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

You see then how oft and dangerously we are deceived, by unacquaintedness with our selves; and how selfish carnal principles, ends and motives are oft mixed in the actions which we think are the most excellent for wisdom, zeal, and piety that ever we did perform. O therefore what cause have we to study, and search, and watch such hearts, and not too boldly or carelessly to trust them!

You see then how oft and dangerously we are deceived, by unacquaintedness with our selves; and how selfish carnal principles, ends and motives are oft mixed in the actions which we think are the most excellent for wisdom, zeal, and piety that ever we did perform. O therefore what cause have we to study, and search, and watch such hearts, and not too boldly or carelesly to trust them!

And it is not only Hypocrites that are subject to these deceitful sins, who have them in dominion, but true Believers that have a remnant of this carnal selfish principle continually offering to insinuate and corrupt their most excellent works, and even all that they do.

And it is not only Hypocrites that are subject to these deceitfull sins, who have them in dominion, but true Believers that have a remnant of this carnal selfish principle continually offering to insinuate and corrupt their most excellent works, and even all that they do.

9. The strong eruption of those passions that seemed to be quite mortified, doth show that there is more evil lurking in the heart, then ordinarily doth appear. How calmly do we converse together? how mildly do we speak? till some provoking word or wrong do blow the coals, and then the dove appeareth to partake of a fiercer nature, and we can perceive that in the flame, which we perceived not in the spark. When a provocation can bring forth censorious, reviling, scornful words, it shows what before was latent in the heart.