How we cite our quotes: (Paragraph.Sentence)
Quote #1
Profoundly penetrated with this idea, I shall carry it with me to my grave, as a strong incitement to unceasing vows that heaven may continue to you the choicest tokens of its beneficence; that your union and brotherly affection may be perpetual; that the free Constitution, which is the work of your hands, may be sacredly maintained; that its administration in every department may be stamped with wisdom and virtue […]. (6.3)
Sometimes, the religion in Washington's farewell address is on the subtle side. Here, he uses words like "heaven" and "sacredly" to emphasize the moral superiority of the American governmental system. Using vaguer language would have been understood by all without alienating any one group.
Quote #2
Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. […] The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. (27.1, 3)
Okay, so there are moments where Washington puts religion and government a little more closely together than most people would today. But notice again that he keeps his language pretty universal—he doesn't specify a particular deity or practice, just the general idea of religion. He also seems to be putting down politicians, which is an American tradition to this very day.
Quote #3
Let it simply be asked: Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice? And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. (27.5-6)
Washington's argument in the address that religion is necessary for morality probably wouldn't fly anymore, but back then, it would have been less of an issue. Now he's arguing that the system of justice relies on religion, which demonstrates how integral and part of everyday life religion was in America's colonial period.
Quote #4
It is substantially true that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule, indeed, extends with more or less force to every species of free government. (28.1-2)
Here, Washington expands on the religious idea to make a larger argument. He previously said that religion is necessary for morality, and morality is necessary for the kind of government America wants to have. The implication is that the type of republican system the United States created can't survive without people behaving in a virtuous way—and looking at U.S. political history, we're not sure how much people listened to that part of the address.
Quote #5
Observe good faith and justice towards all nations; cultivate peace and harmony with all. Religion and morality enjoin this conduct; and can it be, that good policy does not equally enjoin it? It will be worthy of a free, enlightened, and at no distant period, a great nation, to give to mankind the magnanimous and too novel example of a people always guided by an exalted justice and benevolence. (31.1-3)
Again, Washington draws a line from religion to morality to government. He wants people to embrace the moral teachings of their religion and use them to form better relationships with other countries. He wants the United States to be the shining moral example in European-American relations. (Let's be real, the "nations" he refers to are all in Europe or European colonies.)