A Christian Directory, Part 4: Christian PoliticsBaxter, Richard
Religion
A Christian Directory, Part 4: Christian Politics
Baxter, Richard
Casuistry; Christian sociology
_Object._ V. What witness need we more than their own accusations
of one another?[99] For the papists, how many volumes have the
protestants written against them as enemies to all civil government;
alleging even the decrees of their general councils, as Later. sub
Innoc. III. Can. 3. And for the protestants, they are as deeply
charged by the papists, as you may see in the "Image of both
Churches," and "Philanax Anglicus," and abundance more. For Calvin and
the presbyterians and puritans, let the prelates tell you how
peaceable they are. And the papists and puritans say that the
prelatists are of the same mind, and only for their own ends pretend
to greater loyalty than others. There are no two among them more
famous for defending government, than Hooker and Bilson. And what
Hooker saith for popular power, his first and eighth books abundantly
testify: and even Bishop Bilson himself defendeth the French and
German protestant wars; and you may judge of his loyal doctrine by
these words, p. 520, "Of Christian Subjection:" "If a prince should go
about to subject his kingdom to a foreign realm, or change the form of
the commonwealth from impery to tyranny, or neglect the laws
established by common consent of prince and people, to execute his own
pleasure; in these and other cases which might be named, if the nobles
and commons join together to defend their ancient and accustomed
liberty, regimen, and laws, they may not well be counted rebels."[100]
_Answ._ 1. If it be clear that christianity as to its principles,
is more for love, and concord, and subjection, than any other rational
doctrine in the world, then if any sect of christians shall indeed be
found to contradict these principles, so far they contradict
christianity: and will you blame religion because men contradict it?
or blame Christ's doctrine because men disobey it? Indeed every sect
that hath something of its own to make a sect, besides christian
religion, which maketh men mere christians, may easily be guilty of
such error as will corrupt the christian religion. And as a sect, they
have a divided interest which may tempt them to dividing principles;
but none more condemn such divisions than Christ. 2. And indeed,
though a christian as such is a credible witness; yet a sect or
faction as such, doth use to possess men with such an envious,
calumniating disposition, that they are little to be believed when
they accuse each other! This factious zeal is not from above, but is
earthly, sensual, and devilish; and therefore where this is, no wonder
if there be strife, and false accusing, and confusion, and every evil
work. But as these are no competent witnesses, so whether or no they
are favoured by Christ, you may judge if you will read but those three
chapters, Matt. v. Rom. xii. James iii. I may say here as Bishop
Bilson in the place which is accused, p. 521. "IT IS EASY FOR A
RUNNING AND RANGING HEAD TO SIT AT HOME IN HIS CHAMBER AND CALL MEN
REBELS, HIMSELF BEING THE RANKEST." 3.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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