The Argument. I. The subject introduced by a visit to Einsedelin III. The Christian Chivalry sincere and faithful in its devotion V. To defend the Catholic faith a perpetual obligation. Early divisions gave occasion to this law of Chivalry. Examples of its observance. Compatible with a spirit of toleration VI. Knights were to be examples of religion, and to exalt its glory. Nobility related to the priesthood. Laws of Chivalry were directed to make men religious. The abandonment of truth leads to the ruin of nobility. Examples of devout Knights. The bounty of the great in religious foundations VII. Examples from history and romance of the religious spirit which distinguished Chivalry. Chivalry bound its sons to venerate the Clergy, to shew a reasonable respect, and to favour good priests. Examples PAGE 1 7 14 45 61 VIII. The general character of the secular Clergy. The spirit of the Church respecting their duties. IX. Of Hermits and the Monastic Orders. Of Princes and Knights who retired from the world. The poetic interest attached to them. The confidence and love which they inspired. The customs and discipline of a monastery. The learning of the Monks. Their sanctity. General remarks on the Clergy X. The charity and benevolence of ancient manners. Exercised also towards the dead. Examples XI. The forgiveness of injuries required by the spirit of Chivalry. Examples. The duty of knighthood to appease enmities. Examples. XII. Chivalry reposed a humble hope in Divine aid XIII. Religion requiring a hardy life, much abstinence, and simplicity, harmonised with the views of Chivalry. Examples PAGE 124 153 215 238 246 . XIV. The profound and solemn spirit of Knights. The pilgrim. Dark views entertained of war. The wonderful penance of the king Don Rodrigo. The custom of holding vigils in a church. Further examples of solemn devotion, in the avoidance of oaths, in the observance of the festivals XV. The religious graces which became the ornament of women. Examples 249 252 275 XVI. General remarks on the religion of these ages. unity which prevailed. The influence of the Holy See. ligion harmonised with all forms of civil government XVII. On the exaltation and the doctrine of the Cross. How religion was guarded from fanaticism and immorality . . XVIII. On the humanity and spirituality of men in these ages. Example of St. Bernard. How men adhered to the simplicity and wisdom of nature; hence the picturesque form of every thing under their control. Perfection lay in charity. Examples of spiritual wisdom in the interpretation and use of the Scriptures. The deep sense which was entertained of their value. That temporal men possessed a high degree of this wisdom. The Church taught no regular system of philosophy, and made no addition to what God had revealed; encouraged learning. That there are difficulties in religion no cause of offence. That motives were the criterion of men's actions. The advantage to be derived from the philosophy of the ancients . XIX. The doctrine of the holy Angels. On the Sacraments, and the great characteristics of the Christian religion 335 XX. On the love which men had for the ceremonies and offices of the Church. Examples. On their solemn beauty. How they displayed the wisdom of the Church, and how they followed of necessity from the whole scheme of revelation, and even from a law of nature. How they consoled the miserable. A practice of devotion for every hour of the day. Instances of abuse, and the horror it excited in Knights. XXI. How every thing bore a devotional aspect. Chivalrous imagery employed to denote celestial objects XXII. How the beauty of nature was made a source of divine contemplation and of future hope. The excellence of this ancient theology XXIII. A return to the original subject, shewing that piety is inseparable from the true bent of honour. The piety of the brave in ancient times PAGE . 343 XXIV. A review of the excellence of what has been seen, and a concession that despondency and suspicions may succeed. The unreasonableness of such fears. That there must ever be abuses; still that the Middle Ages were ages of great virtue. How the Church condemned superstition. XXV. The present times less unfavourable to truth than the last three centuries. Still truth meets with great difficulties. The conclusion, giving a melancholy view of what is to be expected in the next Book . 362 367 . 373 377 . 386 |
