Causes of enmity against Port Royal - Combination of the CP THE ONIVERSITY CALIFORNIA PRELIMINARY BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE LIVES OF THE ABBÉ DE ST. CYRAN, AND JANSENIUS. Jean Du VergER* DE HAURANNE, the Abbé de St. Cyran, was born at Bayonne, in 1581. His family was both noble and ancient. The Du Vergers originally came from Thoulouse. Two brothers of that name were appointed by the king to establish a mint at Bayonne. The family afterwards divided into three branches. The eldest still flourished at Bayonne long after the destruction of Port Royal, and is mentioned by Lancelot, in his Mémoires de St. Cyran, as one of the most considerable in the place. The third centered in an heiress of immense wealth, who intermarried with the noble house of Urthubie. The second branch was engaged in extensive commercial concerns. From it sprung M. Jean du Indifferently spelt Verger or Vergier, by different Authors. Vergier, afterwards the celebrated Abbé de St. Cyran. M. du Vergier, although heir to the estate of Hauranne, received an academical education. He completed his studies with great distinction at the Universities of Paris and Louvain. In 1620, M. Du Vergier was appointed to the abbacy of the monastery of St. Cyran (or Serigannus.) This benefice was resigned to him by Henry de la Rochepozay, Bishop of Poitiers, under whom he officiated as Grand Vicar, and who was also his zealous patron. The Abbé de St. Cyran had formed one early and intimate friendship. Cornelius Jansenius was only four years younger than himself. Both had been educated at Louvain; and the similarity of their pursuits, and a coincidence of circumstances, cemented an union which their mutual piety had at first formed. The health of Jansenius having suffered by intense application, he was advised, on leaving college, to try the air of France. The house of M. de St. Cyran, at Bayonne, was at once opened to him; both parties embracing with pleasure so favourable an opportunity of continuing their intimacy. Although their education was completed, the ardour of each for improvement was unabated. They applied themselves to the study of the Fathers. Their |