was not wholly arbitrary and unlimited, but had bounds set unto it;
so that as in civil matters it was restrained to things lawful, so
in spiritual and religious cases it had not a compulsory power over
conscience, which ought to be subject to the heavenly Father. And
therefore, though obedience to parents be enjoined to children, yet
it is with this limitation [in the Lord]: "Children, obey your
parents in the Lord; for this is right" (1 Pet. vi. 1).

This turned the scale for going forward, and so on I went. And yet
I was not wholly free from some fluctuations of mind, from the
besettings of the enemy. Wherefore, although I knew that outward
signs did not properly belong to the gospel dispensation, yet for my
better assurance I did, in fear and great humility, beseech the Lord
that he would be pleased so far to condescend to the weakness of his
servant as to give me a sign by which I might certainly know whether
my way was right before Him or not.

The sign which I asked was, "That if I had done wrong in coming as I
did, I might be rejected or but coldly received at the place I was
going to; but if this mine undertaking was right in His sight, He
would give me favour with them I went to, so that they should
receive me with hearty kindness and demonstrations of love."
Accordingly, when I came to John Rance's house (which, being so much
a stranger to all, I chose to go to, because I understood the
meeting was commonly held there), they received me with more than
ordinary kindness, especially Frances Rance, John Rance's then wife,
who was both a grave and motherly woman, and had a hearty love to
truth, and tenderness towards all that in sincerity sought after it.
And this so kind reception, confirming me in the belief that my
undertaking was approved of by the Lord, gave great satisfaction and