A supplement to The Morning-exercise at Cripple-Gate, or, Several more cases of conscience practically…

The new nature, or spiritual self, is the best self we have; and should be most of all loved by us. They that have the charge of others Souls, are a Part of their own charge: Take heed to your selves and to all the flock. ¹They who are under the inspection of others, must look to themselves also; so John chargeth that Elect Lady and her Children,² to whom he wrote his second epistle, ver. 8. look to your selves. As Pastors must give an account of their flock, so every sheep of the flock must give an account of himself: Every one of us shall give an account of himself to God.

The new nature, or spiritual self, is the best self we have; and should be most of all loved by us. They that have the charge of others Soules, are a Part of their own charge: Take heed to your selves and to all the flock. ¹They who are under the inspection of others, must look to themselves also; so John chargeth that Elect Lady and her Children,² to whom he wrote his second epistle, ver. 8. look to your selves. As Pastors must give an account of their flock, so every sheep of the flock must give an account of himself: Every one of us shall give an account of himself to God.

1. 1Act. 20.28.
2. 2Rom. 14.12.

Quest. If love to our selves be not only lawful, but a duty; why is there no direct and express command for it it in the Scripture?