Page:The Net of Faith.pdf/433

112* And they became accustomed not only to that, but they began to seek help from the Emperor whenever injustice was done to them, to protect them and to carry out revenge against the guilty, thus doing a wrong to their property or life. And, having accomplished these things through the power of the Emperor and his officials, they began to give to him their trust which was due to God alone. And they became as wicked as the pagans, trusting in man and giving him honor which belongs to God only. Had they trusted solely in God, they would have settled all their differences by His law and suffered injustices rather than returning evil for evil. (Having not this trust) they defend themselves by means of pagan power, securing redress for injustices through trials in courts, thus departing from God and His law. They have become accustomed to this way and now their conscience is not bothered on that account. They have been thus changed by Constantine who, having entered their ranks, partook of their faith and imposed on them their participation in pagan ways. Even today the priests and masters propound this to the Christians saying that they should not become lured by a strange teaching. Yet this in itself is a strange teaching introduced through power. 1-Pe.3:9.