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. 4.

MY next Question to you is this: What is it that you do seriously expect from the world for the time to come, that should perswade you to stick so close to it as you do? Some great matter sure you think it will do for you? or else you would never so esteem it. I pray you tell me what it is? Do you think verily, that it will make you truly happy? Do you expect that it should bring you to heaven? I suppose you do not. What then will it do for you? It will neither prevent a sickness, nor remove it: It cannot take away a tooth-ake, nor a fit of the gout or stone: It will not save you from the jaws of death, nor keep your bodies from rotting in the grave, nor bribe the worms or corruption from devouring them. When your Physitian tells you that your disease is uncurable, and you see that there is no way but one with you, and you must be gone, there's no remedy, if then you cry for help to the world, it can∣not help you: Friends cannot save you, Riches and Honours, Houses and Lands cannot preserve you: Death will obey his will that sendeth it, and you must away. O who would love that, and love it at so dear a rate, which cannot help you in the time of your necessity? Who would serve such a Master, such an Idol God, as cannot relieve you in the day of your distress••••▪ When conscience is awakened, and begins to stir, and gripe you, and the wrath of God doth look you in the face, will your ho∣nours ease you? Will your friends deliver you, and give you a solid lasting Peace? You know they will not: You cannot with all the wealth in the world procure the pardon of the smallest sin? You may get the Popes pardon for money, but not Gods. You must go to Judgement, and if you be worldlings, must be damned for ever, for all your wealth. Were you Lords of all the world, it would not save your souls from Hell, no nor pro∣cure you a drop of water for to cool your tongues. What is it then that you expect by this world? Sure you would never so

much love it, and make such a stir for it, if you looked for no∣thing from it? Why it is that your flesh may have some satis∣faction in the mean time. And is that all? Yea: that is even all. I shall then proceed to the next Question.