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That it is the duty of all that would be Christ's disciples to deny themselves.

I. THIS DOCTRINE IN GENERAL. The extent of this duty.

1. For the object — a man's own self; it is a bundle of idols. It seems contrary to reason to deny self, since nature teaches man to love himself; grace doth not disallow it. Therefore(1) you must know when respects to self are culpable. There is a lawful self-love. The self we are to deny stands in opposition to God. Self is sinfully respected when dues are paid to the creature which only belong to God. These are four: —

1. As God is the First Cause He would keep up the respect of the world to His majesty by dependence and trust.

2. As God is the chiefest good, so He must have the highest esteem.

3. As God is the highest Lord, it is His peculiar prerogative to give laws to the creature. Self is not to interpose and give laws to us.

4. As God is the last end of our beings and actions, the supreme cause is to be the utmost end (Proverbs 16:4).

2. The subject. See the extent of the duty; it reaches all sorts of men — "If any man," etc. No calling, sex, age, duty, condition of life, is excluded. All men are to practise it; in all things; always; with all our heart.

(1)  We cannot else be conformed to our great Master; Jesus Christ came from heaven on purpose to teach us the lesson of self-denial.

(2)  It is practised by all the fellows in the same school. Christ set the copy, and all the saints have written after it.

(3)  Jesus Christ may justly require it; all the idols of the world expect it from their votaries.

(4)  Because self is the greatest enemy both to God and man.

(5)  Because those that are Christ's disciples are not their own men (Romans 14:6).

(6)  Because it is the most gainful project in the world. Self-denial is the true way of self-advancing.

(7)  Because otherwise a man can be nothing in religion, neither do, nor suffer, therefore we must resolve either to deny self or Christ.

(8)  Self-denial is a special part of faith.

3. The signs of self-denial.

(1) Exclusive. It. is a sign that self is exalted.

(1)  When a man did never set himself to thwart his own desires.

(2)  By an impatiency in our natures when we are crossed by others.

(3)  When a man is loth to be a loser by religion.

(4)  When the heart is grieved at the good of others.

(5)  When men care not how it goeth with the public so they may promote their private interest.

2. Inclusive signs of self-denial.

(1)  When a man is swayed by reasons of conscience rather than by reasons of interest, when he is content to be anything so he may be sensible to God's glory.

(2)  By an humble submission to God's will. It is a great conquest over ourselves when we conquer our will.

(3)  When a man is vile in his own eyes, and reflects with indignation upon his own sins.

4. The means of self-denial, whereby it may be made more easy.

(1)  Lessen your esteem for earthly things.

(2)  Seek self in God, this is an innocent diversion. When we cannot weaken the affection let us change the object.

(3)  Resolve upon the worst to please God, though it be with the displeasure of self and the world.

(4)  Take heed of confining thy welfare to outward means, as if thou couldest not be happy without the creature.

(5)  Often act faith, and look within the veil. Send thy thoughts as messengers into the Land of Promise.

(6)  In all debates between conscience and interest observe God's special providence to thyself.

(7)  Consider the right God has in all that is thine.If you would deny self: —

(1) Everyone must observe the temper and particular constitution of his own soul.

(2) Many may deny themselves in purpose that yet fail when they come to act.

(3) There is nothing in religion that cannot deny pleasure and delicacy of life.

(4) We must deny ourselves in desire as well as in enjoyments.

(5) Vainglory is as sordid a piece of self, and as much to be denied, as riches and worldly greatness.

(6) We must deny ourselves, not only in ease of temptation to direct sin, but also for the general advantage of a holy life.

(7) In self-denial regard must be had to the seasons wherein we live —

(1)  Times of judgment;

(2)  not to put stumbling-blocks in the way of new converts;

(3)  in prosperous times.

II. THE KINDS OF SELF-DENIAL. Self must be denied so far, as 'tis opposite to God, or put in the place of God. And therefore we may judge of the kinds of self-denial, according to the distinct privileges of the Godhead.

1. As God is the First Cause, upon whom all things depend in their being and operation, and so we are to deny self, that is, self-dependence.

2. God is the chiefest good and therefore to be valued above all beings, interests, and concernments in the world, and so we are to deny self, that is, self-love.

3. God is (and He alone) the highest Lord, and most absolute Sovereign, who swayeth all things by His laws and providence, and so we are to deny self, that is, self-will, by a willing and full obedience to His laws, and by an absolute subjection to the dominion of His providence; the one is holiness, and the other is patience. The one relateth to His governing, the other to His disposing, will.

4. God is the last end, in which all things do at length terminate, and so we are to deny self, that is, self-seeking.

(T. Manton, D. D.)

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KJV: Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

WEB: Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.