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.

SECT. VIII.

II. HAving shewed you what it is to have the world Cruci∣fied to us, and to be Crucified to the world: I am next to shew you how this is done by the Cross of Christ. And here I must distinctly shew you, 1. What the Cross, as suffered by Christ himself hath done to the Crucifying of the world to us. 2. What the same Cross, as Believed on and Considered by us doth towards it. 3. And what the Cross of Christ which we our selves bear in conformity to his sufferings doth towards it. Of all which briefly.

1. It is not only his Crucifixion, but the whole Humiliation of Christ which is in this and other Scriptures called his Cross: the whole being denominated from the most eminent part, as was toucht before. And there are five notable blows that the world hath received by the suffered Cross of Christ. 1. One is, that Christ himself in his own person hath perfectly crucified and conquered the world, so that we have a victorious Head, and the world is now a conquered thing. It assaulted him from his birth to his death, and still he overcame. It assaulted him by fair means and by foul, by frowns and smiles, by alluring baits and persecuting storms, and still it was overcome. The threatnings and persecutions could never draw him to the committing of a sin: The enticing offers of it could never bring him to an inor∣dinate esteem of it, nor abate the least of his love to God. In his great combat in the wilderness he was assaulted both waies. Hunger could not make him tempt God or distrust. The King∣doms and Glory of the world, were despised by him when they were the matter of his temptation. He would not have so much as a setled habitation, nor any worldly pomp or splendor, that so he might shew that he contemned it by his actions. If he had set by it, he could soon have mended his condition. When the peo∣ple would have made him a King, he past away from them; for he would not be a King of the peoples making, nor have any Power or Dignity which they could give. He came not to Re∣ceive honour of men, but to Give salvation to men. When Peter would have perswaded him to favour himself, as favouring the things of Man, and not of God, Christ calleth him Satan, and bids him get behind him: If he will do the work of Satan, he shall have the name of Satan, and the same words of rebuke that Satan had. Even in their hour▪ and the power of darkness, Luke 22. 53. they could do nothing that might make the least breach in his perfection: And when they boasted of their power to cru∣cifie him or release him, Iohn 19. 10. they could not boast of their power to draw him to the smallest sin. Yea upon the Cross did he consummate his conquest of the world, when it seemed to have conquered him: and he crucified the world, when it was crucifying him; and gave it then the deadly wound. And there did he openly make a shew of the principalities and powers

which he had spoiled, and there did he triumph over them, while they mistakingly triumphed over him, Col. 2. 14, 15.

If you say, What is all this to us? I answer, When the world is once conquered, the heart of it is broken: And when our Head hath overcome it, there is a great preparation made for our victory. Else would he not have said to his Disciples, Iohn 16. ••3. In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good chear, I have overcome the world.] For as the consequence is good, [Because I live, ye shall live also], Iohn 14. 19. So it will hold, [Because I have overcome the world, ye shall overcome it also.] Yea as it is said of his Works, [Greater works then these shall ye do.] Iohn 14. 12. So is it said of our conquest, [In all these things we are supervictors, or more then Conquerors through him that hath loved us, Rom. 8. 37.]

2. Another wound that the world hath received by the Cross of Christ by him suffered, is this: By it satisfaction is made to God for the sin that the world had enticed man to commit, and so quoad pretium, the victory which the world had formerly obtain∣ed over us, is nulled, and its Captives rescued, and we are cured of the deadly wounds which it had given us: For he healeth all our diseases, Psal. 103. 3. and his stripes are the remedy by which we are healed, Isa. 53 5. So that it is a vanquishing of the world, when Christ doth thus nullisie its former victories: For thus he began to lead captivity it self captive, which at his Resurrection and Ascension he did more fully accomplish, Psalm 68. 18. Eph. 4. 8.

