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Roger Williams

English Baptist theologian and author (1603-1683) · United Kingdom · Academics · Died at 79

Roger Williams is read about 578 times a day, in 30 languages.

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He was kicked out of Puritan Massachusetts for insisting the state had no business enforcing belief. So in 1636 he founded Rhode Island as the first government in the Western world to guarantee religious freedom - a principle that became the spine of the First Amendment.

PoliticiansTV PersonalityNews BroadcastingPoliticsLiteratureFoundersUnited KingdomEurope

A life in dates

1683Died1 April 16831652“Tis true, those glorious first ministeriall gifts are ceased, and that's or should be the lamentation of all Saints...”In their wordsOnline text

“The first grand design of Christ Jesus is to destroy and consume His mortal enemy antichrist. This must be done by the breath of His mouth in His prophets and witnesses.”In their wordsOnline text

“Opinions offensive are of two sorts: some savoring of impiety, and some of incivility.”In their wordsOnline text

1644“God needeth not the help of a material sword of steel to assist the sword of the Spirit in the affairs of conscience.”In their words"A Plea for Religious Liberty" an excerpt from The Bloudy Tenent of Persecution, for Cause of Conscience (1644)

1643“I present you with a Key : I have not heard of the like yet framed, since it pleased God to bring that mighty continent of America to light.”In their wordsPreface

“The natives are very exact and punctual in the bounds of their lands, belonging to this or that prince or people, even to a river, brook, &c.”In their wordsCh. 16 "Of the Earth and the Fruits thereof."

1603Born21 December 1603

Also in Deutsch

Photos 8

Religious denominations of the world - comprising a general view of the origin, history, and condition of the various sects of Christians, the Jews, and Mahometans, as well as the pagan forms of (14598189978)Religious denominations of the world - comprising a general view of the origin, history, and condition of the various sects of Christians, the Jews, and Mahometans, as well as the pagan forms of (14598189978)1631 RogerWilliams Boston byHoppin NewMirror1631 RogerWilliams Boston byHoppin NewMirrorA Key into the Language of AmericaA Key into the Language of AmericaAlonzo Chappel - The Landing of Roger Williams in 1636 - 43.003 - Rhode Island School of Design MuseumAlonzo Chappel - The Landing of Roger Williams in 1636 - 43.003 - Rhode Island School of Design MuseumDetail of Roger Williams Landing Place monument in Slate Rock ParkDetail of Roger Williams Landing Place monument in Slate Rock ParkGreat Americans and their noble deeds; containing the lives of almost fifty of our nation's heroes and heroines (1901) (14593588620)Great Americans and their noble deeds; containing the lives of almost fifty of our nation's heroes and heroines (1901) (14593588620)Great Americans and their noble deeds; containing the lives of almost fifty of our nation's heroes and heroines (1901) (14778257964)Great Americans and their noble deeds; containing the lives of almost fifty of our nation's heroes and heroines (1901) (14778257964)Islandora 14912-Tomb of Roger Williams, North Burial Ground OBJIslandora 14912-Tomb of Roger Williams, North Burial Ground OBJ

In their own words 8

,
Roger Williams
,
8 statements, newest first

  1. Tis true, those glorious first ministeriall gifts are ceased, and that's or should be the lamentation of all Saints...

    1652, Online text, Own words

  2. I observe the great and wonderful mistake, both our own and our fathers, as to the civil powers of this world, acting in spiritual matters.

    1652, Online text, Own words

  3. The first grand design of Christ Jesus is to destroy and consume His mortal enemy antichrist. This must be done by the breath of His mouth in His prophets and witnesses.

    1652, Online text, Own words

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About this person

Born around 1603 in England, Williams arrived in New England as a Puritan minister but soon questioned whether civil authorities could compel religious conformity. The Massachusetts Bay Colony expelled him for it. In 1636 he established Providence Plantations as a refuge offering "liberty of conscience," codifying religious freedom in its charter before any other Western government had done so. He briefly joined the Baptists, founding the First Baptist Church in America in 1638, then left organized religion altogether to become a "seeker." He studied Native American languages and published the first book-length English treatment of them. He died in March 1683, leaving a body of thought that courts still cite when weighing where the line between church and state ought to fall.

Country
United Kingdom
Category
Academics
Type
Academic
Status
deceased
Dates
Lived 1603 to 1683 · aged 79

Academics from the United Kingdom 6

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