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Richard Baxter
A Christian Directory
Part 4
Chapter 19
Section 5
p. 129

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

A26892:9000

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 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.

[ Earlier:8997–9012 of 9,947

:8997p. 129

§. 4. Quest. 4. Is it lawful to play at Cards or Dice for money, or at any Lottery?¹

1Quest. 4.

:8998p. 129

Answ. The greatest doubt is, Whether the Games be lawful, many learned Divines being for the¹ Negative, and many for the Affirmative; And those that are for the Affirmative lay down so many necessaries or conditions to prove them lawful, as I scarce ever yet saw meet together: But if they be proved at all lawful, the case of Wagers is resolved as the next.

1Of Recreations see before.

:8999p. 129

§. 5. Quest. 5. May I play at Bowls, Run, Shoot, &c. or use such personal activities for money?¹

1Quest. 5.

:9000p. 129

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On this page: :8997–9012
Section: :8990–9002
Whole work: 9,947 passages

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Richard Baxter, A Christian Directory (London, 1673), pt. 4, ch. 19, sect. 5, p. 129. 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, 1. If you make not the Game it self bad by any accident: 2. If your Wager be laid for sport, and not for Covetousness (striving who shall get another's money, and give them nothing for it). 3. And if no more be laid than is suitable to the sport, and the loser doth well and willingly pay.

Answ. Yes, 1. If you make not the Game it self bad by any accident: 2. If your Wager be laid for sport, and not for Covetousness (striving who shall get anothers money, and give them nothing for it). 3. And if no more be laid than is suitable to the sport, and the loser doth well and willingly pay.

:9001p. 129

§. 6. Quest. 6. If the loser who said he was willing, prove angry and unwilling when it cometh to the¹ paying, may I take it, or get it by Law against his will?

1Quest. 6.

:9002p. 129

Answ. No, no not in ordinary cases; because you may not turn a sport to covetousness, or breach of Charity: But in case that it be a sport that hath cost you any thing, you may in Justice take your Charges, when Prudence forbids it not.

:9003p. 130

Tit. 6. Cases of Conscience about Losing and Finding.

:9004p. 130

§. 1. Quest. 1. IF I find money or any thing l•st, am I bound to seek out the owner, if he seek not¹ after me? And how far am I bound to seek him?

1Quest. 1.

:9005p. 130

Answ. You are bound to use such reasonable means, as the nature of the case requireth, that the true owner may have his own again. He that dare keep another mans money, because he findeth it, its like would steal, if he could do it as secretly. Finding giveth you no propriety, if the owner can be found: Do as you would be done by, and you may satisfy your conscience. If nearer enquiry will not serve, you are bound to get it cried in the Market, or proclaimed in the Church, or mentioned in the Currant•'s that carry weekly news; or any probable way, which putteth you not upon unreasonable cost or labour.

Answ. You are bound to use such reasonable means, as the nature of the case requireth, that the true owner may have his own again. He that dare keep another mans money, because he findeth it, its like would steal, if he could do it as secretly. Finding giveth you no propriety, if the owner can be found: Do as you would be done by, and you may satisfie your conscience. If nearer enquiry will not serve, you are bound to get it cryed in the Market, or proclaimed in the Church, or mentioned in the Currant•'s that carry weekly news; or any probable way, which putteth you not upon unreasonable cost or labour.

:9006p. 130

§. 2. Q••st. 2. May I take any thing for the finding of it, as my due?

:9007p. 130

Q••st. 2.

:9008p. 130

Answ. You may demand so much as shall pay for any labour or cost which you have been at about it, or finding out the owner. But no more as your due: Though a moderate gratuity may be accepted, if he freely give it.

:9009p. 130

§. 3. Quest. 3. May I desire to find money or any thing else in my way? or may I be glad when I¹ have found it?

1Quest. 3.

:9010p. 130

Answ. You should first be unwilling that your neighbour should lose it; and be sorry that he hath lost it: But supposing that it be lost, you may moderately desire that you may find it rather than another: Not with a covetous desire of the gain; but that you may faithfully gratify the owner in restoring it; Or if he cannot be found may dispose of it as you ought. And you should be more sorry that its lost, than glad that you find it, except for the owner.

Answ. You should first be unwilling that your neighbour should lose it; and be sorry that he hath lost it: But supposing that it be lost, you may moderately desire that you may find it rather than another: Not with a covetous desire of the gain; but that you may faithfully gratifie the owner in restoring it; Or if he cannot be found may dispose of it as you ought. And you should be more sorry that its lost, than glad that you find it, except for the owner.

:9011p. 130

§. 4. Quest. 4. If no Owner can be found, may I not take it and use it as mine own?

:9012p. 130

Quest. 4.

PuritansEngland

Pastor at Kidderminster and prolific nonconformist author.

Transcription key

•: an illegible letter
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▪: illegible punctuation
⟨p. 12⟩: a page break in the printed book