184 , CIVIL POWER IN THINGS SACRED. And perhaps we might venture so far as to say, that the preachers of natural religion in all the more necessary and obviogs doctrines and duties of it, which have so evident a connection with the civil prosperity and welfare of t,te state, may be lawfully maintained by the government out of the national tribute appointed to supply the civil list; but I affirm it not at present. I would speak with all just diffidence in things dubious. SECT. IV. Of the People's Attendance on these Public . Teachers. I. Now a question arises here; if there are publicofficers appointed to teach the laws of the land, and also to teach the things that relate to the knowledge of the true God, the religion of an oath, and those virtues and vices which con- cern the civil interests of the society, may not the supreme power likewise oblige the people at certain seasons to come and attend the lectures of these public teachers, supposing that these times and seasons are so wisely adjusted'as not to interfere with the civil interests of mankind or of that nation. To thinI answer, H. I see nothing in it inconsistent with the rights or just li- berties of mankind : And upon this account I would ask, may not a christian prince appoint a, certain hour of the first day of the week which christians esteem. sacred, to he employed in hearing these lectures? And for the. smite reason might not a. Jewish prince appoint some part of the last day of the week, which the Jews count sacred, for persons to hear such lectures ? And a Turkish prince appoint his lectures of the same kind upon a Friday for the same reason ? III. And I might add further, that if the state judge it necessary, that one day in seven, or nine, or twelve, or twice in a month people should be restrained from their usual labours in public, partly togive rest to the labouring part of a nation, both man and beast, and partly that they may be more at leisure for these public lectures in their regular course, I do not at present see any thing in it inconsistent with the just liberties of the peo- ple : Provided always that the time -or times appointed for such public lectures, are not so numerous nor so large as to hinder the common welfare of the people in their several particular employ- ments, 'or to obstruct or prevent or too much curtail and ,diminish religious services, or the necessary duties whereconscience obliges' each of them to pay special honours to the God they profess; of Which hereafter; IV. It is granted indeed, that the .Jews so long as they were a nation under a distinct government of their own, were 'actually tinder a theocracy ; God was their political head and
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