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 in matters of the Commonwealth, what is it more than this! nay what is it besides this, that maketh Princes become Tyrants, and Rulers keep under the Ordinances and interest of Christ, or fearfully neglect them, and look after the Church in the last place, when they have no business of their own to call them off, and to begin to build Gods House when they have first built their own, not imitating Nehemiah's labourers that had ⟨p. 386⟩the sword in one hand, and the Trowel in the other, and builded in their arms! what else makes them give God but their leavings who giveth them all! And what else could make them such enemies to Truth, as to side with those parties what ever they be that side most with them, and promote their interest?

And in matters of the Commonwealth, what is it more than this! nay what is it besides this, that maketh Princes become Tyrants, and Rulers keep under the Ordinances and interest of Christ, or fearfully neglect them, and look after the Church in the last place, when they have no business of their own to call them off, and to begin to build Gods House when they have first built their own, not imitating Nehemiah's labourers that had ⟨p. 386⟩the sword in one hand, and the Trewel in the other, and builded in their arms! what else makes them give God but their leavings who giveth them all! And what else could make them such enemies to Truth, as to side with those parties what ever they be that side most with them, and promote their interest?

And alas what work doth selfishness make with inferior Magistrates? It is this only that opens the hand to a Reward, and the ear to the solicitations of their friends; and its this that perverteth the judgement, and this that oppresseth the poor and innocent, and this that •yeth the tongues and hands of Justices, so that abundance of them do little more than possess the room, and stand like an armed statue or a sign-post, which hurteth none; Alehouses do what their list for them, and drunkards and swearers are bold at their noses, and they are no terror to evil doers, nor revengers to execute wrath upon them, nor Ministers that use their power for much good, but bear the Sword almost in vain, contrary to the very nature of their Office,