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or commercing within this Province a Heretick Schismatic Idolater,
Puritan, Independent, Presbyterian, Popish Priest, Jesuit, Papist
Lutheran Calvinist Annatapist, Brownist, Antinomian, Barrowist
Roundhead Separatist or any other Name or Term in a reproachful
Manner relating to Matter of Religion shall for every such Offence
forfeit and lose the Sum of 10s : Sterling. And whereas the enforcing
of Conscience in Matters of Religion hath frequently fallen out to be
dangerous in those Commonwealths where it has been practised, and
for the more quiet and peaceable Government of this Province, and
the better to preserve mutual Love and Unity among the Inhabitants,
it is enacted that no Person or Persons within the Province profess-
ing to believe in Jesus Christ shall be any way troubled, molested, or
discountenanced, for or in Respect of Religion, nor in the free Exer-
cise thereof.
There being some Disturbance in this Province in the Year 1652.
the Protector in Nov.r 1655. upon the Representation of the Pro-
prietary directed the Commissioners Whitlocke and Widdrington to
enquire into the Cause and Circumstances of it, who having made
their Report, that was referred to Committee for Trade and Planta-
tions, and some Proposals having been made also to settle the Peace
and Tranquility of the Province, the Whole fell under the Con-
sideration of the Committee and after their Report the Protector in
October 1656 : sent in his Instructions to the Government here by
which he strictly enjoined the Observance of the above recited Act
concerning Religion
In the Year 1657. Lord Baltimore made the following Declaration,
that he never would give his Assent to the Repeal of the Act con-
cerning Religion by which all Persons professing to believe in Jesus
Christ should have Freedom of Conscience which was confirmed
by Act of Assembly. Part of the Oath directed to be Taken between
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U. H. J.
Liber No. 35
May 4
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1636. and 1657. by the Governor and Council was in the following
Words " I will not by myself or any other Person directly or in-
directly trouble, molest, or discountenance any Person whatsoever
professing to believe in Jesus Christ for or in Respect of his or her
Religion, nor in the free Exercise thereof so far was the Oath
common to both Governor and Council, but the Governor's proceeded
farther " that he would make no Difference of Persons in conferring
of Offices, Rewards, or Favours proceeding from the Authority his
Lordship had conferred upon him for or in Respect of their Religion,
but merely as he should find them faithful and well deserving and to
the best of his Understanding endued with moral Virtues and Abili-
ties fitting, wherein his principal Aim should be sincerely the Ad-
vancem.t of his Lordship's Service, and the public Unity and if, any
Officer or Person should molest or disturb any Person professing
to believe in Jesus Christ merely for or in Respect of his or her
Religion or the free Exercise thereof he would upon Notice apply
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p. 319
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