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

But (as to the Affirmative) I shall show you what the disease of selfishness indeed is, and so what self-denial is. 1. When God had created man in his own Image, he gave him a holy disposition of soul, which might incline him to his Maker as his only Felicity and Ultimate End. He made him to be blessed in the sight of his Glory, and in the everlasting Love of God, and delight in him, and praises of him. This excellent employment and glory did God both fit him for, and set before him.

But (as to the Affirmative) I shall shew you what the disease of selfishness indeed is, and so what self-denyal is. 1. When God had created man in his own Image, he gave him a holy disposition of soul, which might incline him to his Maker as his only Felicity and Ultimate End. He made him to be blessed in the sight of his Glory, and in the everlasting Love of God, and delight in him, and praises of him. This excellent employment and glory did God both fit him for, and set before him.

But the first temptation did entice him to adhere to an inferior good, for the pleasing of his flesh, and the advancement of him self to a carnal kind of felicity in himself, that he might be as God in knowing good and evil. And thus man was suddenly taken with the Creature as a means to the pleasing of his carnal self, and so did depart from God his true felicity; and retired into himself in his estimation, affection, and intention; and delivered up his Reason in subjection to his sensuality, and made himself his Ultimate End.

But the first temptation did entice him to adhere to an inferiour good, for the pleasing of his flesh, and the advancement of him self to a carnal kind of felicity in himself, that he might be as God in knowing good and evil. And thus man was suddenly taken with the Creature as a means to the pleasing of his carnal self, and so did depart from God his true felicity; and retired into himself in his estimation, affection, and intention; and delivered up his Reason in subjection to his sensuality, and made himself his Ultimate End.