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

The precious time that this sort of men lay out in their needless sports and recreations, is more worth than all their estates; and if their sin had no other aggravation but this, I confess I should take it for a far greater sin than any that thieves are usually hanged for at the Gallows! what! for men that have received more from God than others, and are obliged more to him, and are capable of doing him more eminent service, for such as these to live like Epicures! and when ⟨p. 163⟩they are hastening to an endless life, to waste the most yea almost all this precious time in Flesh-pleasing sensuality! I think it is one of the greatest sins in the world! And no wonder that Christ made such choice of such an one as these, to acquaint them who they are that shall be damned, Luke 16. And if Conversion make not a wonderful change on them, they must look undoubtedly to speed as he; and to have the same account of the cause of their misery [Son, remember that thou in thy life-time receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented] Luke 16. 25.

The precious time that this sort of men lay out in their needless sports and recreations, is more worth than all their estates; and if their sin had no other aggravation but this, I confess I should take it for a far greater sin than any that thieves are usually hang'd for at the Gallows! what! for men that have received more from God than others, and are obliged more to him, and are capable of doing him more eminent service, for such as these to live like Epicures! and when ⟨p. 163⟩they are hastening to an endless life, to waste the most yea almost all this precious time in Flesh-pleasing sensuality! I think it is one of the greatest sins in the world! And no wonder that Christ made such choice of such an one as these, to acquaint them who they are that shall be damned, Luke 16. And if Conversion make not a wonderful change on them, they must look undoubtedly to speed as he; and to have the same account of the cause of their misery [Son, remember that thou in thy life-time receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented]