0315 Constantine the Great
The following statement, in the form of a compact between Constantine and God, was released as a proclamation to the peoples of the East. He established true religious liberty in the Edict of Milan giving equal rights to Christians and pagans. This liberty lasted only 250 years. It was not re-won until Roger Williams, the Protestant, and Lord Baltimore, the Catholic, established Rhode Island and Maryland respectively as free states in the original thirteen colonies.
I hasten, O God, to put my shoulder to the work of restoring Thy most holy house, which profane and impious princes have marred by their violence. But I desire that my people should live in peace and in concord. . . . Let the followers of error enjoy the same peace and security with those who believe: this very restoration of common privileges will be powerful to lead men towards the road of truth. Let no man molest his neighbor. What the soul of each man counsels him, that let him do. . . . Whatever truth a man has received and been persusded of, let him not smite his neighbor with it. Rather, whatever he has himself seen and understood, let him help his neighbor with it, if that is possible; if it is not, let him desist from the attempt. For it is one thing to voluntarily undertake to wrestle for immortality; it is another to constrain others to it by fear.
