Page:Essays on Catholicism, Liberalism, and Socialism.djvu/32

conqueror, foretold by their prophets, had redeemed them from captivity, and had restored to them both their country and their temple. It was then very natural that this people should expect a new redemption and a new redeemer, who would forever release them from the yoke of Rome.

If this had been all, unprejudiced and intelligent people, of whatever condition in life, would have disregarded these rumors, as they had done those of the past, depending upon time, that great minister of human reason, to dissipate them. But some inevitable fate disposed otherwise of matters, because it came to pass that Jesus (this was the name of the person of whom such great wonders were related) commenced to teach a new doctrine, and to perform marvelous works. His boldness or madness went so far as to call those who were hypocritical and arrogant by their true names, and to designate as whitened sepulchers those who were so. He counseled the poor to be patient, and then scoffing at them, proclaimed them blessed. In order to punish the rich, who despised him, he admonished them to "be merciful." He condemned fornication and adultery, yet he sat at table with adulterers and fornicators. Filled with jealousy, he affected contempt for the doctors and wise men; and so mean were his sentiments that he found pleasure in conversing with common and vulgar people.

His arrogance was so extreme that he styled himself the Lord of Earth, Sea, and Heaven; and he was so consummate in the arts of hypocrisy that he washed the feet of some poor fishermen. In spite of his studied austerity of manner, he announced that his doctrine was love, condemned the industry of Martha, and blessed