DIRECTIONS FOR Seekers & Expectants, OR A Guide for weak Christians in these distracted times.  
Wherein the language of Sions-builders is confounded.  
As it was delivered in a Sermon at Wickham-Market.  
Preached on purpose to settle poor weak Christians, who are in great danger of miscarrying, by reason of seducers, in these erroneous times.  
Published at the earnest entreaty of many, for a more public good.  
By ZEPH: SMITH, Minister of Wickham-Market in Suffolk.  PSAL. 25.9.12. 
Who so among you fears the Lord, him will he teach: the humble will he teach his way.  
May the 16th 1646.  
Imprimatur, John Downame.  
LONDON, Printed by Matthew Simmons for John Sweeting, at the Angel in Popes-head-Alley. 1646.   

TO THE READER.  
weak Christians, called Expectants and Seekers, who take notice of so many several opinions, that they suppose no body is in the right way, and therefore will wait until God discover some new way to them, which was never yet heard of. To whom I have given Directions in my Sermon what to do, that they might know the way of God, and no longer halt between two opinions. These causes moved me to consent to the publishing of it; and Christian Reader, when thou readest, whether thou findest ability or weakness, let God have the glory, who giveth to every one as it pleaseth him; and if God may have the glory, and any poor Christian be by the reading of it the better established in the truth, and for the time to come try before he trust, the Author shall have his desires, who is willing, God enabling him, to spend and be spent for the same purpose; which that it may be, the Author will pray, and rest  
Yours in the Lord Jesus Christ, ZEPH: SMITH.   

DIRECTIONS FOR SEEKERS AND WEAK CHRISTIANS in these distracted Times.  PSAL. 119.102. 
— For thou hast taught me.  
THis Psalm is a Psalm of David, and as the whole Book of Psalms is full of heavenly matter, and soul-ravishing expressions; so this Psalm is in a special manner. The man of God was much taken up with GOD, and his Word, his Statutes, and Judgements, in so much, that he knew not how to meditate enough, and how to speak enough of it; the Prophet found such a sweetness in God's Word, that notwithstanding he knew much of it, yet still he desires to know more, and therefore it is his expression very often in the Psalms, Lord, teach; and, Oh, teach me thy statutes. The Prophet David was not of the mind that proud generation is of, that say, they know as much as all the Preachers in the Country can tell them, nay, as much as God himself can teach them, they think, otherwise what means that damnable Doctrine that is broached in these days, when we have received the Spirit, the Letter should cease; contrary to Revel. 2.25. That which ye have already, hold fast until I come. But the Prophet, though he knew much, yet he desires to know more; neither was the Prophet like that sort of hearers, which may be compared unto the stony ground, Mat. 13. who receive the Word into their heads, but not into their hearts, that they might bring forth fruit in their lives, to the honour of God; for in the 11. verse of this Psalm, Thy Word, saith he, have I hid in my heart, that I might not sinne against thee. The Prophet did not only labour after the knowledge of the Word, but he put it into practice. Neither can it be said of the Prophet, as it may of too too many professors now adays, they are young Saints and old Devils, they begin in the Spirit, and end in the flesh; the unclean spirit is cast out for a time, but it returns again: for the Prophet did persevere in the practising of those truths which God did teach him, and which he did profess; as appears in the Text; I have not declined from thy Judgements, for thou hast taught me. In which consider two things.  

First, The Person teaching, God.  
Secondly, The Person taught, David.   
From the person teaching, we are not only to consider who it was, but what it was which he taught, His Judgements.  
From the person taught, we are to consider; first, his tractableness to learn that which God did teach him; secondly, his constancy in the practice of those truths which God did teach him; thirdly, the ground why he practised those truths, because God taught him. Give me leave, briefly, to open the words, and then to come to some point of Doctrine. And first, what he meaneth when he saith; I have not declined; that is, I have not departed, or gone bacl from the way of thy Judgements; I have not left the ways of God, to walk in the ways of wickedness. Secondly, What is meant by Judgements? Answ. God's Laws; by Judgements is meant his Laws. God's Laws have several names in Scripture; sometime they are called his ways; as in Psal. 119.1. Sometimes his testimonies, Psal. 119.2. His precepts, vers. 4. His statutes, vers. 5. His Commandments, vers. 6. His Judgements, vers. 7. and the Text; so in vers. 13. and vers. 20. Sometimes bis Word, vers. 9 So that by Judgements, is meant, God's Statutes, Laws, and Commandments; as will appear if we consider the following verses unto the 107. Then thirdly, What doth the Prophet mean, when he saith, For thou hast taught me? He doth not say, the Ministers my teachers taught me, and therefore I profited by them, but because God taught him, that is, God made the outward Ministry of the Word effectual by the inward operation of his Spirit; not that the Prophet did neglect attending on the outward Ministry of the Word, and rested altogether upon the teaching of the Spirit, without the Word; for the Prophet took delight in attending upon the Word preached; it was the only thing he desired, Psal. 27.4. that he panted after, Psal. 42.1. that he re●oyced in the enjoyment of, Psal. 84. Neither did he prosit by the outward Ministry of the Word only; for Paul ●ay plant, and Apollo water, but God giveth the increase; but God made the outward Ministry of the Word effectual by the inward operation of the Spirit.  
The Text is the ground and reason why the Prophet ●id profit in God's Laws, why he kept them, and was constant in the practice of them, because God taught ●im; from whence may arise this point of Doctrine.  
That God is the best teacher and instructor of his people.  
And for the method, I, God assisting, will show you that it is so, and how it appears to be so; secondly, the means by which God doth teach the soul; thirdly, the excellency of Gods teaching above man's teaching; fourthly, the manner; fifthly, the grounds; sixthly, application.  
First, That it is so appears in the Text, wherein is set out the excellency of Gods teaching above man's: so in Job 36.22. Behold, God exalteth by his power; for none teacheth like him: He is more excellent in his teaching then all others; so that you see that it is so; next, I come to show you that it must needs be so, as appears three ways.  
First, He is the Author of all other faithful Preachers of the Word, it is God that fits all other faithful Preachers of the Word for the work of the Ministry; it is not all the arts and sciences in the world, that can make a man fit for the work of the Ministry, if God fit him not, it is God who maketh able Ministers of the New Testament; as 2 Cor. 3.6. Who hath made us able Ministers of the New Testament, not of the Letter, but of the Spirit. Arts and Sciences are helps and handmaids to Divinity, but it is God that makes able Ministers of the New Testament; And he gave some Apostles, and some Prophets, and some Evangelists, and some Pastors and Teachers: He gave, it is, he gave and he fitted for the work of the Ministry.  
