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. 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.

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 chearing 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 chearful 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 dulness, and laying by so much the Joy of the Saints, and the Praises of God.

Direct. 9. Dwell on the believing fore-thoughts of the everlasting glory which you must possess. Think what it is that others are enjoying while you are here;