Page:Montesquieu - The spirit of laws.djvu/499

Rh however bear to be obliged to change that which they would chuse, if they cared to chuse any; for they would immediately perceive that their lives and fortunes are not more peculiarly theirs than their manner of thinking, and that whoever would deprive them of the one, might, even with better reason, take away the other.

If amongst the different religions, there is one that has been attempted to be established by methods of slavery, it must there be odious; because as we judge of things by the appendages we join with them, it could never present itself to the mind in conjunction with the idea of liberty.

The laws against those who profess this religion could not however be of the sanguinary kind; for liberty can never inflict these sorts of punishments: but they may be so rigorous as to do all the mischief that could be done in cold blood.

It is possible that a thousand circumstances might concur to give the clergy so little credit, that other citizens may have more. Therefore instead of a separation, they have chose rather to support the same burthens as the laity, and in this respect, to make only one body with them: but as they always seek to conciliate the respect of the people, they distinguish themselves by a more retired life, a conduct more reserved, and a greater purity of manners.

The clergy not being able to protect religion, nor to be protected by it, only seek to persuade: their pens, therefore, furnish us with excellent works in proof of a revelation, and of the Providence of the Supreme Being.

Yet the state prevents the sitting of their assemblies, and does not suffer them to correct their own Rh