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

Quest. But is it not lawful at a feast to taste of another dish, or eat another bit, when I think that nature needs no more? what perplexities then will you cast men into, to know just how many morsels they may eat?

Answ. It is gluttony and no better to take the creatures of God in vain, and sacrifice them to a devouring throat, which should be used only for his service. That which is a mans ultimate end is his God. What would you have plainer than express words of Scripture, that tell you that whether you eat or drink it must be all to the glory of God, 1 Cor. 10. 31. and that the fleshly do make their bellies their Gods? Phil. 3. 18. And therefore when you have taken as much as suiteth with your end, the service and glory of God, you must ⟨p. 136⟩not take more for another end, the pleasing of your fleshly desires. But for the scruples that you mention, about the just proportion, we need not be disquieted with them: For God hath given us sufficient means to direct us, to know what is for our good, and what is superfluous; and it is our duty in an even and constant way to use our Reason and keep as near the due proportion as we can; and when we know that this is our desire and endeavour, it were a sin against God to trouble our selves with continual or causeless scruples or fears, lest we do exceed or miss the rule. For what can we do more, than go according to the best skill we have, and if for want of skill we should a little mistake, it is pardoned with the rest of our daily infirmities; and to trouble and distract our selves with causeless fears would more unfit us for Gods service, than some degree of mistake in the proportion would do, and so would be as great a sin as that which we feared. And therefore our way is quietly and comfortably, without distracting fears or scruples, to do our best, and use our prudence with self-denial, and remember that we have to do with a Father that knows the flesh is weak when the spirit is willing. But yet wilfully to cast away one cup or one morsel, on the pleasing of our appetites, when it no way fits us for the service of God, and will do us no other good, this is not self-denial but sensuality.