A26955:553
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.
And what an ease and pleasure is this to a mans mind through all his life, to be able with well-grounded comfort, to think of death? What cares can vex him that hath secured hi• everlasting state? What losses should afflict him that is sure he shall not lose his soul, and is sure to gain eternal life? What fears should disquiet him that is sure to escape the wrath of God? What wants should trouble him that knoweth he is an heir of Heaven? Why should the indignation or threatenings of man, be any temptation to turn him out of the way of duty, or dismay his mind, who knoweth that they can but kill the body, and dismiss the soul into his blessed presence, whom it loveth and laboureth and longs to see? what should inordinately grieve that man that is certain of eternal Joy? What else should he thirst for, that hath in him the well of living waters springing up to everlasting life? Joh. 4.14. And what should deprive that man of comfort, that knoweth he hath the Comforter within him, and shall be for ever comforted with his masters joy? And what should break the Peace and Patience of him that is assured ⟨p. 399⟩of Everlasting Rest? If the assurance of a happy death cannot make it welcome, and cannot make affliction easy, and fill our lives with the Joys of Hope, I know not what can do it.
And what an ease and pleasure is this to a mans mind through all his life, to be able with well-grounded comfort, to think of death? What cares can vex him that hath secured hi• everlasting state? What losses should afflict him that is sure he shall not lose his soul, and is sure to gain eternal life? What fears should disquiet him that is sure to escape the wrath of God? What wants should trouble him that knoweth he is an heir of Heaven? Why should the indignation or threatnings of man, be any temptation to turn him out of the way of duty, or dismay his mind, who knoweth that they can but kill the body, and dismiss the soul into his blessed presence, whom it loveth and laboureth and longs to see? what should inordinately grieve that man that is certain of eternal Joy? What else should he thirst for, that hath in him the well of living waters springing up to everlasting life? Joh. 4.14