nothing, and diminish
nothing, let this lamp shine "till the day dawn, 'till the morning of the
resurrection," and walk ye in the light of it, and do not kindle any other
sparkles, else ye shall lie down in the grave in sorrow, and rise in
sorrow. Take the word of God as the only rule, and the perfect rule,--a
rule for all your actions, civil, natural, and religious, for all must be
done to his glory, and his word teacheth how to attain to that end. Let
not your imaginations, let not others example, let not the preaching of
men, let not the conclusions and acts of Assemblies be your rule, but in
as far as you find them agreeing with the perfect rule of God's holy word.
All other rules are _regulae regulatae_, they are but like publications and
intimations of the rule itself. Ordinances of assemblies are but like the
herald promulgation of the king's statute and law, if it vary in any thing
from his intention, it is not valid and binding. I beseech you, take the
scriptures for the rule of your walking or else you will wander, the
scripture is _regula regulans_, a ruling rule. If you be not acquainted
with it, you must follow the opinions or examples of other men, and what
if they lead you unto destruction?

Lecture IV.

The Scriptures Reveal Eternal Life Through Jesus Christ

John v. 39--"Search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have
eternal life, and they are they which testify of me." Eph. ii.
20--"And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and
prophets."

As in darkness there is need of a lantern without and the light of the
eyes within--for neither can we see in darkness without some lamp though we
have never so good eyes, nor yet see without eyes, though in never so
clear a sunshine--so there is absolute need for the guiding of our feet in
the dangerous and dark paths to eternal life (that are full of pits and
snares,) of the lamp, or word written or preached, without us, and the
illumination of the Holy Ghost within us. These are conjoined, Isa. liv.
21, "This is my covenant," "The Spirit that is upon thee, and my words
which I have put in thy mouth, will not depart out of thy mouth, nor out
of the mouth of thy seed," &c. There are words without, and there must
needs be a spirit within, which makes us to behold the truth and grace
contained in these words. There is a law written without, with pen and
ink, and there is a law written within,