Protestantism and Catholicity compared in their effects on the civilization of Europe

Having reached the end of my difficult enterprise, let me be allowed to take a retrospective view of the vast space over which I have but just passed, like the traveller who res...

"We have now to answer the contrary objections. We maintain that neither the divine nor the natural law has given to states the power of arresting the progress of tyranny by mea...

Perhaps they who are the most opposed to religious communities may be reconciled to the solitaries of the East, when they perceive in them a class of men who, by practising the...

What, then, were the causes of the appearance of Protestantism in Europe, of its development, and of its success? This is a question well worthy of being examined to the bottom,...

There is nothing more instructive or more interesting, than the study of public law in those writers who, pretending not to pass for statesmen, and entertaining no views of ambi...

Religious institutions are another of those points whereon Protestantism and Catholicity are in complete opposition to each other: the first abhors, the second loves them; the o...

It has been said that Philip II. founded a new Inquisition in Spain, more terrible than that of the Catholic sovereigns; at the same time the Inquisition of Ferdinand and Isabel...

Modern society ought, it would seem, to be distinguished for severity and cruelty, since it was formed from that of the Romans and barbarians, from both of whom it should have i...

In order to judge of the real effect which the introduction of Protestant doctrines would have had in Spain, we shall do well, in the first place, to take a survey of the presen...

THE individual is the first and simplest element of society. If the individual is not well constituted, if he is ill understood and ill appreciated, there will always be an obst...

As we are to examine what was, in the eleventh and twelfth centuries, the conduct of the Church in reference to innovators, we will avail ourselves of the excellent opportunity...

In the rapid sketch which I have just given, my intention has not been to write the history of the religious orders; this did not form part of my design. I am satisfied with hav...

Happily the Catholic Church was wiser than philosophers; she knew how to confer on humanity the benefit of emancipation, without injustice or revolution. She knew how to regener...

The doctrine of the right divine, considered in its relation to society, presents to our notice two particular points which this doctrine contains: 1. The origin of civil power;...

An indefatigable zeal for the sanctity of marriage, and an anxious solicitude to carry the principle of modesty to the highest degree of delicacy, are the two rules which have g...

When, after having fixed our eyes on the vast and interesting picture which religious communities present to us, after having called to mind their origin, their varied forms, th...

Having shown that the Catholic doctrine upon the origin of the civil power does not include any thing but what is perfectly reasonable and reconcilable with the true interests o...

I find myself naturally led to make a few observations on the intolerance of certain Catholic princes, on the Inquisition, and in particular on that of Spain. I must make a rapi...

How much, during the last century, was said against intolerance! A philosophy less superficial than that which then prevailed would have reflected a little more on a fact which...

From what has been said in the foregoing chapters it follows, that it is allowable to resist illegitimate power by force. The Catholic religion does not enjoin obedience to gove...

In the thirteenth chapter of this work we said, "The heart is filled with generous indignation when we hear the religion of Jesus Christ reproached with a tendency towards oppre...

The question of the improvement of manners, treated in the preceding chapters, naturally leads me to another, sufficiently thorny in itself, and rendered still more so by innume...

It has been abundantly proved in the course of this work, that the pseudo-Reformation has not in any way contributed to the perfection either of individuals or of society; from...

As I am treating of religious institutions, I must not pass over in silence that celebrated order, which, from the first years of its existence, assumed the stature of a colossu...

We have defined the nature of public conscience; we have pointed out its origin and effects. It now remains to examine whether Protestantism has had any share in forming it, and...

But it will be said to Catholics, "Do you not see that your doctrines are too hard and rigorous? They do not consider the weakness and inconstancy of the human heart, and requir...

I think I have satisfactorily vindicated the Catholic Church from the reproaches cast upon her by her enemies, for her conduct during the eleventh and twelfth centuries in refer...

The doctrines of Catholicity, therefore, in reference both to the origin and the exercise of civil power, are unobjectionable. Let us now proceed to another point--one of greate...

Never will manners be perfectly gentle without the existence of public beneficence; so that gentleness of manners and beneficence, although distinct, are sisters. Public benefic...

In the sketch I have here drawn, the rigorous accuracy of which no one can question, we have not discovered any thing like oppression in Catholicity, nor any alliance between th...

From the rapid view we have taken of the several branches of learning in their relations to the authority of the Church, it is clear to a demonstration, that the alleged enslave...

Extreme doctrines neither insure the liberty of the people, nor the force and stability of governments; both require truth and justice, the only foundations upon which we can bu...

Such was the situation of Europe during the centuries preceding the sixteenth, that it appears difficult to find for democracy a well-defined place in political theories. Stifle...

