A26905:275
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 6
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.
4. If we are Crucified to the world, our Delight in it is Crucified. It seemeth not to us a matter of such worth, as to be fit for our Delight: Children are glad of toys, which a wise man hath no pleasure in. To have too sweet contentful thoughts in the creature, and to apprehend it as our Good, and to be rejoiced in it, is a sign that so far we are not Crucified to it. It is not able to Glad a mortified heart, so far as it is mortified; though the Love of God that is manifested by it, may make him glad. And this is it that Paul disclaimeth in my Text [God forbid that I should glory save in the Cross of Christ.] If he were the Lord of all the honours or wealth of the world, he would not Glory in them. If he had all the Pleasures that the flesh can desire, he would not glory in them. If he had the common applause of all men, and every one spoke well of him; if he had all things about him suited to a carnal hearts content, yet would he not glory in it: No more then a grave and learned man would glory that he had found a counter or a pin. Jer. 9 23. [Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, nor the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches; but let him that glorieth, glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord that exercise loving kindness, judgement, and righteousness on the earth; for in these things I delight saith the Lord. Jer. 4. 2. [The Nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.] Isa. 41. 16. [Thou shalt rejoice in the Lord, and glory in the holy one of Israel.] Isa. 45. 25. [In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.] The world is too low to be the joy of a Believer: His higher Hopes do cloud and disgrace such things.
4. If we are Crucified to the world, our Delight in it is Crucified. It seemeth not to us a matter of such worth, as to be fit for our Delight: Children are glad of toyes, which a wise man hath no pleasure in. To have too sweet contentful thoughts in the creature, and to apprehend it as our Good, and to be rejoyced in it, is a sign that so far we are not Crucified to it. It is not able to Glad a mortified heart, so far as it is mortified; though the Love of God that is manifested by it, may make him glad. And this is it that Paul disclaimeth in my Text [God forbid that I should glory save in the Cross of Christ.] If he were the Lord of all the honours or wealth of the world, he would not Glory in them. If he had all the Pleasures that the flesh can desire, he would not glory in them. If he had the common applause of all men, and every one spoke well of him; if he had all things about him suited to a carnal hearts content, yet would he not glory in it: No more then a grave and learned man would glory that he had found a counter or a pin.