In a rented room not far from the State House in Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson found himself surrounded with books and pamphlets as resources for a daunting assignment: to compose the first draft of a Declaration of Independence.
The others on the five-person committee had convinced Jefferson he was the best choice for the task. He had few enemies in the Continental Congress and was already known as an excellent penman, having drafted the Virginia Constitution.
Among Jefferson’s resources was the pamphlet, Vindication of the Government of New England Churches by Rev. John Wise. Originally published in 1717, it was reprinted in 1772 for its persuasive arguments backing the cause of liberty from British tyranny.*
Now why would New England churches have needed to defend themselves?
As early as 1687, the Anglican Church of England sought to extract tax revenue from the colonial churches. John Wise was the Congregational pastor of Ipswich, Massachusetts at the time. In a sermon he used scripture to assert that taxation without representation was tyranny. He also led the revolt against the Royal Governor, Sir Edmond Andros, in response to the tax levy.
Wise and other leaders were heavily fined and briefly imprisoned. But a group of Massachusetts citizens conducted a lawful “citizens’ arrest” of the governor and sent him back to England. As a result of their effort to be free from oppression, Ipswich became known as “The Birthplace of American Independence.”
John Wise’s experience with unlawful taxation and his persuasive arguments against tyranny made his work a likely resource as Thomas Jefferson prepared to draft the Declaration.
But where did John Wise obtain those compelling arguments? Surely they came from the Bible.
For example, Wise wrote: “Every man must be acknowledged equal to every man.”
Thomas Jefferson similarly wrote, “All men are created equal.”
That principle is found in Malachi 2:10. “Have we not all one Father? Did not one God create us? Why do we profane the covenant of our fathers by breaking faith with one another?”
Another example of Wise’s influence includes: “The end of all good government is to cultivate humanity and promote the happiness of all, and the good of every man in all his rights, his life, liberty, estate, honor, etc., without injury or abuse done to any.”
Sound familiar?
In the Declaration we read, “All men…are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
“Inalienable rights” are those God bestowed when he created humankind. Because they are from God himself, governments do not have the prerogative to take them away. Examples are found within our Bill of Rights. Others include: to earn a living and keep the profits of our labor, to move freely within the country or leave the country, and to live secure in our homes.
Such rights should be respected by all, because each of us was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). He is our Heavenly Father, who loves each of us passionately (Jeremiah 31:3) and desires we act justly toward one another (Micah 6:8).
What parent doesn’t desire that siblings live happily and peacefully together?
But“Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” for all are only possible if we follow Jesus’ teaching of the Golden Rule: “In everything do to others what you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12).
Finally, one more example from John Wise: “Only by the voluntary consent of individuals can a government have authority, since it must be delegated from the individual.”
Jefferson included similar reasoning in the Declaration. “To secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”
Even kings are under the law of God, not above it. They have no right to arbitrarily make laws and decrees that benefit them but are unjust to the governed. Again, scripture makes such truth clear:
(“Woe to those who make unjust laws,
to those who issue oppressive decrees,
to deprive the poor of their rights
and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people,
making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless.”
–Isaiah 10:1-2 NIV)
With such inspiration from John Wise and others, Jefferson picked up his pen and began to write:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident…”
Indeed, the truths espoused by the Declaration of Independence are based on absolutes, ordained by our Creator God for our best welfare–as individuals, communities, and nations.
Lord, help each of us live out these self-evident truths.
________________________________
*One of the committee members, John Adams, wrote in a letter to his friend, Timothy Pickering, in 1822: “There is not an idea in it [the Declaration] but what had been hackneyed in Congress for two years before…Indeed, the essence of it is contained in a pamphlet, voted and printed by the town of Boston before the first Congress met.” According to Dr. Paul Jehle, Executive Director of the Plymouth Foundation, that pamphlet was Pastor Wise’s Vindication of the Government of New England Churches. (“The Origen of the Declaration,” http://www.plymrock.org).
