Lemaistre De Saci (or Sacy)

Lemaistre De Saci (Or Sacy)

ISAAC Louis, a noted French Jansenist theologian, a nephew of Antoine Arnauld le Grand, was born in Paris March 29,1613; was ordained a priest in 1650, and became confessor or principal director of the recluses of Port Royal. Entangled in a controversy with the Jesuits, he was persecuted by the authorities, both civil and ecclesiastical, in 1661, and, after having vainly sought refuge among friends, was confined in the Bastile in 1666. During his imprisonment, which lasted two years, he made a French translation of the Old Testament. He had previously been one of the translators of the New Testament of Mons (1667). which was often reprinted. In consequence of renewed persecution, he left Port Royal in 1679, seeking peace and quiet at the country seat of a friend of his. There he died, Jan. 4, 1684. He published French versions of several classical works, and of valuable theologicaltreatises; also of Thomas à Kempis's Imitation. See Hoefr, Nouv. Biog. Genetrale, 30:568; Ste. Beuve, Port Royal, 2:1,2; Kitto, Bibl. Cyclop. s.v. Sacy, de.