A26892:8103
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. The sum of all this Objection is, that That there is a God. For if that be not denied, no1 man can deny that he is the Universal Governor of the world; and that he hath his proper Laws and judgement, and rewards and punishments, or that Magistrates are his Ministers, and have no power2 but from him: and consequently that the commands and threats and promises of God, are a thousand fold more to be regarded, than those of men! He is a beast and not a man that feareth not God more than man, and that feareth not Hell more than bodily sufferings: And for the Scriptures, 1. Are they any harder to be understood than the Law of nature it self? Surely the Characters of the will of God in naturâ rerum are much more obscure than in the Scriptures. Hath God sent so great a Messenger from Heaven, to open to mankind the mysteries of his Kingdom, and tell them what is in the other world, and bring life and immortality to light, and yet shall his revelation be accused as more obscure than nature it self is? If an Angel had been sent from Heaven to any of these Infidels by name, to tell them but the same that Scripture telleth us, sure they would not have reproached his message, with such accusations. 2. And are not the Laws of the Land about smaller matters more voluminous and difficult? And shall that be made a reproach to Government? And for misinterpretation it is the fault of humane nature, that is ignorant and rash and not of the Scriptures. Will you tell God that you will not obey him unless he will make his Laws so as no man can misinterpret them? when or where were there ever such laws? God will be God and the Judge of the world whether you will or not: And he will not be an underling to men, nor set their Laws above his own, to avoid your accusations. If there be another Life of joy or misery, it is necessary that there be Laws according to which those rewards and punishments are to be adjudged. And if Rulers oppose these who are appointed to promote obedience to them they must do it at their perils; For God will render to all according to their works.
Answ. The sum of all this Objection is, that That there is a God. For if that be not denyed, no1 man can deny that he is the Universal Governour of the world; and that he hath his proper Laws and judgement, and rewards and punishments, or that Magistrates are his Ministers, and have no power