A26892:8203
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.
Part 4 › Chapter 5: The Duty of Physicians.Part 4 › Chapter 5: The Duty of Physicions.
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.
Neither is it my purpose to give any occasion, to the learned men of this honourable profession, to say that I intermeddle in the mysteries or matters of their art. I shall only tell them, and that very briefly, what God and Conscience will expect from them.
NEither is it my purpose to give any occasion, to the learned men of this honourable profession, to say that I intermeddle in the mysteries or matters of their art. I shall only tell them, and that very briefly, what God and Conscience will expect from them.
§. 1. Direct. 1. Be sure that the saving of mens lives and health, be first and chiefly in your Intention, 1before any gain or honour of your own. I know you may lawfully have respect, both to your maintenance and honour: But in a second place only, as a far lesser good than the lives of men. If money be your Ultimate end, you debase your profession, which as exercised by you, can be no more to your honour or comfort, than your own intention carrieth it. It is more the End than the Means, that ennobleth or debaseth men: If gain be the thing which you chiefly seek, the matter is not very great (to you), whether you seek it by medicining men or beasts, or by lower means than either of them. To others indeed it may be a very great benefit, whose lives you have been a means to save; but to your selves it will be no greater, than your intention maketh it. If the honouring and pleasing God, and the public good, and the saving of mens lives, be really first and highest in your desires, then it is God that you serve in your profession: Otherwise you do but serve your selves. And take heed lest you here deceive your selves, by thinking that the Good of others is your end, and dearer to you than your gain, because your Reason telleth you it is better, and ought to be preferred: For God and the public good are not every mans end, that can speak highly of them, and say they should be so. If most of the world do practically prefer their carnal prosperity even before their souls, while they speak of the World as disgracefully as others, and call it Vanity; how much more easily may you deceive your selves, in preferring your gain before mens lives, while your tongue can speak contemptuously of gain.