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

4. We would little think, when the Heart is warmed and raised even to Heaven, in holy Ordinances, how cold it will grow again, and how low it will fall down? And when we have attained the clearest sight of our sincerity, we little think how quickly all such ⟨p. 304⟩apprehensions may be lost: and the misjudging soul, that reckons upon nothing but what it sees, or feels at present, ma• be at as great a loss, as if it had never perceived any fruits of the spirit, or lineament of the Image of God upon it self. Ho• confident upon good grounds is […] an honest heart of its sincerity? How certain that it desireth to be perfectly Holy ▪ 1. That it would be rid of the nearest deare• sin. 2. That it loves the Saints, 3. That […] loves the light of the most searching Ministry. 4. And loveth the most practical sanctifying truths. 5. And loves the Ministry […] means that have the greatest and most powerful tendency to make themselves more […] (all which are certain evidences of sincerity.) How clearly may the Heart percei•• all these, and write them down; and […] ere long have lost the sight and sense […] them all, and find it self in darkness an• confusion, and perhaps be persuaded th•• all is contrary with them! And when they read in their Diary, or Book of Heart accounts, that at such a day in examination they found such or such an Evidence, and such a one at another, and many at a third▪ yet now they may be questioning whether all this were not deceit, because it seem• ⟨p. 305⟩contrary to their present sight and feeling! •or it is present light that the mind discern••, by, and not by that which is past and […], and of which we cannot so easily ••dge by looking back. They find in their ccounts, At such a time I had my soul enlarged in prayer; and at such a time I as full of Joy, and at another time I had rong assurance, and boldness with God, […] confidence of his love in Christ, and doubted not of the pardon of all my sins, […] the Justification or acceptance of my person: But now, no Joy, no Assurance, no oldness, or confidence, or sense of Love nd pardon doth appear; but the soul emeth dead and carnal and unrenewed: s the same trees that in Summer are beautified with pleasant fruits and flowers, in Winter are deprived of their natural ornaments, and seem as dead, when the life is retired to the root.