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

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⟩from doing their duty in Governing the Churches, and laying such restrictions on them, that Pastors might be no Pastors, that is, no Guides and Overseers of the Church in the worship of God. And when good Laws are made, they have as many enemies as selfish men. If the Law were not hated, the execution of it would not be hated so much.

3. Moreover sefishness 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 sence 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 lookt at the Laws, and Church, and Ministers of Christ, with an eye of Jealousie 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 incroacht 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