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

So that if you see any mischief done in Persons, Families, Towns, Countries, Courts, Armies, or any where in the world, you need not send out Hue and ⟨p. 362⟩Cry to find out and apprehend the actor: It is selfishness that is the Author of all. If the poor be oppressed by the rich, and their lives made almost like the life of a labouring Ox or Horse, till the Cry of the oppressed reach to heaven, who is it that doth all this but self? The Landlords and rich men must Rule and be served by them. I warrant you they would not do thus by themselves.

So that if you see any mischief done in Persons, Families, Towns, Countrys, Courts, Armies, or any where in the world, you need not send out Hue and ⟨p. 362⟩Cry to find out and apprehend the actor: It is selfishness that is the Author of all. If the poor be oppressed by the rich, and their lives made almost like the life of a labouring Ox or Horse, till the Cry of the oppressed reach to heaven, who is it that doth all this but self? The Landlords and rich men must Rule and be served by them. I warrant you they would not do thus by themselves.

If the poor be discontented and murmur at their condition, and steal from others, who is it that is the cause of this but self? If another were in poverty, they would not murmur nor steal for him.

It is selfishness that blemisheth Judges, and Justices and Officers with the stains of partiality, avarice, and injustice: It is this that disturbeth the peace of Nations; that will not let Princes Rule for God, and consequently overthrows their Thrones: that will not let subjects Obey them in the Lord, but lets in wars and miseries upon them: that sets the Nations together by the ears, and so continueth them: yea it is self that will not let neighbours live together in Peace: that provoketh people to disobey their Teachers, and Teachers to be man-pleasers, and neglect the people; that will not let Masters and Servants, Parents and Children, Husband and Wife, live peaceably and lovingly one with other; It is the common make-bate and troubler of the world.