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Endure Quote by Richard Baxter

“If it will be an intolerable thing to suffer the heat of fire for a year or a day, or an hour, what will it be to suffer ten thousand times more for ever? What if thou wert to suffer Lawrence 's death, to be roasted upon a gridiron; or to be scraped or pricked to death as other martyrs were; or if…” quote by Richard Baxter
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“If it will be an intolerable thing to suffer the heat of fire for a year or a day, or an hour, what will it be to suffer ten thousand times more for ever? What if thou wert to suffer Lawrence 's death, to be roasted upon a gridiron; or to be scraped or pricked to death as other martyrs were; or if thou wert to feed upon toads for a year together? If thou couldst not endure such things as these, how wilt thou endure the eternal flames ?”

Richard Baxter

About This Quote

Source Treatise: The Saints' Everlasting Rest, 1650

The passage challenges the reader to compare temporary physical suffering with the eternal punishment of hell, urging endurance of earthly trials by recognizing the greater horror of eternal damnation.

In simple terms: Endure present hardships, as they are minor compared to eternal punishment.

Key Takeaway

Remember that present pain is fleeting.

Themes

faith suffering eternity perseverance

Mood

solemn reflective

Type

religious motivational

When to use this quote

  • prisoner
  • soldier
  • patient caregiver
  • person facing chronic illness

Key Concepts

theology martyrdom afterlife

Questions to Reflect On

  • What present hardship could you bear if you trusted in eternal hope?
  • How does fear of eternity influence your daily choices?
A Different Perspective

The comparison may oversimplify complex psychological impacts of suffering.

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