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

What should we go further in the search; when in all ages and countries of the world the Unmercifulness of the Rich, the Murmuring of the poor, the hard usage by Superiors, the disobedience of inferiors, the commotions of the state, the wars and rebellions that disquiet the world, the cruelty covered with pretences of Religion, the unthankfulness for Mercies, the murmuring under afflictions, too openly declare that most men have little knowledge of themselves, To conclude, when we see that none are more self-accusing and complaining then the most sincere, and none more self-justifying and confident then the ungodly careless souls, that none walk more heavily then many of the heirs of life, and none are merrier then many that must lie in Hell for ever: that all that a Minister can say, will not convince many upright ones of their integrity, nor any skill or industry or interest suffice to convince most wicked men that they are wicked; nor if our lives lay on it, we cannot make them see the ⟨p. 55⟩necessity of Conversion, nor know their misery till feeling tell them it is now too late: when so many walk sadly and lamentingly to Heaven; and so many go fearlessly and Presumptuously to Hell, and will not believe it till they are there; by all this judge, what work self-ignorance maketh in the world.

What should we go further in the search; when in all ages and countries of the world the Unmercifullness of the Rich, the Murmuring of the poor, the hard usage by Superiors, the disobedience of inferiors, the commotions of the state, the wars and rebellions that disquiet the world, the cruelty covered with pretenses of Religion, the unthankfullness for Mercyes, the murmuring under afflictions, too openly declare that most men have little knowledge of themselves, To conclude, when we see that none are more self-accusing and complaining then the most sincere, and none more self-justifying and confident then the ungodly careless souls, that none walk more heavily then many of the heirs of life, and none are merrier then many that must lie in Hell for ever: that all that a Minister can say, will not convince many upright ones of their integrity, nor any skill or industry or interest suffice to convince most wicked men that they are wicked; nor if our lives lay on it, we cannot make them see the ⟨p. 55⟩necessity of Conversion, nor know their misery till feeling tell them it is now too late: when so many walke sadly and lamentingly to Heaven; and so many goe fearlesly and Presumptuously to Hell, and will not believe it till they are there; by all this judge, what work self-ignorance maketh in the world.