A26955:215
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.
Quid juvat immensos scire atque evolvere casus, Si facienda fugis; si fugienda facis?
It maketh you but objects of wonder and compassion, to read Laws and Records, and understand all Cases, and never endeavour to understand the Case of your immortal souls! To counsel others for their temporal estates, and never understand your own spiritual state! To study the mysteries of Nature, and search into all the works of God, except your selves, ⟨p. 134⟩and that which your happiness or misery doth depend on! To study the nature, and causes and signs of bodily diseases, and their several remedies, and never study the diseases of your own souls, nor the precious remedy which Mercy hath provided you. To cure the sicknesses of other mens bodies; and never feel a stony, proud or sensual heart, nor use any care and industry for the cure! To know the matters of all Arts and sciences, to be able to discourse of them all to the admiration of the hearers, is but an aggravation of thy lamentable folly, if thou be all this while a stranger to thy self, and that because thou art mindless of thy souls condition. You would but laugh at such a Learned fool that knew not how to dress himself, or eat or drink or go, and yet could talk of the profoundest speculations in Metaphysics or other sciences. It is more necessary to know your selves, your sin, your duty, your hopes, your dangers, then to know how to eat, or drink, or clothe your selves. Alas, it is a pitiful kind of knowledge, that will not keep you out of Hell; and a foolish wisdom that teacheth you not to save your souls. Per veram scientiam itur ad disciplinam; per disciplin•m ad bonitatem; per ⟨p. 135⟩bonitatem ad beattiudinem, saith Hugo. Till you know your selves, the rest of your knowledge is but a confused dream: When you know the thing, you know not the end, and use and worth of it. Self-knowledge will direct you in all your studies, and still employ you on that which is necessary, and will do you good, when others are studying but unprofitable impertinent things; and indeed are but [proud, knowing nothing (when they seem to excel in knowledge) but dting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, that take gain for godliness,]