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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.

— Roger Williams The Bloudy Tenent of Persecution, for Cause of Conscience (1644)

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More quotes by Roger Williams

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)

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Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Roger Williams (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.