[Born in Paris, 1612. Died at Brussels, 1694. Aged 82.]
A learned and fierce polemic, whose consistency was as perfect as his
spirit was bitter, and whose defiance of conflict and danger was as
insolent as his private life was blameless. His happiness consisted in
spiritual warfare. He established himself spokesman of the Jansenists.
When he was ten years old he was heard to say to Cardinal Perron, “With
this pen I, like you, will write against the Huguenots.” He commenced
the labours of his life by an attack upon the Jesuits. Taking active
part in all the angry discussion respecting grace, he published two
“Apologies” in favour of Jansenius, which drew upon him the censure of
the Sorbonne, and compelled him to retire to Port Royal, where he
remained for the space of twelve years. Returning to Paris in 1668, he
plunged immediately into the seething waters of controversy, and was
again forced into exile. Fifteen years afterwards, we find him, as
furious as ever, attacking the doctrine of Malebranche respecting the
grace and vision of God. At his own request, his much-agitated heart,
after it had ceased to beat, was sent to be deposited in the Port Royal.
Forty-eight volumes remain to attest the intensity of his religious
prejudices, the depth and extent of his learning, his violent love of
wrangling, and his restless and unwearied industry. We sigh over the
waste of power and the misuse of fine material.