A27016:605
A saint or a brute the certain necessity and excellency of holiness, &c. ...…
A saint or a brute the certain necessity and excellency of holiness, &c. ... / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by R.W. for Francis Tyton, 1662
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.
2. Holiness teacheth subjects to see God in their Rulers, and honour and obey them as his officers, even with an honour and obedience participatively Divine; And no men can give them a higher honour then they that thus honour them on Gods account: and no men can give them so full and firm and constant obedience, as they that obey God in their Governors: No man can give them higher titles, then they that take them to be the Officers of God. Carnal men obey their Governors merely as men that are able to do them good or hurt. If they were sure to receive no damage by contemning them, they cared not to trample them in the dirt. Though that people sinned in desiring a King, yet when they had chosen that kind of Government, and Saul was set over them, those that went with him were such [whose hearts God had touched: but the Children of Belial said, How shall this man save us? and they despised him and brought him no presents] 1 Sam. 10. 27.
2. Holiness teacheth subjects to see God in their Rulers, and honour and obey them as his officers, even with an honour and obedience participatively Divine; And no men can give them a higher honour then they that thus honour them on Gods account: and no men can give them so full and firm and constant obedience, as they that obey God in their Governours: No man can give them higher titles, then they that take them to be the Officers of God. Carnal men obey their Governours meerly as men that are able to do them good or hurt. If they were sure to receive no dammage by contemning them, they cared not to trample them in the dirt. Though that people sinned in desiring a King, yet when they had chosen that kind of Government, and Saul was set over them, those that went with him were such [whose hearts God had touched: but the Children of Belial said, How shall this man save us? and they despised him and brought him no presents] 1 Sam. 10. 27.
3. Holiness causeth subjects to obey and submit for conscience sake: They do it because God himself hath commanded them to do it. They pay tribute, and give honour and obedience because it is part of their Obedience to God, required of them in the fifth Commandment, which is the first with promise: Outward prosperity is especially promised to them that honour their Parents and superiors. And the commands and promises of God with the bonds of Conscience do tie men faster to their duty, and restrain more effectually from disobedience then the words of men alone can do. Conscience holdeth strongly and constantly;