A26892:8762
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.
Answ. This is your duty according to the sixth Commandment, which bindeth you to preserve your Neighbours life: So be it these conditions be observed: 1. That you keep not his sword for your benefit and advantage, nor claim a propriety in it: but give it his friends, or deliver it to the Magistrate. 2. That you do nothing without the Magistrate, in which you may safely stay for his Authority and help: But if two be fighting, or thieves be robbing or murdering a man, or another's life be in present danger, you must help them without staying for the Magistrates authority. 3. That you make not this a pretence for the usurping of Authority, or for resisting or deposing your lawful Prince or, Magistrate, or Parent, or Master, or of exercising your own will and passions against your Superiors; pretending that you take away their swords to save themselves or others from their rage, when it is indeed but to hinder justice.
Answ. This is your duty according to the sixth Commandment, which bindeth you to preserve your Neighbours life: So be it these conditions be observed: 1. That you keep not his sword for your benefit and advantage, nor claim a propriety in it: but give it his friends, or deliver it to the Magistrate. 2. That you do nothing without the Magistrate, in which you may safely stay for his Authority and help: But if two be fighting, or thieves be robbing or murdering a man, or anothers life be in present danger, you must help them without staying for the Magistrates authority. 3. That you make not this a pretence for the usurping of Authority, or for resisting or deposing your lawful Prince or, Magistrate, or Parent, or Master, or of exercising your own will and passions against your Superiours; pretending that you take away their swords to save themselves or others from their rage, when it is indeed but to hinder justice.
§. 21. Quest. 14. May I not then much more take away that by which he would destroy his own or other1 mens souls: As to take away Cards or Dice from Gamesters; or heretical or seditious books; or Play-books and Romances, or to pull down Idols which the Idolaters do adore; or are instruments of Idolatry?