YOU have not forgot , Sir , that in the last Conversation we had together in France upon the account of Religion , I made you acknowledge , That the Protestant Religion was more suitable to Reason , than the Romish , which you profess . It is true , that by an evasion , more subtle than solid , you was pleased to call that Reason , Human Reason , supported by Sense , which you said , was the Rock on which the purity of Faith commonly splits and suffers Shipwrack ; and that you desired Faith to be the Foundation of your Religion , with exclusion of every thing else ; and as you , with your Divines , freely owned an hundred several Miracles in Transubstantiation , you were pleased to tell me , That that was a Mystery of Faith , which ought rather to be humbly adored , than rashly pry'd into . Whereupon , when I took the liberty to tell you ▪ That in the mean time , forasmuch as my Reason was given me by God , to make use of it in the searching out the Truth , I could not but think it hard , to reject the Light it offers , seeing that without it I was like one , who being fallen into a deep Water , and finding no bottom to foot upon , is drown'd and lost . You Reply'd , That if I inclin'd to follow Reason , you would soon furnish me with Guides able to satisfie an honest Mind ; and that I needed only to cast my Eye on so many Learned Men , both Monks and Priests , who are the Light of the World , the main Props and Pillars of the Church , who by the Integrity of their Life , and the Purity of their Doctrin , uphold the Temple of God here upon Earth ; That it was morally impossible , that so many Learned Men should all of them be involved in Error ; and that the agreeing Consent of so many Excellent Spirits , appear'd to you a sufficiently firm Foundation to establish and fix a Reasonable Mind . You proceeded to speak to me with earnestness , of the Modesty that becomes those who have only a mean Capacity ; which you know , I was so far from being offended at , that on the contrary , as being better than any one else acquainted with my own Mediocrity , I thank'd you for your Advice ; adding , That how useful otherwise it might be , yet ought it not to stop me in my search after Truth . And forasmuch as some time after , partly out of Devotion , and partly out of Curiosity , I hapned to undertake a Voyage into Italy , and upon that occasion calling to mind , how in my Scruples about Religion you had referred me to your Priests and Monks , I made it my business , more than otherwise I would have done , to examine their Life and Conduct , to try whether I could find them a sufficient and rational Foundation , as you pretend , to assure and confirm a person , who already began to doubt of the truth of your Principles . And it seems indeed , That God took a particular care , to dispose all things towards my full and satisfactory Information herein during the whole course of my Travels .

At my setting forth from Paris , I associated my self with a Benedictin Monk of a Reformed Congregation , a Man of sufficient Learning , and whose Wit and other good Qualities , had so far recommended him to the Religious of his Order , as to send him a second time in quality of their Procurator , and Solicitor General , to the Court of Rome . His Person and Port were very advantageous , and he had a subtle Wit , very proper to humour the Cardinals , and to insinuate himself with the Pope ; and on this design it was , that he now undertook this Journey . We took our Way through the Country of Brie , and so through Burgundy ; and upon the Road we called at several Monasteries of his Order , where we were received and treated very civilly ; and where I had an opportunity of making some Observations , which I thought not unworthy of your knowledge ; and therefore have made them the Subject of this Letter , after which , I intend with the first occasion , in case I find , Sir , that these prove welcom to you , to impart some other Matters I have observed since my entring into Italy .

We arrived , the 13th of July , at a little Town on the Confines of the Country of Auxerre , called Flavigny . It is a place of little consideration at present , tho' very famous by reason of a Pilgrimage which has been continued there a long time since , in honour of a certain Saintess called Reine , and very infamous for the Contests and Impostures which were in their vigour when we pass'd that Way . The History in short is this : An holy Woman , named Reine , suffer'd Martyrdom about Alise , a little Village a League distant from Flavigny ; and the Ground of that Country generally abounding with Mineral Waters , some considerable time after the Monks of Flavigny made a search for the Body of this Saint , and informed the People , That when she was Beheaded , at the very place where her Head lighted on the ground , a Spring ( known by Experience to be much conducing to the Healing of the Sick ) bubbled up at that very instant , for a perpetual Miracle , in witness of Gods approbation of the Confession of Faith made by his Handmaid . This Error being afterwards carried on for many Ages in the Minds of the People , and become the more incurable for its long standing , it hapned some years since , that the Fathers , Cord●liers , who are Religious of the Order of St. Francis , a sort of People subtle and very crafty , obtained leave of the Bishop of the place , to build a little Chappel about the said Spring , whereof they took possession , to the great regret of the Monks of the Order of St. Bennet , who had been all along the ancient and peaceable possessors of all the Relicks of St. Reine , who soon found how dangerous it was , to have such sly Fellows for their Neighbours ; and the false Step they had made , in neglecting to make themselves Masters of a Spring of Water , so fruitful in Blessings , and which was not above a League distant from their Monastery . Indeed the Cordeliers knew much better to improve this Advantage , than the Benedictins had done ; insomuch that the Devotion very sensibly increased , in a short time , to the considerable profit of these good Fellows , who not contenting themselves with being the Masters of the Miraculous Spring , but resolving to draw to themselves the entire Devotion of that Pilgrimage , they pretended to have a considerable part of the Body of that Saint ; and accordingly they exposed to publick View , as they pretended , a whole Arm of her ; by which means , within less than a Leagues space , the monstrous sight was to be seen of a Saint with Three Arms , to the great astonishment and scandal of the People thereabouts , and of an infinite number of Travellers and Pilgrims , who resort thither from all Parts . Would to God that this Imposture , as well as so many others every whit as strange , had the power to open the Eyes of those poor People , to discover once for all , how these wretched Monks do abuse them ; how easily then would they perceive , That not only the Bones they adore are very uncertain , as resting only on the Faith of persons , who indeed have none at all ; but besides , that that Spring never was Miraculous , but only an excellent Mineral Water , as may be ●ather'd from the nature of the Soil , and by the consent of many Famous Naturalists and Physicians , who have learnedly treated on this Subject . I could , Sir , have heartily wish'd you present , when the Father ( Guardian of that Convent ) who took the pains himself to shew us the fair Buildings and Gardens , which were the product of the Moneys brought in by that Devotion , entred upon the discourse of his pretended Relick , which he had the impudence to shew us ; for I assure my self , you would have soon recover'd of the too favourable Opinion you have conceiv'd for this kind of Men. He protested , not without an horrid Blasphemy , That for his part , he did not more firmly believe the Mystery of the Holy Trinity , than he was convinc'd of the truth of his Relick ; notwithstanding that the Bishop of the Place had absolutely forbid them , to expose it any more to publick View . It would be too ridiculous to give you a relation of the way and manner by which he assur'd us this Arm had been found by them , so far as to mingle with it the Revelations of his Brethren the Cordeliers , and the Ministry of Angels , which is the ordinary way made use of by the Church of Rome , for introducing and authorizing their Superstitious Worship . The only Reflection I desire you to make on this occasion , is , That certainly it is a pitiful and lamentable thing , to see that the Roman Catholicks , who do not want Men of Wit and Parts amongst them , are yet so obstinate , that they will not be disabus'd , notwithstanding they see every day many things sufficient to withdraw them from their Error : So that we have reason to believe , That by a just Judgment of God , because they render to Saints and Saintesses a Worship that is only due to God , they are suffer'd to give the same to those things , which in their own Consciences do not deserve it . The most part of their Divines maintain , That when a Devotion is once set on foot , notwithstanding that the Subject in which it terminates should be afterwards found to be false and superstitious , and so unworthy of such Worship ; yet that in Conscience the course of it ought not to be stopt ; because ( say they ) the Scandal which by this means must needs be occasion'd , would be a much greater Evil , than that which we design to take away ; and because the Simplicity of a deluded People , whose intention is always right and pure , is much more pleasing to God , than a too great cautelousness and fear of being deceived , which might in the end engage them to call in question all manner of Relicks and Miracles , which they look upon as a very great Evil. But the naked Truth is , This would give a great Stroak towards the diminishing of their Temporal profits , there being never a Pilgrimage which does not afford them very considerable ones by the infinite number of Prayers and Masses , which are there procured , and are all ra●ed at a very high price . I can give you on this Subject the Result of a Conference , at which I was present my self , some time ago , at Blois in France , upon occasion of several● Relicks kept in the Parish of St. Victor , two Leagues distant from that City . These Relicks were much out of order , in old Wooden-Cases , all Worm-eaten and rotten with Age , which hindred them from being carried in Procession , and exposed to publick View . The concern therefore was to have them more modishly accommodated , and transported into New Cases . To this end the Bishop of Chartres was petition'd to perform the Translation , who presently sent his Order to the Archdeacon of Blois for that purpose ; who assembled several of the Clergy , to consult with the Curate and Priests of St. Victor , about the Precautions to be observed in that Translation . The Resolution was , That to avoid the Scandal that might happen , if nothing should chance to be found in the Old Cases , and to prevent the declining of the good Opinion and Devotion of the People , in case only some few Bones should be found in them , the transportation of them into the New Ones should not be done in publick , but as private as possibly might be , in the presence only of some prudent Persons , who might be ready to remedy all sorts of Accidents upon occasion : I was desired by some Friends of the Archdeacon , to be present with them ; and I can assure you , Sir , that the Resolution was taken , if it should chance that nothing were found in the Cases , to maintain