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 must Magistrates rule as men that are uncertain whether there be a Christ, or a Church, or a Heaven, or Hell, because some are found in their Dominions so foolish or impious as to be uncertain of it? In plain English, is it any hinderance to mens salvation, and furtherance of their damnation, to be made Infidels, Papists, and such as deny the Essentials of Christianity, or not? If not; then away with Christianity and Reformation. Why do we pretend to it our selves? But if it be; will merciful Rulers set up a trade for butchering of souls? and allow men to set up a shop of poison for all to buy and take that will? yea to proclaim this poison ⟨image 8⟩for souls, in streets and Church assemblies, as if mens souls were no more worth than Rats or Mice, or hurtful vermin, or it were some noble achievement to send as many as may be to the Devil. Judge impartially, whether all this be not for want of self-denial? If selfish interest led them not to this, and if they were more tender of the Interest of Christ than of their own, and of mens souls than of their flesh, it would not be thus. But the same argument that tempts the sensual to Hell, doth tempt such Magistrates to set up Liberty for drawing men to Hell. The wicked sell their souls to spare their flesh, and let go Heaven to enjoy the Liberty of sinning; and run into Hell to scape the trouble of an holy life: And such Magistrates sell the peoples souls to spare the flesh of the deceivers; and in tenderness and mercy to their bodies, they dare not restrain men from seeking their damnation. Is faith and holiness propagated by persuasion, and not by force? Surely then Infidelity, Popery and Ungodliness, are propagated by persuasion too! Again I tell you, self-love doth make such Rulers wiser than to grant Commission or Liberty to all that will, to tice their soldiers to mutinies or rebellion, their wives to Adultery, their children to prodigality, or their servants to thievery: But the love of Christ and mens salvation is not so strong as to satisfy them whether men should be hindered from raising mutinies in his Church, and from destroying ⟨image 8⟩souls! Forsooth, they tell us that Christ is sufficient to look to his own cause. Very true (and they shall one day know it.) But must he not therefore teach or rule by men?

And must Magistrates rule as men that are uncertain whether there be a Christ, or a Church, or a Heaven, or Hell, because some are found in their Dominions so foolish or impious as to be uncertain of it? In plain English, is it any hinderance to mens salvation, and furtherance of their damnation, to be made Infidels, Papists, and such as deny the Essentials of Christianity, or not? If not; then away with Christianity and Reformation. Why do we pretend to it our selves? But if it be; will merciful Rulers set up a trade for butchering of souls? and allow men to set up a shop of poison for all to buy and take that will? yea to proclaim this poison