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| John Locke A letter concerning toleration IntraText - Concordances (Hapax - words occurring once) |
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1001 1 | provocation to endless hatreds, rapines, and slaughters they thereby
1002 1 | examples in any Church are rare. For no sect can easily
1003 1 | certainly to their pride, do rashly and arrogantly take upon
1004 1 | jurisdiction of the magistrate reaches only to these civil concernments,
1005 1 | another of error, and, by reasoning, to draw him into truth;
1006 1 | against as traitors and rebels, guilty of no less than
1007 1 | the offenders will not be reclaimed, and the erroneous convinced,
1008 1 | they demean themselves, recompenses them no otherwise than by
1009 1 | teaching, instructing, and redressing the erroneous by reason,
1010 1 | affectionate endeavours to reduce men from errors, which are
1011 1 | captives taken, so many nations reduced under their obedience, we
1012 1 | liberty remains to men in reference to their eternal salvation,
1013 1 | toleration, lest I should seem to reflect too severely upon those
1014 1 | country, may oppress the reformed religion and, in India,
1015 1 | hardly have the patience to refrain from violence and rapine
1016 1 | cannot be avoided), but the refusal of toleration to those that
1017 1 | by the church minister’s refusing him that bread and wine,
1018 1 | not reach to any of those regions, however subjected unto
1019 1 | and putting things into a regular course, and suchlike, cannot
1020 1 | compulsive force, but to the regulating of men’s lives, according
1021 1 | us fresh examples in the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI,
1022 1 | patient, if his stomach reject it as soon as taken; and
1023 1 | which things are nearlier related to the government of the
1024 1 | aside. Otherwise they are religiously to be observed. Where they
1025 1 | whomsoever or whatsoever else he relinquishes, will not then be judged
1026 1 | the apostle)4 manifestly relish of heathenish corruption,
1027 1 | cured of some disease by remedies that I have not faith in;
1028 1 | orthodox one? For it must be remembered that the civil power is
1029 2 | of Lutherans, Calvinists, Remonstrants, Anabaptists, and other
1030 1 | would yet more apparently renounce their government if he acknowledged
1031 1 | the magistrate’s power to repair my loss, to ease my suffering,
1032 1 | manner of revenge, even after repeated provocations and multiplied
1033 1 | cities suffered? You will reply: “Those are civil assemblies,
1034 1 | I will not undertake to represent how happy and how great
1035 1 | which is a thing absolutely repugnant to the nature and end of
1036 1 | their own interest, peace, reputation, everything would be thereby
1037 1 | religion which is there reputed idolatrous, by the same
1038 1 | the other of Calvinists—residing in the city of Constantinople.
1039 1 | consciences, and blindly to resign themselves up to the will
1040 1 | think it lawful for them to resist force with force, and to
1041 1 | only in this: that, the resolution of the society in that respect
1042 1 | ease my suffering, nor to restore me in any measure, much
1043 1 | O Israel,” sufficiently restrains the obligations of the law
1044 1 | the duty of toleration, to retain any such person in her bosom
1045 1 | of Christ, but they have retained their ancient form of government,
1046 1 | judge in this case, who will retribute unto every one at the last
1047 1 | abstain from all manner of revenge, even after repeated provocations
1048 1 | all to do with riches and revenues.~Ecclesiastical assemblies
1049 1 | kingdom. For such a manifest revolt could no ways consist with
1050 1 | pain of eternal fire. It is ridiculous for any one to profess himself
1051 1 | both these governments be rightly considered, it will easily
1052 1 | magistrate; because, though the rigour of laws and the force of
1053 1 | seditious, murderers, thieves, robbers, adulterers, slanderers,
1054 1(4)| Rom. I.~
1055 1 | care and industry to the rooting out of these immoralities
1056 1 | thereof, carry with it no rough usage of word or action
1057 1 | place be made use of to the ruin of an orthodox one? For
1058 1 | consent that these men have a ruler in their church, established
1059 1 | succession of a certain order of rulers in the Church. Now, their
1060 1 | every man’s self. Thus the safeguard of men’s lives and of the
1061 1 | and therefore I cannot safely take him for my guide, who
1062 1 | incertitude of things the safest and most commodious way
1063 1 | meetings ought not to be sanctuaries for factious and flagitious
1064 1 | he who with dry eyes and satisfaction of mind can deliver his
1065 1 | conform, if we are not fully satisfied in our own mind that the
1066 1 | leadership over them,” said our Saviour to his disciples, “but ye
1067 1 | human affairs can perhaps scarce ever be perfectly freed;
1068 1 | defends; those he continually scourges and oppresses. Let him turn
1069 1 | His Divine Majesty.~In the second place, the care of souls
1070 1 | endangered.~Another more secret evil, but more dangerous
1071 1 | much divided as in their secular interests, the narrow way
1072 1 | have happened between them. Sed pudet hoec opprobria. etc.