peremptorily , That the Bodies of the Saints were there whole and entire . And to allay somewhat the Scruples , that might start by occasion of this proceeding , a Canon of St. Saviours Church of Blois , a Man resolute and of small Conscience , maintain'd in the Face of the Assembly , That no difficulty ought to be made of asserting such a thing , tho' altogether false ; that in a case where the Interest of the Church was concerned , all manner of Respects and Sentiments whatsoever , were to be sacrificed and given up ; that the Mysteries of the Catholicks were not to be exposed to the Raillery of the Hereticks ( so they call the Protestants ) who would not fail to mock at them , as soon as they should understand , that nothing had been found in the Cases of St. Victor , which for so long a time had been the Object of the Peoples Adoration ; besides , That the Devotion of Laicks , in assisting the Clergy , was already so far cooled , that scarce any thing now was to be got from them , but by some pious Fraud , or holy Artifice . The Archdeacon heard all his Discourse without contradicting him in the least , and the Curate of the Parish , as being the person most concerned in the Case , very officiously returned him his most hearty Thanks . This done , they proceeded to the opening of the Cases , and the truth is , Bones either of Saints , or no Saints , were found in them . In the mean time , a Monk of the Abby of St. Lomer in Blois , who was present , cried out at the very instant , That he smelt a very sweet Odour , which proceeded from them , wherewith he was so strongly seized , that it was like to overcome him . A young Religious ( his Companion ) seconded him immediately , and some Country People of the Parish protested the same thing . The Archdeacon and the rest of the Company freely declared , that they smelt nothing : Yet forasmuch as it might be that those Persons having some more particular Merit before God , he might think them worthy of Receiving the like Favours ; it was ordered that their Attestations should be received , and set in the Margent of the Verbal Process , which was then making of that Translation , the Original whereof was to be shut up with the Relicks in the new Cases . I had the Curiosity some weeks after , in the time of Vi●tage , to examine some of these Persons , about the Odour they pretended to have smelt , of what kind it was ; whereupon some of them said it was the sent of a Rose , others of Jessamin , and others of a Violet : But finding that they faultered in their Expressions and smiled withal , I took occasion to press them more seriouly , so that at the upshot they confessed , that the good Opinion they had of the two Monks , which first started the matter , had drawn them in , and in a manner forced their imagination to make them believe that they smelt that , which they never smelt indeed . This ingenuous Confession of theirs , made me to seek an opportunity to discourse these two Monks : I went to see the youngest of them , and after I had given him two or three Visits of Civility , to encrease our Familiarity , I obtained leave of his Superior for him , to accompany me to a Country House , where after friendly Entertainment given him , I put him upon the matter of the Relicks of S. Victor : The young Monk overcome by my kindness , assured me he would open his Heart to me , as to his own Brother ; that the truth was , he had not smelt any such Miraculous Odour , which he then attested , but that partly , that he might not contradict his companion , and partly by a sudden shame that surprized him ; lest he should not seem to be as much graced with Heavenly favours as his Brother , had made him to depose against his Conscience , for which afterwards he was somwhat troubled . But Father , said I , how can you be at Peace , without unsaying again , what you so openly averr'd and deposed , and this in Honour to Truth ? The Devil is the Father of Lies , and you cannot pretend to the quality of a Child of God , without destroying the work of the Devil , whereof your self have been the Instrument : He answered , that he had consulted with his Superiors about the matter , and that the general Rule they had given him , to pass over Scruples of that nature , was , to consider whether the thing undertaken , or exerted into act , were opposite to the Glory of God , or the good and advantage of his Order : That it was not against the Glory of God , to advance the Honor of one of his Saints ; especially when some Circumstances , that were both Glorious and Profitable to the Order , engaged the doing of it ; and that all the evil that could be supposed in the case came but to this , To say that God had done , what he might have done , and which he hath done on many other occasions , which at the highest could be no more than a small Venial Sin ; as , they say , all Lies are , that do not infringe Justice , that is to say , that do no Body any harm . Having thus got this truth out of him ; I had no more to do now , but to convince the old Monk , which it was not possible for me to do , for he continually persisted in asserting the truth of what he had deposed , ay and much more ; for he added , that the Odour had followed him every where , as long as the least dust of those sacred Relicks was left upon his Cloaths . In the mean time this did not hinder me from considering , that all the Credibility of this Miracle was now reduc'd to the Conscience of one single Person ; upon whom the affirmations of all the other Deponents rested , and that when ever these Cases should chance again to be opened , in which the Verbal Process was shut up ( as Superstition is used to get strength by length of time ) this Miracle would come to be believed with as much assurance , as a great many other most false and Ridiculous ones are in the Church of Rome . I was the more willing , Sir , to represent this to your Consideration , as being a thing which happened in your Neighbourhood , and whereof you may fully inform your self , whensoever you please ; that so finding the Faithfulness of my Relation in this particular , you may be the more disposed to give Credit to what I shall Write to you , concerning Foreign Countries . I return now to my Voyage .

