Read Books Online, for Free |
Common Sense | Thomas Paine | |
Appendix |
Page 8 of 9 |
I now proceed to the latter part of your testimony, and that, for which all the foregoing seems only an introduction viz. "It hath ever been our judgment and principle, since we were called to profess the light of Christ Jesus, manifested in our consciences unto this day, that the setting up and putting down kings and governments, is God's peculiar prerogative; for causes best known to himself: And that it is not our business to have any hand or contrivance therein; nor to be busy bodies above our station, much less to plot and contrive the ruin, or overturn of any of them, but to pray for the king, and safety of our nation. and good of all men - That we may live a peaceable and quiet life, in all godliness and honesty; under the government which God is pleased to set over us" - If these are really your principles why do ye not abide by them? Why do ye not leave that, which ye call God's Work, to be managed by himself? These very principles instruct you to wait with patience and humility, for the event of all public measures, and to receive that event as the divine will towards you. Wherefore, what occasion is there for your political testimony if you fully believe what it contains? And the very publishing it proves, that either, ye do not believe what ye profess, or have not virtue enough to practise what ye believe. |
Who's On Your Reading List? Read Classic Books Online for Free at Page by Page Books.TM |
Common Sense Thomas Paine |
Home | More Books | About Us | Copyright 2004