218 DIFFERENCES OF RELIGIOUS BELIEF. 



strikingly depictures the hatreds and follies in which 

 they originated. We may well join with Milton's 

 remonstrance against ' crowding free consciences and 

 Christian liberties into canons and precepts of men.' 

 It is another question whether Churches, as such, can 

 be held together without some formularies as a rule 

 and test of unity. But this question should never be 

 handled save under recollection ot the changes time is 

 continually working in the world, and especially in our 

 own day. It is fitting that forms of subscription, the 

 imposition of other ages, should be removed or 

 lightened by reason, rather than forcibly annulled by 

 reason's revolt. 



