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

Do but let go the odious sin that the word of God doth speak so ill of, and then it will speak no ill of you.

Alas Sirs, what would you have a poor Minister do, when Gods command doth cross your pleasure? and when he is sure to offend either God or you? Which should he venture to offend? If he help not the ungodly to know their misery, he offendeth God: If he do it, he offendeth them. If he tell you, that [All they shall be damned that believe not the truth, but have pleasure in unrighteousness.] Your hearts rise against him for talking of Damnation to you: And yet it is but the words of the Holy Ghost, 2 Thes. 2.12. which we are bound to preach! [If he tell you that If ye live after the flesh, ye shall die.] you will be angry, (especially if he closely apply it to your selves.) And if he do not tell you so, ⟨p. 240⟩God will be angry: For it is his express determination, Rom. 8.13. And whose anger think you should a wise man choose? or whose should he most resolutely avoid? The anger of the dreadful God of Heaven, or yours? Your anger we can bear, if there be no remedy; but his anger is intolerable. When you have fretted, and fumed, and railed, and slandered us and ou• doctrine, we can Live yet; or if you ki•• the Body, you can do no more: You do but send us before, to be witnesses against you, when you come to judgement. But who can Live, when God will pour out wrath upon him? Numb. 24.23. We may keep your slanders and indignation from our Hearts: but it is the Heart that the Heart-searching God contendeth with: And who can heal the Heart which he will break? You may reach the flesh; but he that is a Spirit, can afflict and wound the Spirit: And a wounded spirit (and wounded by him) who can bear?