CHAP. LXI.
Peace.
HIs third Answer is this:
For those three Princes named by you who tole∣rated Religion, we can name you more and greater who have not tolerated Heretickes and Schismatickes, notwithstanding their pre∣tence of Conscience, and their arrogating the Crowne of Martyr∣dome to their sufferings.
Constantine the Great at the request of the Generall Councell at Nice, banished Arrius, with some of his Fellowes, Sozom. lib. 1. Eccles hist. cap 19 20.
The same Constantine made a severe Law against the Donatists: and the like proceedings against them were used by Valentinian, Gratian, and Theodosius, as Augustine reports in Ep. 166. Onely Iulian the Apostate granted liberty to Heretickes, as well as to Pagans, that he might by tolerating all weeds to grow, choake the vitals of Christianity: which was also the practice and sinne of Valens the Arrian.
Queene Elizabeth, as famous for her Government as most of the former, it is well knowne what Lawes she made and executed a∣gainst Papists: yea and K. Iames (one of your owne Witnesses) though he was slow in proceeding against Papists (as you say) for Conscience sake, yet you are not ignorant how sharply and se∣verely he punished those whom the malignant World calls Puri∣tans, men of more Conscience and better Faith then the Papists whom he tolerated.
Truth.
Unto this I answer: First, that for mine owne part I would not use an argument from the number of Princes, witnessing in profession of practice against Persecution for cause of Conscience;