“The most effectual means of producing a uniformity in religion, upon any other plan than that of rational conviction, would be to deprive the common people of the use of the Bible, in their mother tongue; and oblige them to receive their religion from the dictates of their spiritual guides only. It was by this means that the church of Rome kept her sovereignty over the consciousness of men for ages, with a surprising degree of uniformity. The giving of the Bible to the common people, in a language thy understood, gave the deepest wound to her ecclesiastical despotism, and contributed more than any thing (as a mean) to the effecting the Protestant Reformation in which we glory.”
Daniel Turner, Free Thoughts on the Spirit of Free Inquiry in Religion; with Cautions against the Abuse of it, and Persuasions to Candour, Toleration, and Peace, Amongst Christians of All Denominations (Printed and sold by G. Norton, for the Author; Sold also by J. Johnson, No. 72, St. Paul’s Church-yard; T Knott, No. 47, Lombard-street; J. Marsom, No. 187, High Holbron; T. Thomas, No. 29, Houndsditch, London: and by W. Watts, at Abingdon, 1793), 115.
Daniel Turner (1710-1798): Baptist pastor and hymn writer
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