I have just examined religious institutions in a general point of view, by considering them in their relations with religion and the human mind. I am now going to take a glance...

The difference of opinion concerning the mode in which God communicates civil power, however grave in theory, does not appear to be of great importance in practice. We have alre...

Is it allowable, under any circumstances, in any supposition, to resist the civil power _by physical force_? Does there nowhere exist a deposing power? How far do Catholic doctr...

After having placed Catholicity and Protestantism in contrast, in a religious point of view, in the picture which I have just drawn; after having shown the superiority of the on...

My explanation of this matter would be incomplete, were I to leave the following difficulty unresolved: "In Spain, Catholicity has prevailed exclusively, and under it an absolut...

There is in the history of Europe one leading fact contained in all its pages, and still visible in our days, viz. the parallel march of two democracies, which, although sometim...

The enthusiasm enkindled in Europe in latter times, has cooled down by degrees; experience has shown that a political organization not in accordance with the social organization...

The conduct of the Church with respect to the Jews also contributed to the abolition of slavery. This singular people, who bear on their forehead the mark of proscription, and a...

While improving the condition of slaves and assimilating it as much as possible to that of freemen, it was necessary not to forget the universal emancipation; for it was not eno...

IF we profoundly study this question, without suffering ourselves to be led into error and extravagance, by the desire of passing for deep observers; if we call to our aid a jus...

Montesquieu has said that republics are preserved by virtue, and monarchies by honor. He observes, moreover, that honor renders the censors, who were required among the ancients...

IF we give a just and legitimate meaning to the word individuality, taking the feeling of personal independence in an acceptation which is not repugnant to the perfection of the...

WE have seen what the individual owes to Catholicity; let us now see what the family owes her. It is clear that the individual, being the first element of the family, if it is C...

The fanaticism of sects, which is excited, kept alive, and nourished in Europe, by the private judgment of Protestantism, is certainly an evil of the greatest magnitude; yet it...

When once these three elements of government, monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy, began each to contend for the ascendency, the most certain means of securing the victory to m...

Although the Church attached the greatest importance to the propagation of truth, although she was convinced that to destroy the shapeless mass of immorality and degradation tha...

The proposition contained in the concluding lines of the last chapter suggests a corollary, which, if I am not mistaken, offers a new demonstration of the divine origin of the C...

Thus did the Church, by a variety of means, break the chains of slavery, without ever exceeding the limits marked out by justice and prudence: thus did she banish from among Chr...

The truth of what I have just advanced with respect to the weakness of our intellect, is proved by the fact that the hand of God has placed at the bottom of our souls a preserva...

Let us now examine religious institutions, such as they appear in the West, but laying aside those which, although established in various parts of the West, were only a sort of...

When viewing the religious institutions produced by the Church during the thirteenth century, we did not pause to consider one among them, which, to the merit of participating i...

We have seen, in the fifteenth chapter, with what jealousy Catholicity endeavors to veil the secrets of modesty; with what perseverance she imposes the restraint of morality on...

condensing into a small number of books those which were the most select and necessary among the immense collection of laws; a similar idea occurred to Cicero, who wrote a book...

In rejecting the authority of the Church, and in adopting this resistance as its only principle, Protestantism was compelled to seek its whole support in man; thus to mistake th...

The supposed incompatibility of unity in faith with political liberty is an invention of the irreligious philosophy of the last century. Whatever political opinions be adopted,...

This fixedness of idea, this unanimity of will, this wisdom and constancy of plan, this progress with a firm step towards a definite object and end; and, in fine, this admirable...

The progress of society, and the high degree of civilization and refinement to which modern nations have attained, will no doubt be urged against the authority which seeks to ex...

When enumerating, in the twentieth chapter, the characteristics which mark European civilization, I pointed out, as one of them, "an admirable public conscience, rich in sublime...

A certain general gentleness of manners, which in war prevents great atrocities, and in peace renders life more quiet and agreeable:--such is one of the valuable qualities which...

The influence exercised by the lives of the solitaries of the East over religion and morality is beyond a doubt; in truth it is not easy to appreciate it in all its extent and i...

After having clearly shown the intrinsic weakness of Protestantism, it is natural to ask this question: If it be so feeble, owing to the radical defects of its constitution, why...

It would be unjust to charge a religion with falsehood, merely because fanatics are to be found within its bosom. This would be to reject all, because none are to be found exemp...

In matters appertaining to representative government, modern political science boasts of its great progress: we hear it continually asserting that the school in which the deputi...

There is a fact in existence among civilized nations, very important on account of the nature of the things which it affects--a fact of transcendent importance, on account of th...

