A26905:279
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.
3. If you are Crucified to the world, your care for worldly things is Crucified. It is not in vain that Christ expressly commandeth his Disciples, [Take no thought for your life, What ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, nor yet for your body what you shall put on,] Mat. 6. 25, 31. And Phil. 4. 6. [Be careful for nothing.] And 1 Pet. 5. 7. [Casting all your care on him, for he careth for you.] I know this is a hard saying to flesh and blood, and therefore they study evasions by perverting the plain Text, and would null and evacuate the express commands of Christ, by squaring them to that carnal interest and reason which they are purposely given to destroy. But you will say. Must we indeed give over caring? I answer, 1. You must be in care about your own duty, both in matters of the first and second Table, and how to manage your worldly affairs most innocently and spiritually, and to attain the Ends propounded in them by God. But this is none of the care that is now in Question, 1 Cor. 7. 32. There ⟨p. 46⟩is a necessary [caring for the things that belong to the Lord, how to please the Lord;] and that even in your worldly business. But 2. You may not care for the creature for it self, nor for the mere pleasing of the flesh. As it may not be Loved for it self, so neither may it be cared for, for it self. And 3. When you have used your utmost care or forecast to do your own duty, you may not be Anxious or Careful about the issue which is Gods part to determine of. As God himself appeareth in Prosperity or Adversity you may and must have regard unto the issue. But for the thing it self you must not, when you have done your own duty, be any further careful about it. God knoweth best what is good for you, and how much of the creature you are fit to manage, and what condition of body is most suitable to the condition of your soul: And therefore to him must the whole business be committed. When you have committed your seed to the ground, and done your duty about it, you must have no further care at all, which intimateth fears, anxiety or distrust; though as care is largely taken for Regard; You may care and pray for the blessing of God on it, and for your daily bread.