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

6. Selfishness also makes men withdraw from all those necessary burdens and duties that are for the preservation of Church or Commonwealth. Such wretches had rather the Gospel were thrust out of doors than it should cost them much: and had rather have the unworthiest man that would be their Teacher for a little, than allow the best that maintenance that the Gospel doth command, or give them what the Law hath made their Own. They would venture the ruin of Church and State, and let all fall into the hands of the common enemies, rather than hazard their persons, or lay out their estates for the common preservation. So that if the hand of violence did not sometimes squeeze those Sponges, and force these leeches to disgorge themselves, they would but impoverish the Common-wealth by their Riches, and weaken the body like wens or impostumes by drawing to themselves.

6. Selfishness also makes men withdraw from all those necessary burdens and duties that are for the preservation of Church or Commonwealth. Such wretches had rather the Gospel were thrust out of doors than it should cost them much: and had rather have the unworthiest man that would be their Teacher for a little, than allow the best that maintenance that the Gospel doth command, or give them what the Law hath made their Own. They would venture the ruine of Church and State, and let all fall into the hands of the common enemies, rather than hazard their persons, or lay out their estates for the common preservation. So that if the hand of violence did not sometimes squeeze those Spunges, and force these leeches to disgorge themselves, they would but impoverish the Common-wealth by their Riches, and weaken the body like wens or impostumes by drawing to themselves.

7. And then the selfish are such causes of Division, that if they did no other harm, they would break both Church and State into pieces, if their humour were predominant, and not restrained or purged out. And in this regard selfishness is the direct enemy of Societies, and is always at work to dissolve them into Independent individuals. A Society is a Political Body which must have but one Head, and one Interest, and one End: But when selfishness prevaileth, there are as many Heads, and Ends, and Interests as Persons: If they be in a Church, every one is the Teacher and Ruler: and every one must have his opinion countenanced, and his humour satisfied; Every one must have his way and will: And how is this possible, when their minds are so various and contrary to one another; and their Interests so inconsistent, and there are as many Rulers as persons: when every man is drawing to himself, and