Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1830-06-30

siastical persons whatever, shall enjoy
the full, free, and unquestioned liberty
Of discharging every part of their sacred
functions, without violence or danger
And, as Jesus Christ hath appointed a
regular government and discipline in his
church, no law of any commonwealth,
should interfere with, let, or hinder, the
due exercise thereof, among the volun-
tary members Of any denomination Of
Christians, according to their own profess
sion and belief IL is the duty of civil
agistratcs to protect the person and good
name of all their people, in such an ci-
fcctual manner as that no person be sui
fcrcd, either upon prctencc ofrcligion or
infdelity, to offer any indignity, violence,
abuse, injury, to any other person what
socvcr, and to take order, that all rclig-
i0us and ecclesiastical assemblies be held
without molestation or disturbance.
cit is the duty of the people to pray
for magistrates, to honor their persons,
to pay them tribute and other dues, to
obey their lawful commands, and to be
sub icct to their authority, for conscience
sake. InGdclity or difference in rclig-
ion, doth not make void the magistrate S
Just and legal authority, nor free the poo-
pic from their due obedience to him;
from which ecclesiastical persons arc not
Exempted; much less hath the Pope any
power or jurisdiction over them in their
dominions, or over any ofthcir people, and
at least of all to deprive them ofthcir do
minions or lives, if he shall judge them
to bo hcrctics, or upon any other pre-
tencc whatsoever"
"Synods and councils are to handle or
conclude nothing but that which is ecclc-
lsiastical: and are not to intcrmcddlc with
civil affairs, which concern the common
wealth, unless by way ofhumblc petition
in cases extraordinary, "a by way of ad-
vice for satisfaction of conscience, ifthcy
be thcrcunto required by the civil mag
istratc.
"That God alone is Lord of the con-
science, and hath left it free from the
doctrine s. commandments ofmcn, which
are in any thing contrary to his word, or
beside il in matters of faith or Worship
Therefore they consider the rights of pri-
vate judgment, in all matters that respect
religion, rs universal and unalicnablc.-
They do not even wish to sec any rclig-
ious constitution aided by the civil power
further than may be necessry for pro-
lection and security, and at the same
time, be equal and common to all others. F"
Such arc the constitutional principles
|Ofthe Presbyterian church in these Uni
ted States. They were our fathers prin-
|ciples before, and during the revolution,
which issued in the consummation of our
liberty and independence, and under the
influence ofwhich, they prayed, s. fought
and bled, beside the father Of our cOun-
try. They have been the principles of
their descendants ever since. They are
our principles still, adopted from convic-
ton, to whose support we have pledged
ourselves under the most solemn sane
tioAs, and by the preservation of which,
we believe that the common interests of
evangelical religion, and civil liberty will
be most efectually sustained.
In closing this statement, the Assem-
nIy Wouiu dhcCuoidtCiy, iHi cd'Hcstiy
cXhOrt the members Of their communion,
that in the fullilmcnt oftheir civil and re-
ligious duties, they watch against all un-
hallowcd feelings; and that they suffer
rcproach mcckly, not rendering railing
for railing, nor evil for evil, but by pa
ticnt continuance in well doing, commend
themselves to every mans conscience, in
the sight of God.