The theocratic principle animating the Visigothic Code is conspicuous in almost all its chapters. The pious and significant maxim, “_Omnis potestas a Deo_,” pervades it from beginning to end; in the preambles, which recite the reasons for the enactment of the laws; in the body of the latter, which appeal to Divine sanction for their promulgation; in the penalties, which breathe the ferocious sentiment of the ordinances of the Pentateuch. Many of the latter are copied almost verbatim from the Bible. Recalcitrant Jews were stoned to death. Adultery was the only cause for which divorce was permitted. In the long, elaborate, and frightful oath which Jews, apostatizing to Christianity, were compelled to take and subscribe, everything that was most reverenced by them and could be considered most binding, was borrowed from the Old Testament, and, supplemented by appeals to, and confessions of, Christian doctrine, invoked the direst maledictions upon the heads of all who, either tempted by ambition or influenced by hypocrisy, violated their vows, the impressiveness of which was increased by every circumstance of solemnity, superstition, and power. In the contest for ascendency, the Church possessed the advantages of thorough organization and submissive obedience of inferiors, of reverence for alleged celestial origin, and of unity of language; advantages never, in any former age, enjoyed to such an extent by any other society, political, or religious; and which, inspiring respect among all classes, founded upon a solid and enduring basis the magnificent fabric of her authority and grandeur.