Upon a subject thus enforced by precept and ex- ample, it is not to be supposed that the first converts, deriving their notions of Ciiristianity immediately from our Lord or his apostles, could have any opinion dif- ferent in theory, at least, from that which has been now established. Accordingly we find that the prim- itive fathers, although in many res|)ects the}^ erred, unequivocally express themselves in favor of the most ample liberty as to religious sentiment, and highlj- dis- approve of every attempt to control it. I'assages from many of these writers might be quoted to establish that this was almost the universal sentiment till the age of Constantine. Lactantius in particular has, with great force and beauty, delivered liis opinion against persecuticm : " There is no need of compulsion and vi- olence, because religion cannot be forced ; and men must be made willing, not by stripes, but by arguments. Slaughter and jtiety are quite opposite to each other; nor can truth consist with violence, or justice with cru- clty. They are convinced that nothing is more excel- lent than religion, and therefore think tiiat it ought to be defended with force; but they are mistaken, both in the nature of religion, and in proper methods to sup- port it; for religion is to lie defended, not liy murder, but by persuasion; not liy cruelty, but bj' patience; not by wickedness, but bj' faith. If you attempt to defend religion by blood, and torments, and evil, this is not to defend, but to violate and pollute it; for there is nothing that should be more free than the choice of religion, iu which, if consent be wanting, it becomes entirely void and ineffectual."
The general conduct of Cliristians during the first three centuries was in conformity with ttie admirable maxims now quoted. Eusebius has record(^d that Polycarp, after in vain endeavoring to persuade Ani-
cetus, who was bishop of Rome, to embrace his opinion as to some point with respect to which the}' differed, gave him, notwithstanding, the kiss of peace, while Anicetus connnunicated with the martyr; and Irenasus mentions tiiat although Polycarp was nmch offended with the Gnostic heretics, who aljounded in his days, he converted numbers of them, not b}' the apjilication of constraint or violence, but by the facts and argu- ments whicli he calmly submitted for their considera- tion. It must be admitted, however, that even during the second century some traces of persecution are to be found. X'ictor, one of the early pontiffs, because the Asiatic bishops differed from him about tlie rule for the observance of Easter, excomnuinicated them as guilty of heresy ; and he acted in the same manner towards a person who held what he considered as erro- neous notions respecting the Trinity. This stretch of authority was, indeed, reprobated by the generality of Christians, and remonstrances against it were accord- ingly presented. There was, however, in this proceed- ing of Victor too clear a proof tliat the Church was beginning to deviate from the perfect charity liy w hich it had been adorned, and too sure an indication that the example of one who held so higli an office, when it was in harmony with the corruption or with the worst passions of our nature, would be extensively followed. But still there was in the excommunication rashly pronounced by the pope merely an exertion of ecclesi- astical power, not interfering with the personal securi- ty, with the property, or with the lives of those against whom it was directed ; and we may, notwithstanding this slight exception, consider the first three centuries as marked b\' the candor and the benevolence implied in the charitj' which judgeth not, and thinketh no evil.
It was after Christianity had been cstaljlislied as the religion of the empire, and after wealth and honor had been conferred on its ministers, that the monstrous evil of persecution acquired gigantic strength, and threw its blasting influence over the religion of the Gospel. The causes of this are apparent. Men exalted iu the scale of society were eager to extend the power which had been intrusted to them ; and they sought to do so by exacting from the people acquiescence in the peculiar interpretations of tenets and doctrines wliich they chose to publish as articles of faith. The moment that this was attempted the foundation was laid for the most in- flexible intolerance; because reluctance to submit was no longer regarded solely^s a matter of conscience, but as interfering with the interest and the dominion of the ruling party. It was therefore proceeded against with all the eagerness which men so unequivocally display when the temporal blessings that gratify their amlntion or add to their comfort are attempted to be wrested from them. To other dictates than those of the Word of God the members of the Church now listened; and opinions were viewed, not in reference to that AVord, but to the effect which they might produce upon the worldly ad- vancement or prosperity of those by whom tliey wore avowed. From tlie era, then, of the conversion of Con- stantine we may date, if not altogether the introduction, at least the decisive influence of persecution.
III. Eomnn Catholic Persecution. — Numerous were the persecutions of different sects from Constanfine's time to the lieformalion ; but when the famous ^Martin Luther arose, and opposed the errors and ambition of the Church of l.'ome, and the sentiments of this good man began to sprea<l, the pope and his clergy joined all their forces to hinder their progress. A general council of the clergy was called: this was the famous Council of Trent, which was held for near eighteen successive years, for the purpose of establishing popery in greater splen- dor and preventing the Keformation. The friends of the Keformation were anathematized and excommuni- cated, and the life of Luther was often iu danger, tliough at last he died on the bed of peace. From time to time innumerable schemes were suggested to overthrow the Keformed Church, and wars were set on foot fur the