A26955:204
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.
7. If you know not your selves, it will unfit you for Thanksgiving: Your greatest Mercies will be least esteemed: And the lesser will be misesteemed: And while you are unthankful for what you have, you will be absurdly thanking God for that which indeed you have not.
7. If you know not your selves, it will unfit you for Thanksgiving: Your greatest Mercies will be least esteemed: And the lesser will be misesteemed: And while you are unthankfull for what you have, you will be absurdly thanking God for that which indeed you have not.
What inestimable Mercies are daily trodden under feet by sinners, that know not their worth, because they know not their own necessities! They have Time to Repent, and make preparation for an endless life: But they know not the worth of it, but unthankfully neglect it, and cast it away on the basest vanities: As if worldly cares, or wicked company, or fleshly lusts, or Cards or Dice ⟨p. 124⟩or revellings, or idleness, were exercises in which they might better improve it, then the works of Holiness, Justice and Mercy, which God hath made the business of their lives. Or as if the profits, and pleasures and vain glory of this world, did better deserve it, then their Creator, and their own souls, and the Heavenly inheritance. But if their eyes were opened to see where they stand, and what they are, and what are their dangers and necessities, how thankful would they be for one year, one month, one day, one hour to Repent and cry to God for Mercy! and how sensibly would they perceive that a hundred years time is not too long, to spend in serious preparation for eternity?
What inestimable Mercies are daily trodden under feet by sinners, that know not their worth, because they know not their own necessities! They have Time to Repent, and make preparation for an endless life: But they know not the worth of it, but unthankfully neglect it, and cast it away on the basest vanities: As if worldly cares, or wicked company, or fleshly lusts, or Cards or Dice