A26905:630
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.
Quest. 12. Moreover, if these men are as bad as you make them, then sure they are none of the people of God, but a pack of hypocrites; then they are not Saints indeed. And then the thing that I would know of you is, Which be the Saints of God, if these be not; and where shall we find them? I hope you know that God hath his Saints on earth, yea that none but Saints shall be saved: For it is expressed in Scripture over and over, Heb. 12. 14. and in many other places. As I said, The Communion of the Saints is an Article of your Creed. Tell us then where they are, if these be not they. Will you go to the Quakers, or to the Papists, Monks and Nuns for them? Or whither will you go? Or will you say, that such as you are the Saints, that reproach holiness, and refuse to lead an holy life? Is idle worldly discourse a better sign of a Saint, then keeping holy the Lords day, and labouring for salvation? Is ignorance of the Scripture, or neglecting it a greater sign of a Saint, then meditating in it day and night? Read the first Psalm, yea all the Scripture, and then judge.
Quest. 13. Do you think if any of them miscarry, it is because they are too much Religious; or rather, because they are too little? Surely it is the later. For, as I said, their Religion severely condemneth covetousness: and therefore if they were more Religious, they would be less Covetous. And he that is most godly, is least worldly: and ordinarily, he that is most ungodly is most worldly.
Quest. 14. Is it not then evident, that other mens sins should move you to be the more Religious and careful of your selves, and not the less? If you see them stumble, you should look the better to your feet, and not cast your selves headlong from the Rock that you should be built upon. You should think with your selves, If such men are so faulty for all the pains they take; how much more pains must I take to escape such faults. If they that run so hard, shall many of them miss of the prize by coming short; it is a mad conceit of you, to think to win it by sitting still, or doing less then they that lost it.