Nancy Pelosi inspired Democrats attending the Democratic Convention on Wednesday, September 5, with the following mantra: "It's just plain wrong." This is the type of chant that Democrats love to repeat. Pelosi erroneously stated that Republicans are against the reproductive health of women! She used these words instead of the abortion word. I have this to say to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi: "Ms. Pelosi, with all due respect, you are just plain wrong!" Many Republicans are against abortion, but abortion and reproductive health are two different and unrelated issues. Is it healthy to get an abortion? Are Republicans against women having healthy reproductive systems? This is either another false conspiracy theory or it is a deliberately misleading statement.
The Views Expressed by Liberal Democrats are "just plain wrong"
Liberal democrats believe that all of the ideals and values Republicans represent are "just plain wrong." Actually, what is "just plain wrong" is the prominent views of the Democratic party. Democrats simply do not understand the truth about many important issues. For instance, Tuesday's Democratic National Convention witnessed Democratic leaders boasting about the values and top political agendas favored by Democrats: abortion and gay marriage.
President Barack Obama is the First U.S. President to Publicly Support Gay Marriage
In fact, a point was made by one of the speakers at the Democratic Convention on Tuesday that Barack Obama is the first President of the United States of America to officially stand up for gay marriage. Yes, this is what Democrats offer to Americans: Let every woman have the right to get an abortion, and allow every gay man and woman to get married.
Agendas Professed by Democratic Leaders are not the Main Issues Facing Many Americans
These are evidently two of the most important issues represented by Democratic leaders at the 2012 Democratic National Convention. I'm sorry to inform Nancy Pelosi and those Democrats who agree with her unjustifiable diatribe that she, along with her fellow Democratic leaders, are all "just plain wrong" about Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan's plans to save America from economic disaster. Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan understand the issues that are important to the majority of American voters, and these two Republican candidates offer Americans real hope for their futures.
Conservative Wordsmith Susan Baldwin
Showing posts with label 2012 presidential election. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2012 presidential election. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Pelosi Substitutes Reproductive Health for Abortion
Nancy Pelosi, the House Minority Leader, had the audacity to say that Republicans fight against the reproductive health of women. Nancy Pelosi expressed this sentiment at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday. It is obvious that she was referring to abortion, but she did not have enough chutzpah to say the politically incorrect abortion word. Instead, Pelosi would have Americans believe the lie that Republicans want to damage the reproductive health of women.
Nancy Pelosi Must Get her Information from an Unknown Planet
I would like to ask Nancy Pelosi where she gets her information. It is news to me that women are protecting their reproductive organs when they have abortions. This is just one more lie stemming from the lips of Democrats at the 2012 Democratic National Convention. Truthfully, it is difficult to stomach the words that emanate from the mouths of some Democratic leaders.
Four More Years of Barack Obama's "Leadership" Means Four More Years of Unemployment for Many Americans
This is the bottom line: A vote for Barack Obama to reside in the Oval Office for "four more years" (another favorite Democratic mantra) is a vote in favor of abortion, gay marriage and unemployement. Serious American voters need to forget about Barack Obama sitting in the Oval Office for another four years. Americans need Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan in the White House. Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan are more than capable of steering America in the right direction.
Nancy Pelosi Must Get her Information from an Unknown Planet
I would like to ask Nancy Pelosi where she gets her information. It is news to me that women are protecting their reproductive organs when they have abortions. This is just one more lie stemming from the lips of Democrats at the 2012 Democratic National Convention. Truthfully, it is difficult to stomach the words that emanate from the mouths of some Democratic leaders.
Four More Years of Barack Obama's "Leadership" Means Four More Years of Unemployment for Many Americans
This is the bottom line: A vote for Barack Obama to reside in the Oval Office for "four more years" (another favorite Democratic mantra) is a vote in favor of abortion, gay marriage and unemployement. Serious American voters need to forget about Barack Obama sitting in the Oval Office for another four years. Americans need Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan in the White House. Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan are more than capable of steering America in the right direction.
Friday, August 31, 2012
2012 RNC Speeches Captivate Republican Hearts
I spent much of the week watching the fantastic speeches given at the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Tampa, Florida. Ann Romney set the place ablaze with her speech. I am amazed at the eloquent words spoken by Condoleezza Rice and the wise words delivered by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie when he said that his mother taught him that respect is more important than love. Rick Santorum gave a moving speech in which he mentioned the plight of the unborn who are needlessly aborted.
All of the Republican senators delivered excellent speeches. Who could not appreciate the excellent speech delivered by Marco Rubio, the U.S. Senator representing Florida? Of course, Mitt Romney's outstanding speech was highly anticipated, and it did not disappoint the large crowd who interrupted it to unanimously shout "U.S.A." several times. A commentator mentioned that Mitt Romney wrote the speech himself. My opinion is that Mitt Romney's acceptance speech reflects the words of a humble and sincere man who wants to get America back on track.
My conservative friends on Facebook agree that the Republican National Convention was a huge success. Many Facebook conservatives are posting glowing comments about the various speeches, especially those given by Ann Romney, Paul Ryan and Gov. Mitt Romney (in that order).
If you missed any of the Republican National Convention speeches, you can listen to a few of them by clicking the following links:
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/08/28/transcript-ann-romney-speech-at-republican-national-convention/
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/08/29/transcript-paul-ryan-speech-at-rnc/
http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Chris-Christie-Republican-National-Convention-Speech-Transcript-RNC-Tampa-Florida-167775285.html
http://www.humanevents.com/2012/08/30/transcript-of-mitt-romneys-2012-rnc-acceptance-speech/
Related Links:
http://www.facebook.com/Conservative.Wordsmith
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/in-speechwriting-romney-is-his-own-tinkerer-in-chief/2012/08/29/e70d858c-f1ec-11e1-892d-bc92fee603a7_story.html?wprss=rss_whitehouse
All of the Republican senators delivered excellent speeches. Who could not appreciate the excellent speech delivered by Marco Rubio, the U.S. Senator representing Florida? Of course, Mitt Romney's outstanding speech was highly anticipated, and it did not disappoint the large crowd who interrupted it to unanimously shout "U.S.A." several times. A commentator mentioned that Mitt Romney wrote the speech himself. My opinion is that Mitt Romney's acceptance speech reflects the words of a humble and sincere man who wants to get America back on track.
My conservative friends on Facebook agree that the Republican National Convention was a huge success. Many Facebook conservatives are posting glowing comments about the various speeches, especially those given by Ann Romney, Paul Ryan and Gov. Mitt Romney (in that order).
If you missed any of the Republican National Convention speeches, you can listen to a few of them by clicking the following links:
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/08/28/transcript-ann-romney-speech-at-republican-national-convention/
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/08/29/transcript-paul-ryan-speech-at-rnc/
http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Chris-Christie-Republican-National-Convention-Speech-Transcript-RNC-Tampa-Florida-167775285.html
http://www.humanevents.com/2012/08/30/transcript-of-mitt-romneys-2012-rnc-acceptance-speech/
Related Links:
http://www.facebook.com/Conservative.Wordsmith
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/in-speechwriting-romney-is-his-own-tinkerer-in-chief/2012/08/29/e70d858c-f1ec-11e1-892d-bc92fee603a7_story.html?wprss=rss_whitehouse
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Mitt Romney To Reveal Jobs Plan Containing 59 Ideas
Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney, who is also the former Governor of Massachusetts, has 59 definite ideas he wants to introduce to get the American economy rolling again, and Mitt Romney plans carrying out 10 of these proposals in a concrete way as soon as he is elected. Mitt Romney believes that entrepreneurs and investors, rather than the United States government, need to create more jobs to stimulate the economy.
