The principle we are to uphold at this time is the same that was maintained by the adherents of the gospel in the great Reformation. When the princes assembled at the Diet of Spires in 1529, it seemed that the hope of the world was about to be crushed out. To this assembly was presented the emperor’s decree restricting religious liberty and prohibiting all further dissemination of the reformed doctrines. Would the princes of Germany accept the decree? Should the light of the gospel be shut out from the multitudes that were still in darkness? Mighty issues for the world were at stake. Those who had accepted the reformed faith met together, and the unanimous decision was: “Let us reject the decree. In matters of conscience the majority has no power.” {6T 402.2}

Vi bør ikke arbejde på en måde, som giver det udseende af, at vi samtykker i forræderi. I vore skrifter og i vore taler bør vi undgå ethvert udtryk, som løsreven fra sin sammenhæng kan opfattes således, at det ser ud til at være i strid med lov og orden. Vi bør omhyggeligt overveje alt, så man ikke skal få det indtryk af vore skrifter, at vi opfordrer til at være ulydig over for landet og dets love. Det kræves ikke af os, at vi skal trodse myndighederne. Der kommer en tid, hvor vi vil blive behandlet som forrædere, fordi vi holder os til bibelens sandhed, men vi skal ikke selv fremkalde disse tilstande ved ukloge handlinger, som vækker modstand og strid.