A26892:1283
A Christian Directory
A Christian directory, or, A sum of practical theology and cases of conscience directing Christians how to use their knowledge and faith, how to improve all helps and means, and to perform all duties, how to overcome temptations, and to escape or mortify every sin : in four parts ... / by Richard Baxter.A Christian directory, or, A summ of practical theologie and cases of conscience directing Christians how to use their knowledge and faith, how to improve all helps and means, and to perform all duties, how to overcome temptations, and to escape or mortifie every sin : in four parts ... / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by Robert White for Nevill Simmons, 1673
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Part 1 › Chapter 3 › Direction 10 › Directions for faithful serving Christ, and doing Good.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
If a subject say, I am certain that to Govern the Kingdom well is a great good work and duty, but I am uncertain whether to depose the King if he Govern not well, and set up my self, be a sin: therefore the Certain good must overrule the uncertain evil. I give him the same answer, It is your sin to be uncertain whether Rebellion be a sin: and God bindeth you to lay by the sin of your judgement, and not to make it a shooing-horn to more. 2. You are sure that Governing well is a Good work; but you should be as sure that it is no duty of yours, nor no Good work for you to do, as you are sure that you are but a private man and a subject, and never called to do the Good of another's office. A private man may say, I am sure preaching is a good work, but I am not sure that a private unordained man may not statedly separate himself to do it. But he can be no surer that it is a duty to him, than he is that he is called to it.
If a subject say, I am certain that to Govern the Kingdom well is a great good work and duty, but I am uncertain whether to depose the King if he Govern not well, and set up my self, be a sin: therefore the Certain good must overrule the uncertain evil. I give him the same answer, It is your sin to be uncertain whether Rebellion be a sin: and God bindeth you to lay by the sin of your judgement, and not to make it a shooing-horn to more. 2. You are sure that Governing well is a Good work; but you should be as sure that it is no duty of yours, nor no Good work for you to do, as you are sure that you are but a private man and a subject, and never called to do the Good of anothers office. A private man may say, I am sure preaching is a good work, but I am not sure that a private unordained man may not statedly separate himself to do it. But he can be no surer that it is a duty to him, than he is that he is called to it.
§ 43. Quest. 12. Well: suppose my ignorance be my sin, and suppose that I am equally uncertain of1 the duty and of the sin annexed; yet if I have done all that I am able and remain still unresolved, and after my most diligent enquiry am as much in doubt as ever, what should I then do?