Thus we desire to give Christ what belongs to Him and every lawful authority what is due to it; to owe no one anything except love; to live quietly and peacefully as becomes saints; to keep a good conscience in everything and to treat every person, whatever their judgment, as we would wish to be treated. We desire that our conduct should show us to be conscientious, peaceable, and harmless people, not dangerous or troublesome to human society; that we should work with our hands rather than burden others and give to those in need, whether friends or enemies, considering it more blessed to give than to receive.
We also confess that we know only in part and are ignorant of many things we desire and seek to know. If anyone will kindly show us from God’s Word something we do not see, we will have cause to thank God and that person. But if anyone imposes upon us what we cannot see commanded by our Lord Jesus Christ, then by His strength we would rather endure reproach and suffering, lose every outward comfort, and even die a thousand deaths, if that were possible, than act against even the smallest part of God’s truth or the light of our consciences.
If anyone calls what we have said heresy, we acknowledge with the apostle that we worship the God of our fathers in the way they call heresy, while rejecting all heresies properly so called because they oppose Christ. We desire to remain steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in obedience to Christ, knowing that our labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Psalm 74:21–22. Arise, O God, plead your own cause; remember how the foolish person blasphemes you daily. Let not the oppressed return ashamed; let the poor and needy praise your name. Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly.