A man of fuperior rank and character, that knows himself, knows that he is but a man; fubject to the fame fickneffes, frailties, difappointments, pains, paffions, and forrows, as other men; that true honour lies in thofe things, in which it is poffible for the meaneft peafant to excel him; and therefore he will not be vainly arrogant. He knows that they are only transitory and accidental things that fet him above the rest of mankind; that he will foon be upon a level with them; and therefore learns to condefcend: and there is a dignity. in this condefcenfion; it does not fink, but exalt, his reputation and character.

A man of inferior rank, that knows himself, knows how to be content, quiet, and thankful, in his lower fphere. As he has not an extravagant veneration and efteem for those external things which raise one man's circumftances fo much above another's, fo he does not look upon himself as the worfe or less valuable man, purely because he has them not; much less does he envy them that have them. As he has not their advantages, fo neither has he their temptations; he is in that ftate of life which the great Arbiter and Difpofer of all things hath allotted him; and he is fatisfied: but as a deference is owing to external fuperiority, he knows how to pay a proper respect to those that are above him, without that abject and fervile cringing, which

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which difcovers an inordinate efteem for their condition. As he does not over-esteem them for those little accidental advantages in which they excel him, fo neither does he overvalue himself for thofe things in which he excels others.

Were hearers to know themselves, they would not take upon them to dictate to their preachers, or teach their ministers how to teach them (which, as St. Austin obferves, (u) is the fame thing as if a patient, when he fends for a physician, should prefcribe to him what he would have him prefcribe); but, if they happen to hear fomething not quite agreeable to their former fentiments, would betake themfelves more diligently to the study of their Bibles, to know whether those things were fo*.

And were minifters to know themselves, they would know the nature and duty of their office, and the wants and infirmities of their hearers better, than to domineer over their faith, or thoot over their heads, and feek their own popularity, rather than their benefit. They would be more folicitous for their edification, than their approbation (the most palatable food is not always the most whole. fome); and like a faithful phyfician, would ear

(u) Norit medicus quid falutiferum, quidve contrarium petat ægrotos. Ægroti eftis, nolite ergo dictare quæ vobis medicamina velit opponere. *As xvii. 11.

neftly

neftly intend and endeavour their good, though it be in a way they may not like; and rather risk their own characters with weak and captious men, than with-hold any thing that is needful for them, or be unfaithful to God and their own confciences. Patients must not expect to be always pleased, nor phyficians to be always applauded.

X.

CHAP. X.

Piety the Effect of Self-Knowledge.
ELF-Knowledge tends greatly to cultivate
a spirit of true piety.

SELE

Ignorance is fo far from being the mother of devotion, that nothing is more deftructive of it; and, of all ignorance, none is a greater bane to it than felf-ignorance. This indeed is very confiftent with fuperftition, bigotry, and enthufiafn, thofe common counterfeits of piety, which by weak and credulous minds are often mistaken for it. But true piety and real devotion can only fpring from a just knowledge of God and ourselves; and the relation we stand in to him, and the dependence we have upon him. For when we confider ourfelves as the creatures of God, whom he made for ⚫ his honour, and as creatures incapable of any happinefs but what refults from his favour; and as intirely and continually dependent upon him for every thing we have and hope for; and whilft we bear

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bear this thought in our minds, what can induce or prompt us more to love, and fear, and truft him as our God, our Father, and all-fufficient Friend and Helper?

CHAP. XI.

Self-Knowledge teaches us rightly to perform the Duties of Religion.

XI.

ELF-Knowledge will be a good help and direction to us in many of our devout

and christian exercises; particularly,

(1.) In the duty of prayer; both as to the matter and mode (w).-He that rightly knows himself, will be very fenfible of his spiritual wants.; and he that is well acquainted with his fpiritual wants, will not be at a loss what to pray for. "Our hearts would be the best prayer-books, if we "were well skilful in reading them. Why do BC men pray, and call for prayers when they come "to die, but that they begin a little better to know

themselves? and were they now but to hear the "voice of God and confcience, they would not re"main fpeechlefs. But they that are born deaf "are always dumb” (*).

Again, felf-knowledge will teach us to pray, not only with fluency, but fervency; will help us to

(w) Ille Deo veram orationem exhibet qui femetipsum cognofcit. Greg.

(x) Baxter.

keep

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keep the heart, as well as order our fpeech, before God; and fo promote the grace as well as gift of prayer. Did we but ferioufly confider what we are, and what we are about; whom we pray to, and what we pray for, it is impoffible we fhould be fo dead, fpiritlefs, and formal in this duty, as we too often are. The very thought would inspire us with life, and faith, and fervour.

(2.) Self-knowledge will be very helpful to us in the duty of thanksgiving, as it fhews us both how fuitable and how seasonable the mercies are which we receive. A chriftian that keeps up an intelligence with himfelf, confiders what he hath as well as what he wants; and is no lefs fenfible of the value of his mercies than his unworthiness of them; and this is what makes him thankful. For this reafon it is, that one chriftian's heart even melts with gratitude for those very mercies which others difefteem and depreciate, and perhaps defpife, because they have not what they think greater. But a man that knows himself, knows that he deserves nothing, and therefore is thankful for every thing; for thankfulness as neceffarily flows from humility as humility does from felfacquaintance.

(3.) In the duties of reading and hearing the word of God. Self-Knowledge is of excellent ufe to enable us to understand and apply that which we