The doctrine of nonresistance was, in their view, as in the view of most of their brethren, the distinguishing badge of the Anglican Church.
But Tenison, whatever might be his sentiments concerning nonresistance in the abstract, thought the late rebellion rash and wicked, and considered Monmouth's notion respecting marriage as a most dangerous delusion.
That the power of William, as well as the power of Cromwell, had an illegitimate origin, no divine who held the doctrine of nonresistance would dispute.
The doctrine of nonresistance had been dear to the Anglican divines.
Lochiel would undoubtedly have laughed the doctrine of nonresistanceto scorn.
For, in the times when nonresistance and passive obedience were the favourite themes of his brethren, he had scarcely ever alluded to politics in the pulpit.
No Christian will pretend that defense with carnal weapons is not criminal, if the gospel really forbids it, let the consequences of nonresistance be what they may.
So that occasions for fulfilling the commandment of nonresistance to evil by force are taught for the most part as occasions for not fulfilling it.
It is worthy of remark in this connection that the revolutionists have attacked the principle of nonresistance to evil by force, in spite of the fact that it is the greatest terror and danger for every despotism.
But the church party, not discouraged with this opposition, introduced into the house of commons a bill for imposing the oath of nonresistance on the whole nation.
Sometimes we hear the sufferings of Christ preached as a pattern of nonresistance for men.
We have spoken of those who dwell upon the Master's nonresistance as a model of passivity in the presence of evil.
Some of them had delighted to exhibit the doctrine of nonresistance in a form so exaggerated as to shock common sense and humanity.
The great body of the Anglican clergy had, during many years, thought it a sacred duty to inculcate on that day the doctrines of nonresistance and passive obedience.
It was therefore necessary to maintain the great principle of nonresistance in all its integrity.
If this sort of mental unsoundness did justify subjects in withdrawing their obedience from princes, the doctrine of nonresistance was completely given up; and all that any moderate Whig had ever contended for was fully admitted.
It will be seen, that the principles of the New England Nonresistance Society, which have been set forth in a former chapter, are the legitimate result of this doctrine.
Like the members of the Nonresistance Society, the Abolitionists are fighting characters.
Though not a member of the New England Nonresistance Society, we are a little bit of a Quaker, and hold that the principles of Christianity are at war with war.
It is fortunate for the public, that in the case of the New England Nonresistance Society, we have a fair exemplification of these principles.
Biblical nonresistance declines to participate in the coercive activities of the state, but nevertheless regards those as necessary for the maintenance of order in a sinful society, and is not anarchistic.
