The Mischiefs of Self-Ignorance, Part 29
I Should have added more on this neceſſary ſubject; but that I have ſaid ſo much of it in other writings, eſpecially in the Saints Reſt, Part. 3. chap. 7. and in my Treatiſe of Self-denial, and in the Right Method for Peace of Conſcience.
I muſt confeſs I have written on thi… ſubject as I did of Self-denyal, viz with expectation that all men ſhoul… confeſs the truth of what I ſay; and yet ſo few be cured by it of thei… Self-ignorance, as that ſtill we muſt ſtand by, and ſee the world diſtracted by it the Church divided, the Love of Bre…thren interrupted, and the work of Sa…tan carryed on by error, violence, and pride; and the hearts of men ſo ſtrangely ſtupified, as to go on incor…rigibly in all this miſchief, while th… cauſe and cure are opened before them and all in vain, while they confeſs the truth! ſo that they wil… leave us nothing to do, but exerciſe our compaſſion by lamenting the deliration of phrenetick men, while we are unable to ſave the Church, their brethren, or their own ſouls, from the dilaceratious and calamitous effects of their furious ſelf-ignorance ▪ But Chriſt that hath ſent us with the light which may be reſiſted, and abuſed, and in part blown out, will ſpeedily come with Light unreſiſtible, and will teach the proud, the ſcornful, the unmerciful, the ſelf-conceited, the malicious, and the violent, ſo effectually to know themſelves, as that no more exhortations ſhall be neceſſary for the reception of his convictions; nor will he or his ſervants any more beſeech men to conſider and know their ſin and miſery, nor be beholden to them to believe and confeſs it. See Jude v. 14.15. And is there no Remedy for a ſtupified inconſiderate ſoul? Is there no prevention of ſo terrible a ſelf-knowledge, as the Light of Judgement, and the fire of Hell will elſe procure? Yes, the remedy is certain, eaſie, and at hand: even to know themſelves till they are driven to ſtudy, and ſeek and know the Father and his Son Jeſus Chriſt: Joh. 17.3. And yet is the Salvation of moſt as hopeleſs almoſt as if there were no remedie, becauſe no perſwaſion can prevail with them to uſe it. Lord, what hath thus lockt up the minds and hearts of ſinners againſt thy truth and thee? what hath made Reaſonable man ſo unreaſonable, and a ſelf-loving nature ſo mortally to hate it ſelf? O thou that openeſt and no man ſhutteth, uſe the Key that openeth Hearts; Come … with thy Wiſdome and thy Love, an… all this blindneſs and obſtinacy will be gone. At leaſt commit not the ſafety of thy flock to ſuch as will not Know themſelves: But gather thy remnant, and bring them to their folds, and let them be fruitful and increaſe; and ſet up ſhepheards over them, which ſhall feed them, and let them fear no more, nor be diſmayed, nor be lacking, Jer. 23.3, 4. Ordain a place for them, plant them, and and let them dwell therein unmoved; and let not the children of wickedneſs waſte them any more, 1 Chron. 17.9. As a ſhepheard ſeeketh out his flock in the day that he is among … ſheep that are ſcattered, ſo ſeek out thy ſheep and deliver them … of all places where they have been ſcattered in the cloudy and dark day, Ezek. …4.12, Save thy people and bleſs thine inheritance: feed them alſo, and lift them up for ever, Pſal. 28.9.
FINIS.
End of the text · Richard Baxter, The Mischiefs of Self-Ignorance (1662)