A26905:30
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.
4. How unlike are you to your Profession and your Covenant with God? and to your Confessions, and Prayers to him? Did you not renounce the flesh, the world and the Devil in your Baptism? Do you not still Profess that heaven is best, and God is to be preferred, and yet will you not do it, but let your own Professions condemn you? Do you not ordinarily confess that the world is vain, and yet will you show your selves such Dissemblers, as to love and seek it more then God? As if there were no more Power in the Spirit of Christianity, then in the Opinion of Zeno the Philosopher, who having oft said that Poverty and Riches were neither good nor bad, but things indifferent, was yet dismay▪ when he heard that his farms were seized on by the enemies, the Prince having sent one with the report to try him; telling him when he had done, that Now Riches and Poverty were not things indifferent. How oft have you prayed to be saved from Temptation? and yet will you still date upon your snares and fetters; and show your selves such hypocrites as to love the temptations which you pray against.
4. How unlike are you to your Profession and your Covenant with God? and to your Confessions, and Prayers to him? Did you not renounce the flesh, the world and the Devil in your Baptism? Do you not still Profess that heaven is best, and God is to be preferred, and yet will you not do it, but let your own Professions condemn you? Do you not ordinarily confess that the world is vain, and yet will you shew your selves such Dissemblers, as to love and seek it more then God? As if there were no more Power in the Spirit of Christianity, then in the Opinion of Zeno the Philosopher, who having oft said that Poverty and Riches were neithe• good nor bad, but things indifferent, was yet dismaye▪ when he heard that his farms were seized on by the enemies, the Prince having sent one with the report to try him; telling him when he had done, that Now Riches and Poverty were not things indifferent. How oft have you prayed to be saved from Temptation? and yet will you still date upon your snares and fetters; and shew your selves such hypocrites as to love the temptations which you pray against.