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Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
judgement_n	abraham_n	command_v	lord_n	1,416	5	4.7446	4	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A62465	The saints great duty in time of the dangerous afflictions, persecutions, and oppressions, they may meet with in the troublesome and tempestuous sea of this world, either by spiritual or temporal enemies. Preached in a farewel-sermon by Mr. George Thorne, of Weymouth in Dorset-shire. From Psal. 37. 34. Wait on the Lord, and keep his way. Published by a friend.	Thorne, George, of Weymouth.	1664 (1664)	Wing T1057B; ESTC R220883	31,965	67

is still as malicious and industrious as ever to put them upon this We read of Satan in that 1 Pet. 5.8 that he goeth up and down like a roaring Lyon seeking whom he may devour and as far as the Lord permits him he acts wicked men in whom he ruleth Eph. 2.2 to do what mischief they can to the Godly yea and in the last times he is so far from abating his rage as that we read his wrath groweth the hotter because he knoweth he hath but a short time Rev. 12.12 While therefore the principle of enmity which is in the wicked against the Saints remaineth and while the ground of their hatred continues and Satan is as industriously stirring them up as ever nought else can be expected but that they watch the righteous to do them a mischief But now wher shall the righteous do shall he render evil for evil and watch the wicked that he may mischieve them God forbid what shall he forsake his righteousnesse and leave off to be godly no in no wise But if ye would know O ye Saints and righteous Ones what to do in this case I am sent of God at this time to instruct you That it will be your best way to wait on she Lord and keep his way And so I come to what is expresly asserted in the point That however it go with the truly Godly here in this World more especially when the Wicked watcheth the righteous to mischieve them 't is their best way to wait on the Lord and keepe his way Here I shall speak by way of Explication in shewing 1. What it is to wait on the Lord. 2. What it is to keep his way First To wait on the Lord is taken more largly or more strictly 1. More largly And so it is the same with serving the Lord attending and following the Lord and takes in the whole duty of the Saints waiting on the Lord as a Souldier on his Captain or as a Servant on his Master Psal 123.2 Behold as the eyes of the Servants look to the hands of their Masters and as the eyes of a Maiden unto the hand of her Mistris so our eyes wait on the Lord our God So in that Hos 12.6 Turn thou to thy God and keep Mercy and Judgement and wait on thy God continually 2. More strictly And so it intends a patient expecting the Lords Salvation 'T is the continued exercise of Faith and Hope it is Faith and Hope eekt out So here Vers 7. Rest on the Lord wait patiently So Psal 130. when he cries out of the depths as he sayes Vers 1. then Vers 5. I Wait for the Lord my soul doth wait and in his word do I hope My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning I say more than they that watch for the morning We have both these together in that Lam. 3.25 26. The Lord is good to them that wait for him to the soul that seeketh him There it is taken as largly as seeking after God but it follows It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the Salvation of the Lord there it is taken for the continued exercise of hope for a patient expectation of the Lord's Salvation Secondly What it is to keep the Way of the Lord here mind The way of the Lord may be understood of that way wherein he walketh towards his People which is aptly stil'd the way of his Providence or of that way wherein he requires his People to walk towards him and is properly stiled the way of his Precepts 1. There is the Way of Gods Providence in which he walketh towards us of which that Psal 18.30 speaketh As for God his Way is perfect So Psal 25.10 All the Paths or Wayes of the Lord are Mercy and Truth unto such as keep his Covenant and Testimonies Now if it be thus taken here Then to keepe his Way is diligently to attend his Hand and to observe his Carriage and ordering in all that befalls his People more especially in all that trouble that comes on them For whatever trouble comes upon the People of God and whoever be the instruments of inflicting the Lord hath his way in it Mic. 6.9 ordering it as to the kind as to the measure as to the season as to the continuance as to the ends and fruits Now to observe the Lord's Hand and to attend his Way in ordering his Providences and our troubles this is to keep his Way So Isa 26.8 In the way of thy Judgements we have waited for thee as if he had said We have waited on the Lord and kept his Way 2. There is the way of God's Precepts in which he commandeth his People to walk And thus is this phrase most commonly taken So 2 Kings 21.22 where 't is said of Amon He forsook the Lord God of his Fathers and walked not in the Way of the Lord i.e. not in the Way of his Commandements Thus David spake of the way of his Precepts in Psal 119.27 Make me understand the way of thy Precepts And if it be taken thus then to keep the Way of the Lord is to walk in his Statutes and to observe his Commandments to do them So Gen. 18.19 The Lord testifies of Abraham I know him that he will command his Children and his houshold after him