A26892:8099
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. 1. As if there were no difference between the contempt of Riches and worldly prosperity,1 and the contempt of Government? He is blind that cannot see that Riches and Authority are not the same: Yea that the over-valuing of Riches is the cause of seditions and the disturbance of Governments, when the contempt of them removeth the chief impediments of obedience and peace. 2. And may not Governors be sufficiently honoured unless they be exempted from the Government of God? and unless their sin must go for virtue? and unless their duty and their account and the danger of their souls be treacherously concealed from them? God will not flatter dust and ashes: Great and small are alike to him. He is no respectre of persons: When you can save the greatest from death and judgement, then they may be excepted from all those duties which are needful to their preparation. 3. And is it not strange that God should teach men to contemn the power which ⟨p. 29⟩he himself ordaineth? and which is his own? Hath he set officers over us, for the work of Government, and doth he teach us to despise them? There is no show of any such thing in Scripture: There are no principles in the world, that highlyer advance and honour Magistracy, than the Christian principles, unless you will make Gods of them, as the Roman Senate did of the Antonines and other Emperors.
Ans. 1. As if there were no difference between the contempt of Riches and worldly prosperity,1 and the contempt of Government? He is blind that cannot see that Riches and Authority are not the same: Yea that the over-valuing of Riches is the cause of seditions and the disturbance of Governments, when the contempt of them removeth the chief impediments of obedience and peace. 2. And may not Governours be sufficiently honoured unless they be exempted from the Government of God? and unless their sin must go for virtue? and unless their duty and their account and the danger of their souls be treacherously concealed from them? God will not flatter dust and ashes: Great and small are alike to him. He is no respecter of persons: When you can save the greatest from death and judgement, then they may be excepted from all those duties which are needful to their preparation. 3. And is it not strange that God should teach men to contemn the power which