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

So that by this time you may see that there is more Reason for the Resurrection for all the body is turned to earth, than there is Reason that a Candle that's gone out should be lighted again by another; or than there is Reason that I should put on my clothes in the morning which I put off at night. It's true, those clothes have no power to put on themselves; nor is there any natural necessitating cause of it: but yet there is a Free cause in me, that will infallibly (if I live and be able) produce it: For nature disposeth me to abhor nakedness, and desire my clothes, and therefore in the morning I will put them on. And so nature teacheth the separated soul to desire a reunion with its body; and therefore when the Resurrection morning comes, it will gladly take the word from Christ, and give that vital touch to the body that shall revive it, and so put on its ancient garment; but wonderfully changed from fleshly to spiritual, from dishonourable into glorious.

So that by this time you may see that there is more Reason for the Resurrection for all the body is turned to earth, than there is Reason that a Candle that's gone out should be lighted again by another; or than there is Reason that I should put on my cloaths in the morning which I put off at night. It's true, those cloaths have no power to put on themselves; nor is there any natural necessitating cause of it: but yet there is a Free cause in me, that will infallibly (if I live and be able) produce it: For nature disposeth me to abhor nakedness, and desire my cloaths, and therefore in the morning I will put them on. And so nature teacheth the separated soul to desire a reunion with its body; and therefore when the Resurrection morning comes, it will gladly take the word from Christ, and give that vital touch to the body that shall revive it, and so put on its ancient garment; but wonderfully changed from fleshly to spiritual, from dishonourable into glorious.

And now I hope you see, that you may put off these cloths with patience and submission, and that it is no wrong to the flesh it self to be put off, but tendeth to its highest advancement at the last: Though the first cause of sin, and the nest of sin shall be so broken first, that it shall first be seen what sin hath done, before it be seen what Grace will do; and the fruit of our own ways must first be tasted, before we shall fully feed and live upon the blessed fruit of the grace of Christ.