Consult the oracles
Perhaps some may ask, Ought we not then to inquire, What is the will of God in all things? And ought not his will to be the rule of our practice? Unquestionably it ought. But how is a sober Christian to make this inquiry, to know what is the will of God? Not by waiting for supernatural dreams. Not by expecting God to reveal it in visions. Not by looking for any particular impressions or sudden impulses on his mind. No — but by consulting the oracles of God. To the law and to the testimony (Isaiah 8:20). This is the general method of knowing what is the holy and acceptable will of God (Romans 12:2).
1771 text
22. Perhaps some may ask, “Ought we not then to enquire, What is the will of God in all things? And ought not his will to be the rule of our practice?” Unquestionably it ought. But how is a sober Christian to make this enquiry? To know, what is the will of God? Not by waiting for supernatural dreams. Not by expecting God to reveal it in visions. Not by looking for any particular impressions, or sudden impulses on his mind. No: but by consulting the oracles of God. To the law and to the testimony. This is the general method of knowing what is the holy and acceptable will of God.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 37 in the 1771 Works. Acts 26:24.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.