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

Direct. 2. By all means endeavour to get and maintain the Assurance of your Title to this Promise and Felicity. Get sound evidence, and keep it clear: Expunge all blots without delay. Take heed of such sin as woundeth Conscience, and wasteth comfort, and grieveth the spirit of Adoption by which you are sealed to the day of Redemption, and by which you have your ⟨p. 277⟩peace and comforts. If by such sin your souls are clouded and estranged from God, be diligent in seeking for healing and reconciliation; and rest not till your peace be made with God. For while you think of him as displeased, you will be afraid of coming to him, and this will double the fears of Death.

Direct. 3. Deny your selves first in the carnal and worldly comforts of this life, or else you are unlikely to deny your selves in the matter of Life it self. Disuse your selves from unnecessary pleasures of the flesh: And learn to endure dishonour, contempt and reproach from the world, and sickness and poverty when it's inflicted on you by the hand of God. Till you can deny your ease, and profit, and appetite, and honour, and all the delight of this present world, you are never likely to deny your lives sincerely. To deny your lives doth contain the denying of all these and more; and therefore you must learn the lesser, if you would do the greater. These are the parts of life as it were; and it's easier thus to overcome it in its parts than in the whole; when particular Soldiers are destroyed, the Army is the weaker.

Direct. 3. Deny your selves first in the carnal and worldly comforts of this life, or else you are unlikely to deny your selves in the matter of Life it self. Disuse your selves from unnecessary pleasures of the flesh: And learn to endure dishonour, contempt and reproach from the world, and sickness and poverty when it's inflicted on you by the hand of God. Till you can deny your ease, and profit, and appetite, and honour, and all the delight of this present world, you are never likely to deny your lives sincerely. To deny your lives doth contain the denying of all these and more; and therefore you must learn the lesser, if you would do the greater. These are the parts of life as it were; and it's easier thus to overcome it in its parts than in the whole; when particular Souldiers are destroyed, the Army is the weaker.