A26892:8014
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 he that doth wrong shall receive for the wrong that he hath done, and there is no respect of persons. So Eph. 6. 5, 6, 7, 8. Magistrates are as truly Gods Officers as Preachers: And therefore as he that heareth Preachers heareth him, so he that obeyeth Rulers obeyeth him: The exceptions are but the like in both cases: It is not every thing that we must receive from Preachers; nor every thing that we must do at the command of Rulers: But both in their proper place and work, must be regarded as the officers of God; and not as men that have no higher Authority than their own to bear them out.
§. 26. Direct. 4. Let no vices of the person cause you to forget the dignity of his office: The authority1 of a sinful Ruler is of God, and must accordingly be obeyed: Of this read Bishop Bilson at large in his excellent Treatise of Christian Subjection; against the Papists that excommunicate and depose Princes whom they account Heretics, or favourers of them. Those sins which will damn a mans soul and deprive him of Heaven, will not deprive him of his Kingdom, nor disoblige the subjects2 from their obedience. An Infidel, or an ungodly Christian (that is, an Hypocrite) is capable of being a Prince, as well as of being a Parent, Husband, Master: And the Apostle hath taught all as well as servants, their duty to such, 1 Pet. 2. 18, 19, 20, 21. Servants, be subject to your Masters with all fear: and not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward: For this is thank-worthy if a man for conscience toward God, endure grief, suffering wrongfully? For what glory is it if when you are buffeted for your faults you take it patiently? but if when ye do well and suffer for it ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God: For even hereunto were ye called. Though it be a rare mercy to have Godly Rulers, and a great judgement to have ungodly ones, it is such as must be born.