A26905:395
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 16
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.
Truly Brethren, it is one of the mysteries of s•n and self-deceit, that such a multitude of people, yea seemingly Religious, can think so well of themselves as they do, and bear it out with such audacious confidence, as if they were the real servants of Christ, when it is apparent even to the eyes of others, that they are not Crucified to the world, but live to it, and serve it day by day. How anxiously are they contriving for it, while their care to please God is so exceeding slender, that it takes up but little of their time and thoughts? How sweet are their thoughts of a plentiful estate? To have the world at will, houses, and lands, and full provisions for themselves and theirs, that they may be clothed with the best, and fare of the best, and sit with the highest, and be honoured and reverenced of all, how fine a life doth this seem to them. If they have but a fair opportunity to rise, how little tender are they of the lawfulness of the Means, at least where they are not so wicked as to dishonour them! They can believe that to be the truth which befriendeth their worldly Interest; and that to be false and erroneous which is against it. The world chooseth many of their opinions for them, and much of their Religion, and telleth them what party they should side with, and what not: It telleth them how far they shall tolerate other mens sin, and how far not; how far they shall make profession of their faith, and how far they should conceal it from the knowledge of the world: And so as Paul saith, they account Gain to be Godliness, 1 Tim. 6. 5. not only esteeming it better then down-right Godliness, but measuring out their Godliness by their Gain; making that to seem Religious which fitteth their carnal ends; and easily believing that which is for their worldly interest. How weak and silly reasons will persuade them that the point is true, the cause is good, the means is lawful, which serveth their turns for worldly ends? And the clearest unquestionable Evidences are nothing to them that are brought for the contrary. So potent a persuader is worldly Interest, that any thing will serve where it takes part, and nothing prevail that it doth contradict. A powerful disputant, that most commonly hath the best, whatever side it takes, and ⟨p. 89⟩the cause goes for it, be it right▪ or wrong.