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

II. I Come next to the Internal impediments to self acquaintance, especially in the worser sort of men.

1. The first that I shall acquaint you with, is, that Natural deep rooted sin of Pride, which strongly inclineth men to think well of themselves, and to desire that all others do so too. So that where Pride is not discovered and subdued by grace, men will scarce endure to be closely questioned by Ministers or other friends about their sin, and the condition of their souls: what, question them whether they are ungodly, unsanctified, the servants of sin ⟨p. 471⟩and Satan; in a state of death, and condemnation? Their hearts will rise with indignation against him that will put such questions to them. What! question them whether they have any saving grace! whether they are regenerate, pardoned, and have any grounded hopes of heaven! They love not the searching word of God; they love not the distinguishing passages of Scripture, they love not a faithful searching Minister, because they would dishonour and trouble them with such doubts as these. A Proud man judgeth not of himself as he is, but as his tumified distempered fancy representeth him to himself to be. To think himself something when he is nothing, and so to be wilfully his own deceiver, is his disease, Gal. 6.3. And as Pride is one of the deepest-rooted sins in man, and of greatest strength, and hardliest extirpated and overcome; so true self-acquaintance must be accordingly difficult, it being carried on but by such degrees as we get ground and victory against our pride. As Melancholy men that are wise in all other things, may be far from the right use of reason in some one point, where the fantasy is crazed and the distemper lieth; so a Proud man, how ⟨p. 472⟩wise soever in any other matters, as to the right knowledge of himself, is like one that is cracked brained, and hath not indeed the use of reason; Pride was his first Tutor, and taught him what to believe of himself: so that Christ who comes after with a humbling doctrine, cannot be believed, nor scarce with any patience heard: O what a disease is to be cured, before a Proud person will well know himself! What labour do we lose in all our sermons! Yea how oft doth the medicine irritate the disease!