A26905:437
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.
5. And your Guilt herein is further aggravated, in that you do hereby as much as in you lieth frustrate the works of Creation and Redemption. For God made all things for himself, and you use nothing for him. The Redeemer hath reprieved and restored the creature, for its primitive use, that God might yet have the Glory of his works: and yet you will not give it him; but when you pretend to know God, you Glorify him not as God, but become vain in your imagination, your foolish hearts being darkened, as Paul tells them, Rom. 1. 21. And what doth that man deserve that would, as to the use, destroy all the world, and frustrate all Gods works both of Creation and Redemption?
5. And your Guilt herein is further aggravated, in that you do hereby as much as in you lyeth frustrate the works of Creation and Redemption. For God made all things for himself, and you use nothing for him. The Redeemer hath reprieved and restored the creature, for its primitive use, that God might yet have the Glory of his works: and yet you will not give it him; but when you pretend to know God, you Glorifie him not as God, but become vain in your imagination, your foolish hearts being darkned, as Paul tells them, Rom. 1. 21. And what doth that man deserve that would, as to the use, destroy all the world, and frustrate all Gods works both of Creation and Redempion?
6. Herein also you are guilty of Enmity against God. For this is the greatest wrong that an enemy can do him, to rob him of the glory of his Goodness and Power, and to prefer his creatures, as if they were more amiable then himself. You cannot dethrone him from his glory; but you may possibly deny him the preeminence in your hearts. You may deny him the Kingdom within you; but you cannot dispossess him of his Eternal Power or Kingdom without you. The worst enemy that God hath can do him no harm; but this is no thanks to you: he will not be beholden to you for it. You may as truly show your Enmity by wronging, as by hurting. And what greater injury can you offer to the Almighty, then to set up the silly creature in his stead, and give it that Love and Service which is his due?