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

And if you should have any Knowledge of the most precious truths, as long as you are thus proud and self-conceited, it will not be savoury and effectual on your hearts. Humility feedeth, and Pride starveth every Grace. The Spirit of God will not dwell with the proud: He will beat you out of your selves, unless you drive him away from you. Some seeming raptures and comforts, the self-conceited have; which are but the deluding flatteries of self, and the encouragements that Satan giveth to his servants: (For Satan will needs be a comforter for a while, as the Holy Ghost is to the Saints: and his followers also have their joys.) But it is the humble soul that hath the solid comforts. From the dust of Humiliation, we have the clearest sight of Glory, and consequently, the sweetest tastes of it. As high as the rain comes from, it is the lowest valleys that receive it most, and retain it. Faith it self will not prosper in the proud and self-conceited: To such the Gospel will be foolishness, or an offence. It is only the humble that savingly close with its mysteries. Humility cherisheth the fear of God, and makes us say, How shall we do this evil? or neglect this duty? But Self-conceitedness and Pride is blind and bold, and destroyeth in mens apprehensions, the difference between things sacred and common, the holy and the unclean: It disposeth them to such an unreverent boldness with holy things, as usually ends in a profane contempt: so that such can at last despise holy Ordinances which they should live upon. Repentance and this Pride are deadly foes. To be Penitent and Proud, is to be Hot and Cold, alive and dead. Though Christ love not to find you in the dust of earthly-mindedness, yet he loves to find you in the dust of humility. The Publican that hanged down the head, did •it the way better to the sight of God, than the self-conceited ⟨p. 102⟩Pharisee. The most self-denying humiliation is the nearest way to heaven, and the most self-exalting Pride is the surest and nearest way to hell. I had rather sit with Mary washing and wiping the feet of Christ, than ask as the Mother of James and John, to sit at Christ's right hand and left hand in his Kingdom. Mary was in a manner thanked for the Love of her humility: and they were in a manner denied the request that so little savoured of self-denial.

And if you should have any Knowledge of the most precious truths, as long as you are thus proud and self-conceited, it will not be savoury and effectual on your hearts. Humility feedeth, and Pride starveth every Grace. The Spirit of God will not dwell with the proud: He will beat you out of your selves, unless you drive him away from you. Some seeming raptures and comforts, the self-conceited have; which are but the deluding flatteries of self, and the encouragements that Satan giveth to his servants: (For Satan will needs be a comforter for a while, as the Holy Ghost is to the Saints: and his followers also have their joys.) But it is the humble soul that hath the solid comforts. From the dust of Humiliation, we have the clearest sight of Glory, and consequently, the sweetest tasts of it. As high as the rain comes from, it is the lowest valleys that receive it most, and retain it. Faith it self will not prosper in the proud and self-conceited: To such the Gospel will be foolishness, or an offence. It is only the humble that savingly close with its mysteries. Humility cherisheth the fear of God, and makes us say, How shall we do this evil? or neglect this duty? But Self-conceitedness and Pride is blind and bold, and destroyeth in mens apprehensions, the difference between things sacred and common, the holy and the unclean: It disposeth them to such an unreverent boldness with holy things, as usually ends in a prophane contempt: so that such can at last despise holy Ordinances which they should live upon. Repentance and this Pride are deadly foes. To be Penitent and Proud, is to be Hot and Cold, alive and dead. Though Christ love not to find you in the dust of earthly-mindedness, yet he loves to find you in the dust of humility. The Publican that hanged down the head, did it the way better to the sight of God, than the self-conceited