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. IX.

III. HAving thus shewed you how the Cross of Christ doth Crucifie the world to us, and us to the world, I am next to give you the Proofs of the point, that thus it is with true Believers. But because the Text it self is so plain, and it is so fully proved on the by in what is said already, and I have been somewhat long on the Explication, I shall refer the rest of the Scripture-proofs to the Application, where we shall have further occasion to produce it: And I shall now only add the Argu∣ment from experience. To the Saints themselves I need not prove it; for they feel it in their own hearts: In their several mea∣sures, they feel in themselves a low esteem of all things in this world, and an high esteem of God in Christ. They would count it an happy exchange to become more poor and afflicted in the world, and to have more of Christ and his Spirit, and of the hopes of a better world: To have more of Gods savour, though

more of mans displeasure: It is God that they secretly long for, and groan after from day to day! It is God that they must have, or nothing will content them. They can spare you all things else, if they might have him.

And for those that never felt such a thing in themselves, they may yet perceive that it is in others.

1. You see that there are a people that seek more diligently after Heaven then Earth, that are hearing the Word of God, which instructeth them in the matters of salvation, and are pray∣ing for the things of Eternal Life, when you are labouring for the world: You see that there are a people that seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness; and labour most for the food that perisheth not, and are about the one thing Neces∣sary, which sheweth that they have chosen the better part.

2. And you see that there is a people that can let go the things of the world when God calls for them: That can be liberall according to their power to any pious or charitable uses. That will rather suffer in body or estate, even the loss of all, then they will wilfully sin against God, and hazard his favour.

3. You have read or heard of multitudes that have suffered Martyrdom for Christ, undergoing many kind of torments, and death it self, because they would not sin against him. All these examples, together with the frequent affirmations of the Scri∣ptures, may assure you that thus it is with true Christians. The world is Crucified to them, and they to the world.