A26905:252
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.
Quest. But what should we do to be so habitually apprehensive that the world is our enemy?
Answ. 1. You must be sure that you lay up your treasure in heaven: That you are so convinced by Faith of the Glory to come, and of the true felicity that consisteth in the fruition of God, as that you take it for your Portion, and make it your very End. And when once you have laid up your Hopes in heaven, and see that there or no where you must be happy, this will presently teach you to judge of all things else as they either help or hinder the attainment of that end. For it is the Nature of the End to put a due estimate upon all things else: And it is the property of the chief Good, to denominate all other things either Good or Evil, and that in a greater or lesser measure, according as they respect that chiefest Good. For there can be no Goodness in any thing else, but the Goodness of a Means: And the means is so far Good, as it is apt and useful for the attainment of the End. If once therefore you unfeignedly take God and Glory for your end and felicity, you will presently fall upon enquiry and observation, what it is that the world will do to help or hinder that felicity.
Answ. 1. You must be sure that you lay up your treasure in heaven: That you are so convinced by Faith of the Glory to come, and of the true felicity that consisteth in the fruition of God, as that you take it for your Portion, and make it your very End. And when once you have laid up your Hopes in heaven, and see that there or no where you must be happy, this will presently teach you to judge of all things else as they either help or hinder the attainment of that end. For it is the Nature of the End to put a due estimate upon all things else: And it is the property of the chief Good, to denominate all other things either Good or Evil, and that in a greater or lesser measure, according as they respect that chiefest Good. For there can be no Goodness in any thing else, but the Goodness of a Means: And the means is so far Good, as it is apt and useful for the attainment of the End. If once therefore you unfeignedly take God and Glory for your end and felicity, you will presently fall upon enquiry and observation, what it is that the world will do to help or h•nder that felicity.