1073 1 | pass in a religious meeting seditiously and contrary to the public
1074 1 | themselves how pernicious a seed of discord and war, how
1075 1 | ready upon any occasion to seize the Government and possess
1076 1 | entirely to every man’s self. Thus the safeguard of men’
1077 1 | use force, unless it be in self-defence against unjust violence.
1078 1 | permitted either to buy or sell, or live by their callings;
1079 1 | difficult to persuade men of sense that he who with dry eyes
1080 1 | that Prince of Peace, who sent out His soldiers to the
1081 1 | established by such a long series of succession as they judge
1082 1 | Ecclesiastical assemblies and sermons are justified by daily experience
1083 1 | upon them to misuse the servants of another master, who are
1084 1 | and of the care of souls, serves for a cloak to covetousness,
1085 1 | that of religion and to settle the just bounds that lie
1086 1 | magistrate would give way to the settling of a foreign jurisdiction
1087 1 | oppressed. I confess that the seven nations that possessed the
1088 1 | believe the first or the seventh day to be set apart by God,
1089 1 | favourable to the one, but severe and cruel to the other.
1090 1 | should seem to reflect too severely upon those men whose dignity
1091 1 | any occasion to fear the severity of the laws but those that
1092 1 | burthen endeavour naturally to shake off the yoke that galls
1093 1 | their different complexions, shapes, and features, so that those
1094 1 | legislator. Now, if any one can shew me where there is a commonwealth
1095 1 | if she were once left to shift for herself. She seldom
1096 1 | suppose, or in a Geneva shop? Or, to make these subjects
1097 1 | reason (as has already been shown) than because the prince
1098 1 | visible to every one at first sight. Or let us apply the last
1099 1 | Turks, in the meanwhile, silently stand by and laugh to see
1100 1 | principle, as the Ephesian silversmiths did for their Diana; this,
1101 1 | portion of time is not a simple circumstance, but a real
1102 1 | truth, yet these terminate simply in the understanding, those
1103 1 | presume to say that any sincere and upright worshipper of
1104 1 | cut off; but this was not singly because they were idolaters.
1105 1 | Honoured Sir,~Since you are pleased to
1106 1 | own house to kneel, stand, sit, or use any other posture;
1107 1 | take bread or wine, either sitting or kneeling in his own house,
1108 1 | unto the Jews, that were situated without those bounds.~Thus
1109 1 | thieves, robbers, adulterers, slanderers, etc., of whatsoever Church,
1110 1 | endless hatreds, rapines, and slaughters they thereby furnish unto
1111 1 | wantonness. Those he uses as slaves and, how blamelessly soever
1112 1 | soever, or upon whatsoever slight occasion instituted, whether
1113 1 | everyone turn victualler, or smith, because there are some
1114 1 | Elizabeth, how easily and smoothly the clergy changed their
1115 1 | concerning the doctrine of the Socinians, I am suspicious of the
1116 1 | reason are joined with the softness of civility and good usage.~
1117 1 | the society; which is the sole reason of men’s entering
1118 1 | fellow-subjects. Thus if solemn assemblies, observations
1119 1 | obedience, but he sought and solicited for it as a privilege. And,
1120 1 | were idolaters. David and Solomon subdued many countries without
1121 1 | better condition because somebody had told him that the king
1122 1 | heavenly legions than for any son of the Church, how potent
1123 1 | show his obedience, but he sought and solicited for it as
1124 1 | if the pulpits everywhere sounded with this doctrine of peace
1125 1 | sufficiently known, cannot be any sounder or safer than his; nor can
1126 1 | and others that are more sour than they ought to be; or,
1127 1 | for an error committed in sowing his land or in marrying
1128 1 | and other nations to be spared? No: the reason is this.
1129 1 | of a Jew, and the thing speaks itself. For what hinders
1130 1 | daughter. Nobody corrects a spendthrift for consuming his substance
1131 1 | the civil magistrate in spirituals as that at Geneva, for example,
1132 1 | unto a participation of the spoil, and have therefore thought
1133 1 | fellow-sectaries with the spoils of others. But what if the
1134 1 | watchfulness against the spreading of so dangerous an evil.
