A Christian Directory

As, 1. In case the King and his Army, should march through a Neighbour-Princes Country, in a necessary War against their enemies! If food be denied them in their march, they may take it rather than perish. 2. In case the Kings Army in his own Dominions, have no pay, and must either disband or dye, if they have not provision, they may rather take free quarter, in case that their obedience to the King and the preservation of the Country forbiddeth them to disband. 3. When it is a person of so great honour, dignity and desert, as that his worth and serviceableness will do more than recompense the hurt: As if Alexander, or Aristotle were on Ship-board with a Covetous Ship-master, who would let them dye rather than relieve them. 4. When a Child taketh meat from a cruel Parent that would famish him, or a Wife from such a cruel husband! Or any man taketh his Own by stealth from another who unjustly detaineth it, when it is to save his life. For here there is a fundamental right ad rem, and the heinousness of his crime that would famish another rather than give him his own, or his due, doth take off the scandal and evil consequents, of the manner of taking it. 5. But the greatest difficulty is, in case that only the common Law of humanity and charity bind another to give to one that else must dye, and he that needeth may take it so secretly that it shall in likelihood never be known, and so never be scandalous, nor encourage any other to steal? May not the needy then steal to save his life? This case is so hard, that I shall not venture to determine it: But only say that he that doth so in such a case, must resolve when he hath done, to repay the owner if ever he be able (though it be but a piece of bread); or to repay him by his labour and service, if he have no other way, and be thus able; or if not so, to confess it to him that he took it from, and acknowledge himself his debtor (unless it be to one whose cruelty would abuse his confession).

As, 1. In case the King and his Army, should march through a Neighbour-Princes Countrey, in a necessary War against their enemies! If food be denyed them in their march, they may take it rather than perish. 2. In case the Kings Army in his own Dominions, have no pay, and must either disband or dye, if they have not provision, they may rather take free quarter, in case that their obedience to the King and the preservation of the Countrey forbiddeth them to disband. 3. When it is a person of so great honour, dignity and desert, as that his worth and serviceableness will do more than recompence the hurt: As if Alexander, or Aristotle were on Ship-board with a Covetous Ship-master, who would let them dye rather than relieve them. 4. When a Child taketh meat from a cruel Parent that would famish him, or a Wife from such a cruel husband! Or any man taketh his Own by stealth from another who unjustly detaineth it, when it is to save his life. For here there is a fundamental right ad rem, and the heynousness of his crime that would famish another rather than give him his own, or his due, doth take off the scandal and evil consequents, of the manner of taking it. 5. But the greatest difficulty is, in case that only the common Law of humanity and charity bind another to give to one that else must dye, and he that needeth may take it so secretly that it shall in likelihood never be known, and so never be scandalous, nor encourage any other to steal? May not the needy then steal to save his life? This case is so hard, that I shall not venture to determine it: But only say that he that doth so in such a case, must resolve when he hath done, to repay the owner if ever he be able (though it be but a piece of bread); or to repay him by his labour and service, if he have no other way, and be thus able; or if not so, to confess it to him that he took it from, and acknowledge himself his debtor (unless it be to one whose cruelty would abuse his confession).