4. We must be as honest in paying
respect as in paying our bills. To all good men we owe a debt of honor, and we
have no right to hand over what is their due to vile people who happen to be in
high places. When bad men are in office, it is our duty to respect the office,
but we cannot so violate our consciences as to do otherwise than condemn the
men; on the other hand, when true saints are in poverty and distress, we must
sympathize with their afflictions and honor the men none the less. He thatsweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. Scriptural saints under the New
Testament rule “swear not at
all,” but their
word is as good as an oath. Those men of God who think it right to swear are
careful and prayerful lest they should seem to overshoot the mark. When
engagements have been entered into which turn out to be unprofitable, “the saints
are men of honor still.” Our blessed Surety swore to his own hurt, but how
gloriously he stood to his suretyship!
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