A26905:400
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.
They read that it was an appointed duty in the Churches, to lay by in the Churches stock every Lords day for the relief of needy Christians, according as God hath prospered them the week before. 1 Cor. 16. 1, 2, 3. They read that Christ so regardeth this duty, that the sentence at Judgement is described by him, as passing upon this account. And yet for all this flesh and blood will be wiser then to trust God, and to obey so chargeable a command. They will venture on Damnation to save their money; and let go Heaven for fear of losing by it. And that they may be wise indeed, they can justify all, and labour to ⟨p. 92⟩bring their duty into scorn. [We are not capable, say they, of Giving to God; because that all is his already:] self▪ condemning wretch! Is all his? Why then hath he not all! Give then to God the things that are his own! It is not a proper Donation that we call you to: You cannot give him a propriety, who hath it already; nor alienate it from your self▪ who never had it in respect to God: But yet you may Give it to him by tradition: You may deliver him his own in the way that he requires it; and lay out your Masters stock for his service! And if he will so far honour your fidelity, as to call this a giving or a lending to him, me thinks this should encourage you to liberality, but I see not how it can excuse your denying him his own.
They read that it was an appointed duty in the Churches, to lay by in the Churches stock every Lords day for the relief of needy Christians, according as God hath prospered them the week before. 1 Cor. 16. 1, 2, 3. They read that Christ so regardeth this duty, that the sentence at Judgement is described by him, as passing upon this account. And yet for all this flesh and blood will be wiser then to trust God, and to obey so chargeable a command. They will venture on Damnation to save their money; and let go Heaven for fear of losing by it. And that they may be wise indeed, they can justifie all, and labour to ⟨p. 92⟩bring their duty into scorn. [We are not capable, say they, of Giving to God; because that all is his already:] self condemning wretch! Is all his? Why then hath he not all! Give then to God the things that are his own! It is not a proper Donation that we call you to: You cannot give him a propriety, who hath it already; nor alienate it from your selve who never had it in respect to God: But yet you may Give it to him by tradition: You may deliver him his own in the way that he requires it; and lay out your Masters stock for his service! And if he will so far honour your fidelity, as to call this a giving or a lending to him, me thinks this should encourage you to liberality, but I see not how it can excuse your denying him his own.