The Limits of Freedom

Roger Williams, who founded Providence in 1636, was expelled from the Massachusetts colony because he advocated a separation of religious belief from government control. He also supported religious freedom, that is, the ability of any colonist to practice whatever religion they chose, or no religion at all. This was heretical in Puritan Massachusetts, hence Williams’ expulsion. When asked to explain his principle of separating religion and government, he wrote the following statement, using the metaphor of a ship at sea, which every colonist would readily understand.

On the Limits of Freedom

by Roger Williams

That ever I should speak or write a tittle, that tends to such an infinite liberty of conscience, is a mistake, and which I have ever disclaimed and abhorred. To prevent such mistakes, I shall at present only propose this case: There goes many a ship to sea, with many hundred souls in one ship, whose weal or woe is common, and is a true picture of a commonwealth, or a human combination of society. It hath fallen out sometimes, that both Papists and 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 ship's prayers or worship, nor compelled from their own particular prayers or worship, if they practice any. I further add, that I never denied, that notwithstanding this liberty, the commander of the ship ought to command this ship's course, yea, and also command that justice, peace and sobriety, be kept and practiced, both among the seamen and all the passengers. If any of the seamen refuse to perform their services, or passengers to pay their freight; if any refuse to help, in person or purse, towards the common charges or defence; if any refuse to obey the common laws and orders of the ship, concerning their common peace or preservation; if any shall mutiny and rise up against their commanders and officers; if any should preach or write that there ought to be no commanders or officers, because all are equal in Christ, therefore no masters nor officers, no laws nor orders, nor corrections nor punishments; -- I say, I never denied, but in such cases, whatever is pretended, the commander or commanders may judge, resist, compel and punish such transgressors, according to their deserts and merits. This if seriously and honestly minded, may, if it so please the Father of lights, let in some light to such as willingly shut not their eyes.

I remain studious of your common peace and liberty.

Roger Williams, 1655

This principle of the separation of church and state would become a major tenet of the United States Constitution in 1787. Williams rarely receives the credit he deserves for defending (and suffering for) this principle more than 150 years earlier.