From Flavigny , we went to Dijon , the Metropolis of the Dutchy of Burgundy , where I was Eye-witnes of a horrid cheat , practised by the Men of the Church : I do not relate this passage to you so much for its own sake , but to the end you may make a reflection upon it , of great importance to our present Subject . We took a walk to the Holy Chappel , where they shewed us many Relicks , that were indeed very Ridiculous ; and amongst the rest , that which they call the Holy Host or Wafer , from whence they tell us , Blood issued in great abundance , after that a Protestant had in several places Stabbed it with a Knife ; that upon his so doing the Wafer was chang'd into an Infant , and from an Infant to a Wafer again , as it was before . Whereupon entring into Discourse , we at last were insensibly led to this Question , How it came to pass , that at present there were not so many Miracles to be seen , as in former times ? In answer to which the Canon , who shewed us the Relicks , told us , that in the Abby of S. Benignus , in the same City , there were almost every day Miracles wrought , at an Altar of the Blessed Virgin , where Still-born Children , were restored to Lif● for some Moments , till they could be made partakers of the Sacrament of Baptism ; which was look'd upon , as a very great happiness for them , forasmuch as according to the Opinion of the Church of Rome , Infants dying in that manner cannot be saved by the Faith of their Parents , but go down to a dark place they call Limbus , which is made express for them , and where they are to continue for ever , without suffering the Punishment of Sense , because they have never sinned by inducement of the Senses ; but where notwithstanding , they must undergo Poenam Damni , or the Punishment of loss , which consists in the privation of the Beatifick Vision , that being a Punishment due to Original Sin . We cannot imagin , that any Fathers or Mothers should be so pittiless and unnatural , as rather to desire to spare their Mony , than to rescue their Children from so Deplorable a Condition , by having Prayers and Masses said for them at the said Altar : so that this was the Trade driven by the Religious of that Abby . We went therefore about 10 a Clock in the Morning to that Church , where we saw the Miraculous Image of the Virgin , commonly called the Little , our Lady of S. Benignus , and two Still-born Children , who had already lain there two days , being black and livid , and very noisom . The Parents who were of the best Families of Dijon , had during these two days , procured above 200 Masses to be said in that Church , at a Crown a piece , in order to obtain from God , by intercession of the said Image , and by the Prayers of the Religious of that Abby , so much life , for these poor Infants , as might be sufficient for them , only to receive the Sacrament of Baptism . The Monks would very gladly have deferr'd their Resurrection for a day longer , but the Bodies were already so far corrupted , that it was almost impossible to abide in the Church , by reason of the offensiveness of the stench that came from them : so that as it happened we came in the very nick of time , to see the performance of it . Towards noon , which was the time of the last Mass , a young Fryar , who served at the Altar , going to carry the Mass-Book to that side where the Gospel is read , hit with his Arm , either wittingly or by chance , the Table of the Altar , upon which the Still-born Infants were laid , which made them move . The Priest who was saying Mass , and who probably was acquainted with the hour and moment of this interlude , immediately breaking off his sacred Mysteries , ( as the Papists please to exp●●ss it ) pronounced with a loud Voice the Sacramental Words over the Infants , Baptizo , &c. casting in the mean time on their Bodies the water , wherewith he had washed his hands . At the same time , a great noise was raised in the Church , the People crying out ▪ A Miracle , a Miracle ! My Eyes could not deceive me , in a case I had so plainly discerned , and I could with all my Heart have undertaken to undedeceive the poor People ; but that I knew how dangerous it is , to oppose the blind Rabble , kept and entertained in Error , by Priests and Monks , who knowing no other God , but their own interest , would soon have stirr'd them up , under the pretence of Heresie or Incredulity , to have Torn me to pieces . However I could not refrain , from hinting a Word of it , in particular to some Persons , who were present at that action , and who owned they had observed the same thing . Burgundy was always a Country fruitful in Superstition , and we may see the Signs of it every where ; and consequently also , there be very few Countries where the Priests and Monks thrive better , or more abound in Riches . I beg of you now , Sir , only to make this Observation , that the Fathers of the Abby , are the Reformed Religious of the Order of S. Bennet , and consequently of a Congregation , which you in France have the greatest Veneration for , as well upon the account of their Learning , as Duty ; both which , as you have told me , render them equally recommendable : If then , say I , these Men , who are so Holy and so Virtuous in your Opinion , are so able , and cunning to deceive , and such profligate lovers of outward gain ; what may not we expect from so many , Non-reformed Religious , who live so licentiously and loosly to the very Eye , as to make open profession of Trapanning Laymen , by a Thousand kind of Artifices , to have wherewith to maintain their Flagitious and Scandalous Debaucheries ? We staied some days at Dijon ; where I was Eye-witness to an abundance of Ridiculous Devotions , that are in Vogue there , and which it would be too tedious to relate to you ; as that of our Lady of l'Estan , that of S. Bernard , and of the Image of the Virgin kept at Talent , and pretended to have been Painted by S. Luke , and to be very Miraculous . But forasmuch as the Devotion paid to these sorts of Images , is used to increase or decrease , according as the Priests or Monks do more or less Dexterously manage them ; this last mentioned has suffered very much , being well nigh fallen into contempt , insomuch as the Curate of that Parish , despaired almost of ever bringing it into request again . To bring this about , he told us , he knew but one way , which was to publish a Miracle , which lately hapned about that Image , which was a more remarkable one , than all the Cures it dayly performed : The case is this , said he , having perceived about 10 years ago , that the Devotion to the Image dayly decreased ; I began to enquire into the cause of it , and finding the Picture to be in a very rueful condition , by reason of the moistness of the place , which had well nigh rotted the Cloth , and the Rats also having made bold with some part of it , and extremely disfigured the Face especially ; I conceived that this might be the reason of the abatement of the Peoples Devotion . Wherefore to remedy this , I made the old Cloth to be pasted upon a new one , and sent for one of the best Painters of Dijon , to draw over the defective places of it , which was accordingly done with a great deal of care and exactness ; and on a first Sunday of the Month , the Image thus drawn over and imbellished , was set up in its former place with a great deal of Solemnity , and a great concourse of People . Since which time , proceeded he , I have been continually troubled with the Gout , and moreover the Blessed Virgin to shew her self displeased , that any Painter should be so bold as to put his hand to a piece of work , which her Servant S. Luke had left to Posterity , in order to the restoring of it to its first Luster ; she has some days since , made the colours that had been superadded to it , to scale away and fall down , and thereby reduced the Image to the pitiful estate , it was in before ; which however she is much more pleased with , than to see her pourtraiture profaned with strange colours . He added , that he had already caused the Relation of the Miracle to be Printed , and that he did intend to send Copies of it to all Neighbouring , yea even into Foreign Countries ; and that he lookt upon this as a probable way , to recal the Devotion of People to his Church . I had occasion , Sir , to remind my self of this passage , during my Italian Voyage ; for being at Bononia , they shewed me an excellent piece of Carat●he in Fresce , upon the Walls of the Cloyster of the Abby of S. Michael in B●sco ; which being extremely injur'd by all-d●vouring Time , had moved the Compassion of Gudo Rhin , another famous Italian Paint●● , who so dexte●ously mended the defects thereof , a● in a manner to restore it to its former Beauty ; But yet we find that the new paint , laid upon the 〈◊〉 colours , falls down in scales , and that without a Miracle too ; there being nothing more natural and obvious , than that new colours , cannot so well incorporate with old paint , as fresh colours do with one another . But notwithstanding the Obviousness hereof , when Superstition has once gaind the ascendent of a Mans Spirit , she doth so strangly prepossess the same , that there is nothing so common and ordinary , but appears to them Miraculous . I have seen several other Images of the Blessed Virgin in Italy , which they say were all painted by the same S. Luke , and are consequently reputed Miraculous , particularly that of S. Mary the greater in Rome ; but in truth they are so very different from one another that it is impossible they should have been painted by the same hand , or that all of them shou'd be the Pictures of the Blessed Virgin , the Lineaments , Figure and proportions of the Face and Body , vastly varying from one another . I shall give you a more particular account of them , in my observations of Italy . For the present , because we have not yet quit Dijon , I will only relate to you what I was Eye witness of my self , in the same Abby of S. Benignus , belonging to the Reformed Benedictin Monks , where is kept the Miraculous Image of the Blessed Virgin , that brings Still-born Children to life again , as we have already mentioned . I went to visit one of my Brothers , who is a Religious of that Abby , and as I was walking with him in the Garden after Dinner , another Religious came running towards us in great haste , and told my Brother in his Ear , that he should immediately repair to the Church , to see something well worth his Curiosity ; and forasmuch as I was then in my Brothers company , and well enough known to the Fathers , I follow'd them to the Church . The business was this , The Prior accompanied with seven or eight of his Monks , was about to uncover an old Crucifix , which was kept in a very fair Chappel , which thence was called the Chappel of the Miraculous Crucifix , and had for Forty years been covered with a Vail of black Velvet ; The Story tells us , that a Religious of that Abby , saying his Prayer one Evening before that Crucifix , the Image of Jesus Christ , which was fastned to it , spake to him , and said ; My dear Brother , Cover me that I may no more see the