Practical Exercises for the Improvement of Knowing God

From Richard Baxter’s A Christian Directory:

 

For the right improvement of the knowledge of God and His attributes, here are some exercises:

 

1. The clearest knowledge you can attain to.

2. The firmest belief.

3. The highest estimation.

4. The greatest admiration.

5. The heartiest and sweetest complacency or love.

6. The strongest desire.

7. A filial awfulness, reverence, and fear.

8. The boldest quieting trust and confidence in him.

9. The most fixed waiting, dependence, hope, and expectation.

10. The most absolute self-resignation to him.

11. The fullest and quietest submission to his disposals.

12. The humblest and most absolute subjection to his governing authority and will, and the exactest obedience to his laws.

13. The boldest courage and fortitude in his cause, and owning him before the world in the greatest sufferings.

14. The greatest thankfulness for his mercies.

15. The most faithful improvement of his talents, and use of his means, and performance of our trust.

16. A reverent and holy use of his name and word: with a reverence of his secrets; forbearing to intrude or meddle with them.

17. A wise and cautelous observance of his providences, public and private; neither neglecting them, nor misinterpreting them; neither running before them, nor striving discontentedly against them.

18. A discerning, loving, and honouring his image in his children , notwithstanding their infirmities and faults; without any friendship to their faults , or over-magnifying or imitating them in any evil.

19. A reverent, serious, spiritual adoration and worshipping him, in public and private , with soul and body, in the use of all his holy ordinances; but especially in the joyful celebration of his praise, for all his perfections and his mercies.

20. The highest delight and fullest content and comfort in God that we can attain: especially a delight in knowing him, and obeying and pleasing him, worshipping and praising him; loving him, and being beloved of him, through Jesus Christ; and in the hopes of the perfecting of all these in our everlasting fruition of him in heavenly glory.

 

All these are the acts of piety towards God.