HISTORY OF VERMONT. S83 



In possession of the truth, and thut all the others 

 are full of errors. Such a toleration is the most 

 that can be obtained by the minority, in any na- 

 tion, where the majority assume the right and 

 the power, to bind society, by established laws 

 and forms in religion. The body of the people 

 in this commonwealth, carr)- their ideas of reli- 

 gious liberty much' further than thi^ ; tliat no 

 party shall have any power to make laws or 

 forms to oblisre another ; that each denomina- 

 ■tion may lay themselves under what civil con- 

 tracts and obligations they please; but that 

 government shall not make any distinctions be- 

 tween them ; that all d«5iominations shall enjoy 

 equi^l liberty, without any legal distinction or 

 preemiaence whatever. 



Th£ efk!ct of this religious freedom, is peace, 

 tjuietDCss, and prosperity to the state. No man 

 is chosen to, or excluded from civil offices, on 

 account of his particular religious sentiments. 

 The clerg}* of the several denominations, ha^e no 

 chance to assume any powers, but among their 

 own party. The people are under no obliga- 

 tion to support any teachers, but what they 

 choose to lay themselves under. And no civil 

 advantages are to be gained, or lost, by belong'- 

 ing to one denomination, rather than toanothcfi 

 The causes and the motives to contention being 

 thus taken away, there is scarcely any thing left 

 to influence men to join one denomination rath- 

 er than another, but belief, sentiment, and con- 

 science. In this equality of all parties, religious 

 professions become what they always ought to 

 be ; not matters of gain, profit, or civil distinc- 

 tioins ; but mutters of opinion, persuasion, 



