true followers of Christ.

He opened his bold campaign in dramatic style. When John Ziska and
Nicholas of Husinec declared at Prague that the time had come for
the faithful to take up arms in their own defence, Peter was present
at the debate, and contended that for Christians war was a crime.
{1419.}

"What is war?" he asked. "It is a breach of the laws of God! All
soldiers are violent men, murderers, a godless mob!"

He hated war like a Quaker, and soldiers like Tolstoy himself. He
regarded the terrible Hussite Wars as a disgrace to both sides. As
the fiery Ziska swept the land with his waggons, this Apostle of
peace was sick with horror. "Where," he asked, in his Reply to
Rockycana, "has God recalled His commands, 'Thou shalt not kill,'
'Thou shalt not steal,' 'Thou shalt not take thy neighbour's goods'?
If God has not repealed these commands, they ought still to be
obeyed to-day in Prague and Tabor. I have learned from Christ, and
by Christ I stand; and if the Apostle Peter himself were to come
down from Heaven and say that it was right for us to take up arms to
defend the truth, I should not believe him."

For Peter the teaching of Christ and the Apostles was enough. It
was supreme, final, perfect. If a king made a new law, he was
spoiling the teaching of Christ. If the Pope issued a bull, he was
spoiling the teaching of Christ. If a Council of Bishops drew up a
decree, they were spoiling the teaching of Christ. As God, said
Peter, had revealed His will to full perfection in Jesus Christ,
there was no need for laws made by men. "Is the law of God