A26955:250
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.
There may be somewhat of inordinate selfishness, even about our souls: And sinful selfishness is always a losing course. As he that will be a self-saver in point of estate, or honour, or life, taketh the ready way to lose them (Mat. 16.15.) so he that for the saving of his soul, will confine all his care and charity to his own soul, taketh not the way indeed to save it. We keep not our selves; We quicken not; We comfort not; We save not our selves; but only as agents under Christ, manuring the land, and sowing the seed, to which he alone can give the blessing: It is not therefore our inordinate self-studying that will do it: With all our care, without his blessing, we cannot add one cubit to the stature of our graces: Therefore it must needs be our safest course, to be as careful and faithful as we can in duty, and lay out most of our study to please him; and then if we come not to assurance of his love, or discern not his image and grace upon us, ye• we ⟨p. 163⟩must trust him with our souls, and leave the rest to his Care and Goodness, that hath undertaken that none shall be losers by him, nor be ashamed or frustrate of their hopes, that wait upon him, and obey him: Let us commit the keeping of our souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator, 1 Pet. 4.19. As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their Masters—so our eyes (in a way of duty) must wait upon the Lord our God, till he have mercy upon us, Psal. 123.1, 2. And though we grow weary of crying, and our throat be dried, and our eyes fail while we wait for God, (Psal. 69.3.) yet our hope is only in him, and therefore we must continue to wait upon him, Psal. 39.7. And they that wait for him shall not be ashamed, Isa. 49.23.
There may be somewhat of inordinate selfishness, even about our souls: And sinfull selfishness is alwayes a losing course. As he that will be a self-saver in point of estate, or honour, or life, taketh the ready way to lose them (