Iniquities of my People , and let no man from henceforwards , be so bold to uncover me , to behold my Face . This Monk presently performed the charge laid upon him , by adviseing his Abbot and Brethren thereof , who were not wanting , immediately to carry the News throughout the whole City , which occasioned that great Devotion , which continues still to this day . There is a vast concourse of People to this Crucifix , especially on Frydays , but more particularly on Good-Fryday , when the whole City gos in procession to the Image , to Worship it , and pay to it the same Honour , as they would to Jesus Christ himself . Now the Prior of this Monastery who was an old stander , and well versed in Monastick Intrigues , was not much scared at this threatning of the Crucifix , being resolved , cost what it would , to satisfie his Curiosity about it ; as he also did , and in this resolution he was fain to put his hand to the work himself , some of his Monks having absolutely refused to do it , expressing themselves extremely frighted at his undertaking , saying , that should they offer to touch it , they could expect no less than to be consumed with fire from Heaven . But the Prior not concerned at their apprehensions , with a wonderful courage uncovers the Mysterious and dreaded Machin . I could not but laugh to my self , to see the posture of the Monks that were present ; Some of them betook themselves to their Heels , declaring they would not by their presence make themselves partakers of so horrid an attempt and Sacriledge ; others shut their Eyes , that they might not be dazled and struck Blind with the Majesty of the Crucifix , Ne opprimerentur à glori● , Scrutatores Majestatis ; and others prostrated themselves with their Faces on the Ground , that they might be seen by their Divine Master , as they said themselves , in that most profound act of Adoration and self-abasement . There were scarce any that kept standing , besides my Brother and I ; we were very near to the Prior of the Monastery , who was very busie with uncovering the Crucifix , and who beginning himself to be frighted , or at least pretending to be so , began to repeat the 51st Psalm Miserere Meî Deus . But as it hapned neither the one nor the other had any great cause to fear ; for when the Velvet covering was taken off , they found nothing but a Linnen Bag , with some bits of Rotten Wood in it , which were the Remains of that dreaded and adored Crucifix . Amongst these mouldred Fragments we had much ado , to distinguish the Head , where was the Miraculous Mouth , that had spoke to the Monk : In a word , it was in a pitiful state , being all Rotten and Worm-eaten , without either Form or Figure , full of dead Flies and Spiders : Insomuch that the good Monks that were present being somewhat recovered from their Fright , and perceiving no such Glory as they had prefigur'd to themselves , began to discourse amongst themselves , how to reconcile their Story with the present discovery ; that is , the condition wherein they found the Crucifix , with their Tradition , concerning the Revelation and Discourse of the Crucifix with the Religious : For if it were true , that it had never been uncovered , since the time of its speaking , when it was yet fixt to the Cross , how could ●t be , that at present they found it in a Thousand pieces , and in a Bag ? The Superiour concluded very wisely , that it was probable , that this Crucifix had of old been had in great Veneration , and thereby been of great advantage to the Monastery , and that this Monk by ●inadvertency or otherwise , had let it fall , and broke it to pieces , and fearing to be severely punished by his Abbot therefore , had gathered up the pieces into a Bag , and having fast●● them again to the Cross , and covered them with that piece of black Velvet , had afterwards forged and published that his pretended Revelation . However , forasmuch as he knew nothing of Certainty concerning the matter , he chose rather to suspend his Judgment , than to pass a rash one concerning it ; and besides that , according to their general Principles , the Devotion being already fixed , he would by no means be a hinderance to so many good works , as were performed on that occasion , nor put a stop to the course of so many Masses and Prayers , as were daily procur'd to be said in the Chappel of the Miraculous Crucifix . So he pack'd up all again , and put it in the same order as he had found it , which may still be seen , in case they will permit the viewing of it , in the said Chappel , where the Devotion continues as great as ever . If the Roman Catholick Bishops , were a little better stocked with true zeal for the glory of God , or at least for the Honour of their own party , they would without doubt more seriously apply themselves to the examining of the different Devotions , that are in vogue in their Dioceses . I am well assured they would find a great deal of downright impiety , covered under the Mask of Devotion . But so far are they from this , that they are the first to authorize and encourage them , by the Indulgences they give from time to time , to the Churches and Chappels where these Devotions are entertained ; and accordingly we find that great abundance of them have been granted by the Bishops of Langres to those who shall say five Pater Nosters , and as many Ave Maries in this Chappel of the Miraculous Crucifix , in the Abby of S. Benignus of Dijon . Before I have done with this City , Sir , I must not forget to entertain you a while with a famous Nest of Monks , four Leagues distant from it ; I mean ●he great and famous Abby of Citeaux , the Abbot of which , as you know , is the chief and general of the whole Order , which is without doubt one of the vastest Bodies of Religious , the Church of Rome can boast of ; France , Italy , Spain , Poland and Portugal , being throngd with the Monasteries of that O●der , who all of them own this Abby of the Citeaux for their Mother . I had very particular acquaintance with the Prior of the Monastery , who was a young man of the City of Orleans , who invited me to come and see him . The Abbot sent two of his Coaches , with six Horses , to fetch some of his Relations , whom he had invited to dine with him , and with whom I had the honour to joyn my self . All the discourse we had on the way from Dijon thither , was about the Tragical end of Monsieur Bourre , a Gentleman born of one of the most Noble Families of Dijon , and a Religious of that order , who a little before had been publickly executed at Dijon , for Poysoning his Abbot , because he went about to make an enquiry into his Crimes ; the fact being evident that he had Debauched some of the Nuns of a Monastery , whither the Abbot had sent him in quality of their Director or Confessor . As soon as we were come near to the Citeaux , I could not but admire the stately Avenues of that Magnificent Abby : This place which formely was nothing but a horrid Wilderness , when S. Robert the first Abbot of that Order , did institute it , is now at present by the Voluptuousness and Luxury of the Monks , become an Earthly Paradise , abounding with all manner of delights . The History tells us that that Abbot , being a lover of Silence and Solitude , retired himself with some of his Disciples into these parts , which at that time was nothing else , but a thick Wood , and lying out of the way of almost all human Converse . Here it was they began to Build themselves Cells , with the Branches of Trees ; and some amongst them digged themselves Caves underground , without either Art or Form , like to the Dens of Ravenous Beasts . The Herbs and Roots , that grew in the Wood , served them indifferently , without distinguishing the good from the bad , for Nourishment ; and all the precaution they used was this , that after they had boild them , they first gave some of them to a Dog , or other domestick Animal , which if it did not immediately dye , or appear'd distempered , they took it for granted , that there were no Poysonous Herbs in their Cookery , whose dangerous effects they had reason to apprehend . But how prodigious a change appeared in that place not long after ! The People round about , being informed of the astonishing severities , and strange way of living of these Anchorets , came flocking from all parts to admire them , and returning to their homes , published everywhere that in the Wood de Citeaux , they had in their days , seen somewhat more and greater than either Elias or S. John the Baptist . And as in that Age of the World , People were much more compassionate and tender than they are at present , towards persons , who for the love of God , as they exprest it , had left all , they made it their business , from all parts to carry them not only Food , but other conveniences of Life . These good Hermits contented themselves for some time , to accept of some of the coursest and meanest of their supplies ; and afterwards by little and little the most exquisite and delicate , receiving them , as by an express order from God , by attributing to themselves the promise of Jesus Christ made to his Apostles , that having forsaken all for his sake , they should receive in this World an hundred fold , and in the world to come Eternal Life . Thus within a short time , from a Life of extraordinary Rigor and abstinence , and most signal and remarkable piety , they chopt about , to a Life as Scandalous and Dissolute ; and whereof S. Bernard in his time began already highly to complain , but at present is advanced to a far more Transcendent degree of excess . Instead of a Desart and Solitude , as it was before in the highest degree , they have now made it a kind of a City ; which within its compass entertains all manner of Handicrafts men , who live there with their Wives and all their Families : Instead of that mean and spare Diet , to which they were obliged by a Solemn Vow , made at the foot at their Altars , and in particular of abstaining from Flesh , all the days of their Life , they have at present , directly contrary to their Vows , introduc'd the use of it to the highest degree of Delicacy , as being always accompanied with the agreeable Variety of Herbs and Fish . And , for my part , I can truly aver , That for the Two days that I staid there , their Table ( besides their common Viands ) were covered with several Dishes of Venison , followed by a Service of Fish , the Sides of the Dishes being garnish'd with the Tongues and Roes of Carps , and the Tails of Crabs . Yea , the Abbot had sent to Diep , which is above an Hundred and twenty Leagues distant , at an excessive Charge , and by a Post sent Express , who ran day and night for Soles , which were fresh enough , and so costly a Rarity , that the Intendants and Presidents of the Parliament of Dijon , durst not venture upon them in their most sumptuous Entertainments . The Monks of this Abby , in the mean time , glorying in this Excess , which ought rather to have confounded them , vaunted with an unparallel'd Impudence , That in all that Province , there was not a Man besides the Abbot of Citeaux , who could bear such an Expence , and continue it every day . After Dinner , the Abbot ( followed by many of his Officers , and a great number of Lacqueys in Livery ) went himself to shew us the New Buildings he was then making in his Abby , and which consisted in Four great Piles of Building , of a magnificent Structure , all of Hewn-Stone of a Diamant-Cut , design'd for the separate Lodging of the four Principal Abbots of the Order , with all their Train , at the time of their General Chapters . A