This is her appeal; and now I pray you, most
excellent sir, consider what answer you would have me make her.
The decision I have come to in my own mind is, not to surrender
offenders to the magistrates; yet not to rescue those already in their
custody, since it has long ago been declared by the Apostle, that the
magistrates should be a terror to them in their evil-doings; for, it is
said, “he beareth not the sword in vain.”
Rom. xiii. 4. To surrender him, then, is contrary to
my humanity; while to release him would be an encouragement to his
violence.