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

And what is it but the satisfaction of your Own ••• thy lusts, that causeth Adultery and all uncleanness? And what is it but the furnishing and providing for self that provoketh any man to Rob another? And what is it but some selfish End that causeth any man to pervert Justice, or slander, or bear false witness against his neighbour? so that nothing is more plain than that selfishness is all sin and villainy against God and man, comprised in one word.

And what is it but the satisfaction of your Own ••• thy lusts, that causeth Adultery and all uncleanness? And what is it but the furnishing and providing for self that provoketh any man to Rob another? And what is it but some selfish End that causeth any man to pervert Justice, or slander, or bear false witness against his neighbour? so that nothing is more plain than that selfishness is all sin and villany against God and man, comprized in one word.

And therefore you need not ask me, which Commandment it is that doth forbid it: For it is forbidden in every one of the ten Commandments. The first condemneth self as it is the Idol set up, and Loved, trusted, and served before God: the second condemneth it as the Enemy of his worship; and the third condemneth it as the Profaner of his Name; and the fourth, as the Profaner of his Hallowed time: The second Table in the tenth Commandment condemneth self as it is the Tumour and gulf that is contrary to the Love of our neighbour, and would draw all to it self. The fifth Commandment condemneth it as the Enemy of Authority and Society: the sixth as the Enemy to our Neighbours life; the seventh, eighth, and ninth condemn it as the enemy to our neighbours chastity, Estates, and Cause, or Name.

And therefore you need not ask me, which Commandment it is that doth forbid it: For it is forbidden in every one of the ten Commandments. The first condemneth self as it is the Idol set up, and Loved, trusted, and served before God: the second condemneth it as the Enemy of his worship; and the third condemneth it as the Prophaner of his Name; and the fourth, as the Prophaner of his Hallowed time: The second Table in the tenth Commandment condemneth self as it is the Tumor and gulf that is contrary to the Love of our neighbour, and would draw all to it self. The fifth Commandment condemneth it as the Enemy of Authority and Society: the sixth as the Enemy to our Neighbours life; the seventh, eighth, and ninth condemn it as the enemy to our neighbours chastity, Estates, and Cause, or Name.