5

16 LIFE OF TOLAXD.
himself a latitude in several things, that would
have been matter of scruple to him before. His
travels increased, and the study of ecclesiastical
history perfected this disposition, wherein he continues
to this hour; for, whatever his own opinion
of these differences be, yet he finds so essential an
agreement between French, Dutch, English, Scottish,
and other protestants, that he is resolved
never to lose the benefit of an instructive discourse,
in any of their churches, on that score; and, it
must be a civil, not a religious interest, that can
engage him against any of these parties, not thinking
all their private notions wherein they differ,
worth endangering, much less subverting, the public
peace of a nation. If this (pursues he) makes
a man a non-conformist, then Mr. Tolaad is one
unquestionably."
In 1692, Mr. Daniel Williams, a dissenting
minister, published a book, entitled. Gospel Truth
Stated and Vindicated, in opposition to Dr. Crisp.
Mr. Toland desired the author of the SibliotJieque
Universelle to give an abstract of it in that journal.
The journalist complied; and, to the abstractofMr.Williams's
book, prefixed Mr. Toland's
recommendatory letter, and styles him Student in
Divinity. Jiibliotheque Universelle, torn 23rf, page
.500.
Having staid about two years at Leyden, he returned
to England, and soon after went to Oxford,
where, besides the conversation of learned men.