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General Revie-!.V.
[PART IV.
taken the shape it did in the Middle Ages and afterwards, without the crisis of disruption, and the infusion of new blood, nobody can deny. And its effect on theology, as on other things, was very great. The Teutonic intellect is clearly distinguishable among the other factors of media!val thought. That intellect is more robust, more rich, more varied, more agile, more methodical, and more closely allied to the sensibilities of humanity than what we find in Oriental and Saracenic races. Teutons, fierce and brave as the men of Eastern climes, had qualities different from those of their swarthy brethren, and these qualities told upon the Church. If the influence of Teutonic soldiership appears in certain medi.l!val bishops who exchanged the crosier for thesword,laid down the mitre that they might put on the helmet, and stripped themselves of sacerdotal robes in order to clothe themselves in coats of mail, the influence of Teutonic morals upon the purer domestic life which grew up in the Middle Ages, as well as the influence of Teutonic independence upon the struggles and reforms which inspire the story of media!val Christendom, also come in for a share of recognition. And in accordance with all this, the Teutonic mind laid hold upon the gospel with a firmer and more comprehensive grasp than any of the Greeks had ever done. They were strong on certain points, but their theology was angular, sectional, not embracing a wide range, not traversing the land of truth in the length and breadth thereof. But media!val divines, with the advantage of Teutonic power and inspiration, whatever their errors and defects, entered into fields of inquiry neglected by the Greek Fathers, and took up and pursued with greater penetration and industry subjects started by the old leaders of Latin Christendom. We