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Richard Baxter
A Christian Directory
Part 4
Chapter 19
Section 2
p. 119

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,I. CHRISTIAN ETHICS (or private Duties.)II. CHRISTIAN OECONOMICKS (or Family Duties.)III. CHRISTIAN ECCLESIASTICS (or Church Duties.)IV. CHRISTIAN POLITICS (or Duties to our Rulers and Neighbours.)By RICHARD BAXTER.Mal. 2. 7▪ 8.The Priests lips should keep Knowledge, and they should seek the Law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts. But ye are departed out of the way: Ye have Caused many to stumble at the Law; ye have corrupted the Covenant of Levi—Matth. 13. 52.Every SCRIBE which is instructed unto the Kingdom of Heaven, is like unto a man that is an Householder, which bringeth forth out of his Treasure things New and Old.Heb. 5. 13, 14.For every one that useth Milk is unskilful in the Word of Righteousness: for he is a Babe: But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age: Those who by reason of USE, have their senses exercised to discern both Good and Evil.2 Tim. 2. 14, 15, 16.Of these things put them in remembrance; charging them before God, that they STRIVE not about WORDS, to no profit, but to the subverting of the Hearers: Study to show thy self approved UNTO GOD, a Workman that needeth not to be ashamed, RIGHTLY DIVIDING the word of Truth. But shun profane and vain Babblings; for they will increase unto more Ungodliness, and their Word will eat as doth a Canker.2 Pet. 3. 16.In which (Pauls Epistles) are some things hard to be understood: which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other Scriptures to their own destruction.LONDON, Printed, by Robert White, for Nevill Simmons, at the Sign of the Princes Arms in St. Pauls Church-yard. 1673.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,I. CHRISTIAN ETHICKS (or private Duties.)II. CHRISTIAN OECONOMICKS (or Family Duties.)III. CHRISTIAN ECCLESIASTICKS (or Church Duties.)IV. CHRISTIAN POLITICKS (or Duties to our Rulers and Neighbours.)By RICHARD BAXTER.Mal. 2. 7▪ 8.The Priests lips should keep Knowledge, and they should seek the Law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts. But ye are departed out of the way: Ye have Caused many to stumble at the Law; ye have corrupted the Covenant of Levi—Matth. 13. 52.Every SCRIBE which is instructed unto the Kingdom of Heaven, is like unto a man that is an Housholder, which bringeth forth out of his Treasure things New and Old.Heb. 5. 13, 14.For every one that useth Milk is unskilful in the Word of Righteousness: for he is a Babe: But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age: Those who by reason of USE, have their senses exercised to discern both Good and Evil.2 Tim. 2. 14, 15, 16.Of these things put them in remembrance; charging them before God, that they STRIVE not aboutTitle page of A Christian Directory, London, 1673

A26892:8854

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.

Richard Baxter 1615–1691London: printed by Robert White for Nevill Simmons, 1673

[35], 929, [5], 214 p., [1] leaf of plates : port. · 1.2M words · Wing B1219 · ESTC R21847

Title page typeset from the transcription.

Part 4 › Chapter 19 › Section 2: Tit. 2. Cases of Conscience about Justice in Contracts.Part 4 › Chapter 19 › Section 2: Tit. 2. Cases of Conscience about Iustice in Contracts.

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.

[ Earlier:8851–8866 of 9,947

:8851p. 119

§ 35. Quest. 28. May one person disoblige another of a promise made to him?¹

1Quest. 28.

:8852p. 119

Answ. Yes, if it be no more than a promise to that person: Because a man may give away his right: But if it be moreover a Vow to God, or you intend to oblige your self in point of Veracity under the guilt of a lye if you do otherwise, these alter the case, and no person can herein disoblige you?

:8853p. 119

§. 36. Quest. 29. But what if the Contract be bound by an Oath, may another then release me?¹

1Quest. 29.

:8854p. 119

Answ. Yes; if that Oath did only tie you to perform your promise; and were no Vow to God which made him a party, by dedicating any thing to him: For then the Oath being but subservient to the promise, he that dischargeth you from the promise, dischargeth you also from the Oath which bound you honestly to keep it.

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On this page: :8851–8866
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Whole work: 9,947 passages

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Richard Baxter, A Christian Directory (London, 1673), pt. 4, ch. 19, sect. 2, p. 119. EEBO-TCP A26892.

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The book

Title as printed: 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.
Author: Richard Baxter 1615–1691
Place: London
Printer: Robert White
Bookseller: Nevill Simmons
Year: 1673
Size: [35], 929, [5], 214 p., [1] leaf of plates : port.
Words: 1,175,050
Catalogue: Wing B1219 · ESTC R21847
Text: EEBO-TCP A26892

Passages: 9,947
Sections: 502

The author

Richard Baxter 1615–1691

The Reformers and Puritans in their own words, with every quotation checked against the page.

Texts transcribed from the original printings by the Text Creation Partnership (EEBO-TCP and Evans-TCP) and dedicated to the public domain (CC0).

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WORDS,

to no profit, but to the subverting of the Hearers: Study to shew thy self approved

UNTO GOD,

a Workman that needeth not to be ashamed,

RIGHTLY DIVIDING

the word of Truth. But shun profane and vain Bablings; for they will increase unto more Ungodliness, and their Word will eat as doth a Canker.

2 Pet. 3. 16.In which (Pauls Epistles) are some things hard to be understood: which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other Scriptures to their own destruction.

LONDON, Printed, by Robert White, for Nevill Simmons, at the Sign of the Princes Arms in St. Pauls Church-yard. 1673.

