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Library； especially volume ix。
First of these； in 1608； came his work on the Interdict。 Clearly
and concisely it revealed the nature of the recent struggle； the
baselessness of the Vatican claims； and the solidarity of
interest between Venice and all other European states regarding
the question therein settled。 This work of his as a historian
clenched his work as a statesman； from that day forward no nation
has even been seriously threatened with an interdict。
Subsidiary works followed rapidly from his pen； strengthening the
civil power against the clerical； but in 1610 came a treatise；
which marked an epoch； his History of Ecclesiastical
Benefices。＇2＇ In this he dealt with a problem which had become
very serious； not only in Venice； but in every European state；
showed the process by which vast treasures had been taken from
the control of the civil power and heaped up for ecclesiastical
pomp and intrigue； pointed out special wrongs done by the system
to the Church as well as the State； and advocated a reform which
should restore this wealth to better uses。 His arguments spread
widely and sank deep； not only in Italy； but throughout Europe；
and the nineteenth century has seen them applied effectively in
every European country within the Roman obedience。
＇2＇ The old English translation of this book； published in 1736
at Westminster； is by no means a very rare book； and it affords
the general reader perhaps the most accessible means of
understanding Fra Paolo's simplicity； thoroughness； and vigor。
In 1611 he published his work on the Inquisition at Venice；
presenting historical arguments against the uses which
ecclesiasticism； under papal guidance； had made of that tribunal。
These arguments spread far； and developed throughout Europe those
views of the Inquisition which finally led to its destruction。
Minor treatises followed； dealing with state questions arising
between the Vatican and Venice； each treatisethoroughly well
reasoned and convincinghaving a strong effect on the discussion
of similar public questions in every other European nation。
In 1613 came two books of a high order； each marking an epoch。
The first of these was upon the Right of Sanctuary； and in it
Sarpi led the way； which all modern states have followed； out of
the old； vicious system of sanctioning crime by sheltering
criminals。 The cogency of his argument and the value of its
application gained for him an especial tribute by the best
authority on such questions whom Europe had seen；Hugo Grotius。
Closely connected with this work was that upon the Immunity of
the Clergy。 Both this and the previous work were in the same
order of ideas； and the second fastened into the European mind
the reasons why no state can depend upon the Church for the
punishment of clerical criminals。 His argument was a triumphant
vindication of Venice in her struggle with Paul V on this point；
but it was more than that。 It became the practical guide of all
modern states。 Its arguments dissipated the last efforts
throughout Europe to make a distinction； in criminal matters；
between the priestly caste and the world in general。
Among lesser treatises which followed is one which has done much
to shape modern policy regarding public instruction。 This was his
book upon the Education given by the Jesuits。 One idea which it
enforced sank deep into the minds of all thoughtful men；his
statement that Jesuit maxims develop 〃sons disobedient to their
parents； citizens unfaithful to their country； and subjects
undutiful to their sovereign。〃 Jesuit education has indeed been
maintained； and evidences of it may be seen in various European
countries。 The traveler in Italy constantly sees in the larger
Italian towns long lines of young men and boys； sallow； thin； and
listless； walking two and two； with priests at each end of the
coffle。 These are students taking their exercise； and an American
or Englishman marvels as he remembers the playing fields of his
own country。 Youth are thus brought up as milksops； to be
graduated as scape…graces。 The strong men who control public
affairs； who lead men and originate measures in the open； are not
bred in Jesuit forcing…houses。 Even the Jesuits themselves have
acknowledged this； and perhaps the strongest of all arguments
supplementary to those given by Father Paul were uttered by Padre
Curci； eminent in his day as a Jesuit gladiator； but who realized
finally the impossibility of accomplishing great things with men
moulded by Jesuit methods。
All these works took strong hold upon European thought。 Leading
men in all parts of Europe recognized Sarpi as both a great
statesman and a great historian。 Among his English friends were
such men as Lord Bacon and Sir Henry Wotton； and his praises have
been sounded by Grotius； by Gibbon； by Hallam； and by Macaulay。
Strong； lucid； these works of Father Paul have always been
especially attractive to those who rejoice in the leadership of a
master mind。
But in 1619 came the most important of all；a service to
humanity hardly less striking than that which he had rendered in
his battle against the Interdict；his history of the Council of
Trent。
His close relations to so many of the foremost men of his day and
his long study in public archives and private libraries bore
fruit in this work； which takes rank among the few great；
enduring historical treatises of the world。 Throughout； it is
vigorous and witty； but at the same time profound； everywhere it
bears evidences of truthfulness and is pervaded by sobriety of
judgment。 Its pictures of the efforts or threats by
representatives of various great powers to break away from the
papacy and establish national churches； its presentation of the
arguments of anti…papal orators on one side and of Laynez and his
satellites on the other； its display of acts and revelations of
pretexts； its penetration into the whole network of intrigue； and
its thorough discussion of underlying principles；all are
masterly。
Though the name of the author was concealed in an anagram； the
book was felt； by the Vatican party； to be a blow which only one
man could have dealt； and the worst blow which the party had
received since its author had defeated the Interdict at Venice。
Efforts were made； by outcries and calumnies； to discredit the
work； and they have been continued from that day to this； but in
vain。 That there must be some gaps and many imperfections in it
is certain； but its general character is beyond the reach of
ultramontane weapons。 The blow was felt to be so heavy that the
Jesuit Pallavicini was empowered to write a history of the
Council to counterbalance it； and his work was well done； but
Ranke； the most unprejudiced of judges； comparing the two；
assigns the palm to Father Paul。 His book was immediately spread
throughout Europe； but of all the translations； perhaps the most
noteworthy was the English。 Sarpi had entrusted a copy of the
original to his friend； Antonio de Dominis； Archbishop of
Spalato； and he； having taken refuge in England； had it
translated there； the authorship being ascribed on the title…page
to 〃Pietro Soave Polano。〃 This English translation was； in vigor
and pith； worthy of the original。 In it can be discerned； as
clearly as in the original； that atmosphere of intrigue and
brutal assertion of power by which the Roman Curia； after packing
the Council with petty Italian bishops； bade defiance to the
Catholic world。 This translation； more than all else； has enabled
the English…speaking peoples to understand what was meant by the
Italian historian when he said that Father Paul 〃taught the world
how the Holy Spirit guides the Great Councils of the Church。〃 It
remains cogent down to this day； after reading it one feels that
such guidance might equally be claimed for Tammany Hall。
Although Father Paul never acknowledged the authorship of the
history of the Council of Trent； and although his original copy；
prepared for the press； with his latest corrections； still
remains buried in the archives at Venice； the whole world knew
that he alone could have written it。
But during all these years； while elaborating opinions on the
weightiest matters of state for the Venetian Senate； and sending
out this series of books which so powerfully influenced