A26955:428
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.
1. Little do we think what odious and dangerous errors may befall a person that now is orthodox! What a slippery mutability the mind of man is liable unto! How variety of representations causeth variety of apprehensions: Like some pictures that seem one thing when you look on them on one side, and another thing when on another side; If you change your place; or change your light, they seem to change. Indeed Gods word hath nothing in it thus fitted to deceive: but our weakness hath that which disposeth us to mistakes: We are like an unlearned Judge, that thinks the cause is good which he first hears pleaded for, till he hear the confutation by the other party, and then ⟨p. 293⟩he thinks the other hath the best cause, till perhaps he hear both so long, till he know not whose cause is the best: The person that now is a zealous lover of the Truth, (when it hath procured entertainment by the happy advantage of friends, acquaintance, Ministers, Magistrates, or common consent being on its side) may possibly turn a zealous adversary to it, when it loseth those advantages: when a Minister shall change his mind, how many of the flock may he mislead?
1. Little do we think what odious and dangerous errors may befall a person that now is orthodox! What a slippery mutability the mind of man is lyable unto! How variety of representations causeth variety of apprehensions: Like some pictures that seem one thing when you look on them on one side, and another thing when on another side; If you change your place; or change your light, they seem to change. Indeed Gods word hath nothing in it thus fitted to deceive: but our weakness hath that which disposeth us to mistakes: We are like an unlearned Judge, that thinks the cause is good which he first hears pleaded for, till he hear the confutation by the other party, and then ⟨p. 293⟩he thinks the other hath the best cause, till perhaps he hear both so long, till he know not whose cause is the best: The person that now is a zealous lover of the Truth, (when it hath procured entertainment by the happy advantage of friends, acquaintance, Ministers, Magistrates, or common consent being on its side) may possibly turn a zealous adversary to it, when it loseth those advantages: when a Minister shall change his mind, how many of the flock may he mislead?