A treatise of self-denial. By Richard Baxter, pastor of the church at KidderminsterA treatise of self-denial. By Richard Baxter, pastor of the church at Kederminster

3. We shall never have Peace in Church or Common-wealth, while selfishness bears sway. Every mans Interest will be preferred before the public Interest, and rise against it as oft (which will be oft) as they seem inconsistent. This is the Vice that informeth Tyranny, whether it be Monarchy, Aristocracy, or Democracy, when selfish interest is preferred before the Common Interest. This makes our people think themselves too wise or too good to learn, or to be guided by their Pastors, and every man (of this strain) seems wise enough to lead off a party of the Church into a mutiny against the Pastors and the rest. This makes the labours of Reconcilers unsuccessful, while selfishness engageth so many wits, and tongues, and pens and parties, against the most necessary equal terms, and endeavours of such as would Reconcile, Were it not for these selfish men, how soon would all our rents be healed? how soon would all our wars be ended? and all ⟨image 41⟩our heart-burnings and malicious oppositions be turned into charitable consultations for an holy peace? If once men were carried above themselves, they would meet in God the Centre of Unity.

3. We shall never have Peace in Church or Common-wealth, while selfishness bears sway. Every mans Interest will be preferred before the publick Interest, and rise against it as oft (which will be oft) as they seem inconsistent. This is the Vice that informeth Tyranny, whether it be Monarchy, Aristocracy, or Democracy, when selfish interest is preferred before the Common Interest. This makes our people think themselves too wise or too good to learn, or to be guided by their Pastors, and every man (of this strain) seems wise enough to lead off a party of the Church into a mutiny against the Pastors and the rest. This makes the labours of Reconcilers unsuccessful, while selfishness engageth so many wits, and tongues, and pens and parties, against the most necessary equal terms, and endeavours of such as would Reconcile, Were it not for these selfish men, how soon would all our rents be healed? how soon would all our wars be ended? and all ⟨image 41⟩our heart-burnings and malicious oppositions be turned into charitable consultations for an holy peace? If once men were carryed above themselves, they would meet in God the Center of Unity.