A26905:671
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 › 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.
AND now what remains, but that you that are Mortified Believers, receive your Consolation, and consider what the Lord hath done for your souls, and give him the praise of so great a mercy: Believe it, it is a thousand▪ fold better to be Crucified to the world, then to be advanced to prosperity in it; and to have a heart that is above the world, then to be made the possessor of the world.
And for you that yet are strangers to this mercy, O that the Lord would open your hearts to consider where you are, and what you are doing, and whether you are going, and how the world will use you, and how you are like to come off at last, before you go any further, that you may not make so mad a bargain, as to gain the world and lose your souls. O that you did but throughly believe, that it is the only wise and gainful choice, to deny your carnal selves, and forsake all and follow Christ, in hope of the heavenly treasure which he hath promised. And let me tell you again, as the way to this; That though melancholy may make you weary of the world, and stoical precepts may restrain your lusts▪ yet it is only the power of the Holy Ghost, the Cross of Christ, the belief of the promise, the Love of God, & the Hopes of the everlasting invisible Glory, that will effectually and savingly Crucify you to the world, and the world to you. It is a Lesson that never was well taught by any other Master but Christ▪ and you must Learn it from him, by his Word, Ministers and Spirit in his School, or you will never Learn or Practise it aright.
And for you that yet are strangers to this mercy, O that the Lord would open your hearts to consider where you are, and what you are doing, and whether you are going, and how the world will use you, and how you are like to come off at last, before you go any further, that you may not make so mad a bargain, as to gain the world and lose your souls. O that you did but throughly believe, that it is the only wise and gainful choice, to deny your carnal selves, and forsake all and follow Christ, in hope of the heavenly treasure which he hath promised. And let me tell you again, as the way to this; That though melancholly may make you weary of the world, and stoicall precepts may restrain your lusts yet it is only the power of the Holy Ghost, the Cross of Christ, the belief of the promise, the Love of God, & the Hopes of the everlasting invisible Glory, that will effectually and savingly Crucifie you to the world, and the world to you. It is a Lesson that never was well taught by any other Master but Christ and you must Learn it from him, by his Word, Ministers and Spirit in his School, or you will never Learn or Practise it aright.