A26892:8997
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 19 › Section 5: Tit. 5. Cases of Conscience about Lusory 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.
Answ. Yes, upon the two last expressed conditions; and 3. That it be not an exercise which is it self unlawful, by cruelty to Beasts, or hazard to the lives of men (as in Fencing, Running, Wrestling, &c. it may fall out if it be not cautiously done:) or by the expense of an undue proportion of time in them, which is the common malignity of such recreations.
Answ. Yes, upon the two last exprest conditions; and 3. That it be not an exercise which is it self unlawful, by cruelty to Beasts, or hazard to the lives of men (as in Fencing, Running, Wrestling, &c. it may fall out if it be not cautelously done:) or by the expence of an undue proportion of time in them, which is the common malignity of such recreations.
§. 3. Quest. 3. May I lawfully give money to see such sports, as Bear-baitings, Stage-plays, Masks,1 Shows, Puppet-plays, Activities of Man or Beast? &c.
§. 3. Quest. 3. May I lawfully give money to see such sports, as Bear-baitings, Stage-playes, Masks,1 Shews, Puppet-playes, Activities of Man or Beast? &c.
- 1Quest. 3.
Answ. There are many Shows that are desirable and laudable, (as of strange Creatures, Monsters, rare Engines, Activities, &c.) the sight of which it is lawful to purchase, at a proportionable price: As a prospect thorough one of Galilaeus Tubes or such another, is worth much money to a studious person. But when the exercise is unlawful (as all Stage-plays are that ever I saw, or had just information of; yea, odiously evil; however it is very possible that a Comedy or Tragedy might with abundance of cautions be lawfully acted), it is then (usually) unlawful to be a spectator either for money or on free cost. I say [usually] because its possible that some one that is necessitated to be there, or that goeth to find out their evil to suppress them, or that is once only induced to know the truth of them may do it innocently: But so do not they, who are present voluntarily and approvingly. 3. And if the recreation be lawful in it self, yet when vain persons go thither to feed a carnal fancy and vicious humour, which delighteth more in vanity, than they delight in piety, and when it wasteth their time and corrupteth their minds, and alienateth them from good, or hindereth duty, it is to them unlawful.