We have already seen what has been the conduct of the Christian religion with respect to society; that is to say, that not caring whether such or such political forms were estab...

WE have seen that European civilization owes to the Catholic Church its finest ornament, its most valuable victory in the cause of humanity, the abolition of slavery. It was the...

The idea of monarchy has ever existed in the bosom of European society, even at the time when the least use was made of it; and it is worthy of remark, that at the time when its...

In what condition did Christianity find the world? This is a question which ought to fix all our attention, if we wish to appreciate correctly the blessings conferred by that di...

A single glance at the state of Europe in the fifteenth century enables us to discover that such a state of things could not long exist, and that of the three elements claiming...

The best proof of the extreme weakness of Protestantism, considered as a body of doctrine, is the little influence which its positive doctrines have exercised in European civili...

The rapid view which we have just taken of religious institutions from the irruption of the barbarians to the twelfth century, has shown us that the monastic foundations, during...

The aristocracy, as including the privileged portion of society, comprehended two classes very distinct in their origin and nature, the nobility and the clergy. Both abounded in...

15 430. Canons and other documents which shew the solicitude of the Church to improve the lot of slaves, and the various means which she used to complete the abolition of slaver...

Catholicity considered as a creed--As an institution--Ideas, in order to be efficacious, must be realized in an institution--What Protestantism has done to destroy Christian mor...

On resistance to lawful authority--The doctrines of the Council of Constance on the assassination of a king--A reflection on the inviolability of kings--Extreme cases--Doctrine...

Transformation of the monastic spirit in the thirteenth century--Religious institutions arise every where--Character of European opposed to that of other civilizations--Mixture...

Effects of Protestantism on the progress of civilization in the world, beginning with the sixteenth century--What enabled civilization, during the middle ages, to triumph over b...

3d. System of the Church with regard to slaves belonging to Jews--Motives which actuated the Church in the enfranchisement of her own slaves--Her indulgence to them--Her generos...

Religion and the human intellect in Europe--Difference between the intellectual development of the nations of antiquity and those of Europeans--Causes that have accelerated this...

The Catholic Church not only employs her doctrines, her maxims, and her spirit of charity, but also makes use of practical means in the abolition of slavery--Point of view in wh...

The life of feudal lords according to M. Guizot--The passions and faith in chivalry--Chivalry did not ennoble woman, it supposed her to be ennobled--Of the respect of the German...

New Inquisition attributed to Philip II.--Opinion of M. Lacordaire--Prejudice against Philip II.--Observations on the work called _Inquisition Dévoilée_--Rapid _coup d'œil_ at t...

The opinion entertained of democracy--The prevailing doctrines of that epoch--The doctrines of Aristotle neutralised by the teaching of Christianity--On castes--A passage from M...

Conduct of Protestantism with respect to religious institutions--Whether these institutions have been of importance in history--Sophism on the subject of the real origin of reli...

Of resistance to the civil power--Parallel between Protestantism and Catholicity on this point--Unfounded apprehensions of certain minds--Attitude of revolutions in this age--Th...

The Church was not only a great and productive school, but she was also a regenerating association--What she had to do--Difficulties which she had to overcome--Slavery--By whom...

Doctrine of St. Augustin on this subject--Importance of this doctrine with respect to the abolition of slavery--Refutation of M. Guizot--Doctrine of St. Thomas on the same subje...

Distinction between the individual and the citizen--Of the individuality of barbarians according to M. Guizot--Whether in antiquity individuality belonged exclusively to the bar...

Progress of the human mind from the eleventh century to our own times--Different phases--Protestantism and Catholicity in their relations to learning, to criticism, to the learn...

Present state of religious institutions--Picture of society--Inability of industry and commerce to satisfy the heart of man--Condition of minds with respect to religion--Religio...

Institutions and legislation founded on intolerance--Causes of the rigor displayed in the early times of the Inquisition--Three epochs in the history of the Inquisition in Spain...

1st. She zealously defends the liberty of the enfranchised--Manumission in the churches--Effects of this practice--2d. Redemption of captives--Zeal of the Church in practising a...

Intolerance is a general fact in history--Dialogues with the partisans of universal tolerance--Does there exist a right of punishing doctrines?--Researches into the origin of th...

The feeling of true independence was possessed by the faithful of the primitive Church--Error of M. Guizot on this point: 1st, dignity of conscience sustained by the Christian s...

Character of religious institutions in a historical point of view--The Roman empire--The barbarians--The early Christians--Condition of the Church when Christianity ascended the...

Condition, religious, social, and scientific, of the world at the appearance of Christianity--Roman law--The influence of Christian ideas thereon--Evils of the political organiz...

