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

Self-denial is one part of true Conversion: For the opening of this I must show you; 1. What is meant by Self; and 2. What by Denying this Self: and 3. The Grounds and Reasons of the point: and 4. I shall briefly apply it.

Self-denyal is one part of true Conversion: For the opening of this I must shew you; 1. What is meant by Self; and 2. What by Denying this Self: and 3. The Grounds and Reasons of the point: and 4. I shall briefly apply it.

I. Self, is sometime taken for the very person, consisting of soul and body simply considered: and this is called Natural or Personal Self. 2. Self is taken for this Person considered in its capacity of earthly comforts, and in relation to the present blessings of this world that tend to the prosperity of man as in the flesh: And this may be called Earthly Self (yet in an innocent sense.) 3. Self is taken for the Person as corrupted by inordinate sinful sensuality; which may be called Carnal Self. 4. Self may be taken for the Person in his sanctified estate; which is Spiritual Self. 5. And Self may be taken for the person in his Naturals and Spirituals Conjunct, as he is capable of a Life of Everlasting Felicity; which is the Immortal Self.

II. By Denying Self, is meant disclaiming, renouncing, disowning, and forsaking it. Self is here looked on partly as a party dis•unct from Christ, and withdrawn from its due subordination to God, and partly ⟨p. 3⟩as his Competitor and opposite: and accordingly it is to be denied, partly by a neglect, and partly by an opposition.

II. By Denying Self, is meant disclaiming, renouncing, disowning, and forsaking it. Self is here lookt on partly as a party disunct from Christ, and withdrawn from its due subordination to God, and partly