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 this is it that keepeth Christian Princes in most ungodly wars, to the shedding of Christian blood, and the weakening of the common interest, and the strengthening of the common enemy, whom they should all join together to resist.

And this is it that keepeth Christian Princes in most ungodly wars, to the shedding of Christian blood, and the weakening of the common interest, and the strengthening of the common enemy, whom they should all joyn together to resist.

This also keepeth up so many parties on Religious pretences to seek the undermining and ruin of each other, when they should all join together against the common profaneness of the world; and all their conjunct endeavours would be too little. Thus selfishness is the grand Enemy that by Divisions and Subdivisions is still at work for the Dissolution and Ruin of Church and State, and the Confusion of the World, and the disturbance and destruction of order and government.

This also keepeth up so many parties on Religious pretences to seek the undermining and ruine of each other, when they should all joyn together against the common prophaneness of the world; and all their conjunct endeavours would be too little. Thus selfishness is the grand Enemy that by Divisions and Subdivisions is still at work for the Dissolution and Ruine of Church and State, and the Confusion of the World, and the disturbance and destruction of order and government.

8. Yea Selfishness makes men false and treacherous, so that they are not to be trusted, and are unmeet materials for any Society. For what ever they promise, pretend, or seem, they are all for themselves, and will be no further true and faithful to the Society, or any Member of it, than suiteth with their own Ends: Never trust a selfish person, if it be your own Brother, further than you can accommodate and please him, and so oblige him to you upon his Own account. It is the Complication of Interests, that makes Husband and Wife so much agree and love each other: because that which one hath the other hath: But if their Interests fall out to be any whit divided, it is two to one but selfishness will divide their affections. One would think that the bond of nature should be so strong to constrain a Son to love his Father, that nothing could dissolve it: And yet sad experience telleth us that even here, it is an unity of Interest that doth more with many children than either nature or grace: and that when they have no more dependence upon their Parents for their commodity, their affections and respects are gone; and if they shall gain much by their death, they can bear it without much sorrow, if not desire it. So potent is selfishness, that it makes not men unfaithful only to their friends, and treacherous to their Governors, and false to all they have to do with, but also unnatural to their nearest Relations.