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Men are extremely inclined to the passions of hope and fear； a religion； therefore； that had neither a heaven nor a hell could hardly please them。 This is proved by the ease with which foreign religions have been established in Japan； and the zeal and fondness with which they were received。＇4＇
In order to raise an attachment to religion it is necessary that it should inculcate pure morals。 Men who are knaves by retail are extremely honest in the gross； they love morality。 And were I not treating of so grave a subject I should say that this appears remarkably evident in our theatres： we are sure of pleasing the people by sentiments avowed by morality； we are sure of shocking them by those it disapproves。
When external worship is attended with great magnificence； it flatters our minds and strongly attaches us to religion。 The riches of temples and those of the clergy greatly affect us。 Thus even the misery of the people is a motive that renders them fond of a religion which has served as a pretext to those who were the cause of their misery。
3。 Of Temples。 Almost all civilised nations dwell in houses； hence naturally arose the idea of building a house for God in which they might adore and seek him； amidst all their hopes and fears。
And； indeed； nothing is more comfortable to mankind than a place in which they may find the deity peculiarly present； and where they may assemble together to confess their weakness and tell their griefs。
But this natural idea never occurred to any but such as cultivated the land； those who have no houses for themselves were never known to build temples。
This was the cause that made Jenghiz Khan discover such a prodigious contempt for mosques。＇5＇ This prince examined the Mahometans；＇6＇ he approved of all their doctrines； except that of the necessity of going to Mecca； he could not comprehend why God might not be everywhere adored。 As the Tartars did not dwell in houses； they could have no idea of temples。
Those people who have no temples have but a small attachment to their own religion。 This is the reason why the Tartars have in all times given so great a toleration；＇7＇ why the barbarous nations； who conquered the Roman empire did not hesitate a moment to embrace Christianity； why the savages of America have so little fondness for their own religion； why； since our missionaries have built churches in Paraguay； the natives of that country have become so zealous for ours。
As the deity is the refuge of the unhappy； and none are more unhappy than criminals； men have been naturally led to think temples an asylum for those wretches。 This idea appeared still more natural to the Greeks； where murderers； chased from their city and the presence of men； seemed to have no houses but the temples； nor other protectors than the gods。
At first these were only designed for involuntary homicides； but when the people made them a sanctuary for those who had committed great crimes they fell into a gross contradiction。 If they had offended men； they had much greater reason to believe they had offended the gods。
These asylums multiplied in Greece。 The temples； says Tacitus；＇8＇ were filled with insolvent debtors and wicked slaves； the magistrate found it difficult to exercise his office； the people protected the crimes of men as the ceremonies of the gods； at length the senate was obliged to retrench a great number of them。
The laws of Moses were perfectly wise。 The man who involuntarily killed another was innocent； but he was obliged to be taken away from before the eyes of the relatives of the deceased。 Moses therefore appointed an asylum for such unfortunate people。＇9＇ The perpetrators of great crimes deserved not a place of safety； and they had none：＇10＇ the Jews had only a portable tabernacle； which continually changed its place； this excluded the idea of a sanctuary。 It is true that they had afterwards a temple； but the criminals who would resort thither from all parts might disturb the divine service。 If persons who had committed manslaughter had been driven out of the country； as was customary among the Greeks； they had reason to fear that they would worship strange gods。 All these considerations made them establish cities of safety； where they might stay till the death of the high…priest。
4。 Of the Ministers of Religion。 The first men； says Porphyry；＇11＇ sacrificed only vegetables。 In a worship so simple； every one might be priest in his own family。
The natural desire of pleasing the deity multiplied ceremonies。 Hence it followed； that men employed in agriculture became incapable of observing them all and of filling up the number。
Particular places were consecrated to the gods； it then became necessary that they should have ministers to take care of them； in the same manner as every citizen took care of his house and domestic affairs。 Hence the people who have no priests are commonly barbarians； such were formerly the Pedalians；＇12＇ and such are still the Wolgusky。＇13＇
Men consecrated to the deity ought to be honoured； especially among people who have formed an idea of a personal purity necessary to approach the places most agreeable to the gods； and for the performance of particular ceremonies。
The worship of the gods requiring a continual application； most nations were led to consider the clergy as a separate body。 Thus； among the Egyptians； the Jews； and the Persians；＇14＇ they consecrated to the deity certain families who performed and perpetuated the service。 There have been even religions which have not only estranged ecclesiastics from business； but have also taken away the embarrassments of a family； and this is the practice of the principal branch of Christianity。
I shall not here treat of the consequences of the law of celibacy： it is evident that it may become hurtful in proportion as the body of the clergy may be too numerous； and； in consequence of this； that of the laity too small。
By the nature of the human understanding we love in religion everything which carries the idea of difficulty； as in point of morality we have a speculative fondness for everything which bears the character of severity。 Celibacy has been most agreeable to those nations to whom it seemed least adapted； and with whom it might be attended with the most fatal consequences。 In the southern countries of Europe； where； by the nature of the climate； the law of celibacy is more difficult to observe； it has been retained； in those of the north； where the passions are less lively； it has been banished。 Further； in countries where there are but few inhabitants it has been admitted； in those that are vastly populous it has been rejected。 It is obvious that these reflections relate only to the too great extension of celibacy； and not to celibacy itself。
5。 Of the Bounds which the Laws ought to prescribe to the Riches of the Clergy。 As particular families may be extinct； their wealth cannot be a perpetual inheritance。 The clergy is a family which cannot be extinct； wealth is therefore fixed to it for ever； and cannot go out of it。
Particular families may increase； it is necessary then that their wealth should also increase。 The clergy is a family which ought not to increase； their wea