A01898:124
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
Part 1 › Chapter 6 › 1. In general.Part 1 › Chapter 6 › 1. In generall.
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.
And secondly,1 as Satan hath such a desire, is God may give his child up into Satan's hand for a while thus to afflict and terrify his Spirit:2 His last commission over Job seemeth to extend thus far; for his life only was excepted: Job 2. 6. He is in thy hand, only save his life; & therefore after that leave given, we hear Job (although never brought to question his estate, yet) crying out of terrors, and of the sins of his youth; for Satan then as he smote his body with boils, so buffeted his spirit. And though Satan hath will of himself, and a desire to it, and power physical enough, and abilities to inflict this at all times; yet he must further have power moral, or leave and commission from God; And God sometimes gives to Satan power over the sons and daughters of Abraham, Luke 13. even as well as others; and as their bodies to be vexed by him, so their spirits: and as to provoke them unto sin, so much more to terrify for sin: there being more ⟨p. 49⟩of punishment then of sin in that. Thus he left David to Satan, to provoke him unto sin, aswell as Judas: Therefore that provocation to number the people as it is imputed to Satan and his malice, 1 Chron. 21. 1. so also to God and his anger, in giving leave first to Satan, 2 Sam. 24. 1. And as an evil spirit from the Lord troubled Sauls mind, 1 Sam. 16. 14. So a messenger of satan was sent to buffet Pauls spirit, 2 Cor. 12. wherein yet God doth no way help Satan with any further power, then what as an Angel he furnished him with at his creation; nor with any assistance or information of our secret sins against us, to enable him the more to assault us, (this I find not in Scripture) but permissive power only. Which is either 1. obtained