A01898:106
A child of light walking in darknessA childe of light vvalking in darknesse
A child of light walking in darkness: or A treatise showing the causes, by which God leaves his children to distress of conscience. The cases, wherein [God leaves his children to distress of conscience.] The ends, for which [God leaves his children to distress of conscience.] Together with directions how to come forth of such a condition: with other observations upon Isaiah 50. 10, and 11. verses. By Tho: Goodwin B.D.A childe of light vvalking in darknesse: or A treatise shewing the causes, by which God leaves his children to distresse of conscience. The cases, wherein [God leaves his children to distresse of conscience.] The ends, for which [God leaves his children to distresse of conscience.] Together vvith directions how to come forth of such a condition: vvith other observations upon Esay 50. 10, and 11. verses. By Tho: Goodwin B.D.
London: printed by Miles for R. Dawlman and L. Fawne, 1636
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Add unto all this 4. that as there is such strength of corrupt reason which is thus opposite to faith,1 so that there are many other principles of corrupt affections in the heart,2 which join and take part with carnal reason in all this its opposition against faith, and which set it a work and do back it as much in persuading Gods children that their estates are naught, as in securing men unregenerate that their estates are good; and the hand of self-love (which bribeth and biaseth carnal reason, especially in judging of our estates) is found as deep in the one as in the other; and this doth yet ⟨p. 39⟩give further light to this point in hand. For look as before faith is wrought, self-flattery (which is one branch of self-love) bribeth and setteth carnal reason awork to plead the goodness of their estates to men unregenerate, and causeth all such false reasons to take with them which tend to persuade them to think well of themselves. So when once faith is wrought, jealousy, and suspiciousness, and incredulity, (which are other, as great sprigs of pride and self-love in us, as the former, which do begin to sprout and show themselves, when that other is lopped off, and which do grow up together with the work of faith) these do edge and sharpen the wit of carnal reason, to argue and wrangle against the work of faith and grace begun; and all such objections as carnal reason doth find out against it, are pleasing and plausible to these corrupt principles, for they are thereby nourished and strengthened.
Adde unto all this 4. that as there is such strength of corrupt reason which is thus opposite to faith,1 so that there are many other principles of corrupt affections in the heart,2 which joyne and take part with carnall reason in all this its opposition against faith, and which set it a worke and doe backe it as much in perswading Gods children that their estates are naught, as in securing men unregenerate that their estates are good; and the hand of selfe-love (which bribeth and byasseth carnall reason, especially in judging of our estates) is found as deepe in the one as in the other; and this doth yet