Page:The Net of Faith.pdf/439

115* is the proper thing for mankind to do; it is there to support it only, let it (mankind) fall. Having gone astray from God the people have only their physical life which is tired and everywhere limping. Unable to stand nor walk they have to lean against these laws. When hurt by injustice they run to authorities with a complaint, and the authority orders a session of the court; both parties are compelled to attend the session and the court hands them the verdict. Punishment meted out by civil laws does not really fit the crime. It only assuages passions in the same way in which a gnawed bone pacifies a dog. If this sinful generation had no laws by which to abide, revenge would kill one party after another without end, till the whole of mankind would perish. But it lives on, tottering and burdened with evil, because it leans against laws.

However, those who live by the laws of love have a healthy and strong spiritual life. In times of iniquity, temptations and tribulations they can stand firm, suffering injustice and not returning evil for evil. They have no need of Judges and courts of appeal to carry them through difficult days of tension.

The Master Adversary says also: It can easily happen to the people nurtured by poison that it will accept as right only human edicts and statutes, rejecting the law of Christ as im-