It is our family tradition -- which currently draws groans and eye-rolls, but we press on -- to read the Declaration of Independence aloud (skipping the long list of grievances for the younger children's sakes). It's awkward at first but by that last paragraph, people often begin to stand and cheer.
Join us. Remember what once made this nation great--in principle if not yet in practice.
"The price of liberty is eternal vigilance." ~ source debated, but no less true
#IndependenceDay
I'm thankful for this 'American Experiment into the Wilderness' -- but even more thankful for the Post-Reformation Reformers who formulated the ideas on civil liberties ~200 years prior to 1776 that the 'Enlightenment' thinkers 'borrowed' without proper attribution (or even proper ground).
From ~1646:
WCF 23.iii: Civil magistrates may not assume to themselves the administration of the Word and sacraments; or the power of the keys of the kingdom of heaven; or, in the least, interfere in matters of faith. Yet, as nursing fathers, it is the duty of civil magistrates to protect the church of our common Lord, without giving the preference to any denomination of Christians above the rest, in such a manner that all ecclesiastical persons whatever shall enjoy the full, free, and unquestioned liberty of discharging every part of their sacred functions, without violence or danger. And, as Jesus Christ hath appointed a regular government and discipline in his church, no law of any commonwealth should interfere with, let, or hinder, the due exercise thereof, among the voluntary members of any denomination of Christians, according to their own profession and belief. It is the duty of civil magistrates to protect the person and good name of all their people, in such an effectual manner as that no person be suffered, either upon pretense of religion or of infidelity, to offer any indignity, violence, abuse, or injury to any other person whatsoever: and to take order, that all religious and ecclesiastical assemblies be held without molestation or disturbance.
WCF 30.i: The Lord Jesus, as King and Head of his church, hath therein appointed a government, in the hand of church officers, distinct from the civil magistrate.
WCF 31.iv: Synods and councils are to handle, or conclude nothing, but that which is ecclesiastical: and are not to intermeddle with civil affairs which concern the commonwealth, unless by way of humble petition in cases extraordinary; or, by way of advice, for satisfaction of conscience, if they be thereunto required by the civil magistrate.
#IndependenceDay #America250
