AUTHOR'S PREFACE. AMONG the many and important evils which have been the necessary result of the profound revolutions of modern times, there appears a good extremely valuable to science, and which will probably have a beneficial influence on the human race,—I mean the love of studies having for their object man and society. The shocks have been so rude, that the earth has, as it were, opened under our feet; and the human mind, which, full of pride and haughtiness, but lately advanced on a triumphal car amid acclamations and cries of victory, has been alarmed and stopped in its career. Absorbed by an important thought, overcome by a profound reflection, it has asked itself, "What am I? whence do I come? what is my destination?" Religious questions have regained their high importance; and when they might have been supposed to have been scattered by the breath of indifference, or almost annihilated by the astonishing development of material interests, by the progress of the natural and exact sciences, by the continually increasing ardour of political debates,we have seen that, so far from having been stifled by the immense weight which seemed to have overwhelmed them, they have re-appeared on a sudden in all their magnitude, in their gigantic form, predominant over society, and reaching from the heavens to the abyss. This disposition of men's minds naturally drew their attention to the religious revolution of the sixteenth century; it was natural that they should ask what this revolution had done to promote the interests of humanity. Unhappily, great mistakes have been made in this inquiry. Either because they have looked at the facts through the distorted medium of sectarian prejudice, or because they have only considered them superficially, men have arrived at the conclusion, that the reformers of the sixteenth century have conferred a signal benefit on the nations of Europe, by contributing to the development of science, of the arts, of human liberty, and of every thing which is comprised in the word civilisation. What do history and philosophy say on this subject? How has man, either individually or collectively, considered in a religious, social, political, or literary point of view, been benefited by the reform of the sixteenth century? Did Europe, under the exclusive influence of Catholicity, pursue a prosperous career? Did Catholicity impose a single fetter on the movements of civilisation? This is the examination which I propose to make in this work. Every age has its peculiar wants; and it is much to be wished that all Catholic writers were convinced that the complete examination of these questions is one of the most urgent necessities of the times in which we live. Bellarmine and Bossuet have done what was required for their times; we ought to do the same for ours. I am fully aware of the immense extent of the questions I have adverted to, and I do not flatter myself that I shall be able to elucidate them as they deserve; but, however this may be, I promise to enter on my task with the courage which is inspired by a love of truth; and when my strength shall be exhausted, I shall sit down with tranquillity of mind, in expectation that another, more vigorous than myself, will carry into effect so important an enterprise. TABLE OF CONTENTS. [For verbal Index see end of the Vol.] CHAPTER I. THE NAME AND NATURE OF PROTESTANTISM. CHAPTER II. THE CAUSES OF PROTESTANTISM. 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 to be found in the social condition of European nations CHAPTER III. EXTRAORDINARY PHENOMENON IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. Divinity of the Catholic Church proved by its relations with the human mind-Remarkable acknowledgment of M. Guizot-Consequences of that acknowledgment PAGE 14 18 CHAPTER IV. OF PROTESTANTISM AND THE HUMAN MIND. Protestantism contains a principle of dissolution-It tends naturally to destroy all faith-Dangerous direction given to the human mind— Description of the human mind CHAPTER V. INSTINCT OF FAITH IN THE SCIENCES. Instinct of faith-This instinct extends to all the sciences-Newton, Descartes-Observations on the history of philosophy-Proselytism-Present condition of the human mind CHAPTER VI 21 DIFFERENT RELIGIOUS WANTS OF NATIONS-MATHEMATICS-MORAL SCIENCES. Important error committed by Protestantism, with regard to the religious government of the human mind CHAPTER VII. INDIFFERENCE AND FANATICISM. Two opposite evils, fruits of Protestantism-Origin of fanaticism—The PAGE 29 CHAPTER VIII. FANATICISM-ITS DEFINITION-FANATICISM IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. 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 on the pretended Catholic fanatics-Description of the religious excitement of the founders of orders in the Church 33 CHAPTER IX. INCREDULITY AND RELIGIOUS INDIFFERENCE IN EUROPE THE FRUITS Lamentable symptoms of these from the beginning of Protestantism-Re- 36 CHAPTER X. CAUSES OF THE CONTINUED EXISTENCE OF PROTESTANTISM. Important question with regard to the continuance of Protestantism— Religious indifference with respect to man collectively and individually-European societies with relation to Mahometanism and idolatry -How Catholicity and Protestantism are capable of defending the truth-Intimate connexion between Christianity and European civili sation 40 CHAPTER XI. THE POSITIVE DOCTRINES OF PROTESTANTISM ARE REPUGNANT TO THE Doctrines of Protestantism divided into positive and negative-Singular 43 CHAPTER XII. EFFECTS WHICH THE INTRODUCTION OF PROTESTANTISM INTO SPAIN WOULD HAVE PRODUCED. Present state of religious ideas in Europe-Victories of religion-State of |