Beschreibung:
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title>
<jats:p>The present contribution offers an analysis of the <jats:italic>Oratio de interioris hominis reformatione</jats:italic> (1628), a sermon written by Cornelius Jansenius (1585–1638), professor of exegesis at the university of Leuven, for the introduction of a new monastic rule in the monastery of Affligem (Southern Netherlands). The text was reprinted several times and gained a certain popularity in the seventeenth century, especially through its French translation by Robert Arnauld d’Andilly (1642). This contribution focuses on the historical circumstances which lead to the genesis of the <jats:italic>Oratio</jats:italic>. By means of introduction, a summary of the text’s content is given, focusing on Jansenius’ presentation of the Augustinian exegesis of 1 John 2:16 on the threefold concupiscence. Our proper analysis of the historical context of the <jats:italic>Oratio</jats:italic> is threefold. In first instance, we analyze Jansenius’ relations with the different protagonists in the reform of Affligem, which culminated in the introduction of a new monastic rule in 1628. Thereafter, we focus on the history of the Benedictine monastery itself, from its foundation until the seventeenth century. We end our analysis with a close examination of the <jats:italic>pronuntiatio</jats:italic> of the <jats:italic>Oratio</jats:italic> on 18 October 1628 and the immediate impact of the text.</jats:p>