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

2. That is the best condition for us in which we may have most of God. But certainly we may have as much and usually more of God in suffering, especially for his cause, than we can have in prosperity; especially when we sin to escape these sufferings. Is it bodily ease, or God that you set most by? It will be seen by your choice. If you prefer your ease before him, you must expect to have no better than you choose. If you prefer him before your ease and prosperity, you must be gladder of God with adversity and pain, than of prosperity and ease without him. A beast hath health and ease as well as you, and yet you will not think him as happy. If you are tormented or lose your health for Christ, you lose nothing but what a Turk or Infidel hath, yea but what a beast hath, as well as you! But you may have that of God by the advantage of your suffering, that none but Saints have. And God's presence can make a suffering state as sweet as a prosperous. And he hath given you ground in his promises to expect it, Isa. 43. 1, 2, 3. [When thou passest through the fire, I will be with thee—] 1 Cor. 10. 13. [There hath no temptation taken you, but what is common to man: but God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above that your able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.] 1 Pet. 4. 14. [If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye: for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: On their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified] ver. 16. [If any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God on this behalf.] What is the Scripture fuller of, than comforting promises to the sufferers for Christ? To fly from such sufferings then, is but to fly from the presence of God, and our own consolations.

2. That is the best condition for us in which we may have most of God. But certainly we may have as much and usually more of God in suffering, especially for his cause, than we can have in prosperity; especially when we sin to escape these sufferings. Is it bodily ease, or God that you set most by? It will be seen by your choice. If you prefer your ease before him, you must expect to have no better than you choose. If you prefer him before your ease and prosperity, you must be gladder of God with adversity and pain, than of prosperity and ease without him. A beast hath health and ease as well as you, and yet you will not think him as happy. If you are tormented or lose your health for Christ, you lose nothing but what a Turk or Infidel hath, yea but what a beast hath, as well as you! But you may have that of God by the advantage of your suffering, that none but Saints have. And God's presence can make a suffering state as sweet as a prosperous. And he hath given you ground in his promises to expect it,