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

And thus in ten Instances I have showed you how much the servants of Christ themselves may be mistaken or unacquainted with their hearts; and how the work of mortification is hindered by this covering of so many secret unobserved sins.

And thus in ten Instances I have shewed you how much the servants of Christ themselves may be mistaken or unacquainted with their hearts; and how the work of mortification is hindered by this covering of so many secret unobserved sins.

But I must here desire you to take heed of running into their extreme, who hereupon conclude that their hearts being so dark and so deceitful, are not at all to be understood; and therefore they are still so suspicious of the worst, as that they will not be persuaded of the grace that plainly worketh in them, and will condemn themselves for that which they are not guilty of, upon suspicion that they may be guilty and not know it: and think that all the sin that they forbear, is but for want of a Temptation; and that if they had the same Temptations, they should be as bad as any others.

But I must here desire you to take heed of running into their extream, who hereupon conclude that their hearts being so dark and so deceitfull, are not at all to be understood; and therefore they are still so suspicious of the worst, as that they will not be perswaded of the grace that plainly worketh in them, and will condemn themselves for that which they are not guilty of, upon suspicion that they may be guilty and not know it: and think that all the sin that they forbear, is but for want of a Temptation; and that if they had the same Temptations, they should be as bad as any others.

I would entreat these persons to consider of these truths, for their better information. 1. Temptations do not only show the evil that is in the heart, but breed much more, and turn a spark into a flame; as the