Thepublicgoodistheruleandmeasureofalllaw-making。Ifathingbenotusefultothecommonwealth，thoughitbeneversoindifferent，itmaynotpresentlybeestablishedbylaw。Andfurther，thingsneversoindifferentintheirownnature，whentheyarebroughtintotheChurchandworshipofGod，areremovedoutofthereachofthemagistrate’sjurisdiction，becauseinthatusetheyhavenoconnectionatallwithcivilaffairs。TheonlybusinessoftheChurchisthesalvationofsouls，anditnowayconcernsthecommonwealth，oranymemberofit，thatthisortheotherceremonybetheremadeuseof。Neithertheusenortheomissionofanyceremoniesinthosereligiousassembliesdoeseitheradvantageorprejudicethelife，liberty，orestateofanyman。Forexample，letitbegrantedthatthewashingofaninfantwithwaterisinitselfanindifferentthing，letitbegrantedalsothatthemagistrateunderstandsuchwashingtobeprofitabletothecuringorpreventingofanydiseasethechildrenaresubjectunto，andesteemthematterweightyenoughtobetakencareofbyalaw。Inthatcasehemayorderittobedone。Butwillanyonethereforesaythatamagistratehasthesamerighttoordainbylawthatallchildrenshallbebaptisedbypriestsinthesacredfontinordertothepurificationoftheirsouls？Theextremedifferenceofthesetwocasesisvisibletoeveryoneatfirstsight。OrletusapplythelastcasetothechildofaJew，andthethingspeaksitself。ForwhathindersbutaChristianmagistratemayhavesubjectsthatareJews？Now，ifweacknowledgethatsuchaninjurymaynotbedoneuntoaJewastocompelhim，againsthisownopinion，topractiseinhisreligionathingthatisinitsnatureindifferent，howcanwemaintainthatanythingofthiskindmaybedonetoaChristian？Again，thingsintheirownnatureindifferentcannot，byanyhumanauthority，bemadeanypartoftheworshipofGod-forthisveryreason：becausetheyareindifferent。For，sinceindifferentthingsarenotcapable，byanyvirtueoftheirown，topropitiatetheDeity，nohumanpowerorauthoritycanconferonthemsomuchdignityandexcellencyastoenablethemtodoit。InthecommonaffairsoflifethatuseofindifferentthingswhichGodhasnotforbiddenisfreeandlawful，andthereforeinthosethingshumanauthorityhasplace。Butitisnotsoinmattersofreligion。ThingsindifferentarenototherwiselawfulintheworshipofGodthanastheyareinstitutedbyGodHimselfandasHe，bysomepositivecommand，hasordainedthemtobemadeapartofthatworshipwhichHewillvouchsafetoacceptatthehandsofpoorsinfulmen。Nor，whenanincensedDeityshallaskus，\"Whohasrequiredthese，orsuch-likethingsatyourhands？\"
willitbeenoughtoanswerHimthatthemagistratecommandedthem。Ifciviljurisdictionextendthusfar，whatmightnotlawfullybeintroducedintoreligion？Whathodgepodgeofceremonies，whatsuperstitiousinventions，builtuponthemagistrate’sauthority，mightnot（againstconscience）beimposedupontheworshippersofGod？Forthegreatestpartoftheseceremoniesandsuperstitionsconsistsinthereligioususeofsuchthingsasareintheirownnatureindifferent；noraretheysinfuluponanyotheraccountthanbecauseGodisnottheauthorofthem。Thesprinklingofwaterandtheuseofbreadandwinearebothintheirownnatureandintheordinaryoccasionsoflifealtogetherindifferent。Willanyman，therefore，saythatthesethingscouldhavebeenintroducedintoreligionandmadeapartofdivineworshipifnotbydivineinstitution？Ifanyhumanauthorityorcivilpowercouldhavedonethis，whymightitnotalsoenjointheeatingoffishanddrinkingofaleintheholybanquetasapartofdivineworship？
Whynotthesprinklingofthebloodofbeastsinchurches，andexpiationsbywaterorfire，andabundancemoreofthiskind？Butthesethings，howindifferentsoevertheybeincommonuses，whentheycometobeannexeduntodivineworship，withoutdivineauthority，theyareasabominabletoGodasthesacrificeofadog。Andwhyisadogsoabominable？Whatdifferenceistherebetweenadogandagoat，inrespectofthedivinenature，equallyandinfinitelydistantfromallaffinitywithmatter，unlessitbethatGodrequiredtheuseofoneinHisworshipandnotoftheother？Wesee，therefore，thatindifferentthings，howmuchsoevertheybeunderthepowerofthecivilmagistrate，yetcannot，uponthatpretence，beintroducedintoreligionandimposeduponreligiousassemblies，because，intheworshipofGod，theywhollyceasetobeindifferent。HethatworshipsGoddoesitwithdesigntopleaseHimandprocureHisfavour。Butthatcannotbedonebyhimwho，uponthecommandofanother，offersuntoGodthatwhichheknowswillbedispleasingtoHim，becausenotcommandedbyHimself。
ThisisnottopleaseGod，orappeasehiswrath，butwillinglyandknowinglytoprovokeHimbyamanifestcontempt，whichisathingabsolutelyrepugnanttothenatureandendofworship。Butitwillbehereasked：\"Ifnothingbelongingtodivineworshipbelefttohumandiscretion，howisitthenthatChurchesthemselveshavethepoweroforderinganythingaboutthetimeandplaceofworshipandthelike？\"TothisIanswerthatinreligiousworshipwemustdistinguishbetweenwhatispartoftheworshipitselfandwhatisbutacircumstance。
ThatisapartoftheworshipwhichisbelievedtobeappointedbyGodandtobewell-pleasingtoHim，andthereforethatisnecessary。Circumstancesaresuchthingswhich，thoughingeneraltheycannotbeseparatedfromworship，yettheparticularinstancesormodificationsofthemarenotdetermined，andthereforetheyareindifferent。Ofthissortarethetimeandplaceofworship，habitandpostureofhimthatworships。Thesearecircumstances，andperfectlyindifferent，whereGodhasnotgivenanyexpresscommandaboutthem。Forexample：amongsttheJewsthetimeandplaceoftheirworshipandthehabitsofthosethatofficiatedinitwerenotmerecircumstances，butapartoftheworshipitself，inwhich，ifanythingweredefective，ordifferentfromtheinstitution，theycouldnothopethatitwouldbeacceptedbyGod。Butthese，toChristiansunderthelibertyoftheGospel，aremerecircumstancesofworship，whichtheprudenceofeveryChurchmaybringintosuchuseasshallbejudgedmostsubservienttotheendoforder，decency，andedification。But，evenundertheGospel，thosewhobelievethefirstortheseventhdaytobesetapartbyGod，andconsecratedstilltoHisworship，tothemthatportionoftimeisnotasimplecircumstance，butarealpartofDivineworship，whichcanneitherbechangednorneglected。Inthenextplace：AsthemagistratehasnopowertoimposebyhislawstheuseofanyritesandceremoniesinanyChurch，soneitherhasheanypowertoforbidtheuseofsuchritesandceremoniesasarealreadyreceived，approved，andpractisedbyanyChurch；because，ifhedidso，hewoulddestroytheChurchitself：theendofwhoseinstitutionisonlytoworshipGodwithfreedomafteritsownmanner。Youwillsay，bythisrule，ifsomecongregationsshouldhaveamindtosacrificeinfants，or（astheprimitiveChristianswerefalselyaccused）
