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

4. Observe but how light most make of their own sins, and how easily they aggravate the sins of others; and how light they make of the good that is in others, in comparison of that which is in themselves, or those that are of their side; and judge by this of their self-denial! Judah would have judged Th••ar hardly; but he was not so severe against himself David pronounceth very peremptorily the sentence […] against the offender, till he heard from Nathan, Thou art the man. How hard is it to convince a selfish •e of any sin that will admit of an excuse or cloak? All the Town can see the Pride of some, the covetousness of others, the unpeaceable unchristian behaviour of others, and yet themselves, that should most observe it, and best discern i•, perceive it not, nor will by any means be brought to see it. No Minister can put them down, when they are justifying themselves; nor make them humbly and heartily confess that they have sinned. (But God will ere long convince them irresistibly, and teach their tongues another kind of language.) Let the case of another come before them, and how readily will they adjudge him to penitent confession, reparation, restitution, and through-reformation! But the case is altered, when it becomes their own. Such incompetent Judges are these selfish hypocrites.

4. Observe but how light most make of their own sins, and how easily they aggravate the sins of others; and how light they make of the good that is in others, in comparison of that which is in themselves, or those that are of their side; and judge by this of their self-denial! Judah would have judged Th••ar hardly; but he was not so severe against himself David pronounceth very peremptorily the sentence 〈…〉 against the offendor, till he heard from N•than, Thou art the man. How hard is it to convince a selfish •e of any sin that will admit of an excuse or cloak? All the Town can see the Pride of some, the covetousness of others, the unpeaceable unchristian behaviour of others, and yet themselves, that should most observe it, and best discern i•, perceive it not, nor will by any means be brought to see it. No Minister can put them down, when they are justifying themselves; nor make them humbly and heartily confess that they have sinned. (But God will ere long convince them irresistibly, and teach their tongues another kind of language.) Let the case of another come before them, and how readily will they adjudge him to penitent confession, reparation, restitution, and through-reformation! But the case is altered, when it becomes their own. Such incompetent Judges are these selfish hypocrites.