It was the foundation of intellectual liberty.

But, if a personal interpretation of the book of Revelation is permissible, how can it be denied in the case of the book of Nature?
In the misunderstandings that have taken place, we must ever bear in mind the infirmities of men.

The generations that immediately followed the Reformation may perhaps be excused for not comprehending the full significance of their cardinal principle, and for not on all occasions carrying it into effect.

When Calvin caused Servetus, to be burnt, he was animated, not by the principles of the Reformation, but by those of Catholicism, from which he had not been able to emancipate himself completely.

And when the clergy of influential Protestant confessions have stigmatized the investigators of Nature as infidels and atheists, the same may be said.