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

Hence also it is that men are so quarrelsome with the words and ways of others, that they can scarce hear or read a word, but these pugnacious animals are ready to draw upon it, as if they had catched an advantage for the honouring of their valour, and were loth to lose such a prize and opportunity for a victory and triumph: Hence it is that hi••ing at the sayings and doings of others, is the first, and most common, and most sensible part of their Commentaries. And that they can make heresies and monsters not only of tolerable errors, but of truths themselves, if they have but the inexpiable guilt of crossing the wisdom of these self-conceited men. Hence it is that opinions of their own are more industriously cultivated and studiously cherished, by a double if not a tenfold proportion of Zeal and diligence, than common truths that all the godly in the world have as much interest in as they, though the common truths be incomparably the greater. And hence it is that men are so tenacious of that which is their Own, when they easilier let go that which is Gods; and must have all come to them, and every man deny his own judgment, except themselves; and that it must be the glory of others to yield to them, and their glory to yield to none, but to have all men come over and submit to them. All these are the fruits and discoveries of self as it reigns in mens understandings, ⟨p. 97⟩who possibly may think that it's Christ and the Spirit that's there exalted.

Hence also it is that men are so quarrelsom with the words and ways of others, that they can scarce hear or read a word, but these pugnacious animals are ready to draw upon it, as if they had catch'd an advantage for the honouring of their valour, and were loth to lose such a prize and opportunity for a victory and triumph: Hence it is that hi••ing at the sayings and doings of others, is the first, and most common, and most sensible part of their Commentaries. And that they can make heresies and monsters not only of tolerable errors, but of truths themselves, if they have but the inexpiable guilt of crossing the wisdom of these self-conceited men. Hence it is that opinions of their own are more industriously cultivated and studiously cherished, by a double if not a tenfold proportion of Zeal and diligence, than common truths that all the godly in the world have as much interest in as they, though the common truths be incomparably the greater. And hence it is that men are so tenacious of that which is their Own, when they easilier let go that which is Gods; and must have all come to them, and every man deny his own judgment, except themselves; and that it must be the glory of others to yield to them, and their glory to yield to none, but to have all men come over and submit to them. All these are the fruits and discoveries of self as it reigns in mens understandings,