Answ. Yes; if that Oath did only tye you to perform your promise; and were no Vow to God which made him a party, by dedicating any thing to him: For then the Oath being but subservient to the promise, he that dischargeth you from the promise, dischargeth you also from the Oath which bound you honestly to keep it.

:8855p. 119

§. 37. Quest. 30. Am I bound by a promise when the cause or reason of it proveth a mistake?¹

1Quest. 30.

:8856p. 119

Answ. If by the Cause you mean only the extrinsical Reasons which moved you to it, you may be obliged nevertheless for finding your mistake: Only so far as the other was the culpable cause (as is aforesaid) he is bound to satisfy you: But if by the Cause you mean the formal reason, which constituteth the contract, then the mistake may in some cases nullify it: (of which enough before.)

Answ. If by the Cause you mean only the extrinsical Reasons which moved you to it, you may be obliged nevertheless for finding your mistake: Only so far as the other was the culpable cause (as is aforesaid) he is bound to satisfie you: But if by the Cause you mean the formal reason, which constituteth the contract, then the mistake may in some cases nullifie it: (of which enough before.)

:8857p. 119

§. 38. Quest. 31. What if a following accident make it more to my hurt, then could be foreseen?¹

1Quest. 31.

:8858p. 119

Answ. In some Contracts it is supposed or expressed, that men do undertake to run the hazard: And then they must stand obliged. But in some contracts, it is rationally supposed that the parties intend to be free, if so great an alteration should fall out. But to give instances of both these Cases would be too long a work.

:8859p. 119

§. 39. Quest. 32. What if something unexpectedly fall out, which maketh it injurious to a third person?¹ I cannot sure be obliged to injure another.

1Quest. 32.

:8860p. 119–120

Answ. If the case be the later mentioned in the foregoing answer, you may be thus free: But if it be the former (you being supposed to run the hazard, and secure the other party against all others) then either you were indeed authorized to make this bargain, or not: If not, the third person may secure his right against the other: But if you were, then you must make satisfaction as you can to ⟨p. 120⟩the third person. Ye•, if you made a Covenant without authority, you are obliged to save the other harmless, unless he knew your power to: be doubtful, and did resolve to run the hazard.

:8861p. 120

§. 40. Quest. 33. What if somewhat fall out which maketh the performance to be a sin?

:8862p. 120

Answ. You must not do it: But you must make the other satisfaction for all the loss which you were the cause of unless he undertook to stand to the hazard of this also, (explicitly or implicitly).

Answ. You must not do it: But you must make the other satisfaction for all the loss which you were the cause of unless he undertook to stand to the hazard of this also, (explicitely or implicitely).

:8863p. 120

§. 41. Quest. 34. Am I obliged if the other break Covenant with me?¹

1Quest. 34.

:8864p. 120

Answ. There are Covenants which make Relations (as between Husband and Wife, Pastor and Flock, Rulers and Subjects); and Covenants which convey title to commodities, of which only I am here to speak. And in these there are some Conditions which are essential to the Covenant: If the other first break these conditions, you are disobliged. But there are other conditions which are not essential, but only necessary to some following benefit: whose non-performance will only forfeit that particular benefit: And there are conditions which are only undertaken subsequent duties, trusted on the honesty of the performer: And in these a failing doth not disoblige you. These latter are but improperly called Conditions.

:8865p. 120

§. 42. Quest. 35. May I contract to perform a thing which I foresee is like to become impossible or sinful,¹ before the time of performance come, though it be not so at present.

1Quest. 35.

:8866p. 120

Answ. With all persons you must deal truly; and with just contractors, openly: But with Thieves, and Murderers, and Persecutors, you are not always bound to deal openly. This being premised, either your Covenant is absolutely, This I will do, be it lawful or not, possible or impossible: And such a Covenant is sin and folly: Or it is Conditional, This I will do, if it continue lawful, or possible: This condition (or rather Exception) is still implied where it is not expressed, unless the contrary be expressed: Therefore such a Covenant is lawful with a Robber with whom you are not bound to deal openly: Because it is but the concealing from him the event which you foresee. As e. g. you have intelligence that a Ship is lost at Sea, or is like to be shortly taken by Pirates, which the Robber expecteth shortly to come safe into the harbour: You may promise him to deliver up your self his prisoner, when that Ship cometh home. Or you know a person to be mortally sick, and will dye before the next Week: you may oblige yourself to marry or serve that person two months hence: For it is implied, If he or she be then alive. But with equal Contractors, this is unlawful, with whom you are obliged not only to Verity, but to Justice; as in the following cases will be further manifested.

Answ. With all persons you must deal truly; and with just contractors, openly: But with Thieves, and Murderers, and Persecutors, you are not alwayes bound to deal openly. This being premised, either your Covenant is absolutely, This I will do, be it lawful or not, possible or impossible: And such a Covenant is sin and folly: Or it is Conditional, This I will do, if it continue lawful, or possible: This condition (or rather Exception) is still implyed where it is not exprest, unless the contrary be exprest: Therefore such a Covenant is lawful with a Robber with whom you are not bound to deal openly: Because it is but the concealing from him the event which you foresee. As e. g. you have intelligence that a Ship is lost at Sea, or is like to be shortly taken by Pyrates, which the Robber expecteth shortly to come safe into the harbour: You may promise him to deliver up your self his prisoner, when that Ship cometh home. Or you know a person to be mortally sick, and will dye before the next Week: you may oblige yourself to marry or serve that person two months hence: For it is implyed, If he or she be then alive. But with equal Contractors, this is unlawful, with whom you are obliged not only to Verity, but to Justice; as in the following cases will be further manifested.

PuritansEngland

Pastor at Kidderminster and prolific nonconformist author.

Transcription key

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