Fifteenth Dialogue

Summary

Fourteenth Court Maxim: handling this question by way of conclusion to the whole discourse: Whether monarchical government be simply and universally unlawful

Eunomius: It appears you hate and fear none so much as virtuous and godly men. You suspect no meetings so much as those that are for the most godly ends. And consequently, you endeavour to hinder the things and destroy the persons you hate and fear. Your fear and hatred against them for being good and godly, does denominate you to be contrary; since none hate or desire to destroy any but such who are contrary to themselves. Nor can this blood be washed off by pretending you persecute them as seditious, nor | as godly, since your rage is evident against those who can be accused of no crime but godliness. And your laws are not against those who meet seditiously and tumultuously, but such as have no other end but preaching and praying. This is sedition to you. The poor Quakers, that desire nothing but to be sufferers for conscience sake, renouncing all force, deserve your hatred, because they call upon God, as Daniel did though the king forbad it. There is nothing I less wonder at in your proceedings than this. You have reason to fear that spirit, whose gifts godly men do enjoy, may be a link of union amongst them to your destruction.