and they shall keep the Way of the Lord to do Justice and Judgement So in Job 23.11 12. My feet have held his steps his way have I kept and not declined neither have I gone back from the Commandments of his lips So to walk in his Wayes and to keep his Commandments are the same Deut. 26.17 and Psal 119.1 2. So that the sum of all is However it be with the truly Godly more especially when the wicked do watch them to do them a mischief their best way is to attend on the Lord to follow him to walk on in the ways of his Commandements so eying the hand of the Lord in all that befalls them as they that patiently expect and quietly wait for the Salvation of the Lord. Thus for explication I now come to the Demonstration which shall be dispatcht by clearing That it is the honestest the wisest the safest the most comfortable and most honourable Way First This is the most innocent just and honest Way yea truly this is the only good honest and right Way I am to shew what is the best for a Godly man to whom no way is good but what is just and honest There are indeed other ways which a man may take when he is in trouble through the wickeds watching him to do him a mischief whereby to escape the mischief intended him but they are not just and honest I shall instance in these 1. By sinful complying with the wicked in their ungodly ways thereby to abate the edge of their wrath This was the way Peter took when in the High Priests Hall he not only denyes his

THE SAINTS Great DUTY IN Time of the dangerous Afflictions Persecutions and Oppressions they may meet with in the troublesome and tempestuous Sea of this World either by spiritual or temporal Enemies Preached in a FAREWEL-SERMON BY Mr. GEORGE THORNE of Weymouth in Dorset-shire From Psal 37.34 Wait on the Lord and keep his Way Published by a Friend EXOD. 14.13 And Moses said to the people Fear ye not stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. LONDON Printed in the Year 1664 The SAINTS GREAT DUTY IN Time of Affliction Persecution and Oppression PSAL. 37.34 Wait on the Lord and keep his Way NOt knowing whether ever I shall speak to you more from this place being willing to leave a word in season I shall recommend to you what in answer to prayer I have received of the Lord for the directing me in my course in this gloomy dark day being well assured that as many of us as walk by this Rule and sail by this Compass however we may be scattered by the tempestuous storms we meet with here in the Sea of this World shall shortly arrive at and meet in our desired Port the Haven of eternal Rest and Happiness What therefore the Lord hath said to me and that with a strong hand that say I unto you in the Name of the Lord Wait on the Lord and keep his Way The scope of this Psalm is to direct the people of God and to encourage them to keep on in the course of godliness at such times as when the wicked prosper flourish and grow great and the Godly fro afflicted troubled persecuted and oppressed And there are two general parts of the Psalm intermixtly spoken unto throughout The one is for Direction the other for Encouragement The Text appertains to the former part And the sum of the Directions may be reduced unto two Heads First That they take heed of such inward Commotions and perturbations of spirit as through the remainder of corruption they are subject unto and by the temptations of Satan and the provocations of wicked men they will be put upon through this occasion More particularly he forewarns them to take heed of Envy vers 1. 7. and of Anger vers 8. And what need there is at such a time to watch against the exorbitant workings of these Passions none that observe their own hearts can well be ignorant such being the unworthy insolent and provoking Carriage of the wicked toward the poor People of God as is able as we may say to move a Saint Hence that of Psal 73.23 But as for me my feet were almost gone my steps had well-nigh slipt for I was envious at the foolish when I saw the prosperity of the wicked Attend therefore to the counsel of the Holy Ghost Fret not thy self because of evil-doers neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity Fret not thy self because of him that prospereth in his way because of the man that bringeth wicked devices to pass Cease from anger and forsake wrath Fret not thy-selfe in any wise to doe evil Secondly That they so carry themselves towards the Lord in keeping on in their way of following him as becomes those that firmly believe and stedfastly hope in him for his Salvation There are many particular directions to this purpose vers 3. Trust in the Lord and do good Vers 4. Delight thy self also in the Lord. Vers 5. Commit thy way unto the Lord. Vers 7. Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him Vers 27. Depart from evil and do good and here in the Text Wait on the Lord and keep his way These words contain Advice and Counsel for the people of God and 't is considerable either with respect to the troubles and temptations of the people of God in general or with respect to that particular that is immediately touched on before the Text vers 33. The wicked watcheth the righteous and seeketh to slay him Upon this somthing is spoken by way of encouragement to the righteous vers 33. The Lord will not leave him in his hand nor condemn him when he is judged Though he may let him fall into the hands of the VVicked he will not leave him there though the VVicked may fit in judgment on him and pass sentence against him yet the Lord will not condemn him yea when he is judged he is chastened of the Lord that he should not be condemned with the VVorld Thus for the encouragement of the Righteous 2. There is somthing by way of direction in the words read Wait on the Lord and keep his Way From the words considered under this double reference we have this profitable point of Doctrine However it go with the truly Godly here in this World more especially when the wicked watch the Righteous to do them a mischief it is their best way to wait on the Lord and keep his Way I shall not spend time to shew you who are truly Godly and who are VVicked It is said of the Godly man vers 31. The Law of God is in his heart Such then as from the Law of God in their hearts have respect to all his Commandments walking in all the Statutes and Ordinances of God blameless Luke 1.6 such are truly godly And such as from the Dominion of sin in them are evil Doers workers of iniquity walking according to the Lusts of the Flesh and of the mind according to the course of this World of the Prince of the Power of the Air c. they are wicked In the handling of this Point according to my wonted method I shall speak first to what is supposed and then to what is expresly laid down Here are two things supposed in this point the one more General the other more Particular First In General 'T is supposed that the condition of the truly Godly may be full of Troubles Afflictions and Distresses in this VVorld for when 't is said However it go with the truly Godly the meaning is how evilly how badly soever though they be never so much troubled afflicted and distressed wherein 't is supposed that it may go very ill that the truly Godly may be full of troubles sufferings and distresses this is not only plainly held forth in Scripture in such Texts as these Psal 34.19 John 16.33 Acts 14.22 but so sadly experienced in all Ages that we need not spend time in the clearing of it Secondly More Particularly It is supposed That 't is the manner and guise of the Wicked to watch the Righteous to mischief them so vers 32 and vers 12. The Wicked plotteth against the just or as the Margent practiseth i. e. his wit and skill his labour and Judgment is employed against him And vers 14. The wicked have drawn their Sword and bent their Bow to cast down the poor and the needy and to slay such as be of upright conversation So Psal 64.2 the Psalmist prayes Hide me from the secret Counsel of the Wicked from the

hurt thee So he promiseth all his in that Isa 41.10 So that the readiest way to escape the mischief that our enemies design against us is to wait on the Lord and to keep his way whatever carnal wisdom thinks or suggests to the contrary It is true this is the way to be hated and to have many enemies who from their malice and rage will devise and design much mischief against us but Rom. 8.31 If God be for us who shall be against us that is it matters not who they are that are against us This then is the safest way hence Prov. 1.31 Who so hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely I know this seems a Paradox to the men of the World and they think some other wayes to be more safe First Some think that sinful compliance is a safer way but their errour will be manifest to any that duly consider 1. That hereby they do more encourage the wicked World against them whilst they partly comply but will not run into the same excess of riot with them So Lots compliance with the wicked Sodomites in offering them his Daughters did but encourage them the more against him Gen. 19.9 And they said Stand back which words may either refer unto Lot and then they hold forth how they were enraged by his motion or to one another as contending who should fall foul on him first and this agreeth with the following words And they said again This one fellow came in to sojourn and he will needs be a Judge Now will we deal worse with thee than with them and they pressed sore upon the man so far were they from being appealed by his sinful compliance as that they grew the more furious against him 2. Hereby you provoke the Lord to withdraw the Covert of his Protection from you while you wait on the Lord and keep his Way you have the promise of his Protection 2 Chron. 15.2 but if by sinful compliance with the wicked you forsake him he will forsake you you forfeit his protection Had not Jehosaphat's compliance with Ahab like to have cost him his life 2 Chron. 18. and hear what the Prophet sayes to him 2 Chron. 19.2 Shouldst thou help the ungodly and love them that hate the Lord therefore is wrath come upon thee from the Lord And through the wrath of the Lord that is upon men for their sinful compliance those very evils are brought upon them sometimes which they think to escape As notable is that instance which Mr. Fox gives account of on Richard Denton in Queen Mary's dayes who by his sinful compliance with the wicked World in disowning the truth of the Gospel thought to escape burning and was afterwards burnt in his own house according to that of our Saviour He that will save his life shall lose it Mat. 16.25 Secondly Others think that to avenge themselves in paying the wicked in their own Coyn doing mischief unto them is the safest way but their errour will be manifest from that of our Saviour Mat. 26.52 Put up again thy Sword into its place for all