A01898:137
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.
the longer they are on foot, and the further they have bin carried along, the more they are enlarged, improved and grow more subtle: So must this needs also, especially in this latter knowing age of the world; and by reason also of that seeming near similitude which hypocrisy holds unto the truth and power of grace, (which hath fazled and entangled this controversy) The objections and difficulties which a believer meets with in beating out a right judgement of his estate,1 are greater then in any controversy the world ever knew; and afford stranger knots, and require as acute distinctions to dissolve them as the School knows any. And indeed such, as, did not the holy Ghost sometimes cut, sometimes untie them for believers, by witnessing with our spirits that we are the sons of God, bare reason alone could never determine in it. Now Satan through long experience, and observation ⟨p. 59⟩hath all these at his fingers ends; and hath reduced them all to common places long since; He hath still observed, and laid up what answers have relieved the spirits of believers in such and such a doubt cast in by him; and then studies a further reply against the next time, or for the next believer he shall have to do with.
the longer they are on foote, and the further they have bin caryed along, the more they are enlarged, improved and grow more subtle: So must this needs also, especially in this latter knowing age of the world; and by reason also of that seeming neere similitude which hypocrisie holds unto the truth and power of grace, (which hath fazled and entangled this controversie) The objections and difficulties which a beleever meets with in beating out a right judgement of his estate,1 are greater then in any controversie the world ever knew; and afford stranger knots, and require as acute distinctions to dissolve them as the Schoole knowes any. And indeed such, as, did not the holy Ghost sometimes cut, sometimes untie them for beleevers, by witnessing with our spirits that wee are the sons of God, bare reason alone could never determine in it. Now Satan through long experience, and observation ⟨p. 59⟩hath all these at his fingers ends; and hath reduced them all to common places long since; He hath still observed, and laid up what answers have relieved the spirits of beleevers in such and such a doubt cast in by him; and then studies a further reply against the next time, or for the next beleever he shall have to doe with.