Reliquiæ Baxterianæ, or, Mr. Richard Baxters narrative of the most memorable passages of his…

He that well considers the Nature of Man, his Relation to God, God's governing of Man, and the Conduct of Providence pursuant to God's concerns with Men, and their concerns with him, as also the Discipline and Interests of the Holy War with Satan, will read History with a finer Eye and to better purpose than others can. To covet, endeavour, and obtain ability and furniture from History, Philology, Divinity, &c. to minister to discursive Entertainment, or Self-conceitedness, Ambition, Preferment, or Reputation with Men, is a design (when ultimate) so mean in God's Eye, so odious and noisome to others, when by them discerned, and so uncomfortable and fatal to our selves when at last accounted for, as that no wise Man would terminate and centre himself, or his Studies there. I have seen all sorts of Learning differently placed, used, and issued. I can stay patiently to see the last Results of all. I have seen Learning excellently implanted in a gracious heart: (So it was in Mr. Baxter, and in several Prelates, and Conformists and Non-conformists, and others: it is so at this day). I have seen it without Grace; or not so evidently under the influences and conduct of Grace, as I have greatly desired it might have been: and here what Partiality, Malignity, Faction, Domination, Superciliousness and Invectives hath his History and other Learning ministered unto! Indeed sanctified Learning hath a lovely show: And the Learning of graceless Persons hath in many Instances and Evidences greatly befriended God's Interest in the Christian World. ⟨image 4⟩And the Knowledge which could not keep some from doing Mischief in the World, and from their being fitted for Hell, and from drawing others after them thither; hath yet helped others to heavenliness and Heaven. But he that well considers what Man is to God, and God to Man; what an Enemy degenerate Man is to God and himself; what a state and frame and posture of War sin hath put Men into, both against God, themselves, and each other; what an Enemy Satan is to all, and what advantages Sin gives him against us; and how Christ is engaged against Satan for us, as the Captain of our Salvation; and how he manages this War by his Spirit, Oracles, Ordinances, Officers, and under-Agents in Church and State, and by the Conduct of Providence over crowned Heads, Thrones, Senates, Armies, Navies, greater and less Communities, and single Persons;