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But Christianity, in this respect, in its original 

 simplicity, stands totally free from all suspicion. 

 The kingdom of our Saviour and his apostles 

 was, literallf, ' not of this world ; ' and in no 

 instance whatever did they claim or exercise 

 any degree of political power, or encroach, in 

 the least, on the authority of the magistrate. 

 Christianity released none from their duties, 

 public or domestic ; they were still to be dis- 

 charged by all persons, and not only with equal 

 fidelity, but with more exalted views ; no longer 

 ' as pleasers of men, but as servants of God.' 



" It seems almost surprising," said my aunt, 

 "that enthusiasm, or rather bigotry, should ever 

 have crept in amongst the professors of a religion 

 that is so mild and so moderate in all its doc- 

 trines." 



" Every line of the gospel," said my uncle, 

 tf expresses the same calm and merciful spirit, 

 with which our Saviour checked the intemperate 

 zeal of his disciples, who would have called fire 

 from heaven on the Samaritans, for refusing to 

 receive him. And take notice, that his heavenly 

 wisdom not only prohibits every species of per- 

 secution, but reprobates all those overbearing 

 feelings which leads to discord of every kind. 

 How strongly do St. Paul's precepts enforce this 

 forbearing principle ! In the language of a 

 heart overflowing with benignity, he says, ' Why 

 dost thou judge thy brother; for we shall all 



