A26892:7350
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.
I add this so distinctly, lest any should misapply Mr. Rich. Hooker's doctrine aforesaid, Eccl. Pol. l. 8. p. 223, 224. [As for them that exercise power altogether against order, though the kind of power which they have may be of God, yet in their exercise thereof against God, and therefore not of God, otherwise than by permission as all injustice is—Usurpers of power whereby we do not mean them that by violence have aspired unto places of highest authority, but them that use more authority than they did ever receive in form and manner, before mentioned—Such Usurpers thereof, as in the Exercise of their power, do more than they have been authorized to do, cannot in Conscience, bind any man to obedience.]
Lest any should gather hence that they are never bound in Conscience, to obey their Parents, their1 King, their Pastors, in any point wherein they exercise more power than God gave them, I thought meet to speak more exactly to that point, which needed this distinguishing. For the ground is sure that There is no power but of God; And that God hath given no man power against himself, his Laws and service: But yet there are many cases in which God bindeth children and subjects to obey their superiors, in such matters as they did sinfully command.
Lest any should gather hence that they are never bound in Conscience, to obey their Parents, their1 King, their Pastors, in any point wherein they exercise more power than God gave them, I thought meet to speak more exactly to that point, which needed this distinguishing. For the ground is sure that There is no power but of God; And that God hath given no man power against himself, his Laws and service: But yet there are many cases in which God bindeth children and subjects to obey their superiours, in such matters as they did sinfully command.