A Christian Directory, Part 4: Christian PoliticsBaxter, Richard
Religion
A Christian Directory, Part 4: Christian Politics
Baxter, Richard
Casuistry; Christian sociology
9. Christianity teacheth men by most effectual arguments, to set light
by the riches and honours of the world, and not to strive for
superiority; but to mind higher things, and lay up our treasure in a
better world, and to condescend to men of low degree. It forbiddeth
men to exalt themselves lest they be brought low; and commandeth them
to humble themselves that God may exalt them; and he that knoweth not
that pride and covetousness are the great disquieters of the world,
and the cause of contentions, and the ruin of states, knoweth nothing
of these matters. Therefore if it were but by the great urging of
humility and heavenly-mindedness, and the strict condemning of
ambition and earthly-mindedness, christianity and godliness must needs
be the greatest preservers of government, and of order, peace, and
quietness in the world.[106]
10. Christianity teacheth men to live in the love of God and man. It
maketh love the very heart, and life, and sum, and end of all other
duties of religion. Faith itself is but the bellows to kindle in us
the sacred flames of love. Love is the end of the gospel, and the
fulfilling of the law. To love all saints with a special love, even
with a pure heart and fervently, and to love all men heartily with a
common love; to love our neighbour as ourselves; and to love our very
enemies; this is the life which Christ requireth, upon the penalty of
damnation; and if love thus prevail, what should disturb the
government, peace, or order of the world?
11. Christianity teacheth men to be exact in justice, distributive and
commutative; and to do to others as we would they should do to us: and
where this is followed kings and states will have little to molest
them, when _gens sine justitia est sine remige navis in unda_.
12. Christianity teacheth men to do good to all men as far as we are
able, and to abound in good works, as that for which we are redeemed
and new made; and if men will set themselves wholly to do good, and be
hurtful and injurious to none, how easy will it be to govern such!
13. Christianity teacheth men to forbear and to forgive, as ever they
will be forgiven of God, and the strong to bear the infirmities of the
weak, and not to please themselves, but one another to their
edification; not to be censorious, harsh, or cruel, nor to place the
kingdom of God in meats, and drinks, and days, but in righteousness,
peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost; to bear one another's burdens, and
to restore them with the spirit of meekness that are overtaken in a
fault, and to be peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of
mercy and good fruits, without partiality and hypocrisy, and to speak
evil of no man; and where this is obeyed, how quietly and easily may
princes govern![107]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account