A26892:8123
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.
§. 90. 7. Christianity and Godliness teach men Patience, that it may not seem strange to them to bear the Cross, and suffer injuries from high and low: And therefore that Impatience which is1 the beginning of all rebellion being repressed, it stayeth the distemper from going any further.
§. 91. 8. Christianity teacheth men self-denial as a great part of their religion: And when selfishness 1is mortified, there is nothing left to be a principle of Rebellion against God or our superiors: Selfishness is the very predominant principle of the ungodly: It is only for themselves that they obey when they do obey; No wonder therefore if the Author of Leviathan allow men to do any thing when the saving of themselves requireth it. And so many selfish persons as there be in a Kingdom, so many several Interests are first sought, which for the most part stand cross to the Interests of others: The Godly have all one common centre: They unite in God, and therefore may be kept in concord: For Gods will is a thing that may be fulfilled by all as well as one: But the selfish and ungodly are every one his own Centre, and have no common centre to unite in, their interests being ordinarily cross and inconsistent.
§. 91. 8. Christianity teacheth men self-denyal as a great part of their religion: And when selfishness 1is mortified, there is nothing left to be a principle of Rebellion against God or our superiors: Selfishness is the very predominant principle of the ungodly: It is only for themselves that they obey when they do obey; No wonder therefore if the Author of Leviathan allow men to do any thing when the saving of themselves requireth it. And so many selfish persons as there be in a Kingdom, so many several Interests are first sought, which for the most part stand cross to the Interests of others: The Godly have all one common center: They unite in God, and therefore may be kept in concord: For Gods will is a thing that may be fulfilled by all as well as one: But the selfish and ungodly are every one his own Center, and have no common center to unite in, their interests being ordinarily cross and inconsistent.