Facts for the Times

TO BE IN ALLIANCE WITH THE CIVIL POWER IS TO BE AGAINST THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST

“Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God.” 2 John 9. FT 74.9

“And the SOLDIERS likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, do violence to no man.” Luke 3:14. FT 74.10

“Then said Jesus unto him, put up again thy sword into his place; for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.” Matthew 26:52. FT 75.1

“For the weapons of our warfare are NOT CARNAL, but mighty through God,” etc. 2 Corinthians 10:4. FT 75.2

“But I say unto you that ye resist not evil,” etc. FT 75.3

Also Proverbs 20:22; 24:29; Luke 6:27-29; 12:14; Romans 12:17, 19; 1 Corinthians 6:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:15; 1 Peter 3:9. FT 75.4

The Reformers, LUTHER, MELANCHTON, and others, in their confession at Augsburg, have the following: FT 75.5

“For this reason we must take particular care not to mingle the power of the Church with the power of the State. The power of the Church ought never to invade an office that is foreign to it, for Christ himself said, My kingdom is not of this world,” etc.—D’Aubigne’s Hist., p. 565. FT 75.6

On the above the historian remarks: FT 75.7

“With what wisdom, in particular, the confessors of Augsburg protest against that confusion of religion and politics which, since the deplorable epoch of Constantine had changed the kingdom of God into an earthly and carnal institution.”—Ib., p. 566. FT 75.8

DR. CLARKE says: FT 75.9

“When political matters are brought into the church of Christ, both are ruined. The church has more than once ruined the state: the state has often corrupted the church.” “No secular arm, no human prudence, no earthly policy, no suits at law, shall ever be used for the founding, extension, and preservation of my church.” “Woe to the inhabiters inhabiters of earth,” when the church takes the civil government of the world into its hands.—Christian Theology, pp. 251-2. FT 75.10

Protestants and Catholics are so nearly united in sentiment, that it is not difficult to conceive how Protestants may make an image to the Beast. The mass of Protestants believe with Catholics in the Trinity, immortality of the soul, consciousness of the dead, rewards and punishments at death, the endless torture of the wicked, inheritance of the saints beyond the skies, sprinkling for baptism, and the PAGAN SUNDAY for the Sabbath; all of which is contrary to the spirit and letter of the new testament. Surely there is between the mother and daughters, a striking family resemblance. FT 76.1