Regarding this world as destined to be soon burnt up, it despaired of improving the foundations of society, and laid down the principle of Non-resistance, even to Injurious force, in terms so unlimited, as practically to throw its entire weight into the scale of tyranny.

It recognises individuals who call themselves kings or magistrates (however tyrannical and usurping), as Powers ordained of God: it does _not_ recognize nations as Communities ordained of God, or as having any power and authority whatsoever, as against pretentious individuals.

To obey a king, is strenuously enforced; to resist a usurping king, in a patriotic cause, is not contemplated in the New Testament as under any circumstances an imaginable duty.

Patriotism has no recognised existence in the Christian records.

I am well aware of the _cause_ of this; I do not say that it reflects any dishonour on the Christian apostles: I merely remark on it as a calamitous fact, and deduce that their precepts cannot and must not be made the sufficient rule of life, or they will still be (as they always have hitherto been) a mainstay of tyranny.