Francis Bacon on the idea of a holy war

Francis Bacon, “Of Unity in Religion”:

But we may not take up the third sword, which is Mahomet’s sword, or like unto it; that is, to propagate religion by wars or by sanguinary persecutions to force consciences.

Bacon, “Advertisement Touching a Holy War”: 

I was ever of opinion, that the Philosopher’s Stone, and a Holy War, were but the rendez-vous of cracked brains.

Anti-Machiavel:

But here may arise a question, if it is lawful for a prince to make war for religion, and to constrain men to be of his religion. Hereupon to take the thing by reason, the resolution is very easy; for seeing that all religion consists in an approbation of certain points that concern the service of God, it is certain that such an approbation depends upon the persuasion which is given to men thereof. But the means to persuade a thing to any man is not to take weapons to beat him, nor to menace him, but to demonstrate to him by good reasons and allegations what may induce him to a persuasion.