A supplement to The Morning-exercise at Cripple-Gate, or, Several more cases of conscience practically…

Prop. 7. Every Man should labour to get as much Spiritual knowledge as he can, by the means of the knowledge he hath, and as he can get, without the neglect of other necessary duties. It is not for nothing that the Apostle prays for the Colossians Ch. 1.9. that they might be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all Wisdom and Spiritual understanding: and exhorts the Corinthians Epist. 1.14.20. though in Malice they were Children, yet in understanding to be Men. If Christians ought to grow in every Grace, why not in knowledge, which is it self a Grace, and helpful to all other Graces? We are to be accountable for the means we have of getting our knowledge increased, and therefore sure are to labour that we may get it increased. And though a less measure of knowledge might serve turn to bring a Man to Heaven, yet 1. It is contrary to that Spirit of Ingenuity, that largeness of Heart towards the things of God, which ⟨p. 119⟩is supposed to be in Believers, to stint themselves in the knowledge of the truth, and to be content to know only just so much as may carry them to Heaven. That were to study Spiritual truths, not so much because they love them, as because they cannot want them; and so not of choice but necessity. 2. Even where a less measure of knowledge might save a Man, yet a greater should be endeavoured after; because it might be otherwise so useful: For,

Prop. 7. Every Man should labour to get as much Spiritual knowledge as he can, by the means of the knowledge he hath, and as he can get, without the neglect of other necessary duties. It is not for nothing that the Apostle prays for the Collossians Ch. 1.9. that they might be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all Wisdom and Spiritual understanding: and exhorts the Corinthians Epist. 1.14.20. though in Malice they were Children, yet in understanding to be Men. If Christians ought to grow in every Grace, why not in knowledge, which is it self a Grace, and helpful to all other Graces? We are to be accomptable for the means we have of getting our knowledge increased, and therefore sure are to labour that we may get it encreased. And though a less measure of knowledge might serve turn to bring a Man to Heaven, yet 1. It is contrary to that Spirit of Ingenuity, that largeness of Heart towards the things of God, which ⟨p. 119⟩is supposed to be in Believers, to stint themselves in the knowledge of the truth, and to be content to know only just so much as may carry them to Heaven. That were to study Spiritual truths, not so much because they love them, as because they cannot want them; and so not of choice but necessity. 2. Even where a less measure of knowledge might save a Man, yet a greater should be endeavoured after; because it might be otherwise so useful: For,