There are in the Scriptures, allusions to mysteries which it seems not given to us to comprehend in this state of being; and, consequently, all inquiries into them are vain: is it not, therefore, reasonable to believe, that such is not our proper business, and that our concern is with those truths only, which have a practical operation on the minds and conduct of men, and which are clearly revealed: and if we examine the consequences to many of those who are engaged in these theoretic inquiries, must we not conclude that they tend little to righteousness, and less to their own peace.
LETTER X.
Religion being a subject of the greatest importance to man, and a matter solely between the Creator and the individual who worships him, its rewards and its punishments appertaining to that kingdom which is not of this world, and "the conscience of man being the seat and throne of God in him, of which He alone is the proper and infallible judge, who by his power and spirit can rectify its mistakes;"[[72]] and it being man's duty to worship according to the dictates of that conscience, it must follow, not only from the precepts of the Christian religion, but also from the clearest dictates of reason, that every attempt on the part of others to control or direct his belief, is a usurpation; and the injustice is not greater than the folly of such attempts; for who is there that can believe that the coerced acquiescence in any form of worship, can be grateful in the sight of the Almighty; or that he who, by the exertion of power, thus makes hypocrites, can render a service acceptable to him.
Yet, notwithstanding this self-evident truth, we find the spirit of persecution had taken such fast hold of the minds of men, and had become so identified with the priestly character, that although they were always ready to complain, and recommend moderation, when suffering from its exercise by others, they generally resorted to it when their own sect became dominant, and ages elapsed before the principles of toleration gained the ascendency in any portion of the globe. And it is, indeed, painful to observe with what reluctance this wicked prerogative of power has been abandoned, and that in this country, in the full exercise of the rights of conscience, and in the midst of the blessings which accrue from it, individuals are found in different Christian societies who evince by their conduct, the old spirit; and who, happily restrained by the law from the use of the sword and faggot, freely indulge in contumely and reproach, the only weapons left them.
The Society of Friends early distinguished themselves as champions for the rights of conscience, and the consequences which resulted from the practical exercise of this principle in settling the province of Pennsylvania, have, both mediately and immediately, been of incalculable advantage in softening the hearts, and enlarging the minds of men, and have caused the name of Penn to be enrolled in the first class of the benefactors of mankind.
The soil of Pennsylvania was dedicated by the great proprietor to religious freedom; it was the asylum offered to all sufferers for conscience sake; and our legislators, acting on the same principles, have done their part by protecting it from the actual violence of bigotry. This is all that they could do, and the duty remains to each religious community to suppress that spirit, which, when indulged, eradicates from the human heart all the charities of life.
This is the duty of all, and, in a more especial manner, of those who, professing to be of the same faith, also profess to walk in the path of that man: and that they are now called to the exercise of this duty must be evident from the course which you and some others have pursued.
"Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? To his own master he standeth or falleth; yea, he shall be holden up; for God is able to make him stand. But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Let us not judge one another any more."[[73]]
This was the exhortation of Paul to the Romans, when instructing them in the use of Christian liberty; for he had been taught by his master, that there were other sheep, though not of this fold.[[74]] You, however, seem to be in the state of Peter before his vision, who thought it unlawful to eat with the uncircumcised, and knew not, that on the Gentiles also, was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost: and, like James and John, you seem ready to call down the fire of heaven on those who do not receive the gospel according to your own particular ritual, although you must have read the rebuke of their master, "Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of; for the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them."[[75]]
You denounce the members of Bible and Missionary Societies, and the ministers of most other sects, and stigmatise their endeavours to spread the gospel, as an abomination in the land; and accuse them of taking from the widow for their own aggrandisement.[[76]] You say that they compass sea and land to make a proselyte, and that when he is made, they have made him two-fold more the child of hell than he was before;[[77]] and, in speaking of the studies which many religious societies enjoin as a preparation for the ministry, you call it inventing religions by earthly science; and, usurping the judgment seat, you boldly pronounce every priest, thus made, to be an enemy to his God;[[78]] thus indiscriminately anathematising thousands and tens of thousands of men, of whom you know nothing.