It is a grave error to attribute, as some have done, to the Protestant pastors of Scotland an incomprehensible domination, ‘an authority nowise inferior to that which they had exercised as Catholic priests,’ and to represent them as ‘the most effectual obstacle to popular progress.’[372] Nothing has in fact been less like the haughty Catholic prelates of St. Andrews, Glasgow, and other dioceses, than a Scottish minister. The Reformation gave to Scotland not only Christian truth, but religious and political liberty besides. There, as everywhere, it took from the priesthood its magic and its supremacy, which had been its two main attributes in the Middle Ages. The ministers, whom it substituted for the priests, having no longer the marvellous power of transforming a bit of bread into God the Creator,--these disciples of Jesus, no longer seated on the despotic throne of the confessional to give pardon for sins, became simple heralds of the divine Word. This holy Word has its place in every family and reigns supreme in the Church. Thus, ministers have ceased to be masters and have become servants. The real offence of these Scottish pastors, in the sight of their detractors, is that they have always been a great obstacle, not to the progress of the people and of civilization, as some have said, but to the progress of unbelief and materialism. Now these mischievous doctrines are mortal enemies to the freedom and prosperity of nations. BOOK XI. CALVIN, AND THE PRINCIPLES OF HIS REFORM. CHAPTER I. CALVIN AT GENEVA AND IN THE PAYS DE VAUD. (1536.) For years, and even for centuries, persistent and perilous endeavors had been made at Geneva for a firm establishment of freedom. We have already described some of the impressive scenes which marked the successful close of these efforts at the beginning of the sixteenth century, the noble principles and the mighty words of the energetic laborers in this great enterprise.[373] It would certainly be going too far to consider their labors and the truths which they announced as the source whence our modern liberties have sprung. But it is impossible to study the events of that epoch without emotion, or without recognizing aspirations, principles, sacrifices, and actions worthy of admiration, which were in fact the first great burst of light, the first noteworthy manifestation of the politics and the virtues which must determine the existence and make the prosperity of nations.[374]