A26892:8007
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.
But if the contract limit them not, but they be chosen simply to be the summae Potestates, without naming any particular powers either by concession or restraint, than as to Ruling they are Absolute as to men, and limited only by God, from whose highest Power they can never be exempt, who in Nature and Scripture restraineth them from all that is impious and unjust, against his Laws and honour, or against ⟨p. 14⟩the public happiness and safety. And here also remember, that if any shall imagine that God restraineth a Magistrate when it is not so, and that the commands of their Governors are contrary to the Word of God, when it is no such matter, their error will not justify their disobedience.
But if the contract limit them not, but they be chosen simply to be the summae Potestates, without naming any particular powers either by concession or restraint, than as to Ruling they are Absolute as to men, and limited only by God, from whose highest Power they can never be exempt, who in Nature and Scripture restraineth them from all that is impious and unjust, against his Laws and honour, or against ⟨p. 14⟩the publick happiness and safety. And here also remember, that if any shall imagine that God restraineth a Magistrate when it is not so, and that the commands of their Governours are contrary to the Word of God, when it is no such matter, their error will not justifie their disobedience.
Though I have answered these Passages of this Reverend Author, it is not to draw any to undervalue his learned Writings, but to set right the Reader in the Principles of his Obedience, on which the Practice doth so much depend.