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

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.

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 owngood: 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.