The History of Persecution, from the Patriarchal Age, to the Reign of George II

Spanning the shadows of antiquity to the reign of George II, this sweeping study examines how religious intolerance has repeatedly scarred human societies. Drawing on a wide range of sources, the author shows that the causes of persecution are rarely doctrinal and more often rooted in pride, ambition and material greed. The narrative moves methodically through early biblical eras, medieval inquisitions, and the turbulent changes of the early modern world, always emphasizing the moral contrast between those motives and the teachings of Christ.

Supplementary material brings the work into the present, featuring Dr. Buchanan’s observations on the Inquisition in Goa and a concise appendix on recent persecutions within the British Empire. An illustrated account of the legislative struggle that produced the New Toleration Act offers readers insight into the legal foundations of religious liberty. Tailored for the general audience, the text avoids dense classical languages while preserving scholarly references for those who wish to explore further.