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

7. But yet this is not the highest discovery of the power of Carnal self. Though its sad to think that it should be so potent in any that have grace: yet its sadder to think, that it hath too much Power in the wisest and most learned Magistrates and Ministers, that should be the greatest enemies of it in the rest. A Magistrate, as a Magistrate is for the common good. Political societies consisting of Sovereign and Subject, are therefore called Commonwealths, from the final Cause, which is the common good, or weal of all: so that it is essential to a Magistrate to be for the common good. And yet self creeps in, and makes such work with many of them, that its hard to judge whether it have left them the essence of the Magistracy, and whether they should be called Magistrates or no.

7. But yet this is not the highest discovery of the power of Carnal self. Though its sad to think that it should be so potent in any that have grace: yet its sadder to think, that it hath too much Power in the wisest and most learned Magistrates and Ministers, that should be the greatest enemies of it in the rest. A Magistrate, as a Magistrate is for the common good. Political societies consisting of Soveraign and Subject, are therefore called Commonwealths, from the final Cause, which is the common good, or weal of all: so that it is essential to a Magistrate to be for the common good. And yet self creeps in, and makes such work with many of them, that its hard to judge whether it have left them the essence of the Magistracy, and whether they should be called Magistrates or no.

But yet its sadder, that the Learned, Godly Preachers of self-denial should have so little of it, as too many have. Alas, that Ministers do not remember how ill Christ took the first contendings among his Disciples, who should be the greatest; that they do not imprint upon their minds the image of Christs setting a child before them, and after girding himself, and washing their feet. I think those men that make a Sacrament of this, do err much ⟨p. 76⟩less than those that forget it. And I suspect that our contrariety to this example, will tempt some ere long into this contrary extreme, and it may be set up as a Sacrament indeed. O woeful case! to be daily lamented by all the compassionate members of the Church: that the Learned, Zealous Pastors of it, are the leaders, fomenters, and continuers of her divisions: and when they have opportunity to seek for healing, they want a will; and so much of self surviveth in them, that though God call to them for Peace and Unity, and the bleeding Church is begging it of them on her knees; yet self hath such power over them, that God is not heard, and the Church cannot be regarded; but Peace, and Piety, and all must be sacrificed to the will and Interest of self: As if they were the Priests of self, and the honour of God, and Peace of the Church were the daily sacrifice which they have to offer! Not a motion can be made for Reformation or Unity, but some selfish Ministers rise up to strangle it, under pretence of mending the terms. Not a consultation can be held, but self creeps in, yea openly appears, and ravels the work, and will needs be the doer of all that's done, or nothing must go on that's done against it.