In reference to President Barack Obama's views on the betterment of the economic crisis in America, Mitt Romney said the following: "The contrast between what the Obama administration has done and what I would do as president could not be starker."
Mitt Romney plans to reveal his entire jobs plan to help the United States economy on Tuesday, September 5, 2011, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
You might also enjoy viewing:
Mitt Romney In The Mittchant (Merchant) of Venice: A Political Look At William Shakespeare's Play
In reference to President Barack Obama's views on the betterment of the economic crisis in America, Mitt Romney said the following: "The contrast between what the Obama administration has done and what I would do as president could not be starker."
Mitt Romney plans to reveal his entire jobs plan to help the United States economy on Tuesday, September 5, 2011, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
You might also enjoy viewing:
Mitt Romney In The Mittchant (Merchant) of Venice: A Political Look At William Shakespeare's Play
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Romney Still Wins Hearts of NH Voters in NH GOP Primary
Mitt Romney is the top Republican presidential contender in the New Hampshire primary. Recent survey results conducted by New Hampshire Magellan Data and Mapping Strategies on Tuesday, August 15th, and Wednesday, August 16th, indicate that Mitt Romney is even a good deal ahead of Rick Perry.
According to the Magellan survey, Mitt Romney received favorable opinions equaling 66 percent, Paul Ryan received favorable opinions of 51 percent and Ron Paul only received favorable opinions equaling 39 percent.
The voters were asked who they would vote for if the 2012 Republican Presidential primary election were to take place now, and Mitt Romney received 36 percent of the potential votes, in comparison to Rick Perry's 18 percent. All of the other Republican presidential hopefuls received even less potential votes, with Ron Paul maxing out at 14 percent and Michele Bachmann at only 10 percent.
The New Hampshire voters were also asked if they were familiar with the results of the Ames Straw Poll in Iowa this past weekend, and 86 percent indicated that they were familiar with the poll. Then they were asked what kind of impact the Ames Straw Poll had on their vote for a particular Republican presidential candidate, and only four percent of the New Hampshire folks answered, "a lot."
Perhaps many Republican voters are going to learn their lessons about Mormon bias in the 2008 presidential election. Even though there were top Republican conservative Christians that endorsed Mitt Romney in the 2008 election, the general bias against Mormons, or Latter-Day Saints, on the part of many Christian voters was largely responsible for the fact that former Governor of Massachusetts Mitt Romney, a Latter-Day Saint, never had a chance to actually run against Barack Obama.
It needs mentioning, though, that several GOP members are hoping for Paul Ryan's entrance into the presidential race, but Paul Ryan has not yet announced whether he intends to run for U.S. President in the 2012 election. Paul Ryan's decision, if it is a yes, is bound to create an interesting twist to the 2012 presidential election plot, at least as far as Republicans are concerned.
According to the Magellan survey, Mitt Romney received favorable opinions equaling 66 percent, Paul Ryan received favorable opinions of 51 percent and Ron Paul only received favorable opinions equaling 39 percent.
The voters were asked who they would vote for if the 2012 Republican Presidential primary election were to take place now, and Mitt Romney received 36 percent of the potential votes, in comparison to Rick Perry's 18 percent. All of the other Republican presidential hopefuls received even less potential votes, with Ron Paul maxing out at 14 percent and Michele Bachmann at only 10 percent.
The New Hampshire voters were also asked if they were familiar with the results of the Ames Straw Poll in Iowa this past weekend, and 86 percent indicated that they were familiar with the poll. Then they were asked what kind of impact the Ames Straw Poll had on their vote for a particular Republican presidential candidate, and only four percent of the New Hampshire folks answered, "a lot."
Perhaps many Republican voters are going to learn their lessons about Mormon bias in the 2008 presidential election. Even though there were top Republican conservative Christians that endorsed Mitt Romney in the 2008 election, the general bias against Mormons, or Latter-Day Saints, on the part of many Christian voters was largely responsible for the fact that former Governor of Massachusetts Mitt Romney, a Latter-Day Saint, never had a chance to actually run against Barack Obama.
It needs mentioning, though, that several GOP members are hoping for Paul Ryan's entrance into the presidential race, but Paul Ryan has not yet announced whether he intends to run for U.S. President in the 2012 election. Paul Ryan's decision, if it is a yes, is bound to create an interesting twist to the 2012 presidential election plot, at least as far as Republicans are concerned.
Is Paul Ryan the Next Mr. President in 2012?
The 2012 Republican presidential primary race draws closer, and the
question as to whether Paul Ryan is the Republican presidential
candidate headed for the White House arises. Is Paul Ryan the new Ronald
Reagan? Is Paul Ryan the Republican who can save America's economic
crisis with his innovative Ryanomics that apply to today's economic
budget woes?
There are those in the GOP who want the
question as to whether Paul Ryan is the Republican presidential
candidate headed for the White House arises. Is Paul Ryan the new Ronald
Reagan? Is Paul Ryan the Republican who can save America's economic
crisis with his innovative Ryanomics that apply to today's economic
budget woes?
There are those in the GOP who want the
economic genius, Wisconsin Republican congressman Paul Ryan, to run for
president, including Indiana governor Mitch Daniels, who stated during a
telephone interview Wednesday
morning, "If there were a Paul Ryan fan club, I'd be a national
officer." Jeb Bush, the 43rd governor of Florida, and the younger
brother of former U.S. President George W. Bush, also believes in Paul
Ryan's abilities. Jeb Bush stated that, "Paul Ryan would be a formidable candidate."
Republicans need to make sure the right person is in the race if America
president, including Indiana governor Mitch Daniels, who stated during a
telephone interview Wednesday
morning, "If there were a Paul Ryan fan club, I'd be a national
officer." Jeb Bush, the 43rd governor of Florida, and the younger
brother of former U.S. President George W. Bush, also believes in Paul
Ryan's abilities. Jeb Bush stated that, "Paul Ryan would be a formidable candidate."
Republicans need to make sure the right person is in the race if America
is to receive relief from President Barack Obama's highly questionable
leadership skills. Paul Ryan has not made any official announcements to
date that he intends to run for president in 2012, but Wisconsin
Republican congressman Paul Ryan seems to have the vision and clarity
that might qualify him as a person who is capable of solving the current
economic crisis in America.
leadership skills. Paul Ryan has not made any official announcements to
date that he intends to run for president in 2012, but Wisconsin
Republican congressman Paul Ryan seems to have the vision and clarity
that might qualify him as a person who is capable of solving the current
economic crisis in America.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Donald Trump Vs Barack Obama in 2012 Election Showdown?
I recently read British journalist Hadley Freeman's article published on the British website, guardian.co.uk (Donald Trump: the Republican's only hope). In this article, the journalist refers to both Fox News and Donald Trump as being "monsters" who are akin to Mary Shelley's monster (I prefer the word "creature").
The author discusses the potential of Donald Trump (whom she refers to as being a "birther") as a 2012 US Republican presidential candidate pitted against the current United States President, Democrat Barack Obama. In Mary Shelley's classic novel Frankenstein, this monster or creature is created by the insane scientist Victor Frankenstein. Hadley Freeman refers to Fox as being similar to Victor Frankenstein in its creation of the monster Donald Trump.
I joined the guardian.co.uk website and made a comment. Please click this link to read the very liberal viewpoints found in Hadley Freeman's article and the comment by "moi", USAWordsmith.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/apr/06/donald-trump-us-presidential-candidatePersonally, I would love to hear American billionaire Donald Trump tell President Barack Obama his famous words from the hit television show, The Apprentice: "YOU'RE FIRED!"
