A26892:8037
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.
If we could once observe that the generality of Christians were more earnest and importunate with God, for the Hallowing of his name through all the world, and the coming of his Kingdom, and the obeying of his will in Earth as it is in Heaven, and the Conversion of the Kings and Kingdoms of the world, than for any of their personal concernments, I should take it for a better prognostic of the happiness of Kings and Kingdoms, than any that hath yet appeared in our days: And those that are taken up with the expectations of Christs visible reign on earth, would find it a more lawful and comfortable way, to promote his Government thus by his own appointed, officers, than to rebel against Kings and seek to pull them down, on pretence of setting up him that hath appointed them, whose Kingdom (personal) is not of this world.
If we could once observe that the generality of Christians were more earnest and importunate with God, for the Hallowing of his name through all the world, and the coming of his Kingdom, and the obeying of his will in Earth as it is in Heaven, and the Conversion of the Kings and Kingdoms of the world, than for any of their personal concernments, I should take it for a better prognostick of the happiness of Kings and Kingdoms, than any that hath yet appeared in our dayes: And those that are taken up with the expectations of Christs visible reign on earth, would find it a more lawful and comfortable way, to promote his Government thus by his own appointed, officers, than to rebell against Kings and seek to pull them down, on pretence of setting up him that hath appointed them, whose Kingdom (personal) is not of this world.
§. 42. Direct. 18. When you are tempted to dishonourable thoughts of your Governors, look over the 1face of all the earth, and compare your case with the nations of the world; and then your murmurings may be turned into thankfulness for so great a mercy. What cause hath God to difference us from other nations, and give us any more than an equal proportion of mercy with the rest of the world. ⟨p. 19⟩