A26892:8819
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.
§. 17. Quest. 11. But may I promise the Thief or Bribe-taker to conceal his fault? and am I obliged to1 the performance of such a promise?
- 1Quest. 11.
Answ. This is a promise of omitting that which else would be a duty. It is ordinarily a duty to reveal a Thief and bribe-taker that he may be punished. But affirmatives bind not ad semper: no act, (especially external) is a duty at all times: Therefore not this, of revealing an offenders fault. And if it be not always a duty, then it must be none when it is inconsistent with some greater benefit or duty: For when two goods come together, the greater is to be preferred: Therefore in case that you see in just probability, that the concealment of the sinner will do more hurt, to the Common-wealth or the souls of men, than the saving of your life is like to do good, You may not promise to conceal him: or if you sinfully promise it, you may not perform it. But in case that your life is like to be a greater good than the Not promising to conceal him, then such a promise is no fault; because the disclosing him is no duty. But to judge rightly of this is a matter of great difficulty. If it be less than life which you save by such a promise, it oft falls out that it is a lesser good, than the detecting of the offence.
Answ. This is a promise of omitting that which else would be a duty. It is ordinarily a duty to reveal a Thief and bribe-taker that he may be punished. But affirmatives bind not ad semper: no act, (especially external) is a duty at all times: Therefore not this, of revealing an offenders fault. And if it be not alwayes a duty, then it must be none when it is inconsistent with some greater benefit or duty: For when two goods come together, the greater is to be preferred: Therefore in case that you see in just probability, that the concealment of the sinner will do more hurt, to the Common-wealth or the souls of men, than the saving of your life is like to do good, You may not promise to conceal him: or if you sinfully promise it, you may not perform it. But in case that your life is like to be a greater good than the Not promising to conceal him, then such a promise is no fault; because the disclosing him is no duty. But to judge rightly of this is a matter of great difficulty. If it be less than life which you save by such a promise, it oft falls out that it is a lesser good, than the detecting of the offence.