A26905:563
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
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. 10.
THE last Direction that I shall give you for the Crucifying of the world, is this. Be sure to keep off the means of its livelihood, and keep it still under the mortifying means. Lay siege to it, and stop up all the passages, by which the worlds provision would come in; and keep it still under the strokes of enmity, and the influence of that which is contrary to it. Some particulars I will but briefly mention.
1. Keep a constant guard upon your senses; for this way the world creeps in to your hearts. It is by gazing on alluring objects, or hearing, or tasting, or the like, that the flames of concupiscence are kindled in the heart. By gazing upon beauty or comeliness of per••n, the heart of the wanton is infected with lust, and so incited to the damnable practises of uncleanness. The sight of the cup doth set an edge on the desires of the drunkard: and the sight of enticing meats, doth awaken and enrage the appetite of the gluttonous: and by the presence of the bait their disease is set awork, as worms in the body are by some kind of food. Clemens Alexandr. saith of these men, that their disease1 is called [Greek or Hebrew], that is, A madness about the throat: And [Greek or Hebrew], that is, A madness in the belly: And saith of them that are given to fullness or fineness of diet, for the pleasing of their bellies, that they are ruled by a Belly-Devil, which saith he, is the worst and most pernicious of all Devils. Lay siege then to this belly-Devil, and starve him out. It is by the sight of gaudy fashions, and curious apparel, that the minds of vain effeminate persons are provoked to desire the like. And the sight of pomp and honours doth kindle the fire of ambition; and the sight of buildings, and money, and lands, doth help to provoke the desires of the Covetous. See therefore that you always keep a watch upon your eyes. Let them not run up and down like a master-less dog, nor roll as the eyes of the lascivious, that are hunting after the prey of lust. If you have cause to pray as David,