The crucifying of the world

2. If you are dead to the world, how comes it to pass that it hath so powerful an influence upon your judgements? and that you change your minds as your carnal Interest doth change? and can set your sails to any wind that is like to drive you to the harbour (as you call it, but indeed upon the sands) of your worldly ends. What would you not give in troublesome times to know certainly which will be the prevalent side? that you might resolve what side to take your selves; and perhaps what Religion to be of, or to seem so to be? Among all the Books that are written, if there were but one that taught the art of growing rich, or a Directory for obtaining dignities and honours in the world, how eagerly would you buy it, and how diligently would you read it? more diligently then you read the Bible or any Book of that nature. If preachers did teach you the way of prosperity and advancement, and could tell you how to be all great and honourable in this world, O how early would you come to the Congregation? how attentively would you hear? how retentively would you remember? and how faithfully would ⟨p. 100⟩you practise? Then how beautiful would▪ the feet be of them that bring you the tidings of such good things? What honourable persons should Ministers be? and how well worthy of your Tithes and more? Then you would not swell against their Doctrine or Application? nor cavil at them instead of understanding them, nor scorn them as men of a useless office, nor take them for your enemies, nor refuse to come to them and ask their advice. Wretched Hypocrites! It is our office to help them to the Everlasting Kingdom; and the more diligent we are in this, the more they hate us: if we send for them to Instruct them personally, or catechize them, or help them in the matters of salvation, they scorn to come, and ask us, By what Authority we send for them? But if we could teach them all to be Princes, or Lords, or Gentlemen, yea or but to get a few shillings more then they have, none would draw back? None of them would ask us, By what Authority do you send for us? Had we but money enough to feed them all, O what good men we should be! and how many friends should we have? and how easily might we persuade them! If one man had all the money in the Land, and could secure it, and the disposal of it from violence, what might not that man do?

2. If you are dead to the world, how comes it to pass that it hath so powerful an influence upon your judgements? and that you change your minds as your carnall Interest doth change? and can set your sails to any wind that is like to drive you to the harbour (as you call it, but indeed upon the sands) of your worldly ends. What would you not give in troublesom times to know certainly which will be the prevalent side? that you might resolve what side to take your selves; and perhaps what Religion to be of, or to seem so to be? Among all the Books that are written, if there were but one that taught the art of growing rich, or a Directory for obtaining dignities and honours in the world, how eagerly would you buy it, and how diligently would you read it? more diligently then you read the Bible or any Book of that nature. If preachers did teach you the way of prosperity and advancement, and could tell you how to be all great and honourable in this world, O how early would you come to the Congregation? how attentively would you hear? how retentively would you remember? and how faithfully would