Rousseau_contrat-social
establishing the authority of the Church in this respect, it will be destroying that of the prince, who will have thenceforth only as many subjects as the clergy choose to allow him? Being in a position to marry or not to marry people according to their acceptance of such and such a doctrine, their admission or rejection of such and such a formula, their greater or less piety, the Church alone, by the exercise of prudence and firmness, will dispose of all inheritances, offices and citizens, and even of the State itself, which could not subsist if it were composed entirely of bastards? But, I shall be told, there will be appeals on the ground of abuse, summonses and decrees; the temporalities will be seized. How sad! The clergy, however little, I will not say courage, but sense it has, will take no notice and go its way: it will quietly allow appeals, summonses, decrees and seizures, and, in the end, will remain the master. It is not, I think, a great sacrifice to give up a part, when one is sure of securing all. ______ Editor’s Notes: E1. Montesquieu, The Spirit of Laws, III:3 E2. Montesquieu, The Spirit of Laws, XIV E3. Montesquieu, The Spirit of Laws, II:2 http://www.constitution.org/jjr/socon.txt - 20.3.2002 122
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establishing the authority of the Church in this respect, it will be<br />
destroying that of the prince, who will have thenceforth only as many<br />
subjects as the clergy choose to allow him? Being in a position to marry<br />
or not to marry people according to their acceptance of such and such a<br />
doctrine, their admission or rejection of such and such a formula, their<br />
greater or less piety, the Church alone, by the exercise of prudence and<br />
firmness, will dispose of all inheritances, offices and citizens, and<br />
even of the State itself, which could not subsist if it were composed<br />
entirely of bastards? But, I shall be told, there will be appeals on the<br />
ground of abuse, summonses and decrees; the temporalities will be<br />
seized. How sad! The clergy, however little, I will not say courage, but<br />
sense it has, will take no notice and go its way: it will quietly allow<br />
appeals, summonses, decrees and seizures, and, in the end, will remain<br />
the master. It is not, I think, a great sacrifice to give up a part,<br />
when one is sure of securing all.<br />
______<br />
Editor’s Notes:<br />
E1. Montesquieu, The Spirit of Laws, III:3<br />
E2. Montesquieu, The Spirit of Laws, XIV<br />
E3. Montesquieu, The Spirit of Laws, II:2<br />
http://www.constitution.org/jjr/socon.txt - 20.3.2002<br />
122
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