3. Another most mortal wound which the world received by the Cross of Christ, was this. By his Cross did Christ purchase that Glorious Kingdom, which being revealed and propounded to the sons of men, doth abundantly disgrace the world as a Competitor. If there had been no greater good revealed to us, or the revelation had been obscure and insufficient, or no Assu∣rance of it given us, then might the world have easily prevailed. For he that hath no hopes of greater, will take up with this: And he that looketh not for another life, will make as much of the present as he can. When the will of a man is the fort that is contended for, the assault must be made by Allurement and not by force. The competition therefore is between Good and Good:

and that which appeareth the Greater Good to us, will carry it, and have admittance. If God had not set a Greater Good against the world, it would have been every mans wisdom and duty to have been worldlings. But when he revealeth to us another world of infinite value, yea when he offereth us the fruition of himself, this turneth the scales with wise men in a moment, and shameth all competitors whatsoever. Now it is the Cross of Christ that opened the Kingdom of heaven to all true Believers, which sin had before shut up against all mankind. This marrs the markets of the world: Its nothing worth to them that have tasted of the blessedness of this Kingdom. Were it not for this, the temptations of the world and flesh might prevail. What should we say to them? or how should we repulse them? Reason would say, Its better have a small and unsatisfactory Good, then none. But now we have enough to say against any such tempta∣tion. One argument from the everlasting Kingdom is sufficient (where grace causeth a right apprehension of it) to confound all the temptations, by which the enemies of our happiness can assault us. What I Shall we prefer a mole-hill before a King∣dom? a shadow before the substance? an hour before eternity? Nothing before all things? Vanity and Vexation before Felici∣ty? The world is now silenced: It hath nothing to say, which may take with right Reason. It must now creep in at the back door of sense, and bribe our bruitish part to befriend it, and to enter∣tain it first, and so to betray our reason, and lead it into the inner rooms. The Cross of Christ hath set up such a Sun, as quite darkeneth the light of worldly glory. Who will now play so low a game, that hath an Immortal Crown propounded to him? Though earth were Something, if there were no better to be had, yet it is Nothing when Heaven stands by. This therefore is the deadly blow by which the world is Crucified by the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

4. Another mortall wound that the Cross of Christ hath given it, is this. The Cross hath purchased for us that Spirit of Power, and all those Ordinances and Helps of Grace, by which we our selves in our own persons may Actually Conquer and Crucifie the world, as Christ did before us. His Cross is the meritorious cause of his following Grace. And as he hath there procured our Ju∣stification, so also our Sanctification, by which the world is re∣nounced

by us and contemned. There shall a vertue flow from the Cross of Christ, that shall give strength to all his chosen ones, to go on and conquer, and tread the world and all its glory under their feet, and by the leaves of this Tree, which seemeth dead to a carnal eye▪ the Nations shall be healed. And thus by it the world is Crucified.

5. Lastly, by the Cross of Christ, a Pattern is given us for our Imitation; by which we may learn how to contemn and so Cru∣cifie the world, [If when ye do well and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is accceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who when he was reviled, reviled not again: when he suffered he threatned not, but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously. 1 Pet. 2. 20, 21, 22, 23. [Let this mind be in you that was in Christ Iesus—that made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant—and humbled him∣self, and became obedient to death, even the death of the Cross,] Phil. 2. 5, 6, 7. [Let us therefore lay aside every weight, and the sin that doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us; looking to Iesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him, endured the Cross, de∣spising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of God, Heb. 12. 2. This leads us to the next.

2. HAving shewed you how the Cross, as suffered by Christ, doth crucifie the world, we are next to shew you, how that same Cross as Believed in and considered doth Crucisie it to us.

They that look only to the Merit of the Cross, and over-look the Objective use of it to the soul, do deceive themselves, and de∣prive themselves of the full efficacy of it; and deal like a foolish patient, that thinketh to be cured by commending the Medicine, or by believing that it hath vertue to cure his disease; when in the mean time he lets it lie by him in the box, and never taketh it, or applyeth it to himself. The Believing Meditation of the Cross of Christ, doth give the world these deadly wounds.

1. It bringeth us under the actual promise of the Spirit: For though there be a work of the Spirit, which causeth us to Believe, before our actual faith in nature, yet the further gift of the Spi∣rit for Mortification, is promised upon Condition of our faith. And upon the performance of that Condition, we have right to the thing promised. It is by faith that we fetch strength from Christ for the conquest of this and all other enemies. If we could believe, these mountains would be cast into the Sea; and all things are possible to us, if we could believe, Mark 9. 23.