Thursday, September 23, 2010
INDEPENDENTS SHIFTING RIGHT TO FAVOR REPUBLICANS IN NOVEMBER
According to a new Pew Research Center survey, Independent voters are highly likely to switch gears and vote for Republicans in the November election. This could be the key factor in Republicans gaining control of the House and Senate again. Democrats have a lot to be worried about right now.
Obama has been steadily losing popularity. The Rasmussen Daily Presidential Polls have repeatedly indicated this fact. Obama's plan to bring his variety of "change" to America is not what the vast majority of Americans want or need. Will a Republican be in the White House again in 2012? Only time will tell, but chances are looking very good at the moment.
Obama has been steadily losing popularity. The Rasmussen Daily Presidential Polls have repeatedly indicated this fact. Obama's plan to bring his variety of "change" to America is not what the vast majority of Americans want or need. Will a Republican be in the White House again in 2012? Only time will tell, but chances are looking very good at the moment.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Obama Ratings Have Congressional Democrats Worried
Obama Ratings and South Africa News.Net: Obama Ratings do not look good to Congressional Democrats according to a South Africa News. Net article published today.
"Political experts have said they believe Republicans will have an easier time than Democrats in motivating their supporters this year due to the president’s poor standing in the polls. Mr Obama's approval rating is around 50 percent or just below in most recent polls. Public-opinion surveys show most Americans find the president likeable, but may not agree with his policies." {1}
{1} Congressional Democrats worried over Obama ratings
South Africa News.NetTuesday 27th April, 2010
"Political experts have said they believe Republicans will have an easier time than Democrats in motivating their supporters this year due to the president’s poor standing in the polls. Mr Obama's approval rating is around 50 percent or just below in most recent polls. Public-opinion surveys show most Americans find the president likeable, but may not agree with his policies." {1}
{1} Congressional Democrats worried over Obama ratings
South Africa News.NetTuesday 27th April, 2010
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Sarah Palin and USA TODAY/Gallup Poll: Sarah Palin For President In 2012? Majority of Republicans Say Yes!
Sarah Palin is a Republican fave for President in 2012, according to a Huffington Post article published today, July 9.
"A new nationwide USA TODAY/Gallup Poll has found that two-thirds of Republicans want Palin to be "a major national political figure" in the future. In fact a whopping 71% of Republicans say they'd likely vote for her if she ran for president in 2012. And this poll was done after her resignation!
In fact, announcing her resignation on the eve of Independence Day wasn't done so the deed could slide under the radar of a long holiday weekend.
No way. She did it BECAUSE it WAS Independence Day and she wasn't really announcing a resignation. No, she was actually proclaiming "my independence...no more politics as usual." 1
1 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bonnie-fuller/saint-sarah-palin-is-alre_b_228466.html Click this link to read the entire article.
"A new nationwide USA TODAY/Gallup Poll has found that two-thirds of Republicans want Palin to be "a major national political figure" in the future. In fact a whopping 71% of Republicans say they'd likely vote for her if she ran for president in 2012. And this poll was done after her resignation!
In fact, announcing her resignation on the eve of Independence Day wasn't done so the deed could slide under the radar of a long holiday weekend.
No way. She did it BECAUSE it WAS Independence Day and she wasn't really announcing a resignation. No, she was actually proclaiming "my independence...no more politics as usual." 1
1 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bonnie-fuller/saint-sarah-palin-is-alre_b_228466.html Click this link to read the entire article.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Romney On Detroit: ""I am not open to a bailout, but I am open to a work-out."
Mitt Romney, former Governor of Massachusetts, a Mormon (Latter-Day Saint), and one of the top 2008 Republican presidential candidates, is currently "widely considered to be a 2012 presidential contender," according to a November 24 ABC News article. Romney also said what some considered to be shocking remarks about the bailout of the auto industry in Detroit, Michigan.
"Romney is strongly opposed to the auto industry's request for $25 billion in low-interest loans. He is calling for management shakeups inside the companies as they engage in extensive economic restructuring, and is recommending bankruptcy or similar legal arrangements for America's auto giants."
"'Just sending a check and hoping for the best is not the right choice,'" Romney told ABC News.com Friday, in between campaign stops in Georgia, where he was campaigning for Sen. Saxby Chambliss' re-election.
"'Simply patting the sick patient on the back and saying don't worry, everything will be fine -- that is not the right course for the auto industry,'" Romney said.
"In January, he delivered a speech to the Detroit Economic Club that included this line: "'I am not open to a bailout, but I am open to a work-out.'"
'That's what I said then; that's what I'm saying now,'" Romney said Friday.
Thanks to Romney Prescribes Tough Love for Detroit for the above quotes.
Opposition to Auto Bailout Comes After Populist Push in Michigan Primary
By RICK KLEIN Nov. 24, 2008
Conservative Wordsmith Susan Baldwin wishes you, her readers, a very Happy Thanksgiving, and , as always, appreciates your thoughts and comments.
"Romney is strongly opposed to the auto industry's request for $25 billion in low-interest loans. He is calling for management shakeups inside the companies as they engage in extensive economic restructuring, and is recommending bankruptcy or similar legal arrangements for America's auto giants."
"'Just sending a check and hoping for the best is not the right choice,'" Romney told ABC News.com Friday, in between campaign stops in Georgia, where he was campaigning for Sen. Saxby Chambliss' re-election.
"'Simply patting the sick patient on the back and saying don't worry, everything will be fine -- that is not the right course for the auto industry,'" Romney said.
"In January, he delivered a speech to the Detroit Economic Club that included this line: "'I am not open to a bailout, but I am open to a work-out.'"
'That's what I said then; that's what I'm saying now,'" Romney said Friday.
Thanks to Romney Prescribes Tough Love for Detroit for the above quotes.
Opposition to Auto Bailout Comes After Populist Push in Michigan Primary
By RICK KLEIN Nov. 24, 2008
Conservative Wordsmith Susan Baldwin wishes you, her readers, a very Happy Thanksgiving, and , as always, appreciates your thoughts and comments.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Mitt Romney and A PLEA FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY Thanksgiving Reprint
This is a special reprint for Thanksgiving. Since Mitt Romney is currently a possible presidential nominee for the 2012 presidential election, (*See My Recent Related Posts below), I thought the season of Thanksgiving would be a good time to remind viewers about the importance of religious tolerance.
Mitt Romney and A PLEA FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY --
A SPECIAL THANKSGIVING REPRINT
Conservative Wordsmith Susan Baldwin writes: Mitt Romney, and all Mormons, should not be called cultists or any other derogatory words. Read this dialogue between Truth and Peace, written in 1644 by Roger Williams, Christian minister and founder of Rhode Island. Read what Roger Williams had to say about religious tolerance. Then look into your own minds, hearts and souls, and seek to understand why it is unethical, unchristian, and most definitely un-American, to mentally persecute Mitt Romney simply because he is a Mormon.
