same that it was upon earth. He is ever meek, merciful, and condescending to men of low estate. Let us trust Him and not be afraid.
Let us notice for another thing, how our Lord condemns those icho think to use carnal weapons in defence of Him and His cause. He reproves one of His disciples for striking a servant of the high priest. He bids him " put up his sword into his place." And he adds a solemn declaration of perpetual significance, '^ all they that take the sword shall perish by the sword."'
The sword has a lawful office of its own. It may be used righteously in the defence of nations against oppres- sion. It may become j)ositively necessary to use it, to prevent confusion, plunder, and rapine upon earth. But the sword is not to be used in the propagation and main- .tenance of the Gospel. Christianity is not to be enforced by bloodshed, and belief in it extorted by force. Happy would it have been for the Church if this sentence had been more frequently remembered ! There are few countries in Christendom, where the mistake has not been made of attempting to change men's religious opinions by compulsion, penalties, imprisonment, and death. And with what effect ? The pages of history supply an answer. No wars have been so bloody as those which have arisen out of the collision of religious opinions. Often, mournfully often, the very men who have been most forward to promote those wars, have themselves been slain. May we never forget this ! The weajDons of the Christian warfare are not carnal, but spiritual. (2 Cor. X. 4.)
Let us notice for another thing, hoiu our Lord submitted