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

It is not possible that love to Christ should dwell or work in any but the humble, that feel at the heart that they are unworthy of love, and worthy of everlasting wrath. The Proud and Self conceited cannot love him; for they cannot be much taken with Christ's love to them, except as the Pharisee in a way of self-flattery. But the poor soul that was lost, will heartily love him that sought and found him; and he that was dead, will love when he finds himself alive; and he that was condemned both by God and conscience, will ⟨p. 105⟩surely love the Lord that ransomed him! And it is the apprehensions that men have of themselves that much causeth all this difference. The self-abhorring self-judging, self-denying sinner is melted with the love of God in Christ, because it is to such a worthless, sinful wretch. What Lord, saith he, is the blood of Christ, the pardon of sin, the spirit of grace, the privileges of a child, and everlasting glory for such an unworthy wretch as I, that have so long offended thee, and so much neglected thee and lived such a life as I have done, and am such an empty unprofitable worm? [O what a wonder of mercy is this!] But the full soul loathes the honey-comb. The self-conceited unhumbled sinner looks as mindlessly at Christ, as a healthful man at the Physician, or an innocent man at a pardon.

It is not possible that love to Christ should dwell or work in any but the humble, that feel at the heart that they are unworthy of love, and worthy of everlasting wrath. The Proud and Self conceited cannot love him; for they cannot be much taken with Christ's love to them, except as the Pharisee in a way of self-flattery. But the poor soul that was lost, will heartily love him that sought and found him; and he that was dead, will love when he finds himself alive; and he that was condemned both by God and conscience, will ⟨p. 105⟩surely love the Lord that ransomed him! And it is the apprehensions that men have of themselves that much causeth all this difference. The self-abhorring self-judgeing, self-denying sinner is melted with the love of God in Christ, because it is to such a worthless, sinful wretch. What Lord, saith he, is the blood of Christ, the pardon of sin, the spirit of grace, the priviledges of a child, and everlasting glory for such an unworthy wretch as I, that have so long offended thee, and so much neglected thee and lived such a life as I have done, and am such an empty unprofitable worm? [O what a wonder of mercy is this!] But the full soul loaths the honey-comb. The self-conceited unhumbled sinner looks as mindlesly at Christ, as a healthful man at the Physitian, or an innocent man at a pardon.