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

And their inferior Mercies of Health, and Wealth, and food, and raiment, and friends, and accommodations, they misesteem and misuse: and value them but as provision for the flesh, and the satisfaction of their sensual and inordinate desires, and not as their necessary provision for their duty in the way to Heaven! And therefore they are most thankful for their greatest snares: For that honour and abundance which are stronger temptations, then they can overcome: For those fleshly contentments and delights, which are the enemies of grace, and the prison of their noblest faculties, and the undoing of their souls. If they could for shame speak out, they would thank God more for a whore, or a successful gain, or the favour of their earthen ⟨p. 127⟩gods, or for preferment, or commodity, lands or houses, then ever they did for all the offers of Christ and grace, and all the invitations to a holy life. For there is much more joy and pleasure in their hearts for the former then the latter.

And their inferior Mercies of Health, and Wealth, and food, and rayment, and friends, and accommodations, they misesteem and misuse: and value them but as provision for the flesh, and the satisfaction of their sensual and inordinate desires, and not as their necessary provision for their duty in the way to Heaven! And therefore they are most thankfull for their greatest snares: For that honour and abundance which are stronger temptations, then they can overcome: For those fleshly contentments and delights, which are the enemies of grace, and the prison of their noblest faculties, and the undoing of their souls. If they could for shame speak out, they would thank God more for a whore, or a succesfull gain, or the favour of their earthen ⟨p. 127⟩gods, or for preferment, or commodity, lands or houses, then ever they did for all the offers of Christ and grace, and all the invitations to a holy life. For there is much more joy and pleasure in their hearts for the former then the latter.

And Self-ignorance will also corrupt your Thanksgiving, and turn it into sin and folly. Is it not shame and pity to hear an unpardoned enemy of Holiness, and of God, to thank God that he is Justified and Reconciled to God, and Adopted to be his child, and made a member of Jesus Christ? And to hear a carnal unregenerate person give thanks for his Regeneration and Sanctification by the Holy Ghost? As it is to hear a leper give thanks for perfect health, or a fool or mad man thank God for making him wiser then his neighbours. Is it not pity to hear a miserable soul thank God for the Grace which he never had and one that is near eternal misery to thank God for making him an heir of Glory! O how many have thanked God Pharisaically for the pardon of their sins, that must for ever suffer for those sins! How many have thanked him for giving them the assured hopes of Glory, that must be thrust out into endless misery! As I having known