We do not pretend to overcome error by violence.—Speech of the Clergy of France to Louis XIV.
We have always disapproved of rigorous measures.—Assembly of the Clergy, August 11, 1560.
We know that faith may yield to persuasion, but it never will be controlled.—Fléchier, Bishop of Nîmes, Letter, 19.
We ought to abstain even from reproachful speeches.—Bishop of Belley’s Pastoral Letters.
Remember that the diseases of the soul are not to be cured by restraint and violence.—Cardinal Camus’ Pastoral Instructions for the Year 1688.
Indulge every one with civil toleration—Archbishop Fénelon to the Duke of Burgundy.
Compulsion in religion proves the spirit which dictates it to be an enemy to truth.—Dirois, a Doctor of the Sorbonne, b. vi. chap. iv.
Compulsion may make hypocrites, but never can persuade.—Tillemont’s Hist. Eccles. tom. vi.
We have thought it conformable to equity and right reason to walk in the paths of the ancient church which never used violence to establish or extend religion.—Remonstrance of the Parliament of Paris to Henry II.
Experience teaches us that violence is more likely to irritate than to cure a distemper which is seated in the mind.—De Thou’s Epistle Dedicatory to Henry IV.