A26892:7993
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 4 › Chapter 3: Directions for Subjects concerning their duty to their Rulers.
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.
Answ. Power no more falleth to the multitude by Escheat, than the Power of the Pastor falls to the1 Church, or the Power of the Physician to the Hospital, or the Power of the Schoolmaster to the Scholars: that is, not at all: When all the Heirs are dead, they are an ungoverned Community, that have power to choose a Governor, but no Power to Govern, neither (as you distinguish it) in Habit nor in act; originally n•r derivatively. As it is with a Corporation when the Mayor is dead, the power falleth not to the people.
Answ. Power no more falleth to the multitude by Escheat, than the Power of the Pastor falls to the1 Church, or the Power of the Physicion to the Hospital, or the Power of the Schoolmaster to the Scholars: that is, not at all: When all the Heirs are dead, they are an ungoverned Community, that have power to choose a Governour, but no Power to Govern, neither (as you distinguish it) in Habit nor in act; originally n•r derivatively. As it is with a Corporation when the Mayor is dead, the power falleth not to the people.
- 1Answ.
Therefore there is no good ground given for your following question, [May a body politic than at all times withdraw in whole or in part the influence of dominion which passeth from it, if inconveniences do •row thereby?] Though you answer this question soberly your self, its easy to see how the multitude may be tempted to answer it on your grounds, especially if they think your inconvenience turn into a necessity, and what use they will make of your next words, [It must be presumed that Supreme Governors will not in such cases oppose themselves, and be stiff in detaining that, the use whereof is with public detriment.] A strange presumption.