But if governors, contrary to the example of Jesus Christ and of his apostles, should interfere in religious matters, and impose laws upon the governed, of which, as Christians, they cannot but disapprove, then the Quakers are of opinion, that the governed ought always to obey the laws of Jesus Christ, rather than the laws of any governors, who are only men. Thus when Peter and John were commanded by the rulers of the Jews to speak no more in the name of Jesus, they dared not yield obedience to their commands, reasoning thus,[2] "Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye." [Footnote 2: Acts iv. 19.] And as the governed in such case ought, in obedience to God, the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and the King of Kings, to refuse a compliance with the laws of their own governors, so they ought to be prepared patiently to submit to the penalties which are annexed to such refusal, and on no account, if just representations made in the meek and quiet spirit of their religion, are not likely to be effectual, to take up arms or resist them by force. And this doctrine they ground, first, on the principle, that it is not only more noble, but more consistent with their duty as Christians, to suffer, than to give growth to the passions of revenge, or by open resistance to become the occasion of loss of life to others. And, secondly, on the example of Jesus Christ, and of the apostles and primitive Christians, all of whom patiently submitted to the pains and penalties inflicted upon them by the governments of their respective times for the exercise of their religion. CHAP. II. _Oaths--Quakers conceive it unlawful for Christians to take an oath--their sufferings on this account--Consider oaths as unnecessary--as having an immoral tendency, which even the Heathens allowed--and as having been forbidden by Jesus Christ--Explanation of the scriptural passages cited on this occasion--Christianity not so perfect with the lawfulness of oaths as without it--Other reasons taken from considerations relative to the ancient oath "by the name of God"_ A second tenet, which the Quakers hold, is, that it is unlawful for Christians to take a civil oath.