A26905:648
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 22 › Benefit 3: Benefit 3.
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.
Benefit 3.
Another Benefit of this Crucifixion is this, The Tempter is hereby disarmed, and he is disabled from doing that against you, which with others he can do. The Living world is the Life of Temptations. As a Bear for all his strength and fierceness, may be led up and down by the nose, when by a ring the cord is fastened to his flesh: So the Tempter leadeth men captive at his will, by fastening together the world and their flesh. He finds it no hard matter to entice a sensual worldly mind, to almost any thing that is evil. Bid him lye or steal, and if it be not for shame or fear of men he will do it. Bid him neglect God and his worship, and he will do it. Bid him hate those that hinder his commodity, or speak evil of them that cross his desires, or seek revenge of those that he thinks do wrong him herein; and how quickly will he do it? The Devil may do almost what he list, with those that are not Crucified to the world. They will follow him up and down the world, from sin to sin, if he have but a golden bait to tice them. But when the world is ⟨p. 209⟩Crucified to you, what hath he to entice you with? The cord is broken by which he was wont to bind and lead you. Can you tice a wise man by pins and counters, as you may do a child? If he would draw you from God, he hath nothing to do it with: for the world by which he should do it, is now dead. If he would tice you to pride, or ambition, or covetousness, or to sinful means for worldly ends, he hath nothing to do it with; because the world is dead. The Devil hath nothing but a little money, or sensual pleasure, or honours to hire you with to betray and cast away your souls: And what cares a mortified man for these? Will he part with Christ and heaven for money, who looks on money as other men do on chips or stones? It is the frame of mens hearts that is the strength of a temptation. To a man that is in love with money, O what a strong temptation is it, to see an opportunity of getting it by sin? But what will this move him, that looketh on it as on the dirt in the streets? To a proud man that is tender of his reputation in the world, what a troublesome temptation is it to be reproached, or slighted, or slandered? and what a dangerous temptation is it to him, to be applauded? But what are these to him that takes the approbation and applauses of the world, but as a blast of wind? As Christ saith of himself,