PART the First.
Art.
I.ALL men are born free and equal, and have certain natural, eſſential, and unalienable rights; among which may be reckoned the right of enjoying and defending their lives and liberties; that of acquiring, poſſeſſing, and protecting property; in fine, that of ſeeking and obtaining their ſafety and happineſs.
II. It is the right as well as the duty of all men in ſociety, publicly, and at ſtated ſeaſons, to worſhip the SUPREME BEING, the great creator and preſerver of the univerſe. And no ſubject ſhall be hurt, moleſted, or reſtrained, in his perſon, liberty, or eſtate, for worſhiping GOD in the manner and ſeaſon agreeable to the dictates of his own conſcience; or for his religious profeſſion or ſentiments; provided he doth not diſturb the public peace, or obſtruct others in their religious worſhip.
III. As the happineſs of a people, and the good order and preſervation of civil government, eſſentially depend upon piety, religion and morality; and as theſe cannot be generally diffuſed through a community, but by the inſtitution of the public worſhip of GOD, and of public inſtructions in piety, religion and morality: Therefore, to promote their happineſs, and to ſecure the good order and preſervation of their government, the people of this Commonwealth have a right to inveſt their legiſlature
