AN ESSAY. 203 light and knowledge, so as actually to cast off their old heathen religion, since the light of conscienceought to be obeyed ? But must every one of them lose their present civil rights by this their increase of knowledge and obedience to God and conscience ? Must the prince, if he turns christian, lose all his authority, or the officers their civil or military power, merely because they have forsaken idolatry, and worshipped the one true God through Jesus Christ; still supposing, that all of them are faithful to fulfil their present posts in the state, and all their duties to it? The absurdity of this would yet more abundantly appear, if the bulk of the people were become christians too, and longed for a christian magistrate. What must both people and princebe eternal slaves to such a law, whichtheir ancestors made in the time of ignorance ? Must a christian people for ever be obliged to have heathen magistrates because their heathen ancestors ones made such a law ? Surely the very light of nature teaches us that the prince and the people, may join to reverse such a law whensoever they feel the mischief and slavery ' that attends it; and would they be wise, to try the same experi- ment again, when they have once felt the inconvenience and bondage of it ? 11I. May not some excellent persons be found, who are fit for any post or office in the government, whether supreme or subordinate, who may profess the gospel of Christ, and thus diiièr from the heathen religion which is established by this law ? Persons I say, whom the people themselves would wish to be their rulers and governors, and persons who by the consti- tution have as much right to it as any others, excepting only their peculiar religion. In an elective government, why should the people be forbid to chose such supreme governors among them, only because they are christians'? And why should the supreme power in any kingdom or government whatsoever, be forbid to make the fittest persons he can find, officers in the army and the state, merely because they are christians ? Or if particular cities or towns or counties have a right by the consti- tution to chuse their own magistrates or fiicers, why should they be hindered from enjoying the benefit of such magistrates as are supposed to be wisest and fittest, merely because they profess christianity ? Can this be for the welfare of the state which the rulers and the ruled, are all bound to consult ? Can it be any advantage to a state to have worse officers chosen into any post, supreme or subordinate, and to have touch fitter per- sons rejected, and that merely because they hold some christian opinions and practices, which have nothing tq do with the state any further, than to teach and incline all men in all stations to make mankindmore safe and happy. VIII. Thus far may be argued, if the religions are entirely
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