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

Hind. 4. Another impediment to self-acquaintance, is, that men observe not their hearts in a time of trial, but take them always at the best, when no great temptation puts them to it. A man that never had any opportunity to rise in the world, perhaps doth think he is not ambitious, and desireth not much to be higher then he is: because the coal was never blown: when a little affront doth ferment their Pride into disquietness and desires of revenge; or applause doth ferment it into tumour or self-exaltation, they observe not then the distemper when it is up and most observable; because the nature of sin is to please and blind, and cheat the mind into a consent: And when the sin seems past, and they find themselves in a seeming humility and meekness, they judge of themselves as then they find themselves, as thinking that distemper is past and cured, and they are not to judge of themselves by what they were, but what they are. And by that Rule every drunkard or whoremonger should judge themselves temperate, and chaste, as soon as they ⟨p. 489⟩forbear the act of sin: And what if poverty, age or sickness hinder them from ever committing either of them again? For all this the person is a drunkard or fornicator still; because the Act is not pardoned, nor the heart sanctified, and the habit or corrupt inclination mortified. And thus passionate persons do judge of themselves by their milder temper, when no temptation kindleth the flame. But little doth many a one know himself, what corruption is latent in his heart, till trial shall disclose it, and draw it into sight. Jam diu Diabolus (inq. August.) sopitum ignem sine ullis flammis occultat, donec duas faculas jungens ambas simul accendat, &c.] If these persons be not always sinning, they will not take themselves for sinners: But he that hath once sinned knowingly, in Gods account continueth in the sin, till his heart be changed by true repentance.

Hind. 4. ANother impediment to self-acquaintance, is, that men observe not their hearts in a time of trial, but take them always at the best, when no great temptation puts them to it. A man that never had any opportunity to rise in the world, perhaps doth think he is not ambitious, and desireth not much to be higher then he is: because the coal was never blown: when a little affront doth ferment their Pride into disquietness and desires of revenge; or applause doth ferment it into tumor or self-exaltation, they observe not then the distemper when it is up and most observable; because the nature of sin is to please and blind, and cheat the mind into a consent: And when the sin seems past, and they find themselves in a seeming humility and meekness, they judge of themselves as then they find themselves, as thinking that distemper is past and cured, and they are not to judge of themselves by what they were, but what they are. And by that Rule every drunkard or whoremonger should judge themselves temperate, and chaste, as soon as they