fifth Building , which he intended for his own person , was a lofty Palace , lifting up its proud Head above the other Four Buildings , as it were to overlook and command them , to represent the Authority he had over the other Abbots , in quality of their General . After we had taken a View of thes● Magnificent Structures , we were led into th● O● Buildings : Here it was that a fair Opportunity wa● given me , to take notice of the Subtilty and Artifices of the Monks , still to continue Laicks , if possible , in the high esteem of their Monastery aud Pe●●ous . In order whereunto they shew , to those wh● Vis●● them , a great quantity of Relicks , and places of 〈◊〉 , as they call them ; upon their entring into which they use fre●uent Bowings of their Bodies , and Kneelings , ●●peating some Prayers , besides some Gests and Cutting of Faces , wherein they oblige the Company to imitate them . This done , they fill your Ears with the recital of Old Stories and Miracles of the Days of Yore , wrought in favour of their Order ; amongst which , they never forget to inculcate the Tragedy of some Usurper of the Revenues of their Monastery , or of some other that spoke ill of the same , who at the upshot of the Story doth never fail of being struck from God with sudden Death by a Thunderbolt , or of having his Neck broke by some Devil or other . I have since observed the same inveigling Tricks in almost all the Monasteries and Convents of Italy , and in all other places frequented upon the score of Devotion . They shewed us a large Refectory of the first Religious of their Order , which is a Vaulted Room , and very long , more resembling a hideous Cave , than a place to eat in . And yet ( said one of the Religious ) this is that holy Grotto , where our Ancient Fathers , the Blessed Founders of our Order , met together every day after Sun-set , wearied with their Handy-labour , after having Sung the Praises of God , to partake together of a piece of black Course-Bread , with some boild Pulse or Roots , without either Salt or Butter , or any other Sawce or Dressings , and in so small a quantity , as designing rather to keep themselves from Starving , than to make them strong and lively ; and continually practising those severe Mortifications , which we can sooner admire than imitate . These Great and Heroick Saints are now in Heaven , and have changed their astonishing Severities , with the Eternal delights of the Wedding-Supper of the Lamb ; and 't is from that high Station , they with a favourable Eye look down upon those who Live , or have Lived for some time in this Monastery , as likewise upon those who are or have been Benefactors to it ; and we are assured by Revelation , that none of them , nay , tho' they may have lived a most abominable life , shall ever die in Mortal Sin . A Counsellor of Dijon , who was there present with us , said smiling , That he wanted but very little of being perswaded , to leave all he had to the Monastery , and gently pushing my Arm , ask'd me , Whether I was not well pleased to Hear a fat and burly Monk , after having so well Dined , discoursing of the Abstinence and Penance of those Ancient Fathers , and of the Blessings God hath in store for his Abby too upon their account , with so much energy ? But after all , the plain Truth is , That it is nothing but an Artifice they make use of , to strike the Spirits of Men with some kind of Veneration for their Orders and Persons . From this place they led us to another , which they call the Old Chapter-House , which is a Building after the Gothic way , with many Rows of Pillars like a Church ; yet stately enough . The Stones of the Pavement are cut into Letters , which make up all the Psalms of David ; and near the midst of this place they shewed us a large Stone , on which of Old they were used to lay the Religious of the Monastery some hours before their Departure , where they were exposed all Naked upon Ashes and an Hair-Cloth , until they breath'd their last . But this Custom ( said the Father ) has since been abolished , because it was found by Experience , that some of those who were so exposed , having more strength left than was imagined , continued sometimes in that condition , exposed to the violence of Cold for Twenty four Hours , or more , before they died ; so as those who thus exposed them , question'd , whether in so doing they had not been their Murtherers . At the present ( said he smiling ) the case is alter'd , and we die softly on the Feathers , after having essay'd whatsoever the Art of Medicine can afford for our Recovery , and which is every whit as meritorious to us , as that pityless Rigour our Predecessors were oblig'd to , forasmuch as herein we submit our Wills to those who command us , and whom we are obliged to obey ; Obedience even in pleasing and agreeable things , being more acceptable to God than all Sacrifices . Thus gallantly the Father excused the Decay of their Observance , endeavouring to make that seem a Vertue , which indeed is nothing else but an effect of their Softness and Effeminacy . Or rather , we may say , That by a just Judgment of God , these kind of Men having rashly Vowed , what was not in their power to perform , are fallen by so much lower , by how much they aspir'd to fly higher . 'T is upon this account that we see so many Reformations of these Religious Orders , and soon after other Reformations of them again , who in a short time will stand in need still of another Reformation . But that which is the strangest thing of all is , That they fall into prodigious Corruptions , and into those habits of Sinning , which strike the most Worldly men that are with horrour , as may be seen from the hint I gave of Monsieur Bourré , Monk of that Order , and many other Examples , that fill the World with their Report .