A26892:8039
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.
§. 43. Direct. 19. Consider as well the Benefits which you receive by Governors, as the sufferings 1which you undergo: And especially consider of the common benefits, and value them above your own. He that knoweth what man is, and what the world is, and what the Temptations▪ of Great men are, and what he himself deserveth, and what need the best have of affliction, and what good they may get by the right improvement of it, will never wonder nor grudge, to have his earthly mercies mixed with crosses, and to find some salt or sourness in the sauce, of his pleasant dishes. For the most luscious is not of best concoction. And he that will more observe his few afflictions than his many benefits, hath much more selfish tenderness of the flesh, than ingenuous thankfulness to his benefactor. It is for your good that Rulers are the Ministers of God, Rom. 13. 3, 4, 5. Perhaps you will think it strange that I say to you (what I have oft said), that I think there are not very many Rulers, no not Tyrants and persecutors so bad, but that the Godly that live under them do receive from their Government more good than hurt: and (though it must be confessed that better Governors would do better, yet) almost2 the worst are better than none. And none are more beholden to God for Magistrates than the Godly are, however none suffer so much by them in most places of the world. My reason is, 1. Because the multitude of the needy, and the dissolute Prodigals, if they were all ungoverned, would tear out the throats of the more wealthy and industrious, and as Robbers use men in their houses and on the high way, so would such persons use all about them, and turn all into a constant war: And hereby all honest industry would be overthrown, while the fruit of mens labours were all at the mercy of every one that is stronger than the owner; and a robber can take away all a night, which you have been labouring for many years, or may set all on fire over your heads: And more persons would be killed in these wars by those that sought their goods, than Tyrants and persecutors use to kill (unless they be of the most cruel sort of all.) 2.
§. 43. Direct. 19. Consider as well the Benefits which you receive by Governours, as the sufferings