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

And as the objects of faith are then most sweet and powerful with us, when faith is set most fully upon them; so the objects of sense are then most powerful to draw us from God, when the doors of sense are set wide open, and the appetite let loose upon them.

2. And you may further observe that almost all the grossest sins in the world, do begin with some little liberty of the senses, which at first we take for a lawful or indifferent thing. The filthiest whoredoms do usually begin in lustful looks, and thoughts and speeches, and so proceed to lascivious behaviour, and so to filthiness it self. And the glutton and the drunkard are first ensnared by the eye, and then by tasting, and so proceed by little and little to excess: see therefore that you keep as far from the baits of sensuality as you can: and lay a command upon your senses to forbear: if you look upon it, you are next to touching it; and if you touch it, you are next to tasting it, and if you taste it, you are like to let it down; and if you let it down, you are like to venture again and let down more: and all must up again or you are lost. And therefore keep out the first beginnings, and think with your selves, If sin be the poison of my soul, the digesting of it will be my ruin: and if I cannot digest it, why should I let it down? and if I may not let it down, what reason have I to be tasting it? and if I should not taste it, why should I touch it or be meddling with it? and if I may not meddle with it, why should I look upon it or hearken to them that would entice me to it? so that the Denying of your senses and your Appetite, is the sure and easy way to prevent those dreadful gripes that else may follow.

2. And you may further observe that almost all the grossest sins in the world, do begin with some little liberty of the senses, which at first we take for a lawful or indifferent thing. The filthiest whoredoms do usually begin in lustful looks, and thoughts and speeches, and so proceed to lascivious behaviour, and so to filthiness it self. And the glutton and the drunkard are first ensnared by the eye, and then by tasting, and so proceed by little and little to excess: see therefore that you keep as far from the baits of sensuality as you can: and lay a command upon your senses to forbear: if you look upon it, you are next to touching it; and if you touch it, you are next to tasting it, and if you taste it, you are like to let it down; and if you let it down, you are like to venture again and let down more: and all must up again or you are lost. And therefore keep out the first beginnings, and think with your selves, If sin be the poyson of my soul, the digesting of it will be my ruine: and if I cannot digest it, why should I let it down? and if I may not let it down, what reason have I to be tasting it? and if I should not taste it, why should I touch it or be medling with it? and if I may not meddle with it, why should I look upon it or hearken to them that would entice me to it? so that the Denying of your senses and your Appetite, is the sure and easie way to prevent those dreadful gripes that else may follow.