Resources:
- constitutioncenter.org
- The Founders’ Bible, edited by Brad Cummings and Lance Wubbels, Shiloh Road Publishers, 2014.
- storiesfromipswich.org
- teachingamericanhistory.org
Art & photo credits: www.wikimedia.org; http://www.pinterest.com (2); http://www.godswordimages.com; http://www.slideshare.net; http://www.ushistory.org.
Yes! I like the way you’ve tightened the focus and argumentation here, Nancy.
Thanks to you, Mitch and my other Writers’ Group friends!
Loved this, Nancy. Inspired.
May the Lord bless you,
Diane
So glad you enjoyed this one, Diane. I AM blessed as I blog and babysit–two of my main activities these days! Pray that you and Bruce are as well.
I learn new things every day. I’d never heard of John Wise before. We always hear about the influence of John Locke and other enlightenment philosophers on Jefferson’s thoughts. It’s enlightening to dig a little deeper into the library and see the richness of the works that influenced Jefferson. Thanks so much.
I hadn’t heard of John Wise either until I came across mention of him in my reading–except we did have a church member by that name once upon a time. (I wonder if HE knew of his namesake?!)
wow love the intriguing background you gave us here. Ancestry.com has a great tv commercial this weekend about the Declaration of Independence showing descendents of those who signed it. very moving and show America’s diversity.
Thank you, Jean. I’ll have to check out that commercial–if it’s available to non-subscribers. Sounds very interesting and right up my alley!
Loving learning more about the Declaration of Independence! I had not heard of John Wise and really appreciate knowing that he was inspired by scripture and, in turn, was an inspiration for Thomas Jefferson! Thanks so much for this. Also, according to Wikipedia, “Through his wife, Rev John was a great-uncle of President John Adams.”
Well, how about that–John Wise was related (by marriage) to John Adams! Thank you for the interesting, extra tid-bit of info. So glad you enjoyed the post, Cheri. (I had a feeling you would, with your interest in history and politics!)
My husband and I are reading “Mayflower” by Nathaniel Philbrick and it is fascinating how much of civil life is entwined with church life….as they well should be. Jesus basically said that what we believe about Him should make a difference in the way we live, eh?
As always, super-fun history lesson, Nancy.
Thank you for the book recommendation! Agreed: what we believe about Jesus SHOULD make a difference in the way we live. His way provides the abundant life (John 10:10), right? So glad you enjoyed the history lesson, Jody.
Back to the Bible, every time! Lord, remind us if that.
Amen, Greg. Because the Bible is perfect truth, all seeking of truth leads us to its pages. Praise God for the precious gift of his revelation! (I find it hard to imagine living in a time or place where scripture was/is not available.)
That is why David kept God’s Word on our heart and we are the Bible to those who won’t ever open it.
Our FOUNDING FATHERS replied on the Geneva Holy Bible that was brought in the Mayflower ship, the Bible was 50 years older than the King James Authorized Version Holy Bible 1611!!
Most of our FOUNDING FATHERS were Christians and Prayed to our ONE TRUE GOD the FATHER who art in Heaven Above and HIS SON Jesus-Yeshua Christ Everyday!!
This is why I say: Please PRAY for our Judeo-Christian Nation United States of America and Israel-Yisrael Everyday!! “Pray Without Ceasing.” ( 1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV )!!
May our ONE TRUE GOD the FATHER who art in Heaven Above Bless all my Sisters and Brothers in Christ Jesus-Yeshua and my Messianic Jewish Sisters and Brothers in Christ Jesus-Yeshua and Your Families and Friends who STAND with the Holy Land of Israel-Yisrael and our Judeo-Christian Nation United States of America!!
I Love you all Everyone through Jesus-Yeshua Christ, because HE LOVED 💕 EVERYONE FIRST!!
Love 💕 Always and Shalom ( Peace ) Everyone, YSIC \o/
Kristi Ann