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

1. The will of man is the terrestrial Throne of God. It is there that he must reign. The will is to Rule all the inferior faculties; and God is to rule the will. And shall self presume to dethrone the Lord, and sit down in his place? He that rules the will rules the man. And shall self be thy Ruler? And will God put up all this?

1. The will of man is the terrestial Throne of God. It is there that he must reign. The will is to Rule all the inferiour faculties; and God is to rule the will. And shall self presume to dethrone the Lord, and sit down in his place? He that rules the will rules the man. And shall self be thy Ruler? And will God put up all this?

2. It is God only that hath the Sovereign authority, and self hath none but under him. We are not our own; and therefore have nothing to do with our selves but at the Will of God that is our Owner. Take heed therefore of this Usurpation.

2. It is God only that hath the Soveraign authority, and self hath nonebut under him. We are not our own; and therefore have nothing to do with our selves but at the Will of God that is our Owner. Take heed therefore of this Usurpation.

3. Thy own will is a corrupt and sinful will, and therefore unfit to be thy governor: what wilt thou choose an unjust, a wicked and unmerciful governor, that is inclined to do evil? Why such is thine own Will; But the Will of God is perfectly good, that hath not the least inclination to evil, nor possibility of such a thing. Be ruled by it, and you are most certain to have the most just, and holy, and faithful, and merciful ruler in the world. To prefer self-will before the Will of God, is as the Jews, to prefer a murderer Barabbas, before the Lord of life.