A26955:312
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.
5. And I beseech you consider also, th•• Without this design there is no likelihood th•• Satan could undo you: If he keep you not Ignorant of your selves, he is never like to keep you in his power: You come out of his Kingdom when you come out of darkness. He knoweth that if once you did but see how near you stand to the brink of Hell, you would think it time to change your standing.
5. And I beseech you consider also, th•• Without this design there is no likelyhood th•• Satan could undo you: If he keep you not Ignorant of your selves, he is never like to keep you in his power: You come out of his Kingdom when you come out of darkness. He knoweth that if once you did but see how near you stand to the brink of Hell, you would think it time to change your standing.
There is a double principle in Nature, that would do something towards your Repentance and recovery, if your eyes were opened to see where you are.
1. There is since the seduction and ruin of man, by Satan's temptations, an Enmity put into the whole Nature of man against the Whole Satanical Serpentine Nature: so that this Natural enmity would so much conduce to your deliverance, as that you would not be contented with your Relation, if you knew that you are the drudges of the Devil; nor would you be charmed ⟨p. 207⟩•nto sin so easily, if you knew that it is he ••deed that doth invite you; nor would ou dance after his pipe; or take his bait, […] you perceived indeed that it is his: no language would be so taking with you, which you knew were uttered by his voice. […] would do much to affright you from is service, if you knew that it is he indeed hat setteth you on work, and is gratified by it. He keepeth men in his bondage y making them believe that they are free: e persuadeth men to obey him, by persuading them that it is God that they bey: And he draweth them to Hell, by making them believe that they are following Christ to Heaven; or at least, that they re following the inclination of their nature in a pardonable infirmity.