But in constituting an immense free association, which during three hundred years was able to dispense with politics, Christianity amply compensated for the wrong it had done to civic virtues.

The power of the state was limited to the things of earth; the mind was freed, or at least the terrible rod of Roman omnipotence was broken forever.
[Footnote 1: See Stobaeus, _Florilegium_, ch.lxii., lxxvii., lxxxvi., and following.] [Footnote 2: John viii.

32, and following.] The man who is especially preoccupied with the duties of public life, does not readily forgive those who attach little importance to his party quarrels.

He especially blames those who subordinate political to social questions, and profess a sort of indifference for the former.

In one sense he is right, for exclusive power is prejudicial to the good government of human affairs.