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

10. Self-acquaintance would confute Temptations, and easily resolve the case when you are tempted. Did you considerately know the preciousness of your souls, and your own concernments, and where your true felicity lieth, you would abhor allurements, and encounter them with that argument of Christ, Mark. 8.36, 37. What shall it profit a man, if he win the world and lose his soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?] The fear of man would be conquered by a greater fear; as ⟨p. 29⟩•he Lord commandeth, Luke 12.4, 5. [And I say unto you, my friends; Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do: But I will forewarn you whom you shall fear: Fear him which after he hath killed, hath power to cast into Hell: Yea, I say unto you: Fear him.]

11. It is unacquaintedness with themselves, that makes men quarrel with the word of God, rejecting it when it suits not with their deceived reason, and to be offended with his faithful Ministers, when they cross them in their opinions or ways, or deal with them with that serious plainness, as the weight of the Case, and their necessity doth require. Alas, Sirs, if you were acquainted with your selves, you would know that the holy Rule is strait, and the crookedness is in your conceits and misapprehensions; and that your frail understandings should rather be suspected then the word of God; and that your work is to learn and obey the Law, and not to censure it, James 4.11. And that quarrelling with the holy word which you should obey, will not excuse but aggravate your sin; nor save you from the condemnation, but fasten it and make ⟨p. 30⟩