A child of light walking in darknessA childe of light vvalking in darknesse

And thus Satan continued still to handle him, even now when he began to be truly humbled, and was a fit subject to receive forgiveness and comfort, ver. 7. when though he feared God and obeyed him, yet he walked in darkness, till the Church received him. Or else 3. when this ordinance is not in the §3case of such sins administered, then God himself (who works without an ordinance sometimes the same effects that with it) doth excommunicate mens spirits from his presence; and gives them up to Satan, by terrors to whip them home to himself. So that God gives him leave to exercise power over both godly men and wicked men, only with this difference: Wicked men God gives up unto him, as unto their Ruler, and their head; they are therefore called the rulers of the darkness of this world, Ephes. 6. 12. Who therefore work effectually in the children of disobedience: Ephes. 2. 2. Or else as captives to a Prince, he taking them captive at his will, 2 Tim. 2. 26. so as they are captived and led away, 1 Cor. 12. 2. But his own, God gives up to him, but as prisoners to a Jailer, as a Magistrate may do his child, to commit him; who hath not a power over his prisoner to do any thing with him; but only by appointment, for a time, with a limited commission, and therefore ⟨p. 52⟩cannot put him on the rack, or into the dungeon, but when and how far God pleaseth: even as when Satan is said to have cast them into prison, Rev. 2. 10. his commission was but for ten days, and then God rebukes him.

And thus Satan continued still to handle him, even now when he began to be truly humbled, and was a fit subject to receive forgivenesse and comfort, ver. 7. when though hee feared God and obeyed him, yet hee walked in darknesse, till the Church received him. Or else 3. when this ordinance is not in the §3