A26905:249
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 5
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.
SECT. V.
BUT it will not be unprofitable if we more particularly and orderly acquaint you with those Acts which the crucifying of the world to our selves doth comprehend; over-passing those by which Christ did it for us on the Cross, till anon in the due place.
1. The first act is, To esteem the world as an enemy to God and us, and so as a Malefactor that deserveth to be crucified. And this must not be only by a speculative-conception, but by a true confirmed practical judgement, which will set all the powers of the soul on work. It is the want of this that makes the world to Live and Reign in the hearts of so many, yea even of thousands that think they have mortified it. A speculative Book-knowledge that will only make a man talk▪ is taken instead of a practical knowledge. Almost every man will say, The world is a great enemy to God and us; but did they soundly and heartily esteem it to be such, they would use it as such. Never tell me that that man takes the world for his deadly enemy, who useth it as his dearest friend. Enmity and deadly enmity will be seen. Here is no room to plead the command of loving our enemies; at least, no man can think that he must love it with a Love of friendship, and therefore with no love but what is consistent with the hatred of a deadly enemy. This serious deep apprehension of Enmity, is the very spring and poise of all our opposition. We cannot heartily fight with our friend, or seek his death. There must be some anger and falling out before we will make the first assault: and a settled enmity before we will make a deadly war of it. This apprehension of enmity consisteth in an apprehension of the hurtfulness of the world to us, and of the opposition it maketh against God and our salvation, and of the danger that we are in continually by reason of this opposition. So far as men conceive of the world as Good for them, so far they take it for their friend, and love it. For no man can choose but love that which he seriously conceiveth to be Good for him. This complacency is clean contrary to the Christian hostility. But when we conceive of it as that which we stand in continual danger of being everlastingly undone by, this will turn our hearts against it. It undoes men