78 THE PAPACY DURING THE RENAISSANCE 



much regret that the narrow limits of space prevent me from 

 giving more than a few meagre outlines of this extraordinary 

 time. The Catholic reader, if I have one, will find the facts 

 almost as candidly stated in Dr. Pastor's History, the most 

 scholarly work that any Catholic has produced in our genera- 

 tion. My statements are, however, based, not on Pastor, but 

 on the original authorities. My second purpose has been 

 stated. To claim a divine guidance, or divine foundation, 

 for or any divine interest whatever in such an institution 

 is a grave reflection on the Christian God. The arrogance 

 of the Catholic Church and its defenders is, to one who 

 knows the history of the Papacy, not the least entertaining 

 part of the comedy of life. 



