Page:Some Reflections on the Importance of a Religious Life.djvu/18

 day from which they wholly dissented, and they felt themselves called of the Lord to bear a public testimony against them, and against all unchristian interference with the rights of conscience. They patiently submitted to the consequences of this course of proceeding, severe and cruel as they were. In acting thus, they did not consider that they were violating the apostolic charge, to obey the civil magistrate, because that exhortation, in their view, applied to his temporal, and not to any religious authority.

As the plain command of our Lord is, Swear not at all, they accepted the words in their obvious and extensive meaning; and because they were uttered by Him who is given to be Head over all things to his church, they relied on his divine aid in enduring all the hardships and grievous sufferings which ensued, upon a steadfast adherence to his injunction. The maintenance of this testimony led them to set a high value upon truth-speaking, and gave them purer views of the morality of the Gospel.

Jesus Christ came to proclaim peace on earth and good-will to men; they therefore sought to live in peace with all men; and love, harmony and brotherly kindness conspicuously prevailed among them. He taught them to love their enemies; they therefore would not take