“Chrestiens à mesme titre que ou Perigourdins ou Alemans” Observations on the status attributed to the Faith in the Essays

The status that the Essais attribute to the Christian faith turns out to be contradictory. While, in the Apologie, Montaigne deplores that Christians are attached to their religion by simple « liaisons humaines », the Essais as a whole tend to legitimize the point of view according to which the natural order of things implies a adherence to religious beliefs established by the usage of the country. Point of view which also determines the personal relationship that Montaigne maintains with the Faith.