Secondly, God is the Author of all the doctrinal truths which all the faithful Preachers in the world deliver unto people, he is the Author of those truths; he sends all the faithful Ministers of the Word in his Name to deliver his Message unto his people; Son of man, give them warning from me, Ezek. 3.17. And he sends the Prophets often with this Message; Go tell them, Thus saith the Lord; and, This is the word of the Lord: and the Prophets when they delivered his Message unto the people; Hear ye say they, what the Lord saith: they did not deliver the devices of their own brain, but the Word of the Lord; and the Apostles were to teach and observe what Christ had commanded, as Mat. 28. last verse: and all the faithful Ministers of the Gospel now they deliver God's Message unto the people, and are to deliver nothing but that which they can say, Thus saith the Lord, Isai. 8.20. So that God is the Author of all the truths which the faithful Ministers of the Word deliver unto the people.  
Thirdly, It is the Lord which gives success to the faithful preaching of the Word, the Minister can but with the servant of Elisha, lay the staff upon the face of the child, they can but propound the mind and will of God unto people, preach the Word, and baptise with water, but they cannot make the Word effectual, and the Sacraments effectual, that is the work of God; Paul may plant, and Apollo water, but it is God that gives a blessing; and, It is not in him which willeth, and him which runneth, but in God that gives a blessing; therefore the Gospel is said to be the power of God through faith to salvation; and the weapons of the word are mighty through God, to the pulling down of strong holds. Now lay all these together, God is the Author of the Minister, of the doctrine, and of the success, and it will appear a plain truth, that God is the best teacher of his people.  
Secondly, It appears God is the best teacher of his people, by the directions that the Lord gives in his Word unto teachers and hearers, how they should teach and hear aright; he gives directions unto Ministers to study to show themselves approved of God, workmen that need not to be ashamed, dividing the word of truth aright, 2 Tim. 2.15. To preach the word in season and out of season, to reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all long-suffering and doctrine, 2 Tim. 4.23. And convince them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, Tit. 1.3. So he directs people how they should hear aright, he bids them try the Spirits, whether they be of God, 1 Joh. 4.1. As the men of Berea, who searched the Scriptures, Acts 17.11. Hearers should not receive any kind of doctrine for truth, but try the spirits, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, James 1.21. Now he that is able to teach both teacher and hearers how they should teach and hear aright, must needs be the best teacher himself.  
Thirdly, It appears God is the soul's best instructor by the great desire of the Saints to be taught of God, though they enjoy man's teaching, yet this contenteth them not, except God teach them. How often is it the expression of the Prophet David, Lord teach me, in Psal. 27.11. Teach me thy way, O Lord? so often in this 119. Psalm, the Prophet begs of God to teach him, in the 12. verse, in vers. 26. & 33. & 66. & 68 & 108.124. In all these verses the Prophet prayeth to God to teach him. And as this was David's prayer, so it is the prayer and desire of all such gracious spirits as David was. All those that are men and women according to Gods own heart, as David was, will with David pray, Lord teach me. Now the great desire of the Saints to be taught of God, shows God is the soul's best instructor, the best teacher of his people.  
In the next place we come to the means, by which God doth teach the soul; and this is twofold, outwardly by the Ministry of the Word, and inwardly by his Spirit; by the Word and the Spirit, this is the ordinary way; first, by his Word, he teaches his people by the preaching of the Word, 1 Cor. 1.21. The Lord is pleased by the forlishnesse of preaching to save them that believe; that is, by that means which the world counts foolishness, not that it is foolishness in itself, but it is so to the wicked, that is, the wicked accounteth it foolishness. In vers. 18. the preaching of the Cross is to them which perish foolishness, but it is not so to the godly, to us which are saved it is the power of God: and therefore Rom. 10.17. Faith comes by hearing; this is the ordinary means the Lord hath appointed for the working faith in the hearts of his people; this is the outward means. But than secondly, there is the inward teaching of the soul, and that is by the Spirit, the Lord teaches his people by his Spirit, that is, the Lord makes the outward Ministry of the Word effectual by the inward operation of the Spirit, when he shows a divine power and authority in the preaching of the Word, when he makes it become mighty and powerful in operation, to the pulling down of strong holds; as in 2 Cor. 10.4. That is, to the pulling down of the strong holds in the heart, that exalt themselves against the Lord Jesus Christ, and prepare the heart for Christ; this is the work of the Spirit, and without this the letter doth not profit the people, but God therefore teaches his people by his Spirit, he hath revealed them to us by his Spirit; for the Spirit searches the deep things of God, 1 Cor. 2.10. It is the Spirit that causes the Word to take impression upon the hearts of people; and therefore when the Lord maketh the Ministry of the Word successful, the Ministers are made able Ministers of the Spirit, as in 2 Cor. 3.6.  
In the third place, I am to show you the excellency of Gods teaching above man's; and that appears four ways.  
First, Earthly teachers can but propound the mind and will of God unto the people, they cannot make the soul to stoop to those truths, and practise those truths which they teach; but herein appears the Excellency of Gods teaching above man's, he can make the soul to yield obedience unto the truth delivered, he can bring the soul under the power of those truths. See the Prophet David's expression to this purpose, Psal. 38.2. Thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore: When God comes to teach a soul, he will shoot the arrows so fast, that it shall take impression, the soul shall come under the power of truths, so that the soul shall say, Lord I would feign have shaken off thine arrows, but am not able, for they stick fast in me. And thus God did teach those in the Acts, Act. 2.39. When they heard this, they were pricked in their hearts; it was not the bare words of the Apostle, when he told them, You are the parties that have crucified the Lord of glory, that did prick their hearts, but the Lord set it home to their consciences, and brought them under the power of that truth they heard, not only the voice of man, but the voice of God in that word of truth, and then they were pricked in their hearts. And thus God did teach Lydia, he opened her heart, and then she attended to that which Paul spoke, Acts 16.14. It was not Paul opened her heart, but God opened Lydia's heart. A man may hear a thousand Sermons, and yet get no good, if he hear only the voice of a man, but if the day of God's power come upon the soul, that he hear the voice of God in the Ordinances, than he shall profit; for God's voice in his Word is a commanding voice, Job 36.10. He commanded them to return from iniquity. God's teaching the soul is with a command, with such Authority, as the soul cannot resist it. And herein appears the excellency of Gods teaching the soul above man's.  
Secondly, Gods teaching the soul is more excellent than man's, if we consider the time of his teaching the soul. The Minister can teach them but some times, in season and out of season, but God can teach the soul at all times, in the absence of teachers; for either our teachers may be taken from us, or we from them, but God can then teach the soul.  
2. If we consider the place where he doth teach, the Minister doth preach in the public assembly, but God can teach in all places, and teach at once in all places, which no other teacher can do.  
