I’m pretty sure Mr. Jefferson was using the two extremes in order to make a case that fewer laws is better than more laws. I don’t think his intent was to be taken literally.
Regarding the “pertinent criterion” being the glory of God rather than some “abstract freedom”, you appear to have a fundamental misunderstanding of the intended role of the government in the lives of U.S. citizens. Our Constitution is structured to protect individual liberty, not to promote the glory of God.
Nope. The abundant witness of the Founders was that a bible philosophy, which robustly stands for what I just outlined, is the only valid moral foundation for this constitution. Never ever confuse means with ends. It is literally glory of God or bust.