them by Cardinal Bellarmine himself, whose esteem for so great a man was not diminished by their dispute on the subject of the interdict, and who condemned the criminal intrigues against his person. These intrigues engaged the senate to take all imaginable precautions for his safety, and to prohibit all unknown persons from having any admission to him for the future; and he himself was now aware of the necessity of living more privately in his monastery. In this retirement, the first composition on which he employed his pen, was his "Account of the Quarrel between Paul V. and the Republic of Venice," published in 1608, and containing a relation of all the circumstances connected with that memorable affair, drawn up with equal ability and impartiality. His attention was directed in the next place, to the arrangement and completion of his celebrated "History of the Council of Trent," for which he had long before collected ample materials. Isaac Walton, in his "Life of Sir Henry Wotton," p. 150. in Zouch's edition, after giving an account of the dispute between the Pope and the Venetians, observes, that "these contests were the occasion of Padre Paulo's knowledge and interest with King James; for whose sake principally Padre Paulo compiled that eminent history of the remarkable council of Trent; which history was, as fast as it was written, sent in several sheets in letters by Sir Henry Wotton, Mr. Bedell, and others, unto King James and the then Bishop of Canterbury, into England; and there first made public both in English and the universal language." It was first published at London, in 1619, in folio, under the feigned name of Pietro Soave Polano, which is an anagram of Paolo Sarpi Venetiano, and dedicated to James I. by Anthony de Dominis, Archbishop of Spalatro, then a resident in England. It was afterwards published in the original Italian, the French, and other languages; and in 1736, Father Courayer published at London a new French translation of it in 2 vols. folio, illustrated with valuable critical, historical, and theological notes.

Before the appearance of this history, the public in general possessed no knowledge of the proceedings of that famous council, which for many successive years had engaged the attention of all the courts in Europe, excepting what could be collected from its decrees. But Father Paul's work is rendered highly interesting, by laying open to view the secret intrigues, the main springs which directed all its movements. Such a publication could not but create the most unfavourable impressions of

the policy of the papal court; and on this account it produced more bitter enmity against the author at Rome, than even his masterly defences of the rights of the republic of Venice. In the life of Sforza Pallavicino we have seen, that for detecting some of the author's errors, with respect to dates, names, and unessential facts, and giving a different colouring to circumstances which could not be disproved, artfully calculated to impose on the credulity of Catholic readers, his services were esteemed so meritorious that he was promoted to the cardinalate. The language of Bishop Burnet, in his preface to a book, entitled, "The Policy of Rome, or the Sentiments of the Court and Cardinals there, concerning Religion and the Gospel, as they are delivered by Cardinal Pallavicini, in his History of the Council of Trent," 8vo., well expresses the estimation in which this work and its author have ever been held by the Protestant world. "The style and way of writing," says he, " is so natural and masculine, the intrigues were so fully opened, with so many judicious reflections in all the parts of it, that as it was read with great pleasure, so it was generally looked on as the rarest piece of history which the world ever saw. The author was so on guessed, and that raised the esteem of the work: for as he was accounted one of the wisest men in the world, so he had great opportunities to gather exact informations. He had free access to all the archives of the republic of Venice, which has been now looked on for several ages as very exact, boh in getting good intelligence, and in a most careful way of preserving it: so that among their records he must have found the dispatches of the ambassadors and prelates of that republic, who were at Trent; which being so near them, and the council being of such high consequence, it is not to be doubted but there were frequent particular informations, both of more public and secreter transactions transmitted thither. He also contracted a close friendship with Camillus Oliva, that was secretary to one of the legates, from whom he had many discoveries of the practices of the legates, and of their correspondence with Rome: besides many other materials and notes of some prelates who were at Trent, which he had gathered together. His work came out within fifty years of the conclusion of the council, when several, who had been present there, were still alive; and the thing was so recent in men's memories, that few thought a man of so great prudence as he was would have exposed his reputation, by' writing in such a nice manner, things which he

