A26905:371
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 14 › Application 2: Use 2.
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.
Use 2.
BY all that hath been said, you may perceive what it is to be a Christian indeed, and that true Christianity doth set men at a further distance from the world, then carnal self-deceiving Professors do imagine. You see that God and the world are enemies; not God and the world as his Creature, but as his Competitor for your hearts, and as the seducer of your understandings, and the opposer of his interest, and the fuel and food of a fleshly mind, and that which would pretend to a Being or Goodness separated from God, or to be desirable for it self, having laid by the relation of a means to God. To be a Friend to the world in any of these respects, is to be an enemy to God. And God will not save his enemies, while enemies. An enmity to God, is an enmity to our salvation: for our salvation is in him alone. If then you have but awakened consciences, if the true love of your selves be stirring in you, and if you have but the free use of common reason, I dare say you do by this time perceive, that it closely concerneth you▪ presently to look about you▪ and to try whether you are crucified to the world or not. Seeing my present business is, for the securing of your Everlasting Peace, and the healing of your souls, of that which would deprive you of it; let me entreat you all in the fear of God to give me your assistance, and to go along with me in the work; for what can a Preacher do for you, if you will do nothing for your selves? How can we convert, or heal, or save you, without you? I do foresee your appearance before the Lord; a jealous God; that will not endure that any Creature should be sweeter and more amiable to you then himself. I do foresee the condemnation that all such must undergo, and the remediless certain ⟨p. 78⟩misery that they are […] know there is no way that the wit of man or Angels can devise, to prevent the damnation of such a soul, but by Crucifying the flesh and world by the Cross of Christ, and dethroning these Idols, and submitting sincerely to God their Happiness. This cannot be done while you are strangers to your selves, and will not look into your own hearts, and see what abominable work is there, that you may be moved to return with shame and sorrow for that which hath been formerly your glory and your joy. O do not keep out the light of Conviction, that you may keep up your Idols in the dark: