LIFE OF RICHARD BAXTER. 193 parison of that which we are ignorant of; and I have far meaner thoughts of my own understanding, though I must needs know that it is better furnished than it was then. "11. Accordingly I had then a far higher opinion of learned persons and books than I now have; for what I wantedmyself, I thought every reverend divine had attained, and was familiarly ac- quainted with. And what books I understood not, by reason of the strangeness of the terms or matter, I the more admired, and thought that others understood their worth. But now experience bath constrained me against my will to know, that reverendlearned men are imperfect, and know but little as well as I, especially those that think themselves the wisest. And the more I am acquainted with holy men that are all for heaven, and pretend not much to subtilties, the more I value and honor them." " 12. And at first I took more upon my author's credit than now I can do: and when an author was highly commended to me by others, or pleased me in some part, I was ready to entertain the whole ; whereas now I take and leave in the same author, and dissent in some things from him that I like best, as well as from others. " 13. At first, I was greatly inclined to go with the highest in controversies on one side or other; as with Dr. Twisse and Mr. Rutherford, and Spanhemius de Providentia et Gratia, &c. But now I can so easily see what to say against both extremes, that I am much more inclinable to reconciling principles. 14. At first, the style of authors took as much with me as the argument, and made the arguments seem more forcible ; but now I judge not of truth at all by any such ornaments or accidents, but by its naked evidence. " 15. I now see more good and more evil in all men, than here- tofore I did. I see that goodmen are not sogood as d once thought they were, but have more imperfections ; and that nearer approach and fuller trial do make the best appear more weak and faulty than their admirers at a distance think. And I find that few are so bad as either malicious enemies, or censorious separating pro- fessors, do imagine." "16. I less admire gifts of utterance and the bare profession of religion than I once did; and have much more charity for many, who, by the want ofgifts, do make an obscurer profession." "Ex- perience bath opened to me what odious crimes may consist with high profession; and I have met with divers obscure persons, not indeed noted for any extraordinary profession or forwardness in religion, but only to live a quiet, blameless life, whom I have after found to have long lived, as far as I could discern, a truly godly and sanctified life; only their prayers and duties were, by accident, VOL. 1. 25
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