Page:A Discourse of Constancy in Two Books Chiefly containing Consolations Against Publick Evils.pdf/301

compelled. For no outward violence whatsoever can make you will, that which you do not will; or to yield to that which you do not assent to. Some have power over the bond and tye of the Soul; but none over it self. A tyrant may loose it from the Body, but he cannot dissolve the nature of it, which being pure, eternal, fiery, dispises every external or violent attempt. But we may not speak our own thoughts. Be it so. The bridle then curbs your Tongue only, not your Mind; your Actions, but not your Judgment. But even this is new, and unheard of. Good Man! how are you mistaken? How many can I point you out, who have suffered under Tyrants, for their opinions? through the heedlesness of their tongues? How many of those Tyrants have endeavoured to compel mens Judgements, and their Judgements too in matters of Religion? It was the common custom of the Persians and the Eastern Nations to adore