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

CHAP. XX. Wanton discourse, songs, to be denied.

3. Another part of self-interest or sensuality to be denied, is, the use of wanton filthy discourse, and of wanton books, and songs and ballads, commonly called Love songs. As these are the fruits of vain minds that do invent them, so do they breed and feed the like vanity in others. Indeed they are the Devils Psalms and Liturgy, in which he is served with mirth and jollity, by persons of corrupt and sensual minds. They that will not be at the pains to learn a Catechism ⟨p. 143⟩will learn a wanton song or ballad, which one would think should be as hardly learned. When we desire them to learn any thing that is necessary to their salvation, they tell us that they are no Scholars, and they have weak memories, and they cannot learn. But they can learn an idle tale, or a filthy song, though they are no Scholars, and though their memory be weak. Their weak memories are strong enough to keep any thing that's naught; like a riddle that will not hold the corn, but it will hold the straws and rubbish; or like a sive that will not hold the milk, but it will hold the hairs and filth. And so much greater is this sin than many others, because it is studied for, and laboured for, and therefore is committed purposely, resolvedly, and with delight, and not as some other sins which men are tempted to by sudden passions or surprisals! What abundance of children are set to School to the Devil, and must bestow many days and hours in learning their lessons! and when they have learned them, he must hear them say them over, usually more than once a day. As they are at work in their shops or fields, they are at it, either by wanton songs, or ribald filthy talk: yea they be not ashamed to sing them as they go about the streets: Mark this, you that are the servants of Christ! will you evermore be ashamed of your Master or of his holy service! will you be ashamed to confess him in the open streets, or to be heard at Prayer, or reading, or singing the Praise of God in your houses; when the Devils servants are trained up in their very childhood to sing his Psalms in the open streets, and publicly to serve him without fear or shame! May not a man conjecture by their Education, what trade they are intended for? They that serve an apprenticeship to a trade, are sure intended to live upon it.