3. If we consider the persons which he doth teach, the Minister doth preach but to some of God's people, but God doth teach all his people himself, they are all taught of him. And as God doth teach all his people, so he can teach them all at once; the Minister can teach but some at once, but God can teach all the Congregations that do assemble together at once, he is not so much employed in one Congregation, but he can be as much in another at one and the same time to teach his people. So that consider the time, the place, and the persons, and in all these it will appear Gods teaching is more excellent than man's.  
Thirdly, Gods teaching the soul is more excellent than man's; it appears if we consider the infallibility of Gods teaching and instructing his people, he is an infallible teacher, he doth teach the soul infallible truths. Earthly teachers are not infallible teachers, though they be faithful and endeavour to deliver the truth, and nothing but the truth unto people, yet they are but men, and may err; but God cannot err in teaching of his people, for he doth teach his people according to his Word, which is infallible: Heaven and earth shall perish, but not one jot or tittle shall fall. But here may arise an objection, God doth teach his people by the outward Ministry of the Word, but the Minister is not infallible, ergo, God is not an infallible teacher of his people. Answ. The Word of God is an infallible Word, and this is that God doth teach his people by: then secondly, it is when the Minister hits upon the true interpretation of Scripture, when he doth give the true sense and meaning of the Holy Ghost from a Text that the Spirit of God doth accompany it, and make it profitable unto the people; for we must note the Spirit of God doth not go along with a false interpretation of Scripture, but with the true sense; for God's Spirit doth accompany the truth man delivers, and not the error; so that still it will hold a truth, Man may err, but God is the infallible teacher and instructor of his people.  
Fourthly, The excellency of Gods teaching above man's, appears in the suitableness of the matter of the persons condition which he doth teach: Ministers may endeavour to prepare matter suitable to the conditions of the people they teach, but they may be mistaken; but the Lord knows the hearts of all his people, and he knows what truths are most suitable to their conditions, and he doth teach them suitable to their conditions. Suppose a spirit be wounded, which is a burden who can bear? The Lord will come with suitable matter to such a soul, he tells it, I have sent Jesus Christ for to bind up the  sinner, Isai. 61.1. And the Son of man is come to seek and save lost sinners, such as see themselves lost, Luk. 18.11. Nay, he bids them come; Come all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and I will eas● you; that is, you that feel sin a burden, and strive to get from under this burden, come to me and I will ease you. Suppose the soul be sick, he propounds Christ as a Physician to the sick-soule; if the soul be hungry and thirsty after righteousness, he propounds Christ as bread of life, and water of life, and invites poor souls to come to him; Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, come buy without silver and without money, Isai. 54.1. And if any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink, Joh. 7.37. Suppose a soul be in depths of desertion, walk in darkness, and see no light, but when he looks up to heaven, and thinks upon God, he is troubled, Psal. 77.3. It thinks that God hath forsaken it, and will never return again in mercy, the Lord doth say to such a soul, Let him trust in the Name of the Lord, Isai. 50.10. For a moment in my anger I hid my face, but with everlasting mercy I had compassion on thee, saith the Lord, Isai. 54.8. Suppose a soul should suffer the loss of all for Christ's sake; He that loseth houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, shall receive an hundred-fold in this life, and in the world to come life everlasting. Not that they shall receive for the loss of one wife a hundred, or of one house a hundred, but that comfort that will make up all a hundred-fold, Mat. 19.29. Suppose a soul be to suffer for Christ's sake, I will (saith the Lord) be with thee in the fire, and the water, as Isai. 43.4. that it shall not hurt thee: so to the poor soul that doth say, Sin will overcome ●e, and get the day when I have done what I can, and I ●hall never be able to overcome such and such corruptions, I shall never be able to overcome Satan's temptations; Well, saith the Lord, Sin shall not have dominion ever your mortal bodies, Rom. 6.14. And the God of peace ●all tread Satan under your feet shortly, Rom. 6.20. And one shall ever be able to pluck my sheep out of my hands, Joh. ●●. 28. So the soul that is ignorant of God's ways, and cries out, Oh I know not whether I be in the right way or no, there are so many several opinions. I will teach thee (saith the Lord) in the way that thou shalt go, Psal. 32.8. And thy ears shall hear a voice behind thee, saying, This is the way, Isai. 30.21. And as in these, so in any condition that the Lord doth teach suitable to the condition of the soul. And thus having shown you the excellency of Gods teaching his people above man's; it follows next to show you the manner of his teaching.  
First, The Lord doth teach the soul to know its misery without Jesus Christ, he opens the understanding, and inlightneth the mind, and causeth the soul to see its lost condition. Secondly, He doth it with power, the day of his power came upon the soul, the people shall be willing in the day of thy power, Psal. 110. The Lord doth not only open the understanding, & enlighten the mind, but causeth the soul to lie under the power of those truths. Then thirdly, he doth use arguments of conviction, by which he doth convince the sinner of his misery, and of the necessity of Jesus Christ. When the soul objects, It is but the opinion of the Minister, and God is merciful, and he that made us, will save us. The Lord makes answer, It is not the Minister, but the Scripture, that concludes all under sin, Gal. 3.22. And whereas thou sayest, God is merciful; He that hears the words of this curse, and blesseth himself in his heart, and saith, I shall have peace, though I walk according to the imagination of my heart, the Lord will not be merciful to him; nay, his wrath and jealousy shall smoke against him, Deut. 29.19. And he that made you, will not save you, and he that form you, will not have mercy on you, Isai. 27.11. And the Lord doth not only propound this unto the soul, but brings the soul under the power of these truths: the Lord beats the sinner of all the props he leans upon besides Jesus Christ the Lord, makes all the arguments effectual; if he speak, it is done; if he say to the blind eyes, be opened, and to the deaf ears, be opened, they shall be opened; if he say to the dead soul, live, it shall live; in that day the ears of the dease shall be opened, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and darkness, and the dead shall hear the voice of Jesus Christ and live; and so it is with whatsoever the Lord teacheth the soul, whether in the work of preparation for Christ, or direction how to live after the soul hath received Christ, the Lord doth not only propound the truth to them, but brings them under the power of it.  
Next we come to the Reasons, why God is the best instructor of his people.  
Reas. 1 God is the best instructor of his people, because he is the ablest teacher and instructor of his people, he is the ablest for matter, manner, and measure; first, he is the ablest for matter; that which God teacheth is infallible truth, now there is no man that is infallible for matter; for the doctrine of faithful Ministers may have much failing in it, they are men and may err, but God cannot err, all that he teacheth the soul is truth, infallible truth, nothing but truth, truth without mixture, and there is ●o truth the soul desires to have cleared up, but God is able to do it, and not only a part of truth, but the whole truth. A poor soul may go to this Minister, and that Minister, and say, Sir, I would feign be resolved, whether ●●ch and such a thing be truth, and they may direct them so fare as they can, but when they have done what they ●an, yet the party may be in a great part unresolved; why, ●o Ministers know but in part, but God knows the whole ●●uth, and is able to teach the soul the whole truth. But I pray, mistake me not, I speak now what God is able to do, I do not say that God doth teach his people the whole knowledge of the whole truth; for in this life we know but in part; but I say, God is able to teach his people the whole knowledge of the whole truth, and therefore he is the ablest teacher of his people. Secondly, he is the ablest for the manner, he causeth that he teacheth to take impression upon the heart, which no other teacher is able to do. Thirdly, he is the ablest for measure, all the matter that is in all the faithful Preachers in the world, they had it from him, as the fountain and original of it, it is he that filled all the Prophets with matter, and all the Apostles, and all the faithful Ministers of the Word, look what ability they have, they have it from him, look what ability one hath above another, God gave it him, who distributeth to every one as he pleaseth, all their knowledge, and abilities, and graces, are but streams flowing from the fountain; now look what is in the channel, there is much more in the fountain, now God is the fountain, they have but the streams that run in the channel, therefore God is the ablest teacher for the measure.  
Reas. 2 As God is the ablest teacher of his people, so he is the wisest, and therefore the best instructor of his people: for the matter, it is wisdom itself, 1 Cor. 2.7. for the manner, with infinite wisdom, if we consider God's carriage towards the soul when he draws it to himself; for the time, he comes in a seasonable time to the soul, either to humble or comfort it; the Minister may apply comfort too soon unto a soul, or sad them they should comfort, and many times the Minister is posed when he lights upon some kind of people, knows not whether i● be best to apply comfort or terror, or how to deal with the party; but the wisdom of God is such as he knows what is suitable to the soul's condition, and what time is most seasonable, he is wisest for the time.  
Reas. 3 God is the faithfullest teacher of his people, and therefore the best teacher; Ministers may err, or be unfaithful to people, but God is a faithful teacher and instructor to his people; he is called the faithful and true witness, Rev. 1.5. God is faithful who hath called us unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ. Two ways Ministers may deal unfaithfully with their people; first, when they daub them with untempered mortar, crying peace, peace, when they should cry, blood, and war, and condemnation; as Jer. 8.11. They have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people with sweet words, crying, peace, peace, when there is no peace: when Ministers sad the hearts of the righteous, and strengthen the hands of the wicked, this is unfaithful dealing with people; but secondly, Ministers may deal unfaithfully with people, by teaching corrupt doctrine, when they are erroneous, when they teach lies for truth, and diabolical doctrine for the doctrine of Jesus Christ, when they turn people from the truth to errors, and lies, and heresies, strong delusions, as woeful experience shows in these days; it is the practice of many to seek to turn people from the truth to fables; but God is a faithful teacher of his people, he doth not flatter any, but tell them right down as it is with them; if he be not reconciled unto a soul in Jesus Christ, he speaks no peace to that soul, the poor soul may read the Bible through, but cannot find God speak one word of peace, God is faithful in his teaching the soul; amongst all the faithfullest Ministers in the world, there is at some time or other more or less a conniving at something, either because they are great men, and they depend upon them, or intimate acquaintance, or near friends, or fellow-brethrens, or some other respect; and if any man should plead he is clear in this particular, I cannot believe him, for it is natural to all, but God doth not neither more nor less at any time deal unfaithfully with the soul, and therefore he is the faithfullest teacher.  
Reas. 4 Because God is the pitifullest teacher and instructor of his people, for though he denounce woes and judgements against the wicked, yet he is very tender and pitiful unto poor humble souls, that are dejected and cast down under the burden of sin, he pities the soul that he finds in its blood, he is full of pity and compassion, as the Psalmist saith; and as he is the pitifullest, so he is the comfortablest teacher to the soul; the matter he teaches is full of consolation. Is a poor soul , see how comfortably he speaks to such a soul, as if he should say, Tell that  sinner, I am near to him, I will dwell with him, Isai. 66.2. Isai. 57.15. I have sent Jesus Christ to bind it up, Isai. 61.1. Tell the poor soul, that is in depths of desertion, and walks in darkness, and sees no light, that he should trust in the Name of the Lord, and stay himself upon his God; tell the poor soul, that pores upon its unworthiness, and worthlessness, and want of grace, that there is an infinite worth in Jesus Christ, an infinite worthiness in Jesus Christ, a fullness of grace in Christ, and therefore bid them be comforted; the Lord bids his Messengers speak comfortably to his people, Comfort ye my people, comfort ye, will your God say, speak comfortably to Jerusalem, tell her that her iniquities are pardoned, Isai. 40.1. The Lord gives his Ministers a charge to comfort his people, tell them from me, I would have them comforted, tell them my thoughts are thoughts of peace and not of war towards them; tell them it is the will of God that his people should have strong consolation, Heb. 6.17. tell them they shall not need to call my love into question, for I have loved them with an everlasting love, and with loving kindness drawn them. With a multitude of such like expressions in Scripture; and the Lord doth not only propound this comfort to the soul, but causeth the soul to apply it; and this no other Minister can do, therefore God is the pitifullest and the comfortablest teacher of his people.  
Reas. 5 God is the best instructor of his people, because he is the powerfullest teacher of his people, he shows a divine authority in those truths which he teacheth the soul. Job 36.22. God exalteth by his power; for who teacheth like him? We say of such and such a Minister, he is a powerful preacher, but yet the most powerful preacher in the world cannot speak so to a dead soul, as to make it live; but God teacheth with such a power, that if he say to a dead soul live, it shall live, if he say to a hard heart be soft, it shall melt, and the proud spirit shall be humble, and the most stubborn rebellious sinner shall stoop, which no other teacher can do, therefore God is the soul's best teacher, he is the most powerful teacher.  
Reas. 6 God is the best teacher and instructor of his people, because he is the profitablest teacher; he teacheth the soul nothing but that which is profitable; Ministers may teach much matter that is unprofitable, though they be conscientious, but all that God teacheth is profitable: and as all the matter is profitable, so he causeth all he teacheth to profit by it; the Minister may teach a people a long time, and yet not make them profit by his Ministry; but God doth so teach the soul, as it shall profit by that which he teacheth, as Isai. 48.17. God teacheth his people to profit, and there is no lesson God teacheth a soul, but it shall profit by it. I have done with the Reasons, we come in the next place to the Uses.  
Use. 1 To inform us, what a happy condition the Church of God is in, they are taught of God, and he is the best instructor of his people, it is one part of the Covenant of grace to teach his Church, and therefore the Church is in a happy condition: First, because it is a great honour and dignity to be taught of God; scholars think it an honour to be preferred to the highest school in the world, and to sit on the highest form; the school of Jesus Christ exceeds all the schools in the world, and the matter that is taught in this school, is such transcendent matter, as from eternity to eternity is time little enough to admire; nothing in this school, but may cause admiration; the tutor, God, the matter, the wisdom in God himself, and the manner of teaching of it, by his Spirit. Secondly, the Church being taught of God, they shall be sure to be taught the right way; he shall instruct and teach thee in the way thou shalt go, Psal. 32.8. He teacheth and instructeth his people in the right way; Thy ears shall hear a voice behind thee, saying, This is the way, Isai. 30.21. and therefore the condition of the Church must needs be happy, they shall be taught the right way.  
Object. If God be the best teacher of his people, and it be such a dignity to be taught of God, how comes it to pass then that amongst God's people, or at least such as profess themselves to be God's people, there is so much divisions and dissensions, and strange opinions, and that they are so contrary one to another in judgement? when we consider this, we cannot conclude, that it is such a dignity to be taught of God.  
Answ. It is true, amongst professors at this day, there is much difference in judgement; some are of one opinion, and some of another, some are fall'n into strange and corrupt opinions, but this comes not to pass, because God teacheth his people several ways; but first, because they do not learn of God, for God is not the Author of the errors that abound amongst professors, but the Author of truth, and that he teacheth the soul is truth, and nothing but the truth, nothing but that which is agreeable to his will, and therefore it is not because God teacheth them corrupt opinions, but because they do not learn of God. Secondly, it comes to pass that amongst professors they hold strange opinions, because as God teacheth the truth and nothing but the truth to his people, so the Devil sows the seeds of division amongst people, where God sows wheat, the Devil sows tares; where God makes known his truth, there the Devil seeks to infect people with errors. Thirdly, it comes to pass by permittance, God is pleased to permit it, he permits it for two causes; first, for the good of his people, the Lord lets his own people many times run into strange opinions for a time, that he might bring them back again, and establish them the more firmly in the truth, and there are none to such Christians as these when the Lord hath brought them back again, than they will acknowledge their weakness, and how subject they are to be misled. Ah, says the poor soul, I had like to have miscarried, and been carried away with such and such corrupt opinions, had not the Lord in mercy brought me back again; now they will walk more humbly, and now they will stand up for the truth, and defend it more boldly than they did formerly, they will advise their friends, and bid them take heed of being seduced; they will try the spirits for the time to come, whether they be of God or no, they will be more earnest with God for the time to come, to establish them in the truth. And thus the Lord doth it for the good of his people. Secondly, the Lord permits it out of a just judgement to others, who though they be glorious professors, yet because their hearts are not sound, he will discover them by this means, when they come to forsake the ways and truths of Jesus Christ, and run into this and that error, and then from one thing to another, till at the length they come to deny the Scriptures, and live profanely. Thus many come to be discovered in these times. And secondly, he gives them up to their corrupt opinions, and this is a great judgement, when the Lord says to them as to Ephraim, He is joined to Idols, let him alone, Hosea 4.17. So when the Lord says to them, they are joined to their corrupt opinions, let them alone, let them hold Atheism if they will, let them hold Arminianism, Arianisme, Marcellianisme, Nicolaitanism, Mahometism, Anabaptism, Antinomianism if they will, let them hold that the soul is mortal, and dies with the body, and that the Word of God is written traditions, and when they have received the Spirit, the letter should cease, let them alone, I will give them over to these opinions, because they refuse to be guided by the rule of truth, I will give them up to strong delusions, 2 Thes. 2.11, 12. Because they received not the truth that they might be saved, therefore God shall send them strong delusions that they should believe lies, that they might be damned which believe not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. But how is it possible you will say, that they should fall from one corrupt opinion to another, do not their own consciences check them? I answer, the conscience of an heretic is a seared conscience, their conscience is seared with an hot iron, 1 Tim. 4.2. Who doth the Apostle mean there, you may see in the first verse, such as give heed unto spirits of errors, and doctrines of devils, their consciences are past feeling: When God hath once given a man or woman over, conscience very seldom troubles them, though they fall into horrible blasphemies, yet seldom or never their consciences trouble them; why so? because God hath given them over, and this makes the condition of a man or woman miserable; the Apostle saith, Heb. 10.31. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God; but it is a more fearful thing to fall out of the hands of God, and therefore their condition is very fearful.  
Use. 2 The second Use is for reproof; Seeing God is the best teacher and instructor of his people, it reproves them that rest in man's teaching only, think it enough if they come to the Word and Sacraments, and can cry, The Temple of the Lord, the Temple of the Lord, this is the Temple of the Lord, and their rest, and think all is well with them, they shall most certainly go to heaven; but alas, poor soul, thou must know that the outward Ministry of the Word will do thee no good without the inward operation of the Spirit, it is God that ●auseth his people to profit, and if thou be not taught of God, as well as of man, thy outward teaching will do ●●ee no good, thou thinkest it will carry thee to heaven, 〈◊〉 it will make thy condemnation the greater, if thou be ●ot bettered by it. Our Saviour Christ did many great corks amongst them of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Caper●●um, they might as well as thou bless themselves, they ●e in a good condition; why so? because they might say, Christ hath preached & wrought many miracles amongst 〈◊〉, and walked up and down in our streets, we have had 〈◊〉 company, surely we are a happy people; but see what our Saviour Christ saith of them, they repent not: and what follows? Woe to thee Chorazin, woe to thee Bethsaida, and thou Capernaum that art lifted up to heaven, shalt be thrown down to bell, Mat. 11.21, 22, 23. And it shall be more easy for them of the land of Sodom at the day of Judgement then for you. So a people may be lifted up to heaven with means, and brought down to hell for not profiting by it, and their condemnation will be the greater; This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men love darkness, Joh. 3.19. This is the grand damning sin, this damns people with a witness, to live under the means of grace unprofitable and unfruitful.  
Secondly, It likewise reproves them that take all their Religion upon trust, never with the men of Berea, search the Scriptures, Acts 17.11. But if one come with one Doctrine and another with another, he knows not but that they may all speak truth. And some again tie their Religion to some particular man's sleeve, all that such a man or such a man speaks is truth, as if they were infallible, and contemn others in comparison of them; what is this but to have men's persons in admiration, as Judas speaks? Now if God be the best instructor of his people, than we should try the spirits whether they be of God; and though Paul, or an Angel from heaven should come and preach contrary to God's Word, let them be accursed, Gal. 1.8.  
Use. 3 The third use is for terror; Is the Lord the best instructor of his people? then woeful is the condition of all them that despise the means of grace, that despise Gods teaching of the soul, either outwardly by the Ministry of the Word, or inwardly by the Spirit, that say unto God, Depart from us, for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways, Job 21.14. And when his Messengers call upon them to ask for the old way, which is the good way, and walk therein; they say, we will not walk therein; the condition of such is very miserable. See two places of Scripture for it, which might terrify the heart of any wicked wretch, that despiseth the means of grace; the one is in Heb. 12.25. See that ye despise not him that speaketh; for if they escaped not that refused him that spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn from him that speaketh from heaven. Those that slight Christ, and make a light account of him, refuse him and his doctrine, there is no escaping for such, how much more shall we not escape? The Lord Jesus Christ is the great Prophet of his Church, and all that will not hear this Prophet, shall be destroyed, Acts 3.23. Here is the misery of such poor souls, they shall be destroyed. And how might this terrify a poor soul, that contemns the means of grace, if I turn from Christ, if I hear not Christ, I shall not escape, I shall be destroyed.  
Secondly, It may serve to terrify such persons as delight in hearing lies as well as truth, and delight in corrupt doctrine as well as the truth, that say to the Prophets, Prophecy smooth things to us, and flatter us in our sins. Consider but one place of Scripture, Jer. 5. last verse, The Prophet's prophecy lies, and the Priests receive gifts, and my people delight therein, but what will ye then do in the end thereof? As much as if he should say, there will come an end, there will come a time when the Lord will call Minister and people to an account; but what will ye do in the end thereof? It implies the end will be a sad end, such an end as they shall not know what to do when they come to give account unto God, how they have spoken and heard the Word.  
Use. 4 Is for direction to all such persons as would not err, go to God and desire him to teach thee, who is the best instructor of his people; many a poor soul is ready to say, there are so many several opinions abroad, that I am at a stand, I know not what is truth and what is error, I know not what way to walk in, and, oh, that I could hear of that Minister that could direct me in the right way. My answer to such is, go to God and he can teach thee the right way, he leads his people by the paths of righteousness for his Names sake, Psal. 23. He knows thy condition, and can proportion matter suitable to thy condition. But now the soul will object; But what shall I do that I may be taught of God? For answer to this great Question, wouldst thou be taught of God, observe these directions, and the Lord make them profitable.  
First, wouldst thou have God teach thee? then attend the means of grace, the preaching of the Word: I told you God teacheth the soul outwardly by the Word as well as inwardly by the Spirit, and that man or woman may question whether God teacheth them that do neglect the outward Ministry of the Word, they are counted blessed that wait at wisdom's gates, Pro. 8.33. And saith the Apostle, Despise not prophesying, try all things, and keep that which is good, so that that soul that would be taught of God, must attend the means, the preaching of the word is the outward means God hath appointed to convert a soul, and as to convert, so to build up the soul by; for by the same means that he converts, he builds up, and therefore it's a strange opinion, that when a man is converted by the Ministry of the Word and Spirit, that he should separate and run into a corner to build up himself; he that would be taught of God, must attend the outward means by which the Lord teacheth the soul.  
Secondly, Wouldst thou have God teach thee? then be much in prayer, seek unto God to teach thee; David knew much of God, was able to teach his teachers, and yet he is earnest with God to teach him; show me, thy way, O Lord, Psal. 25.4. Lord teach me to do thy will, Psal. 143.11. And thou art my God, let thy good Spirit lead me into the land of uprightness; As much as if the Prophet should have said, Lord, I have a perverse spirit, thy Spirit is good, let thy good Spirit lead me, so go to God, and challenge his promise, and say, Lord, thou hast promised that the ears of thy People shall hear a voice behind them, saying, This is the way, walk in it, and ye shall find rest. Lord, I am an ignorant wretch, subject to err and miscarry, Lord accomplish thy promise, show me the way thou wouldst have me walk in, Lord suffer me not to miscarry. And this is the second means.  
Thirdly, Acknowledge thy ignorance, if thou wouldst have God to teach thee; there are many take up opinions with a resolution to hold them, be they right or wrong, and are as confident it is truth they hold, as if they were infallible in this life, in so much as no argument will convince them, they know enough, and scorn to be better instructed than they are. Now it is not such God will teach; but as our Saviour Christ says, The whole need not the Physician, but those that are sick; so God says to these, you know enough already, you shall not need that I teach you; the knowing need not to be taught, but those that are ignorant, that is, those that see their ignorance, and acknowledge it. The way to have God teach us, is to acknowledge our ignorance; David in praying to God to teach him, acknowledges his ignorance, and his need of Gods teaching; the way to become wise, is to become a foole, to acknowledge our ignorance and folly; for he that thinks he knoweth any thing, knoweth nothing as he ought to know, 1 Cor. 8.2.  
Fourthly, Wouldst thou have God teach thee? then eye him in all thy ways; Prov. 3.6. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Surely that soul that thinks most upon God, and eyes him at all times, places, and companies, and seeks direction from God about every employment, it is that soul that God will teach.  
Fiftly, Wouldst thou be taught of God? then be humble, and fear to offend him; Who so among you fears the Lord, him will he teach, Psal. 25.12. And he will teach the humble his way, vers. 9 That soul that truly fears him, with a filial fear, and lies humble and low before the Lord, the Lord will teach; but it is not so with the proud, he beholds them afar off, he resists them; show a man that hath a proud spirit, he will stand upon it, and he knows more than all the Ministers can tell him, and it is not for any to direct him, but he thinks that he is better able to direct them, he is ready to condemn all that join not with him in opinion; and do but observe him, and see if he run not from one thing to another, from one corrupt opinion unto another, until at length he be fallen quite from true Christianity; Why so? he is proud, and God doth not teach him, or if he belong to God, you shall see God will lay him as low on the other side, before ever he will comfort him; but the humble soul that lies low at the throne of grace, crying, Lord, I am a vile wretched ignorant creature; thou art heaven, but I am hell, it is these God will teach; then wouldst thou have God teach thee? be humble.  
Sixtly, Wouldst thou have God teach thee? then live in the practice of that which he hath already taught thee, and this is the way to know more, Joh. 7.17. If any man do my will, be shall know my doctrine. The way to know more, is to practise what we know already. And these are the means thou shouldest use if thou wouldst have God teach thee.  
Object. But I have sought God in the use of the means, and God gives me no answer.  
Answ. If thou hast been enticed to some corrupt opinion, and thou thinkest it may be it is truth, and thou hast sought God concerning it, and God hath given thee no present resolution, thou must know God doth by this prove thee, to see whether thou wilt stand constant and steadfast in the truth: see Deut. 13.1. If there arise a Prophet, saying, Let us go after other Gods, harken not to him, for the Lord your God proveth you. Is there any arise amongst you that say, let us go after new truths, new light? the Lord proveth you by them, to see whether you will forsake him or no, and therefore he gives no present answer; but know thus much, that if thou constantly seek him in the use of the means, though he give not a present answer, yet in his due time he will give an answer, and clear up the truth to thee.  
