thor of those Notes says in his very book, that he was much
pleased by the reception he received from the pope. Still, the language
which I read in that very book, against the pope, and all the catholicism,
was as much as what the preachers of the reform had said against the
catholics in darker ages, for which iron, and fire did martyr so many
catholic victims, and for which, even in our times, the benevolent Charles
the first of England, is still calumniated, and the jealous, and tyrannic
Elizabeth, is still elevated to the sky, as one of the most virtuous
queens. To change the mind of such a minister of charity, who was kindly
received by the pope, it is not my purpose here. The mind of such a man,
whom I do not know, it might be of such materials, which turn harder the
more you attempt to bring it to reason. I would only advise the benevolent
man, never to visit any persons whom he cannot esteem. Had the author of
those Notes given me hospitality, and received me as the pope did receive
him, and afterwards, had I had the misfortune of using my spleen against
him, I could not esteem myself, unless I would publicly acknowledge my
inurbanity. As no pope has yet done any good to my desolate, afflicted,
dear country (and I do not except here, even Ganganelli himself) I have
never seen, and I have no wish to see any pope: but, as a lover of
justice, I do not like to see my enemy so badly treated. If in the whole
bible we can find one single passage inculcating persecution to those, who
do not think as we do; nay, if among the hundred and one religions,
grounded on the bible, the only true one condemns, and must exterminate
all the others; as we cannot be the contending party, and the judge, let
us do a good work's day: I mean, let us make a bonfire with all the
bibles, though a great wisdom be mixed in it. If the bible teaches us
charity, love, tolerance, and natural understanding, let us follow,
venerate, and worship it; but, at the same time, let us send into prisons
those fanatics who, not minding history, arts, and sciences, preach
nothing but intolerance, and persecution with the bible in their hands.
The ancient romans had their censurers. In this country I would have a
board of gentlemen with officers to prevent fanaticism, and persecution:
and the preacher who says, that the best moral is to brand those, who have
a different religion from that which he professes, should not be permitted
to preach to an assembly of hon