This work is strictly what its title page imports, a compilation.Fox's "Book of Martyrs" has been made the basis of thisvolume. Liberty, however, has been taken to abridge whereverit was thought necessary;—to alter the antiquated form of thephraseology; to introduce additional information; and to correctany inaccuracy respecting matters of fact, which had escaped theauthor of the original work, or which has been found erroneousby the investigation of modern research.
The object of this work, is to give a brief history of persecutionsince the first introduction of christianity, till the presenttime. In doing this, we have commenced with the martyrdom ofStephen, and following the course of events, have brought the Historyof persecution down to the year 1830. In all ages, we findthat a disposition to persecute for opinion's sake, has been manifestedby wicked men, whatever may have been their opinionsor sentiments on religious subjects. The intolerant jew, and thebigoted pagan, have exhibited no more of a persecuting spirit,than the nominal professor of christianity, and the infidel andthe avowed atheist. Indeed, it seems to be an "inherent vice,"in unsanctified nature to endeavour by the pressure of physicalforce, to restrain obnoxious sentiments, and to propagate favouriteopinions. It is only when the heart has been renewed andsanctified by divine grace, that men have rightly understood andpractised the true principles of toleration. We do not say thatnone but real christians have adopted correct views respectingcivil and religious liberty;—but we affirm that these views owetheir origin entirely to christianity and its genuine disciples.
Though nearly all sects have persecuted their opponents, duringa brief season, when men's passions were highly excited,and true religion had mournfully declined, yet no denominationexcept the papal hierarchy, has adopted as an article of religiousbelief, and a principle of practical observance, the rightto destroy heretics for opinion's sake. The decrees of councils,and the bulls of popes, issued in conformity with those decrees,place this matter beyond a doubt. Persecution, therefore, andpopery, are inseparably connected; because claiming infallibility,what she has once done is right for her to do again; yea,must be done under similar circumstances, or the claims of infallibility[vi]given up. There is no escaping this conclusion. It isright, therefore, to charge upon popery, all the persecutions andhorrid cruelties which have stained the annals of the papalchurch during her long a