If therefore in doubtful cases, you would discover God’s will, govern yourself in your search after it by these rules:

• Get the true fear of God upon your hearts; be really afraid of offending him …
• Study the word more, and the concerns and interests of the world less …
• Reduce what you know into practice, and you shell know what is your duty to practise …
• Pray for illumination and direction in the way you should go, beg the Lord to guide you in straits, and that he would not suffer you to fall into sin …
• And this being done, follow providence so far as it agrees with the word, and no further …

(Up to this point is from The Works of John Flavel, IV:468 (Mystery, p 186).)

Flavel’s emphasis stands in stark contrast to the ‘inner light’ movements of his time. It stands, too, in contrast with the contemporary views of guidance that imply the Christian can bypass Scripture in order to have direct access to the secret will of God.