A26955:381
The mischiefs of self-ignorance and the benefits of self-acquaintance opened in divers sermons at…
The mischiefs of self-ignorance and the benefits of self-acquaintance opened in divers sermons at Dunstan's-West and published in answer to the accusations of some and the desires of others / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by R. White for F. Tyton, 1662
THE Mischief of Self-ignorance, AND Benefit of Self-acquaintance. › Part
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Quest. 6. Have you the Necessary parts of the New Creature now? though perhaps you know not just when or how it was formed in you? The Question is, Whether you are now in a state of sanctification? and not, Whether you can tell just when you did receive it? He that would know Whether he be a Man, must not do it by remembering when he was born, or how he was formed; but by discerning the Rational nature in himself at present. And though Grace be more observable to us in its entrance, then Nature (as finding, and entering into, • discerning subject, which Nature doth not:) Yet it beginneth so early with some, and so obscurely with others, and in others the ⟨p. 261⟩preparations are so long or notable, that its hard to say when special grace came in. But you may well discern Whether it be there, or not? and that is the Question that must be resolved, if you would know your selves.
Quest. 6. Have you the Necessary parts of the New Creature now? though perhaps you know not just when or how it was formed in you? The Question is, Whether you are now in a state of sanctification? and not, Whether you can tell just when you did receive it? He that would know Whether he be a Man, must not do it by remembring when he was born, or how he was formed; but by discerning the Rational nature in himself at present. And though Grace be more observable to us in its enterance, then Nature (as finding, and entering into, • discerning subject, which Nature doth not:) Yet it beginneth so early with some, and so obscurely with others, and in others the ⟨p. 261⟩preparations are so long or notable, that its hard to say when special grace came in. But you may well discern Whether it be there, or not? and that is the Question that must be resolved, if you would know your selves.
And, though I have been long in these exhortations to incline your Wills, I shall be short in giving you those Evidences of the Holy Life, which must be before your eyes while you are upon the trial.