could not justify. Never was there a man more hated by the court of Rome than he was; and now he was at their mercy, if he had abused the world by such falsehoods in matter of fact, as have been since charged on his work; but none appeared against him for 50 years." Father Paul also, in the retirement of his monastery, wrote " A Treatise on Ecclesiastical Benefices," pointing out the means by which the church had acquired its immense revenues, and the abuses which had taken place in the disposal of them; "A Treatise on the Inquisition," containing a brief history of the establishment of that tribunal, and of the manner in which it had been introduced into Venice in the year 1289, together with a comparative view of its reception in that republic and other countries; "De Jure Asylorum;" a treatise "On the Manner of conducting the Government of a Republic, so as to insure its Duration ;" and a continuation of Minucio Minuci, Archbishop of Zara's "History of the Uscocchi," from the year 1602 to 1616. The articles already enumerated, together with a volume of "Letters," are all the productions of Father Paul's pen which have been given to the public. From the period of the interdict, however, till his death, he was so much employed in answering a vast variety of questions of a public and private nature, and in communicating his advice on all the affairs. of state which came before the senate, that he, doubtless, left behind him observations on numerous other subjects; but, from their having been found in an unfinished state, or for some other reason, they were withheld from the world.

we

Father Paul's constitution, which, as have seen, was always tender and delicate, became worn out at length by his incessant labours ; and in the winter of 1622, his growing weakness, occasioned by the attack of a violent flux accompanied with fever, convinced him that his end was approaching. To this event he looked forwards with firmness and tranquillity, arising from a consciousness of the innocence of his life, and the purity of his intentions; and he spent his last days, with the exception of those hours which he could not refuse to the service of his country, in meditation and prayer, and pious discourse with his friends. On the evening of Jan. 14. 1623, being told by his physician that he would not survive the night, he discovered the most placid submission to the will of God, and wished his friends to withdraw, that they might not have the pain of witnessing his last strug

gle; but they would not quit his dying-bed, and heard him as his powers of speech were failing pronounce the words, Esto perpetua, which they interpreted to be a prayer for the preservation of the republic. He had reached the 72d year of his age. When the news of his death arrived at Rome, the corrupt and servile courtiers expressed great joy; and the Pope himself could not refrain from speaking of it as an event in which the hand of God was visible" as if," says Father Fulgentio, "it had been a miracle for a man to die at the age of 71." Many of the exalted members of the Romish hierarchy, however, spake of his memory with the greatest respect; and also expressed their regret that his merits had not been duly estimated by the sovereign pontiffs, who, they said, should have secured such an extraordinary man in the interests of the church, by promoting him to its dignities and honours. At Venice his loss was deeply lamented by all ranks, who justly regarded him as the brightest ornament of their country, for knowledge, wisdom, and virtue. His funeral obsequies were celebrated with all possible public magnificence, and attended by a vast concourse of the nobles, and the other classes in the republic. To express their grateful sense of the services which he had rendered to his country, the senate erected a monument to him, on which an appropriate epitaph was inscribed, drawn up by John Anthony Venerio, a noble Venetian. He was in person of a middle stature, with a round and well-formed head, but very large in proportion to the rest of his body. His forehead was wide, with a large vein down the middle of it; his eyebrows were handsome, and his eyes large, black, and sprightly. His nose was large, but not long, and marked on the side next the right cheek by a scar occasioned by the wound received from the stiletto. His beard was thin, and his body extremely lean, yet capable of undergoing great exertion and fatigue, notwithstanding the infirmities to which he was subject during the greatest part of his life. To his wonderful mental powers and learned acquirements, his manly independent spirit, genuine patriotism, integrity, and disinterestedness, the preceding narrative affords ample testimonies. With these great qualities were united a degree of modesty and humility, of moderation and candour, which conciliated the esteem of all who knew him, and reflected the greatest honour on his character. He was also distinguished through life by his ardent and unaffected piety, and the strict purity of his morals.

Father Paul was so decidedly adverse to the tyrannical usurpations, the corrupt abuses, and the persecuting spirit of the Romish church, that his enemies accused him of being a Protestant at heart. Many of his letters, indeed, unequivocally express his wish to see the reformation of that church carried to a very considerable extent, both in doctrine and discipline; and on this account, he freely declared his satisfaction at the successful struggles of the Protestants in support of their cause, considering them to be the only means of producing that humiliation of the pride and power of the court of Rome, without which such a desirable event could not be promoted. Enter taining such sentiments, he could not but regret the result of Sir Henry Wotton's embassy during the time of the interdict; and we may give full credit to the statement of Burnet, in his "Life of Bishop Bedell," p. 15, &c., that P. Paulo, being" out of all hopes of bringing things ever back to so promising a conjuncture, wished he could have left Venice and come over to England with Mr. Bedell: but he was so much esteemed by the senate for his great wisdom, that he was consulted by them as an oracle, and trusted with their most important secrets: so that he saw it was impossible for him to obtain his congè; and therefore he made a shift to comply as far as he could with the established way of their worship; but he had in many things particular methods, by which he in a great measure rather quieted than satisfied his conscience. In saying of mass, he passed over many parts of the canon, and in particular those prayers in which that sacrifice was offered up to the honour of saints: he never prayed to saints, nor joined in those part of the offices that went against his conscience; and in private confessions and discourses, he took people off from those abuses, and gave them right notions of the purity of the Christian religion; so he hoped he was sowing seeds that might be fruitful in another age: and thus he believed he might live innocent in a church that he thought so defiled. And when one pressed him hard in this matter, and objected that he still held communion with an idolatrous church, and gave it credit by adhering outwardly to it, by which means others that depended much on his example would be likewise encouraged to continue in it, all the answer he made to this was, that God had not given him the spirit of Luther." Father Courayer says of him, that ❝ in imitation of Erasmus, Cassander, M. de Theu, and other great men, he was a Catholic

in general, and sometimes a Protestant in particulars. He observed every thing in the Romish religion which could be practised without superstition; and with respect to those matters concerning which a regard to his duty made. him scrupulous, he took great care not to give offence to weak minds. In short, he was equally averse from all extremes; and if he disapproved of the abuses of the Catholics, he condemned also the too great heat of the reformed." The same author has related some anecdotes of Father Fulgentio, the most intimate friend of Father Paul, and who has commended him in his letters for the boldness with which he enforced truth in his sermons; which will serve to illustrate the opinions of Father Paul himself, on some essential points of difference between the Romish and Protestant communions. One of these anecdotes respects Dr. Duncombe, a tutor to some young Englishmen of rank, who came to Venice with his pupils soon after the death of Father Paul. While he remained there he fell sick, and apprehending himself to be in danger, he appeared greatly dejected: and when Father Fulgentio endeavoured to relieve him, by offering every service in his power, the Doctor frankly told him, that a great part of his concern arose from his being likely to die in a country where he could not receive the sacrament according to the usage of the Church of England, or in both kinds. The Father, however, very soon made him easy on that head, by informing him that he had the book of common prayer in an Italian translation, and that if the Doctor wished it, he would come with some of his brethren, and administer the sacrament to him in both kinds; adding, that there were in the monastery seven or eight disciples of Father Paul, who met from time to time to receive the sacrament in that mode.

Another anecdote Father Courayer has borrowed from Burnet's "Life of Bedell," p. 119, 120., which we shall give in the words of that writer, as they contain an additional circumstance deserving of being mentioned. Bishop Bedell "used to tell a passage of a sermon that he had heard Fulgentio preach at Venice, with which he was much pleased: it was on these words of Christ, "Have ye not read?" and so he took occasion to tell the auditory, that if Christ were now to ask this question, "Have ye not read?" all the answer they could make to it, was, "No; for they were not suffered to do it." Upon which he taxed with great zeal the restraint put on the use of the Scriptures, by the see of Rome. This was not unlike

what the same person delivered in another sermon, preaching upon Pilate's question, "What is truth?" He told them that at last, after many searches, he had found it out, and held out a New Testament, and said, "There it was in his hand;" but then he put it in his pocket, and said coolly, " But the book is prohibited." The first collection of all Father Paul's pieces was published at Venice in 1677, in 6 vols. 12mo. Vit. de P. Paolo, by Fulgentio. Courayer's Vie Abregée de Fra-Paolo. Moreri. Nouv. Dict. Hist.-M.

