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

This much I thought needful to be spoken here to prevent misunderstanding and misapplication: that while I am pressing you to study and know your selves, I may not encourage any in extremes, nor tempt them to make an ill use of so great and necessary a doctrine: And indeed the observation of the sad calamity of many poor drooping afflicted souls, that are still poring excessively on their own hearts, commanded me not to overpass this caution. And yet when I have done it, I am afraid lest those in the contrary extreme, will take encouragement to neglect themselves, by my reprehensions of those that are so unlike them.

This much I thought needfull to be spoken here to prevent misunderstanding and misapplication: that while I am pressing you to study and know your selves, I may not encourage any in extreams, nor tempt them to make an ill use of so great and necessary a doctrine: And indeed the observation of the sad calamity of many poor drooping afflicted souls, that are still poreing excessively on their own hearts, commanded me not to overpass this caution. And yet when I have done it, I am afraid lest those in the contrary extream, will take encouragement to neglect themselves, by my reprehensions of those that are so unlike them.

And therefore I must add, to save them from deceit; 1. That it is but a very few that are faulty in overstudying themselves, in comparison of the many thousands that err on the other hand in the careless neglecting of themselves. 2. And that it is symptomatically and effectively far more dangerous, to study your selves too little, then too much. Though it be a fault here to exceed, yet it is for the most part a sign of an honest heart to be much at home, ⟨p. 167⟩and a sign of an Hypocrite to be little at home and much abroad. Sincerity maketh men censurers of themselves. For it maketh them more impartial, and willing to know the truth of their condition: It cureth them of that folly that before made them think that presumption shall deliver them, and that they shall be Justified by believing promises of their own, though contrary to the word of God; yea by believing the promises of the Devil, and calling this a Faith in Christ: They are awakened from that sleep in which they dreamed that winking would save them from the stroke of Justice, and that a strong conceit that they shall not be damned, will deliver them from damnation; and that they are safe from Hell if they can but believe that there is no Hell, or can but forget it, or escape the fears of it. These are the pernicious Conclusions of the ungodly, discernible in their lives, and intimated in their presumptuous reasonings, though too gross to be openly and expressly owned: And therefore they are undisposed to any impartial acquaintance with themselves.