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

We have many that seldom come to hear in the public Assemblies; but let the Parliament make a Law that they shall pay for their refusal, and how readily will it bring the most of them? (unless they have hopes that the Law will not be executed) And judge now whether self or God have greater Interests in these mens hearts.

We have many that seldom come to hear in the publick Assemblies; but let the Parliament make a Law that they shall pay for their resusal, and how readily will it bring the most of them? (unless they have hopes that the Law will not be executed) And judge now whether self or God have greater Interests in these mens hearts.

I see but one piece of self-denial among this sort of ⟨p. 43⟩people in this Town, and that this: Though the officers are to give the money to the poor which they have from swearers, drunkards, unlicensed and abusive Ale-sellers, profaners of the Lords day, &c. yet that sort of the poor themselves do hate those officers that are zealous in their duties. This is strange, that the love of money doth not change them. But whether it be that they can deny their flesh for the Devil, though not for God; and in enmity to godliness, though not to further it; or whether it be that the officers do use to give their money to an honester sort of poor, and these have none of it, I cannot well tell.

I see but one piece of self-denyal among this sort of ⟨p. 43⟩people in this Town, and that this: Though the officers are to give the money to the poor which they have from swearers, drunkards, unlicensed and abusive Alesellers, prophaners of the Lords day, &c. yet that sort of the poor themselves do hate those officers that are zealous in their duties. This is strange, that the love of money doth not change them. But whether it be that they can deny their flesh for the Devil, though not for God; and in enmity to godliness, though not to further it; or whether it be that the officers do use to give their mony to an honester sort of poor, and these have none of it, I cannot well tell.