1. In general, When sin is most unobserved...... 2. Particularly, 1. The self-ignorant little think, while they are orthodox, what errors they may fall into 2. Or in adversity, what sins prosperity may draw forth.. 3. Or how soon the resolutions of affliction may decay... 6. Or what pride may appear in those that are humble .. 7. Some of the greatest sins of Christians too little ob- served and lamented: As, 1. The remnants of infidelity 8. The insinuations of selfishness in all that we do 9. The eruption of passions that seemed mortified.... 10. Affections mixed with carnality, which seemed spiritual PAGE II. What hinders believers from knowing their graces: 1. The sense of the contraries 199-2. The smallness 4. Overvaluing what we have, by looking at what we 5. Judging upon disadvantage: 1. Surprising ourselves unpreparedly. 2. Judging in passion, of fear or grief. 3. When helps are absent. 4. When our bodies are melancholy, or otherwise unfit ibid.—5. Refusing the former judgment of our sincerity, if we have not a 7. It may keep you from the terrors of the doubting .... 9. And debilitate temptations to sensual pleasures 11. And kindle love to God..... 12. It is necessary to a life of thankfulness.. 13. You will not else live to the glory of the Gospel ... As, 1. Scorns ibid.-2. Opposition. 3. Slanders 224- 4. Imprisonment and banishment 226-5. Personal and family crosses 227-6. Death The hindrances of self-acquaintance. 1. External, 2. Minis- In what cases to use their personal helps. Objections against ministers' personal helps, answered Hind. 4. Not observing the heart in trial, but taking it only Caution: When and how to judge ourselves Direct. 4. Judge of your habitual state by your actions THE MISCHIEFS OF SELF-IGNORANCE, AND THE BENEFITS OF SELF-ACQUAINTANCE: OPENED IN DIVERS SERMONS AT ST. DUNSTAN'S, WEST; AND PUBLISHED IN ANSWER TO THE ACCUSATIONS OF SOME, AND THE "For if a man think himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself: But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden." GAL. vi. 3-5. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE ANNE, COUNTESS OF BALCARRES, &c. MADAM, THOUGH it be usual in Dedications to proclaim the honour of inscribed names, and though the proclaiming of yours be a work that none are like to be offended at that know you, they esteeming you the honour of your sex and nation; yet that you may see I intend not to displease you by any unsafe or unsavoury applause, I shall presume here to lay a double dishonour upon you: The one by prefixing your name to these lean and hasty Sermons: the other by laying part of the blame upon yourself, and telling the world that the fault is partly yours that they are published. Not only yours I confess; for had it not been for some such auditors as Christ had, (Luke xx. 20; Mark xii. 13,) and for the frequent reports of such as are mentioned, Psal. xxxv. 11, I had not written down all that I delivered, and so had been incapable of so easily answering your desires. But it was you that was not content to hear them, but have invited them to recite their message more publicly; as if that were like to be valued, and effectual upon common hearts, which through your strength of charity and holy appetite is so with yours. My own thoughts went in the middle way; neither thinking as those that accused these sermons of injurious tendency, against I know not whom, or what, (that have been so long in contention, that they dream they are still contending, and fancy every word they hear, from those that their uncharitableness calleth adversaries, to signify some hostile, terrible thing; as the scalded head doth fear cold water :) nor yet did I think them worthy to be tendered by such a publication to the world: But valuing your judgment, and knowing that the subject is of great necessity, though the manner of handling be dull and dry, I hope it may be profitable to some, and I find nothing in it |