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. XXV. Pleasing Accommodations, Buildings, Gardens, Horses, &c.

8. Another sensual delight to be denied, is, Pleasing accommodations, in Buildings, Rooms, Walks, Gardens, Grounds, Cattle, and such like. It's lawful to be thus accommodated, and lawful to desire and use such accommodations, with such cautions as I gave before about recreations. 1. If you do not with Ahab desire to be accommodated by that which is another mans, coveting your neighbours possessions, or unlawfully procuring it. 2. If you be not at too much cost upon such things, expending that upon them that should be laid out on greater and better things. 3. But especially, if you desire such accommodations for right ends, sincerely referring all to Gods honour, and desiring them not principally to please your own fancy, and carnal mind, but for the enabling you the better and more cheerfully to serve God. Nothing but God may be loved for it self. When the Pleasing of the flesh and fancy is the utmost thing we look at in any of our desires, they are wicked and idolatrous. Our houses therefore must be fitted to Necessary uses, and not to inordinate delights. Our Gardens, Orchards, Walks, and such like must be first suited to Necessity, and then to so much Delight as is useful to us for the promoting ⟨p. 169⟩of our holiness; but not to any useless tempting Delight.

8. ANother sensual delight to be denied, is, Pleasing accommodations, in Buildings, Rooms, Walks, Gardens, Grounds, Cattle, and such like. It's lawful to be thus accommodated, and lawful to desire and use such accommodations, with such cautions as I gave before about recreations. 1. If you do not with Ahab desire to be accommodated by that which is another mans, coveting your neighbours possessions, or unlawfully procuring it. 2. If you be not at too much cost upon such things, expending that upon them that should be laid out on greater and better things. 3. But especially, if you desire such accommodations for right ends, sincerely referring all to Gods honour, and desiring them not principally to please your own fancy, and carnal mind, but for the enabling you the better and more chearfully to serve God. Nothing but God may be loved for it self. When the Pleasing of the flesh and fancy is the utmost thing we look at in any of our desires, they are wicked and idolatrous. Our houses therefore must be fitted to Necessary uses, and not to inordinate delights. Our Gardens, Orchards, Walks, and such like must be first suited to Necessity, and then to so much Delight as is useful to us for the promoting