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 withal, that they may be free from necessary payments for the safety of the Commonwealth, and from the necessary retribution to God, for the Church and poor, yea from giving but the Ministers their own; all this they take for part of their liberty. But they are all such liberties as Christ never purchased, and the Gospel never bestowed, and never made the Owners happy: It is a liberty to starve their own souls, and go quietly to everlasting torment, and not be molested by Preachers and Puritans, but to sin against God, and damn themselves, and be let alone, and have no body tell them of it, or ask them, Why will you do so? In a word, it is that liberty that Christ died to save his people from, and which the Gospel would take down, and the spirit, ministry, and Ordinances would overthrow, and which no wise or good man hath reason to desire: & it is that liberty which God will save all those from, whom he will save from the flames of hell.

And withall, that they may be free from necessary payments for the safety of the Commonwealth, and from the necessary retribution to God, for the Church and poor, yea from giving but the Ministers their own; all this they take for part of their liberty. But they are all such liberties as Christ never purchased, and the Gospel never bestowed, and never made the Owners happy: It is a liberty to starve their own souls, and go quietly to everlasting torment, and not be molested by Preachers and Puritans, but to sin against God, and damn themselves, and be let alone, and have no body tell them of it, or ask them, Why will you do so? In a word, it is that liberty that Christ died to save his people from, and which the Gospel would take down, and the spirit, ministry, and Ordinances would overthrow, and which no wise or good man hath reason to desire: & it is that liberty which God will save all those from, whom he will save from the flames of hell.

III. The third sort of Liberty is that which is in it self Indifferent, or to be reckoned among the common transitory benefits of this life, which with Gods blessing is a mercy; and well used may do good, but otherwise is hurtful or little worth. This Liberty is not the Natural Liberty of the will, which in regard of its own elicit Acts is nothing but the power of self-determination; and in regard of internal imperate acts, is nothing but a power or freedom to do what we will. For these are so our own, if not our selves, that no man can take them from us; at least the first. Nor is it