A26955:275
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.
The case is plain, to men that can see that it is your strangeness to your selves, that is the cause that you have little to say against yourselves, when you should confess your sins to God; and so little to say for your selves, when you should beg his grace; and so little to say of your selves, when you should open your hearts to those that can advise you: But that you see not that this is the Cause of your Dumbness, who see so little of your own corruptions, is no wonder while you are so strange at home. Had you but so much knowledge of yourselves as to see that it is the strangeness to your selves that maketh you so prayerless and mute, and so much sense as to complain of your darkness, and be willing to come into the light, it were a sign that light is coming ⟨p. 182⟩in to you, and that you are in a hopeful way of cure. But when you neither know yourselves, nor know that you do not know yourselves, your Ignorance and Pride are like to cherish your Presumption and impiety, till the Light of grace, or the fire of Hell have taught you better to know your selves.
The case is plaine, to men that can see that it is your strangness to your selves, that is the cause that you have little to say against yourselves, when you should confess your sins to God; and so little to say for your selves, when you should beg his grace; and so little to say of your selves, when you should open your hearts to those that can advise you: But that you see not that this is the Cause of your Dumbness, who see so little of your owne corruptions, is no wonder while you are so strange at home. Had you but so much knowledge of yourselves as to see that it is the strangeness to your selves that maketh you so prayerless and mute, and so much sense as to complaine of your darkness, and be willing to come into the light, it were a signe that light is coming ⟨p. 182⟩in to you, and that you are in a hopefull way of cure. But when you neither know yourselves, nor know that you do not know yourselves, your Ignorance and Pride are like to cherish your Presumption and impiety, till the Light of grace, or the fire of Hell have taught you better to know your selves.