19. From what hath been said may be gathered, that God reigning by the way of natural reason only, subjects do sin, first if they break the moral laws; which are unfolded in chapters II. and III. Secondly, if they break the laws or commands of the city, in those things which pertain to justice. Thirdly, if they worship not God κατὰ τὰ νόμικα Fourthly, if they confess not before men, both in words and deeds, that there is one God most good, most great, most blessed, the Supreme King of the world and of all worldly kings; that is to say, if they do not worship God. This fourth sin in the natural kingdom of God, by what hath been said in the foregoing chapter in art. 2, is the _sin of treason against the Divine Majesty_. For it is a denying of the Divine Power, or _atheism_. For sins proceed here, just as if we should suppose some man to be the sovereign king, who being himself absent, should rule by his viceroy. Against whom sure they would transgress, who should not obey his viceroy in all things; except he usurped the kingdom to himself, or would give it to some other. But they who should so absolutely obey him, as not to admit of this exception, might be said to be guilty of treason. ------- CHAPTER XVI. OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD UNDER THE OLD COVENANT. 1. Superstition possessing foreign nations, God instituted true religion by the means of Abraham. 2. By the covenant between God and Adam, all dispute is forbidden concerning the commands of superiors. 3. The manner of the covenant between God and Abraham. 4. In that covenant is contained an acknowledgment of God, not simply, but of him who appeared unto Abraham. 5. The laws unto which Abraham was tied, were no other beside those of nature, and the law of circumcision. 6. Abraham was the interpreter of the word of God, and of all laws among those that belonged to him. 7. Abraham’s subjects could not sin by obeying him. 8. God’s covenant with the Hebrews on Mount Sinai. 9. From thence God’s government took the name of a kingdom. 10. What laws were by God given to the Jews. 11. What the word of God is, and how to be known. 12. What was held the written word of God among the Jews. 13. The power of interpreting the word of God, and the supreme civil power, were united in Moses while he lived. 14. They were also united in the high-priest, during the life of Joshua. 15. They were united too in the high-priest until king Saul’s time. 16. They were also united in the kings until the captivity. 17. They were so in the high-priests after the captivity. 18. Denial of the Divine Providence, and idolatry, were the only treasons against the Divine Majesty among the Jews; in all things else they ought to obey their princes.