Toleration | Page 2

of their separation comes to be judged of He,
certainly, that follows Christ, embraces His doctrine, and bears His
yoke, though he forsake both father and mother, separate from the
public assemblies and ceremonies of his country, or whomsoever or
whatsoever else he relinquishes, will not then be judged a heretic.
Now, though the divisions that are amongst sects should be allowed to
be never so obstructive of the salvation of souls; yet, nevertheless,
adultery, fornication, uncleanliness, lasciviousness, idolatry, and
such-like things, cannot be denied to be works of the flesh, concerning
which the apostle has expressly declared that "they who do them shall
not inherit the kingdom of God."[5] Whosoever, therefore, is sincerely
solicitous about the kingdom of God and thinks it his duty to endeavour
the enlargement of it amongst men, ought to apply himself with no less
care and industry to the rooting out of these immoralities than to the
extirpation of sects. But if anyone do otherwise, and whilst he is cruel
and implacable towards those that differ from him in opinion, he be
indulgent to such iniquities and immoralities as are unbecoming the
name of a Christian, let such a one talk never so much of the Church,
he plainly demonstrates by his actions that it is another kingdom he
aims at and not the advancement of the kingdom of God.
That any man should think fit to cause another man -- whose salvation
he heartily desires -- to expire in torments, and that even in an
unconverted state, would, I confess, seem very strange to me, and I
think, to any other also. But nobody, surely, will ever believe that such
a carriage can proceed from charity, love, or goodwill. If anyone
maintain that men ought to be compelled by fire and sword to profess
certain doctrines, and conform to this or that exterior worship, without
any regard had unto their morals; if anyone endeavour to convert those
that are erroneous unto the faith, by forcing them to profess things that
they do not believe and allowing them to practise things that the Gospel
does not permit, it cannot be doubted indeed but such a one is desirous

to have a numerous assembly joined in the same profession with
himself; but that he principally intends by those means to compose a
truly Christian Church is altogether incredible. It is not, therefore, to be
wondered at if those who do not really contend for the advancement of
the true religion, and of the Church of Christ, make use of arms that do
not belong to the Christian warfare. If, like the Captain of our salvation,
they sincerely desired the good of souls, they would tread in the steps
and follow the perfect example of that Prince of Peace, who sent out
His soldiers to the subduing of nations, and gathering them into His
Church, not armed with the sword, or other instruments of force, but
prepared with the Gospel of peace and with the exemplary holiness of
their conversation. This was His method. Though if infidels were to be
converted by force, if those that are either blind or obstinate were to be
drawn off from their errors by armed soldiers, we know very well that
it was much more easy for Him to do it with armies of heavenly legions
than for any son of the Church, how potent soever, with all his
dragoons.
The toleration of those that differ from others in matters of religion is
so agreeable to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to the genuine reason of
mankind, that it seems monstrous for men to be so blind as not to
perceive the necessity and advantage of it in so clear a light. I will not
here tax the pride and ambition of some, the passion and uncharitable
zeal of others. These are faults from which human affairs can perhaps
scarce ever be perfectly freed; but yet such as nobody will bear the
plain imputation of, without covering them with some specious colour;
and so pretend to commendation, whilst they are carried away by their
own irregular passions. But, however, that some may not colour their
spirit of persecution and unchristian cruelty with a pretence of care of
the public weal and observation of the laws; and that others, under
pretence of religion, may not seek impunity for their libertinism and
licentiousness; in a word, that none may impose either upon himself or
others, by the pretences of loyalty and obedience to the prince, or of
tenderness and sincerity in the worship of God; I esteem it above all
things necessary to distinguish exactly the business of civil government
from that of religion and to settle the just bounds that lie between the
one and the other. If this be not