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

It is self that hath caused the Leaders of the Assemblies, that should be exemplary in Unity and Holiness, and Industry, to be some of them idle and negligent, and some of them carnal and vicious, and so many of them in discord and fierce opposition of one another: So that every man that is grown up to a high degree of wisdom in his own eyes (and such Degrees are soon attained) is presently venting his own conceits, and perhaps publishing them to the world, and seeking out an Adversary to show his Manhood upon, and reviling all that are not of his Opinion; as if there were no difficulty in the matter but he is Learned and Wise, and they are are all unlearned and ignorant: he is Orthodox, and they are Heretics, or what his Pride and self-conceitedness is pleased to call them. It is this selfishness that makes even Godly Ministers the Dividers of the Church, the reproach of their Holy ⟨p. 413⟩Calling, the occasion of the increase of triumph of the Adversaries, and the causes of no small part of all our unreformedness, distractions and calamity; and the refusers and resisters of the Remedies that are tendered for Healing and Reformation. I dare boldly say, if this one sin were but rooted out of the hears of the Ministers themselves that are the Preachers of self-denial, it would make so sudden and wonderful a change in the Church, as would be the glory of our Profession, the Joy of the godly, and the admiration of all! O happy and honourable Magistrates at Court and Country, if self were but throughly conquered and denied! O happy and Reverend Ministry, the pillars of Religion, the honour of the Church, if it were not for the shameful prevalency of self! O happy Churches, happy Cities, Corporations, Societies and Countries were it not for self! But alas, this is it that sadeth our hearts, and makes us look for more and more sad tidings concerning the affairs of the Church, from all parts of the world; or frustrates our hopes, when we look for better. For we know on the one side, that without self-denial there will never be true Reformation or Unity; neither sin nor division will ever be overcome; and on the other side we see that selfishness is so natural and common and obstinate, that so many men as are born into the world, so many enemies are there to Holiness and Peace, till grace •• all change them;

It is self that hath caused the Leaders of the Assemblies, that should be exemplary in Unity and Holiness, and Industry, to be some of them idle and negligent, and some of them carnal and vicious, and so many of them in discord and fierce opposition of one another: So that every man that is grown up to a high degree of wisdom in his own eyes (and such Degrees are soon attained) is presently venting his own conceits, and perhaps publishing them to the world, and seeking out an Adversary to shew his Manhood upon, and reviling all that are not of his Opinion; as if there were no difficulty in the matter but he is Learned and Wise, and they are are all unlearned and ignorant: he is Orthodox, and they are Hereticks, or what his Pride and self-conceitedness is pleased to call them. It is this selfishness that makes even Godly Ministers the Dividers of the Church, the reproach of their Holy