Home / Authors / Roger Williams

Roger Williams

Roger Williams Quotes

Theologian

Roger Williams (1603-1683) was an English theologian and political philosopher, known for his contributions to religious freedom and democratic governance. He is recognized as a pioneer in the development of American constitutional and democratic principles.

Filter quotes by topic

All Christ Men Church Conscience Jesus States World Ifs Magistrates May Soul Worship Body Christian Law Lord People Religious Uniformity Witness

Famous Roger Williams Quotes

“All civil states, with their officers of justice, in their respective constitutions and administrations, are proved essentially civil, and therefore not judges, governors, or defenders of the spiritual, or Christian, state and worship.”

States Christian Spiritual Justice Judging Civilization Worship Constitution Administration Officers Governors Defenders

Book:On Religious Liberty: Selections from the Works of Roger Williams

Source: On Religious Liberty: Selections from the Works of Roger Williams

“There goes many a ship to sea, with many hundred souls in one ship, whose weal and woe is common, and is a true picture of a commonwealth or a human combination or society. It hath fallen out sometimes that Papists, Protestants, Jews, and Turks may be embarked in one ship; upon which supposal I affirm that all the liberty of conscience that ever I pleaded for turns upon these two hinges: that none of the Papists, Protestants, Jews, or Turks be forced to come to the ships prayers or worship, nor be compelled [restrained] from their own particular prayers or worship, if they practice any.”

Ifs Humans May Two Soul Sometimes Turns Prayer Common Liberty Practice Sea Particular Worship Hundred Conscience Jew Ships Combination Fallen Woe Compelled Protestants Commonwealth Hinges

Author:Roger Williams

“A false worship will not hurt the civil state if the worshipper breaks no civil law.”

Ifs States Law Hurt Break Worship Worshippers

Author:Roger Williams

“In my plea for freedom to all consciences in matters merely of worship, I have impartially pleaded for freedom of the consciences of the Papists themselves, the greatest enemies and persecutors in Europe of the saints and truths of Jesus; yet I have pleaded for no more than is their due and right. Whatever else shall be the consequence of this plea, it shall stand for a monument and testimony against them and be an aggravation of their former, present, and future cruelties against Christ Jesus the Head, and all that uprightly love Him, His true disciples and followers.”

Matter Jesus Christ Enemy Worship Conscience Consequence Europe Saint Dues Cruelty Former Followers Disciple Testimony Monument Aggravation

Author:Roger Williams

“Forced worship stinks in God's nostrils”

Book:Publications of the Narragansett Club: First series

Source: Publications of the Narragansett Club: First series