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

5. Carnal knowledge would break Gods bounds, and would needs know that ⟨p. 212⟩which else they might know, and cannot see the strength of a reason, which the wise can see; yet will they sooner quarrel with the light than with their eyes, and suspect the reasons and words of God rather than their purblind minds. But spiritual knowledge is modest, and humble, and obedient; & presumeth not to climb any higher than the ladder, lest he lose more by such a step too high, than he got by all his labour hitherto; & find himself all in pieces at the bottom while he would needs climb above the top. He finds work enough in what God hath commanded him to study in his word; and therefore hath no leisure to look after things that God hath hid from him: It is for the use of knowledge that he would know; and therefore he hath no great mind of that which is useless; and he knows that God is the best Judge of that; and therefore he takes that to be best for him which is prescribed him.

5. Carnal knowledge would break Gods bounds, and would needs know that ⟨p. 212⟩which else they might know, and cannot see the strength of a reason, which the wise can see; yet will they sooner quarrel with the light than with their eyes, and suspect the reasons and words of God rather than their purblind minds. But spiritual knowledge is modest, and humble, and obedient; & presumeth not to climb any higher than the ladder, lest he lose more by such a step too high, than he got by all his labor hitherto; & find himself all in pieces at the bottom while he would needs climb above the top. He finds work enough in what God hath commanded him to study in his word; and therefore hath no leisure to look after things that God hath hid from him: It is for the use of knowledge that he would know; and therefore he hath no great mind of that which is useless; and he knows that God is the best Judge of that; and therefore he takes that to be best for him which is prescribed him.

6. Carnal Students are apt to learn in the ways which their interests and fancies lead them to: but holy Students learn of God in his prescribed way; that is, 1. In his Church, which is his School. 2. And in and by his holy Scripture, which is the book he sets us to learn. And 3. By his Ministers whom he commandeth to teach us. 4. And in obedience to his spirit that must make all effectual. And 5. In fervent prayer to God for that spirit and a blessing. This is Gods way in which he will bring men to saving knowledge.