A27053:919
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
London: printed by Robert White for Nevil Simmons, 1675
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
1. Consider that the Lord Jesus is the Head of the Society, who hath undertaken to make provision for the whole, and is engaged for their security, and to save them harmless: and all the Riches of his grace and love belong to that Society, and will be yours; which is more than all that you can part with of your own, yea more than all the treasures of the world. It is therefore the noblest and richest Society in the world that you shall live in communion with, if you will deny your selves.
2. And the Saints that are the Members of that Society are the Brethren of Christ and the Heirs of Heaven. And all these are your Brethren; endeared in special love to you, engaged to assist you, by prayers, and counsel, and pains and purse, and every way that you can: so that well might Christ say that he that forsaketh any thing for him, shall receive even an hundred fold in this life, and in the world to come eternal life. For this one sorry self that you forsake, and it's poor accommodations, you have God for your ⟨p. 407⟩Father, and Christ for your Head, and the Holy Ghost for your Sanctifier and Comforter, and the Scripture for your guide, and Saints for your Brethren, Companions and Assistants, engaged to you in truer and dearer love than your unsanctified friends that cast you off for the sake of Christ. And had you rather be toiling and caring for your selves, than let go self and enter into so blessed a Community, where you may cast all your care away upon God, who hath promised to care for you; and may feed your selves in the daily delightful fore-thoughts of life eternal?
2. And the Saints that are the Members of that Society are the Brethren of Christ and the Heirs of Heaven. And all these are your Brethren; endeared in special love to you, engaged to assist you, by prayers, and counsel, and pains and purse, and every way that you can: so that well might Christ say that he that forsaketh any thing for him, shall receive even an hundred fold in this life, and in the world to come eternal life. For this one sorry self that you forsake, and it's poor accommodations, you have God for your ⟨p. 407⟩