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

Remember in all this, that I speak not against a Toleration of Godly tolerable men, Episcopal, Presbyterian, Independent, Anabaptist, &c. that will walk in Charity, Peace and Concord; ☞ we shall never be well till these are closed.

But do we not know that Papists have Italy and Spain and Germany and France at hand to help them? And that if we grant them such a liberty as shall strengthen them and make way for their power, we give away our own liberty, and are preparing faggots for our martyrdom, and giving away the Gospel that by wonders of mercy hath been till now preserved, (and I hope shall be preserved in despite of Rome and Hell.) Nor yet do I plead for any cruelty against a Papist, but for a necessary Defence of the interest of Christ and the souls of men, and the hopes of our posterity. True Humanity abhorreth cruelty.

Did Magistrates well know their dependence upon God, and that they are his officers, and must make him their end, they would not take their flocks to be their masters, though they may take them for their charge; nor would they set up a carnal interest of the multitude, against the pleasing of God, and mens salvation: nor would they think so highly of mens conceits and wills as to judge it a matter of so much moment, to allow them in Religion to say or do what they list. If allowing a mans self in the practice of Known sin, is inconsistent with a state of grace, and a sign of a miserable slave of Satan: I leave it to you to consider, what it will prove to allow others even Countries and Nations in Known sin. And if Rulers know not that setting up an Universal Vicechrist, and worshipping bread (though they think there is no bread) with Divine worship, and serving God in an unknown tongue, with other points of Popery, are sin; and that opposing and reproaching the holy Scriptures, Ordinances, and Ministry, are sin; woe to such Rulers, and woe to the Nations that are Ruled by such. O what a blessing is a holy self-denying Magistracy to a Nation! If one could have told you twenty years ago, that you and such as you should be Rulers in this Land, how confidently would you have promised an universal encouragement to godliness, and a vigorous promoting the cause of Christ, and a zealous suppressing of all that is against it! Little would