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

10. Yea, which is yet the worst of all, they would continue sacrilegiously to rob the Lord of his honour even when they are dead. It is an undue honour, which is stolen from God, which they so much seek for (For were it but such as is a useful means to his honour, he would not be offended with them) And when the Saints say [Not unto us Lord, but unto thy name give the glory] these sinners are not content to rob God of his honour as long as they live, but they would do it even after death. If we had not certainly known the truth of it, we should have thought it an incredible thing, that ever any man should come to that impiety, pride and madness, as to desire to be worshipped as a God when he was dead. Much more, that the most of the world should be so far distracted as to do it. And yet so it hath been, and so it is in too great a measure. And truly the wicked or Proud disposition that is predominant in the hearts of all the unsanctified, doth take up no snorter where it hath but hopes of success to actuate it. Not a man of them but would be honoured as Gods when they are dead: Though I know those of them that feel not this much in themselves, will hardly believe it. Consider what an heinous injury this is to God, and to the souls of men, that you should leave your Names as Idols to the world, to entice so many thousand men to sin, and to be a standing enemy to the honour of God, by encroaching on his right, and turning the eye of mens observation and admiration from him to you.

10. Yea, which is yet the worst of all, they would continue sacrilegiously to rob the Lord of his honour even when they are dead. It is an undue honour, which is stoln from God, which they so much seek for (For were it but such as is a useful means to his honour, he would not be offended with them) And when the Saints say [Not unto us Lord, but unto thy name give the glory] these sinners are not content to rob God of his honour as long as they live, but they would do it even after death. If we had not certainly known the truth of it, we should have thought it an incredible thing, that ever any man should come to that impiety, pride and madness, as to desire to be worshipped as a God when he was dead. Much more, that the most of the world should be so far distracted as to do it. And yet so it hath been, and so it is in too great a measure. And truly the wicked or Proud disposition that is predominant in the hearts of all the unsanctified, doth take up no snorter where it hath but hopes of success to actuate it. Not a man of them but would be honoured as Gods when they are dead: Though I know those of them that feel not this much in themselves, will hardly believe it. Consider what an hainous injury this is to God, and to the souls of men, that you should leave your Names as Idols to the world, to entice so many thousand men to sin, and to be a standing enemy to the honour of God, by encroaching on his right, and turning the eye of mens observation and admiration from him to you.