Chap. LIV.—Of the Freedom of Religion in the Worship of God.

These things may indeed be said with justice. But who will hear, when men of furious and unbridled spirit think that their authority is diminished if there is any freedom in the affairs of men? But it is religion alone in which freedom has placed its dwelling. For it is a matter which is voluntary above all others, nor can necessity be imposed upon any, so as to worship that which he does not wish to worship.1547    [Religious liberty maintained and introduced by the Gospel. Corrupted Christianity only is responsible for the reverse.]   Some one may perhaps pretend, he cannot wish it. In short, some, through fear of torments, or overcome by tortures, have assented to detestable sacrifices: they never do that voluntarily which they did from necessity; but when the opportunity is again given to them, and liberty restored, they again betake themselves to God, and appease Him with prayers and tears, repenting not of the will, which they had not, but of the necessity which they endured; and pardon is not denied to those who make satisfaction. What then does he accomplish who pollutes the body, since he cannot change the will?  

But, in fact, men of weak understanding, if they have induced any man of spirit1548    Fortem; some read “forte,” by chance.   to sacrifice to their gods, with incredible alacrity insolently exult, and rejoice, as though they had sent an enemy under the yoke. But if any one, neither frightened by threats nor by tortures, shall have chosen to prefer his faith to his life, cruelty puts forth all its ingenuity against him, plans dreadful and intolerable things; and because they know that death for the cause of God is glorious, and that this is a victory on our side, if, having overcome the torturers, we lay down our life in behalf of the faith and religion, they also themselves strive to conquer us. They do not put us to death, but they search out new and unheard-of tortures, that the frailty of the flesh may yield to pains, and if it does not yield, they put off further punishment, and apply diligent care to the wounds, that while the scars are yet fresh, a repetition of the torture may inflict more pain; and while they practice this torture1549    Carnificinam.   upon the innocent, they evidently consider themselves pious, and just, and religious (for they are delighted with such sacrifices to their gods), but they term the others impious and desperate. What perversity is this, that he who is punished, though innocent, should be called desperate and impious, and that the torturer, on the other hand, should be called just and pious!  

CAPUT LIV. De religionis libertate in adorando Deo.

1060D Haec quidem juste dici possunt. Sed quis audiet, 1061A cum homines furiosi et impotentes minui dominationem suam putent, si fit 1061 aliquid in rebus humanis liberum? Atqui religio sola est, in qua libertas domicilium collocavit. Res est enim praeter caeteras voluntaria, nec imponi cuiquam necessitas potest, ut colat, quod non vult. Potest aliquis forsitan simulare; non potest velle. Denique cum metu tormentorum aliqui, aut cruciatibus victi, ad execranda sacrificia consenserint, nunquam ultro faciunt quod necessitate fecerunt: sed data rursus facultate, ac reddita libertate, referunt se ad Deum, eumque precibus et lacrymis placant, agentes non voluntatis, quam non habuerunt, sed necessitatis, quam pertulerunt, poenitentiam; et venia satisfacientibus non negatur. Quid ergo promovet, qui corpus inquinat, 1061B quando immutare non potest voluntatem?

Atenim homines inanis cerebri, si quem fortem adegerint libare diis suis, incredibili alacritate insolenter exultant, et quasi hostem sub jugum miserint, gaudent. Si vero aliquis, nec minis, nec tormentis territus, fidem vitae anteferre maluerit, in hunc ingenium suum crudelitas exerit, infanda et intolerabilia molitur; et quia sciunt gloriosam esse pro Deo mortem, et hanc nobis esse victoriam, si superatis tortoribus, animam pro fide ac religione ponamus, et ipsi enituntur ut vincant. Non afficiunt morte: sed excogitant novos inauditosque cruciatus, ut fragilitas viscerum doloribus cedat; et si non cesserit, differunt, adhibentque vulneribus curam diligentem, ut crudis adhuc cicatricibus, repetita tormenta plus 1061C doloris immittant: et hanc adversus innocentes carnificinam exercentes, pios utique se, et justos, et religiosos putant (talibus enim sacris deorum delectantur), illos vero impios et desperatos nuncupant. Quae ista est perversitas, ut qui torquetur innocens, desperatus atque impius nominetur, carnifex autem justus piusque dicatur?