At this time Continental Catholicism, unlike its position in Britain, found literary champions whose works ably defended it against Protestant or infidel foes.I

Of these Bishop Bossuet's Universal History was one of the grandest efforts. Though written in French, it was doubtless known to most literary Roman Catholics in Britain. Its immense learning and zealous ability proved its author a worthy foe of the Protestant writers of his time. Yet neither Bossuet nor other foreign Catholic writers were emulated by their British co-religionists, who, politically distrusted or powerless, had showed neither the ability nor inclination to answer literary opponents among the non-Catholic majority.

Many of the British public sharing the views of Milton, Bunyan, Locke, &c., were therefore unjust to Catholic fellow-countrymen. Indeed, from the lessons of religious persecution detailed, if not exaggerated, by such works as "Foxe's Book of Martyrs," &c., containing some truth, yet avowedly partial, the British intellect was thoroughly prejudiced against Catholicism at this time.

Those following the eminent Protestant or Catholic only be propagated by reason and that voluntary deference to authority which implies reason, but false opinion in religion can be as well propagated by force as true ones. The sword, the stake, or the gibbet are as good arguments in behalf of Mahometanism as of Christianity."-Sir G. C. Lewis's "Influence of Authority," p. 294-5.

Hallam's "Literary History," Vol. 4th, on the position of divided Christianity in Europe at this time.

writers at home and abroad became divided, as it were, into hostile camps, each forbidding or discouraging a fair study of each other. Few Christian minds were disposed to calmly compare their rival merits, arguments, or opinions. In Britain and northern Europe generally, Protestantism in different forms, prevailed among the most learned and illustrious men, many of whom believed Catholicism not only a superstition, but little better than the ancient Paganism of Rome, in which real Christianity was hardly to be found.

Throughout southern Europe the highest intellects were, as a rule, on its side, associating its authority with political safety, good order, and social security, as well as undeniable religious truth. European legislation faithfully expressed the religious feelings of different nations which could only be known to a minority through the medium of literature at this period. Thus the spirit of British legislation against 'Popery " as a false, dangerous system, much resembled the laws against "Heresy" throughout France, Spain, and Italy.I

Some British Protestants could hardly believe there could be such intellectual writers as Bossuet and Fénélon in favour of Catholicism. It was also difficult to understand from Bossuet's learned, majestic, and comprehensive censure of all Protestants, that men much more like him than many of his admirers attacked the same doctrine he zealously defended.

· Hallam's "Middle Ages," also Sir G. C. Lewis's "Influence of Authority."

At this time, when sincere, accomplished, successful Reformers were believing, hoping, and declaring that Catholicism was fast disappearing and mainly supported by ignorant clergy or selfish kings through religious bigotry or political interest, Bossuet's great work appeared in its defence. In some respects its vast learning, earnestness, and ability contradicted these assertions.

His mind ranged over ancient, mediæval, and comparatively modern history, while his unshaken devotion to Roman Catholicism was evidently his leading idea and motive. In his work much the same learning, energy, and firm conviction which often inspired the Reformers in attacking Catholicism were now devoted to its interests, defence, and glorification.

Yet it was fated that for many centuries in European history the greatest Christian minds should not only differ from, but depreciate as well as persecute each other. All oppression of helpless Jews, all enmity to warlike Mohammedans comparatively disappeared from the Christian world when perverting its intellectual powers and legal ingenuity to suppress hostile divisions of the same creed.

CHAPTER VIII

THE REVOLUTION-THE HOUSE OF HANOVER

HE accession of William III. established a favourable to literature. Though neither literary nor artistic himself, his political knowledge, views, and position made him check all intolerance and promote general freedom of thought

TH
Treligious toleration very

and utterance.

His policy was at first blamed by opposing sections of his divided subjects. Hence the remarkable alliance against him of Tory Prelatists with Presbyterian Covenanters in Scotland. These previously mortal foes alike opposed William, who, either from prudence or humanity, wished to unite his subjects as far as possible by enlisting on his side the moderate of all parties. This policy was finally successful, rendering the stern, impartial king far more worthy than James II. of Dryden's title of the Royal Lion protecting divided subjects from each other.1

I

Bishop Burnet's "Memoirs of his Times," Macaulay's "History," and Scott's "Old Mortality." These eminent writers, the divine, the historian, and the novelist, agree in admiring the civilising, beneficial effects of William's policy.

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