A26905:80
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.
Sweet healthful Temperance is cheap, and may be maintained without any great revenues: it is killing luxury, excess and pride that are so dear, and require so much for their maintenance. Our journey is not of such small moment, nor our way so fair, nor our day so long nor our strength and patience so great, as to encourage us to lo•d our selves with things unnecessary. Christian living is daily sighting; And we use not to fight with our Riches on our backs, but for them. He that swimmeth with the greatest load, is likelyest to sink. ⟨image 25⟩Men fancy that evil in a low estate which else they would not feel; and when they have picked a causeless quarrel with it, and undeservedly fallen out with it, they speak abusively of it, and of God himself for casting it upon them. Men love Riches so well, because they love sin so well. Did poverty accommodate mens vices, and feed and satisfy their sinful lusts as well as Riches, it would be loved as well. And if Riches did starve up luxury and voluptuousness as much as Poverty, they would be as much abhorred. Few men speak highly of Honours, or Riches, or Pleasures at the last; nor hardly of a low or suffering state. And the last judgement is commonly the wisest.
Sweet healthful Temperance is cheap, and may be maintained without any great revenews: it is killing luxury, excess and pride that are so dear, and require so much for their maintenance. Our journey is not of such small moment, nor our way so fair, nor our day so long nor our strength and patience so great, as to encourage us to lo•d our selves with things unnecessary. Christian living is daily sighting; And we use not to fight with our Riches on our backs, but for them. He that swimmeth with the greatest load, is likelyest to sink. ⟨image 25⟩Men fancy that evil in a low estate which else they would not feel; and when they have pickt a causless quarrel with it, and undeservedly fallen out with it, they speak abusively of it, and of God himself for casting it upon them. Men love Riches so well, because they love sin so well. Did poverty accommodate mens vices, and feed and satisfie their sinful lusts as well as Riches, it would be loved as well. And if Riches did starve up luxury and voluptuousness as much as Poverty, they would be as much abhor'd. Few men speak highly of Honours, or Riches, or Pleasures at the last; nor hardly of a low or suffering state. And the last judgement is commonly the wisest.