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.

Direct. 2.

BE sure that you receive n••t a false picture of the world into your minds; or if you have received such an one, see that you blot it out; and think of the creature truly as it is. The most are deceived and undone by mis-appre∣hensions. As if a man should dote on an ugly harlot, because of a painted face, or because he seeth a beautiful picture, which is falsly pretended to be hers. The world in it self is vanity and insufficiency: As opposite to God, it is poyson and enmity to us: But most men conceive of it as if it were the very seat of their felicity, and so are enamoured of they know not what. If men did not entertain false apprehensions of God, and his holy waies, as being against them, or hurtful to them, or needless and uncom∣fortable, they could not be so much against them as they are: And so if they did not entertain false apprehensions of the crea∣ture and the waies of sin, they could not be so much for them, nor embrace them with so much delight. For they draw in their fancies some odious picture of the blessed God, and his waies, and therefore they are averse to them: And so they draw in their fancies some false alluring picture of the world, and make it seem to be what it is not; and therefore they admire it. So that the right way to rectifie your Affections, is first to rectifie your Con∣ceptions I would not have you think worse of the world then it de∣serves, but only perswade you to judge of it as it is Do not dream of a Pallace in the air, and then be enamoured on the matter of your dreams. You think the world is some excellent thing, and will do some great matters for you, and that they are happy men that abound with its riches, and honours, and delights. I beseech you Sirs, return to your wits. I told you before, that those that have tryed the world think otherwise of it: They that have seen the utmost that it can do, do shake the head at it, as the blind unbelievers did at Christ, when they see him hanging on the Cross. Why then should you be of so differing a mind? Come nearer and consider what it is that you admire? Is it not the great Deceiver of the Nations? the bait of the Devil, by which he angles for souls? If you should fall in love with a post that were drest in the finest cloathes, it were a disgrace to your under∣standings:

And what course should we take to quiet and rectifie the mind of such a lover? but even to undress the post, and take off all the bravery, and shew it you naked; and when you see it is but a post, me thinks you should not be fond on it any more. Do so then by the world which you more foolishly admire. Its cloathed with Riches, and Honours, and Delights: its adorned by the great applause of its followers: there is such running after it, and courting it, that you think, sure all this ado is not for nothing. But take off all these befooling gawdes, and strip it of these ornaments, and then see how you like it. But perhaps you'l say, How should I do that? Why 1. Consider frequently of how little moment these things are as to you. You have mat∣ters of everlasting life or death, salvation or damnation to look after; and what is riches or vain pleasures to this? These are not the things that must denominate you happy or unhappy. You do not stand or fall by them. They are but by-matters, that are promised you as an over plus, so far as shall be fit: but your life or death consisteth not in them. Should a man that must be for ever in Heaven or Hell, and hath but a little time to determine which it must be, should such a man spend that little time about riches and pleasure? Can you have while at the door of Eterni∣ty to hunc after the delights of the flesh, and study after the prosperity of this world? Why do not dying men do so then? Why do they not bargain, and deceive, and contrive for their lusts and worldly accommodations? No, they have then no list to them, then they have other things to think of: And why not now as well as then? O Remember, how little matter it is▪ Whether you go poor or rich to the grave? This is not your con∣cernment: and therefore let it not take you up, unless you will wilfully neglect your selves.

2. And then forget not the brevity of your worldly possessi∣ons. Remember whenever they are presented to you in their beauty, that all this will be but for a little while. The very est beggar in the Town, that is not a fool, had rather be as they are, then to have an house full of Gold till tomorrow, and then to be strip•• of it all again. Remember, the pleasures of sin are but for a season: By that time the feast is done, you are as hungry as be∣fore: by that time you have done laughing, the matter of your mi••th is turned into sorrow, and the jest is cold, and the game is

at an end: The hour is almost come already, wherein you shall say of all your pleasure, It is past and gone. And will you trou∣ble your selves, and ruine your poor souls, for such a fleeting transitory thing? Will you be at so much cost, and labour to build an house, that before you have finished it, will be spurned down by death in a moment?

O that you would but still think of the world as it is, and take off the gloss, and wash away the painting which deceiveth you, and look on it naked, as shortly you shall do; and then it could not have that power to bewitch you, as now it hath, but you would see that your Interest lyeth not in it, and that you have greater matters that call for your regard; and this is the way to Crucifie you to the world.