It is enough to say that the new bull condemned in set terms the doctrines of Saint-Paul (respected like oracles of the Holy Spirit ever since the time of our Saviour), and also those of Saint-Augustin, and of other fathers; doctrines which have always been adopted by the Popes, by the Councils, and by the Church itself.  The bull, as soon as published, met with a violent opposition in Rome from the cardinals there, who went by sixes, by eights, and by tens, to complain of it to the Pope.  They might well do so, for they had not been consulted in any way upon this new constitution.  Father Tellier and his friends had had the art and the audacity to obtain the publication of it without submitting it to them.  The Pope, as I have said, had been forced into acquiescence, and now, all confused, knew not what to say.  He protested, however, that the publication had been made without his knowledge, and put off the cardinals with compliments, excuses, and tears, which last he could always command.

The constitution had the same fate in France as in Rome.  The cry against it was universal.  The cardinals protested that it would never be received.  They were shocked by its condemnation of the doctrines of Saint-Augustin and of the other fathers; terrified at its condemnation of Saint-Paul.  There were not two opinions upon this terrible constitution.  The Court, the city, and the provinces, as soon as they knew the nature of it, rose against it like one man.

In addition to the articles of this constitution which I have already named, there was one which excited infinite alarm and indignation, for it rendered the Pope master of every crown!  As is well known, there is a doctrine of the Church, which says: 

“An unjust excommunication ought got to hinder [us] from doing our duty.”

The new constitution condemned this doctrine, and consequently proclaimed that: 

“An unjust excommunication ought to hinder [us] from doing our duty.”

The enormity of this last is more striking than the simple truth of the proposition condemned.  The second is a shadow which better throws up the light of the first.  The results and the frightful consequences of the condemnation are as clear as day.

I think I have before said that Father Tellier, without any advances on my part, without, in fact, encouragement of any kind, insisted upon keeping up an intimacy with me, which I could not well repel, for it came from a man whom it would have been very dangerous indeed to have for an-enemy.  As soon as this matter of the constitution was in the wind, he came to me to talk about it.  I did not disguise my opinion from him, nor did he disguise in any way from me the unscrupulous means he meant to employ in order to get this bull accepted by the clergy.  Indeed, he was so free with me, showed me so plainly his knavery and cunning, that I was, as it were, transformed with astonishment and fright.  I never could comprehend this openness in a man so false, so artificial, so profound, or see in what manner it could be useful to him.