罗马帝国消亡史经典英文版 (162).docxVIP

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经典英文巨著、宝贵学习参考资料

经典英文巨著、宝贵学习参考资料

AChristian,aphilosopher,^93andapatriot,willbeequallyscandalizedbythetemporalkingdomoftheclergy;andthelocalmajestyofRome,theremembranceofherconsulsandtriumphs,mayseemtoimbitterthesense,andaggravatetheshame,ofherslavery.Ifwecalmlyweighthemeritsanddefectsoftheecclesiasticalgovernment,itmaybepraisedinitspresentstate,asamild,decent,andtranquilsystem,exemptfromthedangersofaminority,thesalliesofyouth,theexpensesofluxury,andthecalamitiesofwar.Buttheseadvantagesareoverbalancedbyafrequent,perhapsaseptennial,electionofasovereign,whoisseldomanativeofthecountry;thereignofayoungstatesmanofthreescore,inthedeclineofhislifeandabilities,withouthopetoaccomplish,andwithoutchildrentoinherit,thelaborsofhistransitoryreign.Thesuccessfulcandidateisdrawnfromthechurch,andeventheconvent;fromthemodeofeducationandlifethemostadversetoreason,humanity,andfreedom.Inthetrammelsofservilefaith,hehaslearnedtobelievebecauseitisabsurd,torevereallthatiscontemptible,andtodespisewhatevermightdeservetheesteemofarationalbeing;topunisherrorasacrime,torewardmortificationandcelibacyasthefirstofvirtues;toplacethesaintsofthecalendar^94abovetheheroesofRomeandthesagesofAthens;andtoconsiderthemissal,orthecrucifix,asmoreusefulinstrumentsthantheploughortheloom.Intheofficeofnuncio,ortherankofcardinal,hemayacquiresomeknowledgeoftheworld,buttheprimitivestainwilladheretohismindandmanners:fromstudyandexperiencehemaysuspectthemysteryofhisprofession;butthesacerdotalartistwillimbibesomeportionofthebigotrywhichheinculcates.ThegeniusofSixtustheFifth^95burstfromthegloomofaFranciscancloister.Inareignoffiveyears,heexterminatedtheoutlawsandbanditti,abolishedth