A26905:362
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 12 › Application 1: Use 1.
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.
And besides all this which the Cross and the Doctrine of Christ do to this End▪ that you may yet fuller perceive how much it is the End of Christs very office, and the execution thereof, let me add these two things. 1. That it is the End of Christs providential dispensations. 2. And the work which he sendeth the Holy Ghost to perform upon the souls of his Elect.
And besides all this which the Cross and the Doctrine of Christ do to this End▪ that you may yet fullyer perceive how much it is the End of Christs very office, and the execution thereof, let me add these two things. 1. That it is the End of Christs providential dispensations. 2. And the work which he sendeth the Holy Ghost to perform upon the souls of his Elect.
1. As the Mercies of God are purposely given us to lead up our hearts to him that gave them: So when we carnally abuse them, and adhere unto the creature, it is the special use of Affliction to take us off. If the rod have a voice, it speaks this as plain as any thing whatsoever; and if it reprehend us for any sin, it is for our overvaluing and adhering to the creature. The wounds that Christ giveth us, are not to kill us, but to separate us from the world, that hath separated us from God.
2. And that this is the very office or undertaken work of the Holy Ghost, is past all controversy: His work is to sanctify us; and that is by taking us off the creature, to bring us to be heartily Devoted unto God. Sanctification is nothing else, but our ⟨p. 74⟩separation from the creature to God, in Resolution, Affection, Profession and Action. So that in what measure soever a man hath the Spirit, in that measure is he sanctified: and in what measure he is sanctified, in that same measure is he crucified to the world: For that is the one half of his Sanctification, or it is his Sanctification denominated from the terminus à quo; as many Texts of Scripture do manifest.