lustfullypollutethemselvesinpromiscuousuncleanness，orpractiseanyothersuchheinousenormities，isthemagistrateobligedtotoleratethem，becausetheyarecommittedinareligiousassembly？Ianswer：No。Thesethingsarenotlawfulintheordinarycourseoflife，norinanyprivatehouse；andthereforeneitheraretheysointheworshipofGod，orinanyreligiousmeeting。But，indeed，ifanypeoplecongregateduponaccountofreligionshouldbedesiroustosacrificeacalf，Idenythatthatoughttobeprohibitedbyalaw。Meliboeus，whosecalfitis，maylawfullykillhiscalfathome，andburnanypartofitthathethinksfit。Fornoinjuryistherebydonetoanyone，noprejudicetoanotherman’sgoods。Andforthesamereasonhemaykillhiscalfalsoinareligiousmeeting。Whetherthedoingsobewell-pleasingtoGodorno，itistheirparttoconsiderthatdoit。Thepartofthemagistrateisonlytotakecarethatthecommonwealthreceivenoprejudice，andthattherebenoinjurydonetoanyman，eitherinlifeorestate。Andthuswhatmaybespentonafeastmaybespentonasacrifice。Butifperadventuresuchwerethestateofthingsthattheinterestofthecommonwealthrequiredallslaughterofbeastsshouldbeforborneforsomewhile，inordertotheincreasingofthestockofcattlethathadbeendestroyedbysomeextraordinarymurrain，whoseesnotthatthemagistrate，insuchacase，mayforbidallhissubjectstokillanycalvesforanyusewhatsoever？Onlyitistobeobservedthat，inthiscase，thelawisnotmadeaboutareligious，butapoliticalmatter；noristhesacrifice，buttheslaughterofcalves，therebyprohibited。BythisweseewhatdifferencethereisbetweentheChurchandtheCommonwealth。
WhatsoeverislawfulintheCommonwealthcannotbeprohibitedbythemagistrateintheChurch。Whatsoeverispermitteduntoanyofhissubjectsfortheirordinaryuse，neithercannoroughttobeforbiddenbyhimtoanysectofpeoplefortheirreligioususes。Ifanymanmaylawfullytakebreadorwine，eithersittingorkneelinginhisownhouse，thelawoughtnottoabridgehimofthesamelibertyinhisreligiousworship；thoughintheChurchtheuseofbreadandwinebeverydifferentandbethereappliedtothemysteriesoffaithandritesofDivineworship。Butthosethingsthatareprejudicialtothecommonwealofapeopleintheirordinaryuseandare，therefore，forbiddenbylaws，thosethingsoughtnottobepermittedtoChurchesintheirsacredrites。OnlythemagistrateoughtalwaystobeverycarefulthathedonotmisusehisauthoritytotheoppressionofanyChurch，underpretenceofpublicgood。Itmaybesaid：\"WhatifaChurchbeidolatrous，isthatalsotobetoleratedbythemagistrate？\"Ianswer：WhatpowercanbegiventothemagistrateforthesuppressionofanidolatrousChurch，whichmaynotintimeandplacebemadeuseoftotheruinofanorthodoxone？Foritmustberememberedthatthecivilpoweristhesameeverywhere，andthereligionofeveryprinceisorthodoxtohimself。If，therefore，suchapowerbegranteduntothecivilmagistrateinspiritualsasthatatGeneva，forexample，hemayextirpate，byviolenceandblood，thereligionwhichistherereputedidolatrous，bythesameruleanothermagistrate，insomeneighbouringcountry，mayoppressthereformedreligionand，inIndia，theChristian。Thecivilpowercaneitherchangeeverythinginreligion，accordingtotheprince’spleasure，oritcanchangenothing。Ifitbeoncepermittedtointroduceanythingintoreligionbythemeansoflawsandpenalties，therecanbenoboundsputtoit；butitwillinthesamemannerbelawfultoaltereverything，accordingtothatruleoftruthwhichthemagistratehasframeduntohimself。Nomanwhatsoeverought，therefore，tobedeprivedofhisterrestrialenjoymentsuponaccountofhisreligion。
NotevenAmericans，subjecteduntoaChristianprince，aretobepunishedeitherinbodyorgoodsfornotembracingourfaithandworship。IftheyarepersuadedthattheypleaseGodinobservingtheritesoftheirowncountryandthattheyshallobtainhappinessbythatmeans，theyaretobeleftuntoGodandthemselves。Letustracethismattertothebottom。
Thusitis：AninconsiderableandweaknumberofChristians，destituteofeverything，arriveinaPagancountry；theseforeignersbeseechtheinhabitants，bythebowelsofhumanity，thattheywouldsuccourthemwiththenecessariesoflife；thosenecessariesaregiventhem，habitationsaregranted，andtheyalljointogether，andgrowupintoonebodyofpeople。
TheChristianreligionbythismeanstakesrootinthatcountryandspreadsitself，butdoesnotsuddenlygrowthestrongest。Whilethingsareinthisconditionpeace，friendship，faith，andequaljusticearepreservedamongstthem。AtlengththemagistratebecomesaChristian，andbythatmeanstheirpartybecomesthemostpowerful。Thenimmediatelyallcompactsaretobebroken，allcivilrightstobeviolated，thatidolatrymaybeextirpated；
andunlesstheseinnocentPagans，strictobserversoftherulesofequityandthelawofNatureandnowaysoffendingagainstthelawsofthesociety，Isay，unlesstheywillforsaketheirancientreligionandembraceanewandstrangeone，theyaretobeturnedoutofthelandsandpossessionsoftheirforefathersandperhapsdeprivedoflifeitself。Then，atlast，itappearswhatzealfortheChurch，joinedwiththedesireofdominion，iscapabletoproduce，andhoweasilythepretenceofreligion，andofthecareofsouls，servesforacloaktocovetousness，rapine，andambition。Nowwhosoevermaintainsthatidolatryistoberootedoutofanyplacebylaws，punishments，fire，andsword，mayapplythisstorytohimself。
Forthereasonofthethingisequal，bothinAmericaandEurope。AndneitherPagansthere，noranydissentingChristianshere，can，withanyright，bedeprivedoftheirworldlygoodsbythepredominatingfactionofacourt-church；
norareanycivilrightstobeeitherchangedorviolateduponaccountofreligioninoneplacemorethananother。Butidolatry，saysome，isasinandthereforenottobetolerated。
Iftheysaiditwerethereforetobeavoided，theinferenceweregood。
Butitdoesnotfollowthatbecauseitisasinitoughtthereforetobepunishedbythemagistrate。Foritdoesnotbelonguntothemagistratetomakeuseofhisswordinpunishingeverything，indifferently，thathetakestobeasinagainstGod。Covetousness，uncharitableness，idleness，andmanyotherthingsaresinsbytheconsentofmen，whichyetnomaneversaidweretobepunishedbythemagistrate。Thereasonisbecausetheyarenotprejudicialtoothermen’srights，nordotheybreakthepublicpeaceofsocieties。Nay，eventhesinsoflyingandperjuryarenowherepunishablebylaws；unless，incertaincases，inwhichtherealturpitudeofthethingandtheoffenceagainstGodarenotconsidered，butonlytheinjurydoneuntomen’sneighboursandtothecommonwealth。Andwhatifinanothercountry，toaMahometanoraPaganprince，theChristianreligionseemfalseandoffensivetoGod；maynottheChristiansforthesamereason，andafterthesamemanner，beextirpatedthere？Butitmaybeurgedfartherthat，bythelawofMoses，idolatersweretoberootedout。True，indeed，bythelawofMoses；butthatisnotobligatorytousChristians。NobodypretendsthateverythinggenerallyenjoinedbythelawofMosesoughttobepractisedbyChristians；butthereisnothingmorefrivolousthanthatcommondistinctionofmoral，judicial，andceremoniallaw，whichmenordinarilymakeuseof。Fornopositivelawwhatsoevercanobligeanypeoplebutthosetowhomitisgiven。\"Hear，OIsrael，\"sufficientlyrestrainstheobligationsofthelawofMosesonlytothatpeople。AndthisconsiderationaloneisanswerenoughuntothosethaturgetheauthorityofthelawofMosesfortheinflictingofcapitalpunishmentuponidolaters。
