A26905:78
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.
Sometime the flesh will tell you that you may want your selves, or your posterity at least; and that you were best gather till your stock arise to so much or so much, and then God shall have some. A fair bargain! Just like ungodly men by their Repentance and Conversion; they will sin till they are old, and then they will turn. But few turn that delay with such resolutions. If God have not right to all, he hath right to none. If he have right to all, will you give him none but your leavings. A swine will let another eat when his belly is full. What if you are never richer, will you never do good therefore with what you have?
Sometime the flesh will tell you that you may want your selves, or your posterity at least; and that you were best gather till your stock arise to so much or so much, and then God shall have some. A fair bargain! Iust like ungodly men by their Repentance and Conversion; they will sin till they are old, and then they will turn. But few turn that delay with such resolutions. If God have not right to all, he hath right to none. If he have right to all, will you give him none but your leavings. A swine will let another eat when his belly is full. What if you are never richer, will you never do good therefore with what you have?
And for the impoverishing of your self, if you fear being a loser by God, you may keep your Riches as long as you can, and try how you can save your self and them. A mans life consisteth not in the abundance that he possesseth. Do not imagine that you need more then you do. If Monastics think it their perfection to be wilfully poor, and Seneca thought it the Cynics wisdom, quod effecit nequid sibi eripi posset; you may much more rejoice in such an estate if God bring you to it, by or for well-doing. You live in dangerous times: Wars and thieves may soon level your estates; Can there be greater wisdom then to send it all to heaven, and lay it up with God, and put it into the surest hands; and put it to the only usury? Aut ego fallor, aut regnum est, inter avaros, circumscriptores, latrones, plagiarios, unum esse, cui noceri non possit. Cannot a man live think you without wealth and honour. Siquis de ⟨image 24⟩