Present state of religious ideas in Europe--Victories of religion--State of science and literature--Condition of modern society--Conjectures on the future influence of Catholici...

Institution of censors according to Montesquieu--Two kinds of prejudice in the author of the _Esprit des Lois_--He assigns honor as the principle of monarchies, and virtue as th...

Influence of doctrines on society--Flattery lavished on power--Danger of this flattery--Liberty of speech on this point in Spain during the last three centuries--Mariana--Saaved...

It is false that unity of faith is opposed to political liberty--Impiety is allied with liberty or despotism, according to circumstances--Modern revolutions--Difference between...

Woman ennobled by Catholicity alone--Practical means employed by the Church to raise woman--Christian doctrine on the dignity of woman--Monogamy--Different conduct of Catholicit...

Pretended rigor of Catholicity with respect to unhappy marriages--Two systems of governing the passions--Protestant system--Catholic system--Examples--Passion of gambling--Explo...

Peculiar character of religious institutions in the West--St. Benedict--Struggle of the monks against the decline of things--Origin of monastic property--The possessions of the...

Their importance in the history of European civilization--Causes of the hatred which has been excited against them--Character of the Jesuits--Contradiction of M. Guizot on this...

Doctrines of Protestantism divided into positive and negative--Singular phenomenon: one of the principal dogmas of the founders of Protestantism repugnant to European civilizati...

Respect for _man_ unknown to the ancients--What has been seen in modern revolutions--Tyranny of public power over private interests--Explanation of a twofold phenomenon, which p...

Elements adapted to perpetuate harshness of manners in the bosom of modern society--Conduct of the Church in this respect--Remarkable canons and facts--St. Ambrose and the Emper...

The question of intolerance has been examined with bad faith--What tolerance is--Tolerance of opinions--Of error--Tolerance in the individual--With religious men--With unbelieve...

Commencement of the parallel--Liberty--Vague meaning of the word--European civilization chiefly due to Catholicity--East and West--Conjectures on the destinies of Catholicity am...

Value of political forms--Catholicity and liberty--Monarchy was essential--Character of European monarchy--Difference between Europe and Asia--Quotation from Count de Maistre--A...

What the public conscience is--Influence of the feelings on the public conscience in general--Education contributes to form the conscience--State of the public conscience in mod...

Contest between monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy--How monarchy came to prevail--Fatal effects of the weakening of the political influence of the clergy--Advantages which mig...

Important question with regard to the continuance of Protestantism--Religious indifference with respect to man collectively and individually--European societies with relation to...

Political liberty and religious intolerance--Europe was developed under the exclusive influence of Catholicity--Picture of Europe from the eleventh to the fourteenth century--Co...

Connexion between fanaticism and religious feeling--Impossibility of destroying it--Means of diminishing it--The Church has used these means, and with what result?--Observations...

Lamentable symptoms of these from the beginning of Protestantism--Remarkable religious crisis in the latter part of the seventeenth century--Bossuet and Leibnitz--The Jansenists...

Governments existing merely _de facto_--Right of resistance to these governments--Napoleon and the Spanish nation--Fallacy of the doctrine establishing the obligation of obedien...

Of the ennoblement of woman by virginity--Conduct of Protestantism on this point--Close analysis of the heart of woman--Of virginity with respect to population--England--Serious...

Catholicity and politics in Spain--Real state of the question--Five causes contributed to the overthrow of popular institutions in Spain--Difference between ancient and modern l...

Of the faculties of civil power--Calumnies of the enemies of the Church--Definition of _law_ according to St. Thomas--General reason and general will--The venerable Palafox--Hob...

Catholicity in its relations with intellectual development--What is the influence of the principle of submission to authority--What are the effects of this principle with respec...

Parallel between the political doctrines of the eighteenth century, those of modern publicists, and those which prevailed in Europe before the appearance of Protestantism--Prote...

What ought to be attributed to the genius of its founders--Different causes assigned for it--Errors on this subject--Opinions of Guizot--Of Bossuet--True cause of Protestantism...

_Direct_ or _indirect_ communication of civil power--The distinction between the two opinions important in some respects; in others, not so--Why Catholic theologians have so zea...

Picture of modern civilization--Civilizations not Christian--Civilization is composed of three elements: the individual, the family, and the society--The perfectness of these th...

The idea entertained of monarchy at this period--The application of this idea--Difference between monarchy and despotism--The nature of monarchy at the commencement of the sixte...

The nobility and the clergy--The differences between these two aristocracies--The nobility and monarchy--Differences between them--An intermediate class between the throne and t...