A26892:8092
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.
Answ. It must be considered in what times and places the ancient Greek and Roman Historians did1 live. They that lived where popular Government was in force and credit, wrote according to the time and Government which they lived under: yet do they extol the virtues and heroic acts of Monarchs, and often speak of the vulgar giddiness and unconstancy. And for my part I think he that readeth in them those popular tumults, irrationalities, furies, unconstancies, cruelties, which even2 in Rome and Athens they committed, and all Historians record, will rather find his heart much alienated from such Democratical confusions! And the Historians of other times and places do write as much for Monarchy, as they did for Democracy.3
Answ. It must be considered in what times and places the ancient Greek and Roman Historians did1 live. They that lived where popular Government was in force and credit, wrote acording to the time and Government which they lived under: yet do they extol the virtues and heroick acts of Monarchs, and often speak of the vulgar giddiness and unconstancy. And for my part I think he that readeth in them those popular tumults, irrationalities, furies, unconstancies, cruelties, which even2 in Rome and Athens they committed, and all Historians record, will rather find his heart much alienated from such Democratical confusions! And the Historians of other times and places do write as much for Monarchy, as they did for Democracy.3
- 1Answ.
- 2As Augustus, Trajan, the Antonines, &c.
- 3It is confessed that most Historians write much for Liberty against Tyranny: But the Heathens do it much more than the Christians.