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

2. Yea if you do think the will of God is according to your will, and you are moved the more to it on that account, yet if your own wills do lead and make the first choice, and Gods will be brought in but to follow and encourage yours, this is still Self-willedness and Self-idolizing. This is the common trick of the ungodly. They first give way to their own self-will, and then they will go to Scripture for somewhat to bear them out; and will needs believe that God's is agreeable to theirs, that so they may go on with peace of Conscience. They go for counsel to God as Balaam did, not sincerely to know the will of God with a resolution to obey it, but with a desire that God would conform his will to theirs. I tell you if the matter be never so much commanded in the Scriptures, and never so agreeable to the will of God, yet ⟨p. 110⟩if you desire and do it from your selves, and not for this reason, because it is the will of God, and do not let Gods will lead your own, but let your own will lead, and Gods will follow, this is no better than selfwilledness, were the matter never so good in it self.

2. Yea if you do think the will of God is according to your will, and you are moved the more to it on that account, yet if your own wills do lead and make the first choice, and Gods will be brought in but to follow and incourage yours, this is still Self-willedness and Self-idolizing. This is the common trick of the ungodly. They first give way to their own self-will, and then they will go to Scripture for somewhat to bear them out; and will needs believe that God's is agreeable to theirs, that so they may go on with peace of Conscience. They go for counsel to God as Balaam did, not sincerely to know the will of God with a resolution to obey it, but with a desire that God would conform his will to theirs. I tell you if the matter be never so much commanded in the Scriptures, and never so agreeable to the will of God, yet ⟨p. 110⟩if you desire and do it from your selves, and not for this reason, because it is the will of God, and do not let Gods will lead your own, but let your own will lead, and Gods will follow, this is no better than selfwilledness, were the matter never so good in it self.