A26892:8169
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.
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.
6. Sometimes also the Ruler doth by the meer 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 notifie, 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 notifie 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.
7. Sometimes also the penalty of violating a Law, is some such Mulct or service, which the Ruler intendeth as a Commutation for the duty, so that he freely leaveth it to the choice of the subject which he will choose. And then it is no sin to pay the Mulct, and omit the Action; because it crosseth not the Law-givers will.