LOUIS-ISAAC LE, better known by the name of Sacy, was born at Paris in 1613. His genius very early discovered itself. After an excellent course of study under the direction of the abbot of Saint Cyran, he was raised to the priesthood in 1648, and soon after was chosen, on account of his virtues, to be director of the religious of Port Royal des Champs. As this monastery bore the reputation of Jansenism, their enemies were furnished with a pretence for persecuting them. In 1661 the director was obliged to conceal himself; and in 1666 he was committed to the Bastile. During his confinement he composed the book Figures de la Bible; in which, according to the Molinists, allusions are made to the sufferings endured by the Jansenists. If we may believe a Jesuit writer, the gentlemen of Port Royal and those who opposed their errors are represented in the 92d figure, the former by David, the latter by Saul, Rehoboam in the 116th figure, Jezebel in the 130th, Ahazuerus in the 148th and 150th, and Darius in the 160th, in the opinion of this author, represent Louis XIV. The writer of these anecdotes, of which we do not answer for the authenticity, adds, that when Sacy wished to reproach his persecutors, he always did it by means of the holy fathers. If this is the key to those enigmatical portraits and allusions, which it is pretended are to be found in that book, certain we are it was not discovered by the spirit of charity. Besides, it is not certain that Sacy was the author of that book; for it is much more probable that it was composed by Nicolas Fontaine his fellow prisoner.

To Sacy's confinement the public are indebted for a French translation of the Bible. This work was finished in 1668, the evening before the feast of All Saints; on which day he recovered his liberty, after an imprisonment of two years and a half. He was presented to the king and the minister; and all the favour he asked from them was, that they would send several times a year to examine the state of the prisoners in the Bastile. Le Maître continued at Paris till 1675, when he retired to Port Royal, which he was obliged to leave in 1679. He went to settle at Pomponne, where he died January 4, 1684, at the age of 71. From him we have, 1. La Traduction de la Bible, with explanations of the spiritual and literal meaning taken from the fathers, the greater part of which was done by Du Foë, Huré, and Tourneux. This is the best French translation which has yet appeared, and the most esteemed edition is that of Paris in 32 volumes 8vo, 1682 and following years. The author translated the New Testament three times, because the Maître first time the style of it appeared too much laboured and too refined, and the second too simple. A counterfeit of the edition in 32 vols. 8vo, was published at Brussels in 40 vols. 12mo. The best editions of this version have been published at Brussels, 1700, in 3 vols. 4to; at Amsterdam, under the name of Paris, 1711, 8 vols 12mo; at Paris 1713, in 2 vols 4to; and in 1715, with notes and a concordance, 4 vols folio. 2. Une Traduction des Pseaumes selon l'Hebreu et la Vulgate, in 12mo. 3. Une version des Homélies de St Clryssolome sur St Matthieu, in 3 vols 8vo. 4. La Traduction de l'Imitation de Jésus Christ (sous le nom de Beuil, prieur de Saint-Val), Paris 1663, 8vo. 5. Celle de Plédré, 12mo, (sous le nom de Saint-Aubin). 6. De trois Comédies de Térence, in 12mo. 7. Des Lettres de Bongars (sous le nom de Briaville). 8. Du Poème de St Prosper sur les ingrates, 12mo, en vers et en prose. 9. Les Enluminures de l'Almanach des Jésuites, 1654, 12mo, reprinted in 1733. In 1653 there appeared a print representing the overthrow of Jansenism anatomatized by the two powers, and the confusion of the disciples of the bishop of Ypres, who are going to seek refuge with the Calvinists. The monks of Port-Royal were greatly provoked at this print, and Sacy thought that he would lower its reputation by means of his Enluminures, which Racine has ridiculed in one of his letters. It is indeed very strange that men of taste and piety should write satires to the injury of one another. 10. Heures de Port-Royal, 12mo. 11. Lettres de Piété, Paris 1690, 2 vols. 8vo.