greedy of every pretence to
hate and persecute those who dissent from his creed.]

[Footnote 2011: The manner in which the war was conducted surely has
little relation to the abstract question of the justice or injustice of
the war. The most just and necessary war may be conducted with the
most prodigal waste of human life, and the wildest fanaticism; the
most unjust with the coolest moderation and consummate generalship. The
question is, whether the liberties and religion of Europe were in danger
from the aggressions of Mahometanism? If so, it is difficult to
limit the right, though it may be proper to question the wisdom, of
overwhelming the enemy with the armed population of a whole continent,
and repelling, if possible, the invading conqueror into his native
deserts. The crusades are monuments of human folly! but to which of
the more regular wars civilized. Europe, waged for personal ambition or
national jealousy, will our calmer reason appeal as monuments either of
human justice or human wisdom?--M.]

II. Palestine could add nothing to the strength or safety of the Latins;
and fanaticism alone could pretend to justify the conquest of that
distant and narrow province. The Christians affirmed that their
inalienable title to the promised land had been sealed by the blood
of their divine Savior; it was their right and duty to rescue their
inheritance from the unjust possessors, who profaned his sepulchre, and
oppressed the pilgrimage of his disciples. Vainly would it be alleged
that the preeminence of Jerusalem, and the sanctity of Palestine, have
been abolished with the Mosaic law; that the God of the Christians is
not a local deity, and that the recovery of Bethlem or Calvary, his
cradle or his tomb, will not atone for the violation of the moral
precepts of the gospel. Such arguments glance aside from the leaden
shield of superstition; and the religious mind will not easily
relinquish its hold on the sacred ground of mystery and miracle.

III. But the holy wars which have been waged in every climate of the
globe, from Egypt to Livonia, and from Peru to Hindostan, require the
support of some more general and flexible tenet. It has been often
supposed, and sometimes affirmed, that a difference of religion is a
worthy cause of hostility; that obstinate unbelievers may be slain
or subdued by the champions of the cross; and that grace is the sole
fountain of dominion as well as of mercy. [2012] Above four hundred
year