A26919:312
The divine life in three treatises
The divine life in three treatises ... by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for Francis Tyton, 1664
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
6. Principally we must hence learn to Deny our selves as being not our own, and having nothing in the world that is our Own, in respect to God, the absolute Owner. And therefore above all the sins of your souls, still watch against this selfishness: lest you should grow to look at your Time, your Strength, your Wealth, your Interests as your own, and forget that you are mere stewards; and say as the ungodly, Psal. 12. 4. [Our lips are our own: Who is Lord over us!] O take heed that you use not your strength, or interest, or any thing for your selves: no not so much as your food and raiment, 1 Cor. 10. 31. that is, for your selves ultimately, or not in subordination to the Lord. For self as subject unto God, or as closed with him in the bond of Love, is no longer self in enmity and opposition, nor that which we are forbidden to seek or serve.
6. Principally we must hence learn to Deny our selves as being not our own, and having nothing in the world that is our Own, in respect to God, the absolute Owner. And therefore above all the sins of your souls, still watch against this selfishness: lest you should grow to look at your Time, your Strength, your Wealth, your Interests as your own, and forget that you are meer stewards; and say as the ungodly, Psal. 12. 4. [Our lips are our own: Who is Lord over us!] O take heed that you use not your strength, or interest, or any thing for your selves: no not so much as your food and rayment, 1 Cor. 10. 31. that is, for your selves ultimately, or not in subordination to the Lord. For self as subject unto God, or as closed with him in the bond of Love, is no longer self in enmity and opposition, nor that which we are forbidden to seek or serve.
7. And this Knowledge of the Dominion of God must prevail with us effectually to Resign our selves absolutely to him. Our consent doth give him no title to us, but it is necessary to our well-fare that we confess his title. All men, even the wicked are his Own: but that is against their wills: but the godly are willingly his Own, and disclaim all interest in themselves but what is duly subordinate to his: The name of God is put upon them, as you put your names on your goods or sheep.