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

3. And it is a violation of all the ten Commandments. The first and second it is most directly against, and is the very thing forbidden in them: and all the rest it is against consequentially, and is the virtual breach of them, as disposing and drawing the soul thereunto.

The two Tables have two Great Commands, which are the sum of the whole Law, and all the other Commandments are consequents or particulars from these. The sum of the first Table is [Thou shalt Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart] or above all] This is the first Commandment] Thou shalt have none other Gods before me] which is put first as being the Fundamental Law, commanding subjection it self to the sovereign Power of God, which necessarily goes before all actual obedience to particular precepts. But self is directly against this, and sets up man as a God to himself: And all the unsanctified Love themselves better than God, and therefore cannot Love him above all.

The two Tables have two Great Commands, which are the sum of the whole Law, and all the other Commandments are consequents or particulars from these. The sum of the first Table is [Thou shalt Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart] or above all] This is the first Commandment] Thou shalt have none other Gods before me] which is put first as being the Fundamental Law, commanding subjection it self to the soveraign Power of God, which necessarily goes before all actual obedience to particular precepts. But self is directly against this, and sets up man as a God to himself: And all the unsanctified Love themselves better than God, and therefore cannot Love him above all.

And therefore neither second, third or fourth command can be sincerely kept by such: For when self is set up, and God denied, in stead of the right worshipping of God, they are worshipping themselves, or suiting God worship to the conceit and will of self. Instead of the Reverent use of his name, they are setting up their own names, and will venture on the grossest abuse of Gods name, rather than self shall suffer or be crossed.