"I let the archbishop know that I had composed an _irenicon_, wherein I prove the necessity of an ecclesiastical _power over consciences_ in matters of religion, which utterly silences their arguments who _plead so hard for toleration_. I took my scheme from 'A Discourse of Ecclesiastical Polity,' wherein the authority of the civil magistrate over the consciences of subjects in matters of external religion is asserted; _the mischiefs and inconveniences of toleration_ are represented, and all pretences pleaded in behalf of _liberty of conscience_ are fully answered. If this book were reprinted and considered, the king would know his power and the people their duty." The rector of Kettering seems not to have known that the author of this "Discourse on Ecclesiastical Polity" was the notorious Parker, immortalised by the satire of Marvell. This political apostate, from a republican and presbyterian, became a furious advocate for _arbitrary government_ in church and state! He easily won the favour of James the Second, who made him Bishop of Oxford! His principles were so violent that Father Petre, the confessor of James, made sure of him! This letter of the rector of Kettering, in adopting the system of such a _catholic_ bishop, confirms my suspicion that _toleration_ is condemned as an evil among some protestants! [173] The cruelties practised by the Protestant against the Catholic party are pictured and described in Arnoudt Van Geluwe's book, "Over de Ontledinghe van dry verscheyden Niew-Ghereformeerde Martelaers Boecken," published at Antwerp in 1656. [174] Cornhert was one of the fathers of Dutch literature, and even of their arts. He was the composer of the great national air of William of Orange; he was too a famous engraver, the master of Goltzius. On his death-bed he was still writing against the _persecution of heretics_. [175] "Dictionnaire de Trevoux," _ad vocem_ Tolerance. Printed in 1771. [176] Sismondi, "Hist. des Francais," i. 41. The character of the _first person_ who introduced _civil_ persecution into the Christian church has been described by Sulpicius Severus. See Dr. Maclaine's note in his translation of Mosheim's "Ecclesiastical History," vol. i. 428. APOLOGY FOR THE PARISIAN MASSACRE. An original document now lying before me, the autograph letter of Charles the Ninth, will prove, that the unparalleled massacre, called by the world _religious_, was, in the French cabinet, considered merely as _political_; one of those revolting state expedients which a pretended instant necessity has too often inflicted on that part of a nation which, like the undercurrent, subterraneously works its way, and runs counter to the great stream, till the critical moment arrives when one or the other must cease.