This work offended Cardinal du Perron, who could not see how proper regard for monarchy was consistent with the view that aristocracy was naturally the highest form of government.[1] Meanwhile Richer retired contentedly into studious quietude, where he composed his great work on the Councils, published after his death. But his enemies could not let him rest. He says that he could not venture beyond the gates of the College lest the satellites of the Roman authorities should fall upon him.[2] From the treatment measured out to him he sees that the Roman Curia is resolved to obliterate the ancient doctrine of the School of Paris, and to allow no man to speak of the true government of the Church, or the independence of the State, without branding him as a heretic or schismatic.[3] It is said that Richer was forced by menaces to sign a recantation of his views of papal power. Whatever he signed, the independent statements of his own literary Testament remain to show his real convictions.
"I, Edmond Richer … in the 53 year of my life … seated in my library, sound in body and mind, write this latin codicil in the form of a Testament."[4]
He then appeals to his defence of the ancient principles in the Disputations of 1611; and recalls the persecutions he has undergone: how it was said that a vow to assassinate him would be most acceptable to God, or that if he were snared and sent to Rome he would soon find out whether the Pope possessed the temporal sword.[5] Men do not realise, says Richer, how grievously these theories compromise the Apostolic See. For more
