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THE DECLINE AND FALL

CHAP.

XX.

unjustly deprived. It was enacted, that theplaces of worship, and public lands, whichhad been confiscated, should be restored to thechurch, without dispute, without delay, andwithout expence: and this severe injunctionwas accompanied w ith a gracious promise, thatif any of the purchasers had paid a fair andadequate price, they should be indemnified fromthe imperial treasury. The salutary regula-tions which guard the future tranquillity of thefaithful, are framed on the principles of enlar-ged and equal toleration: and such an equalitymust have been interpreted by a recent, sect asan advantageous and honourable distinction.The two emperors proclaim to the world, thatthey have granted a free and absolute power tothe Christians, and to all others, of followingthe religion which each individual thinks pro-per to prefer, to which he has addicted hismind, and which he may deem the best adaptedto his own use. They carefully explain everyambiguous word, remove every exception, andexact from the governors of the provinces astrict obedience to the true and simple meaningof an edict, which was designed to establishand secure, without any limitation, the claimsof religious liberty. They condescend to as-sign two weighty reasons which have inducedthem to allow this universal toleration; the hu-mane intention of consulting the peace andhappiness of their people; and the pious hope,that, by such a conduct, they shall appease andpropitiate the Deity , whose seat is in heaven.They gratefully acknowledge the many signal