![[Previous Page]](../../images/prev.gif)
page 86
![[Next Page]](../../images/next.gif)
individual designs and the attainment of personal advantages.
If so be that His Majesty the King will investigate matters in his
own noble person, it is believed that it will become clear
before his presence that this sect have no worldly object nor
any concern with political matters. The fulcrum of their
motion and rest and the pivot of their cast and conduct is
restricted to spiritual things and confined to matters of conscience;
it has nothing to do with the affairs of government nor
any concern with the powers of the throne; its principles are
the withdrawal of veils, the verification of signs, the education
of souls, the reformation of characters, the purification of
hearts, and illumination with the gleams of enlightenment.
That which befits the kingly dignity and beseems the world-ordering
diadem is this, that all subjects of every class and
creed should be the objects of bounty, and [should abide] in
the utmost tranquility and prosperity under the wide shadow
of the King's justice. For the divine shadow is the refuge of all
the dwellers upon earth and the asylum of all mankind; it is not
limited to one party. In particular, the true nature and real
doctrine of this sect have [now] become evident and well
known: all their writings and tracts have repeatedly and frequently
fallen into [our] hands, and are to be found preserved
in the possession of the government. If they be perused, the
actual truth and inward verity will become clear and apparent.
These pages are entirely taken up with prohibitions of sedition,
[recommendations of] upright conduct amongst mankind,
obedience, submission, loyalty, conformity, and acquisition
of laudable qualities, and encouragements to become
endowed with praiseworthy accomplishments and characteristics.
They have absolutely no reference to political questions,
nor do they treat of that which could cause disturbance or
sedition. Under these circumstances a just government can
[find] no excuse, and possesses no pretext [for further persecuting
this sect] except [a claim to the right of] interference in
thought and conscience, which are the private possessions of