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

Do they know themselves, that are prying into unrevealed things, and will be wise, in matters of Theology above what is written? that dare set their shallow brains, and dark unfurnished understandings, against the infallible word of God; and question the truth of it, because it suiteth not with their lame and carnal apprehensions; or because they cannot reconcile what seemeth to them to be contradiction: nor answer the objection of every bold and ignorant infidel: In a word, when God must not be God unless he please them, nor his word be true unless it be all within the reach of them, that never employed the time and study to understand it, as they do to understand the Books that teach them Languages, Arts, and Sciences, and treat of lower things. And when Scripture truth must be called in question, as oft as an ignorant eye shall read it, or an unlearned graceless person misunderstand it: when Offenders that should bewail and reform their own transgressions ⟨p. 52⟩of the Law shall turn their accusations against the Law and call it too precise or strict, and believe and practise no more then stands with their obedience to the Law of sin, and will quarrel with God, when they should humbly learn, and carefully obey him: and despise a life of holy obedience in stead of practising it; and in effect behave themselves as if they were fitter to Rule themselves and the world, then God is; and as if it were not God but they, that should give the Law and be the Judge; and God were the Subject, and man were God. Do you think that sinful creeping worms, that stand so near the Grave and Hell do know themselves, when they think or speak or live at such rates, and according to such unreasonable arrogance? Do they know themselves, that reproach their brethren for humane frailties, and difference of opinion in modes and circumstances, and errors smaller then their own? And that by calling all men Heretics, Sectaries, or Shismaticks that differ from them, do tempt men to turn Infidels or Papists, and to take us all for such as we account each other? And that instead of Receiving the weak in faith whom God receiveth, will rather cast out the faithfullest Labourers, and cut off Christs living ⟨p. 53⟩members from his Church, then forbear the imposing of unnecessary things?

Do they know themselves, that are prying into unrevealed things, and will be wise, in matters of Theology above what is written? that dare set their shallow brains, and dark unfurnished understandings, against the infallible word of God; and question the truth of it, because it fuiteth not with their lame and carnall apprehensions; or because they cannot reconcile what seemeth to them to be contradiction: nor answer the objection of every bold and ignorant infidell: In a word, when God must not be God unless he please them, nor his word be true unless it be all within the reach of them, that never imployed the time and study to understand it, as they do to understand the Books that teach them Languages, Arts, and Sciences, and treat of lower things. And when Scripture truth must be called in question, as oft as an ignorant eye shall read it, or an unlearned graceless person misunderstand it: when Offenders that should bewail and reform their own transgressions