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

1. One work of Pride is to climb higher into places of superiority and honour and command. Poor men that are out of hope, and in no capacity for rising, feel not much of this, though the Disposition to it be in them as well as others, because it is not drawn forth by temptations. But where opportunity serveth, there is nothing wherein selfishness and Pride doth more constantly and obstinately show it self than in this. It is the Nature of selfishness to aspire after the highest exaltation in the world that can be attained. We may easily observe in Kingdoms and Corporations, and all Societies of men, what Christ observed at their feasts, that [they choose out the chief rooms, and sit with the highest] Luke 14. 7, 8. What eager desires have they to be above other men? If any office or seat of Honour be void, there is few that apprehend any possibility of attaining it, that want a will to it; Yea few that will not seek and strive for it, and envy those that carry it before them; and hate, or bear a grudge to those that ⟨p. 286⟩were against their rising: yea few but venture on the most unlawful means to accomplish their desires, & yet will scarce believe that they are unlawful, because they think them necessary to their ends. There is few, if they had the choice of a man to any vacant place of honour, that would choose any other but themselves; unless their unfitness were likely more to dishonour them, or some way to make their honours too burdensome to them. No man in their eyes is so fit as themselves, or so worthy as themselves: Or if it be their Children or Kinsmen that stand for it, or any that self hath special interest in, they seem the worthiest for the place, because they are related to them. Especially if it be any eminent Dignity or command, that seems to them a prey that's worth the hunting after. O the blinding, bewitching, befooling power of Pride and Selfishness! How commonly doth it rule! How few are those holy, happy men, that have escaped and overcome it! How few Societies be there in the world, whether Corporations, Colleges, or the like, but Pride and Selfishness makes their Governors? How few Nations on the Earth, where Pride and Selfishness maketh not their Kings or Sovereigns? And is it any wonder if they be all ill-governed then, where the Devil doth so much to choose the Governors?

1. One work of Pride is to climb higher into places of superiority and honour and command. Poor men that are out of hope, and in no capacity for rising, feel not much of this, though the Disposition to it be in them as well as others, because it is not drawn forth by temptations. But where opportunity serveth, there is nothing wherein selfishness and Pride doth more constantly and obstinately shew it self than in this. It is the Nature of selfishness to aspire after the highest exaltation in the world that can be attained. We may easily observe in Kingdoms and Corporations, and all Societies of men, what Christ observed at their feasts, that [they choose out the chief rooms, and sit with the highest]