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

In respect to humane Societies, for whose Good Authority and Government is appointed, the fifth Commandment obligeth us to deny our Private interest, and in all competitions to prefer the public good: and maketh a promise of temporal peace and welfare in a special manner to those that in obedience to this Law, do prefer the Honour of Government, and the Public Peace and welfare, before their Own. Thus Charity as opposed to selfishness, and including self-denial, is the very sum and fulfilling of the Law: And selfishness is the radical comprehensive sin (containing uncharitableness) which breaks it all.

In respect to humane Societies, for whose Good Authority and Government is appointed, the fifth Commandment obligeth us to deny our Private interest, and in all competitions to prefer the publick good: and maketh a promise of temporal peace and welfare in a special manner to those that in obedience to this Law, do prefer the Honour of Government, and the Publick Peace and welfare, before their Own. Thus Charity as opposed to selfishness, and including selfdenial, is the very sum and fulfilling of the Law: And selfishness is the radical comprehensive sin (containing uncharitableness) which breaks it all.

And as the Law, so also the Redeemer, in his Example and his Doctrine, doth teach us, and that more plainly and urgently, this lesson of self-denial. The life of Christ is the pattern which the Church must labour to imitate: And Love and self-denial were the summary of his life: Though yet he had no sinful self to deny, but only natural self. He denied himself in avoiding sin; but we must deny our selves in returning from it. He loved not his Life, in comparison of his love to his Father, and to his Church. He appeared without desirable form or comeliness: He was despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: he bore our griefs, and carried our sorrows, and was esteemed stricken, smitten of God and afflicted: he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was laid upon him: the Lord laid upon him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a Lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is ⟨image 25⟩