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. 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.

Direct. 7. Observe and magnifie 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.

Direct. 8. Live also in the daily exercise of holy Joy and Praise to God; which is the heavenly Employment. For if you use your selves to this heavenly life, it will much incline you to desire to be there. Exercise fear, and godly sorrow, and care in their places: but especially after Faith and Love, be sure to live in holy Joy and Praise. Be much in the consideration of all that Riches of grace in Christ, communicated and to be communicated to you. And be much in Thanks to God for his mercies; and cheering and comforting your soul, in the Lord your God: And thus the Joy of Grace will much dispose you to the Joys of glory; & the Peace which the Kingdom of God consisteth in, will incline you to the peace of the everlasting Kingdom: and the cheerful Praising of God on Earth, in Psalms or other ways of Praise, will prepare and dispose you to the heavenly Praises. And therefore, Christians exceedingly wrong their souls, and hinder themselves from a willingness to be with God in spending all their days in drooping, or doubting, or worldly dullness, and laying by so much the Joy of the Saints, and the Praises of God.