Of the Studï of History.

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and Elizabeth. Even popifh ecclesiastical policyis no longer the famé fmce that era. His holinessis no longer at the head of the whole westernchurch: and tokeep the part that adhères to him,he is obliged to looíen their chains, and to lightenhis yoke. The spirit and prétentions of his courtare the famé, but not the power. He governs byexpédient and management more, and by authorityléss. His decrees and his briefs are in danger ofbeing refufed, explained away, or evaded, unlels henegociates their acceptance before he gives them,governs in concert with his stock, and feeds hisilieep according to their humor and interest Inshort, his excommunications, that made the greatestemperors tremble, are deípifed by the lowestmembers of his own communion ; and the remain-.ing attachment to him has been, from this era,rather a political expédient to préservé an appear-ance of unity'j than a principle of conscience ;whatever some bigotted princes may hâve thought,whatever ambitions prelates and hireling fcribblersmay hâve taught, and whatever a people, workednp to enthusiafm by fanatical preachers, may hâveacted. Proofs of this would be eafy to draw, notonly from the conduct of such princes as Ferdi-nand the first and Maximilian the second, whocould scarce be esteemed papists though they con-tinued in tlje pope’s communion: but even fromthat of princes who persecuted their protestantsubjects with gréât violence. Enough has beensaid, I think to show your lordíliip how littleneed there is of going up higher than the beginning

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