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A Series of Lessons in Mystic Christianity1104
of the home life, and the welfare of the family. His utterance on this subject
is unmistakably clear and forcible.
“Again, ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt not
forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: but I say unto you,
Swear not at all; neither by the heaven, for it is the throne of God; nor by the
earth, for it is the footstool of His feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the
great King; neither shall thou swear by thy head, for thou canst not make one
hair white or black. But let your speech be Yea, yea, Nay, nay: for whatever is
more than these is of the evil one.” (Matthew 5:33–37)
Here Jesus attacks the custom of swearing, which was so prevalent in His
time among the Jews and other Oriental peoples. He urges simplicity and
moderation of speech. In this He is true to the Occult traditions, which teach
the value of simple thought and simple speech to all the Initiates and the
Neophytes.
“Ye have heard that it was said an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,
but I say unto you, Resist not him that is evil, but whosoever smiteth thee on thy
right cheek, turn to him the other also, and if any man would go to law with
thee and take away thy coat, let him have. And whosoever shall compel thee
to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him that asketh thee and from him
that would borrow of thee turn not away.” (Matthew 5:38–42)
In this passage Jesus alludes to the Law of Non-Resistance, which in its
esoteric aspect is fully understood by all Initiates. This law is for application
on the Mental Plane, and those who understand it, know that the precepts
refer to the Mental Attitude of the Initiates toward others, which attitude
is in itself a defense against imposition. Love turneth away Hate and Anger.
The high thought neutralizes the evil designs of others.
“Ye have heard that it was said Thou shall love thy neighbor and hate thine
enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies and pray for them that persecute
you, that ye may be sons of your Father who is in heaven, for he maketh his
sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the
unjust. For if ye love them that love you, what reward have ye? Do not even