their hearts quailed at the awful denunciations of the pulpit with
regard to the life to come. War was the business and the delight of
their existence; and when they were promised remission of all their
sins upon the easy condition of following their favourite bent, is it
to be wondered at that they rushed with enthusiasm to the onslaught,
and became as zealous in the service of the Cross as the great
majority of the people, who were swayed by more purely religious
motives? Fanaticism and the love of battle alike impelled them to the
war, while the kings and princes of Europe had still another motive
for encouraging their zeal. Policy opened their eyes to the great
advantages which would accrue to themselves, by the absence of so many
restless, intriguing, and blood-thirsty men, whose insolence it
required more than the small power of royalty to restrain within due
bounds. Thus every motive was favourable to the Crusades. Every class
of society was alike incited to join or encourage the war; kings and
the clergy by policy, the nobles by turbulence and the love of
dominion, and the people by religious zeal and the concentrated
enthusiasm of two centuries, skilfully directed by their only
instructors.

It was in Palestine itself that Peter the Hermit first conceived
the grand idea of rousing the powers of Christendom to rescue the
Christians of the East from the thraldom of the Mussulmans, and the
sepulchre of Jesus from the rude hands of the infidel. The subject
engrossed his whole mind. Even in the visions of the night he was full
of it. One dream made such an impression upon him, that he devoutly
believed the Saviour of the world himself appeared before him, and
promised him aid and protection in his holy undertaking. If his zeal
had ever wavered before, this was sufficient to fix it for ever.