A26905:487
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 11: Quest. 11.
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. 11.
YET further I demand, Whether indeed you do intend to Renounce your Christianity, and all your hopes of heaven, or not? If you do, you know whom to blame when you are deprived of it? And I could wish you would first find out some better way, or something that may be of valuable consideration, to repair your loss. But if you say, you have no such intent; I further ask, Why then do you do it? and do it after so much warning? Do you disclaim your Christianity in the open light, and yet say that you intend no such thing? You cannot do it against your will. And that it is in effect a Renouncing or Denying your Christianity, yea and your salvation, is plain: For your Christianity containeth a Renouncing of the world: and therefore it is part of our Baptismal Covenant. If then you return to the world which you renounced, you forsake your Christianity: Had you rather forsake the world, or Christ? One of them you must forsake: For he hath told you, that [Except you forsake all that you have, you cannot be his Disciples] Luke 14. and that you cannot serve God and Mammon; Had you rather renounce the world, or your salvation? One of them you must let go: For God hath said, that the love of the ⟨p. 137⟩world is enmity against God▪ •nd that if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.] If therefore you will still say, You hope you may keep both: What do you less then give God the lye? If you will still adhere to the world, and yet say that you do not renounce your Christianity or Salvation, you may as well say, that though you join in Arms with open Rebels, yet do you not forsake your Loyalty to your Prince! Or though you live in Adultery, yet you do not forsake your conjugal fidelity and chastity: and that you do not cast away your life, though you take poison, when you know it to be such: or though you commit those crimes which must be punished with death. I beseech you consider well, Why you forsake Christ, and why you will destroy your selves, before you do it past remedy?