But，however，Iwillexaminethisargumentalittlemoreparticularly。Thecaseofidolaters，inrespectoftheJewishcommonwealth，fallsunderadoubleconsideration。Thefirstisofthosewho，beinginitiatedintheMosaicalrites，andmadecitizensofthatcommonwealth，didafterwardsapostatisefromtheworshipoftheGodofIsrael。Thesewereproceededagainstastraitorsandrebels，guiltyofnolessthanhightreason。ForthecommonwealthoftheJews，differentinthatfromallothers，wasanabsolutetheocracy；norwasthere，orcouldtherebe，anydifferencebetweenthatcommonwealthandtheChurch。ThelawsestablishedthereconcerningtheworshipofOneInvisibleDeitywerethecivillawsofthatpeopleandapartoftheirpoliticalgovernment，inwhichGodHimselfwasthelegislator。
Now，ifanyonecanshewmewherethereisacommonwealthatthistime，constituteduponthatfoundation，Iwillacknowledgethattheecclesiasticallawsdothereunavoidablybecomeapartofthecivil，andthatthesubjectsofthatgovernmentbothmayandoughttobekeptinstrictconformitywiththatChurchbythecivilpower。ButthereisabsolutelynosuchthingundertheGospelasaChristiancommonwealth。Thereare，indeed，manycitiesandkingdomsthathaveembracedthefaithofChrist，buttheyhaveretainedtheirancientformofgovernment，withwhichthelawofChristhathnotatallmeddled。He，indeed，hathtaughtmenhow，byfaithandgoodworks，theymayobtaineternallife；butHeinstitutednocommonwealth。HeprescribeduntoHisfollowersnonewandpeculiarformofgovernment，norputHetheswordintoanymagistrate’shand，withcommissiontomakeuseofitinforcingmentoforsaketheirformerreligionandreceiveHis。Secondly，foreignersandsuchaswerestrangerstothecommonwealthofIsraelwerenotcompelledbyforcetoobservetheritesoftheMosaicallaw；but，onthecontrary，intheverysameplacewhereitisorderedthatanIsraelitethatwasanidolatershouldbeputtodeath（Exod。22，20，21），thereitisprovidedthatstrangersshouldnotbevexednoroppressed。
IconfessthatthesevennationsthatpossessedthelandwhichwaspromisedtotheIsraeliteswereutterlytobecutoff；butthiswasnotsinglybecausetheywereidolaters。Forifthathadbeenthereason，whyweretheMoabitesandothernationstobespared？No：thereasonisthis。GodbeinginapeculiarmannertheKingoftheJews，Hecouldnotsuffertheadorationofanyotherdeity（whichwasproperlyanactofhightreasonagainstHimself）
inthelandofCanaan，whichwasHiskingdom。ForsuchamanifestrevoltcouldnowaysconsistwithHisdominion，whichwasperfectlypoliticalinthatcountry。Allidolatrywas，therefore，toberootedoutoftheboundsofHiskingdombecauseitwasanacknowledgmentofanothergod，thatissay，anotherking，againstthelawsofEmpire。Theinhabitantswerealsotobedrivenout，thattheentirepossessionofthelandmightbegiventotheIsraelites。AndforthelikereasontheEmimsandtheHorimsweredrivenoutoftheircountriesbythechildrenofEsauandLot；andtheirlands，uponthesamegrounds，givenbyGodtotheinvaders（Deut。2）。But，thoughallidolatrywasthusrootedoutofthelandofCanaan，yeteveryidolaterwasnotbroughttoexecution。ThewholefamilyofRahab，thewholenationoftheGibeonites，articledwithJoshua，andwereallowedbytreaty；
andthereweremanycaptivesamongsttheJewswhowereidolaters。DavidandSolomonsubduedmanycountrieswithouttheconfinesoftheLandofPromiseandcarriedtheirconquestsasfarasEuphrates。Amongstsomanycaptivestaken，somanynationsreducedundertheirobedience，wefindnotonemanforcedintotheJewishreligionandtheworshipofthetrueGodandpunishedforidolatry，thoughallofthemwerecertainlyguiltyofit。Ifanyone，indeed，becomingaproselyte，desiredtobemadeadenizenoftheircommonwealth，hewasobligedtosubmittotheirlaws；thatis，toembracetheirreligion。Butthishedidwillingly，onhisownaccord，notbyconstraint。Hedidnotunwillinglysubmit，toshowhisobedience，buthesoughtandsolicitedforitasaprivilege。And，assoonashewasadmitted，hebecamesubjecttothelawsofthecommonwealth，bywhichallidolatrywasforbiddenwithinthebordersofthelandofCanaan。Butthatlaw（asIhavesaid）didnotreachtoanyofthoseregions，howeversubjecteduntotheJews，thatweresituatedwithoutthosebounds。Thusfarconcerningoutwardworship。Letusnowconsiderarticlesoffaith。Thearticlesofreligionaresomeofthempracticalandsomespeculative。
Now，thoughbothsortsconsistintheknowledgeoftruth，yettheseterminatesimplyintheunderstanding，thoseinfluencethewillandmanners。Speculativeopinions，therefore，andarticlesoffaith（astheyarecalled）whicharerequiredonlytobebelieved，cannotbeimposedonanyChurchbythelawoftheland。Foritisabsurdthatthingsshouldbeenjoinedbylawswhicharenotinmen’spowertoperform。Andtobelievethisorthattobetruedoesnotdependuponourwill。Butofthisenoughhasbeensaidalready。
\"But。\"willsomesay；\"letmenatleastprofessthattheybelieve。\"Asweetreligion，indeed，thatobligesmentodissembleandtelllies，bothtoGodandman，forthesalvationoftheirsouls！Ifthemagistratethinkstosavementhus，heseemstounderstandlittleofthewayofsalvation。
Andifhedoesitnotinordertosavethem，whyishesosolicitousaboutthearticlesoffaithastoenactthembyalaw？Further，themagistrateoughtnottoforbidthepreachingorprofessingofanyspeculativeopinionsinanyChurchbecausetheyhavenomannerofrelationtothecivilrightsofthesubjects。IfaRomanCatholicbelievethattobereallythebodyofChristwhichanothermancallsbread，hedoesnoinjurytherebytohisneighbour。IfaJewdonotbelievetheNewTestamenttobetheWordofGod，hedoesnottherebyalteranythinginmen’scivilrights。IfaheathendoubtofbothTestaments，heisnotthereforetobepunishedasaperniciouscitizen。Thepowerofthemagistrateandtheestatesofthepeoplemaybeequallysecurewhetheranymanbelievethesethingsorno。Ireadilygrantthattheseopinionsarefalseandabsurd。
Butthebusinessoflawsisnottoprovideforthetruthofopinions，butforthesafetyandsecurityofthecommonwealthandofeveryparticularman’sgoodsandperson。Andsoitoughttobe。Forthetruthcertainlywoulddowellenoughifshewereoncelefttoshiftforherself。Sheseldomhasreceivedand，Ifear，neverwillreceivemuchassistancefromthepowerofgreatmen，towhomsheisbutrarelyknownandmorerarelywelcome。
