The mischiefs of self-ignorance and the benefits of self-acquaintance opened in divers sermons at…

2. I further answer you: There is […] great a diversity of particular circumstance in the cases of particular persons, tha• a great deal of help is necessary to most, t• pass a right judgement, when they do understand both the Law, and the fact. Wi•• you think it enough that you have the statutes of the Land, and the Law-books to judge of all your own cases by? Or wil• you not think that you have also need o• the Counsel of the wisest Lawyer (i• your weightiest cases) to help you to judge of your cause by the particular application of the Law to it? So in Physic▪ who is so foolish, as to think that by the help of the most learned Book, or approved Receipts he is able to be his own Physician, without any more particular advice? You must be long in studying Law or Physic before you can understand them so well as those that have made them the study and business of their lives. It is not having or reading a Book only, or hearing a Lecture of them, that can make you as understanding as the masters of the ⟨p. 421⟩Profession; and also to have all passages at hand that must be observed in the judging of your Cause. So is it in matters of the soul. When you have heard much, and understand much, you cannot in modesty think that all the sense of Scripture, about those points, is known as exactly to you, as to your most judicious Teachers; and that you are as able at once to see all the passages of the word, and of the fact, as may enable you to pass so clear a judgement on it. Perhaps you will say, that you know your own hearts and actions better then they do. I answer, You do so, or should do so, as to the matter of fact: and it is you that they must know it from: And yet when you have done, you may not be able to judge of your State by those acts which you say you know: You must show the Lawyer all your evidences: He cannot see them, till you show them him: and yet when he seeth them, he can judge of them whether they are good or bad, and of your title by them, better then you can that have the keeping of them; because he better understands the Law: The Physician feeleth not your pain, nor knoweth it till you tell it him: And yet when you have told it him, he knows better