A26905:22
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
Preface: The Preface: To the Nobilty and Gentry, and all that have the Riches of this world.
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.
But Oh how numerous are the sensual and profane which provoked that heavenly Poet, of Noble extract (Mr. G. Herbert, Ch. porch) to say,
But Oh how numerous are the sensual and prophane which provoked that heavenly Poet, of Noble extract (Mr. G. Herbet, Ch. porch) to say,
O England full of sin, but most of sloth, Spit out thy flegm, and fill thy breast with glory: Thy Gentry bleats, as if thy native cloth, Transfused a sheepiness into thy story: Not that they all are so; but that the most, Are gone to grass and in the pasture lost.
O England full of sin, but most of sloth, Spit out thy flegm, and fill thy brest with glory: Thy Gentry bleats, as if thy native cloth, Transfused a sheepiness into thy story: Not that they all are so; but that the most, Are gone to grass and in the pasture lost.
Gentlemen, I have no mind to dishonour you, but compassion on your souls and on the Nation, commands me to complain, in order to reform you: And yet if you sinned and perished alone, we were the less unexcusable if we let you alone. What abundance of you are fitter to swill in a buttery, ⟨image 9⟩or gorge your selves at a feast, or ride over poor mens corn in hawking and hunting, then to govern the Common-wealth, and by Judgement and Example to lead the people in the ways of life! What abundance of you waste your precious hours in feasting, and sports, and idleness, and complementing, and things impertinent to your great business in the world, as if you had no greater things to mind? Had you been by another commanded to a Dung-cart, or like a Carrier to follow pack-horses, (an honester and more honourable life then yours) you would think your selves enslaved and dishonoured: And yet when God hath set before you an Eternal Glory, you debase your own souls by wilful drenching them in the pleasures, and cares, and vanities of the world, and have no mind of that high and noble work, which God appointed you. So that when many poor men are ennobled by an Heavenly Disposition, and an Heavenly Conversation, you enslave your selves to that which they tread under-feet, and refuse the only noble life: That which they account as loss, and dross, and dung, that they may win Christ and be found in him, (