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

This ⟨image 30⟩confidence had Satan, even against such a servant of the Lord, [That there was none like him in the earth, a perfect and upright man, that feared God and eschewed evil] c. 1. 8. And though the power of grace in Job did shame the boasts of Satan, yet how frequently doth he prevail with men that seem Religious? How truly may he say of many among us [Now they seem godly, but let the times turn, and godliness undo them in the world, and then see whether they will be godly: Now they seem faithful to their Pastors and Brethren; but give them a sufficient reward, and see whether they will not play the Judas: Now they seem peaceable humble men: but touch them in their self-interest, cross them in their commodity or reputation by an injury, yea or by justice or necessary reproof; and then see what they will prove] O that the Devil could not truly boast of thousands that by a few foul words, or by crossing their self-willedness, he can make them speak evil of their neighbours, and fill them with malice and bitterness against their truest friends. Oh where are the men that maintain their Love, and Meekness, and Concord any longer than they are pleased, and their wills and interests are complied with, or not much contradicted?

This ⟨image 30⟩confidence had Satan, even against such a servant of the Lord, [That there was none like him in the earth, a perfect and upright man, that feared God and eschewed evil] c. 1. 8. And though the power of grace in Job did shame the boasts of Satan, yet how frequently doth he prevail with men that seem Religious? How truly may he say of many among us [Now they seem godly, but let the times turn, and godliness undo them in the world, and then see whether they will be godly: Now they seem faithful to their Pastors and Brethren; but give them a sufficient reward, and see whether they will not play the Judas: Now they seem peaceable humble men: but touch them in their self-interest, cross them in their commodity or reputation by an injury, yea or by justice or necessary reproof; and then see what they will prove] O that the Devil could not truly boast of thousands that by a few foul words, or by crossing their self-willedness, he can make them speak evil of their neighbours, and fill them with malice and bitterness against their truest friends. Oh where are the men that maintain their Love, and Meekness, and Concord any longer than they are pleased, and their wills and interests are complyed with, or not much contradicted?