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

If you say again, It is because we have not been used to this kind of speech. I answer, And whence is it that you have not been used to it? If you had know the Greatness and Goodness of the Lord, as sensibly as they, would not you have used to Pray to him and speak of him as well as they? If you had known and considered your sin, and wants, and miseries, or dangers, as well as they, would you not have been used to beg mercy, pardon and relief, and to complain of your distress as much as they? If you did as highly value the matters of Eternal consequence as they do, and laid them to heart as seriously as they, would not your minds and hearts have appeared in your speeches, and made you use your selves to prayer and holy conference as well as others?

If you say, that many have that within them which they are not able to express, or ⟨p. 177⟩which they think not meet to open unto other, I answer.

1. As to Ability, its true of those that have the Impediments of some Natural disability, or excessive bashfulness, Melancholy or the like disease; and of those that are so lately converted, that they have not had time to learn and use themselves to a holy language: But what's this to them that are of as good natural parts and free elocution as other men, and suppose themselves to have bin true Christians long?

1. As to Ability, its true of those that have the Impediments of some Natural disability, or excessive bashfulness, Melancholy or the like disease; and of those that are so lately converted, that they have not had time to learne and use themselves to a holy language: But what's this to them that are of as good naturall parts and free elocution as other men, and suppose themselves to have bin true Christians long?