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

Though my weakness be yet such as I must lament, I must say, to the praise of the great Shepherd of the flock, that he hath since then afforded me precious opportunities, much assistance, and as much encouragement as to any man that I know alive. You know my Education and initial weakness was such as forbiddeth me to glory in the flesh: But I will not rob God of his Glory, to avoid the appearance of ostentation, ⟨image 21⟩lest I be proud of seeming not to be proud. I doubt not but many thousand souls will thank you, when they have here read that you were the man that led me into the Ministry. And shall I entertain a suspicion, that you will ever hearken to those men, that would rob you of the reward of many such works, and engage you against the King of Saints? Is it gain, or ease, or worldly advantages that continueth me in this work? Let me speak as a fool, seeing it is for the Lord in imitation of Paul that was no fool. Was I not capable of Secular and Military advancement as well as others that are grown great? Did I ever solicit you so much as for my Arrears (which is many hundred pounds?) You could scarce do the thing that would gratify my flesh more, than to silence and depose me from the Ministry. Might I consult with the flesh, I should be more against my own employment than many of my enemies are. Did I but turn Physician, I ••uld get more worldly wealth: And my Patients would not be so froward, and quarrelsome, and unthankful, as most Ministers find their carnal Auditors to be. When men come to me for Physic for their Bodies, how submissive are they? and how do they entreat? and what thanks after will they return? But when we would help their souls, what cavils, and quarrels, and unthankful obstinacy do we meet with? We must be much beholden ⟨image 21⟩to them to accept our help, and all will not serve surn. My Patients that have bodily Diseases will pay me, if I would take it: But if by giving them twice as much as I receive, I could satisfy and further the cure of diseased souls, how joyful should I be? And must we deny our selves and all things in the world, for our peoples sakes, and after all be reproached as if we were a mercenary generation, and sought our selves! O how will God confound this ingratitude, when he comes to judge!

Though my weakness be yet such as I must lament, I must say, to the praise of the great Shepherd of the slock, that he hath since then afforded me precious opportunities, much assistance, and as much encouragement as to any man that I know alive. You know my Education and initial weakness was such as forbiddeth me to glory in the flesh: But I will not rob God of his Glory, to avoid the appearance of ostentation,