A26892:8068
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.
§. 60. Direct. 31. Resist not, where you cannot actually obey: And let no appearance of probable 1good that might come to your selves or the Church by any unlawful means (as Treason, Sedition or Rebellion) 2ever tempt you to it. For evil must not be done that good may come by it. And all evil means are but palliate and deceitful Cures, that seem to help a little while, but will leave the malady more perilous at last, than it was before. As it is possible that lying or perjury might be used to the seeming service of a Governor at the time, which yet would prepare for his after danger, by teaching men perfidiousness; even so Rebellions and Treasons, may seem at present to be very conducible to the ends of a people or party that think themselves oppressed: But in the end it will leave them much worse than it found them.
§. 60. Direct. 31. Resist not, where you cannot actually obey: And let no appearance of probable 1good that might come to your selves or the Church by any unlawful means (as Treason, Sedition or Rebellion) 2ever tempt you to it. For evil must not be done that good may come by it. And all evil means are but palliate and deceitful Cures, that seem to help a little while, but will leave the malady more perillous at last, than it was before. As it is possible that lying or perjury might be used to the seeming service of a Governour at the time, which yet would prepare for his after danger, by teaching men per•idiousness; even so Rebellions and Treasons, may seem at present to be very conducible to the ends of a people or party that think themselves opprest: But in the end it will leave them much worse than it found them.
- 1Direct. 31.
- 2B••••o• •• Sb. p. 236. [Princes have no right to call o confirm Preachers, but to receive such as be set of Gd, and give them liberty for their preaching, and security for their persons: And if Princes refuse so to do, Gods labourers must go forward with that which is commanded them from ven; not by disturbing Princes from their Thrones, nor invading their Realms, as your Holy Father doth, and […] may do; but by mildly submitting themselves to the powers on earth, and meekly suffering for the defence of the Truth what they shall inflict.] So e.