A26955:232
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.
Having showed you so much Reason for this duty, let me now take leave to invite you all, to the serious study of your selves. It is a duty past all controversy agreed on by heathens as well as Christians, and urged by them in the general, though many of the particulars to be known are beyond their light: It brutifyeth man to be ignorant of himself. Man that is in honour and understandeth not (himself especially) is as the beasts that perish. Psal. 49.20. saith Boethius, [Humana natura infra bestias redigitur, size nose desierit: Nam caeteris animantibus sese ignorare natura est; hominibus vitio venit] Its worse then beastly to be ignorant of our selves, it being a vice in us, which is nature in them.
Having shewed you so much Reason for this duty, let me now take leave to invite you all, to the serious study of your selves. It is a duty past all controversie agreed on by heathens as well as Christians, and urged by them in the generall, though many of the particulars to be knowne are beyond their light: It brutifyeth man to be ignorant of himself. Man that is in honour and understandeth not (himself especially) is as the beasts that perish. Psal. 49.20. saith Boetius, [Humana natura infra bestias redigitur, si se nosse desierit: Nam caeteris animantibus sese ignorare natura est; hominibus vitio venit] Its worse then beastly to be ignorant of our selves, it being a vice in us, which is nature in them.
Come home you wandering self-neglecting souls; Lose not your selves in a wilderness or tumult of impertinent, vain, distracting things; your work is nearer you; The country that you should first survey and travail, is within you; from which you must pass to that above you: when by losing your selves in this without you, you will find your selves before you are aware, in that below you. And then