A26905:494
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 19
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.
SECT. XIX.
IF Reason and Scripture-Evidence would serve turn, I dare say you would by this time be convinced of the necessity of being Crucified to the world, and the world to you But sensuality is unreasonable, and no saying will serve with it; like a child that will not let go his apple for a piece of gold. But yet I shall not cease my Exhortation, till I have tried you a little further; and if you will not yield to forsake the world, you shall keep it to your greater cost, as you keep it against the clearer light that would convince you of your duty.
IF Reason and Scripture-Evidence would serve turn, I dare say you would by this time be convinced of the necessity of being Crucified to the world, and the world to you But sensuality is unreasonable, and no saying will serve with it; like a child that will not let go his apple for a piece of gold. But yet I shall not cease my Exhortation, till I have tryed you a little further; and if you will not yield to forsake the world, you shall keep it to your greater cost, as you keep it against the clearer light that would convince you of your duty.
1. As you love God, or would be thought to love him, love not the world. For so far as you Love it, you Love not him, 1 Joh. 2. 15. As ever you would be found the friends of God, see that you be enemies, and not friends to the world. For the friendship of the world is enmity to him, Jam. 4. 4. You are used to boast that ⟨p. 139⟩you Love God above all; If you do so, you will not Love the world above him: And then you will not labour and care more for it, then for him: Your love will be seen in the bent of your lives: That which you Love best, you will eek most, and be most careful and diligent to obtain. As they that love money are most careful to get it; so they that Love heaven will be more careful to make sure of that. As they that love their drink and lust will be much in the Ale-house, and among those that are the baits and fuel of their lust; So they that Love the fruition of God, will be much in seeking him and enquiring after him, and much among those that are acquainted with such Love, and can further them any way in the accomplishment of their desires. If you Love God then, let it be seen in the Holy Endeavours of your lives, and set your affections on things above, and not on the things that are on earth: For that which you most look after, we must think that you most Love: Can you for shame commit Adultery with the world, and live with it in your bosoms, and yet say that you love God?