3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

We belong to the land promised to Abraham and his Seed, and to the kingdom to be established upon it. Our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, were Syrians; and so are all who are their seed according to the promise.

... What are their questions and ambitions to us? Their "patriotism" is the selfishness and superstition of the flesh, and all resolves itself into love of goods, chattels, and effects, vested interests, and cerebral magnetism. They are zealous for what they feel.

If an object makes them "feel good" in the contemplation of it, they have great and noisy zeal for it; but if they "feel bad" in view thereof, though ever so heavenly, they fight and war against it, and ask its destruction.

This is the "patriotism" of North and South, and of all countries of the Gentiles, a brawling glorification of themselves, and the instincts and interests of their flesh, irrespective of the "righteousness of God."

There was none of what Satan terms "patriotism" in Jesus and his apostles, who are our example. When he foretold the dissolution of the divinely constituted government of Judea, he did not instruct his disciples to enroll themselves for the defence of the State against the Romans. But he told them to fly from the country.

The reason was, his kingdom did not belong to that order of things, constitution, κοσμό, or world; and therefore his servants were not to fight. They were to hold off after his example, till the time arrived for the kingdom to be set up. This time is not quite come. This is our time.

Till then, if need be, we are to "take the spoiling of our goods with joy" in view of the recompense to follow. There is nothing in "the present evil world" that is worth a true believer's fighting for. Such an one would ...be quiescent, and contented to accept whatever might come as the result of the strife between "the potsherds of the earth;" and accept it too, as just that "ordained of God."

...His principle is passivity, and to accept results so far as according to the word. Such a course as this, though, is condemned in toto by the flesh. But what of that?

"The flesh lusts against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh: and are contrary the one to the other."

The very fact that the flesh condemns the course is presumptive evidence in the light of the word, that it is correct. "Walk in the spirit," says Paul, "and ye will not fulfil the lust of the flesh." To walk in the spirit is to walk as Jesus walked, who did not work the works of the flesh, among which are wars and fightings for mere human institutions and aspirations.

In view of the whole, then, we say to Brother Packham, be not drafted into the devil's service. It is, however, no use fleeing to any other State of the Union, as the same liability exists in all. He might go to Canada. We should accept this alternative if disturbed.

We replied by return mail to Brother Beazeley. Norfolk has since been blockaded. Our advice to the brethren there was, be not enrolled; go to prison rather. The authorities will perhaps soon get tired of feeding men in prison at the public expense while money is so depreciated.

Fear not their threats. Unionist and Secessionist can go only so far in their violence as God permits, who will doubtless overrule the times for the good of his people, and his own glory.

Herald of the Kingdom and Age to Come, June 1861

4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

So long as Satan has plenty of loaves and fishes in his cupboard at the service of his friends, he will always have clergy enough for his purposes, after losing all we may be able to detach from his service. It is no part of our mission to bandy compliments with Satan.

We are at war with him, and when we meet, it is in battle. Let the clergy draw and defend themselves as best they can. We know no surrender, and accept no peace from them which is not yielded as the consequence of defeat. Our conflict with them is to strip off that sheep's clothing which deceives the sheep; and to unveil the wolf in all the deformity of his nakedness, that he may be known in his true character. We would not leave even a piece of wool upon his paw, but make him stand out, either all wolf, or nothing but a sheep.

Our mission is to enlighten the ignorant upon all Scriptural subjects; to assist in finishing the work begun by Peter at the house of Cornelius; to aid in preparing a people who shall be ready for the Lord at his apocalypse; to keep them informed of the signs of its approach; to pull down all the strongholds of error in the way; to cast down reasonings and every presumption that exalteth itself against the knowledge of the Deity; to bring into captivity every thought, unto the obedience of the Christ; and to oppose the clergy in all their claims to Christianity and a divine appointment to teach the way of life.

This is our mission, and, we presume, that if it be of God...he has chosen just the sort of instrument, crooked as some may deem it, best suited for the work and the exigency of the times.

[The foregoing was written in 1861, for The Herald of the Kingdom and Age to Come, but did not appear, in consequence of the suspension of that publication, on the outbreak of the American war].

The Ambassador of the Coming Age, May 1869

5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

The serpent in the flesh shows itself in individuals in all the colours of its skin. It manifests itself in all the deceptions men practice upon themselves and one another. Its most insidious and dangerous manifestations emanate from the pulpit, and ecclesiastical thrones. In these, the serpent presents himself to mankind, presumptuously entertaining them with things he does not understand.

From thence he delights them with the assurance of wisdom upon principles in harmony with their nature. "God doth not mean," saith he, "exactly what He says. Trouble not your consciences about the letter of His word. He knows that the circumstances in which you are placed prevent a rigid construction of it.

Besides, the times are changed, and the world is better than it used to be. He takes the will for the deed. The Spirit is everything; the letter is nothing; for the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life. Eat, then, and drink, and be merry. Be diligent in business, fervent in the cause of your church, serving your clergy; and when you die, ye shall be as gods in the elysian fields!"

But, the serpent in the flesh manifests itself in all the high places of the earth. It obtrudes itself upon all occasions, and through all the channels of human life. Popes, cardinals, and priests, bishops, ministers, and deacons, emperors, kings, and presidents, with all who sustain them, and execute their behests, are but the fleshly media through which the thinking of the flesh finds expression.

‭God's law is very thorough. No surface obedience will meet its demands. It addresses itself to the root of all motive. Unless the heart is reached, and rightly influenced, there can be no acceptable service.

‭The truth must be affectionately believed—no mere intellectual assent will suffice. When believed, there must follow a similar joyous heart-rendered obedience—Hypocrisy is a certain prelude to shameful condemnation.

‭Two illustrations will evidence the piercing character of divine law. "Thou shalt not commit adultery." Christ's comment upon this is, "Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her, hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." Again, "Forgive men their trespasses." In reference to this Christ said, "If ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother," the anger of God abideth upon you.

‭And so with the whole round of our obligations. Pray let us examine ourselves. "If our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things." "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked."

‭ It can, however, be reformed, provided its owner be willing to submit to the self-abnegating process which the word inculcates. To act as though God were like ourselves—able only to judge by appearances—is fatal. The day that is coming will reveal to such as think thus, appalling things! Our Lord is coming,

‭ "who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will manifest the counsels of the hearts, and then shall every man have praise of God."

‭The Christadelphian, Jan 1887. p17.