' The Circumcelliones, from which this epithet is derived, were fanatics in North Africa, who, in the course of tiio fourth century, prowled around the huts (cir- cum cellas) of the peasantry, despising labour, and subsisting on alms. They were much under the influence of the Donatists, and often, by their rash demolition of pagan idols, exposed themselves to martyrdom. — Ed.
2 "Tros, Tvriusque miiii nullo disorimine agetur." — [Virg. 2E., i. 57S.]
' " Late sibi summovet omne Vulgus ut in vacua regnet Basiliscus arena."— [Lucan, i. 9, 72.").]
"56 A COUNTRY ESSAY
alone, and not so much as discountenanced in doing, speaking, acting, how, Avhat, wliere, or when he pleaseth, " in agendis et credendis fidei," in all such things as concern the worship of God, articles of belief, or generally any thing commanded in religion ; and in the meantime the parties at variance, and litigant about differences, freely to revile, reject, and despise one another, according as their provoked genius shall dispose their minds thereunto. Now truly, though every one of this mind pretends to cry for mercy to be ex- tended unto poor afflicted truth, yet I cannot but be persuaded that such a toleration would prove exceeding pernicious to all sorts of men, and at last end in a dispute, like that recounted by Juvenal between two cities in Egypt, about their differences between their garden and river deities;^ or like the contest related by Vertomannus in his travels amongst the Mohammedans, about Haly and Homar,the pretended successors to their grand impostor, where every one plied his adversary, " Hastisque clypeisque et saxis grandibus," cleaving their skulls, and making entrance for their arguments by dint of sword : and I wish experience did not sufficiently convince us that the profession of Christianity, where the power of godliness is away, will not prevent these evils: "Tantum religio potuit suadere malorum."
Others there are that press for a non-toleration of any thing that opposes or contradicts the truth in any part, themselves being in their own judgments fully possessed of all,— their tenets being unto them the only form of wholesome words. Moi'eover (for these things re- counted make not the difference, for it is so with all sects of men), the magistrates, or those who are intrusted with all the power over men which, for the preservation of human society, God hath been pleased to make out from himself, are also of the same persuasion with them. These they supplicate that an effectual course may be taken (asserting not only that they are intrusted mth power from above so to do, but also that it is their great sin if they do it not) whereby all sectaries and erroneous persons may not only not be countenanced or kept within bounds, and not be forborne in any dis- turbing, insolent miscaiTiage ; but also, that all that doctrine which is not publicly owned may be sure to be supplanted by the restraint and punishment of the dissenters, whether unto imprisonment, con- fiscation of goods, or death itself; for they mu.st not cease, nay (if the thing is to be effected), they cannot rationally assign whore to stay in punishing, before they come to the period of all, death itself, which is the point and centre wherein all the lines of this sentence meetjSvhereiu, to me, truly there is nothing but " luctus ubique,
' " 0 Sanctas gentes quibns hnec iia^cantur in liortia Nimiina!"— [Sat. XV. 10.] ' " Inventus, Oirysippo, tiii fiiiitor accrvi." — [rorsi. vi. 80.]
FOR THE PRACTICE OF CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 57
pavor, et pliirima mortis imago/' I know it is coloured with fair pretences;^ but " quid ego verba audiam, facta cum video?" It is written with red letters, and the pens of its abettors are dipped in the blood of Christians. Doubtless between these extremes lies the way.
Again, some by a toleration understand a mutual forbearance in communion, though there be great differences in opinion; and this the generality of the clergy (as heretofore they were called) did usually incline unto, — viz., that any men almost might be tolerated, Avhilst they did not separate. And these lay down this for a ground, that there is a latitude in judgment to be allowed ; so that the com- munion may be held by men of several persuasions, in all things, with an allowance of withdrawing in those particulars wherein there is dissent amongst them : and this the Belgic Remonstrants pressed hard for, before they were cast out by the Synod of Dort.
Others plead for a toleration out of communion ; that is, that men renouncing the communion of those whose religion is owned and established by authority, may yet peaceably be suffered to enjoy the ordinances in separation.
Moreover, by communion some understand one thing, some another. Some think that is presei'ved sufficiently, if the dissenters do acknow- ledge those from whom they do dissent to be true churches, to enjoy the ordinances of Christ, to have the means of life and salvation in them, closing with them in all substantials of doctrine ; but yet, be- cause of some disorders in and amongst them, they dare not be as of them, — but yet only separate from those disorders.
Others, again, think that communion is utterly dissolved if any dis- tinctions of persons be made, more than all acknowledge ought to be, —any differences in the administration of the ordinances, — any divi- sions in government at all.