1135 1 | root in that country and spreads itself, but does not suddenly
1136 1 | whencesoever their authority be sprung, since it is ecclesiastical,
1137 2 | and thus the Christians of St. John (as they are called)
1138 1 | them the better end of the staff, and they begin to feel
1139 1 | therefore, that matter stands. No man by nature is bound
1140 1 | with corporal punishments, starve and torment them in noisome
1141 1 | be the only reason of his stay there. For if afterwards
1142 1 | miserably. Believe me, the stirs that are made proceed not
1143 1 | to the increasing of the stock of cattle that had been
1144 1 | and sword, may apply this story to himself. For the reason
1145 1 | sacred geography, leads straight to Jerusalem, why am I beaten
1146 1 | in which seems to be the straightest and cleanest; because I
1147 1 | narrow way would be much straitened; one country alone would
1148 1 | when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren,” said our
1149 1 | toleration. When they are not strengthened with the civil power, then
1150 1 | even those who lay so much stress upon the Divine institution
1151 1 | answer that this is not strictly true, for many civil assemblies
1152 1 | suffer themselves to be stripped of the goods which they
1153 1 | much rather marks of men striving for power and empire over
1154 1 | raises ferments and makes men struggle to cast off an uneasy and
1155 1 | to be done but that such stubborn and obstinate persons, who
1156 1 | idolaters. David and Solomon subdued many countries without the
1157 1 | out His soldiers to the subduing of nations, and gathering
1158 1 | be not granted, the whole subject-matter of law-making is taken away.
1159 1 | as shall be judged most subservient to the end of order, decency,
1160 1 | I say, can in the least subsist and hold together, but will
1161 1 | spendthrift for consuming his substance in taverns. Let any man
1162 1 | who are all agreed in the substantial and truly fundamental part
1163 1 | course for fear it should not succeed? I answer: I would turn
1164 1 | He that pretends to be a successor of the apostles, and takes
1165 1 | boast themselves to be the successors of the Apostles, walking
1166 1 | humanity, that they would succour them with the necessaries
1167 1 | of foreign and borrowed succours. But if Truth makes not
1168 1 | into a regular course, and suchlike, cannot be omitted. But
1169 1 | spreads itself, but does not suddenly grow the strongest. While
1170 1 | Why are assemblies less sufferable in a church than in a theatre
1171 1 | repair my loss, to ease my suffering, nor to restore me in any
1172 1 | be established by means suitable to the nature of such things,
1173 1 | towards a conclusion. The sum of all we drive at is that
1174 1 | himself. I have a weak body, sunk under a languishing disease,
1175 1 | Princes, indeed, are born superior unto other men in power,
1176 1 | without any pretence of superiority or jurisdiction over one
1177 1 | of these ceremonies and superstitions consists in the religious
1178 1 | hodgepodge of ceremonies, what superstitious inventions, built upon the
1179 1 | celebration of the Lord’s Supper, which was not bought with
1180 1 | their persons. Let them not supply their want of reasons with
1181 1 | of this life because thou supposest he will be miserable in
1182 1 | ought to be punished and suppressed. But those whose doctrine
1183 1 | to the magistrate for the suppression of an idolatrous Church,
1184 1 | particular constitution will be sure to turn into poison. In
1185 1 | man is to be laid under a suspicion or odium for the fault of
1186 1 | doctrine of the Socinians, I am suspicious of the way of worship practised
1187 1 | profess that they believe.” A sweet religion, indeed, that obliges
1188 1 | we not allow them to have synagogues? Is their doctrine more
1189 2 | the contrivers of symbols, systems, and confessions are accustomed
1190 1 | oppresses. Let him turn the tables. Or let those dissenters
1191 1 | their own communion that are tainted with enormous vices and
1192 | taking
1193 1 | Christian, let such a one talk never so much of the Church,
1194 1 | consuming his substance in taverns. Let any man pull down,
1195 1 | a light. I will not here tax the pride and ambition of
1196 1 | obedience to the prince, or of tenderness and sincerity in the worship
1197 1 | hold his faith by the same tenure he does his lands, than
1198 1 | knowledge of truth, yet these terminate simply in the understanding,
1199 1 | therefore, to be deprived of his terrestrial enjoyments upon account
1200 1 | a heathen doubt of both Testaments, he is not therefore to
1201 2 | contained in the sacred texthowever he may be nicknamed by any
1202 1 | sufferable in a church than in a theatre or market? Those that meet
1203 | thee
1204 1 | others, was an absolute theocracy; nor was there, or could
1205 | thereupon
1206 1 | are seditious, murderers, thieves, robbers, adulterers, slanderers,
1207 1 | were several ways that led thither, there would not be so much
1208 1 | if not proceeding from a thorough conviction and approbation
1209 1 | pleased to inquire what are my thoughts about the mutual toleration
1210 1 | may be said, there are a thousand ways to wealth, but one
1211 1 | endanger the public peace and threaten the commonwealth. I answer:
1212 1 | that “wheresoever two or three are gathered together” in
1213 1 | that he desires I should thrive and grow rich, he can set
1214 1 | medicine down a sick man’s throat, which his particular constitution
1215 1 | has been made use of to throw dust in the people’s eyes
1216 | thy
1217 1 | religious society can be tied with any other bonds but
1218 1 | violence and rapine so long till the cause be heard and the
1219 1(2)| II Tim. 2. 19.~
1220 1 | continued down to the present times by an uninterrupted succession.~
1221 1 | commonwealths, have any just title to invade the civil rights
1222 1 | condition because somebody had told him that the king ordered
1223 1 | own and teach the duty of tolerating all men in matters of mere
1224 1 | God and themselves. Let us trace this matter to the bottom.
