ZltineceOrary Knowledge, andDelight therein. , 167 CHAP. XXX I I. voseceffary Knowledge,and Delight therein. 15. ANother part of Carnal Pleafure which felf mull be , denied in, is, A &fireafter simnecelary Knowledgr, and Delight therein. This is the common fin of man, but not of all alike. Even they that can live without the Knowledge of the faving Principles of Religion do yet itch to knowunpro- fitable things : and many a foolifhquellion theywill be asking about matters unrevealed, or that concern them not, when they overlook that which their falvation lyeth on : but the learneder fort, and efpecially more prying wits, and thofe that are bred upamong difputes, are the proneft to this fin : and though it be an odious vice, yet it fobefooleth many, that they reckon it confidently among their vertues. God cannot be known toomuch, nor canany man be too much in love with the trueknowledgeof God in Jefus Chritt without this knowledge the mind is not good, nor can the heart be faatifiecl, or the man be laved : Nor can any man know too much of the will and word of God ; nor yet of his works inwhich he revealeth himfelf to the world. But the Carnal knowledge which is tobe denied, is of another nature then the fanftified knowledgeof believers. I than thew you the difference in certain particularrefpecIs. 1. This defire to know, which is in the unfanaified, is, partly frommeer nature, and partly from a dillempered tan- tafie, which is like a corrupt enraged appetite, that choofeth that which is unwholfom, and yet is over-greedy after it. But the defire after knowledge in the fandified, is kindled by the love of God,and the love of thofe holy and heavenly things which they are inquiring after. It isnot the Love of Clod that Lets ungodly men upon their fludies, but a common and car- nal defire to know and this appears in the end, which is next, l' z. This carnal knowledge is but to teed and furnifh and pleafe a carnal fancy ; becaufe it is fome adding to our un-; derflandings, and becaufe it is naturally pleafant toknow, and becaufe
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