A26905:74
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
Preface: The Preface: To the Nobilty and Gentry, and all that have the Riches of this world.
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.
Think not either that you can serve God and Mammon, or that you may live to the world, and die to God. When one was asked whether he had rather be Croesus or Socrates, he answered that he had rather be Croesus while he lived, and Socrates when he came to die: But dream not you of such a choice. Gal. 6. 7, 8. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap: If you sow to the flesh, of the flesh you shall reap corruption: but if you sow to the Spirit, of the Spirit you shall reap everlasting life.]
Think not either that you can serve God and Mammon, or that you may live to the world, and die to God. When one was asked whether he had rather be Craesus or Socrates, he answered that he had rather be Craesus while he lived, and Socrates when he came to die: But dream not you of such a choice. Gal. 6. 7, 8. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap: If you sow to the flesh, of the flesh you shall reap corruption: but if you sow to the Spirit, of the Spirit you shall reap everlasting life.]
And this much more let me add, that if you intend your wealth for God, you must not think of evil getting it: For God will not accept a sacrifice, that is got by falsehood, rapine or injustice. Nay if you intended it indeed for God, you would not dare to procure it by sin. For God needeth not fraud, perfidiousness or injustice, to promote his service. Pietas sua federa servat. As Austin •aith, Ream linguam non faci•, nisi rea mens: So I say here. Your mind is first guilty of denying God, whatever you pretend, when you dare thus by your deeds deny him.
And this much more let me add, that if you intend your wealth for God, you must not think of evil getting it: For God will not accept a sacrifice, that is got by falshood, rapine or injustice. Nay if you intended it indeed for God, you would not dare to procure it by sin. For God needeth not fraud, perfidiousness or injustice, to promote his service. Pietas sua federa servat. As Austin aith, Ream linguam non faci, nisi rea mens: So I say here. Your mind is first guilty of denying God, whatever you pretend, when you dare thus by your deeds deny him.