1225 1 | were proceeded against as traitors and rebels, guilty of no
1226 1 | Nothing ought nor can be transacted in this society relating
1227 1 | remove any of its members who transgress the rules of its institution;
1228 1 | to keep company with some travellers that are less grave and
1229 1 | good of souls, they would tread in the steps and follow
1230 1 | cruel to the other. These he treats like children, and indulges
1231 1 | Joshua, and were allowed by treaty; and there were many captives
1232 1 | priests, and those of that tribe, do all of them, with all
1233 1 | men to arms and sound the trumpet of war. But that magistrates
1234 2 | concerning heresy and schism. A Turk is not, nor can be, either
1235 1 | over its brethren from a Turkish emperor? An infidel, who
1236 1 | strange one, they are to be turned out of the lands and possessions
1237 1 | cases, in which the real turpitude of the thing and the offence
1238 2 | separation may be made in a twofold manner:~1. When the greater
1239 1 | to cast off an uneasy and tyrannical yoke. I know that seditions
1240 1 | their might to promote that tyranny in the commonwealth which
1241 1 | not unworthy of Him, nor unacceptable to Him; and, finally, that
1242 1 | so much the more warmly unanimous in religion the less liberty
1243 1 | and immoralities as are unbecoming the name of a Christian,
1244 1 | abhor. It is in vain for an unbeliever to take up the outward show
1245 1 | fleeting, and the duration uncertain, they have need of several
1246 1 | of some, the passion and uncharitable zeal of others. These are
1247 1 | against God. Covetousness, uncharitableness, idleness, and many other
1248 1 | spirit of persecution and unchristian cruelty with a pretence
1249 1 | adultery, fornication, uncleanliness, lasciviousness, idolatry,
1250 1 | themselves in promiscuous uncleanness, or practise any other such
1251 1 | torments, and that even in an unconverted state, would, I confess,
1252 1 | judges unlawful, and he is to undergo the punishment which it
1253 1 | the capacity of ordinary understandings? Which of the parties contending
1254 1 | teach otherwise, he either understands not or neglects the business
1255 1 | against dissenters. I will not undertake to represent how happy and
1256 1 | in that respect I am once undone, it is not in the magistrate’
1257 1 | his erroneous opinions and undue manner of worship, nor is
1258 1 | struggle to cast off an uneasy and tyrannical yoke. I know
1259 1 | of such as are arrogant, ungovernable, and injurious to their
1260 1 | the present times by an uninterrupted succession.~To these I answer:
1261 1 | respect being declared, the union that was between the body
1262 1 | communion does exceedingly unite men’s minds and affections
1263 1 | their hair and eyes, and united together by one common persecution,
1264 1 | society of members voluntarily uniting to that end.~It follows
1265 1 | and endeavours to promote universally the civil welfare of all
1266 1 | in self-defence against unjust violence. Excommunication
1267 1 | bear most patiently and unmovedly the contagion of idolatry,
1268 1 | is altogether useless and unprofitable. The arms by which the members
1269 1 | temper all that heat and unreasonable averseness of mind which
1270 1 | can set me up again when unsuccessful voyages have broken me.
