A26905:431
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.
2. The next Article of my charge is this. You are guilty of most perfidious Covenant-breaking with God. Did you not in your Baptism, solemnly by your parents, Renounce the world, the flesh and the Devil, and promise to fight against them to the end of your life under the Banner of Christ? And have you performed that vow? No: you have turned treacherously to the enemy that you renounced, and fought for the world and the flesh, against the Word and the Spirit of Christ. And if you renounce your Baptismal Covenant, you renounce in effect the benefits of that Covenant. And if God deal with you as with Perfidious Covenant-breakers, thank your selves.
3. Moreover you are guilty of debasing your humane nature, and so of wronging God that made it, and is the owner of it. God made you not as brutes, that are capable of no higher things then to eat, and drink, and play, and die, and there's an end of them: But he made you capable of an Everlasting life of Glory with himself. And as he suiteth all his works to their uses and ends, so did he suit the nature of man to his immortal ⟨p. 108⟩state. As we were made by God, we were fitted and disposed to everlasting things. And you ••ave turned your hearts to the vanities of this world; and set your mind on them as your happiness, as if you had no greater things to mind. Objects do either ennoble or debase the faculties according as they are. That is the vilest creature which is made for the vilest uses and ends, or employs himself in such. And that is the most excellent creature which is exercised about the most excellent Objects. God made you for no less then his everlasting praises, before his face, among his Angels; and you have so far debased your own nature, as to root like swine in earth and dung, and to live like brutes, that have not an immortal state to mind. How will you answer this dishonour done to the workmanship of God? That you should blot out his image, and employ your souls against his Laws, and live as moles and worms in the earth. He put you on earth but as travellers towards Heaven: and you have taken up your home in the way, and forgotten your End and Resting place.