The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole…

Thirdly, If we did consider, That the Word of God is the Rule all ought to walk by, when once they give in their names to Christ: This also would be a special antidote against all sin. You that are Christians, are not to live as you list, to make your covetous, ambitious, or malicious lusts your laws, but you must take Gods Word to be your guidance. Thus David professed of himself, that he made the Word a light and lantern to his feet, and thereby he was forewarned from sin, Psal. 19. So a young man, though unruly and masterful, yet he may cleanse his way by attending unto Gods Word, Psal. 119. This is the spiritual Bath that may wash away all our filth. Now where is the man that attends to this? Doth the Bible allow me to be thus and thus profane? Doth the Word of God suffer me to be thus licentious? Oh, ye know not what you do! Should ye not know, that when you are Baptized, that thereby you do profess a submission to Christ and his Laws, to walk in an orderly conformity thereunto: What the Word saith do, you will do; what that forbids, you will abstain from: Yet how few do order their conversation hereunto; Oh, that we might prevail with you in this particular! Take the Bible to be your Guide, to be your Rule; write after that Copy: Let it be that heavenly Glass, according to which thou wilt dress thy self. Know ye not, that this is the Law you must walk by, you must think and speak by.

Thirdly, If we did consider, That the Word of God is the Rule all ought to walk by, when once they give in their names to Christ: This also would be a special antidote against all sinne. You that are Christians, are not to live as you list, to make your covetous, ambitious, or malicious lusts your laws, but you must take Gods Word to be your guidance. Thus David professed of himself, that he made the Word a light and lanthorn to his feet, and thereby he was forewarned from sinne, Psal. 19. So a young man, though unruly and masterfull, yet he may cleanse his way by attending unto Gods Word, Psal. 119. This is the spiritual Bath that may wash away all our filth. Now where is the man that attends to this? Doth the Bible allow me to be thus and thus prophane? Doth the Word of God suffer me to be thus licentious? Oh, ye know not what you do! Should ye not know, that when you are Baptized, that thereby you do professe a submission to Christ and his Laws, to walk in an orderly conformity thereunto: What the Word saith do, you will do; what that forbids, you will abstain from: Yet how few do order their conversation hereunto; Oh, that we might prevail with you in this particular! Take the Bible to be your Guide, to be your Rule; write after that Copy: Let it be that heavenly Glasse, according to which thou wilt dresse thy self. Know ye not, that this is the Law you must walk by, you must think and speak by.