2. The believing Meditation of the Cross of Christ, doth make us apprehensive of the Vanity and Enmity of the world, and so doth kill our esteem of it, and affection to it. For when we con∣sider how little Christ did set by it, and how he made it his work professedly to contemn it, this will tell us how to think of it our selves. For doubtless the judgement of Christ was true: He was able to discern between good and evil: If it had been valuable, he would have valued it. He would not have contemned it, if it had not been contemptible. He could have had better usage in the world, if he had desired it, and thought it meet. But he would shew us by his Example as well as by his Doctrine, how to judge of it, and what to expect from it. If you saw the wisest man in the world tread a thing under feet in the dirt, or throw it away, you would think it were a thing of no great worth.

When you are tempted to set too much by your credit, and to sin against God for the esteem of men, remember that Christ Made himself of no reputation, Phil. 2. 7. And can your reputa∣tion be less then none? How did he value his honour with men, that gave his cheeks to be smitten, his face to be spit upon, his head to be Crowned with thorn••, and his body to ••e arrayed contemptuously like a fool, and at last to be hanged as a con∣temned thing among malefactors on the Cross; to be re∣viled by those that passed by▪ and by him that suffered with him? Learn here of him, that all of us must learn of, how far to set by your honour in the world.

Are you tempted to set by the riches and full provision or pos∣sessions of the world? Remember how Christ set by them; When he might have had all things, and refused to have a place to lay his head. When [he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich, 2 Cor. 8. 9.

And the best of his servants have followed him in this course, to whom he would have given more of the world, if he had seen it best for them. For when they had [dishonour, they had honour with it and by it; when they had evil report, they had also good; when they were poor, they made many rich; and having nothing, possessed all things▪ ••] 2 Cor. 6. 8, 10.

When your flesh would have its pleasure, remember him that pleased nor his flesh; but submitted it to hunger, and thirst, and weariness, to fasting, and watching, and praying whole nights; and at last to scourgings, and buffeting, and crucifying. When your appetites must needs be pleased in meats and drinks, remem∣ber him that had Gall and Vinegar given him to drink. When your bodies would be set out with such apparell, as may make you seem comelyest in the eyes of others, remember him that wore a seamless coat, and was hanged naked on the Cross for your sakes. When you are tender of every little hurt or suffering of your flesh, though in a way of duty, remember him that gave his hands and feet to be nailed, and his side to be pierced to death for you. When you are ashamed to be reviled for well-doing, remember him that despised the shame, Heb. 12. 2. And thus as the sight of the Brazen Serpent did cure them that were stung in the Wilderness, so the Believing views of a Crucified Christ, may get out the poison of worldly delusions from your souls.

3. The Believing thoughts of the Cross of Christ, will make us apprehensive also of our duty, in contemning the world in conformity to Christ. For though we are not bound to be Cruci∣fied as Christ was, unless God specially put us upon it; nor bound to live without house or home in voluntary chosen pover∣ty, as Christ did (because there were some special Reasons for his sufferings, that are not for ours) yet are we all bound to mortifie the flesh, and contemn the world in imitation of him, and to submit to what suffering God shall impose on us. And in the example of Christs Cross, this Duty must be ob∣served.

3. THE next thing to be declared is, How the Cross which we our selves do suffer in obedience and conformity to Christ, and for his sake, doth crucifie the world to us, and us to the world. That the bearing of this Cross is necessary to all that will be Christs Disciples; yea the daily bearing of it is plain, Luke 9. 23. & 14. 27. Mat. 10. 38. Two waies doth this tend to the crucifying of us to the world.