A PLEA FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
by Roger Wiliams 1
[Roger Williams (ca. 1603-83), religious leader and one of the founders of Rhode Island, was the son of a well-to-do London businessman. Educated at Cambridge (A.B., 1627) he became a clergyman and in 1630 sailed for Massachusetts. He refused a call to the church of Boston because it had not formally broken with the Church of England, but after two invitations he became the assistant pastor, later pastor, of the church at Salem. He questioned the right of the colonists to take the Indians' land from them merely on the legal basis of the royal charter and in other ways ran afoul of the oligarchy then ruling Massachusetts. In 1635 he was found guilty of spreading "new authority of magistrates" and was ordered to be banished from the colony. He lived briefly with friendly Indians and then, in 1636, founded Providence in what was to be the colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. His religious views led him to become briefly a Baptist, later a Seeker. In 1644, while he was in England getting a charter for his colony from Parliament, he wrote the work from which this dialogue is taken. During much of his later life he was engaged in polemics on political and religious questions. He was an important figure in the intellectual life of his time, though the direct influence of his writings is considered by Professor Brockunier to have been slight: "Earliest of the fathers of American democracy, he owes his enduring fame to his humanity and breadth of view, his untiring devotion to the cause of democracy and free opportunity, and his long record of opposition to the privileged and self-seeking"]
First, that the blood of so many hundred thousand souls of Protestants and Papists, spilt in the wars of present and former ages, for their respective consciences, is not required nor accepted by Jesus Christ the Prince of Peace.
Secondly, pregnant scriptures and arguments are throughout the work proposed against the doctrine of persecution for cause of conscience.
Thirdly, satisfactory answers are given to scriptures, and objections produced by Mr. Calvin, Beza, Mr. Cotton, and the ministers of the New English churches and others former and later, tending to prove the doctrine of persecution for cause of conscience.
Fourthly, the doctrine of persecution for cause of conscience is proved guilty of all the blood of the souls crying for vengeance under the altar.
Fifthly, 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.
Sixthly, it is the will and command of God that (since the coming of his Son the Lord Jesus) a permission of the most paganish, Jewish, Turkish, or antichristian consciences and worships, be granted to all men in all nations and countries; and they are only to be fought against with that sword which is only (in soul matters) able to conquer, to wit, the sword of God's Spirit, the Word of God.
Seventhly, the state of the Land of Israel, the kings and people thereof in peace and war, is proved figurative and ceremonial, and no pattern nor president for any kingdom or civil state in the world to follow.
Eighthly, God requireth not a uniformity of religion to be enacted and enforced in any civil state; which enforced uniformity (sooner or later) is the greatest occasion of civil war, ravishing of conscience, persecution of Christ Jesus in his servants, and of the hypocrisy and destruction of millions of souls.
Ninthly, in holding an enforced uniformity of religion in a civil state, we must necessarily disclaim our desires and hopes of the Jew's conversion to Christ.
Tenthly, an enforced uniformity of religion throughout a nation or civil state, confounds the civil and religious, denies the principles of Christianity and civility, and that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh.
Eleventhly, the permission of other consciences and worships than a state professeth only can (according to God) procure a firm and lasting peace (good assurance being taken according to the wisdom of the civil state for uniformity of civil obedience from all forts).
Twelfthly, lastly, true civility and Christianity may both flourish in a state or kingdom, notwithstanding the permission of divers and contrary consciences, either of Jew or Gentile....
TRUTH. I acknowledge that to molest any person, Jew or Gentile, for either professing doctrine, or practicing worship merely religious or spiritual, it is to persecute him, and such a person (whatever his doctrine or practice be, true or false) suffereth persecution for conscience.
But withal I desire it may be well observed that this distinction is not full and complete: for beside this that a man may be persecuted because he holds or practices what he believes in conscience to be a truth (as Daniel did, for which he was cast into the lions' den, Dan. 6), and many thousands of Christians, because they durst not cease to preach and practice what they believed was by God commanded, as the Apostles answered (Acts 4 & 5), I say besides this a man may also be persecuted, because he dares not be constrained to yield obedience to such doctrines and worships as are by men invented and appointed....
Dear TRUTH, I have two sad complaints:
First, the most sober of the witnesses, that dare to plead thy cause, how are they charged to be mine enemies, contentious, turbulent, seditious?
Secondly, shine enemies, though they speak and rail against thee, though they outrageously pursue, imprison, banish, kill thy faithful witnesses, yet how is all vermilion'd o'er for justice against the heretics? Yea, if they kindle coals, and blow the flames of devouring wars, that leave neither spiritual nor civil state, but burn up branch and root, yet how do all pretend an holy war? He that kills, and he that's killed, they both cry out: "It is for God, and for their conscience."
'Tis true, nor one nor other seldom dare to plead the mighty Prince Christ Jesus for their author, yet (both Protestant and Papist) pretend they have spoke with Moses and the Prophets who all, say they (before Christ came), allowed such holy persecutions, holy wars against the enemies of holy church.
TRUTH. Dear PEACE (to ease thy first complaint), 'tis true, thy dearest sons, most like their mother, peacekeeping, peacemaking sons of God, have borne and still must bear the blurs of troublers of Israel, and turners of the world upside down. And 'tis true again, what Solomon once spake: "The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water, therefore (saith he) leave off contention before it be meddled with. This caveat should keep the banks and sluices firm and strong, that strife, like a breach of waters, break not in upon the sons of men."
Yet strife must be distinguished: It is necessary or unnecessary, godly or Ungodly, Christian or unchristian, etc.
It is unnecessary, unlawful, dishonorable, ungodly, unchristian, in most cases in the world, for there is a possibility of keeping sweet peace in most cases, and, if it be possible, it is the express command of God that peace be kept (Rom. 13).
Again, it is necessary, honorable, godly, etc., with civil and earthly weapons to defend the innocent and to rescue the oppressed from the violent paws and jaws of oppressing persecuting Nimrods 2 (Psal. 73; Job 29).
It is as necessary, yea more honorable, godly, and Christian, to fight the fight of faith, with religious and spiritual artillery, and to contend earnestly for the faith of Jesus, once delivered to the saints against all opposers, and the gates of earth and hell, men or devils, yea against Paul himself, or an angel from heaven, if he bring any other faith or doctrine....
PEACE. I add that a civil sword (as woeful experience in all ages has proved) is so far from bringing or helping forward an opposite in religion to repentance that magistrates sin grievously against the work of God and blood of souls by such proceedings. Because as (commonly) the sufferings of false and antichristian teachers harden their followers, who being blind, by this means are occasioned to tumble into the ditch of hell after their blind leaders, with more inflamed zeal of lying confidence. So, secondly, violence and a sword of steel begets such an impression in the sufferers that certainly they conclude (as indeed that religion cannot be true which needs such instruments of violence to uphold it so) that persecutors are far from soft and gentle commiseration of the blindness of others....
For (to keep to the similitude which the Spirit useth, for instance) to batter down a stronghold, high wall, fort, tower, or castle, men bring not a first and second admonition, and after obstinacy, excommunication, which are spiritual weapons concerning them that be in the church: nor exhortation to repent and be baptized, to believe in the Lord Jesus, etc., which are proper weapons to them that be without, etc. But to take a stronghold, men bring cannons, culverins, saker, bullets, powder, muskets, swords, pikes, etc., and these to this end are weapons effectual and proportionable.
On the other side, to batter down idolatry, false worship, heresy, schism, blindness, hardness, out of the soul and spirit, it is vain, improper, and unsuitable to bring those weapons which are used by persecutors, stocks, whips, prisons, swords, gibbets, stakes, etc. (where these seem to prevail with some cities or kingdoms, a stronger force sets up again, what a weaker pull'd down), but against these spiritual strongholds in the souls of men, spiritual artillery and weapons are proper, which are mighty through God to subdue and bring under the very thought to obedience, or else to bind fast the soul with chains of darkness, and lock it up in the prison of unbelief and hardness to eternity....
PEACE. I pray descend now to the second evil which you observe in the answerer's position, viz., that it would be evil to tolerate notorious evildoers, seducing teachers, etc.
TRUTH. I say the evil is that he most improperly and confusedly joins and couples seducing teachers with scandalous livers.
PEACE. But is it not true that the world is full of seducing teachers, and is it not true that seducing teachers are notorious evildoers?
