As, in different countries, first one and then another sect rose to power, it stained itself with cruelties perpetrated upon its competitors.

The mortal retaliations that had ensued, when, in the chances of the times, the oppressed got the better of their oppressors, convinced the contending sectarians that they must concede to their competitors what they claimed for themselves; and thus, from their broils and their crimes, the great principle of toleration extricated itself.

But toleration is only an intermediate stage; and, as the intellectual decomposition of Protestantism keeps going on, that transitional condition will lead to a higher and nobler state--the hope of philosophy in all past ages of the world--a social state in which there shall be unfettered freedom for thought.

Toleration, except when extorted by fear, can only come from those who are capable of entertaining and respecting other opinions than their own.

It can therefore only come from philosophy.