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

5. So also when mens wills are to that which is against the honour and interest of God; which would hinder this Gospel, and the saving mens souls, and is displeasing to him, this is self-willedness in a high degree.

And thus you see what it is to be self-willed. And now do but consider whether this part of self be commonly denied in the world. Among the millions of desires that are in mens hearts, how few of them are kindled by the commands of God, or moved by his Interest and Glory? How commonly are the word and ways of God distasteful to the world? How ill do men like the disposals of his providence? And what a striving is there in their wills against him? And were it not that God is above them and unconquerable, and they know that striving will not help them, you should have most of the world in open war against the God of Heaven: I speak no more than I am able to prove. The Dominion of self is so great in the wills of all that are unsanctified, that their wills are utterly against ⟨p. 112⟩the Will of God; and it's merely, because there's no remedy, that they submit to him so far as they do. Those very persons that think they love and serve him as well as the precisest, would be in arms against him before to morrow, and pull God out of Heaven if it were in their power: Or if they had but as much hope to prevail against God, as they have against his servants, what work would be in the world? I know these men will not believe this by themselves: No, self is too strong in them to let them so far know themselves; But the Case is plain. For as God himself tell us, that ever since the fall an Enmity is put between Christ and this serpentine seed; so we see it manifested by daily sad experience. How generally is the Will of God disliked by the world? What hath God spoke against in his Word but sin? and what else hath he commanded his Messengers to Cry out against? And yet what is there that more pleaseth the minds of the most? And how stubbornly do they resist not only God, but Magistrates and Ministers that would draw them from it? what is it that God commendeth to the world so so much as an Holy and Heavenly life? And what is the Heart of most men more against? and how much do they strive against all our persuasions that would bring them to it? and how obstinately do they resist us, if not deride and scorn that Holiness which the will of God hath so abundantly commended to them? His whole Word speaks for it: his Prophets, Apostles, and all his servants are examples of it;