Answ. Because they are then in most danger of stumbling, and falling: he that walketh in the dark, stumbleth; and who is not then apt to fall? But by taking heed to this sure Light, they shall be kept from the power of their darkness. The Scripture tells us of darkness, and of the power of darkness: A good man may be in the dark, but he is kept from the power of it, by taking heed unto ⟨p. 44⟩this great, and most sure Light; yea, though he be in the darkness of some Error (for the greatest Errors lie nearest to the sweetest Truths) and though he do not see that Truth for the present; yet if he do take heed unto the Word, the sweetness of that Truth shall ooze through the Error, and preserve and keep me from the Power of it. But if ye look into 2 Tim. 3. ye shall find the Apostle doth inform Timothy of very sad and dark times, that shall be in the latter days, verse 1. In the last days, perilous times shall come. 1. He tells him wherein the peril of these times shall consist. 2. He tells him the signs thereof. 3. He comforts him under it. 4. He shows how he, and we may be kept from the power of that darkness: In the last days, perilous times shall come; for says he, Men shall be Lovers of themselves, covetous, Boasters, proud, Blasphemers, disobedient to Parents, unthankful, unholy, without Natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, having a form of Godliness, &c. ver. 2, 3, 4, 5. It seems then that men may be thus wicked, yet may bear up to a form of Godliness. 2. He tells Timothy the sign of these perilous times, and who these persons are, Such as creep into Houses, and lead captive, silly women laden with divers lusts, verse 6. Who also shall resist the Truth in the Ministry, as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, ver. 8. 3. He comforts him against the evil of these dark Times, verse 9. But they shall proceed no further; for their folly, or madness, shall be manifest to all men. 4. He directs him, and us by him, how to stand, and hold fast, ver. 14. and that is two ways: First, by avoiding, and turning away from these corrupt men, verse 5. From such turn away, speak not to them, or with them; go not to them, but turn away from them. Secondly, By taking heed to the Word of God preached and written, verse 14.
Answ. Because they are then in most danger of stumbling, and falling: he that walketh in the dark, stumbleth; and who is not then apt to fal? But by taking heed to this sure Light, they shal be kept from the power of their darkness. The Scripture tels us of darkness, and of the power of darkness: A good man may be in the dark, but he is kept from the power of it, by taking heed unto ⟨p. 44⟩this great, and most sure Light; yea, though he be in the darkness of some Error (for the greatest Errors lie neerest to the sweetest Truths) and though he do not see that Truth for the present; yet if he do take heed unto the Word, the sweetness of that Truth shal ouse through the Error, and preserve and keep me from the Power of it. But if ye look into 2 Tim. 3. ye shal find the Apostle doth inform Timothy of very sad and dark times, that shal be in the latter daies, verse 1. In the last daies, perillous times shal come. 1. He tels him wherein the peril of these times shal consist. 2. He tels him the signs thereof. 3. He comforts him under it. 4. He shews how he, and we may be kept from the power of that darkness: In the last daies, perillous times shal come; for saies he, Men shal be Lovers of themselves, covetous, Boasters, proud, Blasphemers, disobedient to Parents, unthankful, unholy, without Natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, having a form of Godliness, &c. ver. 2, 3, 4, 5. It seems then that men may be thus wicked, yet may bear up to a form of Godliness. 2. He tels Timothy the sign of these perillous times, and who these persons are, Such as creep into Houses, and lead captive, silly women laden with divers lusts, verse 6. Who also shall resist the Truth in the Ministry, as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, ver. 8. 3. He comforts him against the evil of these dark Times, verse 9. But they shall proceed no further; for their folly, or madness, shall be manifest to all men. 4. He directs him, and us by him, how to stand, and hold fast, ver. 14. and that is two waies: First, by avoiding, and turning away from these corrupt men, verse 5. From such turn away, speak not to them, or with them; go not to them, but turn away from them. Secondly, By taking heed to the Word of God preached and written, verse 14.
