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

When I have preached over all these following Sermons against it, (though grace hath made them effectual with some, yet) selfishness still too much bears sway in many that heard them. O what a rooted sin is this! How powerful and obstinate! Men that seem diligently to hear, and like the Sermon, and write it, and repeat it when they come home, and commend ••, ⟨image 30⟩do yet continue selfish. And they that walk evenly and charitably among us in all appearance, as long as they are smoothly dealt with, when once they are but touched, and crossed in their self-interest, do presently show, that there is that within them which we or they before perceived not. It was (doubtless) from too much experience of the selfishness even of Professors of Religion, and of the successfulness of temptations in this kind, that Satan did tell God so boldly, that Job would sin if he were but touched in his self-interest, Job 1. 9, 10, 11. & 2. 4, 5. [Doth Job (saith he) fear God for nothing! hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hand, and his substance is increased in the Land: But put forth thy hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.] As if he should have said, [Glory not of Job or any of thy servants: It is not thee, but themselves that they seek: They serve thee but for their own commodity: It is Self and not God that ruleth them, and that they do all this for: Seem but to be their enemy, and touch their self-interest, and cross them in their commodity, that they may serve thee for nothing, and then see who will serve thee.] This was the boast of Satan against the Saints of the most high, which hypocrites that encouraged him hereto would have fulfilled; and which God doth glory in confuting: and therefore he gives the Devil leave to try Job in this point, and putteth all that he had into his power, ver. 12. And when Satan by this succeeded no•, he yet boasteth that if he might but touch him more nearly in his self-interest, he doubted not to prevail, c. 2. 4, 5. [Skin for skin, yea all that a man hath will he give for his life: Put but forth thy hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.]