A26905:390
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.
6. It is only a mans end, and the inseparable necessary means thereto, that he can by no means spare. Other things he can spare, and be without, but not without this. If God be your end, your heart is so upon him that you cannot be without him: you can be without honour, or riches, or life it self, but not without God. But if the world be your end, then its clean contrary; and that's the thing that you cannot be without. Hence is it that men plead necessity of that which is their end, and the necessary means. One thing seems necessary to the Christian: he must have God in and by Christ: I must use his means, saith he, I must avoid the contrary, How shall I do this evil, and sin against God? But the carnal mans necessity is on the other side. I must raise my Family if I can; at least I must keep my estate: I must not be undone: I must preserve my name, my life.
6. It is only a mans end, and the inseparable necessary means thereto, that he can by no means spare. Other things he can spare, and be without, but not without this. If God be your end, your heart is so upon him that you cannot be without him: you can be without honour, or riches, or life it self, but not without God. But if the world be your end, then its clean contrary; and thats the thing that you cannot be without. Hence is it that men plead necessity of that which is their end, and the necessary means. One thing seems necessary to the Christian: he must have God in and by Christ: I must use his means, saith he, I must avoid the contrary, How shall I do this evil, and sin against God? But the carnal mans necessity is on the other side. I must raise my Family if I can; at least I must keep my estate: I must not be undone: I must preserve my name, my life.
7. A man will hazard or part with any thing to secure, or attain his principal End. Nothing can be too good, or too dear to purchase it: nothing can stand in competition with it. If God and glory be your End, away goes all that is inconsistent with it. You'll part with a right hand or eye, as thinking it better to have ⟨p. 86⟩Heaven with one, then Hell with both. You can part with house, and land, and country, because you seek for a City that hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God,