A26892:8230
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.
So that it is apparent that sometime the Sovereigns cause may be good, and yet an erroneous conscience may make the Soldiers cause bad if they are Volunteers, who run unnecessarily upon that which they take for robbery and murder; and yet that the Higher Powers may force even such mistakers to defend their Country and their Governors, in a case of true necessity: And it is manifest that sometimes the Cause of the Ruler may be bad, and yet the cause of the Soldier good: And that sometimes the cause may be bad and sinful to them both; and sometime good and lawful unto both.
So that it is apparent that sometime the Soveraigns cause may be good, and yet an erroneous conscience may make the Souldiers cause bad if they are Volunteers, who run unnecessarily upon that which they take for robbery and murder; and yet that the Higher Powers may force even such mistakers to defend their Countrey and their Governours, in a case of true necessity: And it is manifest that sometimes the Cause of the Ruler may be bad, and yet the cause of the Souldier good: And that sometimes the cause may be bad and sinful to them both; and sometime good and lawful unto both.
§. 3. Direct. 3. When you are doubtful whether your Cause and Call be good, it is (ordinarily) 1safest to sit still, and not to venture in so dangerous a case, without great deliberation and sufficient evidence to satisfy your consciences. Neander might well say of Solon's Law, which punished them2 that took not one part or other in a Civil War or Sedition, Admirabilis autem illa atque plane incredibilis, quae honoribus abdicat eum, qui orta seditione nullam factionem secutus sit. No doubt, he is a culpable▪ Neuter that will not defend his Governors and his Country when he hath a call: But it is so dreadful a thing to be guilty of the blood and calamities of an unjust War, that a wise man will rather be abused as a Neuter, than run himself into the danger of such • case.