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 should we be so loth to leave (whether naturally or violently) such a life as this? When the fruit is ripe, should it not be gathered? When the corn is ripe, would you have it grow there and not be cut? When the spirit hath hatched us for heaven, should we be so loth to leave the shell or nest? When we are begotten again to the hopes of immortality, should we be so desirous to stay in the womb? O Sirs, it is another kind of life that we shall have with God? They are purer comforts, that stay for us above! But if you will not have the Grapes to be gathered and pressed, how can you expect to have the Wine? Me thinks our flesh should have enough ere this time, of sickness, and pain, and want, and crosses, and should be content ⟨p. 262⟩to lie down in hope of the day when these shall be no more.

And should we be so loth to leave (whether naturally or violently) such a life as this? When the fruit is ripe, should it not be gathered? When the corn is ripe, would you have it grow there and not be cut? When the spirit hath hatched us for heaven, should we be so loth to leave the shell or nest? When we are begotten again to the hopes of immortality, should we be so desirous to stay in the womb? O Sirs, it is another kind of life that we shall have with God? They are purer comforts, that stay for us above! But if you will not have the Grapes to be gathered and prest, how can you expect to have the Wine? Me thinks our fle•h should have enough e're this time, of sickness, and pain, and want, and crosses, and should be content ⟨p. 262⟩to lie down in hope of the day when these shall be no more.

Little would an unbeliever think what a Body God will make of this, that now is corruptible flesh and blood! It shall then be loathsome and troublesome no more. It shall be hungry, or thirsty, or weary, or cold, or pained no more. As the stars of heaven do differ from a clod of earth, or from a carrion in a ditch, so will our glorified immortal bodies differ from this mortal corruptible flesh. If a skilful workman can turn a little earth and ashes into such curious transparent glasses, as we daily see: and if a little seed that bears no show of such a thing, can produce the more beautiful flowers of the earth; and if a little acorn can bring forth the greatest Oak; why should we once doubt whether the seed of everlasting life and glory which is now in the blessed souls with Christ, can by him communicate a perfection to the flesh that is dissolved into its elements? There's no true beauty but that which is there received from the face of God: And if a glimpse made Moses face to shine; what glory will Gods glory communicate to us, when we have the fullest endless intuition of it? There only is the strength, and there's the riches, and there's the honour, and there's the pleasure; and here are but the shadows, and dreams, and names, and images of these precious things.