A26892:8727
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 18 › Tit. 2. Certain Cases of Conscience about Theft and Injury.
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.
Tit. 2. Certain Cases of Conscience about Theft and Injury.
Answ. The case is very hard: I shall, 1. Tell you so much as is past controversy, and then speak to the controverted part. 1. If all other unquestionable means be not first used, it is undoubtedly a sin. If either labouring, or begging will save our lives, it is unlawful to steal. Yea or if any others may be used to intercede for us. Otherwise it is not stealing to save a mans life, but stealing to save his labour, or to gratify his pride and save his honour. 2. It is undoubtedly a sin, if the saving of our lives by it, do bring a greater hurt to the Common-wealth, or other men than our lives are worth. 3. And it is a sin if it deprive the owner of his life▪ he being a person more worthy and useful to the common good. These cases are no matter of Controversy.
Answ. The case is very hard: I shall, 1. Tell you so much as is past controversie, and then speak to the controverted part. 1. If all other unquestionable means be not first used, it is undoubtedly a sin. If either labouring, or begging will save our lives, it is unlawful to steal. Yea or if any others may be used to intercede for us. Otherwise it is not stealing to save a mans life, but stealing to save his labour, or to gratifie his pride and save his honour. 2. It is undoubtedly a sin, if the saving of our lives by it, do bring a greater hurt to the Common-wealth, or other men than our lives are worth. 3. And it is a sin if it deprive the owner of his life he being a person more worthy and useful to the common good. These cases are no matter of Controversie.