The Fourth Direction

And especially if I add a fourth rule, and that is. That I walk by rule in that work I am called to. I am called to such a business, but I must manage this work that I am called to by rule, I must walk by the word, order myself in this business according to God's mind so far as I am able, then add this to the other, and then the quiet and peace of that soul may be made even perfect in a kind, when I know it is not the work I put myself upon but God has called me to it, and I walk by the rule of the word in it, then let come what will come God he is to take care of me there. It was a speech of a Heathen (says he) if you will subject all things to yourself, do you subject yourself to reason, and by that you will make all things to be under you. I may add a little more to it, if you will subject all things under you, subject yourself to God, and then the truth is all things are under you. It has been that that many times we have hinted, the reason why many of our Gentry have been so malignant among us is, because they are willing to be slaves themselves under some above them at Court, so they may keep their neighbors under to be slaves to them: for you know any man heretofore that was great at the Court, he could crush any country man that he was angry withal. If there were an Arbitrary government, then all those that would be willing to be vassals and slaves to the Prince, they can make all others vassals and slaves to them. Now be willing to be a vassal to God, to be absolutely under God's command, and then I say all things in the world are under you, All are yours (says the Apostle) Life and death, everything is yours, and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's: All things in the world are serviceable to that man or woman that is serviceable to God. It is a mighty commendation of God's service, be willing to be serviceable to God and God makes all things in the world to be your servants, for so they are. You will say, how are they my servants, I cannot command them? They are servants in this, that God does order them all to work for your good, there's nothing in the world but (says God) it shall work for your good, and be serviceable to you, if you will be serviceable to me; who would not be now God's servant? Subject yourself to God, and all things shall be subjected to you. Now so long as we keep within our bounds we are under protection, but if once we break our bounds we must expect it should be with us as it is with the deer in the Park. While the deer keeps within the pale, there are no dogs come upon them, but they can feed quietly, but let the deer be got without the pale, and then every dog in the country will be hunting after them. So it is with men, let men and women keep within the bounds of the command of God, of the rule that God has set them in his word, and then they are protected by God, and they may go about their business with peace and never be troubled for anything, but cast all their care upon God, God provides for them. But if they will go beyond the pale, if they will pass their bounds then they may expect to meet with troubles, and afflictions, and discontent; and therefore that is a fourth direction. Walk by rule.

A fourth rule follows naturally from the third: walk by God's word in the work you are called to. You are called to a certain task — but you must manage that work according to God's will, ordering yourself in it by His word as best you can. Add this to the third direction, and your soul's peace can be made nearly complete: you know you did not choose this work yourself but that God called you to it, and you are walking in it according to the rule of His word. Whatever comes, then, God will care for you. A pagan philosopher once said: if you want everything subject to you, subject yourself to reason, and by that you will bring everything under your control. I can take that a step further: if you want everything under you, subject yourself to God — and truly, all things will be under you. You may have noticed that some among the powerful and well-connected have been the most hostile to godly living, because they are willing to be slaves to those above them at court, so long as they can keep their neighbors under their own power. Under arbitrary government, those who are willing to be servants to a prince can make all others servants to themselves. But be willing to be a servant to God — to be fully under God's command — and all things in the world will be under you. "All things are yours," says the apostle, "life and death" — everything is yours, and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's. Everything in the world serves the person who serves God. This is a great commendation of God's service: be willing to serve God, and God makes all things in the world your servants — for so they are. You may ask: how are they my servants when I cannot command them? They serve you in this way: God orders all things to work for your good. There is nothing in the world, God says, that will not work for your good and serve your needs, if you will serve Him. Who would not want to be God's servant on those terms? Subject yourself to God, and all things will be subjected to you. As long as we stay within our proper boundaries, we are under God's protection. But if we break those boundaries, we can expect what happens to deer that wander out of the enclosure. While the deer stay within the fence, no dogs trouble them — they feed in peace. But once the deer get outside the fence, every dog in the area will hunt them. So it is with men and women: keep within the boundaries of God's commands, within the rule He has set in His word, and you are under His protection. You can go about your work in peace, free from anxiety, casting all your care on God, and God provides for you. But step outside those boundaries, and you can expect to meet with trouble, affliction, and discontent. That is the fourth direction: walk by rule.