A26905:428
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 17 › Subsection
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.
and wilt thou turn to these, and forsake him by whom thou livest? Why I tell thee, the Lord must be thy God, or thou must have no God indeed. The world is like the Heathens Idols; that hath eyes but cannot see thy wants; ears, but cannot hear thy cries▪ hands, but cannot help thee in thy distress. All thy Riches, Dignities, and Pleasures, are silly things to make a God of. They may have the room of God in thy heart; and in that sense be thy God: but indeed they are no more God, then a mawkin is a man; nor no more able to help and save thee. Wouldst thou then have a God or no God? If thou wouldst have no God, thou wouldst have no Helper, no Governor, no Preserver nor no Happiness. And dost thou think that thou art sufficient for thy self? What! Canst thou live a day without God? Canst thou save thy self from danger without him? Canst thou relieve or shift for thy self at death without him? Darest thou tell him so to his face? and stand to it? But if thou must have a God, what God wouldst thou have? Wouldst not thou have a God that can preserve, and help, and save thee? The world cannot do it, man! I shall tell thee more of this anon, that the world cannot do it. If thou trust to it, it will deceive thee. But if thou say then, the Lord shall be thy God] Away then with all thy Idols. God will have no partner, much less a superior, that is exalted above himself in thy soul. As Joshua said to the Israelites, Josh. 24. 14. so say I to you, [Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve h•m in sincerity and in truth, and put away the world (which hath been your God) and serve ye the Lord: And if it seem evil to you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve: but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.] And if you say as they, [God forbid that we should forsake the Lord to serve other Gods.] I answer you, as he, Away then with the world and all other Idols; or else, [Ye cannot serve the Lord, for he is an holy and a jealous God, and will not forgive such transgressions and sins; but if ye forsake the Lord and serve the world, he will turn against you and consume you,] ⟨p. 107⟩Vers. 19, 20. God will not stoop to be an underling in your hearts. He should have all, an• will at last have all or none: But in the mean time, he will have the Best or none.