A27053:182
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
London: printed by Robert White for Nevil Simmons, 1675
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The very nature of sanctification consisteth in the turning a man from himself to God: in destroying selfishness, and devoting the soul to God by Christ. And therefore it is past dispute, that none but the self-denying are sanctified: and therefore none b• they do truly take the Holy Ghost for their Sanctifier, and truly believe in him. So far as men are in Love with the disease, it is certain they will not use the Physician.
The very nature of sanctification consisteth in the turning a man from himself to God: in destroying selfishness, and devoting the soul to God by Christ. And therefore it is past dispute, that none but the selfdenying are sanctified: and therefore none b• they do truly take the Holy Ghost for their Sanctifier, and truly believe in him. So far as men are in Love with the disease, it is certain they will not use the Physitian.
Reas. 5. No man is a true Christian and in a state of salvation, that denieth, renounceth or rejecteth the word of God. But all men that have not self-denial (that hear the word of God) do renounce, deny it or reject it: and therefore no man without self-denial is a true Christian or can be saved. In the Scriptures it is that we have eternal life: its they that must make us wise to salvation: the man that will be blessed, must meditate in them day and night, Psal. 1. 3. And it is not the hearers but the Doers of them that are blessed. But nothing is more clear, than that the voice of Scripture calleth aloud on all men to deny themselves; and that the scope of it is to cry down self, and set up God in Jesus Christ. It is the very drift and meaning of it from end to end to take down self, and abase men in their own eyes, and bring them home to God from whom they are revolted.
Reas. 5. No man is a true Christian and in a state of salvation, that denyeth, renounceth or rejecteth the word of God. But all men that have not self-denyal (that hear the word of God) do renounce, deny it or reject it: and therefore no man without self-denyal is a true Christian or can be saved. In the Scriptures it is that we have eternal life: its they that must make us wise to salvation: the man that will be blessed, must meditate in them day and night,