The mischiefs of self-ignorance and the benefits of self-acquaintance opened in divers sermons at…

7. It is for want of acquaintance with themselves, that men are so deceived by the vanities of the world: that they are drowned in the love of pleasures and sensual delights: that they are so greedy for Riches, and so desirous to be higher then those about them, and to wast their days in the pursuit of that which will not help them in the hour of their extremity. Did the voluptuous sensualist know aright that he is a Man, he would not take up with the pleasures and felicity of a brute; nor enslave his Reason to the violence of his Appetite. He would know that there are higher pleasures which beseem a Man: even those that consist in the well being and integrity of the soul, in peace of Conscience, in the favour of God, and Communion with him in the Spirit, and in a holy life, and in the fore-thoughts and Hopes of endless Glory.

7. It is for want of acquaintance with themselves, that men are so deceived by the vanityes of the world: that they are drowned in the love of pleasures and sensuall delights: that they are so greedy for Riches, and so desirous to be higher then those about them, and to wast their dayes in the pursuit of that which will not help them in the houre of their extremity. Did the voluptuous sensualist know aright that he is a Man, he would not take up with the pleasures and felicity of a bruit; nor enslave his Reason to the violence of his Appetite. He would know that there are higher pleasures which beseem a Man: even those that consist in the well being and integrity of the soule, in peace of Conscience, in the favour of God, and Communion with him in the Spirit, and in a holy life, and in the fore-thoughts and Hopes of endless Glory.

Did the Covetous worldling know himself, he would know that it must be another kind of Riches, that must satisfy his soul, and that he hath wants of another nature to be supplied; and that it more ⟨p. 23⟩concernneth him to lay up a treasure in Heaven, and think where he must dwell for ever, then to accommodate his perishing flesh, and make provision with so much a doe, for a life that posteth away while he is providing for it: he would rather make him friends with the Mammon of unrighteousness, and lay up a foundation for the time to come, and labour for the food that never perisheth, then to make such a stir for that which will serve him so little a while: that so he might hear, [Well done thou Good and faithful servant, &c.] rather then [Thou fool this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be which thou hast provided.]