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

Let but the Plague break out in the Town, and infect but a quarter as many houses as here are infectious Alehouses that harbour tipplers and drunkards, and see whether the Magistrates of this or any Town will not a little better bestir themselves, and send to search after infected places, and nail up their doors, and write on them [Lord have mercy on us] that all may take warning and keep away: They will not here be offended with Informers, nor say, [Am I bound to look after them?] And why are they not as zealous against sin as against the plague? Great reason! Self is for sin; and God only is against it: but self is against the Plague, because it is concerned in it: sin doth but hurt the soul, and bring men to Hellfire▪ but the plague destroys their body; and this is the ⟨p. 45⟩greater matter with them, because they have flesh and sense to judge of it; but they have not faith to believe the other.

Let but the Plague break out in the Town, and infect but a quarter as many houses as here are infectious Alehouses that harbour tiplers and drunkards, and see whether the Magistrates of this or any Town will not a little better bestir themselves, and send to search after infected places, and nail up their doors, and write on them [Lord have mercy on us] that all may take warning and keep away: They will not here be offended with Informers, nor say, [Am I bound to look after them?] And why are they not as zealous against sin as against the plague? Great reason! Self is for sin; and God only is against it: but self is against the Plague, because it is concerned in it: sin doth but hurt the soul, and bring men to Helfire▪ but the plague destroys their body; and this is the ⟨p. 45⟩greater matter with them, because they have flesh and sense to judge of it; but they have not faith to believe the other.

Again, let but one house in the Town be on fire, and all are up to quench it, and the Bell is rung, and the Magistrate doth not think that he wants a Call himself to look after it. And when the fire of Hell is kindling in an Ale-house, that's nothing, but must be let alone: there's no such zeal, nor no such haste. And why so? Why one they see in good sadness, and perceive that it is fire indeed: but the other they believe in jest, as if it would prove but a painted fire.