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. LIII. Q. Or in solitude and renouncing secular affairs?

Quest. 3. Whether Self-denial consist in solitude, and avoiding secular affairs, as trades, merchandise, labour, &c?

Quest. 3. WHether Self-denial consist in solitude, and avaiding secular affairs, as trades, merchandise, labour, &c?

Answ. 1. It is the standing Rule of the Apostle, of all that are able [That if any man will not work neither should he eat] 2 Thes. 3. 10. and he calls those disorderly walkers that work not at all, 2 Thes. 3. 11. and requireth us to have no company with such, commanding men, with quietness to work and eat their own bread▪ ver. 12. 14. But yet there are several sorts of Labour: some labour with the body, which is usually more private, as to the extent (if not the intent) of the benefit: and some labour with the mind, which is usually more for public good: as Princes, Judges, Magistrates of all sorts, Lawyers, Physicians, Ministers, &c. Now men are to consider whether by the Labour of the mind or of the body they are ⟨p. 336⟩like to be more serviceable to God, and which they are fittest for and called to; and that they ought to set themselves to, and that in true self-denial, and for God. To be Idle, is so far from being a part of self-denial, that it is a sinful part of flesh-pleasing. And so is it to choose any calling or employment principally for fleshly case and accommodation. The Apostles were some Fishermen, and some of other callings, and none of them renounced worldly labour, or affairs, save only so far as they hindered them from the work of God, to which they (and all Ministers) were wholly to addict themselves, as appears,