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. 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, 1 John 1. 9. Prov. 28. 13. Prayer is a confession of our own emptiness, insufficiency and unworthiness, and a flying from our selves for help unto another. In Baptism we come as condemned prisoners for a pardon, as it were with ropes about our necks, and strip our selves of the rags of our filthiness, that by the blood of the lamb we may be washed from our blood, and our sins may be buried as in the depth of the Sea. In the Lords Supper we renew the same Covenant, and receive the same renewed pardon; and still fly from our selves to Christ for life; and renounce our carnal selves by solemn Covenant, as a people coming home to God. So that never was any Ordinance of God, effectual and saving on the soul of any, further than it brought them to self-denial, or preserved, exercised or manifested it.

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 selfdenyal. 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, 1 John 1. 9. Prov. 28. 13. Prayer is a confession of our own emptiness, insufficiency and unworthiness, and a flying from our selves for help unto another. In Baptism we come as condemned prisoners for a pardon, as it were with ropes about our necks, and strip our selves of the rags of our filthiness, that by the blood of the lamb we may be washed from our blood, and our sins may be buried as in the depth of the Sea. In the Lords Supper we renew the same Covenant, and receive the same renewed pardon; and still fly from our selves to Christ for life; and renounce our carnal selves by solemn Covenant, as a people coming home to God. So that never was any Ordinance of God, effectual and saving on the soul of any, further than it brought them to self-denyal, or preserved, exercised or manifested it.