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

O down with self that Christ may be Christ to you. How shall he come in, while Self is the Porter that keeps the door? How shall he pardon you, when Self will not suffer you to feel the want and worth of pardon? How shall he bind up your hearts, when Self will not suffer them to be broken? How shall he clothe you with his righteousness, while self keeps on your own defiled rotten rags? Down therefore with self, that Christ may be exalted. Away with your own conceited righteousness, that he may be your righteousness; down with your Selfish foolish wisdom, that the supposed foolishness of God may be your wisdom. Level this mountain, which Satan hath built up in enmity against the holy mountain of the Lord.

O down with self that Christ may be Christ to you. How shall he come in, while Self is the Porter that keeps the door? How shall he pardon you, when Self will not suffer you to feel the want and worth of pardon? How shall he bind up your hearts, when Self will not suffer them to be broken? How shall he cloath you with his righteousness, while self keeps on your own defiled rotten rags? Down therefore with self, that Christ may be exalted. Away with your own conceited righteousness, that he may be your righteousness; down with your Selfish foolish wisdom, that the supposed foolishness of God may be your wisdom. Level this mountain, which Satan hath built up in enmity against the holy mountain of the Lord.

5. Moreover, Self must be denied as it is the great resister of the Holy Ghost. The sanctifying spirit hath no greater enemy, at least, except the Devil himself. One half of the work of sanctification, is to destroy this Carnal self. And therefore no wonder if hence it find the chief resistance. Not an holy motion can be made to the soul but self is against it. No work hath the spirit to do upon us, but self is ready to gainsay it, and contradict it, and work against it: when ever therefore this mortal Principle is contending against the spirit of God, dishonouring holiness, dissuading you from duty, persuading you to sin, down with it and deny it, as you would be true to the spirit and your selves.

5. Moreover, Self must be denyed as it is the great resister of the Holy Ghost. The sanctifying spirit hath no greater enemy, at least, except the Devil himself. One half of the work of sanctification, is to destroy this Carnal self. And therefore no wonder if hence it find the chief resistance. Not an holy motion can be made to the soul but self is against it. No work hath the spirit to do upon us, but self is ready to gainsay it, and contradict it, and work against it: when ever therefore this mortal Principle is contending against the spirit of God, dishonouring holiness, disswading you from duty, perswading you to sin, down with it and deny it, as you would be true to the spirit and your selves.