icked men, whatever may have
been their opinions or sentiments on religious subjects. The intolerant
jew, and the bigoted pagan, have exhibited no more of a persecuting
spirit, than the nominal professor of christianity, and the _infidel_
and the avowed _atheist_. Indeed, it seems to be an "inherent vice," in
unsanctified nature to endeavour by the pressure of physical force, to
restrain obnoxious sentiments, and to propagate favourite opinions. It
is only when the heart has been renewed and sanctified by divine grace,
that men have rightly understood and practised the true principles of
toleration. We do not say that none but real christians have adopted
correct views respecting civil and religious liberty;--but we affirm
that these views owe their origin entirely to christianity and its
genuine disciples.

Though nearly all sects have persecuted their opponents, during a brief
season, when men's passions were highly excited, and true religion had
mournfully declined, yet no denomination except the papal hierarchy, has
adopted as an article of religious belief, and a principle of practical
observance, the right to destroy heretics for opinion's sake. The
decrees of councils, and the bulls of popes, issued in conformity with
those decrees, place this matter beyond a doubt. Persecution, therefore,
and popery, are inseparably connected; because claiming infallibility,
what she has once done is right for her to do again; yea, must be done
under similar circumstances, or the claims of infallibility given up.
There is no escaping this conclusion. It is right, therefore, to charge
upon popery, all the persecutions and horrid cruelties which have
stained the annals of the papal church during her long and bloody career
of darkness and crime. Every sigh which has been heaved in the dungeons
of the Inquisition--every groan which has been extorted by the racks and
instruments of torture, which the malice of her bigoted votaries,
stimulated by infernal wisdom, ever invented, has witnessed in the ear
of God, against the "Mother of Harlots;" and those kings of the earth,
who giving their power to the "Beast" have aided her in the cruel work
of desolation and death. The valleys of Piedmont, the mountains of
Switzerland, the vine crowned hills of Italy and France--and all parts
of Germany and the low countries, have by turns, been lighted by the
fires of burning victims, or crimsoned with the blood of those who have
suffered death at t