Sheisnottaughtbylaws，norhassheanyneedofforcetoprocureherentranceintothemindsofmen。Errors，indeed，prevailbytheassistanceofforeignandborrowedsuccours。ButifTruthmakesnotherwayintotheunderstandingbyherownlight，shewillbebuttheweakerforanyborrowedforceviolencecanaddtoher。Thusmuchforspeculativeopinions。Letusnowproceedtopracticalones。Agoodlife，inwhichconsistnottheleastpartofreligionandtruepiety，concernsalsothecivilgovernment；andinitliesthesafetybothofmen’ssoulsandofthecommonwealth。Moralactionsbelong，therefore，tothejurisdictionbothoftheoutwardandinwardcourt；bothofthecivilanddomesticgovernor；Imeanbothofthemagistrateandconscience。Here，therefore，isgreatdanger，lestoneofthesejurisdictionsintrenchupontheother，anddiscordarisebetweenthekeeperofthepublicpeaceandtheoverseersofsouls。Butifwhathasbeenalreadysaidconcerningthelimitsofboththesegovernmentsberightlyconsidered，itwilleasilyremovealldifficultyinthismatter。Everymanhasanimmortalsoul，capableofeternalhappinessormisery；
whosehappinessdependinguponhisbelievinganddoingthosethingsinthislifewhicharenecessarytotheobtainingofGod’sfavour，andareprescribedbyGodtothatend。Itfollowsfromthence，first，thattheobservanceofthesethingsisthehighestobligationthatliesuponmankindandthatourutmostcare，application，anddiligenceoughttobeexercisedinthesearchandperformanceofthem；becausethereisnothinginthisworldthatisofanyconsiderationincomparisonwitheternity。Secondly，thatseeingonemandoesnotviolatetherightofanotherbyhiserroneousopinionsandunduemannerofworship，norishisperditionanyprejudicetoanotherman’saffairs，therefore，thecareofeachman’ssalvationbelongsonlytohimself。ButIwouldnothavethisunderstoodasifImeantherebytocondemnallcharitableadmonitionsandaffectionateendeavourstoreducemenfromerrors，whichareindeedthegreatestdutyofaChristian。Anyonemayemployasmanyexhortationsandargumentsashepleases，towardsthepromotingofanotherman’ssalvation。Butallforceandcompulsionaretobeforborne。Nothingistobedoneimperiously。Nobodyisobligedinthatmattertoyieldobedienceuntotheadmonitionsorinjunctionsofanother，furtherthanhehimselfispersuaded。Everymaninthathasthesupremeandabsoluteauthorityofjudgingforhimself。Andthereasonisbecausenobodyelseisconcernedinit，norcanreceiveanyprejudicefromhisconducttherein。Butbesidestheirsouls，whichareimmortal，menhavealsotheirtemporalliveshereuponearth；thestatewhereofbeingfrailandfleeting，andthedurationuncertain，theyhaveneedofseveraloutwardconveniencestothesupportthereof，whicharetobeprocuredorpreservedbypainsandindustry。Forthosethingsthatarenecessarytothecomfortablesupportofourlivesarenotthespontaneousproductsofnature，nordoofferthemselvesfitandpreparedforouruse。Thispart，therefore，drawsonanothercareandnecessarilygivesanotheremployment。Butthepravityofmankindbeingsuchthattheyhadratherinjuriouslypreyuponthefruitsofothermen’slaboursthantakepainstoprovideforthemselves，thenecessityofpreservingmeninthepossessionofwhathonestindustryhasalreadyacquiredandalsoofpreservingtheirlibertyandstrength，wherebytheymayacquirewhattheyfartherwant，obligesmentoenterintosocietywithoneanother，thatbymutualassistanceandjointforcetheymaysecureuntoeachothertheirproperties，inthethingsthatcontributetothecomfortandhappinessofthislife，leavinginthemeanwhiletoeverymanthecareofhisowneternalhappiness，theattainmentwhereofcanneitherbefacilitatedbyanotherman’sindustry，norcanthelossofitturntoanotherman’sprejudice，northehopeofitbeforcedfromhimbyanyexternalviolence。But，forasmuchasmenthusenteringintosocieties，groundedupontheirmutualcompactsofassistanceforthedefenceoftheirtemporalgoods，may，nevertheless，bedeprivedofthem，eitherbytherapineandfraudoftheirfellowcitizens，orbythehostileviolenceofforeigners，theremedyofthisevilconsistsinarms，riches，andmultitudeofcitizens；theremedyoftheotherinlaws；andthecareofallthingsrelatingbothtooneandtheotheriscommittedbythesocietytothecivilmagistrate。Thisistheoriginal，thisistheuse，andthesearetheboundsofthelegislative（whichisthesupreme）powerineverycommonwealth。Imeanthatprovisionmaybemadeforthesecurityofeachman’sprivatepossessions；forthepeace，riches，andpubliccommoditiesofthewholepeople；and，asmuchaspossible，fortheincreaseoftheirinwardstrengthagainstforeigninvasions。Thesethingsbeingthusexplained，itiseasytounderstandtowhatendthelegislativepoweroughttobedirectedandbywhatmeasuresregulated；
andthatisthetemporalgoodandoutwardprosperityofthesociety；whichisthesolereasonofmen’senteringintosociety，andtheonlythingtheyseekandaimatinit。Anditisalsoevidentwhatlibertyremainstomeninreferencetotheireternalsalvation，andthatisthateveryoneshoulddowhatheinhisconscienceispersuadedtobeacceptabletotheAlmighty，onwhosegoodpleasureandacceptancedependstheireternalhappiness。
Forobedienceisdue，inthefirstplace，toGodand，afterwardstothelaws。Butsomemayask：\"Whatifthemagistrateshouldenjoinanythingbyhisauthoritythatappearsunlawfultotheconscienceofaprivateperson？\"
Ianswerthat，ifgovernmentbefaithfullyadministeredandthecounselsofthemagistratesbeindeeddirectedtothepublicgood，thiswillseldomhappen。Butif，perhaps，itdosofallout，Isay，thatsuchaprivatepersonistoabstainfromtheactionthathejudgesunlawful，andheistoundergothepunishmentwhichitisnotunlawfulforhimtobear。Fortheprivatejudgementofanypersonconcerningalawenactedinpoliticalmatters，forthepublicgood，doesnottakeawaytheobligationofthatlaw，nordeserveadispensation。Butifthelaw，indeed，beconcerningthingsthatlienotwithinthevergeofthemagistrate’sauthority（as，forexample，thatthepeople，oranypartyamongstthem，shouldbecompelledtoembraceastrangereligion，andjoinintheworshipandceremoniesofanotherChurch），menarenotinthesecasesobligedbythatlaw，againsttheirconsciences。Forthepoliticalsocietyisinstitutedfornootherend，butonlytosecureeveryman’spossessionofthethingsofthislife。
Thecareofeachman’ssoulandofthethingsofheaven，whichneitherdoesbelongtothecommonwealthnorcanbesubjectedtoit，isleftentirelytoeveryman’sself。Thusthesafeguardofmen’slivesandofthethingsthatbelonguntothislifeisthebusinessofthecommonwealth；andthepreservingofthosethingsuntotheirownersisthedutyofthemagistrate。
