A01898:136
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.
First,1 his abilities to forge and invent false reasonings and arguments to overthrow our faith,2 are (as they must needs be conceived to be) exceeding great: who for his knowledge is called [Greek or Hebrew], as well as Satan, for his malice; and for his subtlety in out-reaching us, a Serpent: who when young, outwitted our first parents, he beguiled Eve through his subtlety, says the Apostle, 2 Cor. 11. 3. then, when their reason was not depraved; but now he is grown that Old Serpent, 3Rev. 17. 9. and we are become children, apt to be tossed to and fro, Ephes. 4. 14. He hath had time enough to improve his knowledge in; a student he is of 5000. years standing; that hath lost no time, but as he is said to accuse day and night, Rev. 12. 10. so is able to study both day and night; and he hath made it his chief, if not whole study, to enable himself to tempt, and plead against us; It is his trade, therefore as men are called Lawyers, or Divines from their calling; so he the tempter and the accuser from his employment; & by this his long experience & observation he hath his [Greek or Hebrew] 2 Cor. 2. 11. his set and composed machinations; his [Greek or Hebrew] Ephes. 6. 11. his methods of temptations, which are studied and artificially moulded, and ordered; even such systems and methods of them, as tutors and professors of arts and sciences have, and do read over again and again to their Auditors: The Apostle calls them darts, verse 16. and he hath an whole shop, and armoury of them ready made and forged; ⟨p. 58⟩which for the acuteness, and subtle sophistry that is in them, are called depths of Satan,