History teaches us only too plainly that fanaticism is stimulated by religion, and neutralized or eradicated by philosophy.
TOLERATION.

The avowed object of the Reformation was, to remove from Christianity the pagan ideas and pagan rites engrafted upon it by Constantine and his successors, in their attempt to reconcile the Roman Empire to it.

The Protestants designed to bring it back to its primitive purity; and hence, while restoring the ancient doctrines, they cast out of it all such practices as the adoration of the Virgin Mary and the invocation of saints.

The Virgin Mary, we are assured by the Evangelists, had accepted the duties of married life, and borne to her husband several children.

In the prevailing idolatry, she had ceased to be regarded as the carpenter's wife; she had become the queen of heaven, and the mother of God.
DA VINCI.