§. 15. 4. It is as hard a question: How far an Atheist or Infidel is a rightful member of a Commonwealth, as how far such a one may be a rightful Governor. And, 1. It is certain that as to obligation he is a subject of God and man, and bound to obey: as an Atheist King possessing the place is bound to rule well, and sinneth by not doing it: 2. It is certain that as a man, he hath a fundamental conditional right to the privileges of a good subject, that is, if he will be such a one. 3. A Negative not-knowing God or Christ, much differeth from a positive denying him, rebelling and opposing: As Catechumens that know not God or Christ are not Anathematized as deniers and opposers are; because they are teachable, and coming towards the Church, though not of it; so in a Christian Commonwealth, such are members in a large sense, secundum quid, and forfeit not their lives, liberties or estates, but are only candidates as to the rewards and preferments and special privileges of worthy members, who either rule or have a ⟨p. 255⟩voice in choosing Rulers. But being willing to learn to know God and Christ, they should with love and kindness be encouraged and drawn on. 4. But in a Kingdom of such as know not God or Christ they must have rule and privileges because there are no fitter to have them: But such a Kingdom is to God no otherwise his subjects than such a person before described is. 5. But those that after sufficient instruction deny and oppose God as God, do forfeit the protection and common liberty of subjects in a Kingdom, that confesseth God; and those that deny Christ in a Christian Kingdom and oppose him as Christ, do forfeit the Common protection of Christian subjects: But wise men think that because the Deity is of Natural Revelation by all Gods works to all men as men, and Christ only of supernatural revelation by the Gospel and the work of faith more difficult, therefore the opposers of a Deity, forfeit their lives if they continue obstinate; but the enemies of Christ only forfeit their place in a Christian Commonwealth and should be banished if obstinate: As the mere ignorance of him, keepeth such out of the Church till they believe: But then denying or opposing Christ deserveth ejection with anathema.
§. 15. 4. It is as hard a question: How far an Atheist or Infidel is a rightful member of a Commonwealth, as how far such a one may be a rightful Governour. And, 1. It is certain that as to obligation he is a subject of God and man, and bound to obey: as an Atheist King possessing the place is bound to rule well, and smneth by not doing it: 2. It is certain that as a man, he hath a fundamental conditional right to the priviledges of a good subject, that is, if he will be such a one. 3. A Negative not-knowing God or Christ, much differeth from a positive denying him, rebelling and opposing: As Catechumens that know not God or Christ are not Anathematized as deniers and opposers are; because they are teachable, and coming towards the Church, though not of it; so in a Christian Commonwealth, such are members in a large sense, secundum quid, and forfeit not their lives, liberties or estates, but are only candidates as to the rewards and preferments and special priviledges of worthy members, who either rule or have a ⟨p. 255⟩voice in choosing Rulers. But being willing to learn to know God and Christ, they should with love and kindness be encouraged and drawn on. 4. But in a Kingdom of such as know not God or Christ they must have rule and priviledges because there are no fitter to have them: But such a Kingdom is to God no otherwise his subjects than such a person before described is. 5. But those that after sufficient instruction deny and oppose God as God, do forfeit the protection and common liberty of subjects in a Kingdom, that confesseth God; and those that deny Christ in a Christian Kingdom and oppose him as Christ, do forfeit the Common protection of Christian subjects: But wise men think that because the Deity is of Natural Revelation by all Gods works to all men as men, and Christ only of supernatural revelation by the Gospel and the work of faith more difficult, therefore the opposers of a Deity, forfeit their lives if they continue obstinate; but the enemies of Christ only forfeit their place in a Christian Commonwealth and should be banished if obstinate: As the meer ignorance of him, keepeth such out of the Church till they believe: But then denying or opposing Christ deserveth ejection with anathema.