Andthereforethemagistratecannottakeawaytheseworldlythingsfromthismanorpartyandgivethemtothat；norchangeproprietyamongstfellowsubjects（nonotevenbyalaw），foracausethathasnorelationtotheendofcivilgovernment，Imeanfortheirreligion，whichwhetheritbetrueorfalsedoesnoprejudicetotheworldlyconcernsoftheirfellowsubjects，whicharethethingsthatonlybelonguntothecareofthecommonwealth。Butwhatifthemagistratebelievesuchalawasthistobeforthepublicgood？Ianswer：Astheprivatejudgementofanyparticularperson，iferroneous，doesnotexempthimfromtheobligationoflaw，sotheprivatejudgement（asImaycallit）ofthemagistratedoesnotgivehimanynewrightofimposinglawsuponhissubjects，whichneitherwasintheconstitutionofthegovernmentgrantedhim，noreverwasinthepowerofthepeopletogrant，muchlessifhemakeithisbusinesstoenrichandadvancehisfollowersandfellow-sectarieswiththespoilsofothers。Butwhatifthemagistratebelievethathehasarighttomakesuchlawsandthattheyareforthepublicgood，andhissubjectsbelievethecontrary？Whoshallbejudgebetweenthem？Ianswer：Godalone。Forthereisnojudgeuponearthbetweenthesuprememagistrateandthepeople。God，Isay，istheonlyjudgeinthiscase，whowillretributeuntoeveryoneatthelastdayaccordingtohisdeserts；thatis，accordingtohissincerityanduprightnessinendeavouringtopromotepiety，andthepublicweal，andpeaceofmankind。
ButWhatshallbedoneinthemeanwhile？Ianswer：Theprincipalandchiefcareofeveryoneoughttobeofhisownsoulfirst，and，inthenextplace，ofthepublicpeace；thoughyetthereareveryfewwillthinkitispeacethere，wheretheyseealllaidwaste。Therearetwosortsofcontestsamongstmen，theonemanagedbylaw，theotherbyforce；andtheseareofthatnaturethatwheretheoneends，theotheralwaysbegins。Butitisnotmybusinesstoinquireintothepowerofthemagistrateinthedifferentconstitutionsofnations。Ionlyknowwhatusuallyhappenswherecontroversiesarisewithoutajudgetodeterminethem。Youwillsay，then，themagistratebeingthestrongerwillhavehiswillandcarryhispoint。Withoutdoubt；butthequestionisnothereconcerningthedoubtfulnessoftheevent，buttheruleofright。Buttocometoparticulars。Isay，first，noopinionscontrarytohumansociety，ortothosemoralruleswhicharenecessarytothepreservationofcivilsociety，aretobetoleratedbythemagistrate。Butofthese，indeed，examplesinanyChurcharerare。Fornosectcaneasilyarrivetosuchadegreeofmadnessasthatitshouldthinkfittoteach，fordoctrinesofreligion，suchthingsasmanifestlyunderminethefoundationsofsocietyandare，therefore，condemnedbythejudgementofallmankind；becausetheirowninterest，peace，reputation，everythingwouldbetherebyendangered。Anothermoresecretevil，butmoredangeroustothecommonwealth，iswhenmenarrogatetothemselves，andtothoseoftheirownsect，somepeculiarprerogativecoveredoverwithaspeciousshowofdeceitfulwords，butineffectoppositetothecivilrightofthecommunity。Forexample：wecannotfindanysectthatteaches，expresslyandopenly，thatmenarenotobligedtokeeptheirpromise；thatprincesmaybedethronedbythosethatdifferfromtheminreligion；orthatthedominionofallthingsbelongsonlytothemselves。Forthesethings，proposedthusnakedlyandplainly，wouldsoondrawonthemtheeyeandhandofthemagistrateandawakenallthecareofthecommonwealthtoawatchfulnessagainstthespreadingofsodangerousanevil。But，nevertheless，wefindthosethatsaythesamethingsinotherwords。Whatelsedotheymeanwhoteachthatfaithisnottobekeptwithheretics？Theirmeaning，forsooth，isthattheprivilegeofbreakingfaithbelongsuntothemselves；fortheydeclareallthatarenotoftheircommuniontobeheretics，oratleastmaydeclarethemsowhensoevertheythinkfit。Whatcanbethemeaningoftheirassertingthatkingsexcommunicatedforfeittheircrownsandkingdoms？Itisevidentthattheytherebyarrogateuntothemselvesthepowerofdeposingkings，becausetheychallengethepowerofexcommunication，asthepeculiarrightoftheirhierarchy。Thatdominionisfoundedingraceisalsoanassertionbywhichthosethatmaintainitdoplainlylayclaimtothepossessionofallthings。Fortheyarenotsowantingtothemselvesasnottobelieve，oratleastasnottoprofessthemselvestobethetrulypiousandfaithful。These，therefore，andthelike，whoattributeuntothefaithful，religious，andorthodox，thatis，inplainterms，untothemselves，anypeculiarprivilegeorpoweraboveothermortals，incivilconcernments；orwhouponpretenceofreligiondochallengeanymannerofauthorityoversuchasarenotassociatedwiththemintheirecclesiasticalcommunion，Isaythesehavenorighttobetoleratedbythemagistrate；asneitherthosethatwillnotownandteachthedutyoftoleratingallmeninmattersofmerereligion。Forwhatdoalltheseandthelikedoctrinessignify，butthattheymayandarereadyuponanyoccasiontoseizetheGovernmentandpossessthemselvesoftheestatesandfortunesoftheirfellowsubjects；andthattheyonlyaskleavetobetoleratedbythemagistratesolonguntiltheyfindthemselvesstrongenoughtoeffectit？Again：ThatChurchcanhavenorighttobetoleratedbythemagistratewhichisconstituteduponsuchabottomthatallthosewhoenterintoitdotherebyipsofactodeliverthemselvesuptotheprotectionandserviceofanotherprince。Forbythismeansthemagistratewouldgivewaytothesettlingofaforeignjurisdictioninhisowncountryandsufferhisownpeopletobelisted，asitwere，forsoldiersagainsthisownGovernment。
NordoesthefrivolousandfallaciousdistinctionbetweentheCourtandtheChurchaffordanyremedytothisinconvenience；especiallywhenboththeoneandtheotherareequallysubjecttotheabsoluteauthorityofthesameperson，whohasnotonlypowertopersuadethemembersofhisChurchtowhatsoeverhelists，eitheraspurelyreligious，orinorderthereunto，butcanalsoenjoinitthemonpainofeternalfire。ItisridiculousforanyonetoprofesshimselftobeaMahometanonlyinhisreligion，butineverythingelseafaithfulsubjecttoaChristianmagistrate，whilstatthesametimeheacknowledgeshimselfboundtoyieldblindobediencetotheMuftiofConstantinople，whohimselfisentirelyobedienttotheOttomanEmperorandframesthefeignedoraclesofthatreligionaccordingtohispleasure。ButthisMahometanlivingamongstChristianswouldyetmoreapparentlyrenouncetheirgovernmentifheacknowledgedthesamepersontobeheadofhisChurchwhoisthesuprememagistrateinthestate。Lastly，thosearenotatalltobetoleratedwhodenythebeingofaGod。Promises，covenants，andoaths，whicharethebondsofhumansociety，canhavenoholduponanatheist。ThetakingawayofGod，thoughbuteveninthought，dissolvesall；besidesalso，thosethatbytheiratheismundermineanddestroyallreligion，canhavenopretenceofreligionwhereupontochallengetheprivilegeofatoleration。Asforotherpracticalopinions，thoughnotabsolutelyfreefromallerror，iftheydonottendtoestablishdominationoverothers，orcivilimpunitytotheChurchinwhichtheyaretaught，therecanbenoreasonwhytheyshouldnotbetolerated。ItremainsthatIsaysomethingconcerningthoseassemblieswhich，beingvulgarlycalledandperhapshavingsometimesbeenconventiclesandnurseriesoffactionsandseditions，arethoughttoaffordagainstthisdoctrineoftoleration。Butthishasnothappenedbyanythingpeculiaruntothegeniusofsuchassemblies，butbytheunhappycircumstancesofanoppressedorill-settledliberty。TheseaccusationswouldsoonceaseifthelawoftolerationwereoncesosettledthatallChurcheswereobligedtolaydowntolerationasthefoundationoftheirownliberty，andteachthatlibertyofconscienceiseveryman’snaturalright，equallybelongingtodissentersastothemselves；andthatnobodyoughttobecompelledinmattersofreligioneitherbylaworforce。Theestablishmentofthisonethingwouldtakeawayallgroundofcomplaintsandtumultsuponaccountofconscience；andthesecausesofdiscontentsandanimositiesbeingonceremoved，therewouldremainnothingintheseassembliesthatwerenotmorepeaceableandlessapttoproducedisturbanceofstatethaninanyothermeetingswhatsoever。
