Now for the other head of the accusatipn, about toleration of errors, " philosophare volo, sed paucis." Something I shall add of my own present judgment in this matter; but with willing, express submission unto those whom the use and experience of things, with knowledge of foreign parts, skill in the rules of commonwealths, acquaintedness with the aflfections and spirits of men, have enabled to look punctually into the issues and tendencies of such a toleration. The main pre- judice against it arises from the disturbances which it naturally (they say) produceth in civil states. I conceive no sort of men more unfit to judge of this than those whose abilities of learning do properly put them upon the discussing of this, and other controversies, as far as they are purely ecclesiastical, — -no men more frequently betraying narrowness of apprehension and weakness in secular affairs. For other consequences, I shall not be much moved with them, until it be clearly determined whether be worse, heretics or hypocrites, — to maintain an error or coimterfeit the truth ; and whether profession upon compulsion be acceptable to God or man.^ Laying those aside, let the thing itself be a little considered.
Peace ecclesiastical, quiet among the churches (which without doubt would be shaken by a universal toleration), is that which most men aim at and desire. And truly he that doth not, scarcely de- serves the name and privilege of a Christian. Unity in the Scripture ' " HostifB ab animo libenti accipiuntur." — Tertul.
54 A COUNTRY ESSAY
is SO pressed, so commanded, and commended, that not to breathe after it arories a heart acted by another spirit than that which moved the holy penmen thereof. But yet every agreement and consent amono-st men professing the name of Christ, is not the unity and peace commended in the Scripture. That which some think to be Christ's order, may perhaps be antichristian confusion ; the specious name of unity may be a cloak for tyranny. Learned men have reckoned up a sevenfold unity ^ in the Papacy; all which, notwith- standing, are far enough from that true evangelical unity which we are bound to labour for. Again, that which is good must be sought in a right manner, or it will not be so to us. Peace and quiet is de- sirable ; but there must be good causes and very urgent, to make us build our habitations out of others' ruins, and roll our pillows in their blood. I speak of things ecclesiastical. The historian^ makes it a part of the oration spoken by Galgacus, the chieftain of the British forces, to stir them up against the Roman insolency, that when they had finished their depopulations, then they said they had peace. The same men have set up bishoprics in the Indies, as their forefathers did colonies here and elsewhere, with fire and sword. I know not how it comes to pass, but so it is, this proceeding with violence in matters of religion hath pleased and displeased all sorts of men, how- ever distinguished by a true or false persuasion, who have enjoyed a vicissitude of the supreme power in any place, in supporting or suppressing of them. " Ure, seca, occide," is the language of men backed with authority: " Quod tibi fieri non vis, alteri ne feceris," say the same men under oppression. To give particular instances, were to lay open that nakedness which I suppose it my duty rather to cover. What, then, you will say ; shall every one be suffered to do what he pleaseth ? ^ You mean, think or believe what he pleaseth, or that which he is convinced to be a truth. Must all sorts of men and their opinions be tolerated ? — These questions are not in one word to be resolved: many proposals are to be confirmed, many notions distinguished and retained, before a positive answer can be given. Take them in their whole latitude, and they may serve all men's turns. A negative universal resolution may tantamount unto, — "The many intrusted with authority, orha\T.ng that to back them, ought not to tolerate any of different persuasions from them, if they suppose them erroneous." Now truly, for my part., were I in Spain or Italy, a native of those places, and God should be pleased there to reveal
> "1. Satanica; 2. Etlmica; 3. Belluina; 4. Tscariotica; 5. Tvrannica; 6. Hero- diana; 7. Vcntris causa."— Illyricus, de Variis Sectis ap. Tapistas.
» "Solitiidiiiein ubi faciiiiit, i)acem appellant."— Tacitus Vita Agr. cap. x.
' " lluinaiii Juris, et naturalis potcstatis est, unicuiquc quod putaverit colere."— Tertul. " Quis impoiiet luihi ucccssitatem aut credendi ipiod noliin, aut quod velim non credendi?" — Lactan.
FOR THE PRACTICE OF CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 55
that truth of his gospel unto me which he hath done in England, I LeUeve those states ought to tolerate me, though they were persuaded that I were the most odious heretic under heaven; and what punish- ment soever they should impose on me for my profession would be required at their hands ; — unless they can convince me that God allows men to slay his servants for professing the gospel, if they believe them to be heretics: and so also excuse the Jews in crucifying his dear Son, because they esteemed him as an impostor. Christ was once cru- cified amongst thieves : he may be again, in them that are so supposed. I shall therefore summarily set down what I conceive in answer to these questions, premising a few things, if I mistake not, universally gi-anted. And yet a word or two concerning toleration itself, that some guess may be given at what we aim and intend, must interpose. Much discourse about toleration hath been of late days amongst men ; some pleading for it, more against it, — as it always must be. Toleration is the alms of authority ; yet men that beg for it, think so much at least their due. Some say it is a sin to grant it; others, that it is no less to deny it. Generally, the pleaders of each side have their interest in the cause. I never knew one contend earnestly for a toleration of dissenters, but was so himself ; nor any for their suppression, but were themselves of the persuasion which prevaileth : for if otherwise, this latter would argue a Circumcellion^ fury, wilfully to seek their own ruin ; the former so much charity, and commiseration of the condition of mortality as in these days would procure of the most no other livery but a fool's coat. Who almost would not admire at such new- discovered antipodes as should offer to assert an equal regiment of Trojans and Tyrians,^ — a like regard and allowance from authority for other sects as for that whereof themselves are a share? Now, amongst these contesters, few (nay, not any) have I found, either on the one side or the other, clearly and distinctly to define what they mean by toleration, or what is the direct purpose, signification, and tendence of non-toleration (a word in its whole extent written only in the forehead of the man of sin), — what bounds, what terriers are to be assigned to the one or to the other, — unto what degrees of longitude^ or latitude their pole is to be elevated. Some, perhaps, by a toleration understand a universal, uncontrolled licence, " vivendi ut vehs," in things concerning religion; that every one may be let