1. It doth more sensibly convince us of the Vanity and Enmi∣ty of the world, then any meer doctrine or distant examples and observations could have done. I confess we see so much of the worlds deceit of others, that might satisfie a reasonable man that it is vain. But the flesh doth draw us into a participation of its bruitishness: and reason will not see the light. But the Cross doth convince even the flesh it self, the grand deceiver. When the malice of wicked men lets flie at us, and the world do spit in our faces as they did in Christs; when we are made a common by-word and derision, and become as the filth of the world to them, and the off-scouring of all things; when we have fears within and troubles without; and the sorrows of death lay hold upon us, and enemies compass us round about; O how effectu∣ally will this convince us that the world is vain, and worse then vain! Who will look for Happiness from a known Enemy and Tormentor? When we have Iobs Messengers of sad tidings▪ and troubles are multiplyed: When pain and anguish seiseth upon our bodies, and grief hath taken up its dwelling in our very flesh and bones▪ who then will admire or dote upon the world? Who will not then cry out against it as Vanity and Vexation? When friends abuse one another, they will fall out for the time, though they turn not enemies. And even the wicked when they suffer in the world, will speak hardly of it, though the friendship of it still dwell in their sensual dispositions. How much more will the Enmity be encreased in the Saints, when the world doth use them as its enemies, and spit out the bitterest of their malice against them? If we have any thoughts of reconciliation with the world, God useth to suffer it to buffet and abuse us, that stroaks and smart may maintain the Enmity, if nothing else will serve to do it.

Believe it Christians, God doth not permit your sufferings in vain. He seeth how apt you are to dote upon the world, and how dangerous it will prove to you, if you be not delivered from the snares of this deceiver: and therefore he had rather that the world should make you smart awhile, then undo you for ever: and that it should buffet you, then befool you out of your felici∣ty. The blows which the world giveth you do light upon it self; As it Crucified it self in Crucifying Christ, so doth it in Crucify∣ing his people. It killeth it self by your calamities: And if it de∣prive you of your lives, you will then begin to Live: but the death which it bringeth on it self, is such as hath no Resurrection. If it kill you, you shall live again, yea live by that death: but thereby it will so kill it self, as never to live again in you. The Cross is an happy Teacher of many excellent truths: But of no∣thing more effectually, then of the contemptibleness of the world. If it turn our breath into groans, we shall groan against it, and groan to be delivered, desiring to be cloathed upon with our house which is from heaven, 2 Cor. 5. 2. We shall cry to heaven against this Task-master, and our cryes will come before God, and procure our deliverance. The world gets nothing by its hard usage of the Saints: It maketh a Cross for the Cruci∣fying of it self, and turneth their hearts more effectually against it.

2. And as it thus declareth it self contemptible, and crucifyeth it self to us, so doth it exercise us in Patience, and awaken us to deeper considerations of its own Vanity, and drive us to look after better things: It forceth us also to seek out to God, and to see that all our dependance is on him, and draweth forth our holy desires and other graces: And thus it doth Crucifie us also to the world. It makes us go into the Sanctuary, and consider of the End: how the wicked are set in slippery places, and that at last it will go well with the just: It teacheth us to consider, that while [the Lord is our Portion, we have ground enough of hope: For he is good to them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him: It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord: It is good for a man that he bear the yoak in his youth: He sitteth alone, and keepeth silence, because he hath born it upon him; he putteth his mouth in the dust, if so be there may be Hope: He giveth his check to him that smiteth him; he is

filled full with reproach: For the Lord will not cast off for ever: but though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion, according to the multitude of his Mercies] Lam. 3. 24. to 33. [And not on∣ly so, but we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience, and patience experience, and experience hope, and hope maketh not ashamed] Rom. 5. 3, 4, 5. [For if we suffer with Christ, we shall also be glorified together: and the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us.] And [we our selves do groan within our selves, waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.] Rom. 8. 17, 18, 23. [When Paul suffered for Christ the loss of all things, he accounted them dung that he might win Christ.] [That he might know the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his suffer∣ings, and be made conformable to his death] Phil. 3. 8, 10. [He re∣joyced in his sufferings, and filled up that which is behind of the affli∣ctions of Christ in his flesh, for his bodies sake, which is the Church] Col. 1. 24. [And thus was he Crucified with Christ, and yet lived; yet not he, but Christ lived in him; and the life which he lived in the flesh, he lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved him and gave himself for him, Gal. 2. 20.