Directions for profitable Reading the Holy Scriptures. Direct. 4
Remember that it is a doctrine of unseen things, and of the greatest mysteries; and therefore come not to it with arrogance as a judge, but with humility as a learner or disciple: and if any thing seem difficult or improbable to you, suspect your own unfurnished understanding, and not the sacred Word of God. If a learner in any art or science, will suspect his teacher and his books, whenever he is stalled, or meeteth with that which seemeth unlikely to him, his pride would keep possession for his ignorance, and his folly were like to be uncurable.
From A Body of Practical Divinity, or A Christian Directory, Vol. 3.
Richard Baxter (Click on Mr. Baxter’s name to learn more about him.)
“As a writer, few men have written more, or to better purpose. His books, for number and variety of matter, might form a library. They contain a treasure of controversial, casuistical, positive, and practical divinity. Such at least was the opinion of the judicious Dr. Bates; nor was he alone of this sentiment. The excellent bishop Wilkins did not hesitate to assert, ‘That he had cultivated every subject he had handled;’ and the learned and ingenious Dr. Barrow gives this as his judgment concerning them, ‘That his practical works were never mended, and his controversial ones seldom confuted.’ Mr. Calamy tells us, ‘That the books he wrote amounted to more than one hundred and twenty,’ and an Editor, who published a Life of Mr. Baxter says, ‘He has seen one hundred and forty-five distinct Treatises, whereof four were folios, seventy-three quartos, forty-nine octavos, and nineteen twelves and twenty fours, besides single sheets, separate Sermons, and at least twenty-five Prefaces to other men’s works.'”
Wings of the Wind 
Thanks for the good passage from Baxter. Yes, we must approach Scripture with reverence and the attitude of a student desiring to be taught and how to apply.
You’re welcome, Tom, and thank you for your reply. Baxter seems to be one of the better known men from that time period. He was quite prolific and what I’ve read of his so far has all been good. There are six more of these “Directions for profitable Reading the Holy Scriptures.” I am spacing them out at every fifth post.
Again, thanks for stopping by. I always appreciate it!
What words of wisdom! Thank you for posting this, Chris. I’ll be reading about Baxter since I am not familiar with that name.
Indeed, they are words of wisdom, Cathy. You’re welcome and thank you for your comment. He was pretty prolific and well-known in his day.
I will put up more of his “Directions for profitable Reading the Holy Scriptures” over the next few months. I am spacing them out so that I put one up every fifth post.
It’s amazing to me how so many men of his time period knew the Bible so well. Most of these quotes that I’m sharing are from around this and the 18th century. Of course, there is Spurgeon in the 19th century who knew about all of these men and had many of their books and writings. Spurgeon himself, as you probably well know, is pretty much one long good quote in most of what he wrote.
Thanks again for your encouragement, Cathy!
This is wonderful advice concerning our approach to God’s Word, which should be with reverence and childlike faith. Thank you again Chris, for sharing these words of wisdom.
You’re welcome, Elizabeth, and thank you for your thoughtful response. Indeed, being reverent and having childlike faith are things important to every Christian. You have reminded me of these verses which, I’m sure you well know:
Matthew 18:2-4
2 “And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, 3 and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Thanks again and I hope you have a great day!