A26892:8119
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.
§. 86. 3. The Christian Religion bindeth subjects to obedience upon sorer penalties than Magistrates can inflict; even upon pain of Gods displeasure, and everlasting damnation, Rom. 13. 2, 3. And how great a help this is to Government it is so easy to discern, that the simpler sort of Atheists do persuade themselves, that Kings devised Religion to keep people in obedience with the fears of Hell. Take away the fears of the life to come and the punishment of God in Hell upon the wicked, and the world will be turned into worse than a den of Serpents and wild beasts: adulteries and murders, and poisoning Kings and all abomination will be freely committed, which wit or power can think to cover or bear out! Who will trust that man that believeth not that God doth judge and punish.
§. 86. 3. The Christian Religion bindeth subjects to obedience upon sorer penalties than Magistrates can inflict; even upon pain of Gods displeasure, and everlasting damnation, Rom. 13. 2, 3. And how great a help this is to Government it is so easie to discern, that the simpler sort of Atheists do perswade themselves, that Kings devised Religion to keep people in obedience with the fears of Hell. Take away the fears of the life to come and the punishment of God in Hell upon the wicked, and the world will be turned into worse than a den of Serpents and wild beasts: adulteries and murders, and poysoning Kings and all abomination will be freely committed, which wit or power can think to cover or bear out! Who will trust that man that believeth not that God doth judge and punish.
§. 87. 4. The Christian Religion doth encourage obedience and peace with the Promise of the Reward of endless happiness (caeteris paribus): Heaven is more than any Prince can give. If that will not move men, there is no greater thing to move them. Atheism and Infidelity have no such motives.