William Penn lived and worked...
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William Penn lived and worked for the cause of freedom. He was only 24 years old when first cast into prison in London as a result of his demands for freedom of speech and freedom of worship. Five times he was imprisoned for his views. Finally, he petitioned the king to discharge a claim of $80,000 from a loan his father had made to Charles II by granting him land in the New World. When the king gave him a charter to a tract of land west of the Delaware River, covering most of what is now the state of Pennsylvania, Penn headed for America. He landed with the ship Welcome in October 1682, and proceeded to build the city of Philadelphia. He and his people lived in harmony with the Indians for 70 years, a record in the history of our country. Absolute religious freedom was granted to all comers. He established fair courts and good schools, which were available to everyone, rich and poor alike. He reduced capital punishment from 200 offenses under English law to only murder and high treason. He dismissed charges against an accused witch, stating that the only law she broke was the law of gravity when she rode her broomstick.
Jesus Christ devoted his life and even sacrificed it on the cross in order that we might be free from the power of sin, death, and the devil. We are not to take that freedom lightly. Freed from the demands and threats of the law, we are to walk by the Spirit, living the new law of love.
Jesus Christ devoted his life and even sacrificed it on the cross in order that we might be free from the power of sin, death, and the devil. We are not to take that freedom lightly. Freed from the demands and threats of the law, we are to walk by the Spirit, living the new law of love.
