CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

1. Whereas we see that Obedience doth always relate to some Word of God, and that we may not of our own heads choose to do what we please in matters of Religion; We observe,

1. Whereas we see that Obedience doth alwaies relate to some Word of God, and that we may not of our own heads choose to do what we please in matters of Religion; We observe,

¹That that only is proper and acceptable Obedience which hath the Word of God requiring it; We are apt to make Religion and godliness that which our own humours fancy, yea, and sometimes our lusts do suggest; Hence every one is apt to judge of another as religious and godly, not by the rule of the Word, but by such principles as he hath taken up for himself; Thus in Popery he is judged a very pious and obedient man, who is most industriously diligent in all that invented worship the Church of Rome abounded with; ⟨p. 199⟩Though there be not one i••a or tittle for it in Gods Word, but as the Word of God is the rule of faith, so is it of obedience, Faith and the Word must accompany one another, and so must obedience and the word commanding▪ Therefore Christ tells the Pharisees their devotion it was a vain devotion, because Who hath required this at your hands? Mat. 18.9 See a notable expression Isa 66.3. They have chosen their own ways, I also will choose their delusions ▪ You see Let a man have never such godly intentions, never such pious purposes, yet if he choose a way of his own in faith and obedience, God is greatly displeased, and therefore howsoever heresy or an heretic which is as much as a chooser of his own way be by Scripture and Ecclesiastical Writers limited to a way of faith, yet the Word may be extended to any practical obedience, We may say Superstition is heresy, We may say drunkenness, whoredom are heresy, because they are ways chosen of men to walk in contrary to Gods Word, so he who would have comfort in his obedience must look to Gods command.