EOURIGNON, ANTOINETTE, a celebrated religious visionary, b. at Lille 13th Jan., 1616. Iler father wits a niercpAut, and she inherited front him a considerable patrimony. She was so ugly an infant that there was some thought of killing her as a monstrous birth. Iler intellect, however, was very acute, and its powers were early developed, along with a tendency to religions mysticism, which was much encouraged by the read ing of mystic books, till her imagination became inflamed, and she began to fancy that she saw visions, conversed with God, received special revelations, and was called to restore the pure spirit of the gospel. By the good Mikes of the archbishop of Cambrav, she obtained admission into a convent. where she won over some Of tile DIMS to her opinions., and soon found herself at the head of a considerable party. She afterwards Lad charge of a hospital at Lille, but from this position she was driven in consequence of her extravagant fancies. She now traveled through various countries, her enthusiasm gaining proselytes, whose conversion, she said. caused the pains of childbirth in her person. At last she was appointed head of a hospital in e. Friesland. She died at Franeker, 30th Oct., 1680. According to Madame 13., religion consists in internal emotion, and not in either knowledge or practi•e. Iler own character exhibited a
strange combination of pride and avarice, with n sort of mystic piety. She never gave anything to the poor, alleging as a reason that she had consecrated all to God. Some of her pretended revelations were of the most indecent nature; many of them were extremely ridiculous; yet many persons of intelligence and learning believed hi them, and adopted the peculiar form of mysticism which soon began to receive the name of I3ourignianism. Among the chief expounders of it was Peter Poiret, a minister. It spread to a remarkable extent both among Roman Catholics and Protes tants; and about the end of the 170 c., and beginning of the 18th, prevailed so much in Scotland that a solemn renunciation of it was demanded from every entrant on the ministry at his ordination. .A minister of Aberdeen was deposed for it in 1701. The formal renunciation of Bouriguianism is still continued in the established church of Scotland, but has been given up as needless by other Presbyterian churches. The works of Madame 13. were edited by Poiret (25 vols., Anist, 1676-84; 2d edit. 1717). They exhibit not a little fiery eloquence.