A26905:388
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 15
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.
5. It is a mans End that puts the estimate upon all things else. All other things are counted Good or Evil, so far as they help to it, or hinder it: If Heaven be your End, you will account of ⟨p. 85⟩all things as they respect that end—Those will be the best Companions to you, and that the best calling and condition of Life, the best speech, the best actions, the best way of disposing what you have, what you think will most promote your Heavenly end: suffering will be better in your eye then prosperity, if it do but help you best to heaven. To give your money will seem better to you then to keep it, to lose it then to gain it, when it apparently conduceth more to the pleasing of God and your salvation. That will be the best Ministry and means that tendeth most to this: And so you will estimate all things else; for its most evident that it is the end that prizeth the means, according as they are suited to the attainment of that end.
5. It is a mans End that puts the estimate upon all things else. All other things are counted Good or Evil, so far as they help to it, or hinder it: If Heaven be your End, you will account of ⟨p. 85⟩all things as they respect that end—Those will be the best Companions to you, and that the best calling and condition of Life, the best speech, the best actions, the best way of disposing what you have, what you think will most promote your Heavenly end: suffering will be better in your eye then prosperity, if it do but help you best to heaven. To give your money will seem better to you then to keep it, to lose it then to gain it, when it apparently conduceth more to the pleasing of God and your salvation. That will be the best Ministry and means that tendeth most to this: And so you will estimate all things else; for its most evident that it is the end that prizeth the means, according as they are suted to the attainment of that end.
But if flesh-pleasing and worldly prosperity be your end, that will seem the best calling to you, and that the best employment and course of life, which ends most to advance and please your flesh: that will be the best company to them, and those their most beloved friends that further this prosperity: that will seem the best way of disposing of what they have, as to the main, what ever they may do on the by. Their practical judgement esteemeth this most eligible.