He, who denies this, is ignorant of the true dignity of human nature, and wants a teacher to point out to him not only the equality of mankind before God, but also the universal conditions of man's subsistence in the world! The hereditary knowledge of good and evil may, at least, be esteemed as the one talent for which all mankind are accountable to the universal Lord? And, therefore, if they wilfully abuse or bury this talent, they have surely nothing to expect but the condemnation above mentioned of the unprofitable servant!
Shall we blame the patriotic apostle, then, for his zeal in vindicating the natural rights of mankind against an unjust judge, when he had so fair an opportunity of protesting against his iniquity? God forbid! Let us, on the contrary, revere his example, which, in reality, affords no opposition to the doctrine laid down in the beginning of this tract concerning the necessity of "Christian submission to personal injuries." If he, sometimes, freely and courageously expressed his resentment for personal ill usage, it was always in vindication of the law, on which (next to the providence of God) the safety, liberty, and happiness, of the community depend; whereas, the hasty revenger of his own cause is so far from being a friend to the community, or a lover of liberty, that he himself is actually a tyrant; because he neglects the necessary doctrine of "Christian submission to personal injuries," and on every occasion is ready to revenge his own cause with his own hand, and to usurp all the distinct offices of judge, jury, and executioner! He is so far from vindicating the law, like the generous and patriotic apostle, for the sake of national liberty, that he manifestly sets himself up above the law, (which is the first characteristic of a tyrant,) and thereby renders himself in fact an open enemy to liberty, and consequently a disgrace to society!
"Glory to God in the highest!
And on Earth—Peace,
Good will towards men!"
