Richard Baxter's dying thoughts upon Phil. I, 23 written for his own life and…

2. Yea, it were well if much of our Reading and Learning did us no harm, and more than good: I fear lest Books are to some but a more honourable kind of temptation than Cards and Dice: Lest many a precious Hour be lost in them, that should be employed on much higher matters: And lest many make such knowledge but an unholy, natural, yea carnal Pleasure, as Worldings do the Thoughts of their Lands and Honours; and lest they be the more dangerous by how much the less suspected: But the best is, it is a pleasure so fe••ed from the slothful with Thorny labour of hard and long Studies, that laziness saveth more from it than Grace, and holy Wisdom doth. But doubtless Fancy and the Natural Intellect may with as little Sanctity live in the pleasure of Reading▪ Knowing, Disputing, and Writing, as others spend their time at a Game at Chess, or other ingenious sport.

2. Yea, it were well if much of our Reading and Learning did us no harm, and more than good: I fear lest Books are to some but a more honourable kind of temptation than Cards and Dice: Lest many a precious Hour be lost in them, that should be employed on much higher matters: And lest many make such knowledge but an unholy, natural, yea carnal Pleasure, as Worldings do the Thoughts of their Lands and Honours; and lest they be the more dangerous by how much the less suspected: But the best is, it is a pleasure so fe••ed from the sloathful with Thorny labour of hard and long Studies, that laziness saveth more from it than Grace, and holy Wisdom doth. But doubtless Fancy and the Natural Intellect may with as little Sanctity live in the pleasure of Reading▪ Knowing, Disputing, and Writing, as others spend their time at a Game at Chess, or other ingenious sport.

For my own part, I know that the Knowledge of Natural things is valuable, and may be Sanctified; much more Theological Theory: And when it is so, it is of good use; and I have little knowledge which I find not some way useful to my highest ends. And if Wishing or Money would procure more, I would wish and empty my Purse for it; but yet if many score or hundred Books which I have read, had been all unread, and I had that time now to lay out upon higher thing, I should think my self much richer than now I am. And I must earnestly pray, The Lord forgive me the Hours that I have spent in reading Things less profitable, for the pleasing of a Mind that would fain