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

2. Little do many think in their adversity, or low estate, what seeds are in their hearts, which Prosperity would turn into very ⟨p. 295⟩odious, scandalous sins, unless their vigilancy, and a special preservation do prevent it. Many a man that in his shop, or at his plough, is censuring the great miscarriages of his Superiors, doth little think how bad he might prove, if he were in the place of those he censureth. Many a poor man that freely talks against the Luxury, Pride and Cruelty of the Rich, doth little think how like them he should be, if he had their temptations and estates. How many persons that lived in good repute for humility, temperance and piety, have we seen turn proud, and sensual and ungodly, when they have been exalted! I would mention no mans case by way of insulting or reproach: but by way of compassion, and in order to their repentance that survive, I must say that this age hath given us such lamentable instances as should make all our hearts to ache and fear, when we consider the crimes and their effects. Would the persons that once walked with us in the ways of Peace and Concord, and Obedience, have believed that man that should have fore-told them twenty years ago, how many should be puffed up and deluded by successes; and make themselves believe by the ebullition of pride, ⟨p. 296⟩that Victories authorised them to deny subjection to the higher powers, and by right or wrong to take down all that stood in their way, and to take the Government into their own hands, and to depose their rightful Governors? never once vouchsafing to ask themselves the question that Christ asked, Luke 12.14. [Man, who made me a Judge, or a divider over you?] as if authority had been nothing but strength, and he had the best right to Govern that could make the greatest force to compel obedience. Little were the seeds of all this evil, discerned in the heart, before prosperity and success did cherish them and bring them to that which with grief we have long observed. They would have said as Hazael, Am I a dog that I should do this? if one had told them before, that when God hath charged every soul to be subject on pain of condemnation, and they had vowed fidelity, they should break all these bonds of commands and vows, and all because they were able to do it: