OF LANCASTER COUNTY. 237 



against their avowed sentiments, lest we come under the odious appella- 

 tion of persecAi.tors. 



As far as these sober people make use of the Bible, to found their 

 principles on, they rely on such passages as these, Gen. ix. 6: He that 

 sheddeth mail's blood, by man shall his blood be shed; and Exod. xx. 13. 

 Thou sJialt not hill: and in the New Testament, Bvt I say v.nfo yon^ lov^ 

 your enemies ; if any smile thee on the one cheek, turn to him the other also ; 

 for all they that take the sword shall perish by the sivord, Matt. v. 39, 44; 

 and xxvi. 52 ; and hence conclude, though I think falsely, that all war is 

 unlawful, except the spiritual, with our own corruptions, by the sword 

 of the spirit, in Christ's spiritual kingdom, which is not of this world, 

 else would his children fight. 



But if I mistake not, these people regard only such passages of holy 

 scripture, as seem to favour their favourite opinion, let the language of 

 other passages be what they will ; and hence their own imagination is 

 substituted instead of divine revelation, so that when people are deter- 

 mined to keep by a sentiment, be it right or wrong, there is an end to all 

 disputation. 



We readily allow, that it would be happy for us all, if there was no 

 moral or natural evil in the world: But how plausible soever such opin- 

 ions may appear, to the weal of society, they are rather calculated to the 

 condition of innocent, than depraved nature ; which now is, and ever 

 has been such, since the fall of our first parents, that there is need of 

 some remedy to curb its evil tendencies, or mankind would scarce be 

 able to subsist in the world ; and this our indulgent, righteous Creator 

 knows ; and has therefore set up civil government to keep men from de- 

 stroying each other : But civil government has no power, if it has not 



the sword, to be a terror to evil doers, and a praise to them that 



ao well. Hence it will follow, that men are under a necessity to part 



with some of their natural rights, to secure the rest; they must give 

 part of their earnings to such as are chosen by themselves, to rule the 

 whole; and then again, they must help the rulers to execute the good 

 and wholesome laws of government, against their violators. Sup- 

 pose, for instance, a great banditti rise to rescue murderers; if these are 

 not quelled, government is overthrown, if the people do not assist good 

 government, and here then arises a necessity to go to war. 



And suppose again, on the other hand, which is very supposable, 

 That the rulers of the people should give way to the many temptations 

 their high stations will lead them to ; to indulge evil, the inclinations of 

 a lust for absolute dominion, independent of the people, so that all the 

 barrier of oaths and covenants are broke through, to effect the plan; 

 and the people have no security, for either life or property, but the mere 

 sovereign pleasure of the absolute rulers: then the people are under a 



