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

16. Another selfish Interest to be denied, is, The factious desire of the success of any odd opinions which we have espoused, and of the increase and prosperity of any dividing party in the Church which we have addicted our selves unto.

16. ANother selfish Interest to be denied, is, The factious desire of the success of any odd opinions which we have espoused, and of the increase and prosperity of any dividing party in the Church which we have addicted our selves unto.

It exceedingly delighteth a Carnal mind that his Judgement should be admired, and he should be taken as the light of the Country round about him, and therefore when he hath hatched any opinions of his own, or espoused any whereby his singularity may be manifested, or by which his selfish interest may be promoted, he is as careful to promote these opinions, and the party that holdeth with him, as a Covetous man is to promote his gain. There is indeed as much of self in many mens Heresies and Church-divisions, as any Sensualist hath in his way. And hence it is that a zeal for selfish opinions is easily got and easily maintained; when zeal for the saving truths of God is hardly kindled, and hardly kept alive. Yea multitudes in the world do make the very truth to be the matter of their carnal interest in it; while they some way get a seeming peculiar interest, and promote it but as an opinion of their own, or of their party, and use it for selfish carnal ends. And hence it is that many that are called Orthodox, can easily get and keep a burning zeal for their Orthodox opinions, when Practical Christians do find it a very hard matter to be zealous for the same truths in a Practical way. Many ungodly men will be hot in Disputing for the truth, and crying down all that are against it, and perhaps so far exceed their bounds, ⟨p. 215⟩that the godly dare not follow them! And the reason is clear. Whether it be Truth or Error that a man holds, if he hold it but as a conceit of his Own, or as the opinion of his party, or to be noted in the world, as one that hath found out more truth than others, or any way make it but the matter of his selfish interest, nature and corruption will furnish him with a zeal for it: It's easy to go where sin and Satan drives; and to be zealous where zeal hath so small resistance: and to swim down the stream of corrupted nature. But it is not so easy to be zealous in the practical saving entertainment of the truth, and exercising that faith and love to God and holy obedience which truth is sent to work in us. A schismatical or Opinionative use of truth it self, is but an using it for self against the God of truth: and it is no more wonder to see men zealous in this, than to see men forward and hot in any evil: We cannot tell how to quench or restrain this selfish carnal kind of zeal.