A26892:7015
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.
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.
5. If Magistrates and Bishops should concur in commanding my remove in a case notoriously injurious and pernicious to the Church (as in the aforesaid case, to bring in an Arian) I would not obey formally for conscience sake; supposing that God never gave them such a power against mens souls and the Gospel of Christ: And there is no power but of God.
5. If Magistrates and Bishops should concur in commanding my remove in a case notoriously injurious and pernicious to the Church (as in the aforesaid case, to bring in an Arrian) I would not obey formally for conscience sake; supposing that God never gave them such a power against mens souls and the Gospel of Christ: And there is no power but of God.
6. But I would prefer both the Command of the Magistrate, and the Direction of the Pastors, before the mere will and humour of the people, when their safety and welfare were not concerned in the case.
6. But I would prefer both the Command of the Magistrate, and the Direction of the Pastors, before the meer will and humour of the people, when their safety and welfare were not concerned in the case.
7. And when the Magistrate is peremptory, usually I must obey him Materially, when I do it not formally (in conscience to his mere Command). Because though in some cases he may do that which belongeth not to his Office, but to the Pastors, yet his violence may make it become the Churches interest, that I yield and give place to his wrath: For as I must not Resist him by force, so if I depart not at his Command, it may bring a greater suffering on the Churches: And so for preventing a greater evil he is to be submitted to in many cases, where he goeth against God and without authority; though not to be formally obeyed.