During the sixteenth century the doctrine of religious toleration was recognized by no one. That great truth had not then even dawned upon the world. The noble toleration so earnestly advocated by Bayle and Locke a century later, was almost a new revelation to the human mind; but in the sixteenth century it would have been regarded as impious, and rebellion against God to have affirmed that _error_ was not to be pursued and punished. The reformers did not advocate the view that a man had a right to believe what he pleased, and to disseminate that belief. They only declared that they were bound, at all hazards, to believe the _truth;_ that the views which they cherished were _true_, and that _therefore_ they should be protected in them. They appealed to the Bible, and challenged their adversaries to meet them there. Our fathers must not be condemned for not being in advance of the age in which they lived. That toleration which allows a man to adopt, without any civil disabilities, any mode of worship that does not disturb the peace of society, exists, as we believe, only in the United States. Even in England Dissenters are excluded from many privileges. Throughout the whole of Catholic Europe no religious toleration is recognized. The Emperor Napoleon, during his reign, established the most perfect freedom of conscience in every government his influence could control. His downfall re-established through Europe the dominion of intolerance. The Reformation, in contending for the right of private judgment in contradiction to the claims of councils, maintained a principle which necessarily involved the freedom of conscience. This was not then perceived; but time developed the truth. The Reformation became, in reality, the mother of all religious liberty. CHAPTER II. CIVIL WAR. 1565-1568 Henry but little acquainted with his parents.--Indecision of Henry.--Hypocrisy of Catharine.--She desires to save Henry.--A significant reply.--Indications of future greatness.--The prophecy.--Visit of Catharine.--Endeavors of Catharine to influence the young prince.--The return visit.--Obstacles to the departure.--The stratagem.--Its success.--Home again.--Description of the prince.--Evil effects of dissolute society.--Influence of Jeanne d'Albret.--Catharine's deity.--Principle of Jeanne d'Albret.--The cannon the missionary.--Devastation.--Indecision of the prince.--Arguments pro and con.--Chances of a crown.--War again.--Arrival of the Queen of Navarre.--Education of the prince.--The Prince of Conde.--Slaughter of the Protestants.--The battle.--Courage of the Prince of Conde.--The defeat.--Death of the Prince of Conde.--Retreat of the Protestants.--Fiendish barbarity.--Advice of the Pope.--Incitement to massacre.--The protectorate.