Butletusexamineparticularlytheheadsoftheseaccusations。Youwillsaythatassembliesandmeetingsendangerthepublicpeaceandthreatenthecommonwealth。Ianswer：Ifthisbeso，whyaretheredailysuchnumerousmeetingsinmarketsandCourtsofJudicature？WhyarecrowdsupontheExchangeandaconcourseofpeopleincitiessuffered？Youwillreply：\"Thosearecivilassemblies，buttheseweobjectagainstareecclesiastical。\"
Ianswer：Itisalikelything，indeed，thatsuchassembliesasarealtogetherremotefromcivilaffairsshouldbemostapttoembroilthem。Oh，butcivilassembliesarecomposedofmenthatdifferfromoneanotherinmattersofreligion，buttheseecclesiasticalmeetingsareofpersonsthatareallofoneopinion。Asifanagreementinmattersofreligionwereineffectaconspiracyagainstthecommonwealth；orasifmenwouldnotbesomuchthemorewarmlyunanimousinreligionthelesslibertytheyhadofassembling。
Butitwillbeurgedstillthatcivilassembliesareopenandfreeforanyonetoenterinto，whereasreligiousconventiclesaremoreprivateandtherebygiveopportunitytoclandestinemachinations。Ianswerthatthisisnotstrictlytrue，formanycivilassembliesarenotopentoeveryone。
Andifsomereligiousmeetingsbeprivate，whoarethey（Ibeseechyou）
thataretobeblamedforit，thosethatdesire，orthosethatforbidtheirbeingpublic！Again，youwillsaythatreligiouscommuniondoesexceedinglyunitemen’smindsandaffectionstooneanotherandisthereforethemoredangerous。Butifthisbeso，whyisnotthemagistrateafraidofhisownChurch；andwhydoeshenotforbidtheirassembliesasthingsdangeroustohisGovernment？Youwillsaybecausehehimselfisapartandeventheheadofthem。Asifhewerenotalsoapartofthecommonwealth，andtheheadofthewholepeople！Letusthereforedealplainly。ThemagistrateisafraidofotherChurches，butnotofhisown，becauseheiskindandfavourabletotheone，butsevereandcrueltotheother。Thesehetreatslikechildren，andindulgesthemeventowantonness。Thoseheusesasslavesand，howblamelesslysoevertheydemeanthemselves，recompensesthemnootherwisethanbygalleys，prisons，confiscations，anddeath。Thesehecherishesanddefends；thosehecontinuallyscourgesandoppresses。Lethimturnthetables。Orletthosedissentersenjoybutthesameprivilegesincivilsashisothersubjects，andhewillquicklyfindthatthesereligiousmeetingswillbenolongerdangerous。Forifmenenterintoseditiousconspiracies，itisnotreligioninspiresthemtoitintheirmeetings，buttheirsufferingsandoppressionsthatmakethemwillingtoeasethemselves。Justandmoderategovernmentsareeverywherequiet，everywheresafe；butoppressionraisesfermentsandmakesmenstruggletocastoffanuneasyandtyrannicalyoke。Iknowthatseditionsareveryfrequentlyraiseduponpretenceofreligion，butitisastruethatforreligionsubjectsarefrequentlyilltreatedandlivemiserably。Believeme，thestirsthataremadeproceednotfromanypeculiartemperofthisorthatChurchorreligioussociety，butfromthecommondispositionofallmankind，whowhentheygroanunderanyheavyburthenendeavournaturallytoshakeofftheyokethatgallstheirnecks。Supposethisbusinessofreligionwereletalone，andthatthereweresomeotherdistinctionmadebetweenmenandmenuponaccountoftheirdifferentcomplexions，shapes，andfeatures，sothatthosewhohaveblackhair（forexample）orgreyeyesshouldnotenjoythesameprivilegesasothercitizens；thattheyshouldnotbepermittedeithertobuyorsell，orlivebytheircallings；
thatparentsshouldnothavethegovernmentandeducationoftheirownchildren；thatallshouldeitherbeexcludedfromthebenefitofthelaws，ormeetwithpartialjudges；canitbedoubtedbutthesepersons，thusdistinguishedfromothersbythecolouroftheirhairandeyes，andunitedtogetherbyonecommonpersecution，wouldbeasdangeroustothemagistrateasanyothersthathadassociatedthemselvesmerelyupontheaccountofreligion？Someenterintocompanyfortradeandprofit，othersforwantofbusinesshavetheirclubsforclaret。Neighbourhoodjoinssomeandreligionothers。Butthereisonlyonethingwhichgatherspeopleintoseditiouscommotions，andthatisoppression。Youwillsay\"What，willyouhavepeopletomeetatdivineserviceagainstthemagistrate’swill？\"Ianswer：Why，Ipray，againsthiswill？Isitnotbothlawfulandnecessarythattheyshouldmeet？Againsthiswill，doyousay？ThatiswhatIcomplainof；thatistheveryrootofallthemischief。Whyareassemblieslesssufferableinachurchthaninatheatreormarket？Thosethatmeettherearenoteithermoreviciousormoreturbulentthanthosethatmeetelsewhere。Thebusinessinthatisthattheyareillused，andthereforetheyarenottobesuffered。Takeawaythepartialitythatisusedtowardstheminmattersofcommonright；changethelaws，takeawaythepenaltiesuntowhichtheyaresubjected，andallthingswillimmediatelybecomesafeandpeaceable；nay，thosethatareaversetothereligionofthemagistratewillthinkthemselvessomuchthemoreboundtomaintainthepeaceofthecommonwealthastheirconditionisbetterinthatplacethanelsewhere；andalltheseveralseparatecongregations，likesomanyguardiansofthepublicpeace，willwatchoneanother，thatnothingmaybeinnovatedorchangedintheformofthegovernment，becausetheycanhopefornothingbetterthanwhattheyalreadyenjoy-thatis，anequalconditionwiththeirfellow-subjectsunderajustandmoderategovernment。NowifthatChurchwhichagreesinreligionwiththeprincebeesteemedthechiefsupportofanycivilgovernment，andthatfornootherreason（ashasalreadybeenshown）thanbecausetheprinceiskindandthelawsarefavourabletoit，howmuchgreaterwillbethesecurityofgovernmentwhereallgoodsubjects，ofwhatsoeverChurchtheybe，withoutanydistinctionuponaccountofreligion，enjoyingthesamefavouroftheprinceandthesamebenefitofthelaws，shallbecomethecommonsupportandguardofit，andwherenonewillhaveanyoccasiontofeartheseverityofthelawsbutthosethatdoinjuriestotheirneighboursandoffendagainstthecivilpeace？Thatwemaydrawtowardsaconclusion。Thesumofallwedriveatisthateverymanmayenjoythesamerightsthataregrantedtoothers。IsitpermittedtoworshipGodintheRomanmanner？LetitbepermittedtodoitintheGenevaformalso。IsitpermittedtospeakLatininthemarket-place？
LetthosethathaveamindtoitbepermittedtodoitalsointheChurch。
