e councils above that they must both fall by your hand."

"The God of Heaven forbid it!" said I. "They are enemies to Christ and
His Church, that I know and believe; but they shall live and die in
their iniquity for me, and reap their guerdon when their time cometh.
There my hand shall not strike."

"The feeling is natural, and amiable," said he. "But you must think
again. Whether are the bonds of carnal nature or the bonds and vows of
the Lord strongest?"

"I will not reason with you on this head, mighty potentate," said I,
"for whenever I do so it is but to be put down. I shall only, express
my determination not to take vengeance out of the Lord's hand in this
instance. It availeth not. These are men that have the mark of the
beast in their foreheads and right hands; they are lost beings
themselves, but have no influence over others. Let them perish in their
sins; for they shall not be meddled with by me."

"How preposterously you talk, my dear friend!" said he. "These people
are your greatest enemies; they would rejoice to see you annihilated.
And, now that you have taken up the Lord's cause of being avenged on
His enemies, wherefore spare those that are your own as well as His?
Besides, you ought to consider what great advantages would be derived
to the cause of righteousness and truth were the estate and riches of
that opulent house in your possession, rather than in that of such as
oppose the truth and all manner of holiness."

This was a portion of the consequence of following my illustrious
adviser's summary mode of procedure that had never entered into my
calculation. I disclaimed all idea of being influenced by it; however,
I cannot but say that the desire of being enabled to do so much good,
by the possession of these bad men's riches, made some impression on my
heart, and I said I would consider of the matter. I did consider it,
and that right seriously as well as frequently; and there was scarcely
an hour in the day on which my resolves were not animated by my great
friend, till at length I began to have a longing desire to kill my
brother, in particular. Should any man ever read this scroll, he will
wonder at this confession, and deem it savage and unnatural. So it
appeared to me at first, but a constant thinking of an event changes
every one of its features. I have done all for the best, and as I was
prompted, by one who knew right and wrong much better than I did. I had
a desire to slay him, it is t