ESSAY VII: 269 upon other times, and to behold pamphlets written against toleration by such as are ministers of the, gospel of peace, that perfect lawof liberty. It was their opinion then; and they told the world so in print, that sectaries ought to be silenced by the civil power : Now sectary is a name of broad dimensions, and has a terrible stretch with it : the long scourge would in time reach all those who differ from the hand that manages that wea- pon of chastisement : None must be authorized to preach in any form, but by the solemnity of imposing hands, by a company of authorizedmen. Because some subjected themselves to the de- termination of a synod, they would make it the duty of all their neighbours to wear the same yoke; and thought others were bound to become slaves to the same dictates. But I forbear this charge, and almost wish it cancelled : For as the magis- trate did not put in practice the uncharitable pamphlets, so those reverend and honourable writers have been taught to ac- knowledge the mistake of their zeal, when their own verbal rods were turned against them, and became real scorpions with stings and scourges a thousand-fold. The fathers have been dearly instructed in the value of toleration and liberty by most abundant retaliations. The children have learned to preach this part of the gospel well, and I ampersuaded they will never for- ' get it again. If we turn over more ancient annals, the Mariandays give ììs horrible examples of fiery zeal in the clergy, and the glorious reign of the succeeding virgin-princess is hardly to be purged from the stain of blood. Blessed be God who has put into the heart of our civil governors to restrain the fury of all spiritual administrators. The long and dreadful train of capiases and goalers, prisons and plunderings, ruin and banishment, silenc- tngs and violent suppressions. areno longer the attendants of the anathemas of any church among us. And I hope no church mourns the loss of them ; though there are some anathemas that abide still as terrors to those that'areweak infaith, and not very honourable monuments of that church's charity. In these late years the scene of Great Britain was a little shadow of Spain and France, where dragoons and the inquisition manage eccle- siastical discipline. We were brought to the very gates of " Aceidama." The agents _ of Rome were ready with their instruments of death.. Adored be the divine Spirit that awakened the rulers of the church to behold the common dan- ger, and raised in them generous resolutions and promises to exercise charity and temper towards their brethren. Glory to that God whose kind providence sent us a deliverer, and for- bid England to become a field of blood and martyrdom : And new songs of praise are still due unto divine mercy, for establishing the person and heart of our Queen is the throne and VoL. lit. p
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=