A26905:521
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 20 › Direction 1: Direct. 1.
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.
But the Cross of Christ will teach you to Crucify the world in another manner. As Christ did voluntarily contemn it, and show that he set so little by it, that he could be content to be the most despicable Object upon earth, in the eyes of men; so will he teach you also voluntarily to contemn it; and set up your selves as the Butt, which all the arrows of malice and despite shall be shot at. So that though you have naturally a desire of the preservation ⟨p. 150⟩of your lives, and from that may say, [Father, if it be thy will, let this cup pass from me;] Yet shall you have a far greater desire of Pleasing▪ Enjoying, and Glorifying God, which shall cause you from a comparative Judgement to say, [Yet not as I will, but as thou wilt.] Much more shall you be enabled to despise the unnecessary matters of the world, and to mortify your inordinate and distempered affections. The Cross of Christ will show you Reason, (though such as the worldly wise call foolishness) even such Reason as none but a Teacher come from God could have revealed, for the leading up your affections from the world; and it will point you to the higher things that do deserve them. This Cross is the truest Ladder, by which you may ascend from earth to heaven: When in this wilderness, and as without the gate, you are lifted up with Christ on the Cross of worldly desertion and reproach, you are then in the highest road to Glory, and if you faint not, shall be lifted up with him into the throne. For if you suffer with him, ye shall also reign with him, Rom. 8. 17. And to him that overcometh he will grant to sit with him in his throne, even as he also overcame, and is set down with his Father in his throne, Rev. 3. 21.
But the Cross of Christ will teach you to Crucifie the world in another manner. As Christ did voluntari'y contemn it, and shew that he set so little by it, that he could be content to be the most despicable Object upon earth, in the eyes of men; so will he teach you also voluntarily to contemn it; and set up your selves as the Butt, which all the arrows of malice and despight shall be shot at. So that though you have naturally a desire of the preservation ⟨p. 150⟩