A26905:624
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.
6. And we our selves do live among them as well as you, and as near them as you: and we see not by them any such thing for which you accuse them. As far as we can judge, it is you that are the worldlings, and their conversation is in heaven, Phil. 3. 20, 21. Excepting some hypocrites that creep in among them, as they ever have done, and will do into the Church, till Christ at Judgement shut them out. Moreover we see in the course of their lives, that their speeches are more heavenly then yours, and less ⟨p. 198⟩of the world: They can spare time from the world to worship God in their families, & instruct those that are under their charge; which you cannot do. We see they take pains for another world through the course of their lives, which you will not do.
8. To conclude, we see by daily experience, that where you give a penny to any good use, we have many from them. I have oft wondered at the impudence of blind malignant persons in this place. I must needs my self bear witness that in divers collections for charitable uses, we have had from those that profess Religion ten shillings and twenty shillings a man, when we have had from men that are commonly supposed richer, a shilling, or six pence, or a groat, or not a penny. And I can witness that among them there are frequent collections for persons in distress at home and abroad, when we never mention them to the rest of the people, as knowing them so worldly that it is in vain; and we should get a scorn from them sooner then a groat, when the persons whom they reproach as covetous will give many shillings; and that frequently time after time. And for collections at Fasts and Sacraments, all men may see the difference. I would not have mentioned any of these matters, but that the impudency of Calumniators doth in a sort constrain me: For when of my own knowledge we have had this many years more pounds from some of them, then we could have pence from others, for the relief of the poor in voluntary contributions, yet do I frequently hear these worldlings crying out of the covetousness of professors; as if they had brazed their fore-heads, as well as wilfully shut their eyes.