A26892:8167
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.
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.
5. There is therefore a wide difference between a General Law, and a personal particular Mandate; As of a Parent to a Child, or a Master to a Servant: For this latter fully notifieth the Will of the Ruler in that very case, and to that very person: And therefore it cannot be said that here is any exception, or that it is not his Will: But in an Universal or General Law, it is to be supposed that some particular excepted Cases will fall out extraordinarily, though they cannot be named: And that in those Cases, the Rulers will dispenseth with it.
6. Sometimes also the Ruler doth by the mere neglect of pressing or executing his own Laws, permit them to grow obsolete, and out of use: And sometimes he forbeareth the execution of them for some time, or to some sort of persons: And by so doing doth notify, that it was not his Will that •t such a time, and in such cases they should oblige. I say not, that all remissness of execution is such a sign: But sometimes it is: And the very word of the Law-giver, may notify his dispensation ⟨p. 38⟩or suspending will. As for instance, Upon the burning of London, there were many Laws (about coming to Parish Churches, and relief of the poor of the Parish, and the like,) that the people became uncapable of obeying: And it was to be supposed, that the Rulers will would have been to to have excepted such Cases if foreseen; and that they did dispense with them when they fell out.