1271 1 | is in vain for any man to unsurp the name of Christian, without
1272 1 | by constraint. He did not unwillingly submit, to show his obedience,
1273 1 | and such as they think not unworthy of Him, nor unacceptable
1274 1 | say that any sincere and upright worshipper of God could,
1275 1 | according to his sincerity and uprightness in endeavouring to promote
1276 1 | this immediately causes an uproar. The neighbourhood is filled
1277 1 | answer enough unto those that urge the authority of the law
1278 1 | law-making. If a thing be not useful to the commonwealth, though
1279 1 | of the mind—is altogether useless and unprofitable. The arms
1280 1 | nations. I only know what usually happens where controversies
1281 1 | the earth should differ so vastly as they do in religious
1282 1 | is prepared either in the Vatican, suppose, or in a Geneva
1283 1 | of the Church, which was venerable in time of the apostles,
1284 1 | that lie not within the verge of the magistrate’s authority (
1285 2 | same religion, and vice versa. Thus Turks and Christians
1286 1 | Nor can any such power be vested in the magistrate by the
1287 1 | strangers should not be vexed nor oppressed. I confess
1288 1 | reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary, and Elizabeth, how
1289 2 | and the same religion, and vice versa. Thus Turks and Christians
1290 1 | there are not either more vicious or more turbulent than those
1291 1 | the Church was under the vicissitude of orthodox and Arian emperors
1292 1 | Or, shall everyone turn victualler, or smith, because there
1293 1 | marching on with my utmost vigour in that way which, according
1294 1 | examples in the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary, and Elizabeth,
1295 1 | and lamented that the most violent of these defenders of the
1296 1 | difference of these two cases is visible to every one at first sight.
1297 2 | all of them to be utterly void of true Christianity—yet
1298 1 | that worship which He will vouchsafe to accept at the hands of
1299 1 | again when unsuccessful voyages have broken me. But this
1300 1 | assemblies which, being vulgarly called and perhaps having
1301 1 | successors of the Apostles, walking peaceably and modestly in
1302 1 | and indulges them even to wantonness. Those he uses as slaves
1303 1 | those that are without”9 wants it not. And the commonwealth,
1304 1 | belong to the Christian warfare. If, like the Captain of
1305 1 | with which they are so warmed and inflamed, unless where
1306 1 | not be so much the more warmly unanimous in religion the
1307 1 | eat bread, drink wine, or wash with water in the church.
1308 1 | where they see all laid waste.~There are two sorts of
1309 1 | of the public peace, will watch one another, that nothing
1310 1 | of the commonwealth to a watchfulness against the spreading of
1311 1 | light, she will be but the weaker for any borrowed force violence
1312 1 | there are a thousand ways to wealth, but one only way to heaven.
1313 1 | others because, perhaps, I wear not buskins; because my
1314 1 | that these men, growing weary of the evils under which
1315 1 | unto, and esteem the matter weighty enough to be taken care
1316 1 | rarely known and more rarely welcome. She is not taught by laws,
1317 1 | This only I say, that, whencesoever their authority be sprung,
1318 1 | least may declare them so whensoever they think fit. What can
1319 | wherein
1320 1 | promise He has made us,6 that “wheresoever two or three are gathered
1321 | whereupon
1322 1 | sword any proper instruments wherewith to convince men’s minds
1323 1 | ceremonies of his country, or whomsoever or whatsoever else he relinquishes,
1324 1 | why then do they suffer whoredom, fraud, malice, and such-like
1325 1 | by those moral vices and wickednesses, without any chastisement,
1326 1 | oppressions that make them willing to ease themselves. Just
1327 1 | not save men against their wills. Let us suppose, however,
1328 2 | the eternal and infinite wisdom of God.~Thus much concerning
1329 1 | the ejected person may any wise be damnified in body or
1330 2 | in the Church, either by withdrawing themselves from others,
1331 1 | things, that no man in his wits (I had almost said none
1332 2 | Scripture. I cannot but wonder at the extravagant arrogance
1333 1 | light and evidence that can work a change in men’s opinions;
1334 1 | Christians ought not to be worse than theirs in a Christian
1335 1 | any sincere and upright worshipper of God could, with a safe
1336 1 | conscience) be imposed upon the worshippers of God? For the greatest
1337 1 | accord in order to the public worshipping of God in such manner as
1338 1 | Christian religion is the worst of all religions and ought
1339 1 | all.~Nevertheless, it is worthy to be observed and lamented
1340 1 | please God, or appease his wrath, but willingly and knowingly
1341 1 | come; if there I take a wrong course, if in that respect
1342 | ye
1343 | Yes
1344 1 | the magistrate himself yields obedience thereunto and