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

12. Self-acquaintance would teach men to be Charitable to others, and cure the common censoriousness, and envy, and malice of the world. Hath thy neighbour some mistakes about the disputable points of doctrine, or doubtful modes of Discipline or Worship? Is he for the opinion, or form, or Policy, or Ceremony, which thou dislikest? or is he against them when thou approvest them? or afraid to use them, when thou thinkest them laudable? If thou know thy self, thou darest not break charity or peace for this. Thou darest not censure or despise him: But wilt remember the frailty of thy own understanding, which is not infallible in matters of this rank; and in many things is certainly mistaken, and needs forbearance as well as he. Thou wouldst be afraid of inviting God or man to condemn thy self, by thy condemning others; and wouldst think with thy self, ⟨p. 31⟩[…] every error of no more importance in ••rsons that hold the Essentials of Religion, ••d conscionably practise what they know, •ust go for Heresy, or make men Sectaries, […] cut them off from the favour of God, or ••e Communion of the Church, or the pro••ction of the Magistrate, and subject them •o damnation, to misery, to censures and reproach: alas, what then must become of so ••ail a wretch as I? of so dark a mind, •f so blameable a heart and life? that am ••ke to be mistaken in matters as great, •here I least suspect it? It is ignorance of themselves, that makes men so easily think •ll of their brethren, and entertain all hard •r mis-reports of them, and look at them so strangely, or speak of them so contemptuously and bitterly, and use them so uncompassionately, because they are not in •ll things of their opinion and way. They consider not their own infirmities, and that they teach men how to use themselves. The falls of brethren would not be over-aggravated, nor be the matter of insulting or contempt, but of compassion, if men knew themselves. This is implied in the charge of the Holy Ghost,