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

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.

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 wayes must first be tasted, before we shall fully feed and live upon the blessed fruit of the grace of Christ.

11. Moreover, as there is a Resurrection for the body it self, and that to a more perfect estate than it can here attain, so the whole nature shall be perfected beyond our present comprehension. This life was not intended to be the place of our perfection, but the preparation for it. As the fruit is far from ripeness in the first appearance, or the flower while it is but in the husk or bud; or the Oak when it is but an acorn; or any plant when it is but in the seed; no more is the very nature of man on earth: As the Infant is not perfect in the Womb, nor the Chicken in the shell, no more are our natures perfect in this world. Methinks for the sake of the body it self, much more of the soul, if we are believers, we should submit contentedly to death. While you are here you know that creatures will fail you, enemies will hate you, friends will grieve you, neighbours will wrong you, Satan will tempt you and molest you; the world is changeable and will deceive you; all your comforts are mixed with discomforts; the body carrieth about with it calamities enough of its own to weary it: What daily pains must it be at for the sustentation of its self in its present state; and yet what grief and sorrow must it undergo? Every member hath either its disease, or a disposition thereto: What abundance of passages can pain and sickness find