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

5. And the sin is much the greater, because it is not a mis-chosen means, but a mistaken end, that your souls have fastened on: For it seems your very hearts are set upon your Honours, and deeply and desperately set upon them, when you dare contrive the continuation of them when you are dead. Were it not a matter exceeding dear to you, undoubtedly you durst not lay such a design for it.

6. And consider whether there be not a Love of the deadly sin of Pride, and a final impenitency implied in this ambition of a surviving name. For you ••a design that is supposed to be executed after death. And as if you desired an eternity of wickedness, because your Pride it self can live no where but with your self, you would have it leave those tokens behind it, by which the world may know that you are Proud; and the effects of it you would have perpetuated on earth? And had not the world enough of your Pride while you were alive? and had not you enough of it? Is this your Repentance, that you would leave the Monuments of your Pride unto Posterity, as if you were afraid there would be no surviving witness against you to condemn you? This is a certain transcendency of sin! The common wicked ones would fain die the death of the Righteous, and wish their last end were like to his: But these men would have their Pride to live for ever; and when they themselves are in another world, they would have the demonstrations of their iniquity survive them.

6. And consider whether there be not a Love of the deadly sin of Pride, and a final impenitency implyed in this ambition of a surviving name. For you ••a design that is supposed to be executed after death. And as if you desired an eternity of wickedness, because your Pride it self can live no where but with your self, you would have it leave those tokens behind it, by which the world may know that you are Proud; and the effects of it you would have perpetuated on earth? And had not the world enough of your Pride while you were alive? and had not you enough of it? Is this your Repentance, that you would leave the Monuments of your Pride unto Posterity, as if you were afraid there would be no surviving witness against you to condemn you? This is a certain transcendency of sin! The common wicked ones would fain die the death of the Righteous, and wish their last end were like to his: But these men would have their Pride to live for ever; and when they themselves are in another world, they would have the demonstrations of their iniquity survive them.