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

But when thou art brought to accuse and condemn thy self, thou art prepared for his grace that must renew and justify thee. None sped better with Christ, then the woman that confessed her self a dog, and begged but for ⟨p. 102⟩the children's crumbs: And the Centurion that sent friends to Christ to mediate for him, and as being unworthy to come himself, and unworthy that Christ should enter under his roof: For of the first Christ said [O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt] Mat. 15.27, 28. And of the second he saith with admiration [I have not found so great faith, no not in Israel, Luke 7.6, 7, 8.9.] Though thou art ready to deny the title of a child, and to number thy self with the dogs, yet go to him and beg his crumbs of mercy. Though thou think that Christ will not come to such a one as thou, and though thou beg prayers of others, as thinking he will not hear thy own, thou little thinkest how this self-abasement and self-denial prepareth thee for his tenderest mercies, and his esteem. When thou art contrite (as the dust that's trodden under feet) and poor, and tremblest at the Word, then will he look at thee with compassion and respect, Isa. 66.2. [For thus saith the high and lofty one that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is holy; I dwell in the high and holy place: with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones: For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always ⟨p. 103⟩wroth; for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made, Isa. 57.15. When thou art using the self-condemning words of Paul, Rom. 7.14. to 25. [I am carnal, sold under sin: what I would, that do I not; and what I hate, that do I. For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing — I find a law, that when I would do good, evil is present with me. — A Law in my members warring against the Law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the Law of sin —] when thou criest out with him [O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me, from the body of this death;] thou art then fitter to look to thy Redeemer, and use the following words [I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.] When thou didst exalt thy self, thou wast obnoxious to the storms of Justice, which was engaged to bring thee low: