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…

First, That a man who is full of his own wisdom, is not fit to receive instruction, counsel, or consolation from others; ¹that which is within hinders that which comes from without: When a man thinks himself wiser then his teachers, he will not be taught, nor learn wisdom by them. Some might have known much, if they had not presumed they knew enough. There is no greater impediment of knowledge, then an opinion of it.

First, That a man who is full of his owne wisedome, is not fit to receive instruction, counsell, or consolation from others; ¹that which is within hinders that which comes from without: When a man thinks himselfe wiser then his teachers, he will not be taught, nor learne wisedome by them. Some might have knowne much, if they had not presumed they knew enough. There is no greater impediment of knowledge, then an opinion of it.

1. 1Intus existens prohibet alienum.

Secondly, Observe, A sin kept close, or secret within us, hinders the effect and working of the Word: Though comforts, and counsels are given, they will not operate, where secret corruption lies at heart; the filthiness and corruption of the stomach, hinders digestion, till it be purged out: Physicians remove ill humours before they prescribe Cordials, else they do but nourish the disease. 'Tis so in Spirituals; the Apostle Peter gives the rule (1 Epist. 2.1.) Wherefore laying aside all guile, hypocrisy, and envy, and evil speaking, as new born Babes desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby. As if he had said, Till you cast out these, you will never thrive under the Word; if a man be to sow Seed in his Garden, he will pull up the Weeds, and throw away the Stones, else the Seed will not spring up to perfection. The Prophet tells the Jews (Jer. 5, 25