A26905:544
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 7: Direct. 7.
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.
Direct. 7.
TO •e much in the house of mourning, and see the end of all the living, will help us towards the Crucifying of the world. Go among the sick, and hear what they say of the world. Stand by the dying, and see what it will do for them; and think now, whether God or the world be better. Look on the corpses of your deceased friends, and think now, Whether the soul be ever the better for all the riches and pleasures of the world? Take notice of the graves and bones of the dead, and think what a worthless thing is the world, and all the glory and delights that it affords, which will so turn us off, and leave our bodies in such a plight as that. Take notice of the frailties and diseases of your own flesh, that tell you how shortly it must lie down in the dust. And then compare this world and that to come, where your abode will be everlasting. Its a shame for a wise man to live as a stranger to so great a change, and to look so much after a world that he is leaving, and so little after the world that he shall abide in.
Direct. 8.
IT will much avail to the Crucifying of the world to you, that you study the improvement of all your Afflictions. Do not repine at them, and think them a greater evil then they are; but believe that they are a special advantage to your souls, for the mortifying of your inordinate affections to the world: and if you have but the wisdom and hearts to make use of them, they may do you more good then all the prosperity of your lives hath done. If you fall into poverty, or fall under slanders or reproach from men; if your friends prove false to you; if those that you have done good to prove unthankful; if the wickedness and frowardness of men do make you even weary of the world; remember now what an advantage you have for Mortification! When you have experience it self to disgrace the creature to you, and your very flesh doth seem to be convinced. Now see that you observe the teachings of this providence, and come off from the world, when you see it is so little worth; and set as light by it as it doth by you: Bethink you now that God doth this to lead you to himself, and