Dangeau’s Diary, May 1686

2d. — Mademoiselle de Malause, who still remains a Huguenot, has been ordered to retire to a convent.

6th. — Letters received from Rome state, that several Quietists have abjured. Their errors are mostly founded upon some passages ill understood by the most devout and most celebrated authors who have written upon mental prayer. They pretend, that, when a person has once devoted himself to God with all his mind, he must then be in a holy tranquillity, which they designate the state of quietude, or the prayer of quietude, whence the name of Quietists which they bear. They affirm, tranquillity, it must be insensible to whatever may happen to the imagination, or even the body. These maxims, once imbibed by contemplative minds, daily produced in them fresh errors, and, when in dulged in by dissolute persons, were followed by an infinity of scandalous excesses. Doctor Michel Molinos, a Spaniard, a man of great exterior piety, and of a very lively imagination, was looked upon as the head of this sect. His doctrine was calculated to please both speculative and vicious minds. Sincere devotees, also, experienced its seductive powers, and that in a short time. This opinion overran all Italy.

7th. — Madame de Navailles came here in the evening. The Dauphine requested her, after supper, to enter her cabinet, where she spoke to her so obligingly and with such firmness, that at length she obtained her consent to the marriage of the Marquis de Lauriere with Mademoiselle de La Vallette, her daughter. The young people have been attached to each other for a long time. The Dauphine used her mediation in order to oblige Monsieur de Montausier, uncle to Monsieur de Lauriere.