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

Direct. 5. And by such means as this aforesaid, Labour to bring up your souls to live in the Love of God. It is love that is the Divine and heavenly nature in us: and therefore must needs incline us heaven-wards. The nature of love is to long after communion with him that we love. The more Love, the more of God in the soul, and the more desire after God. This is the grace that must live for ever, and therefore bendeth towards the place of its perfection. It's want of Love to God, that maketh most of us so contented to be from him. Strengthen and exercise all other graces, as far as in you lieth: but above all live in the exercise of this enjoying, heavenly grace.

Direct. 6. Consider of all the burdens that are here upon you, which should make you long to be with God. One would think the feeling of them should force you to consideration and weariness of them, and make the thoughts of rest to be sweet to you. Have you yet not sin enough, and sorrow, and fear, and trouble enough? Or must God lay a greater load on you, to make you desire to be disburdened? Every hour you spend, and every creature you have to do with, afford you some occasion of renewing your desires to depart from these and be with Christ.

Direct. 7. Observe and magnify that of God which is here revealed to you in his word and works. Study him and admire him in Scripture, study and admire him in the frame of nature; And when you look towards Sun, or Moon, or Sea, or Land, and perceive how little it is that you know, and how desirable it is to know them perfectly, think then of that estate, where ⟨p. 281⟩you shall know them all, in God himself who is more than all. Study and admire him in the course of Providences: study and admire him in the person of Christ; in the frame of his holy life; in the work of Redemption; in the holy frame of his Laws and Covenants; study and admire him in his Saints and the frame of his holy Image on their souls. This life of studying and admiring God, and dwelling upon him with all our souls, will exceedingly dispose us to be willing to come to him, and to submit to death.