THE SCIENCE OF HISTORY
and sympathise with the Protestant movements. Louis' policy of religious centralisation had been rapidly robbing the Pope of his secular and political influence, and so the head of the Roman Catholic Church found it expedient to side with the Calvinistic William, as the champion of European liberties, and even oppose James II., the most extreme of all the advocates of Catholicism.
As the German Emperor had for a long time been involved in Turkish politics, and Spain had become paralysed, the hope of Europe for deliverance from the all-seizing ambition of the Grand Monarch rested on the national resources of England and the heroism and organising ability of the Prince of Orange. But England could not be made to take part in the
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