New York Charter of Liberties and Privileges (October 30, 1683):
<PARAGRAPH 27 RELIGIOUS TOLERATION:
That no person or persons which profess faith in God by Jesus Christ shall at any time be any ways molested punished disquieted or called in question for any difference in opinion or matter of religious concernment, who does not actually disturb the civil peace of the province, But that all and every such person or persons may from time to time and at all times freely have and fully enjoy his or their judgments or consciences in matters of religion throughout all the province, they behaving themselves peaceably and quietly and not using this Liberty to Licentiousness nor to the civil injury or outward disturbance of others...
AND WHEREAS All the respective Christian Churches now in practice within the City of New York and the other places of this province do appear to be privileged Churches and have been so established and confirmed by the former authority of this Government BE it hereby enacted by this General Assembly and by the authority thereof that all the said respective Christian Churches be hereby confirmed therein And that they and every of them shall from henceforth forever be held and reputed as privileged Churches and enjoy all their former freedoms; of their Religion in Divine Worship and Church discipline And that all former contracts made and agreed upon for the maintenances of the several ministers of the said Churches shall stand and continue in full force and virtue And...all Christian Churches that shall hereafter come and settle with in this province shall have the same privileges.
[Part of paragraph 27 is included in paragraph 38 of New York's 1777 Constitution.]> 1683NY001
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American Quotations by William J. Federer, 2024, All Rights Reserved, Permission granted to use with acknowledgement
Endnotes:
1683NY001. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). New York Charter of Liberties and Privileges, October 30, 1683.