"Williams next linked religious and political freedom. It was then universally
believed that governments derived their authority from God. Even Winthrop, after
being elected governor in Massachusetts, told voters, 'Though chosen by you, our
authority comes from God.'
"Williams disputed this. Considering the state secular, he declared
governments mere 'agents' deriving their authority from citizens and having 'no
more power, nor for longer time, than the people … shall betrust them with.'
This statement sounds self-evident now. It was revolutionary then."
John M. Barry in the Los Angeles Times discusses the life of Roger Williams.
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