for Colbert by some doctors, partisans of the Court, in which they arrange in two classes, Pour Rome and Contre Rome, the theologians of the Faculties in Paris.
Of the Sorbonne they say: 'Except six or seven, the whole house of the Sorbonne is educated in opinions contrary to the declaration. The professors, except the syndic, are so greatly opposed to it, that even those who are paid by the King are not willing to teach any one of the propositions which were presented to his Majesty in 1665; although, in the Colleges of the Sorbonne and Navarre, there are chairs founded to teach controversy. The number living in the College of the Sorbonne is very considerable. They are all united in Ultramontane opinions except four or five. All the professors, even the royal, except the syndic of the Faculty, are of the same maxims.'[1]
- ↑ Gérin, p. 343.
