A26892:8163
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.
Hereupon I conclude as followeth.
1. It is no sin to break a Law which is no Law, as being against God, or not authorized by him (as of a Usurper, &c.) See R. Hooker Conclus. Lib 8.
2. It is no Law so far as it is no signification of the true Will of the Ruler, what ever the words be: Therefore so far it is no sin to break it.
3. The Will of the Ruler is to be judged of, not only by the Words, but by the Ends of Government, and by the Rules of Humanity.
4. It being not possible that the Ruler in his Laws can foresee and name all exceptions, which may occur, it is to be supposed that it is his Will, that the Nature of the thing, shall be the notifier of his Will, when it cometh to pass: And that if he were present, and this case fell out before him, which the sense and end of the Law extendeth not to, he would say, This is an excepted Case.