they that take the Sword shall perish by the Sword This way in which they think to provide for their safety is in the judgement of our Saviour the ready way to their ruine Thirdly Others think by Shuffling Lying Equivocating to provide better for their safety then by keeping the Way of the Lord but however some present security sometimes hath been obtained by such wayes yet in the end they are most pernicious and destructive for us Prov. 19.5 He that speaketh Lyes shall not escape and vers 9. He that speaketh Lyes shall perish And for such as comfort themselves as they Isa 28.25 We have made Lyes our refuge and under Falshood have we hid our selves Mind what the Lord saith to them vers 17. Judgement will I also lay to the Line and Righteousness to the Plummet and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of Lyes and the waters shall overflow the hiding-place and your Covenant with Death shall be dissanulled and your agreement with Hell shall not stand when the overflowing scourge shall passe through then shall you be trodden down by it and then where is your safety they think to secure themselves from the wrath of man but they mind not how to be secured from the wrath of God 4ly Others think by basely deserting their places to provide better for their safety than by following the Lord and keeping his Way But the hazards David was in when he took this course 1 Sam. 27. may convince these men of their mistakē especially if they consider that he that leaves the place God hath set him in out of base fear is sure to carry his fear with him where-ever he go if not in the place he promised himself greatest security to meet with the evil he feared As the Lord threatens them in that Jer. 42.17 Then it shall come to passe that the Sword which ye feared shall overtake you there in the Land of Egypt and the Famine whereof you were affraid shall follow close after you in Egypt and there ye shall dye Fifthly Others think it a safer way rebelliously to step out of their places for the overturning the power of those that are in Authority over them because they grant power to the wicked to oppress and mischief them But had Zimri peace that slew his Master the experience of all Ages testifies how ill they provide for their safety at the long-run who take this course Let that instance suffice which we have in 2 Chron. 25.3 So that whatever men may think there is no such way to escape the mischief intended against us by the wicked as to wait on the Lord keep his Way 2. It will yet further appear to be the safest way for that it is the ready way to have good by all their troubles by all that the wicked do against them Wait on the Lord and keep his Way then no matter though the wicked watch against you to do you a mischief for they shall not only prove abortive in all the mischievous designs they are big with as Job 5.12 but according to his promise all shall work together for good Rom. 8.28 for he that hath promised is infinite in Power Wisdome Goodness and Faithfulness to over-rule all the devices and designs of his and your Enemies so as to make those things that are in their own nature against you to work together for your good As you know what Joseph says in that Gen. 50.20 As for you ye thought evil against me but God meant it unto good to bring to pass as it is this day to save much people alive Thus doth God over-rule the malice and revenge of men for good to his people but they must then wait on the Lord and keep his Way as you may see Psal 81.8 c. For all the Paths of the Lord are Mercy and Truth unto such as keep his Covenant and his

is cast on the way of the Lord and those that walk in it This is that Satan and his instruments will lay before you That the way of the Lord and his followers are every where under reproach and contempt for as they said to Paul so hath the false Church said to those that teach the way of the Lord truly Acts 28.22 For as concerning this Sect we know that every where it is spoken against the Original is Heresie the way of the Lord is commonly thus branded in the world and they that walk in it are counted a company of Sectaries and Hereticks But this should stumble us no more than it did Paul who there ver 23. boldly teacheth this way and Act. 24.14 freely professeth it But this I confess to thee that after the way which they call Heresie so worship I the God of my Fathers 4. Take heed you be not offended at the prosperity of the wicked especially when he bringeth wicked devices to pass This was that had almost turn'd the Psalmist out of the way Psal 73.2 3. As for me my feet were almost gone my steps had well-nigh slipt for I was envious at the foolish when I saw the prosperity of the wicked To see those that despise hate and persecute the VVay of the Lord and those that walk in it to prosper and flourish while those that love it own it and walk in it are in an afflicted and suffering condition this not only overturns formal Professors but many a time puts sincere Believers to a stand Hence that advice in Psal 37.7 Fret not thy self because of him who prospereth because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass And as ver 8. Fret not thy self in any wise to do evil 2. Take heed of such persons as by whom if you be not the more watchful you may be so offended as to be turned out of the way More particularly 1. Take heed of your selves This is that our Saviour calls for in that Mat. 