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. Observe but upon what account it is that most mens Affections are carried to, or against their neighbours, and then judge by this of their self-denial. Even men that would be accounted godly, do Love or hate men according as their self-interest commandeth them, more than according to the Interest of Christ. Let a man be never so eminent in holiness, and never so useful and serviceable in the Church, and one that hath proved faithful in the greatest trials, if he do but oppose a selfish man, and be thought by him to be against him, he hateth him at the heart, or hath as base contemptuous thoughts of him, as malice can suggest. He can as easily nullify all his graces, and multiply his smallest infirmities into a swarm of crimes, by a censorious mind and a slanderous tongue, as if virtue and vice received their form and denominations from the respect of mens minds and ways to him; and ⟨image 33⟩all men were so far good or evil, as they please him, or displease him; and he expects that others should esteem men such as he is pleased to describe or call them. Let all the Country be the witnesses of a mans upright and holy life, yea let the multitude of the ungodly themselves be convinced of it, so far as that their consciences are forced to bear witness of him, as Herod did of John, Mark 6. 20. that he was a just man and an holy; yet can the selfish hypocrite that is against him, blot out his uprightness with a word, and make him to be Proud or False, or Covetous, or what his malice please; yea make him an Hypocrite as he is indeed himself. No man can be good in their eyes that is against them: or if he be acknowledged honest in the main, it is mixed with exceptions and charges enough, to make him seem vile while they confess him honest: and if they acknowledge him a man, they will withal describe him to be so plaguy or leprous, that he shall be thought not fit for humane converse. Such a man is an honest man, say they; but he is a peevish, humorous, self-conceited fellow: And why so? Because he is against some opinion or interest of theirs: He is proud, because he presumeth to dissent from them, or reprehend them: He raileth, every time he openeth their errors, or telleth them of their mis-doings: He is a Liar, if he do but contradict them, and discover their sins, though it be with words of truth and soberness.

3. Observe but upon what account it is that most mens Affections are carried to, or against their neighbours, and then judge by this of their self-denial. Even men that would be accounted godly, do Love or hate men according as their self-interest commandeth them, more than according to the Interest of Christ. Let a man be never so eminent in holiness, and never so useful and serviceable in the Church, and one that hath proved faithful in the greatest tryals, if he do but oppose a selfish man, and be thought by him to be against him, he hateth him at the heart, or hath as base contemptuous thoughts of him, as malice can suggest. He can as easily nullifie all his graces, and multiply his smallest infirmities into a swarm of crimes, by a censorious mind and a slanderous tongue, as if vertue and vice received their form and denominations from the respect of mens minds and waies to him; and