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

But the greatest trial of all is, when the Servants of God that should help us in our suffering, have got a hard report of us, and by misinformation we have lost our credit even with them. Under all these false and injurious reports, direct and stablish your own minds by the help of these Considerations following.

1. It may be there is some special cause that you should try and judge your selves: and so God doth suffer other men to judge you, to awaken you to self-judging. However make this use of it, and you are sure to be no losers by the reproach. Enter into your hearts, and search them throughly as before the Lord, and see if there be any way of wickedness in them which hitherto you have not discovered: Try whether there be Hypocrisy and Pride or not; Especially when it is the servants of God that think hardly of you, and above all, if it be wise, impartial men that are acquainted with you, it's then your duty to be very jealous of your hearts and ways, and to fear lest you are guilty, and to search the more diligently, and not be quiet till you either find out your sin, or be sure that you are clear. And if you be clear in that point, yet suspect and search lest there be some other secret or allowed sin, which God would detect to you, or excite you against by the injurious censures of those that have reproached you.

1. It may be there is some special cause that you should try and judge your selves: and so God doth suffer other men to judge you, to awaken you to selfjudging. However make this use of it, and you are sure to be no losers by the reproach. Enter into your hearts, and search them throughly as before the Lord, and see if there be any way of wickedness in them which hitherto you have not discovered: Try whether there be Hypocrisie and Pride or not; Especially when it is the servants of God that think hardly of you, and above all, if it be wise, impartial men that are acquainted with you, it's then your duty to be very jealous of your hearts and ways, and to fear lest you are guilty, and to search the more diligently, and not be quiet till you either find out your sin, or be sure that you are clear. And if you be clear in that point, yet suspect and search lest there be some other secret or allowed sin, which God would detect to you, or excite you against by the injurious censures of those that have reproached you.