A26955:587
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.
But consider that this is no wonder, or unusual thing: For all this, there is no nation under heaven that hath more able faithful Ministers of Christ, then are in these Nations. Alas how much of the Church is guided by mere ignorant Readers! and how much by superstitious deceivers! Did you know the case of the poor Christians in the Ethiopian, the Greek, and the Roman Churches, you would bless God that it is so well with us: Even when the Church was in a narrower room, yet God complained, Jer. 12.10. [Many Pastors have destroyed my vineyard: they have trodden my Portion under foot: they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness: They ⟨p. 427⟩have made it desolate: and being desolate it mourneth unto me:] And Jer. 23.1, 2. [Woe be to the Pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my Pasture, saith the Lord: therefore thus saith the Lord God of Israel against the Pastors that feed my people: Ye have scatted my flock and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold I will visit on you the evil of your doings, saith the Lord.] And I will set up shepherds over them that shall feed them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed] Then was the Church fain to take up this lamentation, Jer. 10.19, 20.21. Woe is me, my hurt! for my wound is grievous: But I said, Truly this is a grief, and I must bear it: my tabernacle is spoiled, and all my cords are broken: my children are gone forth of me, and they are not: there is none to stretch forth my tent any more, and to set up my curtains: For the Pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the Lord: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.]
But consider that this is no wonder, or unusual thing: For all this, there is no nation under heaven that hath more able faithful Ministers of Christ, then are in these Nations. Alas how much of the Church is guided by meer ignorant Readers! and how much by superstitious deceivers! Did you know the case of the poor Christians in the Ethiopian, the Greek, and the Roman Churches, you would bless God that it is so well with us: Even when the Church was in a narrower room, yet God complained,