A26892:8170
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.
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.
8. Sometimes also the Law may command this principally for some mens sake, which so little concerns others, that it should not extend to them at all, were it not lest the Liberty of them should be an impediment to the obedience of others, and consequently of the common good: In which case, if those persons so little concerned, do but omit the action secretly, so as to be no scandal or public hurt, it seemeth that they have the implicit Consent of the Rulers.
8. Sometimes also the Law may command this principally for some mens sake, which so little concerns others, that it should not extend to them at all, were it not lest the Liberty of them should be an impediment to the obedience of others, and consequently of the common good: In which case, if those persons so little concerned, do but omit the action secretly, so as to be no scandal or publick hurt, it seemeth that they have the implicite Consent of the Rulers.
9. Sometimes particular duties are commanded with this express exception, [Unless they have just and reasonable impediment] (As for coming every Lords Day to Church, &c.): which seemeth to imply, that (though in cases where the public good is concerned, the person himself shall not be Judge, nor at all as to the penalty; yet that) in actions of an indifferent nature in themselves, this exception is still supposed to be implied, [Unless we have just and reasonable impediments] of which in private Cases, as to the Crime, we may judge.