Читать книгу The History of Persecution - Samuel Chandler - Страница 4

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It is now upwards of seventy years since this excellent treatise was first presented to the public by the author, and, considering his celebrity as a writer, (especially among the Dissenters) it is presumed no apology is necessary for sending it again into the world: especially at the present interesting crisis, when the subject of Religious Toleration, is become the topic of general conversation and discussion. This work comprises every thing of importance connected with the dreadful persecutions which have disgraced human nature, both in ancient and modern times, both at home and abroad; and is designed to prove that the things for which christians have persecuted one another have generally been of small importance; that pride, ambition, and covetousness, have been the grand sourses of persecution; and that the religion of Jesus Christ absolutely condemns all persecution for conscience sake.

The additions I have made from that justly celebrated work, “Dr. Buchanan’s Christian Researches in Asia,” will, I hope, be deemed a valuable acquisition; and I beg leave here to express my grateful acknowledgments to the Rev. Author of that work, for the very polite manner in which he honoured my request, in permitting me to insert his “Notices of the Inquisition at Goa.”

While this work was in the press, one of the most important events to Religious Liberty occurred, which has taken place since the glorious area of the Revolution, in 1688: viz. the repeal of the Persecuting laws, and the passing of the New Toleration Act. This event is so closely connected with the subject matter of this work, and reflects so much honour on the British government and nation, that I feel highly gratified in affording the reader, a detail of the various steps which were taken to obtain that Act: which now effectually secures to every subject of the British Empire all the Religious Liberty he can expect or desire.

I willingly record this memorial, that we, and our children after us, may know how to appreciate our invaluable privileges; and that the names of those noblemen and others who boldly stood forth in the defence and support of Religious Toleration, might be handed down to posterity, that “our children may tell their children, and their children another generation.”

May that infinitely important and wished-for period soon arrive, “when every invidious distinction, and every hostile passion, shall be banished from religious society; and when all the blessings of christian liberty shall be diffused and enjoyed throughout the whole world!”

“O catch its high import ye winds as ye blow,

“O bear it ye waves as ye roll,

“From the regions that feel the sun’s vertical glow,

“To the farthest extremes of the pole!”

Charles Atmore.

HULL, February 15th. 1813.