A26892:8000
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. This is oft affirmed, but no proof at all of it: In many Nations the Representatives of the whole Body have the Legislative power, or part of it. But that is from the special constitution of that particular Common-wealth, and not from Nature, nor common to all Nations. All that naturally belongeth to the people as such, was but to choose their Law-makers, and secure their liberties, and not to make Laws themselves by themselves, or mere representers.
Answ. This is oft affirmed, but no proof at all of it: In many Nations the Representatives of the whole Body have the Legislative power, or part of it. But that is from the special constitution of that particular Common-wealth, and not from Nature, nor common to all Nations. All that naturally belongeth to the people as such, was but to choose their Law-makers, and secure their liberties, and not to make Laws themselves by themselves, or meer representers.
§. 21. Object. 10. Lib. 8. p. 221. [For of this thing no man doubteth, namely, that in all societies,1 Companies and Corporations, what severally each shall be bound unto, it must be with all their assents ratified: Against all equity it were that a man should suffer detriment at the hands of men for not observing that which he never did either by himself or by others, mediately or immediately agree to.—]
- 1Object. 10.
Answ. I am one that more than doubt of that which you say no man doubteth of. Do you not1 so much as except Gods Laws, and all those that only do enforce them, or drive men to obey them? As men are obliged to obey God, whether they consent or not; so are they to obey the Laws of their Sovereigns, though they never consented to them, no nor to their Sovereignty, as long as they are members of that Common-wealth, to the Government whereof the Sovereign is lawfully called: Millions of dissenters may be bound to obey, till they quit the Society.