Object. You call them heretics and broachers of new truths and new light, which you call errors, but I cannot see but they are holy men, and live sanctified lives, and can allege more texts of Scripture for that they hold, than you can allege against them.  
Answ. The greater is the trial that God tries thee with, but this can be no sufficient ground for thee to follow them presently, because they seem to live holy lives; for if they should live profane, than none that are conscientious would regard them. An hypocrite will live a holy life outwardly, yea shame many a child of God, yet I am not to be of the judgement of an hypocrite, because he lives a holy life; the devil will allow an heretic to live a holy life, because it is advantageous to his Kingdom, and Satan for his own ends transforms himself into an Angel of light, and therefore no marvel if his Ministers do so: it is said of heretics, They are deceitful workers, transforming themselves into Angels of light, yea, into the Apostles of Jesus Christ, 2 Cor. 11.13. And in the 15. verse, they transform themselves as though they were the Ministers of righteousness. So likewise it is said of heretics, They come in sheeps-clothing, but inwardly are ravening Wolves; and therefore saith Christ, beware of them, Mat. 7.15. And whereas thou sayest that they bring Scripture for that they speak. I answer, so do the Papists to prove, that the bread and wine in the Sacrament is the very body and blood of Christ, how many Scriptures do they allege in the four Evangelists? And the Arminians allege many Scriptures for to prove a child of God may fall totally and finally from grace; and yet both very corrupt opinions; Try the spirits, whether they be of God or no, saith the Apostle; now the Apostle should not need to bid us try the spirits, were there not a lying spirit that imitates the true Spirit; for if the lying spirit did seduce in a way contrary to the true Spirit, there would never be so much mischief done, but the lying spirit imitates the true Spirit. It is said of seducers, They come in the Name of Christ, and deceive many, Mat. 24.5. they could never do so much mischief, did they not come in the Name of Christ. Wicked people want not holy pretences, to cover their wicked actions. Those in Isai. 66. that cast out the people of God say, Let the Lord be glorified; and they that kill the people of God think they do God good service, Joh. 16.2. They would cover these wicked actions with a cloak of Religion, saying, Let the Lord be glorified: This is the way, Beloved, to make the Scriptures mose of wax, to grant every heretic their interpretation of Scripture, so that their alleging Scripture can be no sufficient ground for thee to yield to their corrupt opinions, but they coming under this notion, the greater is thy trial, and God doth prove thee, to see whether thou wilt defend the truth or no.  
Object. But thou wilt say, it may be, how cometh it to pass, that many that have sought God, and been earnest in the use of the means, have miscarried and fallen into corrupt and strange opinions, as you call them, then, if God teacheth those that use the means?  
Answ. First, Because the fault may be in their seeking, they may seek God with an Idol in their hearts, and God may answer them according to the Idol in their hearts, that is, they may make choice of some corrupt opinion, and upon the matter are resolved to hold it, are unwilling any body should confute it, cannot endure the Minister that preacheth against it, and with might and main defends it, are vexed that any Scripture should seem to cross it, and yet they will seek unto God for his approbation in it; just as Balaam did, you know he was hired to curse the people of Israel in Numb. 22. & 23. chap. and he was very willing withal, he liked the motion well enough, but he would have God approve of it, and therefore he builds Altars, and offers Sacrifice, and would feign have God's approbation in it. Now when we seek thus, God may answer according to the Idol in the heart; and this you may see in Ezek. 14.4. Every man that setteth up his Idols in his heart, and comes to a Prophet to inquire of 〈◊〉, I will answer him according to the Idols in his heart. When a man setteth up Idols in his heart, this corrupt opinion, and that corrupt opinion, and then come to inquire of God, God may out of a just judgement answer them according to the Idols in their hearts. And this may be one Reason why though people seek God and use the means, yet they may miscarry, the fault is in their seeking.  
Secondly, It may come to pass amongst such as are godly, that they may seek God, and use the means, and yet miscarry for a time, that they might be the better established in the truth, when the Lord brings them bacl again.  
Thirdly, Some though they seek God and use the means, yet they may miscarry, because they have not true grace, such as may be compared to the Stony ground, they want root, and these, though they do seek God, yet they may miscarry; for being hypocritical professors, God will not regard their prayer; as Job 27.8, 9 What hope hath the hypocrite when God takes away his souls? Will he hear his cry? God will not regard their prayer; and secondly, being but hypocrites, they are not under a promise of perseverance in the truth, the godly are under a promise of perseverance in the truth, and therefore though they should miscarry for a time, yet the Lord will bring them bacl again; but another that hath no true grace, when he miscarries, it may be, for any thing we know, a final miscarriage, he though he make a glorious profession, yet is not under the promise, the other is; every graft the Father plants into Christ, he prunes and dresses, and makes fruitful, Joh. 15.2. Yea he sends his Spirit, and that leads them into all truth, Joh. 14.26. Now this may be another ground, why people may seek God, and use the means, and yet miscarry, because the persons that seek are not truly godly.  
Object. But may, some say, if the cause stand thus, how shall I know whether I be taught of God, yea or no?  
Answ. First, If God teach thee, than thou art very careful in the use of the means, thou art careful to observe all the direction I have given, to attend the outward means of grace, and thou art much in prayer, thou dost acknowledge thine ignorance, and so of all the rest. Now exanine whether thou be very careful in the use of these means, or no, if thou be, then surely God teacheth thee.  
Secondly, If thou be taught of God, thou art in Covenant with him, it is one part of the Covenant of grace, they shall be all taught and drawn of God, therefore examine whether thou be in Covenant with God, yea or no, if thou be not in Covenant with God, thou art not under the promise of Gods teaching of thee.  
Thirdly, If thou be taught of God, than he teacheth thee to know thyself aright, he shows thee thyself in the glass of his Word, and to know him aright, and then the more thou knowest, the more humble thou art; Dost thou lie humbly under gifts, and parts, and knowledge, and say, All is free mercy, and we have nothing but what we have received from God? Thus it is with that soul that God teacheth. Job 42.2. When he looked upon God, than he abhorred himself in dust and ashes; and Jer. 32.19. After I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh, I was ashamed and confounded. Thus it is with the soul, when God teacheth it, the more God teacheth it, the more humble it 〈◊〉; art thou puffed up with thy knowledge, doth it make ●●ee esteem of thyself above others? then thou mayest ●●estion, if thou hast knowledge, whether thou hast any ●●ing else; for if thou hadst grace, thou wouldst be humble and low in thine own eyes.  
