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.

Benefit 1.

YOur Crucifixion to the world by the Cross of Christ, will be one of the clearest and surest evidences of your sincerity; And so may afford you abundant help for the conquering of your doubts, and the ascertaining your salvation. When on the contrary, an unmortified worldly mind, is the cer∣tain and common mark of a miserable hypocrite. I know a melan∣choly man may be so weary of the world, as to be impatient of his life: But to prefer the Lord and everlasting Life, before it, in our practical Estimation, and Resolution, and Endeavours, is the very point of saving sincerity, and the specifical nature of true Sanctification: And all other marks must be reduced unto this. There is no man so spiritual and heavenly, but while▪ he is

here, hath a mixture of earthliness and carnality: And many a thousand that are earthly and carnal, have some esteem of God and Glory, and some purposes for them, and some endeavours after them: But it is that which is predominant that giveth the Denomination. According to that, it is that we must be called either Spiritual and Heavenly, or Carnal and Earthly men.

More particularly, 1. If you look to the Understanding, this Crucifixion to the world is a very great part of the Wisdom of the soul. For wherein doth wisdom more consist, then in judging of things as indeed they are, and especially in matters of greatest moment. He therefore that is Crucified to the world, must needs be wise: And, whatever his knowledge or reputation may be, he that wants this must needs be a fool. Is that a wise man, that knoweth the times and seasons, and how to do this or that in the world, and knoweth not how to escape damnation, nor where his safety and happiness must be sought? And is not he a wiser man that can see the snares that are laid for his soul, and so escape the burning Lake: then he that will sell his Saviour and his soul, for a little pleasure to his flesh for a moment? I make no doubt, but the weakest man or woman, that practically knows the vani∣ty of this world, and the desirable excellencies of God and Glo∣ry, is a thousand fold wiser, then the most famous Princes or Learned men that want this knowledge. He never take that man for a fool, that can hit the way to heaven; nor that for a wise man that cannot hit it. Its the Greatest matters that try mens Wisdom, though childish Wit may appear in trifles.

2. To be Crucified to the world, is the Certain effect of a Li∣ving effectual faith. The dead faith that Iames speaketh of, may move you to so much compassion as to say to the poor, Go in peace; be warned and filled, Iam. 2. 16. But it will not so far loose you from the world, as to perswade you to part with it to supply his wants: At least you will never be perswaded to part with all and follow Christ, till the Belief of a Treasure in Hea∣ven do perswade you to it, Luke 18. 21, 22. Can you say from your hearts, [Let all go, rather then the Love of God▪] And in a case of tryal, do you certainly find, that There is nothing so dear to you, which you cannot part with, for God and the hopes of everlasting life? This is a sign of an effectual Faith: For nei∣ther

nature nor common grace did ever bring a soul so high.

3. It is also a certain evidence of unfeigned Love. For wherein is Love so clearly manifested, as in the highest adventures for the person whom we Love, and in the costlyest expressions of our Love when we are called to it? Then it will appear that you Love God indeed, when there is nothing else that you prefer be∣fore him, and nothing but what you lay down at his feet: When the greatest professors that love the world, do shew that the love of the Father is not in them, 1 Iohn 2. 15. So far as it is loved.

4. To be Crucified to the world, and alive to God, is the ve∣ry Honesty, and Chastity, and Iustice of the soul. This is your Fidelity to God, in keeping the holy Covenant that you have made with him in Christ. This is your keeping your selves un∣spotted from the world, and undefiled by it: When the friends of it live in its Adulterous embracements, Iam. 4. 4. Thus do you give the Lord his own, even both the creature and your hearts; when worldlings do unjustly rob him of both. This is the great command and request of God, Prov. 23. 26. My Son, give me thy heart. Give him but this, and he will take it as if you gave him all: For indeed the rest will follow this. But if you give the world your hearts, God will take all the rest as Nothing.