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

And therefore if a blind understanding must be enlightened, you cannot expect that it should be done by Squibs and Glowworms, but by bringing into your souls the powerful celestial truth, which shall show you the hidden corners of your hearts, and the hidden mysteries of the Gospel, and the unseen things of the other world. If a hardened heart be to be broken, it is not stroking, but striking that must do it. It is not the sounding Brass, the tinkling Cymbal, the carnal mind puffed up with superficial knowledge, that is the instrument fitted to the renewing ⟨p. 249⟩of mens souls: But it is he that can acquaint you with what he himself hath been savingly acquainted: The heart is not melted into Godly sorrow, nor raised to the life of Faith and Love, by the bubbles of a frothy wit, or by a game at words, or useless notions; but by the illuminating beams of Sacred Truth, and the attraction of Divine displayed Goodness communicated from a mind that by faith hath seen the Glory of God, and by experience found that he is Good, and that liveth in the Love of God: such a one is fitted to assist you first in the knowledge of your selves, and then in the knowledge of God in Christ.

And therefore if a blind understanding must be enlightned, you cannot expect that it should be done by Squibs and Glowworms, but by bringing into your souls the powerfull celestial truth, which shall shew you the hidden corners of your hearts, and the hidden mysteries of the Gospel, and the unseen things of the other world. If a hardened heart be to be broken, it is not stroaking, but striking that must do it. It is not the sounding Brass, the tinkling Cymbal, the carnal mind puft up with superficial knowledge, that is the instrument fitted to the renewing ⟨p. 249⟩of mens souls: But it is he that can acquaint you with what he himself hath been savingly acquainted: The heart is not melted into Godly sorrow, nor raised to the life of Faith and Love, by the bubbles of a frothy wit, or by a game at words, or useless notions; but by the illuminating beams of Sacred Truth, and the attraction of Divine displayed Goodness communicated from a mind that by faith hath seen the Glory of God, and by experience found that he is Good, and that liveth in the Love of God: such a one is fitted to assist you first in the knowledge of your selves, and then in the knowledge of God in Christ.