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

The Sun will shine, and the light thereof discover your deformities, whether you will or not. And if adulterers or thieves, that love the works of darkness, will do their worst by force or flattery, they cannot make it cease its shining, though they may shut their eyes, or hide themselves in darkness from it light: Faithful teachers are the Lights of the world, Mat. 5.14. They are not lighted by the Holy Ghost, to be put under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they may give light to all that are in the house, ver. 15. What would you do with Teachers but to Teach you? And what should they make known to you, if not your selves? Shall not the Physician have leave to tell you of your diseases?

The Sun will shine, and the light thereof discover your deformities, whether you will or not. And if adulterers or thieves, that love the works of darkness, will do theit worst by force or flattery, they cannot make it cease its shining, though they may shut their eyes, or hide themselves in darkness from it light: Faithfull •eachers are the Lights of the world, Mat. 5.14. They are not lighted by the Holy Ghost, to be put under a bushell, but on a candlestick, that they may give light to all that are in the house, ver. 15. What would you do with Teachers but to Teach you? And what should they make known to you, if not your selves? Shall not the Physicion have leave to tell you of your diseases?

Verily Sirs, a sinner under the curse of the Law, unsanctified and unpardoned, is not in a state to be jested and dallied with, unless you can play in the flames of Hell? Its plain dealing that he needs. A quibbling boyish, flashy Sermon is not the proper medicine ⟨p. 247⟩for a lethargic miserable soul, nor fit to Break a stony Heart, nor to bind up a Heart that's kindly broken. Heaven and Hell should not be talked of in a canting, juggling, or pedantic strain. A Seneca can tell you that its a Physician that is skilful, and not one that's eloquent, that we need. If he have also fine and neat expressions, we will not despise them; nor overmuch value them: urendum, secandum; Its a cure that we need; and the means are best, be they never so sharp, that will accomplish it. Serious reverent Gravity best suiteth with matters of such incomprehensible concernment. You set not a School-by to make an Oration, to give an assaulted City an alarm, or to call men out to quench a common fire. You may play with words when the case will bear it: But as dropping of beads is too ludicrous for one that is praying to be saved from the flames of Hell; so a sleepy, or a histrionical starched speech, is too light and unlikely a means to call back a sinner that is posting to perdition; and must be humbled and renewed by the spirit, or be for ever damned. This is your case, Sirs: And do you think the playing of a part upon a stage doth fit your case. O no! so great a business requireth all the serious