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

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.

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 remembred only to encrease 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.

7. In the mean time, consider also, that they are all Deserved sufferings. You deserve them from God, though not from man: Nay they are a thousand fold less than your deservings: If free grace have pardoned you the main, and rescued you from the torments of Hell, me thinks the remembrance of this wonderful mercy, should make you patiently bear the Fatherly chastisements that tend to the perfecting your deliverance.