A26892:7947
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.
§. 4. Memorand. 4. Remember therefore that all your Laws are to be but subservient to the Laws1 of God, to promote the obedience of them with your Subjects, and never to be either contrary to them, nor co-ordinate, or independent on them: But as the By Laws of Corporations are in respect to the Laws and will of the sovereign power; which have all their Life and power therefrom.
§. 4. Memorand. 4. Remember therefore that all your Laws are to be but subservient to the Laws1 of God, to promote the obedience of them with your Subjects, and never to be either contrary to them, nor co-ordinate, or independant on them: But as the By Laws of Corporations are in respect to the Laws and will of the soveraign power; which have all their Life and power therefrom.
- 1Memor. 4.
§. 5. Memorand. 5. Let none persuade you that you are such terrestrial animals that have nothing1 to do with the Heavenly concernments of your subjects: For if once men think that the end of your office is only the bodily prosperity of the people, and the End of the Ministry is the good of their souls, it will tempt them to prefer a Minister before you as they prefer their souls before their bodies: And they that are taught to contemn these earthly things, will be ready to think they must contemn your office; seeing no means as such can be better than the end. There is no such thing as a temporal Happiness to any people, but what tendeth to the happiness of their souls; and must be thereby measured, and thence be estimated. Though Ministers are more immediately employed about the soul, yet your office is ultimately for the happiness of souls as well as theirs; though bodily things (rewards or punishments) are the means by which you may promote it, which Ministers as such may not meddle with. Therefore you are custodes utriusque tabulae, and must bend the force of all your Government, to the saving of the peoples souls. And as to the objection from Heathen