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

4. Nay as such a design is a dangerous sign of your Damnation, so I beseech you think, what comfort it will be to your soul in Hell to be extolled and well spoken of on earth? Will you cast away your souls, to leave a Name of renown behind you? And how unsuitable will such Honour be to your condition? surely if you be there acquainted with it, you must needs be more tormented, both to remember that you were seeking the fame of the world, instead of the eternal glory, and to consider what a miserable wretch it is that men are praising and magnifying on earth. Ah then you will think with your selves [Little do the poor inhabitants of the earth know what I am suffering while they are extolling me. Is the applause of mortals suitable to a poor tormented soul? Alas that at one and the same time, men should be extolling me, and Devils tormenting me? How little ease do all their acclamations afford this poor distressed soul!] How honourable are the names of Alexander the Great, & Caesar, & Aristotle here on earth! but alas ⟨p. 327⟩what cause have we to fear that they are lamenting their misery, while we are speaking of their glory!

4. Nay as such a design is a dangerous sign of your Damnation, so I beseech you think, what comfort it will be to your soul in Hell to be extolled and well spoken of on earth? Will you cast away your souls, to leave a Name of renown behind you? And how unsutable will such Honor be to your condition? surely if you be there acquainted with it, you must needs be more tormented, both to remember that you were seeking the fame of the world, instead of the eternal glory, and to consider what a miserable wretch it is that men are praising and magnifying on earth. Ah then you will think with your selves [Little do the poor inhabitants of the earth know what I am suffering while they are extolling me. Is the applause of mortals sutable to a poor tormented soul? Alas that at one and the same time, men should be extolling me, and Devils tormenting me? How little ease do all their acclamations afford this poor distressed soul!] How honorable are the names of Alexander the Great, & Caesar, & Aristotle here on earth! but alas ⟨p. 327⟩what cause have we to fear that they are lamenting their misery, while we are speaking of their glory!