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

2. Moreover selfishness is contrary to that Disposition and spirit that every Member of a Society should be possessed with. The public good will not be attained ⟨p. 382⟩without a Public spirit, to which a Private spirit is contrary. Men must be disposed to the work that they must be employed in. The work of every Member of a Society, is such as Mordecai is approved for, Esther 10. 3. [seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed] Every true Member of the Church must have such a spirit as Nehemiah, that in the midst of his own prosperity and honours is cast down in fasting, tears, and Prayers, when he heareth of the affliction, reproach, and ruins of Jerusalem, and saith [Why should not my countenance be sad, when the City the place of my fathers sepulchres lieth waste?] Neh. 1. 3. & 2. 3, 4. And as the captivated Jews, Psal. 137. that lay by all their mirth and music, and sit down and weep at the remembrance of Zion. A private, selfish disposition is quite contrary to this; and is busy about his own matters, and principally looketh to his own ends and interests, what ever come of the Church; and falls under the reproof that Baruch had from God, Jer. 45. 4, 5. [Behold that which I have built will I break down, and that which I have planted I will pluck up, even this whole Land; and seekest thou great things for thy self? seek them not.] This Private disposition makes men so foolish as to lose themselves, by seeking themselves; looking to their own goods or cabins when the ship is sinking in which they are; and to their own rooms, when the House is all on fire. But a Public Spirit saith [If I forget thee O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief Joy] Psal. 137. 5, 6. His love is to the Church as the Spouse of Christ, and as to the body of which he is himself a member, and his Prayers and endeavours are for its prosperity and peace,