17. What did Darius say to Daniel the next morning when he came to the lions' den?
“The king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?” Verse 20.
18. What was Daniel's reply?
“Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live forever. My God hath sent His angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before Him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.” Verses 21, 22.
Note.—Here again was demonstrated by a most remarkable miracle, wrought in the face of the greatest nation then in existence, that with the directing, prescribing, proscribing, or interfering with religion or its free exercise, civil governments can of right have nothing whatever to do; that religion is an individual matter, and should be left to the dictates of each one's own conscience.
19. Before leaving His disciples, what command did Christ give them?
“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15.
20. What counter-command did the Jewish Sanhedrin soon afterward give them?
“And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.” Acts 4:18.
21. What reply did Peter and John make?