A26892:8094
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.
Ans. I hope you will not say that Rome or Athens of old did take this course. And we will not1 deny, but men of knowledge are more subject to debates and questionings and quarrels about right and wrong, than men of utter ignorance are. Beasts fall not out about Crowns or Kingdoms as men do: Dogs and Swine will not not scramble for Gold as men will do, if you cast it among them. And it is easier to keep Swine or Sheep quiet than men. And yet it is not better to be Swine or Sheep th•n men; nor to be Governors of beasts than men. Dead men are quieter than the living, and blind men will submit to be led more easily than those that see: And yet it is not better to be a King of brutes, or blind men, or dead men, than of the living that have their sight. A King of men that have many disagreements, is better than a King of beasts that all agree. And yet true knowledge tendeth to concord, and to the surest and constantest obedience.
Ans. I hope you will not say that Rome or Athens of old did take this course. And we will not1 deny, but men of knowledge are more subject to debates and questionings and quarrels about right and wrong, than men of utter ignorance are. Beasts fall not out about Crowns or Kingdoms as men do: Dogs and Swine will not not scramble for Gold as men will do, if you cast it among them. And it is easier to keep Swine or Sheep quiet than men. And yet it is not better to be Swine or Sheep th•n men; nor to be Governours of beasts than men. Dead men are quieter than the living, and blind men will submit to be led more easily than those that see: And yet it is not better to be a King of bruits, or blind men, or dead men, than of the living that have their sight. A King of men that have many disagreements, is better than a King of beasts that all agree. And yet true knowledge tendeth to concord, and to the surest and constantest obedience.
- 1Answ.