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

And, alas, if the Sovereign Powers of the Nations of the world were not too sick of the same disease, gain would not be accounted Godliness, but Godliness the greatest gain: and carnal Policy would not go for Piety, but true Piety would go for the surest Policy: It would not be so common in most Nations to have the Truth ⟨p. 47⟩and Cause of Christ disowned, and his servants persecuted, and their lives and blood to be made a sacrifice to carnal Self and worldly Interests. Nor would the breaches of the Churches be so long unhealed, and grow wider and wider, and few much regard them, but all have their own work to do which must be looked after. Yea and the Cause of Christ and the Gospel must be trod down if it stand in the way of their own: And the Churches must be set on fire by their wars and contentions for their selfish Interests. And if Self were not too strong among us, we should not have had such connivance at doctrinal and practical abominations, nor so much delay or neglect of healing the discomposed Churches, and uniting the divided Christians, or attempting it more effectually than we have done. But because I desire to speak to none but those that are within my hearing, I will return home to our selves.

And, alas, if the Soveraign Powers of the Nations of the world were not too sick of the same disease, gain would not be accounted Godliness, but Godliness the greatest gain: and carnal Policie would not go for Piety, but true Piety would go for the surest Policie: It would not be so common in most Nations to have the Truth ⟨p. 47⟩and Cause of Christ disowned, and his servants persecuted, and their lives and blood to be made a sacrifice to carnal Self and worldly Interests. Nor would the breaches of the Churches be so long unhealed, and grow wider and wider, and few much regard them, but all have their own work to do which must be looked after. Yea and the Cause of Christ and the Gospel must be trod down if it stand in the way of their own: And the Churches must be set on fire by their wars and contentions for their selfish Interests. And if Self were not too strong among us, we should not have had such connivence at doctrinal and practical abominations, nor so much delay or neglect of healing the discomposed Churches, and uniting the divided Christians, or attempting it more effectually than we have done. But because I desire to speak to none but those that are within my hearing, I will return home to our selves.