16.24 If any man will come after me let him deny himself Our greatest danger is from our selves while we have within a deceiver and a traytor who is still conspiring to turn us out of the way Take heed therefore of your own selves consult not with flesh and blood Gal. 1.16 2. Beware of Satan This is that which the Apostle suggests 2 Cor. 3. I fear by any means least as the Serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ And out of the like fear concerning you I beseech you beware of Satan and the rather for that as the Apostle saith vers 14. Satan is transformed into an Angel of light 3. Beware of false Teachers This is the advice of our Saviour in Math. 7.15 Beware of false Prophets which come unto you in sheeps cloathing c. And though I cannot say I know with the Apostle in Act. 20.29 yet I am greatly afraid that after my departing shall grievous Wolves enter in among you not sparing the Flock and that of your own selves shall men arise speaking perverse things to draw away Disciples after them 4. Beware of worldly Friends such as will counsel you to spare your selves such as savour not the things of God but those that be of men This our Saviour calls for in that of Luke 14.26 Answer them as Christ answered Peter Mat. 16.22 23. The proper use of this Point with respect to the people of God is To exhort and perswade them to wait on the Lord and keep his way however it be whoever they are that watch and plot against them however they may prosper in bringing wicked devices to pass however they may prevail in oppressing the poor Saints yet this is the exhortation that I have received from the Lord for you Wait on the Lord and keep his Way There are two branches of the Exhortation I shall speak to both of them distinctly And because the latter of them is the main and the former a help thereto in bad times I shall invert the order of the Text and speak to what is here the latter in the first place and to the other as time will give leave 1. However it go Saints though the wicked watch to do you a mischief yet keep you the Way of the Lord diligently observing the way of his Commandments the way of your duty to walk therein Forasmuch as it hath been the design of my preaching all-along to expound the Way of God to you and to instruct you in the Way of the Lord And I am now directing my Speech to the Saints of God who know own and profess the Way of the Lord. I shall not spend much time while I have so little left in recounting to you what I have taught you concerning the way of the Lord only in general that Way of Truth and Righteousness the Way of Faith and Holiness which I have taught you from the VVord is intended You know the way of Gospel-Doctrin Gospel-Fellowship Gospel-VVorship Gospel-Discipline and Gospel-Conversation which I have preached and you have received And here Beloved I call God to witness in whose Name I have preached to you that I have preached the VVay of the Lord sincerely and faithfully as I have received of the Lord by the teaching of his Spirit through the VVord I therefore beseech and entreat you out of that hearty love I bear to you and that affectionate care I have for you that as you tender the Glory of God your own Peace here and eternal Happiness hereafter and the spiritual and eternal Good of others that you will remember how you have heard and received and keep the VVay of the Lord. In the prosecuting of this I shall speak to these two things First Open this duty in a few particulars Secondly Give you some Directions to help you herein For the first of these take it in these particulars 1. Be exhorted to keep the VVay of the Lord in your memories So Rev. 3.3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard and hold fast I am speaking to those that have received the knowledge of the VVay of the Lord that they retain what they have learned and that they maintain an actual remembrance of it and the rather take heed to this every one of you with the greater diligence for that you are like to be deprived of the help of your Remembrancers viz. the faithful Ministers of Christ 1 Tim. 4.6 you have had their help a long while in putting you from Sabbath to Sabbath in remembrance but this is taking from you as the Apostle in another case Heb. 2.1 Therefore ye ought to give the more earnest heed to the things ye have heard least at any time ye should let them slip 2. Keep the VVay of the Lord in your Judgments and Consciences I am speaking to those whose Judgments are enlightned and Consciences renewed to approve of the VVay of the Lord As

therefore the Apostle said unto them 2 Pet. 3.17 Ye therefore Beloved seeing ye know these things before beware least ye also be led away with the errour of the wicked and fall from your own stedfastness So say I seeing ye know the VVay of the Lord and approve of it beware lest being led away with the errour of the wicked and your own Judgments being thereby corrupted and your Consciences defiled you fall from your own stedfastnesse And I the rather press this for that as the Apostle hath it 2 Cor. 11.3 I fear lest by any means as the Serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ 3. Keep the VVay of the Lord in your Profession I am speaking unto those who as Rom. 10.10 with the heart believe unto righteousness and with the mouth make confession unto salvation And you have the Exhortation in the words of the Apostle Heb. 10.23 Let us hold fast the profession of the Faith without wavering Be not ashamed of your Profession as our Saviour speaks Mark 8.38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my Words in this adulterous and sinful Generation of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed when he cometh in the Glory of his Father with his holy Angels with Mat. 10.32 33. