A26905:698
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 2 › Section 23
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.
Though it be the design of the Devil and the slanderous world to obscure or vilify the work of grace on the souls of the sanctified, yet must it be the care of Believers to counter-work them, and maintain and manifest the lustre of that grace, to the glory of the author. He that magnifieth the Cure doth honour the Physician; but he that slighteth or disregardeth it doth dishonour him. To debase the work of Creation is a reproach to the Creator; yea to over-look it and not admire and magnify it, is an injury to him: To vilify the work of the Redeemer, is horrible infidelity and ingratitude: and to slight it, and not to magnify it, is damnable. And must it not be so then to vilify or not to magnify the works of the Sanctifier? Why should it not be our duty to magnify the work of Sanctification, as well as the work of Creation and Redemption? Especially when it is the end which the other do tend to, and that without which we are uncapable of sincere magnifying either Creation or Redemption?
Though it be the design of the Devil and the slanderous world to obscure or villifie the work of grace on the souls of the sanctified, yet must it be the care of Believers to counter-work them, and maintain and manifest the lustre of that grace, to the glory of the author. He that magnifieth the Cure doth honour the Physitian; but he that slighteth or disregardeth it doth dishonour him. To debase the work of Creation is a reproach to the Creator; yea to over-look it and not admire and magnifie it, is an injury to him: To villifie the work of the Redeemer, is horrible insidelity and ingratitude: and to slight it, and not to magnifie it, is damnable. And must it not be so then to villifie or not to magnifie the works of the Sanctifyer? Why should it not be our duty to magnifie the work of Sanctification, as well as the work of Creation and Redemption? Especially when it is the end which the other do tend to, and that without which we are uncapable of sincere magnifying either Creation or Redemption?
9. It is certain that we may Glory in the healing of our diseases, and recovery of our depraved miserable souls. He that must be sensible of his sin, must needs be sensible of the mercy of the deliverer. It cannot be that we should be obliged to mourn for sin, and yet may not Glory in our deliverance from it. Nature it self constraineth us to lament the known unhappiness of our souls, as well as the wounds and calamities of our bodies: And therefore the same nature must needs teach us to rejoice and glory in our spiritual recovery.