A26905:185
The crucifying of the world
The crucifying of the world by the cross of Christ with a preface to the nobles, gentlemen, and all the rich, directing them how they may be richer / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by R. W. for Nevill Simmons, 1658
The Crucifying of the world, BY The Cross of CHRIST. › Part 1 › Section 2
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.
If you have riches, it is not casting them away that shall excuse you, instead of an holy improving them for God. If you have possessions, it is not a renouncing of propriety, that shall excuse you from the prudent and charitable use of them. The same I say also of Relations, of Offices in the Church and Common-wealth. God calleth you not to renounce them: To crucify the world is not to disclaim all the relations, possessions, or honours of the world. These are not yours but Gods: And as he put them into your hands, and commanded you faithfully to ⟨p. 9⟩use them as his Stewards, so you must do it; and not think it a good account of your Stewardship, •o tell God that you threw away the talents that he trusted you with, because they were temptations to you, or because he was austere. I should have no great need to speak of this, were there not such a multitude of deluded souls that have lately received the Popish dotages herein. Its one thing to creep into a Monks Cell, or an Anchorites Cave, or an Hermits Wilderness, or Diogenes Tub; and another thing truly to be Crucified to the world; and in the midst of the creatures to live above them unto God; as we are anon to show.
If you have riches, it is not casting them away that shall excuse you, instead of an holy improving them for God. If you have possessions, it is not a renouncing of propriety, that shall excuse you from the prudent and charitable use of them. The same I say also of Relations, of Offices in the Church and Common-wealth. God calleth you not to renounce them: To crucifie the world is not to disclaim all the relations, possessions, or honours of the world. These are not yours but Gods: And as he put them into your hands, and commanded you faithfully to ⟨p. 9⟩use them as his Stewards, so you must do it; and not think it a good account of your Stewardship, •o tell God that you threw away the talents that he trusted you with, because they were temptations to you, or because he was austere. I should have no great need to speak of this, were there not such a multitude of deluded souls that have lately received the Popish dotages herein. Its one thing to creep into a Monks Cell, or an Anchorets Cave, or an Hermits Wilderness, or Diogenes Tub; and another thing truly to be Crucified to the world; and in the midst of the creatures to live above them unto God; as we are anon to shew.