A26905:603
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 21 › Subsection
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 I suppose some ungodly malicious hearts, will make an ill use of all that I say, and will think with themselves, [This toucheth the Professors of Religion: They are as covetous as any; and under pretence of long prayers do devour widows houses: after all their preaching and praying, there is none that are more cruel and close handed, or ready to over-reach or deceive then they; nor any that are more greedy for the things of the world.]
In answer to this Objection, I shall first say somewhat to ⟨p. 192⟩the Professors of Religion, and then shall speak to the objecters themselves.
First, you that profess the fear of God, take notice I beseech you of this accusation, and though it may show you cause to pity malicious slanderers, yet let it provoke you to search your hearts and lives, and see that you give not cause for this reproach. As for those worldly time-serving hypocrites, which in all places creep in among the Saints, and do but serve themselves of Christ, let them know that God will one day require an account at their hands, of all these scandals which they have caused in the Church, and the ruin of poor ungodly souls that are dashed in pieces, and cast themselves into hell, by stumbling at this stone which their worldly practises have laid before them. If you would needs be worldlings, you were better have kept in the world among worldlings, then to have crept into the Church of Christ, and brought thither your scandalous worldly lives, to the dishonour of that Religion which condemneth your practises and you. Did not Christ warn you to count your costs, and never to dream of being his Disciples, unless you could forsake all and follow him under the Cross, in expectation of a promised treasure in Heaven? s there any thing that Christ did more peremptorily require of you, then to Renounce the world and deny your selves, if you would be his Disciples? And yet will you come without this wedding garment, and bring your base and earthly minds among his servants; and cause his truth, and his house and followers, to bear the reproach of your worldly baseness? I tell you, it is like to cost you dear, that you have cast this dishonour on the name of God, and caused the damnation of the impious reproachers. The wrong you have done to God and men, you shall certainly pay for in everlasting misery, unless a through repentance do prevent it. (And I fear it is but few of these worldly Hypocrites that ever truly do repent.) But wo to them by whom offence cometh: It were good for that man that he had never been born.