A Discourse of the Religion of England, Section 12 – Section 14
SECT. XII. The Extirpation of the Dissenters is both difficult and unprofitable.
PEradventure some think their total Extirpation to be the surest way to publick Security and Peace; and that great Severities will do the work. But Violent compulsion and Terror, comports not with the nature of Christian Religion, which is a Rational Service, and seeks a willing people; and is not at all in truth, where it is not received with judgment and free choice.
Besides, the success of such a course may be doubted of, since the Protestant spirit is not like the Popish, Cruel and outragious; and the nature of English men is not bloody, but generously compassionate. Wherefore in this Land to execute Extremity upon an intelligent, sober and peaceable sort of men, so numerous among all ranks, may prove exceeding difficult, unless it be executed by such Instruments as may strike terror into the whole Nation. The Civil Officers in general, may not be found so forward to afflict their quiet and harmless neighbours. Moreover, if severity used once for all, could extinguish an opposite party, there might be some plea of Policy; but when Severity must still be justified with more Severity, without an end, it is like to prove unlucky to the undertakers.
Nor is the Nation like to grow the better by the subversion of this sort, if it were effected. For in them no small part of the Nations Sobriety, Frugality, and Industry doth reside. They are not the Great Wasters, but mostly in the number of Getters. In most places the displaceing of them hath not encreased Civility and good Conversation among men; and it makes not for their dishonour, that many will swear and be drunk, to declare they are none of them.
There is something of more importance. To purge the Nation of this people, may be to purge out more of its Vitals then the strength of this State can bear. To suppress those that are reckoned among the chief in Trading, and whose Commerce is so general, may beget a general diffidence and insecurity in Traders, and may help to drive away Trade it self, and send it to an emulous and encroaching Nation. May we mind, without offence, the event of things among us? The business of the Nation hath not proceeded with the current and free passage expected; nor doth its Wealth and Glory encrease. Trade languisheth, and Traders fail in great Numbers; the Rents of Lands fall; there is scarcity of Money in City and Country; the Necessities and Difficulties of private Estates are common, and Complainings are general. And after a continued decay, things are at last fallen and funk much lower in the Ruins of the City of LONDON. 'Tis the Nations happiness to be re-established upon the Ancient, Legal Foundations; but it is the right stating and pursuing of its true Interest, by which it comes to a firm consistency, and proportionable growth.
But this sort of men are inquisitive, and therefore troublesome to Rulers, to whom Obedience without disputing, is most acceptable. It is fit indeed they be as humble and modest, as inquisitive. Yet these inquiring men stand much by that main Principle of Protestantism, the Judgment of Discretion. Indeed, the Churches Infallibility, and the peoples implicite Faith, may help against all Disputes: but it cannot be so in England, whilst the people read the Scriptures, and the established Doctrine of Faith remains with us: And if no greater latitude can be allowed, then is at present, a Race of Non-conformists is like to run parallel with the Conformists to the worlds end.
SECT. XIII. The representation of this Difficulty, is no Threatning to Rulers, or Intimation of Rebellion.
SUch as take this Representation for a Challenge to the Higher Powers, and a Demand of LIBERTY, and a Threatning, if it be not granted, are too far transported with Passion. What can be of greater concernment to Governors, then to discern and consider the state of their people, as it is indeed? And why may it not be minded by Subjects, and spoken of without any hint or thought of Rebellion? If Subjects use Arguments of Equity and Safety to Princes, it doth not presently speak a Demand: And it is no Threatning to say, That Rulers themselves must be ruled by Reason, or do worse.
The truth is, should they whose Case is here argued, upon this score meditate Rebellion and Warr, they were abandoned of their own Reason, and would hurry themselves into a precipice of manifest Ruin. To rush into ways of violence, evidently destroys their Interest, which stands in maintaining such works, and providing such things as are profitable to the Commonwealth, that it may be known that the publike good consists by them, as much as by others. To abide in their stations, to have patience under grievances, to sweeten their Governors by humility and modesty, is their best security, who stand or fall together with the true Interest of the Nation.
Nevertheless, though a peoples discomposure doth not forespeak Warrs and Tumults, yet it may denounce Woe and Misery. Can nothing undo a Kingdom, but Rebellion and Treason? Was there ever a greater Separation from the Church of England, then now is? Was there ever less satisfaction among Multitudes every where, t…at do yet frequent her Assemblies? A State, that is free from violent Convulsive motions, may fall into a Paralytick, or Hectick Distemper, or an Atrophy. The Current of Vital Blood may be stopt in its Veins. There be sullen Mutinies, that make no noise, but may loosen all the Joynts and Ligaments of Policy.
SECT. XIV. The Setling of the Nation by an Established Order, a Toleration, and a Connivence.
IF the Interest both of Reformed Christianity, and of this Kingdom, require a more comprehensive state of Religion, the true Extent of that State will be no impertinent or unmeet Inquiry. Such is the complicated condition of Humane Affairs, that it is exceeding difficult to devise a Rule or Model that shall provide for all whom Equity will plead for. Therefore the Prudent and Sober will acquiesce in any Constitution that is in some good sor▪ proportionable to the Ends of Government. All that are thought fit to abide with security in any state, may be reduced to Three sorts: First, Those that are of the Established and Approved Order. 2. Such as may be Tolerated under certain Restrictions. 3. Such as may be only connived at. And accordingly the Setling of a Nation may be made up of an Establishment, a Limited Toleration, and a Discreet Connivence. To be comprehended within the Establishment, it is requisite not only to be of importance in the Publick Interest, but also of Principles congruous to such stated Order in the Church, as the stability of the Commonwealth requires. As for the two later, Toleration and Connivence, they must be regulated with respect not only to common Charity, but also to the Safety of the Established Order.