CHAPTER X.

External Hinderances of Self-Acquaintance.

I DOUBT not but there are many that, by this time, are desirous to be instructed, how this selfknowledge may be attained: for whose satisfaction, and for the reducing of all that hath been spoken into practice, I shall next acquaint you with the hinderances of self-knowledge (the removing of them being not the least point in the cure), and with the positive directions to be practised for the attainment of it. And because the hinderances and helps are contrary, I shall open both together as we go on.

The hinderances of self-knowledge are some of them without us, and some within us; and so must be the helps.

I. The external hinderances are these.

1. The failing of ministers in their part of the work, through unskilfulness or unfaithfulness, is a great cause that so many are ignorant of themselves. They are the lights of the world; and if they are eclipsed, or put under a bushel; if they are darkened by the snuff of their own corruptions; or if they feed not their light by the oil of diligent studies, and other endeavours; or if they will not go along with men into the dark and unknown corners of the heart, what wonder if men's hearts remain in darkness, when those that, by office, are appointed to afford them light, do fail them? It is not a general dull discourse, or critical observations upon

words, or the subtle decision of some nice and curious questions of the schools, nor is it a neat and well-composed speech, about some other distant matters, that is likely to acquaint a sinner with himself. How many sermons may we hear, that are levelled at some mark or other, that is very far from the hearers' hearts, and, therefore, are never likely to convince them, or open and convert them? And if our congregations were in such a case, as that they needed no closer quickening work, such preaching might be borne with and commended; but when so many usually sit before us, that must shortly die, and are unprepared, and that are condemned by the law of God, and must be pardoned or finally condemned; that must be saved from their sins, that they may be saved from everlasting misery, I think it is time for us to talk to them of such things as most concern them; and that in such a manner as may most effectually convince, awaken, and change them. When we come to them on their sick-beds, we talk not then to them of distant or impertinent things, but of the state of their souls, and their appearing before the Lord, and how they may be ready, that death may be both safe and comfortable to them: (though a superstitious miserable fellow, that knoweth no better things himself, may talk to the sick of beads, and relics, and of being on this side or that, for this ceremony or the other, and may think to conjure the unholy spirit out of him, by some affected words of devotions, uttered from a graceless, senseless heart; or to command him out by papal authority, as if they would charm his soul to heaven, by saying over some lifeless forms, and

using the gospel as a spell; yet ministers indeed, that know themselves what faith and what repentance is, and what it is to be regenerate, and to be prepared to die, do know that they have other work to do.) The gospel offereth men their choice, whether they will have holiness or sin; and to be ruled by Christ, or by their fleshly lusts; and so whether they will have spiritual or carnal, eternal, or transitory joys. And our work is to persuade them to make that choice which will be their happiness, and which eternal joy depends upon; whether we come to them in sickness or in health, this is our business with them. A man that is ready to be drowned, is not at leisure for a song or dance: and a man that is ready to be damned, methinks should not find himself at leisure to hear a man show his wit and reading only, if not his folly and malice against a life of holiness: nor should you think that suitable to such men's case, that doth not evidently tend to save them. But, alas, how often have we heard such sermons, as tend more to diversion than direction, to fill their minds with other matters, and find men something else to think on, lest they should study themselves, and know their misery! preacher that seems to speak religiously, by a sapless, dry discourse, that is called a sermon, may more plausibly and easily divert him and his conscience will more quietly suffer him to be taken off the necessary care of his salvation, by something that is like it, and pretends to do the work as well, than by the grosser avocations, or the scorns of fools: and he will more tamely be turned from religion, by something that is called religion, and which he hopes

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may serve the turn, than by open wickedness, or impious defiance of God and reason. But how oft do we hear applauded sermons, which force us, in compassion to men's souls, to think, O what is all this to the opening a sinner's heart unto himself, and showing him his unregenerate state! What is this to the conviction of a self-deluding soul, that is passing unto hell with the confident expectations of heaven! To the opening of men's eyes, and turning them from darkness unto light, and from the power of Satan unto God! What is this to show men their undone condition, and the absolute necessity of Christ, and of renewing grace! What is in this

to lead men up from earth to Heaven, and to acquaint them with the unseen world, and to help them to the life of faith and love, and to the mortifying and the pardon of their sins! How little skill have many miserable preachers, in the searching of the heart, and helping men to know themselves, whether Christ be in them, or whether they be reprobates! And how little care and diligence are used by them to call men to the trial, and help them in the examining and judging of themselves, as if it were a work of no necessity! "They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace, saith the Lord." "Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered mortar: say unto them which daub it with untempered mortar, that it shall fall: there shall be an overflowing shower; and ye, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend it. Lo,

when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you, Where is the daubing wherewith ye have daubed it?"

It is a plain and terrible passage, " He that saith to the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse; nations shall abhor him." Such injustice in a judge, or witnesses, is odious, that determine but in order to temporal rewards or punishments. But in a messenger that professeth to speak to men in the name of God, and in the stead of Jesus Christ, when the determination hath respect to the consciences of men, and to their endless joy or torment, how odious and horrid a crime must it be esteemed, to persuade the wicked that he is righteous; or to speak that which tendeth to persuade him of it, though not in open, plain expressions! What perfidious dealing is this against the Holy God! What an abuse of our Redeemer, that his pretended messengers shall make him seem to judge clean contrary to his holiness, and to his law, and to the judgment which indeed he passeth, and will pass, on all that live and die unsanctified! What vile deceit and cruelty against the souls of men are such preachers guilty of, that would make them believe that all is well with them, or that their state is safe or tolerable, till they must find it otherwise to their woe! What shame, what punishment can be too great for such a wretch, when the neglect and making light of Christ and his salvation, is the common road to hell? And most men perish, because they value not, and use not, the necessary means of their recovery; for a man, in the name of a minister of the gospel, to cheat them into such