Richard Baxter on Walking With God

Our walking with God is a matter of some constancy: It signifieth our course and trade of life, and not some accidental action on the by: A man may walk with a stranger for a visit, or in compliment, or upon some unusual occasion: But this walk with God, is the act of those that dwell with him in his family, and do his work.

It is not only to step and speak with him, or cry to him for mercy in some great extremity, or to go to church for company or custom, or think or talk of him sometimes heartlessly on the by, as a man will talk of news, or matters that are done in a foreign land, or of persons that we have little to do with: But it is to “be always with him.” (Luke 15:31.)

“To seek first his kingdom and righteousness.” (Matt. 6:33.) “Not to labour (comparatively) for the food that perisheth, but for that which endureth to everlasting life.” (John 6:27.) “To delight in the law of the Lord, and meditate in it day and night.” (Psal. 1:2.) That his “words be in our hearts, and that we teach them diligently to our children, and talk of them sitting in the house, and walking by the way, lying down, and rising up,” &c. (Deut. 6:6, 8.) That “we pray continually.” (1 Thess. 5:17.) “And in all things give thanks.” But will the hypocrite delight himself in the Almighty, or will he always call upon God?” (Job 27:10.) “His goodness is as the morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away.” (Hos. 6:4.)

Richard Baxter, William Orme, The Practical Works of the Rev. Richard Baxter, vol. 13 (London: James Duncan, 1830), 179.

Bio of Richard Baxter:  http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/131christians/pastorsandpreachers/baxter.html