Isitlawfulforanymaninhisownhousetokneel，stand，sit，oruseanyotherposture；andtoclothehimselfinwhiteorblack，inshortorinlonggarments？Letitnotbemadeunlawfultoeatbread，drinkwine，orwashwithwaterinthechurch。Inaword，whatsoeverthingsareleftfreebylawinthecommonoccasionsoflife，letthemremainfreeuntoeveryChurchindivineworship。Letnoman’slife，orbody，orhouse，orestate，sufferanymannerofprejudiceupontheseaccounts。CanyouallowofthePresbyteriandiscipline？WhyshouldnottheEpiscopalalsohavewhattheylike？Ecclesiasticalauthority，whetheritbeadministeredbythehandsofasinglepersonormany，iseverywherethesame；andneitherhasanyjurisdictioninthingscivil，noranymannerofpowerofcompulsion，noranythingatalltodowithrichesandrevenues。Ecclesiasticalassembliesandsermonsarejustifiedbydailyexperienceandpublicallowance。Theseareallowedtopeopleofsomeonepersuasion；
whynottoall？Ifanythingpassinareligiousmeetingseditiouslyandcontrarytothepublicpeace，itistobepunishedinthesamemannerandnootherwisethanasifithadhappenedinafairormarket。Thesemeetingsoughtnottobesanctuariesforfactiousandflagitiousfellows。Noroughtittobelesslawfulformentomeetinchurchesthaninhalls；norareonepartofthesubjectstobeesteemedmoreblamablefortheirmeetingtogetherthanothers。Everyoneistobeaccountableforhisownactions，andnomanistobelaidunderasuspicionorodiumforthefaultofanother。
Thosethatareseditious，murderers，thieves，robbers，adulterers，slanderers，etc。，ofwhatsoeverChurch，whethernationalornot，oughttobepunishedandsuppressed。Butthosewhosedoctrineispeaceableandwhosemannersarepureandblamelessoughttobeuponequaltermswiththeirfellow-subjects。
Thusifsolemnassemblies，observationsoffestivals，publicworshipbepermittedtoanyonesortofprofessors，allthesethingsoughttobepermittedtothePresbyterians，Independents，Anabaptists，Arminians，Quakers，andothers，withthesameliberty。Nay，ifwemayopenlyspeakthetruth，andasbecomesonemantoanother，neitherPagannorMahometan，norJew，oughttobeexcludedfromthecivilrightsofthecommonwealthbecauseofhisreligion。TheGospelcommandsnosuchthing。TheChurchwhich\"judgethnotthosethatarewithout\"（ICor。5。12，13）wantsitnot。Andthecommonwealth，whichembracesindifferentlyallmenthatarehonest，peaceable，andindustrious，requiresitnot。ShallwesufferaPagantodealandtradewithus，andshallwenotsufferhimtoprayuntoandworshipGod？IfweallowtheJewstohaveprivatehousesanddwellingsamongstus，whyshouldwenotallowthemtohavesynagogues？Istheirdoctrinemorefalse，theirworshipmoreabominable，oristhecivilpeacemoreendangeredbytheirmeetinginpublicthanintheirprivatehouses？ButifthesethingsmaybegrantedtoJewsandPagans，surelytheconditionofanyChristiansoughtnottobeworsethantheirsinaChristiancommonwealth。Youwillsay，perhaps：\"Yes，itoughttobe；becausetheyaremoreinclinabletofactions，tumults，andcivilwars。\"Ianswer：IsthisthefaultoftheChristianreligion？Ifitbeso，trulytheChristianreligionistheworstofallreligionsandoughtneithertobeembracedbyanyparticularperson，nortoleratedbyanycommonwealth。Forifthisbethegenius，thisthenatureoftheChristianreligion，tobeturbulentanddestructivetothecivilpeace，thatChurchitselfwhichthemagistrateindulgeswillnotalwaysbeinnocent。Butfarbeitfromustosayanysuchthingofthatreligionwhichcarriesthegreatestoppositiontocovetousness，ambition，discord，contention，andallmannerofinordinatedesires，andisthemostmodestandpeaceablereligionthateverwas。Wemust，therefore，seekanothercauseofthoseevilsthatarechargeduponreligion。And，ifweconsiderright，weshallfindittoconsistwhollyinthesubjectthatIamtreatingof。Itisnotthediversityofopinions（whichcannotbeavoided），buttherefusaloftolerationtothosethatareofdifferentopinions（whichmighthavebeengranted），thathasproducedallthebustlesandwarsthathavebeenintheChristianworlduponaccountofreligion。TheheadsandleadersoftheChurch，movedbyavariceandinsatiabledesireofdominion，makinguseoftheimmoderateambitionofmagistratesandthecreduloussuperstitionofthegiddymultitude，haveincensedandanimatedthemagainstthosethatdissentfromthemselves，bypreachinguntothem，contrarytothelawsoftheGospelandtothepreceptsofcharity，thatschismaticsandhereticsaretobeoutedoftheirpossessionsanddestroyed。Andthushavetheymixedtogetherandconfoundedtwothingsthatareinthemselvesmostdifferent，theChurchandthecommonwealth。Nowasitisverydifficultformenpatientlytosufferthemselvestobestrippedofthegoodswhichtheyhavegotbytheirhonestindustry，and，contrarytoallthelawsofequity，bothhumananddivine，tobedeliveredupforapreytoothermen’sviolenceandrapine；especiallywhentheyareotherwisealtogetherblameless；
andthattheoccasionforwhichtheyarethustreateddoesnotatallbelongtothejurisdictionofthemagistrate，butentirelytotheconscienceofeveryparticularmanfortheconductofwhichheisaccountabletoGodonly；whatelsecanbeexpectedbutthatthesemen，growingwearyoftheevilsunderwhichtheylabour，shouldintheendthinkitlawfulforthemtoresistforcewithforce，andtodefendtheirnaturalrights（whicharenotforfeitableuponaccountofreligion）witharmsaswellastheycan？
Thatthishasbeenhithertotheordinarycourseofthingsisabundantlyevidentinhistory，andthatitwillcontinuetobesohereafterisbuttooapparentinreason。Itcannotindeed，beotherwisesolongastheprincipleofpersecutionforreligionshallprevail，asithasdonehitherto，withmagistrateandpeople，andsolongasthosethatoughttobethepreachersofpeaceandconcordshallcontinuewithalltheirartandstrengthtoexcitementoarmsandsoundthetrumpetofwar。Butthatmagistratesshouldthussuffertheseincendiariesanddisturbersofthepublicpeacemightjustlybewonderedatifitdidnotappearthattheyhavebeeninvitedbythemuntoaparticipationofthespoil，andhavethereforethoughtfittomakeuseoftheircovetousnessandprideasmeanswherebytoincreasetheirownpower。Forwhodoesnotseethatthesegoodmenare，indeed，moreministersofthegovernmentthanministersoftheGospelandthat，byflatteringtheambitionandfavouringthedominionofprincesandmeninauthority，theyendeavourwithalltheirmighttopromotethattyrannyinthecommonwealthwhichotherwisetheyshouldnotbeabletoestablishintheChurch？ThisistheunhappyagreementthatweseebetweentheChurchandState。Whereasifeachofthemwouldcontainitselfwithinitsownbounds-theoneattendingtotheworldlywelfareofthecommonwealth，theothertothesalvationofsouls-itisimpossiblethatanydiscordshouldeverhavehappenedbetweenthem。Sedpudethoecopprobria。etc。GodAlmightygrant，IbeseechHim，thatthegospelofpeacemayatlengthbepreached，andthatcivilmagistrates，growingmorecarefultoconformtheirownconsciencestothelawofGodandlesssolicitousaboutthebindingofothermen’sconsciencesbyhumanlaws，may，likefathersoftheircountry，directalltheircounselsandendeavourstopromoteuniversallythecivilwelfareofalltheirchildren，exceptonlyofsuchasarearrogant，ungovernable，andinjurioustotheirbrethren；andthatallecclesiasticalmen，whoboastthemselvestobethesuccessorsoftheApostles，walkingpeaceablyandmodestlyintheApostles’steps，withoutintermeddlingwithStateAffairs，mayapplythemselveswhollytopromotethesalvationofsouls。FAREWELL。PERHAPSitmaynotbeamisstoaddafewthingsconcerningheresyandschism。ATurkisnot，norcanbe，eitherhereticorschismatictoaChristian；