SASBOUTH, ADAM, à learned Dutch Franciscan monk in the 16th century, was descended from an ancient and noble family, and born at Delft, in the year 1516. He was instructed in the classics and belles-lettres at his native place; whence he was sent to the University of Louvain, where he prosecuted his academical studies with diligence and success, and particularly distinguished himself by his acquaintance with the Hebrew language and sacred literature. At the age of 27 he took the monastic vows, and filled for some time the chair of professor of theology and the Hebrew tongue in his community. He died in 1553, when in his 37th year. He was the author of "Commentarius in Isaiam Prophetam, premisso Tractatu de Scripturarum Sensibus," 1558, 4to.; "Commentarius in Epistolas S. Pauli, Sc. in Epist. ad Romanos, ad Galatas, ad Ephesios, ad Philippenses, ad Colossenses, ad Timotheum, ad Titum, ad majorem partem Epist. ad Hebræos, in secundam Petri, et in Epist. Judæ," 1561, 8vo.; "Homilies," "Sermons," &c. The whole were collected together, and published in a folio volume at Cologne, in 1568, and afterwards frequently reprinted. An insinuation was for some time propagated, that Sasbouth had borrowed his commentaries from the lectures of the celebrated John Hessels, under whom he had studied; but the author of his life maintains that it was entirely unfounded. Valerii Andrea Bibl. Belg. Le Long's Bibl. Sacra. Moreri. — M. SATURNINUS, called by some SATURNILUS, a heretic towards the commencement of the second century, was a native of Antioch, and a disciple of Simon Magus. His name His name occurs in the treatises of most of the ancient fathers on the subject of heresies; yet nothing moré can be collected from them respecting his personal history, than that he was a very obscure individual, and had probably but few followers. With respect to his opinions, they were so much like those of Basilides, that we

VOL. IX.

refer those of our readers who have any curio sity respecting them to the article of that heresiarch; and for an account of the ancient writers who make any mention of him, they may consult Lardner's Hist. Heret. b. ii. ch. i. - M. SAUL, the first King of the Jews, was the son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, and born about the year 1135 B. C. In the life of the prophet Samuel we have seen, that when the Israelites required that he would appoint a king to reign over them, that their form of government might be like that of other nations, Saul was pointed out to him by God, as the person whom he had selected for that dignity. He was about 40 years of age, and was em ployed with a servant in an useless search after some strayed asses, when it was recommended to him to consult the prophet respecting them. Having come to Ramah with that view, Samuel treated him with distinguished honour at a feast after a sacrifice which was held in that city; detained him all night as his guest; and on his return homewards the next day, privately informed him of his exalted destination, and, after pouring oil upon his head, saluted him King of Israel. This intelligence Saul received with extraordinary modesty, alleging arguments of his unfitness for so high a station; but the prophet assured him, that he should feel himself endowed by God with such courage and confidence as he never experienced before, and become quite another man. On his way home, he met with a company of prophets, who most probably were persons devoted to the study of the law and the practice of devotional exercises, whom, under the influence of his new spirit, he joined in singing devout hymns, to the great surprize of his acquaintance, who were not aware of the sudden change that had been wrought upon him. Soon afterwards, at a convention of the heads of all the tribes of Israel at Mizpeh, Saul was appointed by lot to the regal office. At this time he had out of modesty withdrawn into a place of concealment; from which he was brought forth by Samuel, and presented to the people as the person whom God had chosen to be their head. On his appearance he was received with loud acclamations, and was proclaimed and anointed King, in the year 1095 B. C. After his inauguration, Saul went to his house in Gibeah, where his honest and well affected subjects attended with presents to their new sovereign; while other individuals, of bad or indifferent characters, refused to acknowledge him, and to contribute towards the support of his dignity.

