A26955:103
The mischiefs of self-ignorance and the benefits of self-acquaintance opened in divers sermons at…
The mischiefs of self-ignorance and the benefits of self-acquaintance opened in divers sermons at Dunstan's-West and published in answer to the accusations of some and the desires of others / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by R. White for F. Tyton, 1662
THE Mischief of Self-ignorance, AND Benefit of Self-acquaintance. › Part
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
O amatores mundi (inquit Angust.) cujus rei gratia militatis? — Ibi quid nisi fragile plenum periculis? et per qu•t pericula pervenitur ad majus periculum? percant haec omnia, et dimittamus haec vana et inania, conferamus nos ad solam inquisitionem eorum quae finem non habeant.] i. e. What strive you for, O worldings? Whats here but a brittle glass full of dangers? and by how many dangers must you come to greater dangers? Away with these vanities and toys, and let us set our selves to seek the things that have no end]
O amatores mundi (inquit Angust.) cujus rei gratia militatis? — Ibi quid nisi fragile plenum periculis? et per qu•t pericula pervenitur ad majus periculum? percant haec omnia, et dimittamus haec vana et inania, conferamus nos ad solam inquisitionem eorum quae finem non habeant.] i. e. What strive you for, O worldings? Whats here but a brittle glass full of dangers? and by how many dangers must you come to greater dangers? Away with these vanities and toyes, and let us set our selves to seek the things that have no end]
8. It is for want of self-acquaintance that any man is Proud. Did men considerately know what they are, how quickly would it bring them low? Would corruptible ⟨p. 25⟩flesh that must shortly turn to loathsome rottenness, be stout and Lordly and look so high and set forth it self in gaudy ornaments, if men did not forget themselves? Alas, the way forgets the end: the outward bravery forgets the dirt and filth within: the stage forgetteth the undressing room. Did Rulers behave themselves as those that are subjects to the Lord of all, and have the greatest need to fear his judgment, and prepare for their account: did Great ones live as men that know that Rich and poor are equal with the Lord, who respects not persons; and that they must Speedily be levelled with the lowest, and their dust be mixed with the Common earth; what an alteration would it make in their deportment and affairs? and what a mercy would it prove to their inferiors and themselves? If men that swell with pride of parts, and overvalue their knowledge, wit or elocution, did know how little indeed they know, and how much they are ignorant of, it would much abate their pride and confidence. The more men know indeed, the more they know to humble them. It is the Novices that being lifted up with Pride do fall into the Condemnation