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 that good that is in the Proud and Self-conceited doth seldom do much good to others, (much less to themselves.) As such do but serve themselves, so ordinarily God doth not bless their endeavours: but as they are perverted, they are the likest to pervert others, and propagate their self-conceitedness: Two words from an humble self-denying man, doth oftentimes more good than a Sermon from the self-conceited.

I admonish you therefore in the name of God, that you take heed of this part of selfishness and mortify it. It will else keep out God, and almost all that is good. If you are proud and self-conceited, you will hear a Minister rather to cavil with him, than to be edified: and when any thing from God doth cross your foolish wisdom, you will but slight it, or make a jest at it: And if any truth of God do strike at the heart of your selfish interest, you will but fret at it, and secretly hate it, and perhaps, as the Devils open soldiers, publicly reproach it; and as the Jews did against Stephen, Act. 7. even gnash the teeth at the Preacher, or as they did ⟨p. 106⟩by Paul, Act. 22. 22. [They gave him audience to that word (even that word that made against themselves) and then lift up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth; for it is not fit that he should live] This entertainment we still meet with from our hearers, when self hath brought them the next step to hell.

I admonish you therefore in the name of God, that you take heed of this part of selfishness and mortifie it. It will else keep out God, and almost all that is good. If you are proud and self-conceited, you will hear a Minister rather to cavil with him, than to be edified: and when any thing from God doth cross your foolish wisdom, you will but slight it, or make a jest at it: And if any truth of God do strike at the heart of your selfish interest, you will but fret at it, and secretly hate it, and perhaps, as the Devils open souldiers, publickly reproach it; and as the Jews did against Stephen,