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

CHAP. XLV. Strength and Valour to be denied.

5. Another piece of Vain-glory to be Denied, is in the Reputation of strength and valour. The witless part of men, especially in their procacious humours, do use to be carried away with this, as witless women with the former. Hence commonly are their matches of Running and Wrestling, and many exercises of activity and strength: yea and hence commonly are their duels and murders: It seems such a dishonourable thing to them, to be thought a Coward, or unable to defend themselves, and to be crowed over by their enemy, that they will venture body and soul upon it, rather than they will put up such indignities, or lie under the dishonour of being Cowards. Yea, and (would one think it) some Jesuits are such Carnal Doctors that they teach men, that if they be challenged, and their honour lie upon it, they may meet the challenger there in a defensive posture, and fight with him to defend their honour: yea and in many other cases, they may kill another for their Honour, seeing their honour is more to them than their lives. O miserable Teachers, and miserable souls that do obey them! Christ hath taught you another lesson, even to despise the shame, Heb. 12. 2, 3. •nd to humble your selves, & intimateth that such cannot be believers, which receive honour of one another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only, Joh. 5. 44. It's more Honour to obey God in suffering, than be so valiant as to murder another man. The day is near when he will appear the Honourable man, that was likest to Jesus Christ, that when he was reviled, reviled not again, when he suffered he threatened ⟨p. 297⟩not, but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously,