CHAPTER XXXIX.

RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS IN HISTORY--THE EARLY SOLITARIES.

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 throne of the Cæsars--Life of the fathers of the desert--Influence of the solitaries on philosophy and manners--The heroism of penance saves morality--The most corrupting climate chosen for the triumph of the most austere virtues, 229