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

And much of this comes from the Ignorance of our selves in the time of Peace and Consolation. We are as David, Psal. 30.6, 7. that saith [In my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved: Lord, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: But thou hidedst thy face and I was troubled.] One frown of God, or withdrawing the light of his countenance from us, would quickly turn our day into night, and cover as with sack-cloth, and lay us in the dust.

Take warning therefore dear Christians, you that are yet in the Sun-shine of mercy, and were never at so sad a loss, nor put to grope in the darkness of mistake and terror. No man is so well in health, but must reckon on it that he may be sick. When you feel nothing but peace and quietness of mind, expect a stormy night ⟨p. 310⟩of fears, that may disquiet you: When you are feasting upon the sweet entertainments of your Fathers Love, consider that feasting is not like to be your ordinary diet, but harder fare must be expected. Look on poor Christians in spiritual distress with compassion: hear their sad complaints, and the bills for Prayer which they here put up, and join in hearty prayer for them, and remember that this may prove your case. If you say, To what purpose should you know before hand, how subject you are to this falling sickness? I answer, Not to anticipate, or bring on your sorrows; but if it may be to prevent them: or if that may not be, at least to prevent the extremity and terror, and to be provided for such a storm. When you are now in health of body, and not disabled by melancholy or other corruptions of your fantasy, or passion, nor overwhelmed with the troubles of your mind, you have leisure calmly to understand the case of such mis-judging and distressed souls: and accordingly you may avoid the things that cause it: and you may be furnished with right principles, and with promises, and experiences, and recorded evidences of grace, and when comfort is withdrawn, ⟨p. 311⟩you may by such provision understand, that God changeth not, nor breaks his Covenant, nor abates his Love, when your apprehensions change: And that this is no sign of a forsaken soul: and that the ceasing of our feast, and withdrawing of the table is not a turning us out of the family. Expect some sicknesses, and you will the better know the use of the Physician, and will lay up promises, and prepare your cordials: and this will prove an exceeding ease, when the hour of your trial comes.