Page:History of Freedom.djvu/529

 CONFLICTS WITH ROME

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question two circumstances must be borne in mind: first, that the antagonism now so forcibly expressed has always been known and ackno\vledged; and secondly, that no part of the Brief applies directly to the Review. The Review was as distinctly opposed to the Roman sentiment before the Brief as since, and it is still as free from censure as before. I t was at no time in virtual sympathy with authority on the points in question, and it is not now in formal conflict with authority. But the definiteness with which the Holy See has pronounced its will, and the fact that it has taken the initiative, seem positively to invite adhesion, and to convey a special warning to all who have expressed opinions contrary to the maxims of the Brief. A periodical \vhich not only has done so, but exists in a measure for the purpose of doing so, cannot with propriety refuse to survey the new position in which it is placed by this important act. For the conduct of a Review involves more delicate relations \vith the government of the Church than the authorship of an isolated book. When opinions which an author defends are rejected at Rome, he either makes his submission, or, if his mind remains unaltered, silently leaves his book to take its chance, and to influence men according to its merits. But such passivity, however right and seemly in the author of a book, is inapplicable to the case of a Review. The periodical iteration of rejected propositions \vould amount to insult and defiance, and would probably provoke more definite measures; and thus the result would be to commit authority yet more irrevocably to an opinion which otherwise might take no deep root, and might yield ultimately to the influence of time. F or it is hard to surrender a cause on behalf of which a struggle as been sustained, and spiritual evils have been inflicted. In an isolated book, the author need discuss no more topics than he likes, and any want of

treatment of her opponents ; to reconcile freedom of inquiry with implicit faith, and to discountenance what is untenable and unreal, without forgetting the tender- ness due to the weak, or the reverence rightly claimed for what is sacred, Sub- mitting without reserve to infallible authority, it will encourage a habit of manly investigation on subjects of scientific interest."