"So the question is, First, Whether the civil magistrate hath power to force men in things religious to do contrary to their conscience, and if they will not to punish them in their goods, liberties, or lives? this we hold in the negative"

This quote by Robert Barclay is asking whether the civil magistrate, or federal government, has the power to force people to do things that go against their religions, and if they decline, to punish them with fines, imprisonment, or perhaps death. Barclay's response to this question is a resounding "no". He thinks that the government should not have the power to force people to do things that go against their conscience, which people should be complimentary to practice their religion without worry of punishment. He also believes that the government needs to not have the ability to punish individuals for their religious beliefs, as this would be an offense of their standard human rights. This quote is a suggestion that spiritual flexibility is an essential right that ought to be appreciated and secured.