A26905:484
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 18 › Question 10: Quest. 10.
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.
Quest. 10.
MY next Question which I desire you to answer is this, Do you in good sadness take the world for your enemy, or for a hindrance to you in the way to heaven? If you do not, why did you in your Baptism renounce it, and promise to fight against it? And why have you professed since to stand to that Covenant? And how then can you believe the word of God, which so often telleth you, what a hinderance Riches and Honours are to mens salvation? But if indeed you believe that the world is your enemy and hinderance, why then will you love it, and be impatient if you want it, and take such pleasure in it, and desire to have more of it? Do you love to have your salvation hindered or hazarded? and will you love and long for that which is an enemy to it? I think the way to heaven is hard enough to the best. They need not make it harder then it is, and be at so much labour all their lives to make themselves ⟨p. 136⟩more enemies, and more work, and to block up the way, while they pretend to walk in it. O the hypocrisy of a carnal heart! How notoriously do mens lives contradict their tongues? When they will call the world their enemy, and vow to fight against it to the death, and at the same time will labour for it, and greedily desire it, as if they could never have enough! That they will make so much of it, as to neglect God himself and their salvation for it, and make it the greatest care and business of their lives to get and keep it, and all the while profess that they take it for their enemy! This is dissembling beyond all bounds of shame. Remember this when you are impatient of your low estate, or contriving further accommodations to your flesh, or hunting after a full estate. Are these the signs of enmity to the world? Do you hate your salvation, that you so love the hinderers of it? Either live as you profess, or profess as you live.
MY next Question which I desire you to answer is this, Do you in good sadness take the world for your enemy, or for a hindrance to you in the way to heaven? If you do not, why did you in your Baptism renounce it, and promise to fight against it? And why have you professed since to stand to that Covenant? And how then can you believe the word of God, which so often telleth you, what a hinderance Riches and Honours are to mens salvation? But if indeed you believe that the world is your enemy and hinderance, why then will you love it, and be impatient if you want it, and take such pleasure in it, and desire to have more of it? Do you love to have your salvation hindered or hazarded? and will you love and long for that which is an enemy to it? I think the way to heaven is hard enough to the best. They need not make it harder then it is, and be at so much labour all their lives to make themselves