"that the clergy were infinitely superior to their neigh"bours; and that, if they had not possessed the power 66 they did, it would have been in far worse hands." Those who knew Henry Mackenzie will recognize these last few words as altogether characteristic of his mind: they well convey his hatred of all special pleading, most of all in defence of the Faith which was so dear to him, along with that trust in history as a guide to truth, which is happily taking possession of the more thoughtful men of England, France, and Germany. Indeed the pervading spirit of this his only literary legacy cannot be better expressed than in the words of St. Augustine, whose Confessions were his favourite companion, along with his Greek Testament, during the latter months of his illness : "Narratione autem historica quum præterita "etiam hominum instituta narrantur, non inter humana “instituta ipsa historia numeranda est; quia jam quæ "transierunt, nec infecta fieri possunt, in ordine temporum habenda sunt, quorum est conditor et admi"nistrator Deus." 66 FENTON J. A. HORT. TRINITY COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE, October, 1855. The subject of this Essay the practical benefits of our faith, as seen in its representatives the clergy. The respective results of Roman and Teutonic influences unin- telligible except in combination with the polity of the Church. Influence on later ages to be considered as well as that on con- (1) to the social and moral life of mankind, (2) to the political state and progress of nations. . I. The Christian faith proclaimed a new era in morality. Minute supervision enjoined by St Paul on Titus carried but care for temporal wants of the people conspicuous in Dionysius at Alexandria (and later parabolani, 21n), 20, 21 and Cornelius at Rome. 29, 30 31, 32 Peculiar strictness of discipline over the clergy. The progress of the Church due less to its teaching than which was then building up for the use of later ages. Regarded in this light, the early germs of future abuses Influence of the clergy legitimately strengthened by the Effects of theology on literature and philosophy. Value of early Christian literature in itself, and early theology in keeping alive the study of Greek philosophy, and preserving the works of Substitution of ethics and politics for physics. though the first victims of persecution; but they are not therefore to be blamed: the fact partly due to the discipline which forbad them to Introduction of new duties and temptations for the clergy through the change in their position. I. Difficulty of distinguishing their moral from their political Moral regulations of earlier bishops confirmed by the Excommunication of murderers of slaves. Testimony of the Theodosian code. Manumission transferred from the prætor to the Law de alimentis for prevention of infanticide. The Teutonic nations as well as Romans and provincials affected by Christian improvements of Roman law. Reciprocal corruption of the clergy by the world; |