A treatise of civil power in ecclesiastical causes : Shewing that it is not lawful for any power on earth to compel in matters of religion

In this concise yet forceful essay, the writer argues that no civil power may compel a person’s religious belief or worship. By invoking Scripture and the core tenets of Protestant liberty, he maintains that the conscience is a divine jurisdiction beyond the reach of any earthly law. The central claim is that forcing conformity not only violates individual rights but also destabilizes the whole social order.

Addressed directly to the English Parliament and its magistrates, the work reflects the heated aftermath of civil war and the struggle to define the nation’s constitutional identity. It carefully separates the duties of civic governance—maintaining peace and justice—from the spiritual realm, warning that the mixture of force and faith breeds corruption among clergy and tyranny among rulers. The language blends legal argument with moral passion, offering vivid examples of past abuses that still echo today.

Although rooted in 17th‑century debates, the treatise speaks to contemporary discussions about religious freedom and the proper limits of state authority. Listeners will find a historically rich, thought‑provoking defense of conscience that remains strikingly relevant.