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

When a man can strip himself of all the pleasures and profits, and honours of this world, first in his estimation, and love, and resolution, and then in the actual forsaking of them at the Call of God, because of the firm belief and hope that he hath of the fruition of God in Glory, as purchased and promised by Jesus Christ; this is a Christian, a Disciple of Christ, a true believer; and none but this. And (as I have told you) as God in Unity, and Father, Son, and Holy Ghost in Trinity, is the Object of our saving faith; so Carnal Self in unity, and Pleasure, Profits, and Honours in trinity must be renounced and denied by all true Christians; as being that which we turn from, when we turn to God. So that in brief to deny your selves, doth generally consist in denying all your own Dispositions and Interests whatsoever as they are against God the Father, Son, or Spirit, or stand not in a due subserviency to him: And this Interest which you must deny, consisteth in your Pleasures, Profits, and Honour: Of these therefore I shall speak distinctly, though but briefly.

I. You must begin at the denial and mortification of your Corrupt and selfish Disposition, or else you can never well deny your selfish interest. It is not enough to keep under this selfishness by denying it somewhat that it would have: but the selfish Inclination or Nature it self must be so far mortified and destroyed, that it shall not reign as formerly it did. For this which we call selfishness is not your very Persons, nor any spiritual or right natural desire of your own good: But it is the inordinate ⟨p. 90⟩adhering of the soul to your selves, by departing from God to whom you should adhere: and so a carrying over Gods interest and honour to your selves. Holiness is an Inclination and Dedication to God: by which two we are said to be separated to him. And wickedness is an Inclination, and Addictedness, or Devotedness to our selves above God, or as separated from God: And this Inclination, Disposition, or Separation of man to Himself instead of God, is it that I call self or selfishness; and this self must it self be first destroyed, as to the predominant degree.