14 quotes
Enforced uniformity confounds civil and religious liberty and denies the principles of Christianity and civility. No man shall be required to worship or maintain a worship against his will.
The Great Quotations on Religious Freedom (1991)
God needeth not the help of a material sword of steel to assist the sword of the Spirit in the affairs of conscience.
The Bloudy Tenent of Persecution, for Cause of Conscience (1644)
Men's consciences ought in no sort to be violated, urged, or constrained.
The Bloudy Tenent of Persecution, for Cause of Conscience (1644)
I was persuaded and am, that God's way is first to turn a soul from its idols, both of heart, worship, and conversation, before it is capable of worship to the true and living God...
A Key into the Language of America (1643)
Opinions offensive are of two sorts: some savoring of impiety, and some of incivility.
The Hireling Ministry, None of Christ's (1652)
The natives are very exact and punctual in the bounds of their lands... notwithstanding a sinful opinion amongst many, that christians have right to heathen's land.
Such parents or children as aim at the gain and preferment of religion do often mistake gain and gold for godliness, godbelly for the true God, and some false for the true Lord Jesus.
The Hireling Ministry, None of Christ's (1652)
No man ever did, nor ever shall, truly go forth to convert the nations, nor to prophesy in the present state of witnesses against Antichrist, but by the gracious inspiration and instigation of the Holy Spirit of God. … I know no other True Sender, but the most Holy Spirit.
The Hireling Ministry, None of Christ's (1652)
The natives are very exact and punctual in the bounds of their lands, belonging to this or that prince or people, even to a river, brook, &c. And I have known them make bargain and sale amongst themselves for a small piece or quantity of ground ; notwithstanding a sinful opinion amongst many, that christians have right to heathen's land.
A Key into the Language of America (1643)
All civil states with their officers of justice in their respective constitutions and administrations are proved essentially civil, and therefore not judges, governors, or defenders of the spiritual or Christian state and worship.
The Bloudy Tenent of Persecution, for Cause of Conscience (1644)
God requireth not a uniformity of religion to be enacted and enforced in any civil state; which enforced uniformity (sooner or later) is the greatest occasion of civil war, ravishing of conscience, persecution of Christ Jesus in his servants, and of the hypocrisy and destruction of millions of souls.
The Bloudy Tenent of Persecution, for Cause of Conscience (1644)
I have read … the last will and testament of the Lord Jesus over many times, and yet I cannot find by one tittle … that ever He would have put forth the least finger of temporal or civil power in the matters of His spiritual affairs...
The God of Peace, the God of Truth will shortly seal this truth, and confirm this witness, and make it evident to the whole world, that the doctrine of persecution for cause of conscience, is most evidently and lamentably contrary to the doctrine of Christ Jesus the Prince of Peace.
Amen.
The Bloudy Tenent of Persecution, for Cause of Conscience (1644)
There is no regularly constituted church of Christ on earth, nor any person qualified to administer any church ordinances; nor can there be until new apostles are sent by the Great Head of the Church for whose coming I am seeking.
Disputed