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 it is so tempered by God, that there should be no Schism in it, but that the members should have the same care one for another, that if one member suffer all the members should suffer with it, or if one member be honoured, all should rejoice with it] 1 Cor. 12. 13, 24, 25, 26, 27. There is no serving Public ends with a Private selfish spirit.

and it is so tempered by God, that there should be no Schism in it, but that the members should have the same care one for another, that if one member suffer all the members should suffer with it, or if one member be honoured, all should rejoyce with it] 1 Cor. 12. 13, 24, 25, 26, 27. There is no serving Publick ends with a Private selfish spirit.

3. Moreover selfishness is an Enemy to the Laws of Societies, whether it be the Laws of God or man. For it would have them all bended to their private interest, and fitted to their selfish disposition. And therefore for the immutable Laws of God, which they cannot change, they corrupt them by misinterpretations, expounding them according to the dictates of the flesh, and putting such a sense on all as self can bear with. And what they cannot misinterpret, they murmur at and disobey. And for the Laws of men, where selfish persons are the makers of them, you shall perceive by the warping of them, who they were made for. Hence it is that Princes and Parliaments have looked at the Laws, and Church, and Ministers of Christ, with an eye of Jealousy as if they had been some enemies that they stood in danger of, and all for fear lest the personal, selfish, fleshly interest of Noblemen, and Gentlemen, and others, should be encroached upon by the Laws and Government of Christ. And hence it is that so much endeavours and hopes of a Reformation have been so long frustrated, and even among wise and Pious Lawmakers there hath been so much pains to keep Ministers ⟨p. 384⟩