TRUTH. I answer, far be it from me to deny either, and yet in two things I shall discover the great evil of this joining and coupling seducing teachers, and scandalous livers as one adequate or proper object of the magistrate's care and work to suppress and punish.
First, it is not an homogeneal (as we speak) but an hetergeneal 3 commixture or joining together of things most different in kinds and natures, as if they were both of one consideration....
TRUTH. I answer, in granting with Brentius 4 that man hath not power to make laws to bind conscience, he overthrows such his tenent and practice as restrain men from their worship, according to their conscience and belief, and constrain them to such worships (though it be out of a pretense that they are convinced) which their own souls tell them they have no satisfaction nor faith in.
Secondly, whereas he affirms that men may make laws to see the laws of God observed.
I answer, God needeth not the help of a material sword of steel to assist the sword of the Spirit in the affairs of conscience, to those men, those magistrates, yea that commonwealth which makes such magistrates, must needs have power and authority from Christ Jesus to fit judge and to determine in all the great controversies concerning doctrine, discipline, government, etc.
And then I ask whether upon this ground it must not evidently follow that:
Either there is no lawful commonw earth nor civil state of men in the world, which is not qualified with this spiritual discerning (and then also that the very commonweal hath more light concerning the church of Christ than the church itself).
Or, that the commonweal and magistrates thereof must judge and punish as they are persuaded in their own belief and conscience (be their conscience paganish, Turkish, or antichristian) what is this but to confound heaven and earth together, and not only to take away the being of Christianity out of the world, but to take away all civility, and the world out of the world, and to lay all upon heaps of confusion? . ..
PEACE. The fourth head is the proper means of both these powers to attain their ends.
First, the proper means whereby the civil power may and should attain its end are only political, and principally these five.
First, the erecting and establishing what form of civil government may seem in wisdom most meet, according to general rules of the world, and state of the people.
Secondly, the making, publishing, and establishing of wholesome civil laws, not only such as concern civil justice, but also the free passage of true religion; for outward civil peace ariseth and is maintained from them both, from the latter as well as from the former.
Civil peace cannot stand entire, where religion is corrupted (2 Chron. 15. 3. 5. 6; and Judges 8). And yet such laws, though conversant about religion, may still be counted civil laws, as, on the contrary, an oath cloth still remain religious though conversant about civil matters.
Thirdly, election and appointment of civil officers to see execution to those laws.
Fourthly, civil punishments and rewards of transgressors and observers of these laws.
Fifthly, taking up arms against the enemies of civil peace.
Secondly, the means whereby the church may and should attain her ends are only ecclesiastical, which are chiefly five.
First, setting up that form of church government only of which Christ hath given them a pattern in his Word.
Secondly, acknowledging and admitting of no lawgiver in the church but Christ and the publishing of His laws.
Thirdly, electing and ordaining of such officers only, as Christ hath appointed in his Word.
Fourthly, to receive into their fellowship them that are approved and inflicting spiritual censures against them that o end.
Fifthly, prayer and patience in suffering any evil from them that be without, who disturb their peace.
So that magistrates, as magistrates, have no power of setting up the form of church government, electing church officers, punishing with church censures, but to see that the church does her duty herein. And on the other side, the churches as churches, have no power (though as members of the commonweal they may have power) of erecting or altering forms of civil government, electing of civil officers, inflicting civil punishments (no not on persons excommunicate) as by deposing magistrates from their civil authority, or withdrawing the hearts of the people against them, to their laws, no more than to discharge wives, or children, or servants, from due obedience to their husbands, parents, or masters; or by taking up arms against their magistrates, though he persecute them for conscience: for though members of churches who are public officers also of the civil state may suppress by force the violence of usurpers, as Iehoiada did Athaliah, yet this they do not as members of the church but as officers of the civil state.
TRUTH. Here are divers considerable passages which I shall briefly examine, so far as concerns our controversy.
First, whereas they say that the civil power may erect and establish what form of civil government may seem in wisdom most meet, I acknowledge the proposition to be most true, both in itself and also considered with the end of it, that a civil government is an ordinance of God, to conserve the civil peace of people, so far as concerns their bodies and goods, as formerly hath been said.
But from this grant I infer (as before hath been touched) that the sovereign, original, and foundation of civil power lies in the people (whom they must needs mean by the civil power distinct from the government set up). And, if so, that a people may erect and establish what form of government seems to them most meet for their civil condition; it is evident that such governments as are by them erected and established have no more power, nor for no longer time, than the civil power or people consenting and agreeing shall betrust them with. This is clear not only in reason but in the experience of all commonweals, where the people are not deprived of their natural freedom by the power of tyrants.
And, if so, that the magistrates receive their power of governing the church from the people, undeniably it follows that a people, as a people, naturally consider (of what nature or nation soever in Europe, Asia, Africa, or America), have fundamentally and originally, as men, a power to govern the church, to see her do her duty, to correct her, to redress, reform, establish, etc. And if this be not to pull God and Christ and Spirit out of heaven, and subject them unto natural, sinful, inconstant men, and so consequently to Satan himself, by whom all peoples naturally are guided, let heaven and earth judge....
PEACE. Some will here ask: What may the magistrate then lawfully do with his civil horn or power in matters of religion?
TRUTH. His horn not being the horn of that unicorn or rhinoceros, the power of the Lord Jesus in spiritual cases, his sword not the two-edged sword of the spirit, the word of God (hanging not about the loins or side, but at the lips. and proceeding out of the mouth of his ministers) but of an humane and civil nature and constitution, it must consequently be of a humane and civil operation, for who knows not that operation follows constitution; And therefore I shall end this passage with this consideration:
The civil magistrate either respecteth that religion and worship which his conscience is persuaded is true, and upon which he ventures his soul; or else that and those which he is persuaded are false.
Concerning the first, if that which the magistrate believeth to be true, be true, I say he owes a threefold duty unto it:
First, approbation and countenance, a reverent esteem and honorable testimony, according to Isa. 49, and Revel. 21, with a tender respect of truth, and the professors of it.
Secondly, personal submission of his own soul to the power of the Lord Jesus in that spiritual government and kingdom, according to Matt. 18 and 1 Cor. 5.
Thirdly, protection of such true professors of Christ, whether apart, or met together, as also of their estates from violence and injury, according to Rom. 13.
Now, secondly, if it be a false religion (unto which the civil magistrate dare not adjoin, yet) he owes:
First, permission (for approbation he owes not what is evil) and this according to Matthew 13. 30 for public peace and quiet's sake.
Secondly, he owes protection to the persons of his subjects (though of a false worship), that no injury be offered either to the persons or goods of any....
...The God of Peace, the God of Truth will shortly seal this truth, and confirm this witness, and make it evident to the whole world, that the doctrine of persecution for cause of conscience, is most evidently and lamentably contrary to the doctrine of Christ Jesus the Prince of Peace. Amen.
1. Roger Williams, The Bloudy Tenent of Persecution ... ("Publications of the Narragansett Club" [Providence, R.I.], Vol. III [1867]), pp. 3-4, 63, 58-59, 138-39, 148, 170-71, 201, 247-50, 372-73, 424-25.
