“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.” (Matt. 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.” (Matt. 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 the publicans the same?  And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others?  Do not even the Gentiles the same?  Ye therefore shall be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matt. 5:43-48.)

Here is taught that broad tolerance, charity and love that form such an important part of all of the mystic teachings.  It is a doctrine entirely at variance with the orthodox idea of tolerance only to those who agree with one, or who may live in accordance with one’s own views of life and conduct.  It is the great broad doctrine of Human Brotherhood.  Jesus teaches that God’s love is bestowed upon all—­the just and the unjust—­and that this perfect love is the aim and goal of all who desire to attain to “the kingdom” of Spirit.