A26892:8161
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.
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.
3. That it is given, 1. Finally for Gods glory and pleasure, and for the Common Good (comprehending the Honour of the Ruler and the welfare of the society ruled). And therefore obligeth not when it is, 1. Against God; 2. Or against the Common Good. 2. And it is subordinate to Gods1 own Laws, (in Nature and Scripture) and therefore obligeth not to sin, or to the violation of Gods Law.
- 1It is not Mr. Humphrey alone that hath written that Laws bind not in conscience to obedience which are against the Public Good: The greatest Casuists say the same, excepting the case of scandal: He that would see this in them may choose but these two special Authors Bapt. Fragos. de Regimine Reipublicae, & Greg. Sayrus in his Clavis Regia, and in them he shall find enow more c••ed. Though I think some further Cautions would make it more satisfactory.It is not Mr. Humph••y alone that hath written that Laws bind not in conscience to obedience which are against the Publick Good: The greatest Casuists say the same, excepting the case of scandal: He that would see this in them may choose but these two special Authors Bapt. Fragos. de Regimine Reipublicae, & Greg. Sayrus in his Clavis Regia, and in them he shall find enow more c••ed. Though I think some further Cautions would make it more satisfactory.
4. You must note that Laws are made for the Government of Societies as such universally; and so are fitted to the Common Case, for the Common Good. And it is not possible but that a Law which prescribeth a duty which by accident is so to the most, should meet with some particular subject to whom the case is so circumstantiated as that the same act would be to him a sin: And to the same man it may be ordinarily a duty, and in an extraordinary case a sin. Thence it is that in some cases (as Lent Fasts, Marriages, &c.) Rulers oft authorize some persons to grant dispensations in certain cases; And hence it is said, that Necessity hath no Law.