CHAPTER XII .-- That it is of much moment to make account of Religion; and.
that Italy, through the Roman Church, being wanting therein, has been ruined.
Princes and commonwealths that would save themselves from growing corrupted, should before all things keep uncorrupted the rites and ceremonies of religion, and always hold them in reverence; since we can have no surer sign of the decay of a province than to see Divine worship held therein in contempt.

This is easily understood when it is seen on what foundation that religion rests in which a man is born.

For every religion has its root in certain fundamental ordinances peculiar to itself.
The religion of the Gentiles had its beginning in the responses of the oracles and in the prognostics of the augurs and soothsayers.

All their other ceremonies and observances depended upon these; because men naturally believed that the God who could forecast their future weal or woe, could also bring them to pass.

Wherefore the temples, the prayers, the sacrifices, and all the other rites of their worship, had their origin in this, that the oracles of Delos, of Dodona, and others celebrated in antiquity, held the world admiring and devout.