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POLITICAL CONSEQUENCESThe interests wliicli it called into life continued for a century and a half to act as the mainspring of European politics ;and when, in the age of Lewis XIV., these gave wayto others those of commerce their impulse was weakenedonly by degrees, and carried its operations even into theeighteenth century.I propose to consider this extensive subject, in its mainfeatures at least, under three points of view. 1st, As to theorganization of society in general. 2ndly, With regard tothe political balance or mutual relations of the states. Srclly,As to commerce and the colonial system.L The effects of the Reformation upon the organizationof society.It is impossible thatan event of such great practical importance as the Reformation, should have taken place without causing considerable changes in the constitution of civilThe fall of the papal hierarchy was of itself suffisociety.cient for this in the countries which adopted the new doctrines. But there were other and more distant consequences,which were at first perhaps beyond the reach of calculation.Thejfzr^ and almost inevitable effect of the Reformationupon civil society in general, was, that Religion became apart of the constitutional basis of all governments. In themiddle ages the Catholic religion was universally dominant,but the constitution was no where expressly founded upon it;there was no where a direct law that it should be the religionof the state; that its rulers should acknowledge no other.Although Dissenters were not tolerated, and heretics, as theywere termed, were persecuted, this was no immediate affairof the state, but of ttie Church and its superior if; the stateconcerned itself in it,as in the case of the Waldenses inFrance, it was only at the desire of the latter. But when bythe Reformation the interests of politics and religion becamemutually kvblved, this condition of things was altered.In tfce countries which had embraced Protestantism, thenew religion was almost universally declared to be that ofthe state ;not only were its professors alone allowed the freeexercise of tfeeir but rites, many offices unconnected withreligion, as well as the right of sitting in the assemblies ofthe nation, were confined to them; in manyit was made acondition of accession to the throne.