A26892:8079
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.
§. 68. Direct. 36. Yet is not all to be obeyed that is evil but by accident, nor all to be disobeyed 1that is so: but the accidents must be compared: and if the obedience will do more good than harm, we must obey: if it will evidently do more harm than good, we must not do it. Most of the sins in the world, are evil by accident only, and not in the simple act denuded of its accidents, circumstances or2 consequents. You may not sell poison to him that you know would poison himself with it, though to s•ll poison of it self be lawful. Though it be lawful simply to lend a Sword, yet not to a Traitor that you know would kill the King with it, no nor to one that would kill his Father, his neighbour or himself: A command would not excuse such an act from sin. He w•• slain by David that killed Saul at his own command, and if he had but lent him his Sword to do it, it had been his sin. Yet some evil accidents may be weighed down by greater evils which would evidently follow upon the not doing of the thing commanded.
§. 68. Direct. 36. Yet is not all to be obeyed that is evil but by accident, nor all to be disobeyed 1that is so: but the accidents must be compared: and if the obedience will do more good than harm, we must obey: if it will evidently do more harm than good, we must not do it. Most of the sins in the world, are evil by accident only, and not in the simple act denuded of its accidents, circumstances or2 consequents. You may not sell poyson to him that you know would poyson himself with it, though to s•ll poyson of it self be lawful. Though it be lawful simply to lend a Sword, yet not to a Traytor that you know would kill the King with it, no nor to one that would kill his Father, his neighbour or himself: A command would not excuse such an act from sin. He w•• slain by David that killed Saul at his own command, and if he had but lent him his Sword to do it, it had been his sin. Yet some evil accidents may be weighed down by greater evils which would evidently follow upon the not doing of the thing commanded.