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

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 ⟨p. 89⟩know all, which I should have spent for the increase of Holiness in my self and others: And yet I must thankfully acknowledge to God, that from my youth he taught me, to begin with things of greatest weight, and to refer most of my other Studies thereto, and to spend my days under the Motives of Necessity and Profit to my self, and those with whom I had to do. And I now think better of the Course of Paul that determined to know nothing but a Crucified Christ among the Corinthians, that is, so to converse with them as to Use, and Glorying as if he knew nothing else: And so of the the rest of the Apostles and Primitive Ages: And though I still love and honour the fullest Knowledge (and am not of Dr. Collet's mind, who as Erasmus saith most slighted Augustine) yet I less censure even that Carthage Council which forbade the reading of the Heathens Books of Learning and Arts, than formerly I have done. And I would have men savour most that Learning in their Health which they will or should savour most in Sickness, and near to Death.

For my own part, I know that the Knowledg 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 ⟨p. 89⟩know all, which I should have spent for the increase of Holiness in my self and others: And yet I must thankfully acknowledge to God, that from my youth he taught me, to begin with things of greatest weight, and to refer most of my other Studies thereto, and to spend my days under the Motives of Necessity and Profit to my self, and those with whom I had to do. And I now think better of the Course of Paul that determined to know nothing but a Crucified Christ among the Corinthians, that is, so to converse with them as to Use, and Glorying as if he knew nothing else: And so of the the rest of the Apostles and Primitive Ages: And though I still love and honour the fullest Knowledge (and am not of Dr. Collets mind, who as Erasmus saith most slighted Augustine) yet I less censure even that Carthage Council which forbad the reading of the Heathens Books of Learning and Arts, than formerly I have done. And I would have men savour most that Learning in their Health which they will or should savour most in Sickness, and near to Death.