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

But 7. The plain meaning seemeth to be this; [so great is my Love to my Countrymen the Jews, that if it were offered to my choice whether they or I without them should enjoy Christ; I would yield to be cast out of his sight for ever, rather than they should] where mark; 1. That it is not a wish that it were so: for he knew that this was no means to promote their salvation: but it's a discovery of his affection that would with or choose this if it were a means to that End. 2. And it is not the sin of not Loving Christ, that he would choose, but only the misery of being deprived of his blessed presence. 3. And the Reasons of this his choice are these two conjunct; 1. Because the souls of so many thousands is in impartial Reason more to be valued than the soul of one; 2. And principally because ⟨p. 352⟩by the conversion and salvation of a whole Nation God may be more honoured and served than by one.

But 7. The plain meaning seemeth to be this; [so great is my Love to my Countrymen the Jews, that if it were offered to my choice whether they or I without them should enjoy Christ; I would yield to be cast out of his sight for ever, rather than they should] where mark; 1. That it is not a wish that it were so: for he knew that this was no means to promote their salvation: but it's a discovery of his affection that would with or choose this if it were a means to that End. 2. And it is not the sin of not Loving Christ, that he would choose, but only the misery of being deprived of his blessed presence. 3. And the Reasons of this his choice are these two conjunct; 1. Because the souls of so many thousands is in impartial Reason more to be valed than the soul of one; 2. And principally because ⟨p. 352⟩by the conversion and salvation of a whole Nation God may be more honored and served than by one.

And note farther, 1. That this is not set as a mark for every Christian to try the truth of his Love by: 2. But yet no doubt but it is a duty and degree of Grace that every one should aim at. For 1. We see among Heathens that nature it self teacheth them that a man should lay down his life for his Country; because a Country is better than a man. And proportionably, Reason tells us that the salvation of a Country being a greater good than of any one, it should be more preferred: And Self-love goeth against plain Reason when it contradicteth this. What mans Reason doth not tell him that it were better he should die, than the world should be destroyed, or the Sun turned into darkness; yea or that one Church or Country perish? And so of salvation.