Fourthly, If God teacheth thee, than thou dost live a pious godly life; for the grace of God which bringeth salvetion, teacheth us to deny ungodliness, and worldly lusts, and to live holily, righteously, and soberly in this present World, Tit. 2.11, 12. Those that out of pretence of new light, live loosely, say the Scriptures are written traditions, and they pray not in the family, they crave not a blessing upon their meat; ask them, why so, they answer, they know their liberty by Christ, and they contemn the Ordinances of God, censure all that are not of the same opinion to be in Babylon, and Idolaters; it is evident they are not taught of God; for those that God teacheth, he teacheth them to deny ungodliness, and worldly lusts, and to live holily, righteously, and soberly in this present world.  
Fiftly, If God teach thee, thou art a growing and a persevering Christian, thou dost grow in grace; for he causeth his Scholars to profit by his instructions; it is not with those that God teacheth, as it is with those that get no good by going to School seven years, but those God teacheth, he teacheth to profit; Unto you that fear my Name, shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing under his wings, and they shall go forth and grow as the calves of the stall; Those that God teacheth, they are a people growing in grace, and knowledge, and as they shall grow, so they shall persevere. Isai. 40. vers. the last, They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint: it shall not be said of them, They are young Saints, and old Devils, but they shall bring forth fruit in old age, Psal. 92.13. And they shall be selfe-denying Christians, that is one instruction that Jesus Christ, the great Prophet of his Church, teacheth his people, Mar. 8.34. Now examine thyself, art thou taught of God? then thou art a growing Christian? Art thou a growing selfe-denying persevering Christian? then it is a sign that God teacheth thee, and thou art a persevering Christian.  
Sixtly, If God teach thee, thou dost seek him in the use of those means which thou hast found him in; hast thou found him in the preaching of the Word? the day of his power hath come upon thee: and hast thou found him in prayer? thou wilt seek him in the use of these means still; the way is not to separate from the Ordinances thou hast found God in, and to neglect holy duties, for than thou mayest want of Gods teaching of thee, and thou wilt not thrive then in grace, but thou must attend those means thou hast found God in, and not such means as thou knowest not whether thou shalt find God in, or no.  
Use. 5 Exhortation. Is God the best teacher of his people? go to God, and beseech him to teach thee.  
First, Consider the necessity of Gods teaching thee, as our Saviour Christ saith to Peter, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part in me; so, if God teach thee not, thou hast no interest in him, for all his people are taught and drawn of him; there is a necessity of Gods teaching of thee, in respect of thy need, thou art a nothing-creature, an ignorant creature, subject to err, and to be misled, thou dost stand in need of Gods teaching.  
Secondly, Consider God is the best instructor, let this move thee to go to him, he is able to resolve thy doubts, he can clear up truths to thee, he can propound matter suitable to thy condition; and as he is able to teach thee, so it is his promise to teach those he enters into Covenant with, Jer. 31.34. seek him in the promise.  
Thirdly, Let the lessons God teacheth his people move thee to go to him, and beseech him to teach thee, they are soul-ravishing lessous being once learned, they bring in soul-ravishing comfort unto the soul, the matter in them is soul-ravishing matter; transcendent matter, scholars that affect their studies, many times they are taken up with the eloquence of the matter, the lessons that God teacheth the soul, are such transcendent matter, such great mysteries, as from eternity to eternity, is time little enough for men and Angels to admire at, for the very Angels admire it, and desire to pry into it; then let the excellency of the matter move thee to go to God, and beseech him to teach thee.  
One motive more; Consider if God teach thee, and thou learn of him, than he will teach thee the way, truth, and life, which is Christ Jesus, and then to be sure thou shalt not miscarry. Oh, Brethren, be exhorted to go to God, and beseech him to teach you; and as at all times, so especially now in these distracted times, when there is abundance of counterfeit coin abroad, every one will view his money well when he takes it, for fear he should be cheated. Oh, Beloved, there is but one way, one truth, and life, and therefore abundance of counterfeit Religion abroad; how many plead for a toleration of all Religions, that every man might use his conscience? how many proclaim open war against the Scriptures? how many vent out blasphemies against the persons in the Trinity? how many cry down the Moral Law for a rule, though it be one part of the Covenant of grace? I will write my Laws in your hearts, and cause you to walk in my ways; how many run up and down the Country, seducing and drawing Disciples after them, some into one corrupt opinion, and some into another; and it stands every one that desires to know the truth in hand, to look what coin they take, then do it not I pray, seeing God's Word doth know of but one way, truth, and life, that is safe, there is but one true Religion, and therefore many are seduced in these times; and the devil never had such a string to harp upon, as he hath now, new light, and new truth, and coming out of Babylon, many thousands will dash their brains out upon this rock, if the Lord be not merciful unto them; and this will terrify them when death comes, and the day of Judgement, when many will cry out, Oh, I did think such a one, and such an one, would not have misled me, I took them to be holy men, such as knew much of God, such as were more eminent than others, but now I see they are mistaken, and I am mistaken, I am an undone man, and I am an undone woman, I have forsaken God, and his truth, and now God will forsake me for ever. Lay these things to heart, Brethren, I tell you, the Church never had such a trial as now it hath, now are the times come that was spoken of, in the last days shall come perilous times, 2 Tim. 3.1. in which men will not endure sound doctrine, but are turned from the truth to fables, 2 Tim. 4.4. They come in the Name of Christ, and deceive many, and the Lord only knows who may be seduced by them, the Lord knows but it may be my husband may be seduced, may the wife say; or the Lord knows but it may be my wife may be seduced, may the husband say; the Lord knows, may parents say, but it may be our children may be seduced and drawn from the ways and truths of Christ, into dangerous & damnable errors, and what shall become of our children then? Consider these things, and let them move you to go to God, and beseech him to teach you and direct you; and you that are husbands, carry your wives to God, and beseech him to teach them, and to keep them from miscarrying; and you that are wives, carry your husbands to God, and entreat him to teach your husbands; and you parents, carry your children and servants to God, and say, Oh, Lord, we live in sad times, miscarrying times, little did we think ever to have lived in such times, Lord keep us close to thyself, and establish us in the truth; Lord keep my husband, keep my wife, keep our children and servants, and carry your neighbours to God, and beseech him to look upon them, and establish them in the truth. And this is a notable means to keep us from miscarrying.  
And lastly, when God hath answered your prayers, and settled you in the truth, thyself, or thy husband, or wife, or children, or neighbours, then give him the praise and glory of it: O Lord, such a one had like to have miscarried, but thou hast settled him in the truth, blessed be thy Name for it. The Lord make these things profitable and effectual by the inward operation of his Spirit, who is the best teacher of his people.  
FINIS.