andifanymanfallofffromtheChristianfaithtoMahometism，hedoesnottherebybecomeahereticorschismatic，butanapostateandaninfidel。
Thisnobodydoubtsof；andbythisitappearsthatmenofdifferentreligionscannotbehereticsorschismaticstooneanother。Wearetoinquire，therefore，whatmenareofthesamereligion。Concerningwhichitismanifestthatthosewhohaveoneandthesameruleoffaithandworshipareofthesamereligion；andthosewhohavenotthesameruleoffaithandworshipareofdifferentreligions。Forsinceallthingsthatbelonguntothatreligionarecontainedinthatrule，itfollowsnecessarilythatthosewhoagreeinoneruleareofoneandthesamereligion，andviceversa。ThusTurksandChristiansareofdifferentreligions，becausethesetaketheHolyScripturestobetheruleoftheirreligion，andthosetheAlcoran。AndforthesamereasontheremaybedifferentreligionsalsoevenamongstChristians。ThePapistsandLutherans，thoughbothofthemprofessfaithinChristandarethereforecalledChristians，yetarenotbothofthesamereligion，becausetheseacknowledgenothingbuttheHolyScripturestobetheruleandfoundationoftheirreligion，thosetakeinalsotraditionsandthedecreesofPopesandofthesetogethermaketheruleoftheirreligion；andthustheChristiansofSt。John（astheyarecalled）andtheChristiansofGenevaareofdifferentreligions，becausethesealsotakeonlytheScriptures，andthoseIknownotwhattraditions，fortheruleoftheirreligion。Thisbeingsettled，itfollows，first，thatheresyisaseparationmadeinecclesiasticalcommunionbetweenmenofthesamereligionforsomeopinionsnowaycontainedintheruleitself；and，secondly，thatamongstthosewhoacknowledgenothingbuttheHolyScripturestobetheirruleoffaith，heresyisaseparationmadeintheirChristiancommunionforopinionsnotcontainedintheexpresswordsofScripture。Nowthisseparationmaybemadeinatwofoldmanner：1。Whenthegreaterpart，orbythemagistrate’spatronagethestrongerpart，oftheChurchseparatesitselffromothersbyexcludingthemoutofhercommunionbecausetheywillnotprofesstheirbeliefofcertainopinionswhicharenottheexpresswordsoftheScripture。Foritisnotthepaucityofthosethatareseparated，northeauthorityofthemagistrate，thatcanmakeanymanguiltyofheresy，butheonlyisahereticwhodividestheChurchintoparts，introducesnamesandmarksofdistinction，andvoluntarilymakesaseparationbecauseofsuchopinions。2。WhenanyoneseparateshimselffromthecommunionofaChurchbecausethatChurchdoesnotpubliclyprofesssomecertainopinionswhichtheHolyScripturesdonotexpresslyteach。Boththesearehereticsbecausetheyerrinfundamentals，andtheyerrobstinatelyagainstknowledge；forwhentheyhavedeterminedtheHolyScripturestobetheonlyfoundationoffaith，theyneverthelesslaydowncertainpropositionsasfundamentalwhicharenotintheScripture，andbecauseotherswillnotacknowledgetheseadditionalopinionsoftheirs，norbuilduponthemasiftheywerenecessaryandfundamental，theythereforemakeaseparationintheChurch，eitherbywithdrawingthemselvesfromothers，orexpellingtheothersfromthem。NordoesitsignifyanythingforthemtosaythattheirconfessionsandsymbolsareagreeabletoScriptureandtotheanalogyoffaith；foriftheybeconceivedintheexpresswordsofScripture，therecanbenoquestionaboutthem，becausethosethingsareacknowledgedbyallChristianstobeofdivineinspirationandthereforefundamental。ButiftheysaythatthearticleswhichtheyrequiretobeprofessedareconsequencesdeducedfromtheScripture，itisundoubtedlywelldoneofthemwhobelieveandprofesssuchthingsasseemuntothemsoagreeabletotheruleoffaith。ButitwouldbeveryilldonetoobtrudethosethingsuponothersuntowhomtheydonotseemtobetheindubitabledoctrinesoftheScripture；andtomakeaseparationforsuchthingsasthese，whichneitherarenorcanbefundamental，istobecomeheretics；
forIdonotthinkthereisanymanarrivedtothatdegreeofmadnessasthathedaregiveouthisconsequencesandinterpretationsofScriptureasdivineinspirationsandcomparethearticlesoffaiththathehasframedaccordingtohisownfancywiththeauthorityofScripture。IknowtherearesomepropositionssoevidentlyagreeabletoScripturethatnobodycandenythemtobedrawnfromthence，butaboutthose，therefore，therecanbenodifference。ThisonlyIsay-thathoweverclearlywemaythinkthisortheotherdoctrinetobededucedfromScripture，weoughtnotthereforetoimposeituponothersasanecessaryarticleoffaithbecausewebelieveittobeagreeabletotheruleoffaith，unlesswewouldbecontentalsothatotherdoctrinesshouldbeimposeduponusinthesamemanner，andthatweshouldbecompelledtoreceiveandprofessallthedifferentandcontradictoryopinionsofLutherans，Calvinists，Remonstrants，Anabaptists，andothersectswhichthecontriversofsymbols，systems，andconfessionsareaccustomedtodelivertotheirfollowersasgenuineandnecessarydeductionsfromtheHolyScripture。IcannotbutwonderattheextravagantarroganceofthosemenwhothinkthattheythemselvescanexplainthingsnecessarytosalvationmoreclearlythantheHolyGhost，theeternalandinfinitewisdomofGod。Thusmuchconcerningheresy，whichwordincommonuseisappliedonlytothedoctrinalpartofreligion。Letusnowconsiderschism，whichisacrimenearakintoit；forboththesewordsseemuntometosignifyanill-groundedseparationinecclesiasticalcommunionmadeaboutthingsnotnecessary。Butsinceuse，whichisthesupremelawinmatteroflanguage，hasdeterminedthatheresyrelatestoerrorsinfaith，andschismtothoseinworshipordiscipline，wemustconsiderthemunderthatdistinction。Schism，then，forthesamereasonsthathavealreadybeenalleged，isnothingelsebutaseparationmadeinthecommunionoftheChurchuponaccountofsomethingindivineworshiporecclesiasticaldisciplinethatisnotanynecessarypartofit。Now，nothinginworshipordisciplinecanbenecessarytoChristiancommunionbutwhatChristourlegislator，ortheApostlesbyinspirationoftheHolySpirit，havecommandedinexpresswords。Inaword，hethatdeniesnotanythingthattheHolyScripturesteachinexpresswords，normakesaseparationuponoccasionofanythingthatisnotmanifestlycontainedinthesacredtext-howeverhemaybenicknamedbyanysectofChristiansanddeclaredbysomeorallofthemtobeutterlyvoidoftrueChristianity-yetindeedandintruththismancannotbeeitherahereticorschismatic。Thesethingsmighthavebeenexplainedmorelargelyandmoreadvantageously，butitisenoughtohavehintedatthemthusbrieflytoapersonofyourparts。THEEND