A26905:438
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.
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?
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 preser his creatures, as if they were more amiable then himself. You cannot dethrone him from his glory; but you may possibly deny him the preheminence 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 shew 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?
7. Moreover you are guilty of wilful self▪ murder: you choke your selves with that which should be your food: you turn your daily blessings to your bane; by dropping your Poison into the cup of Mercies, which bountiful providence putteth into your ⟨p. 112⟩hands. There is not a surer way in the world to undo you, then by Turning to the creature, and forsaking God. You cry for more of the world, and you are unsatisfied till you have it; and when you have it, you do but destroy your souls with it, by giving it your hearts, which must be given only unto God. What a stir do men make for temptation and destruction? What cost and pains are men at to purchase them an Idol, and to make provision for the flesh to satisfy its desires, when they confess it to be the greatest enemy of their souls? Like a man that would give all that he hath for a coal of fire to put into the thatch; even such is your desires after the world, and the use you make of it.