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

Let us a little now apply this Direction to both parties. Beloved Hearers, if any of you can look before you to eternity, and do not with awakened thoughts conclude, that all probable means should be used in time, to make sure of your final Justification at the dreadful day of God, that man wants either the faith of a Christian, or the feeling of a considerate man. Are you all desirous to be sure before hand, what sentence shall pass upon you then, or are you not? If you are, come on, and let me make a motion that you cannot reasonably refuse: The business is of unspeakable consequence: To be deceived, may be to be undone for ever: Will you advise with those that God hath appointed to give you advice in so great a case? Well then! will you go and faithfully open your state (supposing you have the need before expressed) to some able faithful Minister of Christ? Not to an ignorant, or a carnal, unexperienced man; but unto once that is skilled in spiritual affairs, and ⟨p. 436⟩that will be faithful to you, and deal with that serious gravity and reverence as beseems him that is helping to prepare a sou• for the bar of Christ: Will you (if you never did it) tell him, whether ever you were convinced of your sin and misery; and whether ever you saw the need of Christ? and whether you have loathed your selves for your iniquities? and fle• to Christ as your only refuge from the wrath of God? and have turned away with resolution from your former ungodly careless life? and have changed your company, your business, and your delights? Whether you make it your chief business to please God, and to save your souls? and resolve to take up with the hopes of Heaven as your only portion,, and not to hazard it, for any worldly interest, or fleshly pleasure whatsoever? whether in your eyes a vile person be contemned, but you love and honour them that fear the Lord? Tell these and other such particulars of your state to your faithful Pastors; Answer them to these, and such like questions, and then take their judgement (with the cautions before expressed) of your spiritual state. Hear what they will tell you of it. Might not this course convince thee of thy ⟨p. 437⟩miserable state, that never hadst any such evidences as these to show! and might it not awaken thee in time, to bethink thee of a safer course!