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

2. You pray not against sin, for grace and pardon so earnestly as you should, because you know your selves no better. O that God would but open these too-close hearts unto us, and anatomize the relicts of the old man, and show us all the recesses of our self-deceit, and the filth of worldliness, and carnal inclinations that lurk within us, and read us a Lecture upon every ⟨p. 280⟩part; what prayers would it teach us to indite! That you be not proud of your holiness, let me tell you Christians, that a full display of the corruptions that the best of you carry about you, would not only take down self-exalting thoughts, that you be not lift up above measure, but would teach you to pray with fervour and importunity, and waken you out of your sleepy indifferency, and make you cry, O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me! If the sight of a Lazar or cripple or naked person move you to compassion, though they use no words: if the sight of a man that is gasping for want of your relief, will affect you: surely the sight of your own deformities, wants and dangers would affect you if you saw them as they are. How many a sin do you forget in your Confessions that should have a particular Repentance? and how many wants do you overlook in prayers, that should have particular petitions for a merciful supply? And how many are lightly touched, and run over with words of course, that would be earnestly insisted on, if you did but better know your selves! O that God would persuade you better to study your hearts, and pray out of that Book when ever you draw nigh him: that you not might be so ⟨p. 281⟩like the Hypocrites, that draw near to him with the lips, when their hearts are far from him. To my shame I must confess that my soul is too dry and barren in holy supplications to God, and too little affected with my confessed sins and wants: but I am forced to lay all in a very great measure upon the imperfect acquaintance that I have at home; I cannot think I should want matter to pour out before the Lord in confession and petition, nor so much want fervour and earnestness with God, if my Heart and life lay open to my view, while I am upon my knees.

2. You pray not against sin, for grace and pardon so earnestly as you should, because you know your selves no better. O that God would but open these too-close hearts unto us, and anatomize the relicts of the old man, and shew us all the recesses of our self-deceit, and the filth of worldliness, and carnal inclinations that lurk within us, and read us a Lecture upon every