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

7. The last part of self to be denied is your inordinate Appetites, excited by the senses, commonly called the sensitive Appetite. These are not to be themselves destroyed; for the Appetite is natural and necessary to our welfare: but the inordinate desire is to be denied, and the Appetite restrained, and no further satisfied than is allowed by the word of God; and by this means the inordinancy of it may come to be mortified. Though selfishness hath defiled the whole man, yet sensual pleasure is the chief part of its interest, and therefore by the senses it commonly works, and these are the doors and windows by which iniquity entereth into the soul. And therefore a principal part of self-denial consisteth in denying the sensitive Appetite.

7. THe last part of self to be denied is your inordinate Appetites, excited by the senses, commonly called the sensitive Appetite. These are not to be themselves destroyed; for the Appetite is natural and necessary to our welfare: but the inordinate desire is to be denied, and the Appetite restrained, and no further satisfied than is allowed by the word of God; and by this means the inordinancy of it may come to be mortified. Though selfishness hath defiled the whole man, yet sensual pleasure is the chief part of its interest, and therefore by the senses it commonly works, and these are the doors and windows by which iniquity entreth into the soul. And therefore a principal part of self-denial consisteth in denying the sensitive Appetite.

Quest. But how far is this Appetite to be denied?

Answ. 1. When ever it craveth any thing that is forbidden: This is past doubt. It must not be pleased to the disobeying of God. 2. When it ticeth us towards that which is forbidden, and would be feeding on the baits and occasions of sin; unless the thing desired be necessary, it is here to be denied. For sin and Hell are dangers that no wise man will draw too near to. 3. When ever the pleasing of the sense conduceth not to Gods service, and doth not fit or furnish us for our duty, it is unlawful.