seemed to me as if everyone
thought he was in the right to treat me ill, and rendered service to
God in doing it. I then comprehended that it was the very manner in
which Jesus Christ suffered. He was numbered with the transgressors,
(Mark 15:28). He was condemned by the sovereign pontiff, chief priests,
doctors of the law, and judges deputed by the Romans, who valued
themselves on doing justice. Happy they who by suffering for the will
of God under all the like circumstances, have so near a relation to the
sufferings of Jesus Christ!

For six weeks after my arrival at Meaux, I was in a continual fever,
nor had I recovered from my indisposition, when I was waited on by the
bishop, who would fain have compelled me to give it under my hand, that
I did not believe the Word incarnate, (or Christ manifest in the
flesh). I answered him, that "through the grace of God, I know how to
suffer, even to death, but not how to sign such a falsehood." Several
of the nuns who overheard this conversation, and perceiving the
sentiments of the bishop, they joined with the Prioress, in giving a
testimonial, not only of my good conduct, but of their belief in the
soundness of my faith.

The bishop some days after, brought me a confession of faith, and a
request to submit my books to the church, that I may sign it, promising
to give me a certificate, which he had prepared. On my delivering my
submission signed, he, notwithstanding his promise, refused to give the
certificate. Some time after, he endeavored to make me sign his
pastoral letter, and acknowledge that I had fallen into those errors,
which he there lays to my charge, and made many demands of me of the
like absurd and unreasonable nature, threatening me with those
persecutions I afterward endured, in case of non-compliance. However, I
continued resolute in refusing to put my name to falsehoods. At length,
after I had remained about six months at Meaux, he gave me the
certificate. Finding Mad. Maintenon disapproved of the certificate he
had granted, he wanted to give me another in place of it. My refusal to
deliver up the first certificate enraged him, and as I understood they
intended to push matters with the utmost violence, "I thought that
although I were resigned to whatever might fall out, yet I ought to
take prudent measures to avoid the threatening storm." Many places of
retreat were offered me; but I was not free in my mind to accept of
any, nor to embarrass anybody, nor