A26892:8176
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.
13. By these plain principles many particular difficulties may be easily resolved, which cannot be foreseen and named: e. g. The Law against relieving a beggar bindeth not, when he is like to dye if he be not relieved; or in such a case as after the burning of London, when there was no Parish to bring him to. A Law that is but for the ordering of mens charity, (to soul, or body, by preaching or alms) will not disoblige me from the Duties of Charity themselves, in cases where Scripture or Nature proveeth them to be imposed by God. A Law for fasting will not bind me, when it would be destructive to my body: even on Gods Sabbaths duties of mercy were to be preferred to Rest and Sacrifices.
14. If Gods own Laws must be thus expounded, that [When two duties come together, and both cannot be done, the lesser ceaseth at that time to be a duty, and the greater is to be preferred], mans Laws must also be necessarily so expounded: And the rather because mans Laws may be contradictory when Gods never are so, rightly understood.
15. Where the subject is to obey, so far he must discern which of the Laws inconsistent, is to be preferred: But in the Magistratical execution, the Magistrate or Judge must determine.
E. g. One Law commandeth that all the needy poor be kept on the Parish where they were born or last lived. Another Law saith, that Non-conformable Ministers of the Gospel who take not the Oxford Oath shall not come within five miles of City or Corporation (though they were born there) or any place where they have been Preachers. In case of necessity, what shall they do? Answ. Whither they shall go for relief, they must discern as well as they can: But whither they shall be carried or sent, the Magistrate or Constable must discern, and judge.