"Such as profess'd they did detest and hate each wicked way; Whose seeming grace whilst we did trace, our Souls were led astray. When men of Parts, Learning, and Arts, professing Piety, Did thus and thus, it seem'd to us we might take liberty." CXVI. [Sidenote: Who are told that examples are no Rules. Psal. 19:8, 11. Exod. 23:2. Psal. 50:17, 18.] The Judge replies: "I gave you eyes, And light to see your way, Which had you lov'd and well improv'd, you had not gone astray. My Word was pure, the Rule was sure; Why did you it forsake, Or thereon trample, and men's example your Directory make? CXVII. [Sidenote: 2 Tim. 3:5.] "This you well knew: that God is true, and that most men are liars, In word professing holiness, in deed thereof deniers. O simple fools! that having Rules, your lives to regulate, Would them refuse, and rather choose vile men to imitate." CXVIII. [Sidenote: They urge that they were led by godly men's Examples. But all their shifts turn to their greater shame.] "But, Lord," say they, "we went astray, and did more wickedly, By means of those whom thou hast chose Salvation's heirs to be." To whom the Judge: "What you allege doth nothing help the case, But makes appear how vile you were, and rend'reth you more base. CXIX. [Sidenote: 1 Cor. 11:1. Phil. 4:8.] "You understood that what was good, was to be followéd, And that you ought that which was naught to have relinquishéd. Contrariwise it was your guise only to imitate Good men's defects, and their neglects who were regenerate. CXX. [Sidenote: Psal. 32:5. 2 Chron. 32:26. Mat. 26:75. Prov. 1:24, 25.] "But to express their holiness, or imitate their grace, You little car'd, nor once prepar'd your hearts to seek my Face. They did repent and truly rent their hearts for all known sin; You did offend, but not amend, to follow them therein." CXXI. [Sidenote: Some plead the Scriptures' darkness, and difference among Interpreters. 2 Pet. 3:16.] "We had thy Word," say some, "O Lord, but wiser men than we Could never yet interpret it, but always disagree. How could we fools be led by Rules so far beyond our ken, Which to explain did so much pain and puzzle wisest men?" CXXII. [Sidenote: They are confuted. Prov. 14:6. Isa. 35:8. Hos. 8:12.] "Was all my Word abstruse and hard?" the Judge then answeréd; "It did contain much Truth so plain you might have run and read. But what was hard you never car'd to know, or studiéd; And things that were most plain and clear you never practiséd. CXXIII. [Sidenote: Mat. 11:25. Prov. 2:3, 4, 5.]