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. XLIX. Reputation of Godliness and Honesty how far—

9. Another piece of Honour that self must be denied in, is, The Reputation of Godliness and Honesty. Concerning both the former and this I must say, by way of caution, that the Reputation both of Faith and Godliness is a great Mercy, and not to be despised, nor prodigally cast away by our own negligence or miscarriages; nor unthankfully to be received: But yet 1. It is not to be desired for it self, but for God, that it may help and advantage us to serve him, or as it is a Mercy that brings the report of his love. 2. And the greater the Mercy is, the greater is our temptation, when it would deprive us of a far greater mercy than it self: I have oft thought it was a very high passage for an Heathen to say as Seneca did, that [No man doth show a higher esteem of goodness, than he that can let go the Name or Reputation of being a good man, rather than let go his goodness it self.] The world is so much unacquainted with goodness, that they know it not when they see it; but call it by those odious names that least agree with it. Their Judgements follow their Natures, dispositions and interests: And therefore they cannot take that to be good which is contrary to these. A feather-bed is no better to a swine than a mire-lake: A banquet is not so good to a Cow as a green pasture. As the person is himself, so do all things seem good or evil to him. The Toad or Snake hath no such odious apprehensions of it self as men have. And hence it is that to ungodly men the best men and best actions seem to be the worst. And hence also it is, that in all Ages Godliness ha•h been ⟨p. 310⟩matter of reproach: and the best have been laden with the he aviest calumnies. David had enemies that laid to his charge the things that he never thought of. And it seems by the strain of Shimei in his railing, that they took him to be but a Traitor, because King Saul was against him; and to be a bloody man, because he had been engaged in the wars, 2 Sam. 16. 7, 8. [Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial: the Lord hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul in whose stead thou hast reigned] See what a wicked person David was esteemed by such fellows as this! And yet he so far denied himself here, as that he would not hear of revenge upon the railer, but makes it as a trial sent from God. And two special reasons moved him to bear it.