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.

Quest. 12.

MY last Question which I desire your answer to is this: Do you indeed think that God is not bet∣ter then the world, and that Heaven is not more desiarble then earth, and an endless glory then a transitory shadow? Or is there any comparison to be made between them? Have you considered what a sad exchange you make? O unthankful souls! Hath not God done more for you then ever the world did? He made you, and so did not the world! He Redeemed you, when none else could do it! He preserveth you, and provideth for you, and all that you have is from his bounty. He can give health to your bo∣dies, peace to your consciences, salvation to your souls, when the world cannot do it. If the world be better then God in prospe∣rity, what makes you call upon God in adversity? When any torment seizeth on your bodies, or death draws near and looks you in the face, then you do not cry, O Riches help us! O Pleasures or Honours have mercy upon us! But O God have mercy upon us and help us. Can none else help you in your di∣stress, and yet will you prefer the creature in your prosperity! Ah poor deluded souls! that follow the world which will cast you off in your greatest need, and neglect him that would be faithful to you for ever! The time is coming when you shall cry out, [The world hath deceived me! I have laboured for nought!] but if you had been as true to God as you were to it, he would never

have deceived you. He would hav•• received your departed souls, and made you like Angels, and raised your bodies to glory at the last, and perpetuated that Glory! Will your Riches, or Plea∣sures, or Honours do this? He would have rescued you from the devouring flames which your inordinate love of the world will bring you to. O miserable change! to change God for the world, it is to change a Crown of Glory for a Crown of thorns: the love of our only friend, for the smiles of deceitful enemies: Life for death; and Heaven for Hell? O what thoughts will arise in your hearts, when you are past the deceit; and under the sad effects of it, and shall review your folly in another world? It will fill your consciences with everlasting horrour, and make you your own accusers and tormentors, to think what you lost, and what you had for it: To think that you sold God and your souls, and everlasting hopes for a thing of nought. More foolishly then Esau sold his birth-right for a mess of pot∣tag••. If the Sun, and Moon, and Stars were yours, would you exchange them for a lump of clay? Well sinners! if God and Glory seem no more worth to you, then to be slighted for a little fleshly pleasures, you cannot marvail if you have no part in them.