A26892:8057
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.
1. If it be a matter wherein God himself hath first determined, and his Officers do but judge in subordination to his Law, and declare his Will, then we must obey him that speaketh according to1 the Word of God, if we can truly discern it; and not him that we know goeth contrary to God. As if the Magistrate should forbid communion with Arians as Heretics, and the Pastors command us to hold communion with them as no Heretics, here the Magistrate is to be obeyed (because God is to be obeyed) before the Pastors, though it be in a matter of Faith and Worship. If you say, Thus you make all the people Judges. I answer you, and so you must make them such Private Judges, to discern their own duty, and so must every man; or else you must rule them as Beasts or mad men, and prove that there is no Heaven or Hell for any in the world but Kings and Pastors; or at least that the people shall be saved or damned, for nothing but obeying or not obeying their Governors: And if you could prove that, you are never the nearer reconciling the contradictory commands of those Governors.
1. If it be a matter wherein God himself hath first determined, and his Officers do but judge in subordination to his Law, and declare his Will, then we must obey him that speaketh according to1 the Word of God, if we can truly discern it; and not him that we know goeth contrary to God. As if the Magistrate should forbid communion with Arrians as Hereticks, and the Pastors command us to hold communion with them as no Hereticks, here the Magistrate is to be obeyed (because God is to be obeyed) before the Pastors, though it be in a matter of Faith and Worship. If you say, Thus you make all the people Judges. I answer you, and so you must make them such Private Iudges, to discern their own duty, and so must every man; or else you must rule them as Beasts or mad men, and prove that there is no Heaven or Hell for any in the world but Kings and Pastors; or at least that the people shall be saved or damned, for nothing but obeying or not obeying their Governours: And if you could prove that, you are never the nearer reconciling the contradictory commands of those Governours.
- 1Bishop Bilson p. 313. [We grant, they must rather hazard their lives, than Baptize Princes which believe not, or distribute the Lords Mysteries to them that repent not, but give wilful and open signification of impiety, &c] Bda Hist. Eccles. lib. 2. cap. 5. telleth us, that Melitus Bishop of London (with Justus) was banished by the heirs of King Sabereth, because he would not give them the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, which they would needs have before they were baptized.