A26892:8072
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.
§. 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 corporal3 suffering. Luke 12. 4. Fear not them that can kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do: but fear him who is able to destroy hoth body and soul in Hell: yea, I say unto you, fear him. Acts 5. 29. Whether we ought to obey God rather than men, judge ye. Heb. 11. 27. Not fearing the wrath of the King: for he endured, as seeing him that is invisible. Ver. 35. Others were tortured not accepting deliverance, &c. Dan. 3. 18. Be it known unto thee O King, that we will not serve thy Gods, nor worship the Golden Image, &c.
§. 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 superiour. 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