I. Scripture-light the most sure light ... delivered in three sermons on 2 Pet.…

But though the Lord doth sometimes guide us with the Eye of his Providence; yet if I make the Providence of God, the Rule of Lawfulness, or Unlawfulness; then am I in a great error, and exposed thereby unto all sin; for then may I say, if I be tempted to kill, or murder my self, the Providence of God is the Rule of Lawfulness, or Unlawfulness. Now here is a Knife, a Rope, a Pond, or an Instrument of Death, which falls in my way by unexpected Providence; therefore I will, and must now murder my self: Understand the thing rightly therefore I pray you, thus: In case that two things are before me, and both are Lawful; Providence opening a door to one, and shutting the door upon the other, it doth direct to that one, and not to the other: but the Providence of God, doth not make a thing Lawful, which is in it's self unlawful; it doth direct us in doing of a thing Lawful, but it doth not make a thing Lawful; it is not the Rule of Lawfulness, or Unlawfulness: but the Scripture, and the Word of God is, it is the only Rule whereby I may, and must make up my Judgment of Lawfulness, and Unlawfulness; it is that only which doth stamp Lawfulness upon an Action. Surely therefore the Light of the Scripture, is more excellent Light, than Divine Providence. And thus I have done with the Sixth Instance.

But though the Lord doth somtimes guide us with the Eye of his Providence; yet if I make the Providence of God, the Rule of Lawfulness, or Unlawfulness; then am I in a great error, and exposed thereby unto al sin; for then may I say, if I be tempted to kill, or murder my self, the Providence of God is the Rule of Lawfulness, or Unlawfulness. Now here is a Knife, a Rope, a Pond, or an Instrument of Death, which fals in my way by unexpected Providence; therefore I wil, and must now murder my self: Understand the thing rightly therefore I pray you, thus: In case that two things are before me, and both are Lawful; Providence opening a door to one, and shutting the door upon the other, it doth direct to that one, and not to the other: but the Providence of God, doth not make a thing Lawful, which is in it's self unlawful; it doth direct us in doing of a thing Lawful, but it doth not make a thing Lawful; it is not the Rule of Lawfulness, or Unlawfulness: but the Scripture, and the Word of God is, it is the only Rule whereby I may, and must make up my Judgment of Lawfulness, and Unlawfulness; it is that only which doth stamp Lawfulness upon an Action. Surely therefore the Light of the Scripture, is more excellent Light, than Divine Providence. And thus I have done with the Sixt Instance.