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Lactantius. a. D. 306. 51j
real kindness to those on whom it is exercised : that it is a
sig-n of a bad cause, and contrary to the nature of religion,
which is above all things free, and must be a man's own
choice: and that it is i]np()S8il)le, that true religion should be
served and advanced by force and violence. He likewise
maintains, that antiquity and human authority can never
lunountto prescription against truth and freedom of inquiry.
(12.) Indeed Lactantius has in his remaining works,
particularly his Institutions and their Epitome, fully confuted
every pretence for persecution. And if his book, Of
Persecution, mentioned by Jerotn, were still in being, I persuade
myself, we should liave had some more fine thoughts
upon this subject, w hich we now want.
20. Our author does likewise disclaim all persecution in
the name of all christians in general, as unworthy the goodness
of tkeir cause.
(1.) ^Ve^ do not desire that men should worship our God,
unless they are willing-, though he be the Creator of the
whole world. We teach, says'^ he, we argue, we demonstrate
; but we do not allure by worldly considerations: yet
none leave us, being- retained by the bands of truth and love.
It** is not by huma!i authority that things are decided among
us, but by the word of God alone.
(2.) This is glorious, when it can be truly said of the
professors of any religion : and it ought by all means to be
truly said of the professors of the true religion. It is likely
it may be said of those who hold religion in its perfection and
purity : for it may be argued, that wherever there is persecution,
there some things are maintained, which are contrary
to reason, and are no parts of true religion. Where therefore
persecution is at a great height, there, very probably, re-
ligion is in a losv estate.
IV. I must take some particular notice of errors ascribed
to Lactantius. They are very*^ numerous. Gallaeus has
placed a large catalogue of them at the end of his edition.
^ At nos contra non expetimus, ut Deum nostrum, qui est omnium Creator,
velit, nolit, colat aliquis invitus : nee si non coluerit, irascimur. 1. v. c. 20.
p. 524.
^ Imitentur nos, ut rationem rei totius exponant. Non enim allicimus, ut
ipsi objectant, sed docemus, probamus, ostendimus. Itaque nemo a nobis
retinetur invitus. Inutilis est enim Deo, qui devotione ac fide caret. Et
tamen nemo discedit, ipsa veritate retinente. 1. v. cap. 19. p. 519.
*" Quae omnia non asseveratione propria, (nee enim valet quicquam morlalis
hominis auctoritas,) sed divinis aliquibus testimoniis, confirraent, sicuti nos
facimus. ib. p. 518.
"= Tantus vero est eorum numerus, ut vix unquam alius scriptor tarn saepe
in paucis libris errasse videatur. Aliqui enim centum et septuaginta illius
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