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Category: Philosophers

William Willams’s Letter About the Godless Constitution

William Willams’s Letter About the Godless Constitution

William Williams February 11, 1788 In the American Mercury, William Williams, a signer of the Declaration of Independence from Connecticut, complains about the failure of the Constitution to invoke God’s Supremacy and protection. He proposes amending the preamble to call upon “the creator and Supreme Governour of the world.” Since the Federal Constitution has had so calm, dispassionate and so happy an issue, in the late worthy Convention of this State; I did not expect any members of that hon….

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Diary of William Bradford at Plymouth Plantation

Diary of William Bradford at Plymouth Plantation

William Bradford 1630   Of Plymouth Plantation CHAPTER I It is well known unto the godly and judicious, how ever since the first breaking out of the light of the gospel in our honorable nation of England, (which was the first of nations whom the Lord adorned therewith after the gross darkness of popery which had covered and overspread the Christian world), what wars and oppositions ever since, Satan hath raised, maintained and continued against the Saints, from time to…

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Common Sense by Thomas Paine

Common Sense by Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine January 10, 1776 Tom Paine later was a prominent Deist, viewed by many church leaders as a threat and heretic because he didn’t accept the Bible as literal truth. As a result, it’s often forgotten that his seminal revolutionary rallying cry made heavy use of the Bible. MANKIND being originally equals in the order of creation, the equality could only be destroyed by some subsequent circumstance; the distinctions of rich, and poor, may in a great measure be…

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The Rights of the Colonists by Sam Adams, 1772

The Rights of the Colonists by Sam Adams, 1772

Samuel Adams November 20, 1772 The Patriot leader here argues for religious liberty for all, except Catholics. As neither reason requires, nor religeon permits the contrary, every Man living in or out of a state of civil society, has a right peaceably and quietly to worship God according to the dictates of his conscience.”   Just and true liberty, equal and impartial liberty” in matters spiritual and temporal, is a thing that all Men are clearly entitled to, by the…

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Luther Martin Complains About Lack of Religious Test in Constitution (Genuine Information XII)

Luther Martin Complains About Lack of Religious Test in Constitution (Genuine Information XII)

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Luther Martin February 8, 1788 Although some praised the Constitution for banning religious tests for public office, others feared that it would lead to Pagans, Jews, and Muslims taking office and Catholicism becoming the official religion. Responses came from two leading federalists, James Spencer and James Iredell, who later became a Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. The part of the system, which provides that no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under…

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A Model of Christian Charity by John Winthrop, 1630

A Model of Christian Charity by John Winthrop, 1630

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John Winthrop 1630 OD ALMIGHTY in His most holy and wise providence, hath so disposed of the condition of mankind, as in all times some must be rich, some poor, some high and eminent in power and dignity; others mean and in submission.The Reason hereof: 1st Reason. First to hold conformity with the rest of His world, being delighted to show forth the glory of his wisdom in the variety and difference of the creatures, and the glory of His power…

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A Letter Concerning Toleration by John Locke

A Letter Concerning Toleration by John Locke

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John Locke The Founding Fathers were influenced by the writings of English philosopher John Locke. Now that the whole jurisdiction of the magistrate reaches only to these civil concernments, and that all civil power, right, and dominion, is bounded and confined to the only care of promoting these things; and that it neither can nor ought in any manner to be extended to the salvation of souls, these following considerations seem unto me abundantly to demonstrate. First. Because the care of…

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Letter from John Cotton to Lord Say and Sele, 1636

Letter from John Cotton to Lord Say and Sele, 1636

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John Cotton 1636 This leading Puritan advocated theocracy over democracy: “I do not conceyve that ever God did ordeyne as a fitt government eyther for church or commonwealth” The word of God doe conteyne a short … platforme, not onely of theology, but also of other sacred sciences … attendants, and hand maids thereunto, which he maketh ethicks, eoconomicks, politics, church-government, prophecy, academy. It is very suitable to Gods all-sufficient wisdome, and to the fulnes and perfection of Holy Scriptures,…

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A Memoir of the Life and Times of Isaac Backus

A Memoir of the Life and Times of Isaac Backus

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Isaac Backus January 1, 1858 Isaac Backus was one of the most important Baptist leaders of the revolutionary era. He argued fervently against persecution of Baptists and in favor of separation of chuch and state. Here he describes how he was dispatched to visit the members of the Continental Congress to plead against the religious establishment in Massachusetts. Adams resisted his pleas. Oct. 14th. In the evening there met at Carpenters’ Hall, Thomas Gushing, Samuel Adams, John Adams, and Robert…

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The Expence of the Institutions for the Instruction of People, by Adam Smith

The Expence of the Institutions for the Instruction of People, by Adam Smith

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Adam Smith January 1, 1776 The institutions for the instruction of people of all ages are chiefly those for religious instruction. This is a species of instruction of which the object is not so much to render the people good citizens in this world, as to prepare them for another and a better world in a life to come. The teachers of the doctrine which contains this instruction, in the same manner as other teachers, may either depend altogether for…

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