A26892:8020
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.
Obj. If God will have their names to rot, and spoken evil of when they are dead, why may I not do it while they are alive?
Answ. There is a great deal of difference between a true Historian, and a self-avenger in the reason of the thing; and in the effects: To dishonour bad Rulers while they live, doth tend to excite the people to rebellion, and to disable them to govern: But for Truth to be spoken of them when they are dead, doth only lay an odium upon the sin, and is a warning to others that they follow them not in evil: And this no wicked Prince was ever so Great and powerful as to prevent: For it is a part of Gods resolved judgement. Yet must Historians so1 open the faults of the person, as not to bring the office into contempt, but preserve the reverence due to the authority and place of Governors.
Answ. There is a great deal of difference between a true Historian, and a selfavenger in the reason of the thing; and in the effects: To dishonour bad Rulers while they live, doth tend to excite the people to rebellion, and to disable them to govern: But for Truth to be spoken of them when they are dead, doth only lay an odium upon the sin, and is a warning to others that they follow them not in evil: And this no wicked Prince was ever so Great and powerful as to prevent: For it is a part of Gods resolved judgement. Yet must Historians so1 open the faults of the person, as not to bring the office into contempt, but preserve the reverence due to the authority and place of Governours.
- 1Sort. A•r•l. Victor. de Calig. De quo nescio an decuerit memoriae prodi, nisi forte quia juvat de principibus nosse omnia, ut improbi saltem famae metu talia declinent.S•rt. Arl. Victor. de Calig. De quo nescio an decuerit memoriae prodi, nisi forte quia juvat de principibus nosse omnia, ut improbi saltem famae metu talia declinent.