The Political Writings of William Penn

3. The Great Case of Liberty of Conscience (1670)

Penn_051-100.indd 79 1/19/12 10:27 AM THE Great CASE of Liberty of Conscience Once more briefly Debated and Defended, by the Authority of REASON, SCRIPTURE, and ANTIQUITY: Which may serve the Place of a General Reply to such late Discourses; as have Oppos'd a Toleration (1670) The Author W. P. Whatsoever ye would that Men should do to you, do ye even so to them: Mat.7-12. Render unto Caesar, the Things that are Caesar's; and to God, the Things that are God's. Mark 12. 11 To the Supream Authority of England. TOLERATION (for these Ten Years past) has not been more the Cry of some, than PERSECUTION has been the Practice ofothers, though not on Grounds equally Rational. The present Cause ofthis Address, is to solicite a Conversion ofthat Power to our Relief, which hitherto has been imploy'd to our Depression; that after this large Experience of our Innocency, and long since expir'd Apprenticeship ofCruel Sufferings, you will be pleas'd to cancel all our Bonds, and give us a Possession ofthose Freedoms, to which we are entituled by English Birthright. This has been often promised to us, and we as earnestly have expected the Performance; but to this Time we labour under the unspeakable Pressure of Nasty Prisons, and daily Confiscation of our Goods, to the apparent Ruin of intire Families. We would not attribute the whole of this Severity to Malice, since not a little share may justly be ascribed to Mis-intelligence. For 'tis the Infelicity of Governours to see and hear by the Eyes and Ears of other Men; which is equally unhappy for the People. Penn_051-100.indd 80 1/19/12 10:27 AM { 80 } P E N N ' S A R G U M E NT F 0 R R E Ll G I 0 US L I B E R T Y And we are bold to say, that Suppositions and meer Conjectures, have been the best Measures, that most have taken ofUs, and ofour Principles; for whilst there have been none more inoffensive, we have been mark't for Capital Offenders. 'Tis hard that we should always lie under this undeserved Imputation; and which is worse, be Persecuted as such, without the Liberty of a just Defence. In short, ifyou are apprehensive, that our Principles are inconsistent with the Civil Government, grant us a free Conference about the Points in Question , and let us know, what are those Laws, essential to Preservation, that our Opinions carry an Opposition to? And if upon a due enquiry we are found so Heterodox, as represented, it will be then but time enough to inflict these heavy Penalties upon us. And as this Medium seems the fairest, and most reasonable; so can you never do your selves greater Justice, either in the Vindication ofyour Proceedings against us, ifwe be Criminal; or if Innocent, in dis-ingaging your Service of such, as have been Authors of so much Mis-information. But could we once obtain the Favourofsuch Debate we doubt not to evince a clear Consistency of our Life and Doctrine with the English Government; and that an indulging of Dissenters in the Sense defended, is not only most Christian and Rational, but Prudent also. And the Contrary (how plausibly soever insinuated) the most injurious to the Peace, and destructive ofthat discreet Ballance, which the Best and Wisest States, have ever carefully Observ'd. But if this fair and equal Offer, find not a Place with you, on which to rest it's Foot; much less that it should bring us back the Olive Branch ofTOLERATION ; we heartily embrace and bless the Providence of God; and in his Strength resolve, by Patience, to outweary Persecution, and by our constant Sufferings, seek to obtain a Victory, more Glorious, than any our Adversaries can atchieve by all their Cruelties. Vincit qui patitur.1 From a Prisonerfor Conscience-Sake, Newgate, the 7th of the 12th Month, call'd February, 1670. W. P. 1. He conquers who endures. Penn_051-100.indd 81 1/19/12 10:27 AM THE GREAT CASE OF LIBERTY OF CONSCIENCE { 81} The PREFACE. WERE some as Christian, as they boast themselves to be, 'twould save us all the Labour we bestow in rendring Persecution so Unchristian, as it most truly is: Nay were they those Men of Reason they Character themselves , and...