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

Reas. 6. No man can be a Christian or be saved without saving Grace. But no man without self-denial hath saving Grace. For it is the nature of every Grace to carry man from himself to God by Christ. It is the work of godly sorrow to humble proud man, and break the heart of carnal self. It is the work of faith, for a self-denying soul to pass out for hope and life to Christ. It is the work of Love to carry us quite above our selves to that infinite ⟨p. 31⟩goodness which we love: it is the nature of holy fear to confess our guilt and insufficiency, and to suspect our selves, and dread the fruit of our own ways. Confidence doth bottom us upon God, and Hope it self doth imply a Despairing in our selves. Thankfulness doth pay the homage to him that hath saved us from our selves. And every grace hath self-denial as half its very life or soul. And therefore it is certain that no man hath any more grace than he hath self-denial.

Reas. 6. No man can be a Christian or be saved without saving Grace. But no man without self-denyal hath saving Grace. For it is the nature of every Grace to carry man from himself to God by Christ. It is the work of godly sorrow to humble proud man, and break the heart of carnal self. It is the work of faith, for a self-denying soul to pass out for hope and life to Christ. It is the work of Love to carry us quite above our selves to that infinite ⟨p. 31⟩goodness which we love: it is the nature of holy fear to confess our guilt and insufficiency, and to suspect our selves, and dread the fruit of our own ways. Confidence doth bottom us upon God, and Hope it self doth imply a Despairing in our selves. Thankfulness doth pay the homage to him that hath saved us from our selves. And every grace hath self-denyal as half its very life or soul. And therefore it is certain that no man hath any more grace than he hath self-denyal.

Reas. 7. They that reject the Ministry and the fruit of all the Ordinances of God, are not true Christians, nor cannot be saved: But so do all among us that have not self-denial. For the use of the Ministry is to call home sinners from themselves to God. The use of every Ordinance of God, is to get or keep down carnal self and exalt the Lord. Confession is nothing but self-abasing: and he must confess, that will have the faithful and just God to forgive him: for he that covereth his sin shall not prosper,