see,
afterwards, how the religion of Christ embodies itself in a church,
and raises itself a generous democratic power against the tyranny of
princes. Later still, you will see how that power has attained its end,
and passed beyond it. You will see it, having chained and conquered
princes, league itself with them, in order to oppress the people, and
seize on temporal power. Schism, then, raises up against it the standard
of revolt, and preaches the bold and legitimate principle of liberty
of conscience: but, also, you will see how this liberty of conscience
brings religious anarchy in its train; or, worse still, religious
indifference and disgust. And if your soul, shattered in the tempestuous
changes which you behold humanity undergoing, would strike out for
itself a passage through the rocks, amidst which, like a frail bark,
lies tossing trembling truth, you will be embarrassed to choose between
the new philosophers--who, in preaching tolerance, destroy religious and
social unity--and the last Christians, who, to preserve society, that
is, religion and philosophy, are obliged to brave the principle of
toleration. Man of truth! to whom I address, at once, my instruction and
my justification, at the time when you shall live, the science of truth
no doubt will have advanced a step. Think, then, of all your fathers
have suffered, as, bending beneath the weight of their ignorance and
uncertainty, they have traversed the desert across which, with so much
pain, they have conducted thee! And if the pride of thy young learning
shall make thee contemplate the petty strifes in which our life has been
consumed, pause and tremble, as you think of that which is still unknown
to yourself, and of the judgment that your descendants will pass on you.
Think of this, and learn to respect all those who, seeking their way in
all sincerity, have wandered from the path, frightened by the storm, and
sorely tried by the severe hand of the All-Powerful. Think of this, and
prostrate yourself; for all these, even the most mistaken among them,
are saints and martyrs.

"Without their conquests and their defeats, thou wert in darkness still.
Yes, their failures, their errors even, have a right to your respect;
for man is weak..... Weep then, for us obscure travellers--unknown
victims, who, by our mortal sufferings and unheard-of labors, have
prepared the way before you. Pity me, who have passionately loved
justice, and perseveringly sought for trut