F

In the first year of his reign Saul was called upon to exhibit proofs of his talents as a king and a warrior. Jabesh-Gilead was besieged by the Ammonites, and reduced to such distress, that the surrender of the inhabitants and their cruel usage, after a respite which they had obtained of the Ammonitish king of seven days, appeared unavoidable. Having sent an account of their dismal condition to the elders of Israel, Saul caused a yoke of oxen to be hewed in pieces, and sent among all the tribes with the threatening message, that such should be the fate of every man's cattle who refused to follow him to the relief of their brethren. By this proceeding he created such an alarm that three hundred and thirty thousand men resorted to his standard, with whom he attacked the enemy so successfully, that they were forced to raise the siege, and fly with precipitation and very considerable loss. Elevated with this signal victory, the people were for putting those to death who had refused to acknowledge Saul; but this design he generously withstood, and by his moderation fixed himself more firmly in the affections of his subjects. At the invitation of Samuel, also, the people who were summoned to Gilgal, confirmed the kingdom to Saul by universal consent, since he had shewn himself so worthy of it. Of his numerous army Saul reserved only three thousand men, one thousand of whom he placed in Gibeah, under his son Jonathan. With these troops the young prince attacked and destroyed a Philistine garrison at Geba, and by so doing exasperated that nation, which advanced with innumerable forces against Israel. Upon this Saul summoned his subjects anew into the field; but so great was the terror inspired into them by the Philistine host, that, forgetful of their late victory, and the valour of their leader, the great multitude deserted their country, or concealed themselves in caves and other lurking places. With the few who adhered to him Saul remained at Gilgal, where he waited for Samuel, who had promised to join him at that place, and offer sacrifices to the God of Israel. After having expected the prophet for seven days, the King grew impatient at his absence, and ventured himself to offer peace offerings and a burnt offering. Scarcely had he made an end of sacrificing, before Samuel arrived, and highly blamed him for assuming an office which belonged to the priestly or prophetic character; and at the same time intimated to him, that his rashness, and disobedience to the divine commands, would cause the kingdom to be transferred from him to a more worthy person.

The troops which remained with Saul amounted only to six hundred men, with whom he advanced to Gibeon, whence he had the mortification of witnessing the widely extended incursions and depredations of the Philistines. While they were in this dismal situation, Jonathan, without the knowledge of his father, and influenced by a supernatural impulse, accompanied only by his armourbearer, by a difficult passage, and most probably when the enemy was buried in sleep, arrived at one of their outguards, where he killed twenty men, and put the rest to flight. The alarm created by these fugitives immediately spread through the whole host, who well knew the power of the God of Israel, and were thrown into irreparable disorder, falling upon each other with great slaughter, and then dispersing in dispersing in a wild uproar and fury. The confusion into which the enemy was thrown was soon perceived by Saul and his men, who, when Jonathan was found to be absent, guessed him to be the author of it, and without delay pursued the flying Philistines, the army continually increasing by Hebrew captives who took that opportunity of making their escape, and multitudes who were encouraged to quit their lurking holes and join their King. The slaughter of the Philistines on this occasion was immense, and would have been still greater, had not Saul rashly adjured his army to persevere in their pursuit, without stopping to take necessary refreshment. By this victory the Israelites were enabled to resume that rank among the nations, from which they had formerly been degraded by the Philistines, and Saul found himself in a condition of curbing the strength of all his other enemies. During many years he conducted successful wars against not only the Philistines, but the Ammonites, Moabites, Edomites, and other nations, of which no particular account is given us in the sacred history; neither does it enable us to determine at what periods of his reign they took place. Of various instances of his misconduct, and violations of the express commands of God, by which he drew down his dreadful threatenings and final rejection, we have already given an account in the life of the prophet Samuel. Knowing that the kingdom would be taken from his family, Saul became suspicious and cruel, and a deep melancholy took possession of his mind. To dispel his gloom, he was advised to send for young David to play on the harp before him, who repeatedly succeeded incalming his troubled mind. The history of his subsequent behaviour