A27053:551
A treatise of self-denial. By Richard Baxter, pastor of the church at KidderminsterA treatise of self-denial. By Richard Baxter, pastor of the church at Kederminster
London: printed by Robert White for Nevil Simmons, 1675
Treatise › Chapter 32: Unnecessary Knowledge, and Deligh therein
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
CHAP. XXXII. Unnecessary Knowledge, and Delight therein
CHAP. XXXII. Unnecessary Knowledge, and Deligh therein
15. Another part of Carnal Pleasure which self must be denied in, is, A desire after unnecessary Knowledge, and Delight therein. This is the common sin of man, but not of all alike. Even they that can live without the Knowledge of the saving Principles of Religion, do yet itch to know unprofitable things: and many a foolish question they will be asking about matters unrevealed, or that concern them not, when they overlook that which their salvation lieth on: but the learneder sort, and especially more prying wits, and those that are bred up among disputes, are the pronest to this sin: and though it be an odious vice, yet it so befooleth many, that they reckon it confidently among their virtues:
15. ANother part of Carnal Pleasure which self must be denied in, is, A desire after unnecessary Knowledge, and Delight therein. This is the common sin of man, but not of all alike. Even they that can live without the Knowledge of the saving Principles of Religion, do yet itch to know unprofitable things: and many a foolish question they will be asking about matters unrevealed, or that concern them not, when they overlook that which their salvation lieth on: but the learneder sort, and especially more prying wits, and those that are bred up among disputes, are the pronest to this sin: and though it be an odious vice, yet it so befooleth many, that they reckon it confidently among their vertues:
God cannot be known too much, nor can any man be too much in love with the true knowledge of God in Jesus Christ: without this knowledge the mind is not good, nor can the heart be sanctified, or the man be saved: Nor can any man know too much of the will and word of God; nor yet of his works in which he revealeth himself to the world. But the Carnal knowledge which is to be denied, is of another nature than the sanctified knowledge of believers. I shall show you the difference in certain particular respects.