A26892:8110
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. 1. If it be clear that Christianity as to its Principles, is more for Love, and Concord and1 Subjection, than any other rational doctrine in the world, then if any sect of Christians shall indeed be found to contradict these principles, so far they contradict Christianity: And will you blame Religion because men contradict it? or blame Christs doctrine because men disobey it? Indeed every sect that hath something of its own to make it a sect, besides Christian Religion which maketh men mere Christians, may easily be guilty of such error as will corrupt the Christian Religion. And as a sect, they have a divided interest which may tempt them to dividing principles: But none more condemn such divisions than Christ. 2. And indeed, though a Christian as such is a credible witness; yet a sect or faction as such, doth use to possess men with such an envious calumniating disposition, that they are little to be believed when they accuse each other! This factious zeal is not from above, but is earthly, sensual and devilish; and therefore where this is, no wonder if there be strife, and false accusing, and confusion, and every evil work. But as these are no competent witnesses, so whether or no they are favoured by Christ, you may judge if you will read but those three Chapters: Matth. 5. Rom. 12. Jam. 3. I may say here as B. Bilson in the place which is accused, pag. 521. [IT IS EASY FOR A RUNNING AND RANGING HEAD TO SIT AT HOME IN HIS CHAMBER AND CALL MEN REBELS, HIMSELF BEING THE RANKEST.] 3. For the Papists I can justify them from your accusation, so far as they are Christians; but as they are Papists let him justify them that can. Indeed Usurpation of Government is the very essence of Popery; for which all other Christians blame them: And therefore there is small reason that Christianity should be accused for them. 4. And for the Protestants, both Episcopal and Disciplinarians, the sober and moderate of them speak of one another in no such language as you pretend. For the Episcopal, I know of none but railing Papists, that accuse ⟨p. 32⟩them universally of any doctrines of Rebellion: And for the Practices of some particular men, it is not to be alleged against their doctrine: Do you think that Queen Elizabeth to whom B. Bilsons Book was Dedicated, or K. Charles to whom Mr. Hookers Book was Dedicated, took either of them to be teachers of Rebellion?