Five disputations of church-government and worship

CHAP. VI. Prop. 6. It is not lawful to make any thing the subjects duty by a command, that is merely indifferent antecedently, both in it self, and as clothed with its accidents.

CHAP. VI. Prop. 6. It is not lawfull to make any thing the subjects duty by a command, that is meerly indifferent antecedently, both in it self, and as cloathed with its accidents.

§. 1. THE reason is evident: because Nothing but Good can be the just matter or object of the Governors desire: and therefore nothing but Good can be the just matter of his Laws. By [Good] I mean, Moral, or Civil Good, or Relative Physical Good: the Good of Profit, or Honesty: And by [Indifferent] I mean not [that which is neither a flat sin, nor a flat absolute duty.] For so an Indifferent thing may be sometime commanded. Nor do I mean any Middle thing between Bonum Metaphysicum and non bonum: for there is none such. But I mean by indifferent, that which is not antecedently Appetible, a Desirable Good, though it be not it self an evil to be avoided, or a hurtful thing. Bonum publicum, the common good is the End of Government, and therefore it must be somewhat conducing to the Common good, (or at least to the good of some particular person) that is the just object of the Governors desire, and matter of his law. For nothing but Good, doth conduce to Good, of it self. Nay it is therefore Good, bonitate ⟨p. 434⟩medii, as a Means, because it conduceth to that which is Good, bonitate finis, as an End; or that is Desirable for it self. Desire hath no object but quid appetibile, a Desirable Good. And a Governor should make no Laws but for somewhat that is desirable to himself as Governor.

§. 1. THE reason is evident: because Nothing but Good can be the just matter or object of the Governours desire: and therefore nothing but Good can be the just matter of his Laws. By [Good] I mean, Moral, or Civil Good, or Relative Physical Good: the Good of Profit, or Honesty: And by [Indifferent] I mean not [that which is neither a flat sin, nor a flat absolute duty.] For so an Indifferent thing may be sometime commanded. Nor do I mean any Middle thing between Bonum Metaphysicum and non bonum: for there is none such. But I mean by indifferent, that which is not antecedently Appetible, a Desirable Good, though it be not it self an evill to be avoided, or a hurtfull thing. Bonum publicum, the common good is the End of Government, and therefore it must be somewhat conducing to the Common good, (or at least to the good of some particular person) that is the just object of the Governours desire, and matter of his law. For nothing but Good, doth conduce to Good, of it self. Nay it is therefore Good, bonitate