A LETTER CONCERNING TOLERATION. BY JOHN LOCKE, Esq. Huddersfield: PRINTED FOR THE EDITOR, BY J. BROOK. 1796. TO THE READER. THE HE enfuing Letter concerning TOLERATION, first printed in Latin, in the year 1689, in Holland, was foon tranflated both into Dutch and French. So general and Speedy an approbation may therefore befpeak its favourable reception in England. I think, indeed, there is no nation under heaven, in which fo much has already been faid upon that fubject, as ours. But yet certainly there is no people that ftand in more need of having fomething further both faid and done amongst them, in this point, than we do. Our government has not only been partial in matters of religion; but thofe alfo who have fuffered under that partiality, and have therefore endeavoured by their writings to vindicate their own rights and liberties, have for the most part done it upon narrow principles, fuited only to the interefts of their own fects. This narrowness of Spirit, on all fides, has undoubtedly been the occafion of our miferies and confufions. But whatever has been the occafion, it is now high time to feek for a thorough cure. We have need of more generous remedies than what have yet been made use of in our diftemper. It is neither declarations of indulgence, nor acts of comprehenfion, fuch as have yet been practised or pro jetted jected amongst us, that can do the work. The first will but palliate, the fecond increase our evil. Abfolute liberty, juft and true liberty, equal and impartial liberty, is the thing that we ftand in need of. Now, though this has indeed been much talked of, I doubt it has not been much understood; I am fure not at all practifed, either by our governors towards the people, in general, or by diffenting parties of the people towards one another. I cannot therefore but hope, that this difcourfe, which treats of that fubject, however briefly, yet more exactly than any we have yet feen, demonftrating both the equitableness and practicableness of the thing, will be efteemed highly feafonable, by all men that have fouls large enough to prefer the true intereft of the public before that of a party. It is for the ufe of fuch as are already fo fpirited, or to infpire that Spirit into thofe that are not, that I have tranflated it into our language. But the thing itself is fo fhort, that it will not bear a longer preface. I leave it therefore to the confideration of my countrymen, and heartily wish they may make the ufe of it that it appears to be defigned for. Note. It appears by the first paragraph of this preface, that it was printed foon after the abdication of James II. during whofe reign, as well as before, that just and true liberty, that equal and impartial liberty, which the great and good Mr. LOCKE pleads for, did not ex-. ift; but it should be acknowledged, with thankfulness, that matters, have been long much altered for the better: May those who have power to do it confider wherein they are still deficient, and exert themselves to perfect this valuable bleffing. THE EDITOR'S ADDRESS. Courteous Reader, THOU HOU art here prefented with a book of great value. The name of the author will prepoffefs thee in its favour, if thou art at all acquainted with him; but the excellency of the subject, and the masterly manner in which it is executed, are still more worthy of thine esteem. Philofophy and Religion are here happily united. The learning of the schools gives its aid to the spirit of the gofpel. The bigotry and fuperftition of men are fairly fubdued by folid argument, and the amiable temper of Chrift is exemplified in the defence of that liberty wherewith he has made us free. Toleration is a word which is in general facred to religion, and comprehends that liberty which one part of the community has to worship God according to their own views, without any molestation from another. This appears to be the unalienable birthright of man, as he is only accountable to God in matters of religion.We readily and cheerfully admit, that the subjects of a ftate are, by the laws of God, accountable to the civil power for their civil and moral conduct, but for any man, or body of men, to attempt by force to compel others, either with respect to religious fentiments or modes of worship, appears the reverse of the fpirit of the gospel, as fet forth by Chrift and his apostles. The |