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

6. Another piece of Vain-glory to be denied, is in the Reputation of Wisdom and Learning. The things themselves are very excellent, and to be desired and much sought after: but not for our own Honour, but the Service and Honour of the Lord. And the greater is the worth of the thing, the greater is the temptation to vain-glory in them that have it, and the harder it is to deny themselves herein. This part of self-denial consisteth not in a contempt of Learning or Wisdom, nor a neglect of it: for this were a sin: but in a neglect of self that would make an advantage of it, for its own carnal exaltation; and in a contempt of the Honour and vain-glory which may redound by it to our selves, further than such honour is serviceable to God. O how sinful and miserable a li•e do abundance ⟨p. 298⟩of Learned men live in the world! Their whole life is but one continued vice, and that a sin of a most heinous nature, even the exercise of Pride and Self-seeking, when yet they take themselves for Saints, because they are not such as are accounted scandalous sinners in the world. They sacrifice their precious time and studies to their Pride & Fancies, and not to God: Too many hours and years are spent to gain the Reputation of being Learned men: Too many disputations are managed; yea (odious sacrilege) too many Sermons are preached, and too many learned Books are written, to gain the Reputation of being Learned men! Ah miserable, low, unworthy studies! Profane Sermons! ungodly labours! and poor reward! O how it nettleth some Proud spirits if they hear that they are taken to be no Scholars! And how many take their University Degrees, to be merely the wings of this part of their vain-glory. Learning and Degrees, and the Reputation of it, are all good, if they be valued and used but for God: But they are so much the worse when they are sacrificed to self and and made the food and fuel of Pride. Learn therefore this part of self-denial.