Page:Notes on the State of Virginia (1802).djvu/331

Rh finally, that truth is great and will prevail if left to herſelf, that ſhe is the proper and ſufficient antagoniſt to error, and has nothing to fear from the conflict, unleſs by human interpoſition diſarmed of her natural weapons, free argument and debate, errors ceaſing to be dangerous when it is permitted freely to contradict them.

Be it therefore enabled by the General Aſſembly, That no man ſhall be compelled to frequent or ſupport any religious worſhip, place or miniſtry whatſoever, nor ſhall be enforced, reſtrained, moleſted, or burthened in his body or goods, nor ſhall otherwiſe ſuffer on account of his religious opinions or belief; but that all men ſhall be free to profeſs, and by argument to maintain, their opinions in matters of religion and that the ſame ſhall in no wiſe diminiſh, enlarge, or affect their civil capacities.

And though we well know that this aſſembly, elected by the people for the ordinary purpoſes of legiſlation only, have no power to reſtrain the acts of ſucceeding aſſemblies, conſtituted with powers equal to our own, and that therefore to declare this act irrevocable, would be of no effect in law, yet we are free to declare, and do declare, that the rights hereby aſſerted are of the natural rights of mankind, and that if any act ſhall be hereafter paſſed to repeal the preſent or narrow its operation, ſuch act will be an infringement of natural right.