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

Some by these Fears are but troubled and restrained a little while, and quickly overcoming them, settle again in their selfish sensual senseless state: some have the beginnings of holy Love conjunct with Fear (of whom more anon.) And some do from this principle of Self-love alone, betake themselves to a kind of Religious course, and forsake the practise of those grosser sins that bred their Fears, and fall upon the practise of Religious duties, and also with some kind of faith do trust on the satisfaction and merits of Christ, that by this means they may get some hopes that they shall escape the everlasting misery which they fear. All this Religion, that is animated by Fear alone, without the Love of God and Holiness, is but preparatory to a state of grace; and if men rest here, it is but a state of Hypocrisy or self-deceiving religiousness: For it is still the old Principle of selfishness that reigns. Till Love hath brought man up to God, he hath no higher end than Himself.

Some by these Fears are but troubled and restrained a little while, and quickly overcoming them, settle again in their selfish sensual senseless state: some have the beginnings of holy Love conjunct with Fear (of whom more anon.) And some do from this principle of Self-love alone, betake themselves to a kind of Religious course, and forsake the practise of those grosser sins that bred their Fears, and fall upon the practise of Religious duties, and also with some kind of faith do trust on the satisfaction and merits of Christ, that by this means they may get some hopes that they shall escape the everlasting misery which they fear. All this Religion, that is animated by Fear alone, without the Love of God and Holiness, is but preparatory to a state of grace; and if men rest here, it is but a state of Hypocrisie or self-deceiving religiousness: For it is still the old Principle of selfishness that reigns. Till Love hath brought man up to God, he hath no higher end than Himself.

The true mark by which these slavish professors and hypocrites may discern themselves, is this: They do the Good which they would not do, and the evil which they do not, they would do. They had rather live a sinful life, if they durst; and they had rather be excused from Religious duties (except that little outward part, which custom and their credit engage them to perform:) They are but like the caged birds, that though they may sing in a Sun-shine day, had rather be at liberty in the wods. They love not a life of perfect holiness, though they are forced to submit to some kind o Religiousness, for fear of being damned. If they had their freest choice, they had rather live in the Love of the creature, than in the love of God; and in the pleasures of the flesh, than in the holy course that pleaseth God.