A26955:465
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.
When we think we are defending the truth and cause of God, by disputing, writing, or by the sword; or when we think we are faithfully maintaining on one side order and obedience against confusion and turbulent disquiet spirits, or the Unity of the Church against division; or on the other hand that we are sincerely opposing Pharisaical corruptions and hypocrisy, and tyranny, and persecution, and are defending the purity of Divine worship, and the power and spirituality of religion; in all these cases we little know how much of carnal self may be secretly unobserved in the work.
When we think we are defending the truth and cause of God, by disputing, writing, or by the sword; or when we think we are faithfully maintaining on one side order and obedience against confusion and turbulent disquiet spirits, or the Ʋnity of the Church against division; or on the other hand that we are sincerely opposing Pharisaicall corruptions and hypocrisie, and tyrannie, and persecution, and are defending the purity of Divine worship, and the power and spirituality of religion; in all these cases we little know how much of carnal self may be secretly unobserved in the work.
But above all others, Christ himself, and the Holy Ghost that searcheth the hidden things of the heart, hath warned one sort ⟨p. 328⟩to be suspicious of their hearts; and that is, those that cannot bear the dissent and infirmities of their brethren in tolerable things, and those that are calling for fire from heaven, and are all for force and cruelty in religion; for vexing, imprisoning, banishing, burning, hanging, or otherwise doing as they would not be done by, proportionably in their own case. He tells his two Disciples, in such a case] Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of, Luke 9.55. As if he should say, You think you purely seek my honour in the revenge of this contempt and opposition of unbelievers, and you think it would much redound to the propagation of the faith: and therefore you think that all this zeal is purely from my spirit: But you little know how much of proud, a carnal, selfish spirit is in these desires! You would fain have me and your selves with me to be openly vindicated by fire from heaven, and be so owned by Go that all men may admire you, and you may exercise a dominion in the world; and you stick not at the sufferings and ruin of these sinners, so you may attain your end: but […] tell you this selfish cruel spirit, is unlike my spirit which inclineth to patience, forbearance and compassion.