Samuel Adams,
The Rights of the Colonists
(1772)
In regard to religion, mutual toleration in the different professions thereof is what all good and candid minds in all ages have ever practised, and, both by precept and example, inculcated on mankind. And it is now generally agreed among Christians that this spirit of toleration, in the fullest extent consistent with the being of civil society, is the chief characteristical mark of the Church. Insomuch that Mr. Locke has asserted and proved, beyond the possibility of contradiction on any solid ground, that such toleration ought to be extended to all whose doctrines are not subversive of society. The only sects which he thinks ought to be, and which by all wise laws are excluded from such toleration, are those who teach doctrines subversive of the civil government under which they live.
Interesting quote. Going farther:::> //... indifferent and impartial judges in all cases that may happen, whether civil, ecclesiastical, marine, or military.//
ReplyDeleteThe more I ponder this brew the worse I get. I am at a lose when it comes to indifferent and impartial judges. We make different and partial judgments about selecting them. Just like the "U.S. Constitution" is the object from which all three branches of Government are to co-equally govern from and to be guided by, how in the world can we arrive at indifference and impartiality when, as you noted before, IF there is no solemnity in agreement to go about the task at hand?
Besides Amos,
Amo 3:3 "Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet?
There's this too:
Mat 18:18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Mat 18:19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.
Mat 18:20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."
So we are back to toleration so long as they are not subversive of society I suppose, huh? :)
As True followers of Christ, this seems to be the beacon of HOPE:::>
Mat 6:9 Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Mat 6:10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
AS IT IS IN HEAVEN!