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 use no more of the creatures for your self, if you have ten thousand pound a year, than if you had but an hundred: but do not seek and long for temptations: With not for danger, unless you were better able to pass through it.

4. Remember when your fancies desire such things, not only that it is an enemy that desireth them, and to please your enemy is not safe for you: but also that it's the way that most have perished by, to have the world before them in too pleasing and lovely a condition. Remember Nebuchadnezzar's case, Dan. 4. 30. that for glorying in his pompous buildings, was turned as a mad man among the Beasts. Remember the rich mans sad example, Luke 12. 20. & 16. and think whether it be safe to imitate them? If men must perish for loving the creature more than God, methinks you should long most for that condition, in which the creature appeareth least lovely, or is least likely to steal your love from God, and in which you may love him and enjoy him most.

5. And bethink you how unsuitable it is to your condition, to desire sumptuous buildings, and enticing accommodations to your flesh. Have you not taken God for your portion, and Heaven for your home? and are you not strangers and pilgrims here? and is not God and everlasting glory sufficient for you? You profess ⟨p. 172⟩all this, if you profess to be Christians: and if you be not, you should not profess that you are. And what! do you begin to repent of your choice? must you yet turn to the pomp and vanity of the world again? and will you quit your hopes of God and glory? Ah poor souls! what little need have you of such great matters on earth? you have but a little to do with them! and but a little while to stay with them! and will not a mean habitation, and shorter accommodations serve you for so short a time? Stay but a while, and your souls shall have house-room enough in heaven or hell, and a narrow grave of seven foot long will serve your bodies till the resurrection. And cannot you make shift with an ordinary habitation and with small & common things till then? Naked you came into the world, and naked you must go out: make not then so great a stir in dressing, and undressing, and feathering a nest, that will be so soon pulled down.