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

CHAP. XXXVI. Bodily health and ease from torments.

19. But a far greater Interest of self to be denied, doth consist in our bodily health and ease and from those pains and torments, which persecutors use to inflict upon the godly. An averseness to suffering, is natural to man, and in it self no sin, but an excessive averseness, doth signify too much tenderness of the flesh, and too little power of Reason, which should quiet the mind, when it cannot abate the pain of the body; and must use to submit to a lesser evil, to avoid a greater: or to obtain a greater good than it depriveth ⟨p. 230⟩us of: Paul and Silas could sing with their bodies sore, and their feet in the stocks. To be joyful in tribulation should be no strange matter to a Saint: much more with a patient submission to undergo it. We may not thrust our selves into the fire, nor choose suffering without a call; but we must suffer rather than sin, and choose the wounds and hurts of the body before the wounds and losses of the soul. But because flesh and blood will draw back, and make too great a matter of sufferings, I shall briefly give you ten Considerations that may persuade you herein to deny your selves; and in two cases I desire you to make use of them: First, in case you have no way to escape suffering, but by sinning: then deny your selves and choose to suffer. Secondly, in case of Gods afflictions which unavoidably lie upon you: then deny your selves by a quiet and patient submission: And for both consider.

19. BUt a far greater Interest of self to be denied, doth consist in our bodily health and ease and from those pains and torments, which persecutors use to inflict upon the godly. An averseness to suffering, is natural to man, and in it self no sin, but an excessive averseness, doth signifie too much tenderness of the flesh, and too little power of Reason, which should quiet the mind, when it cannot abate the pain of the body; and must use to submit to a lesser evil, to avoid a greater: or to obtain a greater good than it depriveth ⟨p. 230⟩