“There is a two-fold liberty, natural (I mean as our nature is now corrupt) and civil or federal. The first is common to man with beasts and other creatures. By this, man, as he stands in relation to man simply, hath liberty to do what he lists; it is a liberty to evil as well as to good. This liberty is incompatible and inconsistent with authority and cannot endure the least restraint of the most just authority. The exercise and maintaining of this liberty makes men grow more evil and in time to be worse than brute beasts: omnes sumus licentia deteriores. This is that great enemy of truth and peace, that wild beast, which all of the ordinances of God are bent against, to restrain and subdue it. The other kind of liberty I call civil or federal; it may also be termed moral, in reference to the covenant between God and man, in the moral law, and the politic covenants and constitutions between men themselves. This liberty is the proper end and object of authority and cannot subsist without it; and it is a liberty to that only which is good, just and honest. This liberty you are to stand for, with the hazard (not only of your goods, but) of your lives if need be.” – John Winthrop, 1645
* omnes sumus licentia deteriores – too much freedom debases us *
The seeds of our liberty were planted long before our founding. Let us celebrate the blessings of liberty together on his great day being ever mindful of the personal responsibilities and duties such blessings require of each of us. To all of you, our loyal friends and contributors, may the blessings of this great nation last because of how you conduct your lives and how you inspire others to live. Civility and patriotism are the gatekeepers of liberty.
Jack, Steve and Tina wish all of you a very Happy 4th of July.