A26955:253
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.
And yet if these self-studying souls, that confine almost all their thoughts unto themselves, would but seek after God in themselves, and see his grace, and benefits, it were the better: But poor souls, in the darkness of temptation, they overlook their God; and most of their study of themselves, is to see Satan and his workings in themselves: To find as much of his image as they can, in the deformities or infirmities of their souls; but the image of God they overlook, and hardly will acknowledge. And so, as noble objects raise the soul, and amiable objects kindle love, and comfortable objects fill it with delight; and God, who is all in One perfection, doth elevate and perfect it, and make it happy; so inferior objects do depress it; and ugly loathsome objects fill it with distaste and loathing; and sad and mournful objects turn it into grief; And therefore to be still looking on our miseries, and deformities, must needs turn ⟨p. 166⟩calamity and woe into the temperament and complexion of the soul.
And yet if these self-studying souls, that confine almost all their thoughts unto themselves, would but seek after God in themselves, and see his grace, and benefits, it were the better: But poor souls, in the darkness of temptation, they overlook their God; and most of their study of themselves, is to see Satan and his workings in themselves: To find as much of his image as they can, in the deformities or infirmities of their souls; but the image of God they overlook, and hardly will acknowledge. And so, as noble objects raise the soul, and amiable objects kindle love, and comfortable objects fill it with delight; and God, who is all in One perfection, doth elevate and perfect it, and make it happy; so inferiour objects do depress it; and ugly loathsome objects fill it with distaste and loathing; and sad and mournfull objects turn it into grief; And therefore to be still looking on our miseries, and deformities, must needs turn ⟨p. 166⟩calamity and wo into the temperament and complexion of the soul.