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

Dir. 3. Subdue this inordinate self-love, and bring your minds to a just impartiality in judging. Remember that self-love is only powerful at your private bar: and it is not there that your cause must be finally decided: It can do nothing at the bar of God; It cannot there justify, where it is condemned it self: God will not so much as hear it, though you will hear none that speak against it: self-love is but the vicegerent of the grand Usurper, that shall be deposed and have no show of power, at Christs appearing, when he will judge his enemies.

Dir. 3. SƲbdue this inordinate self-love, and bring yoar minds to a just impartiality in judging. Remember that self-love is only powerful at your private bar: and it is not there that your cause must be finally decided: It can do nothing at the bar of God; It cannot there justifie, where it is condemned it self: God will not so much as hear it, though you will hear none that speak against it: self-love is but the vicegerent of the grand Usurper, that shall be deposed and have no shew of power, at Christs appearing, when he will judge his enemies.

And here it will be a helpful course, to see your own sin and misery in others, and put the case as if it were theirs, and then see how you can discern the evil of it. O how easy is it with the most, to see and aggravate the faults of others? How safe were we if we were as impartial to ourselves!

And here it will be a helpful course, to see your own sin and misery in others, and put the case as if it were theirs, and then see how you can discern the evil of it. O how easie is it with the most, to see and aggravate the faults of others? How safe were we if we were as impartial to ourselves!

And also it will be very useful to desire often the help of more impartial judgements then your own: Fit enim nescio quomedo (inquit Cicero) ut magis in aliis cernamus, quam in nobis met ipsis, siquid delinquitur. Others can quickly spy our faults, as we can quickly find out theirs: Therefore as Poets and Painters do expose their works before they finish them, to the common view, that so what is blamed by many may be considered and amended; so should we in order to the judging of our selves, observe both what our friends and enemies say of us, and the more suspiciously try what others blame. But especially have some near judicious friends that will prudently and faithfully assist you. A true friend is an excellent looking-glass. Saith Seneca, Deliberate well first in the choosing of a friend, and then with him deliberate of all things.