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Untitled Article
this ma * imt o £ l the law , ip connexion with some striking traits in the character of Ck ^ Sm&iy , and especially with the preheat condition of the Christian WQfW- ' \* ' ' '¦ I woutekfirst remark , then , that so
long as this maxixn continues to maintain it $ authorky , it appears to afford a particularly strcfng * hold for the practice af proseculSn ^ unbelievers . And ; doubtless , this circumstance is not
overlooked by thdse who shew so much p artiality for . this sage portion of thje common law . The increasing liberality of the times might lead us to hope , that the legislature would shortly be induced to repeal all actual statutes that infringe the freedom of discXission upon religious subjects . But this , it be
appears , would ^ tiot sufficient to secure Christianity against the unwarrantable interference of the civil power in its behalf ; for , notwithstanding such repeal , except the legislature , by a positive declaration , should make it
lawful to deny the truth of the Christian religion , attacks of this kind might still be regarded as offences at common law , and prosecuted upon these grounds . Now it is to be supposed , that many of our most liberal senators would think such a
declaration too much like holding out an encouragement to the enemies of Christianity : and thus the reign of persecution , may be prolonged , and a considerable obstacle opposed to the progress of enlightened legis-lationupon this subject , through the practice of justifying religious prosecutions by the maxim under consideration . It is not ,
indeed , very probable , that our judges would long continue to sanction proceedings which the legislature had shewn a manifest inclination to discountenance , by the repeal of all penal statutes bearing upon the subject . Yet ,
without some express , Act to the contrary , the power would be lodged in the hands of > ? Attorneys-General and others , to display their pare and disinterested , zeal for religion , by calling in the arm of the Iaw' 5 br * it 8 defence
-It ia also to be observed , that a maxim so indefinite is highly objectionable and dangerous from its vagueness . An Act of Parliaihfent , in a great measure , defines the offence against v $ Uch ^ it is intended to be directed * * t nd prescribes the penalty . But who shall say what . use . may not
Untitled Article
be m-ade of a maximy wlqch in itself meWs little or nothing ? and which ; therefore , in the mouth of an ingenious Judge or Attorfi ^ y-Getieral , may bfe made to mean almost any thing , ft
is well calculated to serve a& a vei ? y convenient screen , behind wliieh the hateful stvirit of intolerance rafay lid concealed , and look forth upon suitable occasions , with a greater or less *
degree of boldness , according as the light of the age shall be found to endure its presence . Theseare sufficient reasons why this maxim should be reprobated by every jealous friend to complete freedom of opinion ; but , if I mistake not the
nature and genius of Christianity , there are yet other reasons to be stated of greater weight . As we see this maxim at present applied to justify the inflicting of penalties on those who assail Christianity , it appears to me wholly at variance with the spirit of our Lord ' s solemn declaration , that
** his kingdom is not of this world . " We say , with the spirit of this declaration ; for we need not insist , that when our Lord uttered these words , he had any particular view to the future patronage of Christianity by
the civil power . But he meant , I presume , to -deliver a general truth respecting the character of his religion , and the proper means of its beingspread and supported in the world , which renders such a maxim as the
one before us utterly inadmissible . Meri whose Hig h-Church-and-State prejndices teach them to look upon religion principally as an instrument of secular government , and a means of p reserving what they are pleased to call " social order" among the people ,
may not comprehend the whole force of this objection ; but every one who rightly estimates the peculiar genius of Christianity , will feel himself bound to protest agpinst its being held forth to the world in a light so degrading , and go foreign from its true
character . Eveh Church Establishments appear to the Nonconformist , in ibis point of view , oireifct to very serious objection *
For these ; however , a kind pf apology has been often urged by their , most judicio&s advocates , which cannot Ue applied tQ the case in question- - I * is said , that these establiahmeiitrf are , avow ^ y , vdnly civil regulation f < MT
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The Nonconformist . No . XXVL 2 &S
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), April 2, 1823, page 223, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1783/page/31/
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