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

CHAP. XI. Use 2. To try our self-denial: the sincerity of the least degree. Use 2. Of Exhortation.

Beloved hearers, I have now before me as great a sin and danger to deter you from (even selfishness and its effects) and as great a Duty to offer to your entertainment (even self-denial) as any (save one) that I am acquainted with in the world. The raising up the soul to God is indeed the greatest work: But the mortifying of the flesh, and the Denying of self, is surely the next to it, being a real part of the change. You hear Ministers tell you of the odiousness, and danger, and sad effects of sin: but of all the sins that ever you heard of, there is scarce any more odious and dangerous than this, and yet I doubt there are many that never were much troubled at it, nor sensible of its malignity. My principal request therefore to you is, that as ever you would prove Christians indeed, and be saved from sin and damnation that follows it; take heed of this deadly sin of selfishness, and be sure you be possessed with true self-denial: and if you have it, see that you use and live upon it.

BEloved hearers, I have now before me as great a sin and danger to deter you from (even selfishness and its effects) and as great a Duty to offer to your entertainment (even self-denial) as any (save one) that I am acquainnted with in the world. The raising up the soul to God is indeed the greatest work: But the mortifying of the flesh, and the Denying of self, is surely the next to it, being a real part of the change. You hear Ministers tell you of the odiousness, and danger, and sad effects of sin: but of all the sins that ever you heard of, there is scarce any more odious and dangerous than this, and yet I doubt there are many that never were much troubled at it, nor sensible of its malignity. My principal request therefore to you is, that as ever you would prove Christians indeed, and be saved from sin and damnation that follows it; take heed of this deadly sin of selfishness, and be sure you be possessed with true self-denial: and if you have it, see that you use and live upon it.