“5thly, That satisfaction may be given to Protestants, in respect to certain points of discipline, or in the way of explanation, and that this had been already done in an useful manner, in some points, mentioned in the Project of the Bishop of Neustadt.

“These are the material propositions, in the letter of the Bishop of Meaux, and I believe all these propositions true.  Neither the Bishop of Neustadt, nor those who negotiated with them, make any opposition to them.  There is nothing in them, which is not conformable to the sentiments of those persons.  The third of them in particular, which might be thought, an obstacle, to these Projects of Accommodation, could not be unknown to them; one may even say, that they built on it.”

It seems difficult to deny, that, in this stage of the business, much had been gained to the cause of reunion.  The parties were come to a complete understanding on the important articles of Justification, and the Eucharist; and it was admitted, both by Leibniz, and Molanus, that, in their view of the concern, an accommodation might be effected, between the Roman Catholic, and Lutheran churches, though the former, retained all her defined doctrines, and, in particular, all her doctrines, defined by the Council of Trent.  The question then was, what should be done in respect to the remaining articles in difference between the churches?  It is to be wished, that it had been left to Bossuet, and Molanus, to settle them, in the way of amicable explanation, in which they had settled, the two important articles, which we have mentioned.  It is evident, from the passages, which we have cited, from Bossuet, that it was his wish, that the business should proceed on that plan, and that he had hopes of its success.  Unfortunately, the business took, another direction:  Leibniz proclaimed, that after every possible explanation should be given, the Lutheran church would, still retain, some articles, contrary to the defined doctrines, of the Church of Rome, and anathematized, by the Council of Trent.  To remove the final effect of this objection, Leibniz held out Molanus’s first project, that the Lutherans should express a general acquiescence, in the authority of the church, and promise obedience, to the decisions of a General Council, to be called, for the purpose of pronouncing, on these points; and that, in consequence of these advances, on their part, the anathemas of the Council of Trent, should be suspended, and the Lutherans received, provisionally, within the pale, of the Catholic church.  To bring over Bossuet to this plan, he exerted great eloquence, and displayed, no common learning.

III. 4.