Excerpt from History War of Frederick I Against the Against of Lombardy

And by means of the second, or of those reforms which will ever shed a glory on the history of the sixteenth century, every earthly intervention being removed, as far as is per mitted, from between God and man, the human conscience attains to a clearer view of the Pattern of all perfection and the more it is exercised in those truths which lead to final salvation, the more it is purified and enlightened; so that being made more tender, quick, and faithful, it watches over the government, not only of the actions but of the thoughts and thus the man becomes, not outwardly only, but truly and inwardly, conformed to that great Pattern. Hence it is that since the Reformation, the superstitions which so saddened mankind having gradually passed away, even in places which showed themselves most fiercely opposed to that change, there is diffused over all Europe a purer morality, which ministers to the reason and the faith of man a more sin cere and more earnest solicitude to learn and to know 'the things which belong unto his peace.' Modern civilisation, promoted chiefly by these two good influences, is progressing throughout its whole extent towards a condition which seems to possess, as far as anything human can, an inherent principle of stability, in that by the wise and salutary redresses of every day, man and his affairs are daily renewed; and if, now and then, this civilisation is in some parts disturbed and interrupted, in no long time the obstacle is overcome, and it resumes its wonted course; so that, considered as a whole, it appears that it has never receded.

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