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

And for the use of them, it may be for our selves in subordination to God, but never ultimately for our selves. We may not use one Creature, but ultimately and principally for God. When we eat or drink, we must never make the pleasing of our Appetite our end, but must do it to strengthen, and cheer, and fit our selves for the service of God, and therefore we must first ask God, and not our Appetite, what, and how much we must eat and drink: And we must no further please our ⟨p. 11⟩Appetite, than the pleasing of it doth fit us for the service of God. It is the express Command, 1 Cor. 10. 31 [Whether ye eat or drink, or what ever ye do, do all to the Glory of God.] You may not wear your Clothes merely and ultimately for your bodies, but only to fit your bodies for Gods service: and therefore you must advice with his Word, and with your end, what you should put on. You may not provide a house to dwell in, nor Friends, nor Riches, nor any thing else for the pleasing of your flesh, as your ultimate end, but for the service of your Lord. For you must put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof, Rom. 13. 14.

And for the use of them, it may be for our selves in subordination to God, but never ultimately for our selves. We may not use one Creature, but ultimately and principally for God. When we eat or drink, we must never make the pleasing of our Appetite our end, but must do it to strengthen, and chear, and fit our selves for the service of God, and therefore we must first ask God, and not our Appetite, what, and how much we must eat and drink: And we must no further please our ⟨p. 11⟩Appetite, than the pleasing of it doth fit us for the service of God. It is the express Command, 1 Cor. 10. 31 [Whether ye eat or drink, or what ever ye do, do all to the Glory of God.] You may not wear your Cloaths meerly and ultimately for your bodies, but only to fit your bodies for Gods service: and therefore you must advice with his Word, and with your end, what you should put on. You may not provide a house to dwell in, nor Friends, nor Riches, nor any thing else for the pleasing of your flesh, as your ultimate end, but for the service of your Lord. For you must put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof,