HISTORY OF EUROPE. 
dutive of the most deplorable con- 
Sequences. ; 
An objet of more importance 
than all the preceding, and indeed 
than any other whatsoever, was the 
entire and uncontrouled liberty of 
religious opinions and worship, that 
had often been promised to ail men 
indiscriminately, but which, from a 
variety of causes, had not heen esta- 
blished in that complete and explicit 
manner which might remove all 
complaint. 
| 3 
Vor. XXXVII. 
The convention now 
[sa 
solemnly secured it by a special de- 
cree, which placed all individuals 
beyond the reach of any species of 
persecution upon spiritual accounts. 
This was a measure that pleased all 
parties ; those only excepted, whom 
the enthusiasm of bigotry had long 
hardened against the toleration ofany 
sentiments, inspiritual matters, con- 
trary to their own, These intoler. 
ant individuals were numerous, in 
acountry long ina slavish subjection 
to the church of Rome, 
[G] CHAP. 
