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

5. And a Christian that hath so much ado to curb and rule the flesh in prosperity, me thinks should the more patiently bear adversity, because God sets in by it, and helps him to subdue the flesh, and tame the body and bring it in subjection: And as it is but this burdensome flesh that suffereth, which hath been the cause of so much suffering to our minds; so our warfare against this flesh, which we manage through the course of our lives, goes on more prosperously in the time of its sufferings, than in prosperity. A weakened enemy is ⟨p. 233⟩easilier conquered. Do not therefore too much take part with the suffering flesh, but self-denyingly justify the proceedings of the Lord.

5. And a Christian that hath so much ado to curb and rule the flesh in prosperity, me thinks should the more patiently bear adversity, because God sets in by it, and helps him to subdue the flesh, and tame the body and bring it in subjection: And as it is but this burdensome flesh that suffereth, which hath been the cause of so much suffering to our minds; so our warfare against this flesh, which we mannage through the course of our lives, goes on more prosperously in the time of its sufferings, than in prosperity. A weakned enemy is ⟨p. 233⟩easilier conquered. Do not therefore too much take part with the suffering flesh, but self-denyingly justifie the proceedings of the Lord.

6. And consider that the pains and suffering will be but short. It is but a little while, and you shall feel no more than if you had felt nothing. And that which shortly will not be, is next to that which is not. As it makes all the pleasures and glory of the world, to be a dream and next to nothing, because it's but a while, and they are gone, and never return again: So it makes our sufferings next to nothing that they are passing away, and almost over. And then all tears will be wiped from your eyes; and pain will be forgotten, or remembered only to increase your joy. When you are past the brunt and safe with Christ, you will never repent of your sufferings on earth, nor will it trouble you then to think of the shame or sickness or pain and torment that here you were put to undergo. Yet a little while and all will be over.