A26955:126
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.
And then, —En quo discordia cives Perduxit miseros, en queis consevimus agros.
15. Self-acquaintance would end abundance of Controversies, and very much help •en to discern the truth. In the Controversy of Freewill or humane power; to know our selves as we are Men, would be to know that we have the Natural Power and Freedom consisting in the self-determining faculty and principle. To know our selves as sinful, would certify us how much we want of the Moral Power which consisteth in Right inclinations, and the Moral Liberty from vicious dispositions and habits. Would time permit, I might show it in the instances of Original Corruption, of the Nature of Grace, of Merit, of the Cause of sin, and many other controversies, how much error is promoted by the Ignorance of our selves.
15. Self-acquaintance would end abundance of Controversies, and very much help •en to discern the truth. In the Controversie of Freewill or humane power; to know our selves as we are Men, would be to know that we have the Natural Power and Freedom consisting in the self-determining faculty and principle. To know our selves as sinfull, would certifie us how much we want of the Morall Power which consisteth in Right inclinations, and the Moral Liberty from vitious dispositions and habits. Would time permit, I might shew it in the instances of Original Corruption, of the Nature of Grace, of Merit, of the Cause of sin, and many other controversies, how much error is promoted by the Ignorance of our selves.
16. Self-acquaintance maketh men both Just and Merciful. One cannot be so much as a Good Neighbour without it; not yet a faithful friend. It will teach you to put up injuries, and to forgive; as remembering that you are like to be injurious to others, and certainly are daily so to God; and that it is no great fault that's done against such poor unworthy persons as our selves (if it had no higher a respect then as to us.) It is such only that [with all lowliness, and meekness, and long-suffering forbear one another in love]