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 this is the part of the work of the spirit of Adoption, who teacheth us to cry Abba, Father▪ and as Children, not to be very careful for our selves, but to run to our Father in all our wants, and tell him, what we stand in need of and beg relief: and to be careful for nothing: but in every thing by prayer with supplication and thanksgiving to make known our requests to God, Phil. 4. 6. And this acquiescence of the soul in the love of God, is it that keepeth our hearts and minds in that Peace of God which passeth understanding, vers. 7. so that the more self-denial, the less is a man dependant on himself, or troubled with the cares of his own preservation: and the more doth he cast himself on God, and is careful to please him that is his true Preserver, and then quieteth and resteth his mind in his All-sufficiency and infinite wisdom and love; and so is a mere dependant upon God.

And this is the part of the work of the spirit of Adoption, who teacheth us to cry Abba, Father▪ and as Children, not to be very careful for our selves, but to run to our Father in all our wants, and tell him, what we stand in need of and beg relief: and to be careful for nothing: but in every thing by prayer with supplication and thanksgiving to make knownour requests to God, Phil. 4. 6. And this acquiescence of the soul in the love of God, is it that keepeth our hearts and minds in that Peace of God which passeth understanding, vers. 7. so that the more self-denyal, the less is a man dependant on himself, or troubled with the cares of his own preservation: and the more doth he cast himself on God, and is careful to please him that is his true Preserver, and then quietech and resteth his mind in his All-sufficiency and infinite wisdom and love; and so is a meer dependant upon God.

7. Moreover; It is the Prerogative of God as absolute Owner of us, to be the sole Disposer of man and of all the other Creatures: and to choose them their condition, and give them their several Talents, and determine of the events of all their affairs, as pleaseth himself; And innocent man was contented with this order, and well pleased that God should be the absolute Disposer of him and all.