A27004:132
The reasons of the Christian religion the first part, of godliness, proving by natural…
The reasons of the Christian religion the first part, of godliness, proving by natural evidence the being of God ... : the second part, of Christianity, proving by evidence supernatural and natural, the certain truth of the Christian belief ... / by Richard Baxter ... ; also an appendix defending the soul's immortality against the Somatists or Epicureans and other pseudo-philosophers.
London: printed by R. White for Fran. Titon, 1667
Part 1 › Chapter 3: Of Men as mutually Related to each other.
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.
1§. 13. The combination of the Power, Wisdom and Goodness of the Individuals, and the Eminency of these in the Governors, is the cause of the order, strength and safety of these humane societies.
1§. 13. The combination of the Power, Wisdom and Goodness of the Individuals, and the Eminency of these in the Governours, is the cause of the order, strength and safety of these humane societies.
- 1Est unum jus quo devincta est hominum societas, & quod lex constituit una: Quae lex recta ratio est imperandi atque prohibendi. Cicer. de leg. 1. p. 225.
All the parts are in the combination to contribute to the good of the whole, and that according to the nature of the parts: it is not a heap of stones, nor a forest of trees, nor a heard of cattle, which we are speaking of, but an association of men; which must be promoted and blessed by the worth and duty of the individuals: and this consisteth in the perfections and right exercise of their Power, Intellects and Wills. But as the place of the Governor requireth more of the exercise of these, than is requisite in any individual else, so doth it therefore require, that these be in him in greater eminency and excellency than in others; viz. that in himself he excel in wisdom and goodness; and by his interest in the people that he excel in power or strength. Take away power, and Societies are indefensible, exposed to the will of enemies, and unable to execute their Laws upon their own offenders, and so to attain the ends of their association and government. Take away wisdom, and they are a rout of Idiots or mad-men, and government can be none at all. Take away goodness, and they are as a company of Devils, or confederacy of Robbers or pernicious enemies, who can neither trust one another, nor promote the common good, but are fit to destroy and be destroyed.
All the parts are in the combination to contribute to the good of the whole, and that according to the nature of the parts: it is not a heap of stones, nor a forest of trees, nor a heard of cattle, which we are speaking of, but an association of men; which must be promoted and blessed by the worth and duty of the individuals: and this consisteth in the perfections and right exercise of their Power, Intellects and Wills. But as the place of the Governour requireth more of the exercise of these, than is requisite in any individual else, so doth it therefore require, that these be in him in greater eminency and excellency than in others; viz. that in himself he excel in wisdom and goodness; and by his interest in the people that he excel in power or strength. Take away power, and Societies are indefensible, exposed to the will of enemies, and unable to execute their Laws upon their own offenders, and so to attain the ends of their association and government. Take away wisdom, and they are a rout of Ideots or mad-men, and government can be none at all. Take away goodness, and they are as a company of Devils, or confederacy of Robbers or pernicious enemies, who can neither trust one another, nor promote the common good, but are fit to destroy and be destroyed.