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

When you are warm and vigorous in the work of God; and find delight in all the ordinances, remember that you are subject to such sicknesses as may take away your appetite, and make you say, I have no mind to hear, or read or pray: me thinks I feel no sweetness in them! I was wont to go up with comfort to the house of God: I was glad when the Lords Day was come, or nigh: It did me good to see the faces of the Saints: O the meltings, the strivings, the lively workings of soul that I have had in their sweet communion! when they have preached and prayed as full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: But now I do but force my self to duty: I go to prayer as against my will: I feel small relish in the word of life.] O how many Christians that little thought of such a day, cry out that spiritual Death is upon them: that they are Dead to prayer, and dead to meditation, and dead to holy conference: and that once they thought they were dead to the world, and now they find they are dead to God. Understand before that you are liable to this, and you may do much to prevent it: and if you should fall into a sickness and loss of appetite, you may be able to difference it from death.

When you are warm and vigorous in the work of God; and find delight in all the ordinances, remember that you are subject to such sicknesses as may take away your appetite, and make you say, I have no mind to hear, or read or pray: me thinks I feel no sweetness in them! I was wont to go up with comfort to the house of God: I was glad when the Lords Day was come, or nigh: It did me good to see the faces of the Saints: O the meltings, the strivings, the lively workings of soul that I have had in their sweet communion! when they have preached and prayed as full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: But now I do but force my self to duty: I go to prayer as against my will: I feel small relish in the word of life.] O how many Christians that little thought of such a day, cry out that spiritual Death is upon them: that they are Dead to prayer, and dead to meditation, and dead to holy conference: and that once they thought they were dead to the world, and now they find they are dead to God. Understand before that you are lyable to this, and you may do much to prevent it: and if you should fall into a sickness and loss of appetite, you may be able to difference it from death.