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men him will I confess also before my Father which is in Heaven But whosoever shall deny me before men him will I also deny before my Father which is in Heaven 4. Keep the VVay of the Lord in your hearts and affections loving rejoycing and delighting in the VVay of the Lord The keeping of it in your Memories Judgments and Profession will be but in vain unless you keep it in your hearts Lay up and hide the VVord of God in your hearts let the desire and delight of your Soul be in the VVay of the Lord with the Psal 119.111 Thy Testimonies have I taken for mine heritage for ever for they are the rejoycing of my heart 'T is the Character of the Godly man Psal 1.1 2. He delighteth in the Law of the Lord and in his Law doth he meditate day and night 5. Keep the Way of the Lord in your lives and conversations walking therein conscientiously observing the Commandments of God to do accordingly I am speaking to those who have chosen the way of the Lord to walk in and they may read what the Lord saith in that Deut. 5.32 You shall observe to do as the Lord your God hath commanded you You shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left you shall walk in all the Wayes that the Lord your God hath commanded you And to as many as walk according to this Rule peace shall be upon them and upon the Israel of God Having thus opened this Duty take these few Directions among the many that might be given 1. Let the Spirit of Christ be your guide and principle I am speaking unto such as have the Spirit of Christ Now if you consult that Ezek. 36.27 you shall find that the Lord promiseth his People that he will put his Spirit within them and to what purpose viz. both to encline enable and guide them to walk in his Statutes and to observe his Commandments to do them There is no entring into the VVay of the Lord but by the Spirit Joh. 3.3 we all naturally being gone astray wander from the way of the Lord and 't is the Spirit only that can and doth reduce men into this way and the best being but lame and having not only a principle of halting in but declining from it there is no walking in this VVay but by the assistance and guidance of the Spirit Let therefore the Spirit of God be your guide it is promised that he shall lead you into all Truth John 16.13 Let the Spirit be your principle walk in the Spirit Gal. 5.16 then you shall not fulfil the lusts of the flesh but shall keep the Way of the Lord. 2. Make the Word of God your Rule I have heretofore from that John 6.39 and 1 Tim. 3.15 and several other places cleared to you that it is given of God for this end to be the Rule both for Faith and Practice Keep therefore unto this and by no means depart from this if you would keep the VVay of the Lord. Here you have the Lord revealing his Way and that clearly and plainly so that the most simple that apply themselves to it may understand it the Scriptures are a perfect and a constant Rule Therefore as in that Isa 8.20 To the Law and to the Testimony if they speak not according to this Word 't is because there is no Light in them There are some that make the Light within their Rule and that in opposition to the VVord but the Light in such is Darkness for if they speak not according to this VVord if it be but diverse from though not directly opposite unto it then there is no light in them Indeed the Light within that is Conscience enlightned is a Rule but it is Regula Regulata a Ruled Rule There is Regula Regulans and Regula Regulata A Ruling Rule and a Ruled Rule The former is a Rule to the latter by which it is to be tryed and approved The Word of God is a ruling Rule and Conscience is a ruled Rule which is to be obeyed as far as it speaks according to the Word and no further If therefore you would keep the Way of the Lord do not despise Conscience do not neglect the Light within but make it not thy Rule make the VVord of God thy Rule admit not of any thing that is belonging to the VVay of the Lord that is not grounded upon or not warranted by his Word If you would keep the Way of the Lord hold fast to what is written stick to the Word That saying of Austin is famous Sive de Christo sive de Ecclesia sive de quacunque alia re non dico si nos sed si Angelus de caelo vobis annunciaverit praeterquam quod in Scripturis accipistes Anathema sit Not to say If we but if an Angel from Heaven shall preach any thing of Christ or of the Church or of any other thing besides what ye have received in the Scriptures let him be accursed Like to that Gal. 1.8 9. The Word is the heavenly compass whereby we may be directed to steer our course aright to the Haven of happiness Keep you to the Word while one says this is the way and another that Try all things by the Rule of the Word and make that your Rule to walk by Hence when Paul was taking his leave of the Church at Ephesus in that Acts 20. In his Farewel-Sermon that after his departure they might keep the Way of the Lord you may read what he commends to them vers 32. And now Brethren I commend you to God and the Word