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

Direct. 2. Never be deluded to forget the vanity, the brevity, and the emptiness and insufficiency, of all these earthly things, which self so adhereth to as to neglect the promised life of blessedness. Acquaint your own hearts what a nothing it is that they make so much of, and follow so greedily and hold so fast: show them in the Sanctuary the glass of the word of God, which will tell them what will be the end of all, and where all their worldly prosperity will leave them? Ask your hearts, [Can I keep these things for ever; or not? If not? Is it not better let them go for something, than for nothing; ⟨p. 401⟩and to part with them as a child at the command of my heavenly father, than to part with them as a thief doth with his prize, at the Gallows? Is it not better let them go to ease me▪ and to secure my eternal peace, than let them go to wound me and torment me! And while I keep them, what will they do for me, that I should buy them at so dear a rate! O how dear must I pay for my ease, and honour and gluttony and drunkenness and sensual delights, if I part not with them when God commandeth? How cheap is a holy blessed life in comparison of this which I must pay so dear for!]

Direct. 2. Never be deluded to forget the vanity, the brevity, and the emptiness and insufficiency, of all these earthly things, which self so adhereth to as to neglect the promised life of blessedness. Acquaint your own hearts what a nothing it is that they make so much of, and follow so greedily and hold so fast: shew them in the Sanctuary the glass of the word of God, which will tell them what will be the end of all, and where all their worldly prosperity will leave them? Ask your hearts, [Can I keep these things for ever; or not? If not? Is it not better let them go for something, than for nothing; ⟨p. 401⟩and to part with them as a child at the command of my heavenly father, than to part with them as a thief doth with his prize, at the Gallows? Is it not better let them go to ease me▪ and to secure my eternal peace, than let them go to wound me and torment me! And while I keep them, what will they do for me, that I should buy them at so dear a rate! O how dear must I pay for my ease, and honour and gluttony and drunkenness and sensual delights, if I part not with them when God commandeth? How cheap is a holy blessed life in comparison of this which I must pay so dear for!]