A26892:8071
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.
§. 62. Direct. 32. Obey inferior Magistrates according to the authority derived to them from the Supreme, 1but never against the Supreme from whom it is derived. The same reasons which oblige you to obey the personal commands of the King, do bind you also to obey the lowest Constable or other Officer; for they are necessary instruments of the Sovereign Power, and if you obey not them, the obedience of the Sovereign signifieth almost nothing. But no man is bound to obey them beyond the measure of their authority; much less against those that give them their authority.
§. 62. Direct. 32. Obey inferiour Magistrates according to the authority derived to them from the Supream, 1but never against the Supream from whom it is derived. The same reasons which oblige you to obey the personal commands of the King, do bind you also to obey the lowest Constable or other Officer; for they are necessary instruments of the Soveraign Power, and if you obey not them, the obedience of the Soveraign signifieth almost nothing. But no man is bound to obey them beyond the measure of their authority; much less against those that give them their authority.
- 1Direct. 32.
§. 63. Direct. 33. No humane Power is at all to be obeyed against God: For they have no power but 1what they receive from God: And all that is from Him, is for Him. He giveth no power against Himself. 2He is the first efficient, the chief dirigent, and ultimate final cause of all. It is no act of Authority, but Resistance of his Authority, which contradicteth his Law, and is against him. All humane Laws are subservient to his Laws, and not coordinate, much less superior. Therefore they are ipso facto null, or have no obligation, which are against him: Yet is not the Office it self Null, when it is in some things thus abused; nor the Magistrates power null as to other things. No man must commit the least sin against God, to please the greatest Prince on earth, or to avoid the greatest corporal