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

In a word, selfishness is the grand enemy of God and man; the Disease of Depraved lapsed nature: the very heart of Original sin, and the old man; the root of all ⟨p. 363⟩the Iniquity in the world: the breach of every Commandment of the Law; the enemy of every Article of Faith, and every Petition in the Lords Prayer; and by that time we have added the rest of its deformity, you will see whether it be not the very Image of the Devil, as the Love of God and our neighbour which is its contrary, is the image of God.

But now on the contrary side Self-denial complieth with all Divine Revelations, and disposeth the soul to all holy Requests, and to the observation of every Command of God.

But now on the contrary side Self-denial complyeth with all Divine Revelations, and disposeth the soul to all holy Requests, and to the observation of every Command of God.

It humbly stoopeth to the mysteries of Faith, which others proudly quarrel with in the dark. It makes a man say, O what am I that I should set my wit against the Lord, and make my Reason the Touch-stone of his truth, and think to Comprehend his judgements that are incomprehensible! It causeth a man to sit as a little child, at the feet of Christ to learn his will, and say, Speak Lord, for thy servant heareth. It silenceth the carpings of an unsatisfied understanding, and limiteth the enquiries of a busy, prying, presumptuous wit; and subdueth the contradictions of flesh and blood: It casteth off that Pride and self-conceitedness that hindereth others from believing.

It humbly stoopeth to the mysteries of Faith, which others proudly quarrel with in the dark. It makes a man say, O what am I that I should set my wit against the Lord, and make my Reason the Touch-stone of his truth, and think to Comprehend his judgements that are incomprehensible! It causeth a man to sit as a little child, at the feet of Christ to learn his will, and say, Speak Lord, for thy servant heareth. It silenceth the carpings of an unsatisfied understanding, and limiteth the enquiries of a busie, prying, presumptuous wit; and subdueth the contradictions of flesh and blood: It casteth off that Pride and self-conceitedness that hindreth others from believing.