A26892:8118
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. And woe to that man that grudgeth that God must be obeyed1 before him! and would be himself a God to be obeyed in things which God is against! The subjects are made no public Judges, but private discerners of their duties: And so you make them your selves: or else they must not judge whether the King or a Usurper were to be obeyed; or whether the word of the King or of a Constable, if they be contradictory, is to be preferred. To judge what we2 must choose or refuse is proper to a Rational Creature: even brutes themselves will do something like it by instinct of nature, and will not do all things according to your will: You would have us obey a Justice of Peace no further than our Loyalty to the King will give leave: and therefore there ⟨p. 33⟩is greater reason that we should obey the higher powers no farther than our Loyalty to God will give leave. But if men pretend Gods commands for any thing which he commandeth not, Magistrates bear not the sword in vain, and subjects are commanded by God not to resist: If they punish them rightfully, God will bear the Rulers out in it: If they punish them wrongfully or persecute them for well-doing, God will severely punish them, who so wronged his subjects and abused the authority which he committed to their trust.
Ans. And woe to that man that grudgeth that God must be obeyed1 before him! and would be himself a God to be obeyed in things which God is against! The subjects are made no publick Judges, but private discerners of their duties: And so you make them your selves: or else they must not judge whether the King or a Usurper were to be obeyed; or whether the word of the King or of a Constable, if they be contradictory, is to be preferred. To judge what we2 must choose or refuse is proper to a Rational Creature: even bruits themselves will do something like it by instinct of nature, and will not do all things according to your will: You would have us obey a Justice of Peace no further than our Loyalty to the King will give leave: and therefore there