2. See Gen. 10:8-9
3. Old forms for "homogeneous" and "heterogeneous."
4. Johann Brenz (1499-1570), German Lutheran theologian.
Text Version Liberty Library Home Rendered into HTML by Jon Roland of the Constitution Society"Roger Williams, Founder of Rhode Island, Arrived in Boston February 5, 1631 Williams founded the colony of Rhode Island based upon principles of complete religious toleration, separation of church and state, and political democracy (values that the U.S. would later be founded upon)." 1 "After forming the first Baptist church in America, Williams left it to seek spirituality in different ways. He stopped preaching to his friends, the Indians, when he realized that their form of worship also fell under his principle of religious freedom. He declared, "'forced worship stinks in God's nostrils.'" 1Related Links1 http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi/jb/colonial/williams_4http://www.mittromney.com/http://www.mittromney.com/Ann-Romney/index http://www.evangelicalsformitt.org/ http://www.mittreport.com/ - I highly recommend this excellent website as a great resource for Mitt Romney posts, articles, news, blogs, links, polls, and more.
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Mitt Romney and A PLEA FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY --
A SPECIAL THANKSGIVING REPRINT
Conservative Wordsmith Susan Baldwin writes: Mitt Romney, and all Mormons, should not be called cultists or any other derogatory words. Read this dialogue between Truth and Peace, written in 1644 by Roger Williams, Christian minister and founder of Rhode Island. Read what Roger Williams had to say about religious tolerance. Then look into your own minds, hearts and souls, and seek to understand why it is unethical, unchristian, and most definitely un-American, to mentally persecute Mitt Romney simply because he is a Mormon.
A PLEA FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
by Roger Wiliams 1
[Roger Williams (ca. 1603-83), religious leader and one of the founders of Rhode Island, was the son of a well-to-do London businessman. Educated at Cambridge (A.B., 1627) he became a clergyman and in 1630 sailed for Massachusetts. He refused a call to the church of Boston because it had not formally broken with the Church of England, but after two invitations he became the assistant pastor, later pastor, of the church at Salem. He questioned the right of the colonists to take the Indians' land from them merely on the legal basis of the royal charter and in other ways ran afoul of the oligarchy then ruling Massachusetts. In 1635 he was found guilty of spreading "new authority of magistrates" and was ordered to be banished from the colony. He lived briefly with friendly Indians and then, in 1636, founded Providence in what was to be the colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. His religious views led him to become briefly a Baptist, later a Seeker. In 1644, while he was in England getting a charter for his colony from Parliament, he wrote the work from which this dialogue is taken. During much of his later life he was engaged in polemics on political and religious questions. He was an important figure in the intellectual life of his time, though the direct influence of his writings is considered by Professor Brockunier to have been slight: "Earliest of the fathers of American democracy, he owes his enduring fame to his humanity and breadth of view, his untiring devotion to the cause of democracy and free opportunity, and his long record of opposition to the privileged and self-seeking"]
First, that the blood of so many hundred thousand souls of Protestants and Papists, spilt in the wars of present and former ages, for their respective consciences, is not required nor accepted by Jesus Christ the Prince of Peace.
Secondly, pregnant scriptures and arguments are throughout the work proposed against the doctrine of persecution for cause of conscience.
Thirdly, satisfactory answers are given to scriptures, and objections produced by Mr. Calvin, Beza, Mr. Cotton, and the ministers of the New English churches and others former and later, tending to prove the doctrine of persecution for cause of conscience.
Fourthly, the doctrine of persecution for cause of conscience is proved guilty of all the blood of the souls crying for vengeance under the altar.
Fifthly, 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.
Sixthly, it is the will and command of God that (since the coming of his Son the Lord Jesus) a permission of the most paganish, Jewish, Turkish, or antichristian consciences and worships, be granted to all men in all nations and countries; and they are only to be fought against with that sword which is only (in soul matters) able to conquer, to wit, the sword of God's Spirit, the Word of God.
Seventhly, the state of the Land of Israel, the kings and people thereof in peace and war, is proved figurative and ceremonial, and no pattern nor president for any kingdom or civil state in the world to follow.
Eighthly, God requireth not a uniformity of religion to be enacted and enforced in any civil state; which enforced uniformity (sooner or later) is the greatest occasion of civil war, ravishing of conscience, persecution of Christ Jesus in his servants, and of the hypocrisy and destruction of millions of souls.
Ninthly, in holding an enforced uniformity of religion in a civil state, we must necessarily disclaim our desires and hopes of the Jew's conversion to Christ.
Tenthly, an enforced uniformity of religion throughout a nation or civil state, confounds the civil and religious, denies the principles of Christianity and civility, and that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh.
Eleventhly, the permission of other consciences and worships than a state professeth only can (according to God) procure a firm and lasting peace (good assurance being taken according to the wisdom of the civil state for uniformity of civil obedience from all forts).
Twelfthly, lastly, true civility and Christianity may both flourish in a state or kingdom, notwithstanding the permission of divers and contrary consciences, either of Jew or Gentile....
TRUTH. I acknowledge that to molest any person, Jew or Gentile, for either professing doctrine, or practicing worship merely religious or spiritual, it is to persecute him, and such a person (whatever his doctrine or practice be, true or false) suffereth persecution for conscience.
But withal I desire it may be well observed that this distinction is not full and complete: for beside this that a man may be persecuted because he holds or practices what he believes in conscience to be a truth (as Daniel did, for which he was cast into the lions' den, Dan. 6), and many thousands of Christians, because they durst not cease to preach and practice what they believed was by God commanded, as the Apostles answered (Acts 4 & 5), I say besides this a man may also be persecuted, because he dares not be constrained to yield obedience to such doctrines and worships as are by men invented and appointed....
Dear TRUTH, I have two sad complaints:
First, the most sober of the witnesses, that dare to plead thy cause, how are they charged to be mine enemies, contentious, turbulent, seditious?
Secondly, shine enemies, though they speak and rail against thee, though they outrageously pursue, imprison, banish, kill thy faithful witnesses, yet how is all vermilion'd o'er for justice against the heretics? Yea, if they kindle coals, and blow the flames of devouring wars, that leave neither spiritual nor civil state, but burn up branch and root, yet how do all pretend an holy war? He that kills, and he that's killed, they both cry out: "It is for God, and for their conscience."
'Tis true, nor one nor other seldom dare to plead the mighty Prince Christ Jesus for their author, yet (both Protestant and Papist) pretend they have spoke with Moses and the Prophets who all, say they (before Christ came), allowed such holy persecutions, holy wars against the enemies of holy church.
TRUTH. Dear PEACE (to ease thy first complaint), 'tis true, thy dearest sons, most like their mother, peacekeeping, peacemaking sons of God, have borne and still must bear the blurs of troublers of Israel, and turners of the world upside down. And 'tis true again, what Solomon once spake: "The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water, therefore (saith he) leave off contention before it be meddled with. This caveat should keep the banks and sluices firm and strong, that strife, like a breach of waters, break not in upon the sons of men."
Yet strife must be distinguished: It is necessary or unnecessary, godly or Ungodly, Christian or unchristian, etc.
It is unnecessary, unlawful, dishonorable, ungodly, unchristian, in most cases in the world, for there is a possibility of keeping sweet peace in most cases, and, if it be possible, it is the express command of God that peace be kept (Rom. 13).
Again, it is necessary, honorable, godly, etc., with civil and earthly weapons to defend the innocent and to rescue the oppressed from the violent paws and jaws of oppressing persecuting Nimrods 2 (Psal. 73; Job 29).
It is as necessary, yea more honorable, godly, and Christian, to fight the fight of faith, with religious and spiritual artillery, and to contend earnestly for the faith of Jesus, once delivered to the saints against all opposers, and the gates of earth and hell, men or devils, yea against Paul himself, or an angel from heaven, if he bring any other faith or doctrine....
