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

The charge of Paul to Timothy is plain and urgent, 2 Tim. 4.1, 2. I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing, and his Kingdom, Preach the word, be instant in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort.] And to Titus chap. 1.13. Rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith.

Judge now whether Minsters must deal plainly or deceitfully with you: and whether ⟨p. 253⟩it be the searching healing truth that they must bring you, or a smooth tale that hath no salt or savour in it: And would you have us break these Laws of God, for nothing but to deceive you, and tell you a •ie, and make the ungodly believe that he is godly: or to hide the truth that is necessary to your salvation? Is the Knowledge of your selves so intolerable a thing to you?

Beloved Hearers, either it is true that you are yet unsanctified, or it is not: If it be not, it is none of our desire you should think so: We do all that we can to cure the mistakes of troubled Christians, that think themselves worse then indeed they are. But if it be true, tell me, Why would you not know it? I hope it is not because you would not be remembered of your woe, and so tormented before the time. I hope you think not that we delight to vex mens consciences with fear; or to see men live in grief and trouble, rather then in well grounded peace and joy. And if indeed you are yet unregenerate, that is not long of us that tell you of it, but of your selves that wilfully continue it: Do we make you ungodly by telling you of your ungodliness? Is it we that hinder the forgiveness of your sins, by letting you know that they are