QUESNEL, kiVD61', PASQUIER (1634-1719). A French Jansenist theologian. He was horn in Paris, July 14. 1634. and having been educated in the Sorbonne. entered the Congregation of the Oratory (q.v.) in 1657. At the age of twenty eight he was appointed director of the Paris house of his congregation. It was for the use of the young men under his charge that he commenced the series of his afterwards celebrated Reflexions morales on the New Testament. Soon afterwards he published an edition of the works of Saint Leo (1675), much criticised by reason of its Gallicanism. and in 1670 put among the prohibited works by the Pope. Ills residence at Paris, however, was cut short. by the disputes about Jansenism. Having refused to sign certain propositions, subscription to which was, by a decree of 16S4. required of all members of the Oratory, Quesnel left the congregation and re tired to Brussels. where he attached himself to
the party of Arnauld. the Jansenists, in which he speedily rose to the first position of influence and authority. He continued his Rellexions morales while living there in concealment; and in 1693-94 they were published in a complete form, with the approval of Cardinal de Noailles, Bishop of Chalons. and ultimately Archbishop of Paris. The work, however, on examination, was found to contain all the most obnoxious doctrines of Jansenius: and Quesnel. having been de nounced to the authorities. was arrested by order of Philip V. and put into prison. lle escaped to Amsterdam. where lie died December 21, 1719. But his book was condemned. first by the decree of an as-embly of the bishops of France, after wards by a decision of Clement NI. in 1711. and finally by the celebrated bull ruipenitus. See .I usi:sisM.