They
were possessed with a spirit of proselytism in the most fanatical
degree; and from thence, by an easy progress, with the spirit of
persecution according to their means.* What was not to be done
toward their great end by any direct or immediate act might be wrought
by a longer process through the medium of opinion. To command that
opinion, the first step is to establish a dominion over those who
direct it. They contrived to possess themselves, with great method and
perseverance, of all the avenues to literary fame. Many of them indeed
stood high in the ranks of literature and science. The world had
done them justice and in favor of general talents forgave the evil
tendency of their peculiar principles. This was true liberality, which
they returned by endeavoring to confine the reputation of sense,
learning, and taste to themselves or their followers. I will venture
to say that this narrow, exclusive spirit has not been less
prejudicial to literature and to taste than to morals and true
philosophy. These atheistical fathers have a bigotry of their own, and
they have learned to talk against monks with the spirit of a monk. But
in some things they are men of the world. The resources of intrigue
are called in to supply the defects of argument and wit. To this
system of literary monopoly was joined an unremitting industry to
blacken and discredit in every way, and by every means, all those
who did not hold to their faction.
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