PEACE. I add that a civil sword (as woeful experience in all ages has proved) is so far from bringing or helping forward an opposite in religion to repentance that magistrates sin grievously against the work of God and blood of souls by such proceedings. Because as (commonly) the sufferings of false and antichristian teachers harden their followers, who being blind, by this means are occasioned to tumble into the ditch of hell after their blind leaders, with more inflamed zeal of lying confidence. So, secondly, violence and a sword of steel begets such an impression in the sufferers that certainly they conclude (as indeed that religion cannot be true which needs such instruments of violence to uphold it so) that persecutors are far from soft and gentle commiseration of the blindness of others....
For (to keep to the similitude which the Spirit useth, for instance) to batter down a stronghold, high wall, fort, tower, or castle, men bring not a first and second admonition, and after obstinacy, excommunication, which are spiritual weapons concerning them that be in the church: nor exhortation to repent and be baptized, to believe in the Lord Jesus, etc., which are proper weapons to them that be without, etc. But to take a stronghold, men bring cannons, culverins, saker, bullets, powder, muskets, swords, pikes, etc., and these to this end are weapons effectual and proportionable.
On the other side, to batter down idolatry, false worship, heresy, schism, blindness, hardness, out of the soul and spirit, it is vain, improper, and unsuitable to bring those weapons which are used by persecutors, stocks, whips, prisons, swords, gibbets, stakes, etc. (where these seem to prevail with some cities or kingdoms, a stronger force sets up again, what a weaker pull'd down), but against these spiritual strongholds in the souls of men, spiritual artillery and weapons are proper, which are mighty through God to subdue and bring under the very thought to obedience, or else to bind fast the soul with chains of darkness, and lock it up in the prison of unbelief and hardness to eternity....
PEACE. I pray descend now to the second evil which you observe in the answerer's position, viz., that it would be evil to tolerate notorious evildoers, seducing teachers, etc.
TRUTH. I say the evil is that he most improperly and confusedly joins and couples seducing teachers with scandalous livers.
PEACE. But is it not true that the world is full of seducing teachers, and is it not true that seducing teachers are notorious evildoers?
TRUTH. I answer, far be it from me to deny either, and yet in two things I shall discover the great evil of this joining and coupling seducing teachers, and scandalous livers as one adequate or proper object of the magistrate's care and work to suppress and punish.
First, it is not an homogeneal (as we speak) but an hetergeneal 3 commixture or joining together of things most different in kinds and natures, as if they were both of one consideration....
TRUTH. I answer, in granting with Brentius 4 that man hath not power to make laws to bind conscience, he overthrows such his tenent and practice as restrain men from their worship, according to their conscience and belief, and constrain them to such worships (though it be out of a pretense that they are convinced) which their own souls tell them they have no satisfaction nor faith in.
Secondly, whereas he affirms that men may make laws to see the laws of God observed.
I answer, God needeth not the help of a material sword of steel to assist the sword of the Spirit in the affairs of conscience, to those men, those magistrates, yea that commonwealth which makes such magistrates, must needs have power and authority from Christ Jesus to fit judge and to determine in all the great controversies concerning doctrine, discipline, government, etc.
And then I ask whether upon this ground it must not evidently follow that:
Either there is no lawful commonw earth nor civil state of men in the world, which is not qualified with this spiritual discerning (and then also that the very commonweal hath more light concerning the church of Christ than the church itself).
Or, that the commonweal and magistrates thereof must judge and punish as they are persuaded in their own belief and conscience (be their conscience paganish, Turkish, or antichristian) what is this but to confound heaven and earth together, and not only to take away the being of Christianity out of the world, but to take away all civility, and the world out of the world, and to lay all upon heaps of confusion? . ..
PEACE. The fourth head is the proper means of both these powers to attain their ends.
First, the proper means whereby the civil power may and should attain its end are only political, and principally these five.
First, the erecting and establishing what form of civil government may seem in wisdom most meet, according to general rules of the world, and state of the people.
Secondly, the making, publishing, and establishing of wholesome civil laws, not only such as concern civil justice, but also the free passage of true religion; for outward civil peace ariseth and is maintained from them both, from the latter as well as from the former.
Civil peace cannot stand entire, where religion is corrupted (2 Chron. 15. 3. 5. 6; and Judges 8). And yet such laws, though conversant about religion, may still be counted civil laws, as, on the contrary, an oath cloth still remain religious though conversant about civil matters.
Thirdly, election and appointment of civil officers to see execution to those laws.
Fourthly, civil punishments and rewards of transgressors and observers of these laws.
Fifthly, taking up arms against the enemies of civil peace.
Secondly, the means whereby the church may and should attain her ends are only ecclesiastical, which are chiefly five.
First, setting up that form of church government only of which Christ hath given them a pattern in his Word.
Secondly, acknowledging and admitting of no lawgiver in the church but Christ and the publishing of His laws.
Thirdly, electing and ordaining of such officers only, as Christ hath appointed in his Word.
Fourthly, to receive into their fellowship them that are approved and inflicting spiritual censures against them that o end.
Fifthly, prayer and patience in suffering any evil from them that be without, who disturb their peace.
So that magistrates, as magistrates, have no power of setting up the form of church government, electing church officers, punishing with church censures, but to see that the church does her duty herein. And on the other side, the churches as churches, have no power (though as members of the commonweal they may have power) of erecting or altering forms of civil government, electing of civil officers, inflicting civil punishments (no not on persons excommunicate) as by deposing magistrates from their civil authority, or withdrawing the hearts of the people against them, to their laws, no more than to discharge wives, or children, or servants, from due obedience to their husbands, parents, or masters; or by taking up arms against their magistrates, though he persecute them for conscience: for though members of churches who are public officers also of the civil state may suppress by force the violence of usurpers, as Iehoiada did Athaliah, yet this they do not as members of the church but as officers of the civil state.
TRUTH. Here are divers considerable passages which I shall briefly examine, so far as concerns our controversy.
First, whereas they say that the civil power may erect and establish what form of civil government may seem in wisdom most meet, I acknowledge the proposition to be most true, both in itself and also considered with the end of it, that a civil government is an ordinance of God, to conserve the civil peace of people, so far as concerns their bodies and goods, as formerly hath been said.
But from this grant I infer (as before hath been touched) that the sovereign, original, and foundation of civil power lies in the people (whom they must needs mean by the civil power distinct from the government set up). And, if so, that a people may erect and establish what form of government seems to them most meet for their civil condition; it is evident that such governments as are by them erected and established have no more power, nor for no longer time, than the civil power or people consenting and agreeing shall betrust them with. This is clear not only in reason but in the experience of all commonweals, where the people are not deprived of their natural freedom by the power of tyrants.
And, if so, that the magistrates receive their power of governing the church from the people, undeniably it follows that a people, as a people, naturally consider (of what nature or nation soever in Europe, Asia, Africa, or America), have fundamentally and originally, as men, a power to govern the church, to see her do her duty, to correct her, to redress, reform, establish, etc. And if this be not to pull God and Christ and Spirit out of heaven, and subject them unto natural, sinful, inconstant men, and so consequently to Satan himself, by whom all peoples naturally are guided, let heaven and earth judge....
PEACE. Some will here ask: What may the magistrate then lawfully do with his civil horn or power in matters of religion?
TRUTH. His horn not being the horn of that unicorn or rhinoceros, the power of the Lord Jesus in spiritual cases, his sword not the two-edged sword of the spirit, the word of God (hanging not about the loins or side, but at the lips. and proceeding out of the mouth of his ministers) but of an humane and civil nature and constitution, it must consequently be of a humane and civil operation, for who knows not that operation follows constitution; And therefore I shall end this passage with this consideration:
The civil magistrate either respecteth that religion and worship which his conscience is persuaded is true, and upon which he ventures his soul; or else that and those which he is persuaded are false.
