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

Direct. 9. Manage your self-acquaintance prudently, cautiously, and with the help of your skilful friend or Pastor. Think not that it is a work that you need no Helper in. If you mistake in your Accounts, and put down a wrong sum, and call your self confidently what you are not, or deny Gods graces, when ever through Melancholy or distemper you cannot find them, and pass false conclusions against Gods mercies and your self, this were to turn a duty into a sin and snare.

Direct. 9. Manage your self-acquaintance prudently, cautelously, and with the help of your skilfull friend or Pastor. Think not that it is a work that you need no Helper in. If you mistake in your Accounts, and put down a wrong summ, and call your self confidently what you are not, or deny Gods graces, when ever through Melancholy or distemper you cannot find them, and pass false conclusions against Gods mercies and your self, this were to turn a duty into a sin and snare.

And you must do it seasonably: Melancholy persons are most uncapable of it, who do nothing but pore upon themselves to little purpose: such must do more of other Duty, but lay by much of this till they are more capable, and make much use of the Judgement of their Guides: And weaker Heads must take but a due proportion of time for self searching Meditations, lest they contract that troublesome disease: Duties must be used with profitable variety, and all done under good advice. But young persons, and those that are yet unconverted, have need to fall upon it without delay; and to follow it till they have made sure their calling and election, 2 Pet. 1.10. O what a dreadful thing it is, for a man to come rawly and newly to the study of his soul, as a thing that he is unacquainted with, when sickness is upon him, and death at hand, and he is ready to pass into another world! To be then newly to ask, What am I? and What have I done? and Whither am I going? and What will become of me for ever? is a most fearful state of folly.

And you must do it seasonably: Melancholy persons are most uncapable of it, who do nothing but pore upon themselves to little purpose: such must do more of other Duty, but lay by much of this till they are more capable, and make much use of the Judgement of their Guides: And weaker Heads must take but a due proportion of time for self searching Meditations, lest they contract that troublesome disease: Duties must be used with profitable variety, and all done under good advice. But young persons, and those that are yet unconverted, have need to fall upon it without delay; and to follow it till they have made sure their calling and election,