An exposition with practical observations continued upon the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of…An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of…

A man may do that for others which he cannot do for himself. He may comfort others in their sorrows, when he cannot comfort himself, he may resolve others in their doubts, when he cannot resolve himself, he may answer to cases which their consciences put him, when he cannot answer his own; yea 'tis possible for a man to speak such words to another, as may turn him from his sin, and save his soul, and yet himself continue in sin, and lose his own soul for ever. Naturalists have a rule concerning the senses, That, when a sensible object is brought too near, or laid upon the sense, it not only hinders, but takes away the present sensation. This holds a proportion in rational actings: the nearer any one is to us in relation, the harder it is to fix counsel upon him; and because we are nearest to our selves, therefore it is hardest of all to counsel our selves.

A man may doe that for others which he cannot doe for himselfe. He may comfort others in their sorrows, when hee cannot comfort himselfe, he may resolve others in their doubts, when he cannot resolve himselfe, hee may answer to cases which their consciences put him, when he cannot answer his owne; yea 'tis possible for a man to speak such words to another, as may turne him from his sin, and save his soule, and yet himselfe continue in sin, and lose his owne soule for ever. Naturalists have a rule concerning the senses, That, when a sensible object is brought too neere, or layd upon the sense, it not onely hinders, but takes away the present sensation. This holds a proportion in rationall actings: the neerer any one is to us in relation, the harder it is to fixe counsell upon him; and because wee are neerest to our selves, therefore it is hardest of all to counsell our selves.

Our Saviour Christ prevents what he foresaw some ready to object against him (Luke 4.23.) Ye will surely say unto me this Proverb, Physician heal thy self. The Proverb in its Original is (I conceive) to be understood personally; but as Christ suggests it there, it is to be understood Nationally, or Provincially, Heal thy self, is, heal thy own Country; exercise thy power of working miracles there, as well as thou hast done it in other places; that this is the meaning of it, appears plainly by the next words, Whatsoever we have heard done in Canaan, do also in thine own Country: For Christ as yet had wrought no mighty works of healing there (