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

Answ. Not that which is from God and for God; but all the rest. 1. That will that is not fetched from God, and moved by his will, as the lesser wheels in a clock are moved by the first wheel and by the p••••, is no better than self-will. A will that is not dependent on Gods will, is an Idol, usurping the prerogative of God; for it is proper to him to be dependent upon none, and to have a will that is not ruled by a Superior will. Little do the most know how great a sin this is, to be self-willed. You have a will to something or other continually; and it is your will that ruleth the rest of your faculties and actions: but what is it that ruleth your will? whence do you fetch the rise and reason of your desires? Is it from Gods will, or is it not? You pray to God [Thy will be done] and do your own wills answer these prayers? or are they hypocritical dissembling words? If indeed it be Gods will that you would have fulfilled, then will the knowledge of that will of God determine your own wills. As a servant dependeth on his Masters will, for all the work that he is to do, and doth not what he will himself, ⟨p. 109⟩but what his Master will have him do; and as a Scholar dependeth on his Masters will, and learneth only such books and lessons as he sets him; so must we depend on the will of God; and know what is his will, before we give way to any will of our own. The reason why you choose any trade or calling or course of life, should be the will of God. If you are in Poverty, and desire to be richer, and that to please your own wills, and not that you think that it would be any more pleasing to God, this is self-willedness. If you desire any change in your condition, if you undertake any thing in the world, know why you do this: whether it be principally because you think it is the will of God, or because it is your own will; I tell you again, you should not have one wish or desire in your souls, till you can prove or find that God would have it so: and if your own wills be made the absolve rulers of your ways, you make Gods of your selves, and God will deal with you accordingly.

Answ. Not that which is from God and for God; but all the rest. 1. That will that is not fetched from God, and moved by his will, as the lesser wheels in a clock are moved by the first wheel and by the p••••, is no better than self-will. A will that is not dependent on Gods will, is an Idol, usurping the prerogative of God; for it is proper to him to be dependent upon none, and to have a will that is not ruled by a Superior will. Little do the most know how great a sin this is, to be self-willed. You have a will to something or other continually; and it is your will that ruleth the rest of your faculties and actions: but what is it that ruleth your will? whence do you fetch the rise and reason of your desires? Is it from Gods will, or is it not? You pray to God [Thy will be done] and do your own wills answer these prayers? or are they hypocritical dissembling words? If indeed it be Gods will that you would have fulfilled, then will the knowledge of that will of God determine your own wills. As a servant dependeth on his Masters will, for all the work that he is to do, and doth not what he will himself,