ON MA-TTERS OP BELIEF. 9<{ 



the perfecution of the Waldenfes, the extermination of 

 the knights -templars, were more numerous hecatombs 

 of human facrifices offered up to religion, in every 

 part of Europe, than in that which is marked by the 

 reformation. No other prefents us with a greater pro- 

 fufion of materials for meditation on the unfpeakable 

 influence religion has on the temporal happinefs or mi- 

 fery of mankind ! Could we, on a review of the im- 

 menfe calamities, that in thefe dreadful times, were 

 fpread over all Europe, by intolerance, hierarchical ty- 

 ranny, the fpirit of fanatical innovation and rebellion, 

 the furious zeal of the new, the fedate cruelty of the 

 old party, either from real religious paflion (if I may 

 ufe the term), or under the mafk of religion, — could 

 we acquire a luminous and Unking proof how infinitely 

 incumbent it is on human fociety, by the greater!: pu- 

 rification and Amplification poflible of religion, to 

 prevent the bare poflibility, that , we or our pofterity 

 Ihould again be witnefTes of fuch inhumanities, fuch 

 barbarities, fuch diabolical aclions perpetrated in the 

 name of God ? 



To this it is replied, cc that we cannot eafily fuppofe 

 " thefe times will ever return. The fpirit of toleration 

 " which is become predominant at prefent, and even in 

 " countries where it has not yet got the afcendant, has 

 n very much moderated the manner of dealing with 

 <c the diffidents, is a fecurity to us for it." — Good I 

 but who is the fecurity to us for this fpirit of toleration 

 itfelf ? How long will its r^ign continue ? what forces 

 will it bring againfi: fuperrlition and fanaticifm, — if 

 this toleration — whofe very name bears witnefs againfl 

 it — be only a momentary fruit of tranfient impreflions 



made 