Concerning the first, if that which the magistrate believeth to be true, be true, I say he owes a threefold duty unto it:
First, approbation and countenance, a reverent esteem and honorable testimony, according to Isa. 49, and Revel. 21, with a tender respect of truth, and the professors of it.
Secondly, personal submission of his own soul to the power of the Lord Jesus in that spiritual government and kingdom, according to Matt. 18 and 1 Cor. 5.
Thirdly, protection of such true professors of Christ, whether apart, or met together, as also of their estates from violence and injury, according to Rom. 13.
Now, secondly, if it be a false religion (unto which the civil magistrate dare not adjoin, yet) he owes:
First, permission (for approbation he owes not what is evil) and this according to Matthew 13. 30 for public peace and quiet's sake.
Secondly, he owes protection to the persons of his subjects (though of a false worship), that no injury be offered either to the persons or goods of any....
...The God of Peace, the God of Truth will shortly seal this truth, and confirm this witness, and make it evident to the whole world, that the doctrine of persecution for cause of conscience, is most evidently and lamentably contrary to the doctrine of Christ Jesus the Prince of Peace. Amen.
1. Roger Williams, The Bloudy Tenent of Persecution ... ("Publications of the Narragansett Club" [Providence, R.I.], Vol. III [1867]), pp. 3-4, 63, 58-59, 138-39, 148, 170-71, 201, 247-50, 372-73, 424-25.
2. See Gen. 10:8-9
3. Old forms for "homogeneous" and "heterogeneous."
4. Johann Brenz (1499-1570), German Lutheran theologian.
Text Version Liberty Library Home Rendered into HTML by Jon Roland of the Constitution Society"Roger Williams, Founder of Rhode Island, Arrived in Boston February 5, 1631 Williams founded the colony of Rhode Island based upon principles of complete religious toleration, separation of church and state, and political democracy (values that the U.S. would later be founded upon)." 1 "After forming the first Baptist church in America, Williams left it to seek spirituality in different ways. He stopped preaching to his friends, the Indians, when he realized that their form of worship also fell under his principle of religious freedom. He declared, "'forced worship stinks in God's nostrils.'" 1Related Links1 http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi/jb/colonial/williams_4http://www.mittromney.com/http://www.mittromney.com/Ann-Romney/index http://www.evangelicalsformitt.org/ http://www.mittreport.com/ - I highly recommend this excellent website as a great resource for Mitt Romney posts, articles, news, blogs, links, polls, and more.
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http://www.conservativewordsmith.com/2008/11/new-gallup-poll-sarah-palin-mitt-romney.html
http://www.conservativewordsmith.com/2008/11/mitt-romney-in-2012-maybe-mormon-will.html
My Many Previously Published Related Posts On My Conservative Wordsmith Weblog at Townhall.com:
Mitt Romney, Mormons, and One Martyr
Mitt Believes In Jesus Per Joel Osteen
Ben And Mitt Match Taxable Wits
Mitt On Taxes: "If King Kong Attacks CA"
Mitt Romney's War On Taxes And Terror
Mitt: "I WILL BE A Pro-Life President!"
Mitt On Fire Electrifies Values Voters
Shall Romney and Jefferson Meet In Hell?
Thomas Jefferson's Interview With God
Mitt Romney Qualifies With Article 6
Mitt Romney and Two Political Deists
Mitt Romney, Mormons, and Nine Christians
Is Mitt Romney Still That MORMON Person?
Mitt Romney #1 Fave Of Top Evangelicals
Mitt Believes In Jesus Per Joel Osteen
Mitt Romney Support Urged By Evangelical
Mormon Inventions For Everyman
Meaty Mitt/Mormon Writings
Three Mormon Classics by CW
Mitt Romney, Mormons, and Pacifism
Good Mormon: Ancient Samaritan Parable?
Mitt and Ann Romney Have My VoteAnn
Ann Romney American Mormon Pioneer
Conservative Wordsmith Susan Baldwin appreciates your thoughts and comments.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
New Gallup Poll: Sarah Palin, Mitt Romney Top Republican Picks In 2012 Presidential Election
According to a new Gallup Poll, Republicans view Sarah Palin, Mitt Romney, and Mike Huckabee, in that order, as the top GOP nominees for the Republican party's presidential nomination in 2012.
"The Nov. 5-16 survey asked a nationally representative sample of Gallup panelists who identify themselves as Republicans or are political independents but 'lean' to the Republican Party to say whether they 'would or would not like to see' each of 10 Republicans 'run for president in 2012.'"
"Palin, Romney, and Huckabee -- all of whom raised their national profiles during the 2008 campaign -- top the list. Romney and Huckabee unsuccessfully sought the presidential nomination versus John McCain, and McCain tapped Palin as his vice-presidential running mate."
Sarah Palin 67%
Mitt Romney 62%
Mike Huckabee 61%
From:
Below The Beltway.com, GOP Voters Starting To Look At 2012 Field
by Doug Mataconis @ 7:40 am on November 23, 2008, for referring me to the Gallup Poll information.
Thanks also to http://www.buzztracker.com/category/mitt_romney.
To view some of my many interesting Mitt Romney posts on my Conservative Wordsmith Weblog located at Townhall.com, click any or all of the following links.
Mitt Romney for President in 2012? Some Republicans Say Yes!
Mitt Romney Qualifies With Article 6
Mitt Romney and Two Political Deists
Mitt Romney in The Mittchant of Venice
Good Mormon: Ancient Samaritan Parable?
Mitt Romney, Mormons, and One Martyr
Mitt Romney and A PLEA FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Shall Romney and Jefferson Meet In Hell?
Thomas Jefferson's Interview With God
Mormon Inventions For Everyman
Three Mormon Classics by CW
Meaty Mitt/Mormon Writings
Conservative Wordsmith Susan Baldwin, author of CONSERVATIVE WORDSMITH.COM and the Conservative Wordsmith Weblog, appreciates your thoughts and comments.
"The Nov. 5-16 survey asked a nationally representative sample of Gallup panelists who identify themselves as Republicans or are political independents but 'lean' to the Republican Party to say whether they 'would or would not like to see' each of 10 Republicans 'run for president in 2012.'"
"Palin, Romney, and Huckabee -- all of whom raised their national profiles during the 2008 campaign -- top the list. Romney and Huckabee unsuccessfully sought the presidential nomination versus John McCain, and McCain tapped Palin as his vice-presidential running mate."
Sarah Palin 67%
Mitt Romney 62%
Mike Huckabee 61%
From:
Below The Beltway.com, GOP Voters Starting To Look At 2012 Field
by Doug Mataconis @ 7:40 am on November 23, 2008, for referring me to the Gallup Poll information.
Thanks also to http://www.buzztracker.com/category/mitt_romney.
To view some of my many interesting Mitt Romney posts on my Conservative Wordsmith Weblog located at Townhall.com, click any or all of the following links.
Mitt Romney for President in 2012? Some Republicans Say Yes!
Mitt Romney Qualifies With Article 6
Mitt Romney and Two Political Deists
Mitt Romney in The Mittchant of Venice
Good Mormon: Ancient Samaritan Parable?
Mitt Romney, Mormons, and One Martyr
Mitt Romney and A PLEA FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Shall Romney and Jefferson Meet In Hell?
Thomas Jefferson's Interview With God
Mormon Inventions For Everyman
Three Mormon Classics by CW
Meaty Mitt/Mormon Writings
Conservative Wordsmith Susan Baldwin, author of CONSERVATIVE WORDSMITH.COM and the Conservative Wordsmith Weblog, appreciates your thoughts and comments.
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