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80 POLITICAL CONSEQUENCEStherefore expect that the severity of these laws should havebeen gradually diminished^ even though there might havebeen some hesitation in doing them away at once and altogether.And yetit needed a new revolution to induce the adoption of these views by several of the first nations of Europe,and among them, by our own. And can any one acquainted with the progress of events expect that even now thisexample will be followed by all even the new;constitutionof Spain strictlyforbids the exercise of every form of worship except the Catholic. There certainly exists no truthentitled to adoremore simple, than, that every one is justlyhis God after his own manner ; and, that the state requiresa religion, but not that it should be established as that ofthe state. 1The simplest truths, however, are those of whichmen are in generalleast easily convinced, because they areusually opposed to prejudices, and still more because theyclash with interests. But obstinately to refuse convictioneven after they have become the prevalent ideas of the day,can be termed nothing else than to begin a contest with thespirit of the age, the issue of which will in all probabilitybe fatal.A second and not less general political consequence ofthe Reformation was, The extension and increase of thepower of the princes of Europe.We include thisamong the most general consequences,because it displayed itself not only in those countries whichadopted, but also in those which rejected, the Protestantdoctrines.lathe former this increase of power was derived fromseveral sources. In the first place, the revenues of the princeswere undoubtedly augmented by the confiscation of churchproperty. But, with the exception of Sweden, this augmentation could hardly exercise any considerable influenceupon the great states of Europe. This was partly owing totie character of the princes themselves ;and partlyto theabsence of all those general ideas on political economy by1It is here that the real question arises If the state requires a religion,csa this be ^bettersecured than by an established church ? Professor Heerenstems to think that it can, bat he has here treated the subject too vaguely to'of our fudging irpon what grounds his opinion is formed. TK.