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. LIV. Or in renouncing Public Offices and Honours?

CHAP. LIV. Or in renouncing Publick Offices and Honours?

Quest. 4. Whether Self-denial require men to renounce all public offices, and honours, and not to be Magistrates, Ministers, or the like?

Quest. 4. WHether Self-denial require men to renounce all publick offices, and honours, and not to be Magistrates, Ministers, or the like?

Answ. It requireth us not to have such carnal thoughts of these offices, as to look on them only as places of honour, and power, and ease; nor yet to desire them for such carnal ends▪ Nor yet to thrust our selves upon them without a call, as being the Judges of our own sufficiency. But self-denial is so far from forbidding the offices and employments themselves, as that it is a great point of self-denial for a man that understandeth ⟨p. 337⟩them well, to undertake them, if he mean to manage them sincerely and faithfully. For were it not that the sweetness of Gods interest and his acceptance, and the benefits of the Church, our brethren and our souls, did ingratiate these offices and employments to an honest mind, they would be so very burdensome, that flesh and blood would either make them carnal by abuse, or never endure them. And therefore hath God given them an addition of honour to encourage them, and to put an honour on their work, for the furthering of its success. Experience certifieth me that the work of the Ministry is far more troublesome to the flesh, than the bodily labour of a poor artificer or ploughman is: so that without great self-denial no man will be a Minister, that doth not carnally mistake the function for another thing than indeed it is. And I think I may say the like in its degree, by the Magistracy: Especially by them in highest Power, who have the greatest work. Certain I am, if they faithfully do their duties, they will find more burden to the flesh and mind, than poor men that have only a Family to provide for. Though many ignorant ungodly poor people that sit at home in peace, and little know the care, and grief, and trouble of their Rulers, do wickedly murmur at their very calling, as if they had nothing but honour, and idleness, and excess, yet if they had tried and tasted their care and trouble a few months, they would think a private life the easier, and confess that there is need of much self-denial for a man to accept of Magistracy or Ministry, that understandeth them, and resolveth to use them accordingly.