A26892:8137
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.
5. Above all, abuse not the name of Religion for the resistance of your lawful Governors: Religion must be defended and propagated by no irreligious means. It is easy before you are aware, to catch the fever of such a passionate zeal as James and John had, when they would have had fire from Heaven to consume the refusers and resisters of the Gospel: And then you will think that any thing almost is lawful, which doth but seem necessary to the prosperity of Religion. But no means but those of Gods allowance do use to prosper, or bring home that which men expect: They may seem to do wonders for a while, but they come to nothing in the latter end, and spoil the work, and leave all worse than it was before.
5. Above all, abuse not the name of Religion for the resistance of your lawful Governours: Religion must be defended and propagated by no irreligious means. It is easie before you are aware, to catch the feavor of such a passionate zeal as Iames and Iohn had, when they would have had fire from Heaven to consume the refusers and resisters of the Gospel: And then you will think that any thing almost is lawful, which doth but seem necessary to the prosperity of Religion. But no means but those of Gods allowance do use to prosper, or bring home that which men expect: They may seem to do wonders for a while, but they come to nothing in the latter end, and spoil the work, and leave all worse than it was before.
§. 101. Direct. 40. Take heed of mistaking the nature of that Liberty of the people, which is truly 1valuable and desirable, and of contending for an undesirable Liberty in its stead. It is desirable to have2 Liberty to do good, and to possess our own, and enjoy Gods mercies, and live in peace: But it is not desirable to have Liberty to sin, and abuse one another, and hinder the Gospel, and contemn our Governors: Some mistake Liberty for Government it self; and think it is the peoples Liberty to be Governors: And some mistake Liberty for an exemption from Government, and think they are most free, when they are most ungoverned, and may do what their list: But this is a misery, and not a mercy, and therefore was never purchased for us by Christ. Many desire servitude and calamity under the name of liberty: Optima est Reipublicae forma, saith Seneca, ubi nulla Libertas deest, nisi licentia pereundi. As Mr. R. Hooker saith, Lib. 8. p. 195. [I am not of opinion, that simply in Kings the Most, but the Best limited power is best, both for them and the people: The Most limited is that which may deal in fewest things: the best, that which in dealing is tied to the soundest, perfectest and most indifferent Rule, which Rule is the Law: I mean not only the Law of Nature and of God, but the National Law consonant thereunto: Happier that people whose Law is their King in the greatest things, than that whose King is himself their Law.]