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

And self-knowledge would teach men what to ask. They would feel most need of spiritual mercies, and beg hardest for them; and for outward things, they would ask but for their daily bread; and not be foolishly importunate with God for that which they know not to be suitable or good for them. [Fideliter supplicans Deo pro necessitatibus hujus vitae, & miserecorditer auditur, & miserecorditer non auditur. ⟨p. 121⟩Quid enim infirmo sit utilius magis novit medicus quam agrotus] saith Prosper. Its mercy to be denied sometimes when we pray for outward things: Our Physician, and not we must choose our Physic, and prescribe our diet.

And self-knowledge would teach men what to ask. They would feel most need of spiritual mercies, and beg hardest for them; and for outward things, they would ask but for their daily bread; and not be foolishly importunate with God for that which they know not to be suitable or good for them. [Fideliter supplicans Deo pro necessitatibus hujus vitae, & miserecorditer auditur, & miserecorditer non auditur. ⟨p. 121⟩Quid enim infirmo sit utilius magis novit medicus quam agrotus] saith Prosper. Its mercy to be denyed sometimes when we pray for outward things: Our Physition, and not we must choose our Physick, and prescribe our diet.

And if men knew themselves, it would teach them on what terms to expect the hearing of their prayers. Neither to be accepted for their merits, nor yet to be accepted without that faith, and Repentance, and desire, that seriousness, humility, and sincerity of heart, which the very nature of Prayer to God doth contain or presuppose. He that nameth the name of Christ, must depart from iniquity, 2 Tim. 2.19. and must wash himself and make him clean, and put away the evil of his doings from before the eyes of God, and cease to do evil, and learn to do well;