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Origins of Jansenism

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 October 2024

Ælred Whitacre O.P.
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Extract

To investigate the ancestry and relationships of the theological system expounded in the Augustinus of Cornelius Jansen, and to trace the history of the controversy about that system which arose in France in the seventeenth century, is a difficult task. It implies a knowledge not only of St. Augustine’s writings but of Pelagianism and Semipelagianism, and to some extent of Predestinarianism. It supposes, further, a knowledge of St. Thomas’ theology and of the writings of the Thomist commentators; and it includes an examination of the system of Baius, as well as of that of the Molinist school.

An analysis of the doctrine contained in the Augustinus, with its historical implications, has recently been attempted by Mr. Nigel Abercrombie. His work is divided into two parts, the one theological and the other historical. The latter section, beginning with the career of Saint-Cyran and ending with the destruction of the Couvent Port-Royal, affords interesting reading and is not without merit, but it is vitiated by onesidedness. The author loses no opportunity of depreciating the Dominicans.

Type
Research Article
Information
Blackfriars , Volume 17 , Issue 195 , June 1936 , pp. 423 - 433
Copyright
Copyright © 1936 Provincial Council of the English Province of the Order of Preachers

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References

1 Origins of Jansenism. By Nigel Abercrombie, M.A., Ph.D., (Oxon.). (Oxford University Press, 1936; 15/-.)

2 Alex. Sebille, O.P.: De Augustini et SS. Patrum de libero arbitrio interpres thomisticus adversus Corn. Jansenii doctrinam. (Mayence, 1652.) Bernard Guyard, O.P.: Discrimina inter doctrinam Thomis-ticam et Jansenianam. (Paris, 1655.)

3 Contvov. Lib. 2. De Gratia et Libevo Arbitrio. Cap. XI.

4 The italics are ours. The responsible theologians in question are the Jesuits Lessius, Vasquez, Becanus, Franzelin, etc.; the irvesponsibée theologians are St. Augustine, St. Thomas, all Thomists, Molina, Suarez, Bellarmine, etc.

5 Concordia, 14 a. 13, disp. 27, §Adde.

6 De Vera intellig. Aux. Effic., Cap. 40, §Octavus.

7 Benedict XIII, Demissas Preces. 6 Nov., 1724.

8 Lalahousse, S.J., Theol. Nat., Louvain, 1888, Cap. 9, art. 3, No. 502.

9 De Regnon, S.J., Bañez et Molina, pp. 113–115.

10 Opusc. II, De Scientia Futur. Conting., II, Cap. 7, n. 15.

11 Concordia, q. 14, a. 3, disp. 52 (Paris, p. 322).

12 Suarez. Qp. II, De Scient. Futur. Conting., II, Cap. 7, n. 3–6.

13 Op. cit., p. 118.

14 D'Alès: Recherches de Science Relig. (Janv.-Mars, 1917). p. 23.

15 Demissas Preces. 6 Nov., 1724.