PHI LOS 0 P H Y . - Classic Works of Apologetics Online

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436 Of Rdigiotls Establishments,
I
(-Concerning the admission of dissenters from tb ~
~b!ished religion to offices and employments in the
, public service, which is necessary to render toleration
~omp!ete) doubts have been entertained with some ap ..
pearance of reason. It is possible that such religious
opinions may be holden as are utterly inconlpatiblc
with the necessary functions of civil government;
and Wilich opinions consequently disqualify those
who maintain them, from exercising any share in its
administrarion~ There have been enthu~ia~ts \\'ho
held that ChristiaIlity has abolished all distinction of
property, and that she enjoins upon her followen a.
community of goods.
With what tolerable propriety
could one of this sect be appointed a judge or a
Inagistrate, \vhose office it is to decide upon questions
of private right, and to protect men in the exclu"ive
enjoyment of their propeny ? It wl)uld be eq ually
absurd to intrust a military command to a Quaker,·
who believes it to be contrary to the gospel to take
, up arms. This is possible; therefore it cannot be
J laid down as an universal truth, that religion is not
! in its nature a cause which will justify exclusion from
{ public employments. 'Vhen we examine, however 1
\ the sects of Christianity which actually prevail in the
1 world, we must confess that, with the single exception
of refusing to bear arms, we find no tenet in any of
them which itlCapacitates men for the service of the
state. It has indeed been asserted t11at discor(lancy of
religions, even supposing each religion to be free from
any errors that affect the safety or the conduct of
government, is enough to render men -unfit to act
together, in public stations.
But upon what argu­
Inent, or upon what experience is this as.sertion
founded? I perceive no reason why men of dIfferent
religious persuasions may not sit upon the same
bellch, deliberate in the sanle council, or fight ill the
sanle ranks, as well as nlen of various or OI)})osite
opinions upon any controverted topic of natural
philosophy, history, or ethics.
( There are two caf:es in which test laws are wont to
I be applied, and in which, if in any, they may be de ..