A01898:142
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, he is able not only to put into the heart suggestions and solicitations unto sensual and worldly objects; such as that into Judas heart, to betray §1his master for money, John 13. 2. and to tempt married couples severed,1 to incontinuancy, 1 Cor. 7. 5. But also the most subtle and abstracted reasonings concerning things spiritual, which are utterly remote from sense, he can insinuate and impart according to the measure and capacity of mens ⟨p. 63⟩apprehensions. Therefore we are said to wrestle with them about things heavenly, and out interest therein is often made the matter of the contention, and the subject of the question: so that phrase Ephes. 6. 12. [Greek or Hebrew]; when it is said, We wrestle with spiritual wickednesses in heavenly, is rather to be understood of [heavenly things] then of heavenly places;] the word signifying rather supercaelestiall, in the highest heavens; whither (if rendered of places) the devils never came since their fall; and it being used elsewhere for [heavenly things] as Heb. 8. 5. and the preposition [[Greek or Hebrew]] or [In] being likewise sometimes put to express the object matter about which a thing is conversant, as Matth. 11. 6. Blessed is he that is not offended in me, that is, with or about me, & for my sake; it may congruously be so here meant as noting to us, that the price about which we wrestle with Satan, the stake, are not things worldly, as honours, riches, and the like, but things heavenly, which concern our souls and estates hereafter. Now the contention being about heavenly things, and spiritual blessings, it cannot be transacted but by reasonings suitable; that is, spiritual false reasonings abstracted from sense and fancy: and in this respect they are termed spiritual wickednesses; because in such wickednesses they deal & trade in especially, or as much as in those that are sensual; as tempting to unbelief, despair, blasphemy against God, of which sort are all those temptations we have now in hand. And that he is able to convey and suggest such spiritual thoughts and reasonings of what sort soever, appeareth many ways: as by injecting blasphemous thoughts against God