(October 28, 1701), issued by William Penn, stated:
Because no People can be truly happy, though under the greatest Enjoyments of Civil Liberties, if abridged of the Freedom of their Consciences, as to their Religious Profession and Worship:
And Almighty God being the only Lord of Conscience, Father of Lights and Spirits; and the Author as well as Object of all divine Knowledge, Faith and Worship, who only doth enlighten the Minds, and persuade and convince the Understandings of People, I do hereby grant and declare:
That no Person or Persons, inhabiting in this province or Territories, who shall confess and acknowledge One Almighty God, the Creator, Upholder and Ruler of the World; and profess Him or themselves obliged to live quietly under the Civil Government, shall be in any Case molested or prejudiced, in his or their Person or estate, because of his or their conscientious Persuasion of Practice, nor be compelled to frequent or maintain any religious Worship, Place or Ministry, contrary to his or their Mind, or to do or suffer any other Act or Thing, contrary to their religious Persuasion.
And that all persons who also profess to believe in Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World, shall be capable (notwithstanding their other Persuasions and Practices in Point of Conscience and Religion) to serve this government in any capacity, both legislatively or executively, he or they solemnly promising, when lawfully required, allegiance to the King as Sovereign, and fidelity to the Proprietary and Governor, and taking the Attests as now established by the Law made at New Castle, in the Year One Thousand and Seven Hundred, entitled, An Act directing the Attests of several Officers and Ministers, as now amended and confirmed this present Assembly.445