Test the imposition of an oath, or any other act by which the religious principles of any individual are put to proof. Tests and disabilities are distinct from penalties properly so called: it would be absurd to talk of punishing any one for being a woman, a minor, a person destitute of natural capacity, or opportunities of education, etc., on the ground that these are excluded as unfit for certain offices and privileges. Yet test laws do operate as a punishment; not because they are cause of pain, but inasmuch as they tend to produce that change of conduct which punishment is designed to produce.
The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature was edited by John McClintock and James Strong. It contains nearly 50,000 articles pertaining to Biblical and other religious literature, people, creeds, etc. It is a fantastic research tool for broad Christian study.
John McClintock was born October 27, 1814 in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, John and Martha McClintock. He began as a clerk in his father's store, and then became a bookkeeper in the Methodist Book Concern in New York. Here he converted to Methodism and considered joining the ministry. McClintock entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1832 and graduated with high honors three years later. Subsequently, he was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the same institution in 1848.WikipediaRead More