on the Anabaptists, the Socinians, and various other sects CHAP. XIX. of Christians, who differ in some abstruse or controverted* A. D. 1521. points from the established churches; whoever surveys A. Et. 46, the criminal code of the Lutheran and Calvinistic nations A. Pont. IX. of Europe, and observes the punishments denounced against those who may dare to dissent, although upon the sincerest conviction, from the established creed, and considers the dangers to which they are exposed in some countries, and the disabilities by which they are stigmatized and oppressed in others, must admit, that the important object which the friends and promoters of rational liberty had in view, has hitherto been but imperfectly accomplished, and that the human mind, a slave in all ages, has rather changed its master, than freed itself from its servitude. CHAP. XX. 1521. ERRORS incident to an early state of society-Writings of Aristotle Rival doctrines of Plato-Commentators on the philosophy of the ancients NICCOLO LEONICO TOMEOPIETRO POMPONAZZO AGOSTINO NIFO-GIOVAN-FRAN CESCO PICO-Study of natural philosophy — Attempts towards the reformation of the Kalendar-Discoveries in the East and West Indies Papal grants of foreign parts-Consequences of the new discoveries-Humane interference of Leo X. Study of natural history-Moral philosophy-MATTEO BOSSO-PONTANO His treatise De Principe-His work De obedientia and other writings-BALDASSARE CASIONE-His Libro del Cortegiano Novel writersMATTEO BANDELLO PIETRO ARETINO. TIGLIONE CHAP. XX. A. D. 1521. A. Pont. IX. to an early state of so It is is a striking fact that mankind, when they begin to cultivate their intellectual powers, have generally turned their first attention towards those abstruse and speculative studies, which are the most difficult of comprehension, and the most remote from their present state and condition. Errors incident This is the natural result of that inexperience which is common to an early or unimproved state of society. Ignorant of that which relates to their immediate well-being, they attempt to rise into the realms of immaterial existence; or, if the laws of nature engage their notice, it is VOL. IV. only ciety. |