The crucifying of the world

and who is it that would not be on his side, except those few that have Crucified the world? The multitude would even follow the man that hath money, as an horse will follow him that hath his provender: and yet they will hypocritically pretend to be Crucified to the world. But if indeed they are so, how comes it to pass that Conscience is so often stretched and wracked to make it own a gainful cause! and that many that have seemed godly can break over all bounds, of Law and Charity, Friendship and Religion, to attain the dignities or riches which they so desire? and will tread down the nearest friend, and Christ himself as much as in them lieth, if he stand in the way of their affected exaltation. Yea soul and all shall be ventured in this game: Rise they must, and rise they will, if they can procure it. Whatever become of Heaven they must have Earth. Seeing it is their God, their End, perfas aut nefas it must be had. As the Common-wealths man saith, Salus populi suprema Lex esto; and the Christian saith, The pleasing of God is the supreme Law: so the worldlings maxim is, that the Interest of the flesh is the supreme Law. And are these men Crucified to the world?

and who is it that would not be on his side, except those few that have Crucified the world? The multitude would even follow the man that hath money, as an horse will follow him that hath his provender: and yet they will hypocritically pretend to be Crucified to the world. But if indeed they are so, how comes it to pass that Conscience is so often stretcht and wracked to make it own a gainful cause! and that many that have seemed godly can break over all bounds, of Law and Charity, Friendship and Religion, to attain the dignities or riches which they so desire? and will tread down the nearest friend, and Christ himself as much as in them lyeth, if he stand in the way of their affected exaltation. Yea soul and all shall be ventured in this game: Rise they must, and rise they will, if they can procure it. Whatever become of Heaven they must have Earth. Seeing it is their God, their End, perfas aut nefas it must be had. As the Common-wealths man saith, Salus populi suprema Lex esto; and the Christian saith, The pleasing of God is the supream Law: so the worldlings maxime is, that the Interest of the flesh is the supream Law. And are these men Crucified to the world?