Page 21
§. 97
But since the Natives of that Place, who will be concerned in our Plantation, are utterly Strangers to Christianity, whose Idolatry, Ignorance, or Mistake, gives us no right to expel, or use them ill; and those who remove from other Parts to Plant there, will un∣avoidably be of different Opinions concerning Matters of Reli∣gion, the liberty whereof they will expect to have allowed them, and it will not be reasonable for us on this account to keep them out; that Civil Peace may be maintained amidst the diversity of Opinions, and our Agreement and Compact with all Men may be duly and faithfully observed, the violation whereof upon what pretence soever, cannot be without great offence to Almighty God, and great scandal to the true Religion which we profess; and also that Iews, Heathens, and other Dissenters from the purity of Chri∣stian Religion, may not be scared and kept at a distance from it, but by having an opportunity of acquainting themselves with the truth and reasonableness of its Doctrines, and the peaceableness and inoffensiveness of its Professors, may by good usage and perswa∣sion, and all those convincing Methods of gentleness and meekness, suitable to the Rules and Design of the Gospel, be won over to em∣brace, and unfeignedly receive the Truth; Therefore any seven, or more Persons agreeing in any Religion, shall Constitute a Church or Prefession, to which they shall give some Name, to di∣stinguish it from others.