A26905:661
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 9: Benefit 9.
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 9.
Moreover when once you are Crucified to the world, you are capable of the true spiritual use of it, which it was made for. Then you may see God in it; and then you may savour the blood of Christ in it: Then you may perceive a great deal of Love in it: And that which before was venomous, and did endanger your souls, will now become a help to you, and may be safely handled when the sting is thus taken out. Before it was the road to Hell: and now there is some taste of heaven in it. The stones and earth are useful for you to tread upon, though they are unfit for you to feed on, or too hard to rest upon. So though the world be unfit to Rest, or feed your souls, it may be made a convenient way for you to travail in. It is unmeet to be Loved, but it is meet to be Used, when you have learned so to use it, as not abusing it. When self is throughly down and denied, and God is exalted, and your souls brought over so clearly to him, that you are nothing but in him, and would have nothing but in and with him, and do nothing but for him; then you shall be able to see that glory and amiableness in the creature, that now you cannot see. I or you shall see the Creator himself in the creature.
MOreover when once you are Crucified to the world, you are capable of the true spiritual use of it, which it was made for. Then you may see God in it; and then you may savour the blood of Christ in it: Then you may perceive a great deal of Love in it: And that which before was venemous, and did endanger your souls, will now become a help to you, and may be safely handled when the sting is thus taken out. Before it was the road to Hell: and now there is some taste of heaven in it. The stones and earth are useful for you to tread upon, though they are unfit for you to feed on, or too hard to rest upon. So though the world be unfit to Rest, or feed your souls, it may be made a convenient way for you to travail in. It is unmeet to be Loved, but it is meet to be Used, when you have learned so to use it, as not abusing it. When self is throughly down and denyed, and God is exalted, and your souls brought over so clearly to him, that you are nothing but in him, and would have nothing but in and with him, and do nothing but for him; then you shall be able to see that glory and amiableness in the creature, that now you cannot see. I or you shall see the Creator himself in the creature.