A26905:507
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.
Answ. 1. There is none of the imperfect Saints on earth that can be free from giving all occasions of reproach. 2. And were you perfectly innocent, it would not free you. Nay your innocency it self may be the occasion of those reports that proclaim you wicked. For it is not that which really is a fault, but that which they think so, that is the matter of such mens accusations. The Apostles of Christ that walked in such eminent holiness and self denial, and consumed themselves for the good of others, could not escape the tongues of slanderers, but were accounted as the very scum and off-scouring of all things, and as a byword, and even a gazing stock to Angels and men. And the blessed Son of God, who was holy, harmless, undefiled and separated from sinners, was yet reputed one of the greatest of sinners, and Crucified as such. And he that could challenge them, [which of you convinceth me of sin?] was commonly defamed of what he was innocent of. If John came fasting, they say he hath a Devil. If Christ eat and drink temperately with sinners, that he might take opportunity to feed their souls, they say, [Behold a man gluttonous and a wine-bibber, a friend of publicans and sinners] Mat. 11. 18, 19. They that saw him eat and drink with sinners, had so fair a pretence to raise their reproach, that they might the easilyer procure belief, though it was perfect innocency it self1 which they reproached. The best men on earth have ever had experience, that there is no caution that can defend from a slanderous tongue. As Erasmus once calumniated, saith, [Fatalis est morbus calumniandi omnia. Et clausis oculis carpunt, quod nec ⟨p. 145⟩vident, nec intell gunt: Tanta est morbi vis: Atque interim sibi videntur Ecclesiae columnae, qu•m nihil aliud quam traducant suam soliditatem, pari malitia conjunctam, &c.] How oft was good Melanchthon fain to complain, that there is no defence against a quarrelsome slanderous tongue; and the too much sense of it did almost break his heart.
Answ. 1. There is none of the imperfect Saints on earth that can be free from giving all occasions of reproach. 2. And were you perfectly innocent, it would not free you. Nay your innocency it self may be the occasion of those reports that proclaim you wicked. For it is not that which really is a fault, but that which they think so, that is the matter of such mens accusations. The Apostles of Christ that walked in such eminent holiness and self denyal, and consumed themselves for the good of others, could not escape the tongues of slanderers, but were accounted as the very scum and off-scouring of all things, and as a byword, and even a gazing stock to Angels and men. And the blessed Son of God, who was holy, harmless, undefiled and separated from sinners, was yet reputed one of the greatest of sinners, and Crucified as such. And he that could challenge them, [which of you convinceth me of sin?] was commonly defamed of what he was innocent of. If Iohn came fasting, they say he hath a Devil. If Christ eat and drink temperately with sinners, that he might take opportunity to feed their souls, they say, [Behold a man gluttonous and a wine-bibber, a friend of publicans and sinners]