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

1. In public how skilful and diligent should we be, in opening the hearts of sinners to themselves! The Pulpit is but our candlestick, from which we should diffuse the holy Light into all the Assembly: Not speaking the same things of all that are before us, as if it were our work only to trouble men, or only to comfort them: but as the same Light will show every man the things which he beholdeth in their varieties and differences; (we see by the same sun a man to be a man, and a beast to be a beast, and a bird to be a bird;) so the same word of truth which we deliver, must be so discovering and discriminating, as to manifest the ungodly to be ungodly, and the carnal to be carnal, the worldling to be a worldling; the hypocrite to be an hypocrite, and the enemies of holiness to be as they are; and the sincere to be sincere; and the renewed soul to be indeed ⟨p. 413⟩renewed. The same light must show the excellency of sanctification, and the filthiness of sin: the glory of the Image of Christ, and the deformity of that spiritual death which is its privation. It must show the Righteous to be more excellent then his neighbour, Prov. 12, 26. and help men to discern between the righteous and the wicked; between him that serveth God, and him that serveth him not, Mal. 3.18. we must not be like the miserable ungodly preachers, that cannot describe the state of grace with clearness and feelingly, because they never knew it: or that dare not discover the unsanctified lest they detect themselves, nor judge them according to their office, lest they condemn themselves; and that preach to the ungodly as if all were well with them; and they dare not awaken the consciences of others, lest they should awaken and affright their own: and therefore are ready to scorn at all distinguishing preachers, and to take the discovery of regeneration to be but the boasting of hypocrisy, as if he that would differ from the most, or did pretend to the special privileges of the Saints, did but as the Pharisee, thank God that he is not like other men; or say, Stand by, I am more holy then thou: And if these preachers ⟨p. 414⟩could prove that all men shall be saved that will but say that they are Christians, they might then have hope of being saved themselves, without that serious piety which they so distaste. No wonder therefore i they preach in the language of Corah